ft*** POEMS, CONSISTING OF MISCELLANEOUS PIE CES, AND EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR WILLIAM CREECH, AND SOLD BY T. CADELL, LONDON. MDCCXC. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRT DUN DAS OF MELVILLE, TREASURER OF THE NAVY, &c. S I R, W HEN I do myfelf the honour of dedi- cating this book to you, I only fulfil the wifties of a much lamented parent : For I know well, had that modefty, which gave his character its marked, and peculiar di- flinction, ever permitted him to publifh any thing himfelf, that he would have fought protection fof it under your name. You, Sir, encouraged and directed his firft poetical flights ; and, it ought to be record- ed to your immortal honour, that, in the jhigh rank in which you have long flood, and 1>DJCATION. and amidft a multiplicity of the mod im portant national concerns, you continued to remember and love the friend of your early youth. It is not uncommon to fill die page of dedication with exaggerated praile: But though your character and a> r bilities in public life afford ample fubject for exalted panegyric, it is beyond my fphere to write of fuch high matters. - But the virtues which adorn your private character, as they accord with the feelings of every honeft heart, it is the bufmefs of every honeft heart to applaud. I know, that minds warped by prejudice, or enflam- ed by party, will paint the moft honourable icenes of life with dark and unfeemly co- louring: But, if it ever mail happen that you retire from that exalted flation, where the beft of men are expofecUo the mafts of envy and faction, it will then be believed by the world, as it is at prefent known to your friends, that you are as amiable in pri- vate, as refpeclable in public life; and that your DEDICATION. 5 your interefl has been uniformly, and of- ten fuccefsfully exerted in favour of merit and virtue, and with a view to promote thofe men who have proved both an ad- vantage and ornament to their country. That you, Sir, may preferve that attach- ment to your Sovereign, that regard for the conflitution, and that love for your country, which have diftinguifhed your pad life, and raifed you higlvin the efleem of every good fubjecl, is the mofl ardent wifh of him, who is, with the greatefl re- fpecT: and veneration, SIR, Your moil obedient, and mofl humble Servant^ GEORGE MYtNE. (I ISC PREFACE. JL HE Author of the following poetical pieces lives only ia the remembrance of his friends ; and there he will live, as long as unaffected modefly, warm, and generous feelings, an amiable fimplicity of manners, and uncorrupted integrity of heart, are re- garded and cultivated among men. His genius led him in an early period of life to. poetry ; and his tafte in that line of com- pofition was afterwards cultivated and im- proved by a regular and liberal academical education, and an acquaintance with the Left ancient and modern poets. The pieces being now at the bar of the public, the proper judge of all literary me- rit, it would be idle, as well as unavailing, to fay any thing in their praife. To excufe, however, trivial faults, it is but jufb to ob- ferve, that they come into the world with all the difad vantages which can poflibly at- tend poflhumous publications; none of them having been prepared for the public eye, nor received the lad corrections of the Author. They were written in the rnidfl of many avocations, and a multinlity of fa- mily and profeflional concerns ; and it has often been a matter of aftonimment to his intimate g ? R E F A C intimate friends that the focial intercourfe, and real bufmefs, in which they knew he LS engaged, jvrr.ilrtcd him to facrifice fo much of his time and labours to the m,n- Had they received his lad correct- ing hand, they would have been lefs open to the cavils of criticifm : For, though they have been feen, and read by many gentle- men of learning and tafte, they have under- gone no very material alterations or amend- ments. Although the minor critic, wlio meafures every performance with the line and compafs, may perhaps find fome fmali foundation for exercifing his fkill ; it is ho- ped, that the reader of feeling and tafte will be delighted with many beautiful ver- fes, and meet with many paffages of real poetic merit. With refpect to their moral tendency, I am perfuaded the mod fcrupu- lous reader will find nothing to. difguft or offend him. The Author himfelf was a man of virtue: And to mew "Virtue in * her own fhape how lovely j" to inculcate^ the practice of it as favourable to our own felicity ; and to point out mifery and fhame as the unvaried confequences of guilt and dishonour, will, I truft, be found to be the principal and ultimate object of his writ- LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. .r\NDREW Agnew, Efq. younger of Lochriain Capt. P. Agnew Robert Anderfon, Efq. Whiburgh John Anderfon, Efq. Winterfield John Anftruther, Efq. Advocate, Edinburgh Alex. Achyndachy, Efq. do. Jofeph Alcock, Efq. Little Brook-ftreet, London Mr Allingham, Reigate, Surrey Mr David Armftrong, Writer, Edinburgh Mr William Anderfon, do. Mr Francis Anderfon, do. Mr William Anderfon, merchant, London Mr John Allen, do. Mr Robert Alburn, do. Mr William Ainilie, do. Mr Edward Addifon, do. 2 copies Mrs Addifon, do. 2 do. Mr William Annand, do. 4 do. Mrs Adair do. 2 do. Mifs Adair do. Mr William Ainflie, Edinburgh, 2 copies Mr Daniel Ainflie, do. Mr George Anderfon, Pentcaitland Mr Charles Afhwcll, Granada, 4 copies Mr Robert Ainflic, Begbie Lieut. Richard Allan Mr John Atchifon, Skirlin? Mr William Atchifon, St Clements Wdld, 2 copies Mr Chrirtopher Armftrong, Dalkeith Mr Robert Atchifon, Yarrow .-orge Atchifon, Muflelburgh Mr James Anderfon, Dalkieth Mr John Anderfon, Soundhope Mr Adam Anderfon, Boll-fide Mr Andrew Anderfon, Breackhopc Mr Thomas Anderfon, baker, Edinburgh B t)uke of Buccleugh Duchcfs of Buccleugh Countefs Bathuril, Apfley Houfc Sir John Wifliart Belfches Richard Barnes, Efq. 