..*-»,;:i'5a^^t71.i 
 
 ^^mm^ 
 
 Keate 
 Monument in Arcadia
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND

 
 THE 
 
 Monument in Arcadia ^ &c. 
 
 [Price TWO SHILLINGS.].
 
 THE 
 
 MONUMENT IN ARCADIA: 
 
 A 
 
 DRAMATIC POEM, 
 
 IN TWO ACTS. 
 
 By GEORGE KEATE, Esq. 
 
 Er /JV ARCADIA EGO- 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. DODSLEY, IN PALL-MALL. 
 
 MDCCLXXIII.
 
 T o 5 sat 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 LADY VISCOUNTESS PRIMEROSE, 
 
 THIS POEM 
 
 IS INSCRIBED, 
 
 IN GRATEFUL TESTIMONY 
 
 OF THE FRIENDSHIP 
 
 WITH WHICH SHE HAS LONG HONOURED 
 
 HER LADYSHIP 'S 
 
 MOST OBLIGED 
 
 AND AFFECTIONATE SERVANT, 
 
 8653M ^^^_ ^^^^^^
 
 [ vii ] 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 THE Abbe Du Bos, in his Critical Refiec- 
 ttons on Poetry and Paintings mentions with 
 great Encomium a Piclure of Poussin, wherein 
 are reprefented fome Arcadian Shepherds and 
 ShepherdeJpSy who contemplate a Monument^ on 
 which they read this Infcription^ Et in Arcadia 
 Ego. 
 
 A 2 He
 
 [ v"i ] 
 
 He fuppofes an Object fo unexpecied to have 
 damped the Fefth'ity of the Hour^ and addsy 
 L'on ne voit plus fur leurs Vifages a travers I'Af- 
 fllclion, qui s'en empare, que les Relies d'une Joie 
 expirante. 
 
 / much doubt whether in the above ^u^otation 
 the ingenious Critic does not give a Merit to the 
 Artift, which the Art never yet attained. I'he 
 Changes of the human Countenance are occafionally 
 as quick as the Operation of Thought-^ and the 
 Rapidity of their SucceJJion can awaken in a 
 Spectator fuch a Combination of Ideas^ as to produce 
 almoft injlantaneoufly a correfpondent Paffwn, 
 
 Painting
 
 [ « ] 
 
 Painting can hut half tell her Story. — The Pencil 
 even under the happieft Guidance^ muft be confined to 
 a Jingle ABion^ nor can cKprefs more than the pre- 
 fent Sentiment. — 'To unveil external Appearances^ 
 and to paint that previous Difpojition of the Mind 
 which fixes them^ and which can magnify familiar 
 Events into EffeBs of Moment^ is an elder Sifter s 
 Province^ and the peculiar Property of the iSf use. 
 
 It was this Refleciion that induced me to form 
 on the Subjecl of Poussin's Pi&ure^ the following 
 little Piece ^ which is probably of too ferious a Cap 
 for public Reprefentation. — I do not recolleci that the 
 Moral it conveys has yet been delivered from the 
 Stage ; for though Hope remains to us the comfort - 
 s able
 
 [ X ] 
 
 able Balance for ruE fatal Ingredients of the 
 Box, yet no 'Truth appears more obvious^ than that 
 the Fervor of an indulged Imagination may involve 
 us /;? FANCIED DiftreJJeSy as painful to the Heart as 
 moft of the real ones which the World prepares, 
 for us. 
 
 Perfons
 
 Perfons of the Drama. 
 
 DORASTUS, a rich Shepherd, living as a Hermit. 
 LYSANDER, a young Spartan, Lover of Euphemia. 
 MUSIDORUS, an Arcadian Shepherd. 
 
 EUPHEMIA, betrothed to Lysander. 
 DELIA, Friend to Euphemia. 
 
 DAPHNE, 
 
 Daughters of Musidorus. 
 LAURA, 
 
 ARCADIANS. 
 
 Scene, ARCADIA; 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 MONUMENT IN ARCADIA: 
 
 A DRAMATIC POEM. 
 
 ACT L 
 
 SCENE — A beautiful ProfpeSi o/" Arcadia j Shepherds Dwellings dif- 
 perfed at a Dljlance^ and a Wood on one Side. 
 
 JE:«/<?r LYSANDER, EUPHEMIA, ««^ DELIA. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 ry^ HANKS to the Gods ! our cheerful Steps at laft 
 
 -■' Have reach'd thefe happy CHmes ; where refug'd Virtue, 
 'Midft laughing Vales, o'er-arch'd by cloudlefs Skies, 
 Enjoys a calm Retreat. And now, lov'd Maid ! 
 Whom I have follow'd, and would follow ftill 
 To Earth's remoteft Bounds ; 'tis Time to claim 
 
 B That
 
 [ 2 ] 
 
 That bright Reward, which, before Delia here, 
 Your lov'd Companion Delia, you have fworn, 
 Soon as my Voice had welcom'd your Arrival, 
 Should crown my willing Service. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Gen'rous Youth 1 
 
 "Whofe fond Compliance with a Maid's Requeft 
 Has led you far from home j the Boon you afk 
 Will poorly pay your Virtues s take my Hand, 
 And know I give it but to pledge a Heart 
 By ev'ry Title yours. 
 
 DELIA. 
 
 Unfliaken, long 
 Remain this Union [ — Now 1 Euphemia, now 
 Behold your Hopes accomplifh'd ! — Breathe we not 
 A purer Air ? And does not this bright Scene, 
 V/hich opens round us, realize the Truth, 
 Of all Aranthe faid ? 
 
