University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A Noble Apartment, without a Throne.
Latinus, Turnus, and Prenesto.
Lat.
Turnus , I rather chose t'enjoy in thee
A living Friend, than kill an Enemy.

Turn.
With equal Care did I the Blow decline;
My Life was in your Pow'r, and yours in mine.

Pren.
All this perhaps by Fate is wrought,
Something mighty to promote.

Lat.
Then here in lasting Friendship let us join,
My Safety be your Care, and yours be mine.
But this I do demand, that you
With unextinguish'd Rage pursue
The Blood of Metabo, if any yet
Survive new Troubles to create.

Turn.
To that I swear.

Lat.
We swear it both;
And Heav'n be Witness of the Oath.
But as for thee, Prenesto, do thou ever
Preserve with equal Poise, within thy Soul,
The Love of Peace, and Jealousie of Rule.

[Exit.
Turn.
The Stars propitious on my Fortune shine.
And fair Lavinia will be ever mine.

Pren.
Thou may'st with Joy the Nuptial Rites prepare,
Whilst equal to thy Greatness is the Fair.
The Nymph I love, I never must possess,
Honour forbids that I so low should wed,
Or she submit to an unlawful Bed.
Hopeless I love, and ne'er must enjoy her,

Turn.
Happy I love, and haste to enjoy her.

Pren.
To Prenesto she will never yield.

Turn.
To my Wishes she will ready yield.

Pren.
Hopes declining,

Turn.
—Joys alluring,

Pren.
Avoid me.

Turn.
Invite me.

Pren.
O the Torments that poor Lovers feel!

Turn.
O the Pleasures that blest Lovers steal!

SCENE II.

Enter Lavinia and Tullia.
Tul.
Fear not, Dorinda I'll observe with Care,
And Turnus follow with a watchful Eye:
If ought shou'd pass between 'em that's unfair,
You strait shall learn it from your faithful Spy.

Lav.
Unfaithful Turnus!
Fly, ye Virgins, fly th'unfaithful Lover:
False his Tears are, and fatal his Wiles.
Man by Nature a Tyrant, a Rover,
Gaily triumphs whene'er he beguiles.
She most wise is,
That despises
Their feign'd Praises, and deluding Smiles.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Tullia manet. Enter Linco.
Linc.
Tullia, thou art the Idol of my Love,
And Heav'n my Passion seems t'approve.

Tul.
I'll try some Secret to obtain.
[Aside.
Has the Nymph found her Reason again?

Linc.
That Lunacy was momentary:
She's seldom us'd to a Vagary.

Tul.
Perhaps to Turnus then e'er this she has bow'd:
Turnus has talk'd of Love, and she has vow'd.

Linc.
Of this I nothing know.

Tul.
Has she not seen him? Say.

Linc.
Of that I nothing know.

Tul.
He'll nought betray.
[Aside.
As thou art a Man of Sense,
Excuse a Maid's Impertinence.
Woman does oft employ her Tongue,
In what does not to her belong.
But to our own Affairs let us return,
And tell how much we love, how much we burn.

Linc.
For thee what does my Soul endure!

Tul.
I know y'are wounded past a Cure.

Linc.
In short, to cut off farther Speeches,
Thy Tongue's more Charming than a Witches.

Tul.
Thou art he, my dearest Creature!

Linc.
Thou art she, my dearest Creature!

Tul., Linc.
For whose sake I'd live and die.

Linc.
Cruel Love for thee does wound me.

Tul.
I perceive it.

Linc.
I believe it.

Tul.
And to me it is no wonder:
For like Thunder,
Bright Charms fly round me.

Linc.
O my Anguish!

Tul.
How I languish!
Pretty Creature!

Linc.
Hideous Feature!

[Aside.
Tul.
For thy sake, I pine and die.
For thy sake—

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Enter Prenesto, follow'd by Camilla.
Pren.
For Trifles why shou'd you lament,
You that are born to Misery?

Cam.
Perhaps the King will now relent,
And his promis'd Aid deny.

Pren.
Wou'd I cou'd be as sure of you,
As that the King will to his Word be true.