'Reigatc, Surrey, 5 copies Mrs Barnes, do. 5 do. Mr M. W. Barnes do. 2 do. Robert Blair, Efq. Solicitor General, Edinburgh, 4 dp. Andrew Buchanan, Efq. Ardcnconncl ^c Uuchanan, Efq. Achintorley Charles Brown, Efq. Coalfton Hugh Buchan, Efq. Edinburgh Mr John Bogue, writer to the fignet, Edinburgh Thomas Beaumont, Efq. Buckland, Surry Mr Thomas Beaumont, junior, do. Robert Borrow, Efq. Starburgh Caftle, Suflex tapt. Henry Ball, Pendill, Surrey Ch.,rlcs birkhead, Reigate, Surrey Mrs Birkhead, do. Mrs Blunt, Horham, Suflex nve, Efq. Bartlcfs Buildings, London ' Blagrave do. L'.ankin, aft Grinftead, Suflex , Kendall Mr James Yule, Fenton-barnS Mr Thomas Yates, London Mr William Young, Edinburgh Bail-ie George Youngj Muflclburgli ETC. TO MR. H. D. WHEN AT THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL OF DALKEITH. J. HE ftream of time ftill rolling on, While we its current fcarcely fee, J In iilence hafles to carry down Whate'er is now, whatever fhall be. The ftrongeft caftles, higheft towVs That wafting ftream will level lay, And beauty's bloom and fpring-time's flow'rs As foon as feen will fweep away. What now the moft important feems, Or fondly fills the youthful mind, Shall foon become like laft year's dreams, Which now have left no trace behind. A This This friendfliip too that warms our breafl Will Toon, my HENRY, be forgot! For how can friendfliip long exift With friends of fuch unequal lot ? Thy birth, thy merit, may afcend To highefl honours in the ftate ! Wilt thou remember then a friend, So far beneath thee plac'd by fate ? Away falfe fears that injure him I Hence low diftruft of my defert ! If I deferve his love, no time Shall wear me from my HENRY'S heart ! In youth yon oak and ivy join'd ; Not equal they ! Yet clofe they grow Time has their boughs fo intertwin'd, No force can them diflever now. EPISTLE. My Mufe, fure, when fhe fram'd thefe rhimcs At fchool, dream'd of the prefent times ! At your defire the rhimes were fram'd : Perhaps my HENRY likewife dream'd, The ( 3 ) The fimile of the oak and ivy, (Had I not been compell'd to leave thee) Were to bur cafe ib applicable, John Gay had fpun it to a fable ! Though lefs than Gay, I mean to try it. I'll ftick it. Well ! What lofe I by it? A FABLE. THE OAK, THE IVY, AND THE SAGE. nurfery, happy with each other, An oak and ivy grew together, So clofe, that all who did them fee Thought them one individual tree. And comelier far the tree thus feem'd, Than either had apart been deem'd. The ivy, green through all the year, Did on the oak fo gay appear, That he, before his leaves were blown, Rejoic'd in th' ivy's as his own: And as he rear'd his ftately top, So high his friend was carried up, That all the nurfery thought this ivy Would grow a tree fit for the navy. A 2 The ( 4 ) The creeping thing fo lofty rofe, He at his betters tofs'd his nofe. So you've feen other fav'rites do Rais'd on fuch props above their due. One April morning fair and mild, All nature with the feafon fmil'd, New flowers, new verdure cloth'd the plains, The groves refound with new love-flrains ; Like nature fmiling, thus the oak To his beloved ivy fpoke : My Ivy ! thus we'll ever grow. Thee twitted round my highefl bough, I'll as a crown of laurel wear, And make thee all my honours hare. If e'er I grow a mighty tree My Ivy too iliall rife with me. Alas, my Oak ! the Ivy cry'd, Fate has to me that blifs deny'd. Had I one wifh, that wifh mould be To rife, to fland, to fall with thee ; And thus th' unfading wreath to grow f fame, that mud adorn thy brow. No thunder, rain, or fnow, or hail, Should thee before thy friend affail'; ( 5 ) No breeze pefliferous from the eaft, Untimely mould thy leaves diveft j No rot corrupt thy nobleft part, The true red timber of thy heart ! But thou from beft of acorns fprung, So flraight fo vigorous while fo young, Shalt foon be from thine Ivy torn, And to the royal foreft borne ; Where thou no axe or faw {halt feel Till fit to be a firft-rate keel. Whilft I, whom forefters defpife, Bereft of ev'ry hope to rife, Muft, by fome trifling florid planted, In a poor ihrub'ry, creep contented. The planters came, Awhile yet he fpoke, And to the foreft bore the oak ; Where, though he has but fhort while flood, You fee his top o'er all the wood. The Ivy, in a fhrub'ry planted, Creeps on forgot, not difcontented : Though once, 'tis faid, a fecret figh Betray 'd a wifti to rife more high. A fage-bufh, that within him grew, And all his thoughts and wifhes knew, Beheld that wifli, though half fupprefs'd, And in thefe words his friend addrefs'd : Faith, SAGE. Faith, Mafler Ivy, I mud tell you, You are not quite that happy fellow Which by the world you would be thought Repining at your humble lot, You often to the foreft look, With envy on yon lofty oak. I fee you think that were you yonder, Like him you'd fill the world with wonder. IVY. Yon oak was once my friend : With him I own, I almofl wifh'd to climb. SAGE. The forefters would ne'er allow Such hurtful weeds on him to grow. th all your boafted ever-green ou there had but a nuifance been. From fuch fine trees you had been cut, - down, and trampled under foot. mbm the foreft! Could you lick The feet of fome old crazy ftick, His ( 7 ) His hollow heart where fwallows fleep, Or pois'nous afps and adders creep. You might mount o'er his withering top. IVY. What ! mount on fuch a rotten Where 1 mould fear at ev'ry fquall, To fhare a corrupt patron's fall ? I would not crawl through dirt to Or join with one whom I defpife. By vice procur'd, the higheft place, Inftead of honour brings difgrace. SAGE. Not crawl through dirt ? Not rife with vice ? You're for the foreft much too nice ! The foreft ! No : We're better here, Where fqualls, where tempefts bring no fear. In th' hurricane that lately blew, And half the foreft overthrew, Tall oaks came thundering to the ground, The loftieft trees all fcatter'd round; While fafe and fhelter'd, we unhurt, And fearlefs here laugh'd at the /port. IVY* IVY. You re right, good Sage! I muft confefs, That here, although our pleasure's leis, Tis more fecure. No ftorms annoy, No fears difturb our equal joy. Here, though at no great diftance feen, Our leaves through all the year are green, SAGE. Lgg .;,\ Your pleafure lefs ! That fcarde I grant. What joys have they that here you want ? The winged beauties of the groves m Safe in your fhade enjoy their loves ; Among your leaves forever gay The little minflrels ling and play : From fummer's heat, from winter's wind, They there a friendly flicker find ; And there in grateful tribute bring The earlieft mufic of the fpring. Here fully fed in fertile ground ; You various fend your {hoots around. While rifing o'er the garden wall, Ygu feem the greateft of us all. IVY. ( 9 ) IVY. This place indeed beft fuits our nature : I own we could be no where better. POET. The limile's to a fable fpun ; So long, you thought 'twould ne'er be done ! 