Boadicia A Tragedy |
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SCENE the fourth.
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 | Boadicia |  |
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SCENE the fourth.
Venusia, Dumnorix, Ebrancus, and an Icenian carrying a bowl.Venusia.
My Dumnorix, defend me.
Dumnorix.
Ha! what means
This wild demeanour—willt thou speak, Icenian?—
Fear not my love; thy Dumnorix is near.
What is that bowl, thou carry'st?
Icenian.
If ought appears disorder'd in my gesture,
Which ill becomes the reverence, I owe thee,
Charge that demerit to my horrid errand,
And not to me.
Venusia.
What will befal us now!
Dumnorix
to the Icenian.
Willt thou begin?
Icenian.
I come from Boadicia.
Dumnorix.
Where is she?
Icenian.
Far advanc'd o'er yonder vale.
Dumnorix.
With what intention?
Icenian.
To assail the Romans.
Dumnorix.
Assail the Romans?
Icenian.
To surprize their camp
At this dead hour with unexpected slaughter.
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In words, like these, she gave. “Observe our course;
“When I have pass'd the camp's extremest verge
“Back to my daughters and Venusia speed:
“Tell them, I go our fortune to restore,
“If unsuccessful never to return.
“Should that stern doom attend me, bid them take
“The last, best gift, which dying I can leave them;
“That of my blood no part may prove dishonour'd.
“The Trinobantian, of his Roman friends
“So well deserving, may accept their grace.”
This said with wild emotion in her breast,
Her visage black'ning with despair and horrour,
She streight committed to my trembling hands
Two fatal bowls, which flow with poison'd streams.
I have accomplish'd half my horrid task
With Boadicia's daughters.
Dumnorix.
Frantic woman!
Who hopes with fury and despair to match
The vigilance and conduct of Suetonius.
Icenian.
From this ill-fated hand receive the draught,
Whose hue and odour warrant it the juice
Of that benumbing plant, the Druids gather.;
That plant, whose drowsy moisture lulls the sense,
And with a silent influence expels
The unresisting spirit from her seat.
Dumnorix.
Mistaken woman! did she deem Venusia
Was unprovided of this friendly potion—
Perform thy orders; bear it to my tent—
Thou mayst not want it yet—take comfort, love.
| Boadicia | |