Cam.
Let it suffice, that all I know
Of Love, I do on you bestow.

Pren.
Yes, yes, 'tis all I want,
Nor wou'd I better thrive:
A Heart for Heart is all
A Lover can gain.
A Happiness I feel,
No Mortal can reveal.
If all you have you give,
I ne'er must complain.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Manet Camilla. Enter Turnus and Tullia.
Cam.
Awake, Camilla, from this Lethargy.
What has Love to do with thee?
Love conspiring with thy Foes,
Does thy Thirst of Pow'r oppose,
And yet Prenesto governs here!
Vain Maid, Prenesto never can be thine,
To wed Dorinda he'll decline,
And I unlawful Flames disdain.
Shou'd I who I am discover,
And that way hope to gain my Lover,
Then my Life I shou'd expose,
And Death wou'd crown my Nuptial Vows.
Awake, awake, my Heart, and know that I,
Rather than live for Love, wou'd for Ambition die.
My Heart to act is zealous;
But Fear restrains my Hands.

[Enter Turnus.
Turn.
My Lovely Charmer jealous,
My Wishes still withstands.

Cam.
Turnus is there.
Once again I'll try my Fate.

Turn.
My Lovely Charmer jealous,
My Wishes still withstands.

Cam.
And I the curst Occasion
Of her unjust Suspicion.

[Enter Tullia.
Tul.
Together have I found 'em,
And may the Gods confound 'em.

Turn.
My Heart with Grief is blasted.

Cam.
The Sorrow I have tasted
All Sorrows is exceeding.

Tul.
A hopeful Traitor!

Turn., Cam.
My Soul in Death lyes bleeding.

Tul.
O that I cou'd come at her!
But Vengeance is at hand.

Cam.
The Cares are light, that do thy Thoughts molest;
But heaviest Sorrows rage within my Breast.

Turn.
No common Grief I do endure.

Cam.
Your Grief admits a ready Cure;
If Lavinia scorns to love ye,
Queens with Royal Charms may move ye.

Tul.
Perfidious Wretch!

Turn.
No other Charms my Heart can fire,
In which Lavinia reigns entire.
But shou'd Lavinia once incline
To another Flame, she never wou'd be mine.

Cam.
Then cease thee, Turnus, to perplex,
And vindicate the Honour of thy Sex.
Suppose Camilla still shou'd live,
To whom the Volscian Realms are due.

Turn.
And if Camilla shou'd survive;

Cam.
Then she by Hymen join'd to you,

Tul.
Wholesome Advice!

Cam.
By you restor'd in happy Hour,
May bring these Kingdoms as her Dow'r.

Tul.
For this Dorinda, if I live,
Thanks from the Princess shall receive.

[Exit.
Turn.
To King Latinus I have giv'n
My Faith, in Sight of conscious Heav'n,
That Metabo's devoted Blood
Shall be with Hostile Rage pursu'd.

Cam.
What I propose, I don't advise.

Turn.
Nor wou'd I from the fair Lavinia change,
Tho' through the World I might a Monarch range.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

Manet Camilla.
Cam.
What hast thou said, unwary Maid?
Thou by thy self art now betray'd.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Lavinia and Latinus.
Lav.
She said that Queens were ready with their Charms
To crown his Love, and fill his Arms.
She said, Camilla still did live,
And cou'd to him the Volscian Kingdom give.

Lat.
To a deep Dungeon let her be confin'd,
Her Hands and Feet let sharpest Irons bind.

[Exit.
Lav.
Turnus is false, and I'm undone,
Dorinda has the Conquest won;
Dorinda spoke, and he obey'd,
Turnus is false, and I'm betray'd.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Enter Metius on one side, and Linco on the other; and after Prenesto.
Linc.
My Lord, what Pow'r can now our Fate withstand?
Camilla lyes confin'd by the King's harsh Command.

Met.
Confin'd! for what?

Linc.
I cannot learn, but fear
Our close Designs have reach'd his jealous Ear.

Met.
Too true I fear thou hast the Cause assign'd.

Linc.
We are all undone!

Met.
Can we no Prospect find
Of sudden Hope?