 EUPHEMIA.
 
 [ 3 3 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 It does ; it does, 
 Peace to her Shade ! And, Delia, we fhall blefs 
 The friendly Path we trod ; though fcarcely yet 
 Lysander knows why I fo long forbore 
 To crown his Love, and in this diftant Chme 
 Would only wed. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 It was enougrh for me 
 
 O 
 
 To know your Wifh j contented to be bleft 
 On your own Terms. But oft' I've heard you fay, 
 Your dying Mother, poor Aran the ! left 
 Thefe Counfels in your Ear, with that fad Sigh 
 Which never more is heard. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Her Care alone 
 Rear'd me to what I am ; yet I ne'er knew 
 A Parent's Fondnefs. She was of Arcadia ; 
 And when the Spartan Arms, with fierce Defcent, 
 
 B 2 Soucyht
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 Sought thefe defencelefs Shades, was forc'd away 
 With other Captives. Then, all pale with Tears, 
 Left Violence fhould feize what Choice deny'd, 
 She gave the Plund'rer, what he alk'd, her Hand, 
 And yielded to his Wifli. — Vows thus conftrain'd 
 Ne'er draw down Bleflings. Fifteen tedious Years 
 She felt a lordly Hufband's rigid Sway ; 
 Till Fate diflblv'd her Bondage, and reftor'd 
 Her Liberty. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 EuPHEMiA, you relate 
 What moves my Wonder ; for till now, I deem'd 
 You were Aranthe's Child. 
 
 E U P H E M T A. 
 
 I thought fo too: 
 But mark the Sequel. Freedom came too late : 
 Worn by Diflimulation's irkfome Tafk 
 For Years repeated, flow-confuming Care 
 Subdu'd at laft her Frame, Arcadia's Vales 
 
 She
 
 [ 5 ] 
 
 She now no more could vlfit ; that fond Hope 
 Through long Captivity fuftain'd the Soul, 
 Which funk to find it loft. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Not long the Mourner 
 Survlv*d her Hufband ? 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Scarcely half the Space 
 Of ten fad Moons. The Lamp of Life each Day 
 Burnt fainter ; and a fudden Stroke its Light 
 Almoft extlnguifhlng, ihe call'd me to her, 
 And bade me bring the Friend whom moft I lov'd, 
 My Delia, with me. To our Ears fhe then, 
 By interrupted Words with Pain brought forth, 
 Unlock'd her Heart ; — told me, a Mother's Name 
 Was but alTum'd, that he whom (he efpous'd 
 Might treat me gently ; that my infant Years 
 Were to her Care confided ; that her All 
 She had bequeath'd me ; and her dying Wiili 
 
 Was
 
 C 6 ] 
 
 Was, that, when Time fliould favor the Intent, 
 
 I'd feek Arcadia. " If, my Child!" flie cry'd, 
 
 " Thy Lot be Happinefs, 'twill meet thee there ; 
 
 " Be Hope thy Guide : The righteous Gods, perhaps 
 
 " May there reilore" But what — was all conceal'd ; 
 
 For Death that Inftant feiz'd her Pow'rs of Speech, 
 And left me loft in Darknefs and Diftrefs. 
 
 DELIA. 
 
 Nor till her Spirit fled, ceas'd (he to (ix, 
 Though Utt'rance was deny'd, on my fair Friend 
 Looks forcible as Language. — We have fearch'd. 
 Where'er Conjecture wings its dubious Flight, 
 To trace her Meaning, or defcry from whence 
 EuPHEMiA drew her Birth ; but ev'ry Path 
 Perplex'd and tangled, ftill in Darknefs ends. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 Some Caufe forbade, or (he had ne'er fo long 
 Conceal'd the Story, which her parting Breath 
 Could not enough dilclofe. But fay, my Love, 
 
 Did
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 Did not Aran THE oft' at other Times 
 Difcourfe the Beauties of her native Land, 
 The more to tempt you to this Pilgrimage ? 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 Oh, frequent ! frequent ! It was oft' her Subjedl, 
 And fhe would tell fuch Wonders of Arcadia, 
 So boaft its joyous Skies, where Love, where Truth,. 
 And fair Simplicity reign'd undifturb'd, 
 That all entranc'd I heard her, and my Soul 
 Dwelt on her Story, till it pin'd to fee 
 Thefe Heav'n-diftinguifli'd Regions. — To myfelf, 
 In fecret, then I vow'd, that I would ne'er 
 But in Arcadia wed. — It was for this 
 Arcadia was fo oft' my Theme, when firft 
 You grac'd me with your Notice ; 'twas for this 
 I hither led you ; and at fome near Shrine 
 My Vow fhall be confirm'd. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 Bleft be theNlghtj. 
 
 When
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
 When forth I led you from detefted Sparta, 
 
 Ne'er to behold it more ! Detefted Sparta ! 
 
 Where the firm Virtue of our rigid Fathers, 
 
 Which nerv'd their Arm, and gave th' admiring World 
 
 A Line of Heroes, is debas'd by Vice, 
 
 Or crufh'd by pow'rful Fadlion. — To forget 
 
 The Cloud that fliades my Country, be my Tafk ; 
 
 Since thence I've borne a Prize, in whom I view 
 
 The Graces of the pureft Times. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 No more ! 
 Already you o'erpay me. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Bounteous Maid! 
 My Tongue would beggar Language, {hould it fpeak 
 The Tranfport I now feel to call thee mine. 
 