'Twould tire you, elfe I flill were able To make an Epic of my fable. You hate long-winded allegory : And fo do I. End of thejiory. Prefuming you have no objections, I'll yet intrude A FEW REFLECTIONS. The man can never hope to mine That's plac'd in an improper line. For nature his attempts would fruftrate* This three examples will illuftrate. I. If Cicero had been our (haver, He had plagu'd us with his cliihmaclaver B i. Had Had Carfar at my plough been bred, He had broke, no doubt, Ins matter's head ; Been fent to jail made a recruit. Sure th' army would his genius fuit ! He had mutiny'd his captain bang'd, And been, inftead of Emp'ror, hang'd. 3- Snppofe our places chang'd awhile: You at this fuppofition fmile. But, Sir, in my place, you'd been dub'd The Prefes of an alehoufe club. There your great fenatorial thunder Had made knaves envy, blockheads wonder. You had given your little fenate laws ; Your word had ended ev'ry caufe ; For fkill in politics and tillage, You'd been renown'd through all the village. If you had pleas'd a book to write You had been as great as A \V , But what had I done in your place ? This ftammering tongue ! this fheepifli face ! A ftatefman ! Humph ! Alas ! alas ? ( II ) Tune, Woes my heart that wejhoudfunder* WlTH Delia's eafy kindnefs cloy'd, 'Twas little now that Damon priz'd her ; And whilft fhe at his parting cry'd, He with this cruel fong advis'd her. If, Delia, e'er you fet your mind Upon a youth with mettle in him, Seem not too ready to be kind, For that way you mall never win him. No foldier boafts th' inglorious field, That's gain'd with little oppofition : Nor can that love a pleafure yield, Which gives no fuel to ambition.. We're proud to feize the fwifteft game ; We're proud to gain the richeft treafure : Ev'n love, without the hopes of fame, Is but a dull infipid pleafure. 'Tis '( 12 ) 'Tis hence the haughty youth diflikes The eafy maid that fondly woes him ; And, like a fpaniel, courts the ftripes Of her that boldly dares abufe him. Then, Delia, juftly prize your charms. When Colin courts, with caution truft him : _ ', And, if you'd bind him in your arms, Seem Hill determin'd thence to thruft him ! If he turn cold, affect difdain; Seem carelefs, you {hall yet enflave him ; And drag him, in your beauty's chain, To marriage, or where'er you'd have him. Thus Damon fung, and laughing fled. Delia, too late her error finding, Wip'd her fad eyes ; and, fighing, laid, The fong is worth a lady's minding* ' A SCOTS SONQ. I, pleafant ance were Lothian's plains ! Joy fung in ev'ry cottage there ! Trig were our maidens, blyth our fwains, * At ev'ry wedding, feaft, and fair! Nae wedding now, nae fair, nae feaft, Can fill our maids or fwains wi' glee./ Care fighs in ev'ry thoughtfu' bread, And fadnefs lours in ilka eye. II. Thefe views of Forth nae mair can pleafe ; Now fummer fields nae mair feem gay : Joy flies, with competence and eafe, Frae Lothian's groaning fwains away ! Ance winter's fharpeft froft and fnaw, In plenty warm, we didna fear ; But now the blafts of poortith blaw, Mair {harp than winter's a' the year. III. Now nappy ale and punch nae mair, At Chriftmas, {hall our fwains folace ; \Yhere 14 ; Where vigorous age forgot his care, Amidd his childrens pratling race, Nae durdy youth at bullets plies ; Unhanded wades the curling- dane ; Ufelefs in (lour the golf-club lies, And pipers wade their wind in vain. IV. Nae mair fhall love-pair'd couple* glow, With raptures down the rural dance ; And marks of artlefs paflion flow From heart to heart, with ev'ry glance ! In joyful clubs nae mair we droll, The garden of its fweets to flrip ; Where happy Love aft flyly dole Far dearer fweets frae Beauty's lip. V. Nae mair the fwain by flow'ry peafe, Or whitening hedge, the virgin leads. How fweet the fragrance of the breeze ! Her breath that fweetnefs far exceeds ! When lades wade, or warn their ekes, With kilted coats upon the knee, Nae pawky fwains keek o'er the braes Or cares the whited legs to fee ! VL . VI. And when they to the milking gang, Nae jokefome fhepherd brings the cow : Alane they hum fome dreary fang ; What fwains dow kifs or towzle now ? Dark Winter hears nae fang mair gay, Than Margaret's Ghoft, or Forejt F/o-wersj Which in their prime were wed away By cruel fate Ah I fae are ours ! VII. Sing nae blyth fangs, yea beauteous quire ! Each fair-wrought lad as flifFs a rung, Wad fa' afleep betide the fire, Though John, come kifs me now ye fung But ken ye whence our forrow's fpring ? Our greedy lairds bear a' the blame. What ance made mony a tenant fing, Now hardly fleghs ae landlord's wame \ VIII. While fumptuoufly ye cat and drink, Does it ne'er fling your confcious breaft, Ah, cruel luxury ! to think He ftarves whofe toil prociir'd the feaft. Here heartlefs coofs may toil and pine, Some rigid tyrant's willing flaves ; But freedom mail be ever mine ? There's freedom yet beyond the waves ! MELPOMENE ' 16 MELTOMENE A SONG. ADDRESSED TO DAVID GARRICK, ESQ, .MELPOMENE, a nymph divine, Once conquered with majeftic grace ; While wifdom gay, with wit benign, Charm'd in Thalia's fmiling face. This fung gay notes, that plaintive ftrains; Soft raptures fir'd each tender breaft. Ador'd they were by all our fwains : But Willie far outihone the reft: Sweet fongs he fung in both their praife ; Fair flow'rs he bound on either brow : And they crown'd him with wond'rous bays, Which greener as they elder grew. Fair fifters ! who (hall fing your praife ? Who for your brows (hall pick the flow'r ? Whofe temples mall you crown with bays ? Your Willie rings, alas ! no more. Davie, . r t)avie, the pride of Britain's fwains, So charms you with the dance and fong, That ev'ii your Willie's matchlefs flrains Sound fweeter now from Davie's tongue. So well can he your garlands trim, So well can he adjufl your drefs, In ev'ry point you credit him, Before your faithful looking-glafs. But Davie, of your favours proud, Now ev'ry where his pow'r would boaft ; And, to amaze the gaping croud, Arrays you like each reigning toad. Farcia, (the lighteft of her kind, Who roars with drunkards thro' the town ; Who with mad fquires will chace the hind, Or romp about with a dragoon ;) With rough fongs makes the taverns ring 5 Davie to you thefe fongs repeats ; Like the buffoon he bids you fing, And rival her in monkey feats. Thofe feats the maid of princely grace; With flrangely awkward meannefs apes' j And the fweet lafs of ftfiiling face Puts on her mad diftorted fhapes. C Where Where they appear in this difguife,: They raife no fweetly-tender flame ; Genius and \vit their fongs defpife, And true