Linc.
Ev'n now methinks I feel the Rope.

Met.
Then Death is welcome.

Enter Prenesto.
Pren.
Metius! Linco!

Met.
I stand prepar'd to bleed.

Linc.
And Linco is already dead.

Met.
Prenesto's here, what must we say?

Linc.
Fear has ta'en my Tongue away.
Pardon my Lord; and if Camilla—

Pren.
I all have heard,
And sure Dorinda highly err'd.
Yet though Lavinia does inspire
With black Revenge my angry Sire;
My Heart does to Forgiveness bow,
And would prevent the fatal Blow.

Met.
Hopes revive!

Linc.
I'm still alive!

Pren.
With thy chosen Bands do thou
To the Prison with me go.

Linc.
I with Conduct, void of Fear,
Will follow, and bring up the Rear.

Pren.
'Twixt her and Death I'll interpose,
And save her from her bloody Foes.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

Manent Metius and Linco.
Met.
Fate begins to smile again,
And all our former Fears were vain.

Linc.
So may they prove.

Met.
From a Prison to a Throne,
Camilla will I quickly raise;
The honest Soldier is our own,
And readily my Will obeys.
The most abandon'd have some lucky Hours;
And who can tell but this is ours?

Linc.
Fortune too hasty does appear,
So sudden a Reverse I fear.

Met.
Though fierce the Light'ning flies,
Some Joy it brings our Eyes,
In Darkness straying.
The Rays our Feet directing,
From Precipice protecting,
A Glimpse of Life procure us,
From Death a while secure us;
Destruction staying.
[Exit Metius.

SCENE X.

Manet Linco.
Linc.
The Court for certain's the best School,
To make a States-Man of a Fool.
Since I came hither I've learnt more
Then I knew all my Life before.
Linco's grown another Creature;

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

Enter Lavinia and Turnus.
Lav.
You've both beyond Forgiveness err'd;
Dorinda spoke, and Turnus heard.

Turn.
Firm to my Vows I still abide.

Lav.
Go, let Camilla be your Bride.

Turn.
Banish that Anger from your Eyes,
And cease your Vassal to despise.

Lav.
Haste, and new Realms acquire; but know,
That Royal Nuptials wait us too.

Turn.
Cease, Cruel, Tyrannizing,
Give your Resentments over;
Unless, my Vows despising,
You kill your Lover.
Ah! you kill your Lover!
You are my Soul's Ambition;
I have no Wish above ye.
Unjust is your Suspicion;
I constant Love ye.

Lav.
These Pangs of Love I can no longer bear,
My Cruelty was feign'd, my Love sincere.
Turnus!

Turn.
Lavinia!

Lav.
Cease, Cruel, to deceive me,
Give, give your Falshood over;
Lest when unkind you leave me,
You kill your Lover!
Ah! you kill your Lover!
Let me be your Ambition,
And taste no Bliss above me.
Blest will be my Condition
If you can love me.

Both.
Cease, cruel, &c.

[Exeunt.

SCENE XII.

A Prison.
Enter Camilla; and after Prenesto, Metius, and Linco, and People.
Cam.
Fate, the more it does depress me,
Makes me stronger in enduring;
Fortune never shall oppress me,
Death has Charms all Sorrows curing.

Enter Prenesto, Metius, Linco, &c.
Pren.
Dorinda, cease thee to complain;
Thus I break th'unworthy Chain.

Cam.
Much I owe for this Release.

Pren.
Fly hence, Dorinda, and let these
Conduct thee to some other Clime,
Where safe thou may'st forgive my Father's Crime.
Love does a dangerous Task impose,
Giving thee Life, I do my own expose.

Met.
Say, Madam, am I understood?

Cam.
Is your Assurance firm and good?

Met.
As firm as Fate.

Cam.
All these, you say, (To Pren.)

Are arm'd in my Defence, and must my Will obey?

Pren.
They are your Slaves.

Cam.
Let me this Proof of your Obedience find:
Disarm the Prince, and see him close Confin'd.

Pren.
From whence this Boldness, treacherous Maid?

Met.
Submit thy self.

Pren.
I am betray'd.