 And to enfold thee thus. Whatever Joys 
 
 This Clime (hall offer, they can nothing add 
 To mine, poiTeffing thee. 
 
 DELIA.
 
 [ 9 ] 
 DELIA. 
 
 Behold ! a Troop 
 Of Swains advancing ! Haply, we from them 
 May gain all due Intelligence. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 Yet hold ! 
 They feem aflembled on fome Ceremony ; 
 
 'Twere beft at Diftance mark them ; for a while 
 
 Let us withdraw beneath thefe bow'ring Shades. 
 
 [T'hey retire into the Wood. 
 
 Enter MUSIDORUS, DAPHNE, LAURA, ^nd a Number 
 
 of Arcadian Shepherds and Shepherdcffes, bearing in their Hands 
 
 Garlands of Flowers. 
 
 They advance, fnging. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Give the Hour to fober Pleafures ; 
 Cheerful Hearts are Life's beft Trcafures : 
 Let the choral Song go round ; 
 Echo fliall our Joys refound. 
 
 C MUSIDORUS.
 
 [ 1° ] 
 
 M U S I D O R U S. 
 
 Onward Arcadians ! bear your flovv'ry Wreaths, 
 Twin'd with the faireit Sweets of ev'ry Kind 
 That fcent the Ev'nnig Air, and with them deck 
 The facred Pines of Pan ; while the deep Grove 
 
 Tells to the diftant Hills our feftive Rites. 
 
 'Tis wifely done to make the moft of Life : 
 Whilft Temp'rance fits the Guardian of our Sports, 
 Each grateful Smile that dimples o'er the Cheek 
 Is Tribute paid the Gods. 
 
 FIRST ARCADIAN. 
 
 Let fuch as tread 
 The bufy Haunts of Men, where Envy flioots 
 Its poifon'd Arrows, wear their Brow o'ercafl ; 
 Our Vales are only Witnefl'es of Joy, 
 And Mirth well-authoriz'd ; our fertile Soil 
 A happier Sun-ihine warms ; and the prefs'd Gr^vpe 
 Pouring from Goblets deep its purple Stream, 
 
 Drives
 
 [ » ] 
 
 Drives off imagln'd Ills, and the cheer'd Mind 
 
 Attunes to Harmony. 
 
 A I R. 
 Gloomy Care can ne'er controul 
 Joys that wait the temp'rate Bowl ; 
 Welcome all its pure Delights, 
 Blamelefs Days, and peaceful Nights. 
 
 In our Cup her radiant Wings 
 Fancy dips, and brighter fprings ; 
 
 To her the Pow'r is giv'n 
 To foar beyond the Pride of Kings, 
 And form on ev'ry Spot a Heav'n. 
 
 LYSANDER, EUPHEMIA, and D'El.lh, appear from 
 
 the Wood. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Forgive us Shepherds, 
 If we as Strangers peradventure prefs 
 Somewhat abruptly on you. Wide is fpread 
 The Fame of your' fair Clime ; and it hath hither 
 
 C 2 AUur'd
 
 [ «2 ] 
 
 Allur'd our Steps, inquilitive to learn 
 
 That true Simplicity which marks your Lives, 
 
 And makes them deem'd fo happy. 
 
 MUSIDORUS. 
 
 You are welcome 
 To thefe pacific Shades, and doubly fo 
 As being Strangers : but if chance you come 
 From Scenes of artful Life, where Pomp difplays 
 
 Its fplendid Fallacies, ours fcarce will charm. 
 
 Yet here Content refides, and rural Eafe ; 
 With ev'ry Blefiing which the bounteous Pan 
 Beftows on virtuous Toils. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 Deem not that we 
 So ill have read the World, that our fool'd Senfe 
 
 Is caught by Pageantry. Nought charms (o much 
 
 As the bright Luftre of an upright Mind, 
 
 Adive, and fteady. And in lonely Vales, 
 
 And Roofs unnotic'd, oft' fuch Virtues dwell 
 
 As
 
 [ '3 ] 
 As Courts with Pride mioht boaft : thoiieh all unfeen 
 Their Graces bloom, fave by a circling fcWf 
 And Heav'n's approving Eye. 
 
 FIRST ARCADIAN. 
 
 Your Rcas'ning, Youth, 
 Befpeaks a Mind well tutor'd ; and your Chance 
 Hath thrown you amongft Men, who know to prize 
 
 The Heart that points to Virtue, Freely fhare 
 
 Whate'er thefe Plains afford. Say, will you join 
 Our feflive Rites ? Or, rather, do you feek 
 
 Reft and Refrefhment ? Long perchance hath been 
 
 Your Way ; and thefe your fair Companions tire. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 True long hath been our Way ; but we have made it 
 
 Pleafure, not Toil. You fhall at Leifure know 
 
 Whate'er in the fmall Circle of our Lives 
 May win your Ear. Suffice it now to fay 
 What beyond Red:, beyond your proffer'd Care, 
 Sits neareft at my Heart, is, that you guide 
 
 3 Our
 
 [ '4 ] 
 
 Our Steps to where, before forae hallow'd Shrine, 
 This beauteous Maid and I may fvvear till Death 
 
 A lafting Union. Long, too long, my Blifs 
 
 Hath been delay 'd ; and tedious feems to creep 
 Each lazy Minute now, till I can boaft 
 Alliance with her Virtues. 
 
