University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Dunbar, Eleonora.
Eleonora.
Renown, to Day
Has lavish'd all her Honours on thy Head.

Dunbar.
What boots it, that my Fortune decks me thus
With unsubstantial Plumes; when my Heart groans
Beneath the gay Caparison, and Love
With unrequited Passion wounds my Soul!

Eleonora.
Is unpropitious Love unknown to me?
To me for ever doom'd (alas!) to nurse
The slow-consuming Fire.—

Dunbar.
Heav'ns!—what are all
The boasted Charms, that with such wond'rous Power
Attach thee to my Rival?—Far from me
Be the vain Arrogance of Pride, to vaunt
Excelling Talents; yet I fain would learn,
On what admir'd Accomplishment of Stuart,
Thy Preference is fix'd.—

Eleonora.
Alas! Dunbar,
My Judgment, weak and erring as it is,
Too well discerns on whom I should bestow
My Love and my Esteem:—But trust me, Youth,
Thou little know'st how hard it is to wean
The Mind from darling Habits long indulg'd!
I know that Stuart sinks into Reproach:
Immers'd in Guilt, and, more than once, subdu'd
By thy superior Merit and Success:
Yet even this Stuart,—for I would not wrong
Thine Expectation,—still retains a Part
Of my Compassion—nay, I fear, my Love!—
Would'st thou, distinguish'd by th'Applause of Kings,
Disgrace thy Qualities, and brook the Prize
Of a divided Heart?—

Dunbar.
No!—witness Heav'n
I love not on such Terms!—Am I then doom'd,
Unfeeling Maid! for ever, to deplore
Thy unabating Rigour!—The rude Flint
Yields to th'incessant Drop; but Eleonora,
Inflexibly severe, unchang'd remains—
Unmov'd by my Complaint!—

Eleonora.
My Father comes!
Let me, with pious Ravishment, embrace
His martial Knees, and bless the guardian Power
That screen'd him in the Battle!