University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter Laertes.
Laer.
Thy Presence nobly speaks the Man I wish,
Gustavus.

Gust.
Yes. Thou hast a hostile Garb,
Ha! say—Art thou Laertes? If I err not,
There is a friendly Semblance in that Face,
Which answers to a fond Impression here,
And tells me I'm thy Debtor—my Deliv'rer!

Laer.
No, valiant Prince, you over-rate my Service,
There is a worthier Object of your Gratitude
Whom yet you know not—O, I have to tell—
But then to gain your Credit, must unfold
What haply should be secret—Be it so;
You are all Honour.

Gust.
Let me to thy Mind,
For thou hast wak'd my Soul into a Thought
That holds me, all Attention.

Laer.
Mightiest Man!
To me alone you held yourself oblig'd
For Life and Liberty—Had it been so,
I were most bless'd, with Retribution just
To pay thee for my own—For on the Day
When by your Arm the mighty Thraces fell,
Fate threw me to your Sword—You spar'd my Youth,
And in the very Whirl and Rage of Fight
Your Eye was taught Compassion—from that Hour
I vow'd my Life the Slave of your Rememb'rance;
And often, as Cristina, heav'nly Maid!
The Mistress of my Service, question'd me
Of Wars and vent'rous Deeds, my Tidings came
Still freighted with thy Name, until the Day
In which yourself appear'd, to make Praise speechless.
Cristina saw you then, and on your Fate
Dropp'd a kind Tear; and when your noble Scorn
Of profer'd Terms provok'd her Father's Rage
To take the deadly Forfeit; she, she only,
Whose Virtues watch'd the precious Hour of Mercy,
All trembling, sent my secret Hand to save you;
Where, thro' a Pass unknown to all your Keepers,
I led you forth, and gave you to your Liberty.

Gust.
O I am sunk, o'erwhelm'd with wond'rous Goodness,
But were I rich and free as opening Mines
That teem their golden Wealth upon the World,
Still I were poor, unequal to her Bounty.
Nor can I longer doubt whose gen'rous Arm
In my Arvida, in my Friend's Deliverance,
Gave double Life, and Freedom to Gustavus.

Laer.
A fatal Present! Ah, you know him not;
Arvida is misled, undone by Passion;
False to your Friendship, to your Trust unfaithful.

Gust.
Ha! hold!

Laer.
I must unfold it.

Gust.
Yet forbear:
This Way—I hear some footing—pray you soft—
If thou hast aught to urge against Arvida,
The Man of Virtue, tell it not the Wind;
Lest Slander catch the Sound, and Guilt should triumph.

[Exeunt.