 M U S I D O R U S. 
 
 Such a Place 
 Stands in the Covert of yon Wood ; be mine 
 
 The Tafk to lead you thither. Leagues of Love 
 
 Approv'd by Virtue, from their ftarry Thrones 
 
 The Gods behold well pleas'd. Go you before 
 
 My Daughters, and with virgin Hands adorn 
 
 The nuptial Altar. Shepherds, you'll purfue 
 
 Your purpos'd Sports : we fliall at Eve rejoin. 
 
 [Exeunt Daphne ^«^ Laura. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 Here, my Euphemia, our long Voyage ends, 
 Safe in the wilh'd-for Port we ride in Peace, 
 
 Anchor'd
 
 [ '5 ] 
 AnchorM by Love and Frlendrtilp. — Gen'rous Swain ! 
 Your hofpitable Kindnefs aflcs more Pralfe 
 Than my poor Tongue can give ; a Time may come 
 When I may better fpeak it. 
 
 M U S I D O R U S. 
 
 Nay ! no more ; 
 
 I adt but as I ought. Benevolence 
 
 Is due from from Man to Man. Come, Lady, on; 
 
 The Altar now attends your maiden Vows ; 
 Be thrifty of the Hour, the Day wears faft. 
 
 [EA.r««/MusiDORus, Lysander, 
 
 EUPHEMIA, andDELiA. 
 
 FIRST ARCADIAN. 
 Now with light Foot, to fportive Meafures beat, 
 Strike ev'ry fprightly Note, that ere we join 
 In yonder hailow'd Grove, we to the Dance 
 May add new Graces, and avow our Zeal. 
 
 J D A N C E o/' Arcadians. 
 
 4r/,r
 
 [ i6 ] 
 
 Jfter the Dance, the Chorus repeated. 
 
 Give the Hour to fober Pleafures ; 
 Cheerful Hearts are Life's beft Treafures: 
 
 Let the choral Song go round ; 
 
 Echo fliall our Joys refound. 
 
 [^Exeunt. 
 
 S C E N E — A ^vild rocky Entrance to a Cave ; o?i one Side of which is 
 
 feen a IFood. 
 
 DORASTUS enters from the Cave, -^fer looking attentively around^ 
 
 he comes Jloivly forward. 
 
 Hail ! to the Ev'ning Sun, which from the Weft 
 Empurples all the Sky, and this my Cave 
 Gilds with its parting Rays ; this niofs- grown Cave, 
 
 Lono- by my Footfteps worn ! for fince the Arms 
 
 Of the fell Spartans tore my Child away, 
 (Sole Pledge of a dear Union) with the Friend 
 To whom her dying Mother gave the Charge 
 To train her Infancy ; and ev'ry Hope 
 
 To
 
 [ '7 ] 
 
 To trace their Fate is vain ; I've fhun'd the Plain, 
 Nor mingled with the Gay. — In thefe lone Shades 
 I wake my Mind to Truth ; and as the Stream 
 Of Life flows gently on, purfue that Peace 
 Philofophy infpires, and patient wait 
 
 Th' Appointment of the Gods. But I mufl hence — 
 
 The length'ning Shadows warn me now to feek 
 In the near Valley fuch fweet fmelling Flow'rs 
 As give their Perfumes to the Ev'ning Gale, 
 And ftrew them round yon vacant Tomb I've rear'd 
 
 To footh a Father's Sorrows. There's in Grief 
 
 A melancholy Pleafure, which indulg'd, 
 
 Becalms the Soul ; — and fuch this Tafk to me. ■ 
 
 O much-lamented Maid ! if from this World 
 
 Efcap'd, thou fit'ft a Spirit in Air, accept 
 
 A Parent's pious Off 'ring; — or if IHIl 
 
 Thou draw'fl: the Breath of Bondage, or art doom'd 
 
 To tread the flinty Ways of Life, may Heav'n 
 
 Give thee proportion'd Virtue ! — Yet a while, 
 
 D A tranfient
 
 [ 18 ] 
 
 A tranfient Space, Time's friendly Hand (hall guide 
 Each Suff 'rer to his Reft, and all our Cares 
 Shall melt to nothing, like the Morning Dew. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST ACT. 
 
 ACT
 
 [ ^9 ] 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 A RURAL SCENE. 
 
 Enter LYSANDER, EUPHEMIA, DELIA, MUSIDORUS, 
 
 DAPHNE, ^«^ LAURA. 
 
 As they are all advancing from the End of the Stage ^ DAPHNE anA 
 
 LAURA fing the followhig 
 
 DUET. 
 
 YMEN pleas'd your Faith furveys ; 
 All his peaceful BleiHngs (hare! 
 
 Pureft Friendfhip crown your Davs ! 
 
 Joy attend you, happy Pair ! 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Thanks, courteous Fair-ones, Thanks ; I little hop*d 
 
 Such Bride- maids for my Love \ but you are all 
 
 As bounteous as your Skies ; and your kind Care 
 
 Shall bind us both your Debtors. You, good Shepherd, 
 
 D 2 Who
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 who with your Daughters at the Shrine of Pan 
 Have witnefs'd to our Vows, fliall fee I truft 
 That they were feal'd with Truth, and only join'd 
 Hearts of congenial Mould. 
 
 MUSIDORUS. 
 
 May circling Years 
 Still firmer bind them ! and the Hand of Death 
 Alone diffolve this Union L 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Heav'n fo grant ! 
 