tafle bluflies at their Ihamc, And of this change is Davie proud ? Ah, Davie ! thou hart little caufe : What boots it to amaze the croud, If Wit" and Tafte refufe applaufe ? What pity, Davie ! thy fweet tongue, Which warbles well the pureft lays,, Should be debas'd by Farcia's fong ? Or thou be fond of Folly's praife ? Such praifes, Davie! yet defpife ; Delude the lovely pair no more ; Let wit and tafle their beauty prize, Their former fame and thine reftore ' A LADY IN ENGLAND, WHO HAD EX- ACTED THE AUTHOR'S PROMISE THAT HE WOULD WRITE TO HER A WITTY LETTER. Thae fecond-ftgbted Jolks (his peace be here-) See things far aff\ and things to come, as clear As I can fee my thumb. OENTLE SHEPHERD. DEAR KITTY, Scotfinen's fecond-fight you'll find, In Johnfon's Tour, fine ftories : Whate'er will much affecl: our mind, Though diftant, feems before us. To prove the Doctor tells you true, Though Englifhmen may wonder, I'll let you know I talk with you Four hundred miles afunder. I heard you fay to your aunt lafl night ; (Say, Michael, did'nt you hear it ?) '* Friend Mylne is lazy fure to write I !< How thinks he I mould bear it ? C 2 " He ( 20 )' " He promised me, a year agone, " Some witty lines and clever. " He promised much ! Ay fo does one "'Who means to pay us never. " Shall we have clever Englifh rhimes " From that poor fide of Tweed, Where hungry bards in frozen climes " Can fcarce our language read ? Thinks lie poor Scotland's alloy'd brafs " Would pafs with us for better ? ""I'll have my debt in fterling cafli ; " Or hold him (till my debtor." Four hundred miles this dunning found I heard, with fpirits finking : Fatal as Shylock's was the bond, Which I fubfcrib'd unthinking. The bond's unpaid : The forfeit due : For witlefs is my fonnet. Should Kitty, cruel as the Jew, Infifl with rigour on it ; I've only poor Anthonio's way : Since I like him am bound, And have no wit wherewith to pay, 1 ake of my heart a pound. # * * * DESOLATION, ^ T P.ESOL ATI O N , A PASTORAL. COLIN, ASPER, AND MENALCAS. COLIN. WERE better, Afper, to continue here ; Like me, be frugal, if your farm be dear ^ Late end your toil, and early rife to work. ASPER. I'll rather bear a mulket for the Turk ! All other flaves get food from thofe they ferve: For cruel matters farmers toil, and flarve ! COLIN. You yet may get a tolerable leafe ! ASPER. Where is the landlord now that gives us thefe I V COLIN. COLIN. Still there are fuch ! ASPER. In Scotland ? COLIN. Two or thre$ Take pleafure yet a thriving fwain to fee, In their dependent's happinefs rejoice, And help induftrious honefty to rife. ASPER. Are their old tenants never turn'd away, Helplefs in age and indigence to ftray ? d, W COLIN. t No! If mifchance their fwains toliardfhips drive. They eafe his wants, and help him flill to thrive. ASPER. Then they, fome future fhepherd's grateful theme, Shall live with Cocklurn in immortal fame : While thefe proud Squires, who now feem men of note, Shall,with the deer they Ve fwallow'd,lie forgot. COLIN. COLIN. With our good landlords, no projectors Servants grown rich, or merchants crack'd in brain, Promifing rents the lands can never yield r E'er turn'd a worthy farmer from his field* ASPER. But Satan offering here one penny more, "Would turn ev'n Cincinnatus to the door. COLIN. For this the tenants have themfelves to blame: Whenhoned Thirfis broke, in crouds theycame 9 And drove with ardour who mould offer mod For that poor, farm, where all his dock was loft* ASPER. ITes, Thirfis broke: but they are men of parts, And to work wonders have ten thousand arts I COLIN. Our Squire foon found the greated coxcomb out, And little flatt'ry brought his end about : Ayei : " Aye! you have parts indeed! you underftand " Alone the value of fuch fertile land ! Upon my honour, you're a lad of life, " And fuch a perfon for a rich young wife !" But fimple gull ! does he your brothers tear? Does he devour a tenant ev'ry year? And will you then the very dangers run, That fuch examples call to you to fhun ? ASPEB, Examples they behold not ! Mangled flies Mark the foul corner where the fpider lies : But does their fate make other flies beware ? Still numbers, thoughtlefs, buzz into the fnare: Proceed, ye Squires ! fqueeze with unfparing hand! You'll ftill find fools to give too much for land ! COLIN. But thofe will break, and then their rents wiH fall. ASPER. No ! Other fools will give them flill their all. Go live at court, a prey to fharpers there ! "When others fpeak, in wife-like filence Hare \ Or, Or, fieeping at a parliament debate, Dream of rich pofls, and favours of the great : While all your ill your depute here exceeds, Arid makes your name excufe his harmed deeds I He writes you, howyour rents increafe at home; Increafe th'expence'.thinknot of times to come!, When rags and vermine are your tenants flock, Your villages all theft, filth, flink, and fmoke ! When howling mifery your ho.ufe furrounds, And defolation marks your horrid bounds ! Your vaflal-flaves go one by one to pot ! In all your land you Cannot raife a groat ! Go, put your tenants tatter'd rags to fale ! Your land nlufl fly to keep you out of jail ! COLIN. Our parfon fays, Where fuperfiition reigns, Where prieftly rigour fqueezes Roman fwains, Defert and wafle the groaning land appears, And ev'ry face diflrefs's features wears. In vain has nature giv'n a fertile foil : Each prudent fwaiil flies from the fruitlefs toil. Ah ! (hall our land to fuch a flate decay ? Yes ! all her worthieft fons are torn away I None who feek wealth can hope to find it here; All who love eafe to foreign climates fleer : D The ( 26 ) The generous follow freedom o'er the wave.,! ASPER. None flay but wretches willing to be Haves t COLIN. Through twenty future years methinks I fee The plight in which our country then fhall be ! How fadly droops each late-repenting fwain, Whofe folly bound him to a life of pain i Sore whip'd, his lean, old horfes, groaning go ; Nor whittles th' hungry driver of the plough ! The matter at the fruitlefs labour fighs, And wipes the fecret forrow from his eyes. While in her dark and dirty houfe forlorn, Bare to the bone with care and hunger worn. On the cold hearth that feldom feels a flame, Hard at her houfehold labour plies the dame. But wretched mother ! whofhall fpeak thy pain, When naked children cry for bread in vain ! ASPER. Let ev'ry honeft fwain forfake this more, Where eafyfreedom lives with fwains no more, Behold yon lawyer ! fly his harpy hand ! Whatnumbersttarveonhislate-purchas'dlandi Long ( 27 > Long lias he praclis'd ev'ry art to fqueeze, And hoards, with fordid care, his double fees! From plea to plea his clients are led on, Till credit fails, and then th' account is fliown ?' In every line it feems a moderate charge ! But at the foot Good heav'ns afuinfo large! Why, Sir, it doubles all that I poiTefs ! " No lawyer in the town would do't for lefs! " We've long been friends ; with you I will " not (land ; u I'll take no more from you, but all your " land !" Wide fpreads his land ! his undiftinguifh'dprey, Tenants and fquires, he feafts on ev'ry day. Thorns yield no grapes ! But, men of rank, will you A fhamelefs pettifogger's fleps purfue ? If you would ftill have men your rank revere ; If by your honour flill you wilh to fwear ; Defend it now ! Warm with true honour, hafte To ftem this tide that lays your country wafle, COLIN. Refign'd to ruin amongft withered trees, See many an antient dome ; in each of thefc Once Once liv'd Tome worthy lord, or knight, or fquire ! The poor and ftranger nightly bleft his fire ! He liv'd at home, and fpent his income there; Mechanics, merchants, farmers, had theirfhare. His wealth fpread happinefs o'er all the plain, Soon went its round, and came to him again: Then well-paid induftry with pleafure toil'd, And all around the populous country frnil'd. ASPER. A tyrant harpy now has bought them all, Racks high the rents, but lets the manfions falh COLIN. From this next ruin, Afper, here behold A piteous fight! Menalcas weak and old! \\ 7 ho, with pale famine flaring in his face, Laments the change of that once happy place! MENALCAS. Alas ! my neighbours ! how my heart is rent, To fee thefe walls where my bed days were fpent, r husovergrownwithhemlock,grafs,andmofs! As well as mine it fpeaks the country's lofs! Here Here once the voice of happy pleafure fung ? With mirth's loud laughter diflant echoes rung. In ale and mufic funk the night. The morn Was waken'd by the chearful hound and horn. Happy himfelf, my Lord rejoic'd to fee Each face around reflect his inward glee ! Now deadly filence ever round it fleeps, Unlefs when here my fad remembrance weeps. Ah ! wafting walls ! your laft remaining tower Shakesin each blaft,and melts in ev'ry mower! COLIN. Upon its rotten roof hangs but one flate ? MENALCAS. But painted ceilings fpeak its former (late ! Though daws and fwallows lodge their filthy young, Where pictures of the family's worthies hung; Rats, frogs, and toads, the fpacious halls defile, Where gayeft beauties wont of old to fmile. Where once fweet minilrels charm'd the dan- cing throng, Th' ill-boding owl now howls the whole night long. Sad, ( 3 ) Sod, through the parlour, nightly fighs the ghoft Of him who once fat there the jovial hoft : Sees in his vaults, where ripening hogfheads ftood, Badgers and foxes rear their (linking brood. Docks, hemlocks, nettles, overgrow the court, Where oft his youthful tenants us'd to fport. There many a feat of ftrength and fkill were ft flxown; The Chief was judge, nor fcorn'd to (how his own. \Vhen young, he often carried off the bays ; When old, he prais'd his ftrength in former days: To yon high mark, in youth he heav'd the ball; His ftronger father tofs'd it o'er the wall. Then each, invited, was a welcome gueft ; And next the Baron was the victor plac'd. v ASPER. Such happinefs our fathers faw, but we Muft feck our food beyond th' Atlantic fea ; Where ( 3' ) Where true-born children of this boafting illc Already at their mother's mandates fmile ; Loll out their tongue at honefl father Bull, Defpife his rod, and all his acts annul, Truft not, ye tyrants, to thofc children's love Whom your harm rigours from your confines drove Brave Martius' patriot flames were turn'd td hate; And Rome, from him me banifh'd, fear'd her fate ! Your few fad Haves will trembling die with fear, When of th* invading colonies they hear ; Or gladly run to welcome us aihore, When the delivering thunders round you roar. The wind is up ! The fhip is under fail ! My native land, be d .< d. My friends, farewell. TO MR. BURNS, ON HIS POEMS, N yon green fod what maiden fits, \Vi' garland dow'd, and looks forlorn !- Lord keep the laffie in her wits ! She fings, and yet me feems to mourn I Do ye no ken the Scottifh rmife ? Here aft fhe feeks her darling made : And aft wi' tears that grave bedews, "Where poor Rob Fergujon was laid. But whifht! (he fpeaks ? " My deareft callan* " A fair ftroke was thy death to me! tl For, fmce I loft my winfome Allan^ " My only hope was fheught in thee ? "JNae mair our verfes, fmooth and ftrang> " Our men to martial fame incite : " Or warbled in melodious fang, " Our maidens melt wi' faft delight. "Our ( 33 ) Ci Our language, banifh'd now frae court, " (For Scotland has nae court at hame) 4 Is lightly'd by the better fort ; " And ilka coof maun mimic them. 4 New-fangled fools gade to the South, "And brought frae court new famion'd frazes, " That gar our auld anes found uncouth ; " And ev'n our mother's words bombazeus. " AfFecled foplings feinzie fhame " Of ilka thing benorth the Tweed : " But wha wad fafli their head wi' them ! ' The blockheads fcarce a word can read." " Ged tak me, Mam, I kennot read " Theesyour owld-fafhion'd vulgar Scotchl" " Half Scots, half Engliili, they proceed, " Smaihing baith tongues tobafe hotch potch. 6 We flatter thus a friend, when braw, " And cringe to him when gear is fent him; * But when his back is at the wa', " We blulh to own that e'er we kent him. " I little thought ance in a day, ; When our ain bards fae fwcetly fung, " That glofTaries we boot to hae, ' To teach Scots men their native tongue. E "Or ( 34 ) " Or th.it our fangs, fae peerlefs good, "Thro'thisfalfetafte,this pride new-fangled. " Boot be, to mak them underftood, " In f //; lift *vtrft'ms *, vilely mangled. " Afore he wrote, bauld Kamjay faw " The fmeddom o' our tongue decay ; " His words, as if caukt'ori a wa', * Were wearing fainter ilka day. " Yet he in nature's genuine ftrains " Our feelings fae diftimflly draws, * He'll ever on his native plains, " And foreign too, command applaufe. " Our dying tongue, by him reviv'd, " At Allans death again grew faint : ; Till thou, my Fergu/bn / arriv'd, 4 And feem'd frae heav'n ance errant fent,. ; To teach the warld that fimple lays, c In nature's language, reach the heart ; '* And frae true genius get the praife * Deny'd to ftiff refining aft. 4 But Rohins fp'rit at lafl is here, ' Wi' pleafure fmiling on his brow ! 