The Ephesian Matron A Comic Serenata, After the Manner of the Italian |
 | 1. | SCENE I. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
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 | The Ephesian Matron |  |
1
SCENE I.
The Scene is supposed to lie in a Tomb, near the City of Ephesus. A Lamp burning; on one Side a dead Body. The Matron clasping her Husband's Corps; her Father, and her Maid endeavouring to force her away.TRIO.
Matron.
Hence, hence! away; in vain you strive
To tear me from my dear dead man;
His wife I am, dead or alive,
My love shall end where it began.
Father.
But daughter—
Maid.
Mistress—
Matron.
Grief, O Grief!
1., 2.
Will staying here bring him relief?
To molder with him in the grave
Is killing two.
2
Adieu, adieu;
To die with him is all I crave.
1., 2.
Some comfort take—
Matron.
My heart will break.
1., 2.
And with us go.
Matron.
No, no, no, no.
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
1., 2.
You shall, you must.
Matron.
No, his dear dust
By me shall never be deserted;
But here I'll stay,
Both night and day,
Till Death has join'd whom Death hath parted.
FATHER.
Well, daughter, since intreaties all are vain,
And still your purpose you maintain
To give a sample
Of nuptial love,
And so to prove
To future wives a rare example,
I leave you to your fate.
The sad but glorious work complete,
And since all else your constancy denies,
When Death, as soon he must, hath clos'd your eyes,
Your weeping father shall return—
You cannot hinder him to mourn—
And with due rites perform your obsequies.
And still your purpose you maintain
To give a sample
Of nuptial love,
And so to prove
To future wives a rare example,
I leave you to your fate.
The sad but glorious work complete,
And since all else your constancy denies,
When Death, as soon he must, hath clos'd your eyes,
Your weeping father shall return—
You cannot hinder him to mourn—
And with due rites perform your obsequies.
3
But more—A monument I'll raise,
Where, sacred to your endless praise,
This just inscription shall be read:
Where, sacred to your endless praise,
This just inscription shall be read:
“Nipt in the flow'r of charms and youth,
“A miracle of female truth
“Lies here inroll'd among the dead.
“A miracle of female truth
“Lies here inroll'd among the dead.
“Stop traveller, and, drawing near,
“Bestow the tribute of a tear.
“Death snatch'd her consort from her side;
“She lov'd, she sorrow'd, and she died.
“Bestow the tribute of a tear.
“Death snatch'd her consort from her side;
“She lov'd, she sorrow'd, and she died.
| The Ephesian Matron | |