 | Dido |  |
286
SCENE V.
Enter Æneas with Trojans.Æn.
We at length are met;
Not one is wanting of our scatter'd friends.
No more delay—the skies serenely smile,
The winds, the waves invite us—haste, my friends,
Haste to the ships and seas.
[at the appearance of Æneas, the Moors fly and leave Osmidas bound to a tree.]
Osm.
Unconquer'd hero.
Æn.
What means Osmidas thus—
Osm.
Such is the state
Iarbas, cruel king—
Æn.
There needs no more.
Friends, set Osmidas free—he yet shall find
(Unworthy as he is) assistance where
He least could hope to find it; and may learn
New virtue from remorse.
[the Trojans unbind Osmidas.
Osm.
O yet permit me
In gratitude for mercy thus bestow'd,
Most gracious hero!—
[kneels.
Æn.
Rise, and quit this place.
Osm.
To such exalted virtue—
Æn.
If thou seek'st
287
Learn better to preserve thy faith unstain'd.
Osm.
Whene'er the streams in mountains bred,
Through verdant meadows backward led,
Shall seek again their ancient bed,
I'll cease thy praise to own.
The night shall shine with Phœbus' ray,
When I, O chief, no longer pay
My thanks for life, this venturous day,
Preserv'd by thee alone.
[Exit.
| Dido | |