11 Whare * See Ward's GcnUe Shepherd. ( 35 ) c: Whare ha' ye been, gin ane may fpeer ? " And what maks ye fae blyth, my dow ?" " When wand'ring between Ayr and Doon, " I faw a laddie at the pleugh : " But Mufe ! a fang I heard him cnme, " That flill feems in my lugs to fough." " Fallow mortal ! why fae haftie ; " Banifh terror frae thy breaftie ; " Wae's me for the chance that chac'd thee " Frae thy fnug houfie." 1 'Twas fome way that way ; and addreft to " A till'd-up moufie. " He loos'd his pleugh. I rade wi' him ; ' On his auld white mare, fonfie Maggie ; f { Wha, proud to think fhe'd live in rhime, ; ' Cockt head and tail, like ony ftaiggie. - ' I lookt into his breaft, and faw ;c Companion for his fallow- creature, :; Amang the feelings, ane and a', " That maifl embellifh human nature. "I looked up into his head 14 Gude loih ! What bright poetic fancies ! E 2 >' A' *' A* driving whilk fhou'd hae the lead,, " In fbon-intended rhiming dances. ct True judgement there directed a', " And let them out in proper order ; " Imagination bufkt them braw ; u And memory fat dark-recorder, " The virtues a' to recommend " Meetly appear'd their common aim ; " But their true motive (weel I kend) " Was ardour for poetic fame. ' I faw them plan, in calked lines, " Some fleely-jibing admonitions, c To drive our dour, dull Scots divines ' I rae gloomy, canting fuperftitions. " I faw them plan the Cottars ingk ; 1 Where happy fat man, wife, lafs, callan ; 4 And, in the general joy to mingle, * Ev'n hawkie routs ayont the hallan. ' Frae hawkie comes the halefome feaft, " On which well-pleas'd they fup or dine ; '* And in thae fober draughts maift bleft, ' They never think of coftly wine. >c Cracks, tales, and fangs, them canty keep, ' Till th' hours bring wonted bed- time roun'; ; * Then (37 ) " Then found on caff or ftrae they fleep, " While gentles, fleeplefs, fret on down, " Bluih, Greatnefs, at your ill-fpent time ! " To you fuch blifs is feldom given. " Can ye conceive the thoughts fublime, " On which they rife frae earth to heaven ? where Fingal is fitting in the midfl of his nobles* together with his fon Ojfian> and the attend- ant bards. SCENE, C 46 ) SCENE, Fingafs hall in Sclm*. PINGAL, OSSIAN, NOBLES, LADIES, BARDS ATTENDING. A difmal found is heard of diftant /brisking* FIRST BARD* WHATfhrieks! SECOND BARD* What hideous groans ! FINGAL, I know too well! FIRST BARD. Some dire prefage ! SECOND BARD. Some grief is nigh! fINGAL, ( 47 ) FINGAt. Some fpirits thus are wont to tell When thole molt dear to Fingal die, FIRST BARD. Felt ye that blaft ? How fwift it pafs'd ! SECOND BARD. Methought it {hook the hall! THIRD BARD, What meteors there ! What lightnings blaze ! FIRST BARD. Oh N< thefe portend A king, or kingdom's fall ! OSSIAN. Every breath new horror brings ! Hark, hark, my harp ! no human hand Has touch'd the firings ! That That found fo difmal, hollow, low, Foretells approaching news of woe ! FJNGAL. Strike, OfHan ! ftrike thy harp, my fon .' Call out the deep-refounding, folemn tone : Sing on, till fome compaffionating ghoil Come to tell what friends we've loft ! OSSIAN. Spirits of our fathers dead ! Whether ye glide Smoothly o'er the cryftal waves ; Whether in the whirlwind's blaft, Ye roll the whitening tide ; Or pour the night-fhriek on the lonely hill ; Or murmur o'er your graves ! Come in your cloudy cars, And tell in founds of woe, For what departed chiefs Muft our deep forrows flow ! CHORUS. For what departed chiefs, &c. OSSIAN ( 49 ) OSSIAN. Tell me of Ofcar, tell, Who fails the ftormy main : Oh ! have you feen my darling fon Amid his martial train ? Say, does brave Ofcar live ; Or are his mips difpers'd, And he, with all his band, In wat'ry tombs immers'd ? Or, have they reach'd green Ullin's mores. And yet have come too late To fave the fons of Ufnoth brave, And Cormac, from their fate ? CHORUS. t Spirits of our fathers dead ! Let us blind mortals know For what departed chiefs Muft our deep forrows flow ! G BARD BARD OF THE SECOND SIGHT. Invoke no ghofts to tell you this ! Blindnefs, mortals, here is blifs ! I fee, 1 fee, with inward light, I fee, and curfe the dire anticipated fight Which brings too foon my pain. I fee, I fee, beyond the deep A fcene that (hall make thoufands weep ! CHORUS FIRST. What fcene ? CHORUS SECOND, What fcene ? CHORUS THIRD. What fcene ? BARD. Ye hear the fhrieks ! I fee the ghofls ! Trembling they come from Erin's coafts, Dcterr'd by bloody horrors thence ! CHORUS ( 5' CHORUS FIRST. What blood? What horror ? Tell the wopft! CHORUS SECOND. Speak, fpeak! CHORUS THIRD. Oh fpeak, we're all fufpence ! BARD. Ofcar is fafe ! He holds his way ! Tight are his ihips, his warriors gay ! They foon {hall land and yet too late ! The fons of Ufnoth too are well ! The reft, the reft, oh urge me not to tell ! CHORUS, Oh ! tell the worft of Fate ! BARD. Oh horror ! murder ! fight of woe 1 G 2 CHORUS. CHORUS. Tell, oh tell us, all you know * BARD. Look not now on Ullin's ihore ! See ye not the ftreaming gore ? Erin's young nobles now no more Shall Erin's expectations raife ! - Cormac and his youthful peers Sporting with their fathers fpears Praftife the feats of riper years ! Their little bofoms feel the warrior's flame !] Their little bofoms feaft on future fame ! But death's dark night the whole deflroys ! CHORUS. Death's dark night the whole deftroys T BARS. Cairbar! Atha's gloomy Lord, Wherefore doft thou draw the fword ? Murderer ! Coward ! They are boys ! CHORUS.. ( 53 J CHORUS. Is there no hand to fave ? no fword To flrike the murderers and prevent the blow? BARD. There is no hand to fave, or fword ! Ghofts that glut in human gore Grimly glooming, flalk before ! Murder grins at every door I Fly ? They cannot fly ! In heaps they fall ! they die ! they fall, Murder'd in Temora's hall ! Erin's youthful nobles, all Around poor Cormac lie ! CHORUS. Murder'd in Temora's hall With murder'd Cormac die ? BARD. Cormac lives yet ! The fword is rais'd ! What gallant youth art thou That ( J4 ) That intercepted the falling edge ? Oh moft unworthy blow ! Though generoufly, though nobly done s Thou giv'ft thy king but fhort relief ! Oh heart-confounding grief ! 