 Moft freely Shepherd I accept your Grace,. 
 And proffer'd Services ; wrapt in Delight 
 To meet already in this ftranger Land 
 Such hofpitable Smiles. 
 
 DAPHNE. 
 
 Nor here is feen 
 A Smile the Heart avows not ; our plain Life 
 Difdains thofe Arts and Fahhbods, which they fay 
 Are praais'd by the Great-ones of the World. 
 
 Ambition
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 Ambition walks not here ; nor is here known 
 
 Envy, its fell Affociate.— — Rural Cares 
 
 Employ the fleeting Day, and one firm Chain 
 
 Of focial Harmony unites us all. — — 
 
 Our temp'rate Board gives Cheerfulnefs and Health j 
 
 And there Contentment fits, and bids us fcorn 
 
 What cheated Man calls Luxury. 
 
 LAURA. 
 
 Nor yet 
 Shall our calm Plains abufe your Hopes ; the Eye 
 
 As vi^ell as Mind is folac'd. Nature blooms 
 
 In youthful Beauty round us, from her Urn 
 Scatt'ring unnumber'd Treafures. Mark how glows 
 The vivid Landfcape ; and the burthen'd Earth 
 Pants with the gay Profufion. 
 
 E U P II E M I A. 
 
 A new World 
 Springs up before me. See, Lvsander, fee 
 
 What
 
 [ " ] 
 
 V/hat vary'd Sweets fhall ftrevv our future Paths 
 Beneath this better Sun. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Rooted I ftand, 
 And loft in Admiration thank the Gods 
 For all their Bounty to me ; chief for Thee 
 Their noblefl: Boon, thou Crown of my Defires ! 
 
 Thou lovely Charmer ! O my Friends, excufe 
 
 A young Man's Tranfport ; when you better know 
 This Maiden's Excellence, you will confefs 
 
 My Tongue no Flatt'rer for flie wears a Heart 
 
 So pure, fo fpotlefs, that it might be flirin'd 
 In Cryftal, and have all its Movements fcann'd ! 
 
 MUSIDORUS. 
 
 My Bofom (hares your Tranfport. Gentle Lady, 
 
 Beneath the Umbrage of yon tufted Trees, 
 Which fliade the Marain of the azure Stream 
 That fleals along its Side, our Dwelling ftands, 
 PvUiiic and fimple j thick around it flioots 
 
 The
 
 [ 23 ] 
 The flaunting Woodbine ; and each fragrant Flow'r 
 
 Adorns the verdant Scene.' There I've prepar'd 
 
 A cheerful Welcome ;^ all our rural Sports 
 
 My Daughters fliall relate, and teach you too, 
 If fo you like, to tend our fleecy Folds ; 
 For all are Shepherds here. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Somethuig but now. 
 As o'er the Lawn we pafs'd, Laura difcours'd 
 Of a svey Hermit, whofe rehgious Life 
 Gain'd him fuch Love, that each Arcadian deem'd 
 His Blelling profp'rous ; fain on this Day's Ad: 
 Would I implore it. 
 
 M U S I D O R U S. 
 
 Lady, he you mean 
 Dwells at the mollj^ Foot of yonder Rock, 
 The good Dorastus ; Shepherd once himfelF, 
 And Mafler ftill of many a Flock ; but he, 
 Lono; from our Plains fec.ucfter'd. mourns retir'd 
 
 3 A Lofs
 
 [ 24 ] 
 
 A Lofs that weighs his grey Hairs down. All here 
 
 View him with filial Love ; for he's to all 
 
 A Friend, a Father. Thither I'll condud you 
 
 As homeward now we pafs. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 We will attend ; 
 Yet tarry but a Space, while from thofe Trees 
 Of cluft'rlng Rofes that invite the Touch 
 I pluck fome crlmfon Buds, and twifl: a Wreath 
 For my Euphemia's Brow ; fhe has not yet 
 Receiv'd her bridal Garland. 
 
 [E.v/V. 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 On this Bank 
 Await we his Return. Sit, my fair Maids ; 
 And Delia, calm the Flutt'rlngs of my Heart 
 
 By fome foft Strain. —Give me that cheering Song 
 
 Aranthe fo much lov'd. 
 
 DELIA.
 
 [ 25 ] 
 
 DELIA. 
 
 'Tis well devis'd, 
 Nor foreign to the Moment. 1 obey. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 All the Splendor which Wealth can dlfplay 
 Is fo vain, that it quickly muft cloy ; 
 
 Like a Bubble, it foon melts away, 
 If Hope does not heighten the Joy. 
 
 Sweet Paflion ! without thee, the Soul 
 In the Midft of Fruition would tire ; 
 
 Into Times yet unborn thou canft roll, 
 And expand on the Wings of Defire. 
 
 It was Hope that firft planted my Vine, 
 And its Clullers luxurioufly fpread ; 
 
 Rear'd my Fig-tree whofe Branches intwine. 
 And fo gratefully fliadow my Head. 
 
 E Hope
 
 [ 26 ] 
 
 Hope comforts the Mourner's fad State, 
 
 Sooths the Wretch who is ftruggUng with Pain> 
 
 Bids the Captive fupport his hard Fate, 
 And to Home turns his Eyes back again. 
 
 Bright Charmer ! ah ! live in my Breaft, 
 Round my Temples thy Garland ftill bind ; 
 
 Thou flialt calm all my Sorrov/s to Rett, 
 And cheer with thy Sunfhine my Mind. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Kind Delia, take my Thanks. 1 feel the Truth 
 
 Thy Strain infpires ; for fee Lys and er comes, 
 Who round the little Region of my Heart 
 Bids Hope triumphant live. 
 
