 | The Rover ; Or, Happiness at Last |  |
SCENE VIII.
To her, Colin.Colin.
Say heav'nly Maid! thou fairest of thy Kind!
When shall thy ardent Suitor Comfort find?
O, let Compassion heighten ev'ry Grace,
And save a Youth, most wretched of his Race.
Delia.
If you'd divert me don't give over yet;
Come, say what Charms I've got since last we met.
Colin.
Ah, Delia! cease to teaze your Lover so,
Your captivating Beauty well you know;
Young Cupid on your snowy Bosom lies,
And ev'ry Arrow's hoarded in those Eyes:
Their dire Effect I cannot long endure;
You caus'd the Pain, and shou'd apply the Cure.
AIR.
Jove meant that Face to please the Sight,
That graceful Shape to yield Delight,
And all thy bright transcendent Charms,
To bless some happy Lover's Arms:
Let me on their mild Influence live,
And Joy at once receive and give.
That graceful Shape to yield Delight,
And all thy bright transcendent Charms,
To bless some happy Lover's Arms:
Let me on their mild Influence live,
And Joy at once receive and give.
RECITATIVE.
Delia.
Ah, Colin! Colin, I am much afraid
That Tongue has ruin'd many a harmless Maid:
If false to them, you'll not be true to me.
Colin.
Some other pretty Thoughts will do I see.
(Aside.)
Think! think, how much you all your Sex excell!
Were I on that fair panting Breast to dwell,
My Love and Life shou'd but together die.
Delia.
What Nymph but wou'd to such a Swain comply?
(Aside.)
Colin.
O, never Pause! see yon inviting Bow'r,
There let us offer Love a happy Hour;
10
We'll taste the Transports Lovers only know.
Delia.
Ha! ha! vain Youth, stand off, at Distance keep,
Give o'er th'Attempt, and watch your straggling Sheep.
Colin.
Does Delia glory in her Lover's Pain?
Delia.
The Trifler shou'd be trifled with again.
Colin.
Ha! have the Prospect full in view and miss!
What a confounded Disappointment's This!
(Aside.)
DUET.
[Colin.]
Behold yon blooming Rose!
Which scents the Morning Dew;
Triumphing, as it grows,
In Prime of Youth like you:
But when cool Autumn takes his Round,
Tho' now in Pomp array'd,
'Twill strow with blighted Leaves the Ground,
While all its Beauties fade.
Then snatch at Pleasure, e're too late,
Lest, Delia, you receive such Fate.
Delia.
That Damask Rose, so bright,
Upon its Stalk will thrive,
And treat the Smell and Sight,
While native Sweets survive:
But pluck the Flow'r 'twill only please,
A momentary Stay;
Its Glories die, its Odours cease,
'Tis scorn'd, and thrown away.
Thus when a Nymph to Folly's won,
By all she's slighted when undone.
RECITATIVE.
Colin.
This Modesty too far extends its Sway,
That matchless Form was meant for Sport and Play;
I ne'er before thus knew the Bait to fail.
(Aside.)
Delia.
Such feeble Arguments will ne'er prevail.
AIR.
You've told me what Beauty appears in my Face,
And how like a Goddess I'm shap'd,
Yet, Colin, I'm certain I still have a Grace
Your narrow Observance has 'scap'd.
And how like a Goddess I'm shap'd,
Yet, Colin, I'm certain I still have a Grace
Your narrow Observance has 'scap'd.
11
'Tis Virtue that shines in the Virgin's bright Eyes,
And adds to her Mein ev'ry Charm:
'Tis that which attracts the Regard of the Wise,
But never a Fool can alarm.
And adds to her Mein ev'ry Charm:
'Tis that which attracts the Regard of the Wise,
But never a Fool can alarm.
Here Virtue and Reason I hope are ally'd,
With Passion united to both:
And when you can conquer my Guard and my Pride,
I am your's for ever! sweet Youth.
With Passion united to both:
And when you can conquer my Guard and my Pride,
I am your's for ever! sweet Youth.
[Exit.
RECITATIVE.
Colin.
With Justice she contemns me!—Yet I fear,
That very Scorn has struck me much too near.
How a short Moment turns the varied Mind!
How Virtue frustrates all by Vice design'd!
Cou'd I betray her?—no,—the Thought's suppress'd,
And what was once my Hope I now detest.
O, Love!—if this be Love, I'm lost indeed,
For such a Wretch as I, can ne'er succeed.
[Exit.
| The Rover ; Or, Happiness at Last | |