Linc.
In vain with a defenceless Hand,
You strive our Numbers to withstand.

Cam.
My Arts successfully have thriv'n,
Sure Token of indulgent Heav'n.
My People call me to the Throne,
From whence they drag Latinus down:
For know, Prenesto, I'm a Queen; in me
No more Dorinda, but Camilla see.

[Exeunt all but Pren.

SCENE XIII.

Pren.
Camilla! Metius is a treacherous Slave!
Curse on these Fetters! O! how I cou'd rave!
The Furies rage within my troubled Breast;
I am with all the Plagues of Hell possest.
Lavinia! Father! Metius! Camilla!

[Exit.

SCENE XIV.

A Hall of Entertainment.
Enter Latinus, Turnus, Lavinia, Attedants, &c. Begins with a Dance.
Lat.
Lavinia here from me receive.

Turn.
Matchless is the Fair you give.

Lav.
Hail happy Hour, I now am bless'd.

Turn.
Lavinia, Hand and Heart I here present thee.

Enter Tullia.
Tul.
To Arms, to Arms! Rebellious Crouds
Haste to the Palace.

Lat.
Whence this Noise?

Tul.
The People, with a general Voice,
Cry, Live Camilla! and they cry,
Guilty Latinus, let him die.

Lat.
Camilla! and alive!

Lav.
O fatal Change!

Turn.
I will in thy Defence advance.

Lat.
Old tho' I am, yet still I know
To weild the Sword, and bend the Bow.

SCENE the Last.

Camilla and her Party Enter, and after some Resistance Disarm Latinus and the rest; whilst a Trumpet-Sonata Plays, at the Triple of which, Enter Camilla.
Tul.
Mercy! to a tender Maid!

Cam.
Haste, Linco,
And hither see the Prince convey'd;
Chain'd like a Pris'ner let him come,
And here attend from me his Doom.

Lat.
My Son in Chains!

Turn.
Relentless Fate!

Cam.
To Tyrants and Usurpers too,
Severest Vengeance sure is due.

Prenesto is brought in.
Lat.
My Son!

Lav.
My dearest Brother!

Pren.
Lavinia! Father!

Turn.
Prenesto!

Pren.
Turnus!

Cam.
No more!
Your ineffectual Tears give o'er.
Prenesto first by this shall bleed;
And when in thy Lavinia's Blood 'tis dy'd,
Thine shall swell the Purple Tide.

Tul.
O Bloody!

Turn.
Cruel Fiend of Hell!

Lav.
A Weight upon my Heart I feel!

Lat.
A deadly Cold has mine possess'd.

Cam.
Die then, Prenesto.

Pren.
Strike!

Cam.
But on this Breast.

Pren.
Ye Heav'nly Powers!

Cam.
Love has prevail'd, and Anger is no more.

Lat.
O Heav'n!

Turn.
O Love!

Lav.
O Fate!

Cam.
To skreen thee from the Peoples Hate,
Their fatal Malice to prevent,
I doom'd thee to Imprisonment.
I acted an ungrateful Part,
But Love contriv'd the pious Cheat:
Henceforth be Sov'raign of my Heart,
And rule it in an Husband's Right.

Pren.
A Joy so sudden, I can scarce believe.

Cam.
Metius, a just Reward thou shalt receive,
For thy great Service. Fair Lavinia, now,
Be you in Turnus happy, he in you.

Turn.
The Gods are just.

Cam.
And Sir, do you
[To Latinus.
Learn what to Justice, and to Merit's due.
Revenge was in my Power. Do you forget
To prosecute our House with Hostile Hate.

Lat.
Hate is driven out of the Field,
And Anger does to Freindship yield.

Cam.
Let Peace and Love possess each Heart.

Tul.
Thou art my Cupid.

Linc.
Thou my Psyche art.

Pren.
Care is fled; Despair's no more.

Turn.
Give, my Heart, thy Sorrows o're.

Pren., Turn.
Love has smil'd; and I'm rewarded./my Vows regarded.

CHOR.
Happy, happy is the Swain,
Who loves, and has not lov'd in vain.

[Exeunt Omnes.