 LYSANDER re-enters, with a Chaplet of Rofes in his Hand. 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 EuPHEMiA, wear 
 This blooming Wreath, in Honor of the Day, 
 
 And
 
 [ 27 ] 
 
 And as an Emblem of our twin'd AfFedions. — 
 
 [Prefenis her the Chapkt, 
 
 This hath a tranfient Date, but they I truft 
 Shall never know Decay. Now let us fpeed 
 
 To feek the Hermit's Cave ; good Shepherd on. 
 
 [Exeunt, 
 
 The Scene opening d'tfcovers a Wood. In the Middle of the Stage is a 
 
 Monument, with the Statue of a Nymph lying on it. Upon its 
 
 Bafe appears this Infcription^ in large CharaSlers, 
 
 I TOO WAS AN ARCADIAN. 
 
 D O R. A S T U S isfeenjlanding near the Tomh, with a Bajket of Flowers 
 in his Hand, f^S'^S the following 
 
 AIR, 
 
 My Woes, O Mem'ry ! ceafe to trace ; 
 
 Ah ! curfe no more the Spartan Race ! 
 
 Come meek-ey'd Patience, calm my Mind, 
 
 And make it to its Fate refign'd. — 
 
 This fancy'd Form, this empty Tomb 
 
 Relieves the Rigour of my Doom. 
 
 E 2 Enter
 
 [ 2S ] 
 
 Enfer MUSIDORUS, LY SANDER, EUPHEMIA. 
 DELIA, DAPHNE, ^«^ LAURA. 
 
 MUSIDORUS. 
 
 Behold the good old Man ! On the ftill Air 
 
 How fweetly floats his plaintive Voice ! Befide 
 
 This Wood he dwells, and here at fetting Sun 
 Sings his accuftom'd Dirge, as Mem'ry drops 
 A Sigh o'er happier Scenes that Time hath clos'd. 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 Say, what yon Pile which he beftrews with Flow'rs ? 
 It feems a Tomb, and that fair fculptur'd Form 
 Declares it fuch ; as does the Epitaph, 
 *' I foo was an Arcadian^ 
 
 MUSIDORUS. 
 
 He bewails 
 A Daughter torn away, on whom he built 
 The Comfort of his Age ; it is for her 
 
 This mournful Pile is reared, thefe Rites perform'd. 
 
 6 But
 
 [ ^9 ] 
 
 But foft ! — A Moment ends them 3 let us not 
 Invade his Privacy. 
 
 \They keep retired on one Side of the Stage. 
 
 DORASTUS continues the Air^ Jlrewing the Flowers round the Tomb. 
 Gentle Spirit, Peace be thine ! 
 This fad Office ftill be mine ; 
 Thefe fond Marks of Love receive, 
 All a drooping Sire can give. 
 
 During the Song, L.YSAi^DER difcourfes w///j Musidorus ; — Euphemia, 
 with Daphne and Laura. She often fixes her Eyes on the 
 Monument, with Marks of Emotion. 
 
 The Song ended, they advance. 
 MUSIDORUS. 
 
 Good Ev'n, Dorastus, 
 And heard be all thy Orlfons ! — — Behold 
 I bring with me a Pair, who even now 
 At yonder confecrated Altar feal'd 
 
 The Bond of wedded Faith. Far is their Flome, 
 
 Beyond the Southern Mountains j but Dedre 
 
 To
 
 [ 30 ] 
 
 To vifit thefe our Plains hath urg'd their Steps 
 
 Hither, to fojourn with us. Lo ! they fue 
 
 Your Grace and Welcome ; and will prove, I judge, 
 
 Worthy your Courtefy. Their bridal Bed 
 
 My Daughters have prepar'd ; and I myfelf 
 Shall be their this Night's Hoft ; a fecret Impulfe 
 Hath won me to their Service. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Strangers here, 
 Each Mark of Hofpitality muft charm ; 
 And footh to fay, this our kind Patron's Care 
 
 Hath far outibip'd my Hope. Might we obtain 
 
 Thy Pray'rs, refpeded Hermit, nothing then 
 Remains to crown our Fortune. 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 If the Bleffing 
 Of an old Man by many a Sorrow worn, 
 And bovv'd by many a Year, can aught avail, 
 O take it, freely take it. May the Ad 
 
 Of
 
 [ 31 ] 
 
 Of this fair Day be profper'd ! may a Length 
 Of Happinefs be yours ! a virtuous Race 
 To both endear the World ! and all your Paths, 
 Your Ev'ning Paths of Life, be fpread with Flow'rs 
 That never grew in mine ! 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Ah ! much I grieve 
 
 That your's have prov'd uneven ! For your Wiflies 
 
 Count me your Debtor. ^My Euphemia too, 
 
 My Bride fhall thank you ; for her Heart is gentle, 
 And grateful as the Flow'r that pays with Sweets 
 The genial Summer's Bounty ! 
 
 jis he turns to Euphemia, he finds her looking towards the T'omh with a - 
 
 melancholy Attention. 
 
 Ha! my Love, 
 
 Whence this Amaze ? why doll thou bend thy Sight 
 
 On yonder Tomb ? and wherefore on thy Brow 
 
 Sits a defcriptive Sorrow, that hath drank 
 
 The Luftre of thine Eyes, and damp'd the Joy 
 
 Which
 
 [ 3= ] 
 
 Which fparkled there but now ?— Say, why is this ? 
 