'Tis Colla's fon ! I CHORUS. -His only fon I BARD. . With his lov'd Prince he leaves the light ! He dies ! his morning fun is fet in endlef night ! CHORUS. Cormac and Colla's only fon ! Alas ! their days were fcarce begun J BARD. The murd'rous fcene is done! . CHORUS. CHORUS. What wonder that afHidled ghofts Fly from thefe unhappy coafts ? What wonder that all nature mourn'd ; That harps fpontaneous moan ; That diflant hills felt and return'd Their dying groan ! A deed fo horrible, fo foul, was never told By modern Seer, or bard of old ! FINGAL. In fweetly-foothing, melancholy ftrains Sing, Oman, to their gentle fpirits fing ! Allay the anguifh of their dying pains ! Let them with joy to their new manlions ipring ! OSSIAN. Defcend to greet them, friendly fhades Of kindred gone before ! Conduct them, wond'ring and afraid, The regions new t' explore ! Rife, Rife, gentle, ftranger-fpirits, rife! Pain ye no more fhall know ; In leaving life's uncertain joys, Ye leave its certain woe ! Ye cannot fee, indeed your names Among the great inroll'd ; But thorny are the paths to fame ; And few are blefs'd when old ! Your fathers bleeding hearts, alas ! Which fondly once conceiv'd The hopes that you mould fill their place, . Are of all hopes bereav'd ! But had they died, like you when young, They now had foundly flept, They had not flourifh'd in the fong Nor for their children wept ! CHORUS. Spirits of Erin ! ceafe to mourn ! Too late ye our afliftance feck ! Home to your airy dwellings turn ; No more on Morven's mountains fhriek ! ( 57 ) '- FINGAL. Call in the wreftlers from the green, The nimble hunters from the heath ! Shall we in idle fp6rts be feen ? No Let us hade t' avenge their death ! CHORUS. Spirits of Erin fpeed the happy gales \ Strengthen each fav'ring current and each wave ! Fly fwiftly homeward on our fwelling fails ! Hafte to avenge the dead, and the furvi- vors fave ! H FRAGMENT ( 58 ) FRAGMENT OF ANOTHER CHORUS. SCENE, The fea- floors. 'The army landing by Moon- light. BARDS AND SOLDIERS. FIRST BAREK. CjrLIDE on, fair, fplendid Queen of Nighty Through yon ferene and fable fky ! \Vhite-fkirted clouds blaze all with light! Darknefs beyond the mountains fly I Ye winds your breath reftrain I Thou palely-mining main Still all thy fwelling waves ! Ye ghofts, who with malicious joy Mifguided mariners annoy, Reft in your hollow caves I Come ( S9 ) Come fathers, brothers, children, whom We loft, when lately here before. Your fame we fung ! We raised your tomb ! The lofs of you we ftill deplore ! With good-portending omens come, And welcome us afhore ! SOLDIER. Glimm'ring in the moon's pale light, Yonder ftones of difmal white, Mournful, mark the places where, With many a tear, Our friends we laid. Some of us too muft lie there ! But be not thence difmay'd. In S-waranB wars though many fell, Yet many more Were left to tell How they with honour fought ; And how they fell as foldiers ought. Inevitable fate Awaits us all : But come it foon, or come it late, Like them renown'd we'll fall ! -* * * * * Ha A A LYRIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN A BEAU AND A SOLDIER, BEAU. H .E plays a foolifli game Who hazards life for fame, And on that fame relies 1" infpire love's flame. For mould the lofs of limbs or eyes His flrength or beauty maim, The ladies would the fool defpife, With all his boafted fame. Ha ! what avails, that in the bloody field The foldier has made thoufands yield, See by fome gayer youth, in love more fkill'd, The hero's miftrefs from him torn ! How foldier, how mall this be borne ? Better with fteel had thou been kill'd Than with a woman's fcorn ! SOLDIER* ( 6' ) SOLDIER. Away filly fopling ! How vainly ye rave ! To think that Inch dunces as you, Will e'er by the fair be efteem'd like the brave, With victory's wreaths on his brow ! Such painted moth- flies The ladies defpife ; Though rolling your eyes, Though heaving foft fighs, ' Ye think ye are wonderous charming ! Though fmiling moft fweetly, though look- ing fo wife ; Though frifking and lifping out ignorant lies, The conduct of foldiers ye dare criticife, And of battles and (ieges determine ! A foldier who wants both his limbs and his eyes Is worth twenty tribes of fuch vermine. THE A TRAGEDY. PERSONS. CAD WALL AN, King of the Britons. OSRICK, King of Northumbria. KENWAL, King of IVeffex. OSWALD, Son of KemvaL ANFRID, the Friend of OfricL ARTHUR, a Prince of the Britons. BRUDUS, the friend of Cadivallan. An old Druid. LADIES. EMMA, Cadivallaris Queen. LENA/O/TI^'S Queen. ELF RID A, Daughter of Kenwal. ETHA, Friend of Emma. JEiANNA, attending Elfrida. Officers, Soldiers, &c. ACT I. SCENE I. A WOOD. Enter ha/lily Lena and Elfrida. LENA. yet farther ! Let me not again Be dragg'd by ruffians ! O my generous Prin- cefs ! But lead me by the wildefl, pathlefs groves, Into the center of this forefl's darknefs ; Then leave me ! Solitude beft fuits me now. ELFRIDA. Here, where the woods firfl cover us, and we, Unfeen ourfelves, fee all the adjacent plain, I told my maid, that we would wait her coming. She brings with her two fuits of mens attire, I Which ( 66 ) Which I provided ; left in th^fe rude time* Of war and danger, if unfortunate, It might feem fafeft to conceal our fex. So garb'd, like youthful warriors, will we find My father's camp. We in an hour may reach That fanctuary, the moft fecure for you. 1 " ' tENA. O let me rather find among thefe wilds Some cavern in the earth or clifted rock ; Where I may lay me down, and weep away My few remaining hours of mifery. ELFRIDA. tto KIWI What mean thy words ? Wouldft thou re- linquifh fo The hopes that beauty, youth, and fortune give thee Of many yeai's of future happinefs ? LENA. T? -';.. My happy years are gone ! My Thinks ( 67 ) Thinks all who look on me have known my mame ; And look but to infult my abject flate ! ELFRTDA. Let fear of infult, let remorfe and mame, With all their tortures tear Cadwallan's heart! That harden'd heart! Good heav'hsJ Can .... fuch men be I Difgrace of human nature ! Such there are Who find a fiend's enjoyment in the wreck And forrow which they bring on ruin'd vir- tue ! But though with loathing and averfion thou Halt borne fuch injury from brutal violence, None will infult thee. Why fhould thy pure breaft Feel any pangs like thofe the guilty feel ? *. j LENA. What fharper pangs can the moft guilty feel ? My fpirit all-indignant, now detefts Thefe its polluted limbs, and longs to leave them. I 2 JttFRlDA ELFRIDA. Now none remains of Edwin's race, but you, To fill Northumbria's throne, with valiant Ofrick, The worthy hufband of your youthful choice. Think, if you now without defcendants die, He muft refign that kingdom to another. LENA. I ne'er can fee him more ! ELFRIDA* Not fee thy Lord ? Thou loved'ft him fure ? LENA. Lov'dhim! Where was that wealth, That power, or