University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Long Walk in a Garden.
Enter Irene, Armida, Euphelia.
Ire.
Compress thy Sighs, and Calm thy Grief, Armida,
Thou shalt not be Compell'd to Change thy Love,
Thy Father dazled with a Crown's false Lustre,
To Pomp and Power would Sacrifice thy Quiet,
But I, my Dearest Child, had rather see
Thy Happiness, than Grandeur.

Arm.
Tho' more than Common Duty should be paid,
To such Indulgence, in the best of Mothers,
Forgive me, Madam, If my Love Presume,
Bold Love, who knows no Ties of Blood, or Duty;
To Cross, or Contradict what you ordain,
When poor Armida can her self Command,
You always shall Command Armida.

Ir.
Not that I Disapprove thy noble Flame,
Whose Object Merits all that Man can hope,
But since the King so Passionately Loves,
Whose Power can take what we refuse to give,
You must keep Measures with so great á Rival,
With false Appearances Elude his Hope,
And sooth his Love, 'till Rodomond return:
To fix thy safety by a sure Possession.

Arm.
O I never Could Dissemble.

Ir.
But now Necessity must teach you,
The Princess too must Counterfeit a Passion,
And make the King believe she Loves,
As he directs, and that his Choice is hers,
Or you are lost for ever;
You manage that, and leave the rest to me,
Whose Care shall all the Obstacles Remove,
That Interfere betwixt you and Happiness:
Amuse the King, but Love him not Armida,
Of all Mankind renounce the thoughts of Him.

Arm.
Of all Mankind, I cannot say I hate,
But I am sure, that I could never Love him.

Ir.
The reason you shall know in time, 'tis now
Improper, but see your Father and Roderick
Approach, let us retire.

[Exeunt