 What the ftrange Caufe ? 
 
 E U P H E M T A. 
 The Caufe is in myfelf ; 
 O my LvsANDER ! I have fool'd my Senfe 
 With viflonary Hope, and now awake 
 To meet my Error. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Nay ! explain, Euphemia. 
 E U P H E M 1 A. 
 This good Man's Sigh has op'd my Eyes ; this Scene 
 
 Of Death has undeceiv'd me. Blind to think 
 
 That there was any Ground where Mortals tread 
 
 On which Affliction walks not ! Ev'ry Clime 
 
 Engenders human Woe ; and fam'd Arcadia 
 Is pregnant with the fame difaftrous Fortune 
 
 That other Regions know. 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 Our Life, fair Lady, 
 
 Muft
 
 [ 33 ] 
 Muft needs be chequer'd thus, 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 Alas ! my Love, 
 Let us enjoy the Good, nor with vain Search 
 Anticipate Misfortune j come it will, 
 Though Wifdom (land as Guard ; and e'en thefe Shades 
 Muft Ibmetimes own its Pow'r. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Miftaken Maid ! 
 Is this the Land where Pleafure only re^n'd ? 
 Was it for this I pac'd fo long a Way ? 
 Abandoned Sparta ? and fo far allur'd 
 Thy wand'ring Steps Lvsanber, here to meet 
 
 The Face of Sorrow ? Where is that Content 
 
 Aranthe boalled ? Where that Peace, fhe faid 
 
 Should greet our Coming? Ah I could fhe delude 
 
 That Hope fhe fo long nourifli'd ? 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 Heard I aright ? 
 F Or
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 Or did falfe Sounds abufe me ? Spake you not 
 
 Of Sparta, and Aranthe, courteous Lady ? 
 
 Pray you fay on ; for to my Ear you utter'd 
 
 A Name well known.— —Aranthe ! knew you her ? 
 
 And lives flie yet ? 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Ah no ! flie is no more ! 
 With pious Hand thefe Maidens clos'd her Eyes, 
 Bathing her Corfe with Tears. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 In her I loft 
 The beft of Women, whofe indulgent Care 
 
 No Time fhall wear away.' Her lateft Wifh 
 
 Was I fliould feek Arcadia, where herfelf 
 Had fometime known a happier Deftiny 
 Than Sparta's Walls afforded. 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 You are then 
 Her Daughter doubtlefs ; you perhaps have oft 
 
 Heard
 
 [ 35 I 
 
 Heard her relate- - - 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Good Hermit, you miftake ; 
 I am no Child of her's, though many a Year 
 Such I was deem'd, till her laft Breath unveil'd 
 The Error, and declar'd I was a Pledge 
 Inftrufted to her Care in infant Years, 
 By whom was unexplain'd, for Death's cold Grafp 
 
 Broke off th' unfinifli'd Tale, and I had walk'd 
 
 The World a friendlefs Orphan, and alone. 
 But for this virtuous Youth, to whom I've giv'n 
 
 That Love his Merit claim'd. But why on me 
 
 Is caft that Look of Eagernefs ? — Why heaves 
 Thy lab'ring Bofora thus ? or whence thofe Tears 
 That tremble in thine Eye? 
 
 D O Pv A S T U S. 
 
 O Nature .'--Nature ! 
 Who with thy powerful, and invifible Hand 
 Shak'fl: my whole Frame with Tumult, — can I think 
 
 ■F 2 This
 
 [ 36 1 
 
 This Conflia, thefe Forebodings of a Father 
 
 Are rals'd, or felt in vain ? The Stroke's too great F 
 
 Pray you your Arm a Moment. — — Yes — it muft — 
 Thofe Features wear the radiant Hue of Trutk 1 — - 
 
 There cannot be Deceit. It is- — It is. 
 
 My longJoft Child reftor'd. 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 All-ruling Gods ! 
 Have ye upheld me through the Maze of Lifei 
 Unknowing, and unknown^, in this far Land 
 To guide me to a Parent? 
 
 L Y S A N D E R. 
 
 All's explain'd; 
 This was Aranthe's Meaning, this the Caufe 
 She urg'd fo flrong your Coming, hoping ftill 
 Some Chance might bring about this bleft Event 
 Th' indulgent Gods have profper'd. 
 
 D O R A S T U Sw 
 
 Gen'rous Youth ! 
 
 Whofc
 
 [ 37 1 
 
 Whofe Graces have endear'd thee to my Child, 
 Whofe Truth and Friendfhip won her, let my Arms 
 
 Embrace thee as a Son. A Father's Blefling, 
 
 Pour'd from a Heart with Gratitude o'ercome, 
 
 Shall now enforce the reft. Alas ! too quick 
 
 My Spirits bound ! Prithee refolve my Mind 
 
 A few fond Queftions more. 
 
 ['They withdraw to the Bottom of the Stage, 
 
 M U S ID O R U S. 
 
 See, my Children, 
 The virtuous ftill are happy ! — This is fhe 
 So long-reputed dead, for whom was rear'd : 
 The Statue, and the Tomb^ for whom thefe Shades 
 80 oft' have echo'd with a Father's Sighs ; 
 Sighs now repaid with Tranfports ! 
 
