University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The Grand Saloon of Audience.
The Emperor on his Throne in the Robes of Sov'reignty, attended by his Courtiers.—ALBERTI and CONSTANTIA kneeling.
EMPEROR.
Arise—Thus for your sufferings I bow.—
All, all, salute them as your sov'reign's friends—
In saving you—how is my glory sav'd!
Had ye died victims of a sentence rash,
What from my name cou'd e'er the stain eraze?
That all the records of succeeding ages,
Must shrink from with the utmost detestation!
But th'interference of all-ruling Heaven
Has snatch'd me from precipitate disgrace,
Which ever must supremacy befal,
That vests with ministerial pow'r a wretch,
Who'd veil with virtuous mask, the worst designs
To favour vengeful or ambitious views.
[Rises from the throne.
From such—Omnipotence protect my throne!
Let me not, seated there, forget I'm man;
To thee amenable for all my judgments:
In that dread day when no distinction's known,
To give man pow'r is but the means of sin,
Unless with wisdom you that pow'r direct,
And shield his breast from passion's anarchy.—
Alberti, thy merit and thy sufferings
Claim from me a due reward—Hence do I
Here appoint thee to act for us with just,
With delegated sway throughout the empire,
And all acknowledge what I now declare him:
Guide of my councils—General of the brave.
—To Constantia.—
While from thy sex thou shalt all honours have,
Mirror of wives—and Heroine of the Cave!