University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter TOXILUS and Slaves.
TOXILUS.
The foe subdu'd, the citizens all safe,
The state secure, peace firmly ratified,
The war extinct, and ended with success,
Our army and our garrisons compleat,
Since thus, O Jove, and all ye heavenly powers,
You've aided us effectually, I'm grateful;
And pay you my acknowledgements, that I
So fully am reveng'd upon my foe.
Go out then and prepare—Before the door,
Here, 'twixt my fellow soldiers I'll divide
The spoil, and make them be partakers with me—
Here my co-mates I'll entertain—Come forth—
[to the slaves.
Set down the couches here—Bring every thing
Usual on such occasions—Here I'll have
The water plac'd—Here will I make all gay,
Free and rejoicing; that all those, by whose
Assistance I've so easily accomplish'd
The thing I wish'd for, may have some reward—
The man's a knave in grain, who can receive
A favour, and yet knows not to return it.

Enter LEMNISELENE, SAGARISTIO, and PÆGNIUM.
Lem.
My Toxilus, why stand I distant from you?
Or rather, should I say, why you from me?

Tox.
Go to—Why don't you come then and caress me?

Lem.
I will with all my heart— [embracing him.]
There's nothing sweeter.
Prithee, why don't you take us to our couches
At once, my dear—

Tox.
Your wish is mine—

Lem.
And mine
Is yours—

Tox.
Come, Sagaristio, come and take
The upper couch—

Sag.
I care not much 'bout that,
Do you but make the agreement good betwixt us.

Tox.
All in good time—

Sag.
All in good time's too late.

Tox.
Attend the present business—Take your couch—
This happy day let's celebrate with joy,
It is my birth-day—Bring us water, boy,
[to Pæg.
To wash our hands—Set supper on the table—
To you, sweet flower, this wreath of flowers I give,
[giving a wreath to Lemniselene.
For you shall be the mistress of our feast—
Start from the top with seven cups, my boy,
Move your hand briskly, stir—Thou art an age,
Pægnium, in giving me the cups—Come, give them me—
Health to my noble self, and health to you,
[drinking.
And health to my fair mistress—The kind gods
Have granted me this day, this day I long'd for—
When in my arms I may enfold you freed
[to Lem.
From slavery.

Lem.
You've made us happy all—
As it becomes a mistress to her love,
My hand presents this cup to yours—

Tox.
Come, give it me—

Lem.
Take it—

[giving him the cup.
Tox.
To him, who in this joy rejoices,
Health; and to him, who does not grudge it me—