 L. A U R A; 
 
 Nor in vain 
 Have we intwin'd the feftive Wreath. This Night 
 Shall fecial Pleafure beam from ev'ry Eye, 
 
 And
 
 [ 38 ] 
 
 And Sounds of Joy be heard along the Vale. 
 
 DAPHNE. 
 See where returning from the hallow'd Grove 
 The Shepherds crofs the Plain. I'll be myfelf 
 Of this Event the Harbinger ; 'twill prove 
 Moft welcome to them all. 
 
 [Exif. 
 
 DORASTUS, LYSANDER, EUPHEMIA, andDELlA, 
 
 come forward. 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 Enough, enough ; 
 
 My ftormy Life at laft finks to a Calm. 
 
 Come Death now when it will, I'll meet it fmiling, 
 
 Upheld by this lov'd Pair. 
 
 LYSANDER. 
 
 Long live to fee 
 
 Our mutual Happinefs ! and be repaid 
 
 In the bright Virtues of your new-found Daughter 
 
 The Sufferings you've endur'd ! 
 
 DORASTUS.
 
 [ 39 ] 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 Great Providence ! 
 
 How juft are all thy Ways ! Never let Man, 
 
 Howe'er he be diftrefs'd, abandon Hope ; 
 For in the Moment when the Cloud is blackeft, 
 When the big Storm rolls loudeft o'er his Head, 
 The Hand of Heav'n perhaps fupports his Steps, 
 
 And guides him back to Peace! 'Twas but this Morn, 
 
 Stung with Remembrance of my former Woes, 
 I curs'd the Sons of Sparta ; ere Day clofe 
 A Spartan Hand leads back the Child I loft. 
 And quite atones the Wrongs his Country did me! 
 
 E U P H E M I A. 
 
 Juftly I ftand reprov'd. Henceforth Til own 
 
 Each Murmur is a Crime, and Difcontent 
 Ingratitude to Heav'n. 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 Forbear to think 
 This Earth can teem Perfeftion ; far beyond 
 
 Thofe
 
 [ 40 ] 
 
 Thofe azure Rocks that kifs the floping Sky 
 A happier Region lies, to which compar'd 
 Our Spot, is as the dank. and tainted Gale 
 
 To th' unfully'd Breath of Morning. There the Toils 
 
 Of lab'ring Virtue ceafe ! and thither oft' 
 
 She turns her patient Eye, and feeks her Crown !— — 
 
 *Tis there Euphemia, and *tis there alone 
 
 Perfeflion may be hop'd ; on this Side, all 
 
 Is mutable and frail ! • 
 
 EUPHEMIA. 
 
 Yet 'tis not ftrangc 
 The Mind that's tutor'd to expedl too much 
 Should figh at Difappointment. 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 That, my Child, 
 Is Life's grand Error j — we delude ourfelves, 
 
 And charse the Cheats of Fancy to the World. -^ 
 
 Man in his vilionary Hour conceives 
 
 Joys never deftin'd for him, then fits down 
 
 In
 
 [ 4- ] 
 
 In fallen Dlfcontent, to think he lofes 
 
 That which he ne'er poflefs'd. Go, wifer you 
 
 My Children, curb your Wifhes, tafte with Thanks 
 That Good the Gods allot you ; and remember, 
 Howe'er our Paths are chequer'd by Misfortune, 
 I ife flill has many Pleafures for the Virtuous. 
 
 M U S I D O R U S. 
 The neighb'ring Swains, whom Delia has inform'd 
 Of what has chanc'd, with Looks of Tranfport hafte 
 To greet your happier Fortune. 
 
 Jl Number of Arcadians enter wilbDAFUNE, and furround Dor ASTUi 
 
 with Marks of Congratulation, 
 
 DORASTUS. 
 
 Ah ! how fweet 
 
 Their Steps who fpeak of Peace ! 1 have, my Friends, 
 
 A Heart that reads your Purpofe in your Eye, 
 
 And regifters your Love A Heart, the Gods 
 
 Have quite o'erwhelm'd with Mercy ! Thanks to all 
 
 Who fliare with me this Joy; and double Thanks 
 
 G To
 
 [ 42 ] 
 
 To thee, kind Musidorus, whom this Night 
 We all will fojourn with, and cheer the Board 
 
 Thy lib'ral Hand has fpread. Rich Flocks, and Herds, 
 
 And wide -fpread Paftures, fliall be giv'n to-morrow 
 
 In Dowry with this Maid. You Delia too 
 
 Shall now become my Care. Let us away. 
 
 The Ev'ning Star is ris'n, and as we pafs 
 
 Let all our choral Youth their Voices join 
 In Notes that deep-felt Gratitude infpires. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Mighty Pan ! to thee we owe 
 All the Happinefs we know ; — 
 Let our Lives Itill peaceful glide ; 
 
 Give us Virtue for our Guide. 
 
 [Exeimf. 
 
 EPILOGUE.
 
 [ 43 ] 
 
 EP I LOGUE. 
 
 Mortals, who this Drama view. 
 
 Own you not its Moral true f 
 
 Virtuous Minds pjoulcl neer defpair ; 
 'They are Heavns peculiar Care, 
 Who teaches fuff^ ring Man to know 
 Hope's the Counterpoise of Woe. 
 
 But if Hope unlicensd reigns ^ 
 Wildly feeh ideal Plains, 
 PiBures Joys it neer can meet. 
 Paths neer trod by human Feet ; 
 Then, ah I then expeB to find 
 Arcadia's only in the Mind. 
 
 THE END.
 
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