titles that could make me wed, Through avarice or ambition, where I lov'd not! His ( 69 ) His race unknown, no wealth or friends had he! His merit won, and flill retains iny heart ! ELFRIDA. But was the fecret of his birth ne'er known ? LENA. That oft we fought, but ne'er could yet unravel. , A paper, found among his infant- weeds, Declar'd him nobly born : To that great truth, His form majeflic, his exalted mind, Unfolding with his years, gave ampleft proof, And forc'd aflent. His every action now, rf * Ranks him among the firfl of Albion's heroes. Love him ? Alas ! But fliall 1 make him wretched ? ELFRIDA. Mod wretched would the lofs of Lena make him. j LENA. 7 LENA. More wretched would he be to fee her thus Polluted ! - In fome unfrequented grove With filent anguifh will I caft me down, Determined never more to rife to light. The ghoft, perhaps, of one who there has fallen, Like me, the victim of defpair, unfeen, Shall figh with me in fympathetic founds : Or filently according with my foul, Raife from the earth its fentiments, attun'd To the full harmony of heavenly thought. ELFRIBA. Since now efcap'd from what thou moft abhorr'ft - LENA. ~* 4 f -> Efcap'd Alas ! - Has the poor hind c- fcap'd, fhat flies, the barbed arrow in her heart? Like her efcap'd, I feel like her the wound Of certain death ; like her I only feek Some quiet covert, there to die in peace ! ELFRIDA. Let me through every defart go with thee, Arid guard thee from this frenzy of defpair. LENA. t' '' Ah! find fomehappier friend to fharetheblifs Thy virtue merits. Leave me and my for- rows. ELFRIDA. Inhuman were the heart that thus could leave thee ! *oi, a*to LENA. iSure thine is more than human ! Generous maid ! Has thy benevolence made thee forget , What foes our fathers to each other were ? ELFRIDA. But I mall never be a foe to thee ! What ( r- ) What though my father now leads on hi* bands To affift Cadwallan ! LENA. Ha! To affifl that villain: And earned thou with that hoftile power ? ELFRIDA. A wifh To fee this country, I fo much had heard of, Brought me for once with armies to the field. But fure fome power divine in fecret fped me To refcue thee, while yet the tyrant flept. LENA. O hadft thou come, when firft I call'd on heav'n To fave me from diihonour, I had thought thee One of its angels ! They, 'tis faid, have come, In lovely forms like thine, to virtue's aid. But I'm unworthy of fuch care of heaven ! ELFRIDA. ( 73 ) ELFRIDA. Believe me, fent by heav'n to fave thee ftill J My father will convey thee to thy Ofrick. LENA. Alas ! who knows if yet my Ofrick lives ! ELFRIDA. Have you not heard of him fince his defeat? LENA. My own afflictions followed that fo fad, No time was giv'ii me to enquire of him. Bleeding at many wounds my father came ! Ere he could fpeak, this tyrant of the Britons, \Vhofe love I had rejected, came enraged: Ev'n in my arms he flew thee, O my father 1 Prefent to me ftill feem thy dying pangs, And thofe fad looks, which, after fpeech had . fail'd, Exprefs'd more ftrong than language could, thy fears, Prophetic of my fate. K SCENE ( 74 ) SCENE IF. Enter Hanna hajlily. HANNA. VjADWALLAN COHiesI ELFRIDA. Give me the cloaths. But do not follow us. 1 1 rIT LENA. Protect me heavens! Oh let fome ravenous bead *W'iffff Relieve me from this monfter more abhorr'd J Exit with Elfrida. HANNA alone. I'll from a different quarter meet his fight, And by fome fklfe intelligence mifguide him. Exit. SCENE 1 C 7S ) SCENE III. Enter Cadivallan and Erudus. CADWALLAN. NFORM me, for you know, how (lie efcapM. BRUDUS. The Ladies of the Caftle, when they heard Th' arrival of the daughter of your friend, The King of WefTex, went and introduced her In royal form. She (laid not long within, But walk'd forth to the garden with a train Of many ladies. Among thofe we find She had conceal'd the Princefs of Northum- bria. They fled together by the lower gate Into that wooded bank, that copfe, which winding Along the river meets the forefl here. They cannot yet be farther than K 2 CAD- ft 76 ) CADWALLAN. You wim them Traitors ! ye all confpir'd againfl my peace ! And was it pity mov'd your ruffian hearts ? No ! 'Twas fedition ! Say, who murmur'd firft? But all fliould fufFer for the traiterous deed ! BRUDUS. Let no fuch thoughts difturb your royal breafl: Your foldiers ftill are faithful. *;/ rvao^ nF CADWALLAN. Think'ft thou fot " I'll fearch however. tm3> A BRUDUS. Yonder ! See my liege, CADWALLAN. Methought I faw a female form glide quick Through yonder trees. BRUDUS. C 77 ) BRUDUS. It was Elfrida's maid ! , CADWALLAN. Purfue you that way. I will guard this opening. Exit Brudus. I know not wherefore 'tis : But from this ad, By which I thought at once to gratify My love and my revenge, my thoughts recoil, In confcious ftarts ; as from fome mocking deed, Some monftrous crime. When I expected blifs, A fecret chilling horror through me ran, Confounding every fenfe. Thou Judge fe- vere, That hold' ft thy flri(5l tribunal in our breafts ! 'Twas thy juft fentence, which no wealth can bribe, No power repel, no pleafure's opiate foothe. SCENE I 7* ) SCENE IV. Enter Brudus with Hanna. HANNA. A KNOW not where they are. I fought them. here, Becaufe I thought Elfrida, by this way, Would lead th' unhappy Princefs to the place, Where Kenwal is encampt. CADWALLAN. Is he fo near us ? HANNA. We left him lately fcarce a mile from this. CADWALLAN. Have they not fled to him ? HANNA. ( 79 ) HANNA. Alas ! I know not. But 'tis mofl probable. CADWALLAN. Then follow them. Exit Hanna. SCENE V. CADWALLAN. HOW am I chang'd! Erewhile when I was told, That Kenwal came, my heart was wont to leap, Anticipating happinefs. But now J would avoid him. 2RUDUS. Yet he brings thee aid! CAD- ( So ) CADWAU.AN, walking aftde. And why avoid him!-No. It is not frame! Is it remorfe '-For what ?-I clkl no wrong Then what difturbs me '-Falfcly we feek de- light From pleafure's cup, when confcien e |u f the draught. .mtfr? *V fc ..f.'iM BRUDUS. Why ihould you ftartle at a juft revenge ? CADWALLAN. By heav'n, tis juft! - To be rejected, fcorn'd! And for fo mean a rival ; whofe bafe blood No father owns. - -'Twas difappointed love Inflam'd to fury ! What is done, I did In paflion. Cool refkaion now condems it. All will condemn it. -All my former friends Will turn indignant from me. - Let them dofo! - Think'ft thou that Kenwal will withhold his aid? BRUDUS. BRUDUS. We need no aid of him to conquer Ofrick. CADWALLAN. I cannot, like a fuperftitious girl To her confeflbr, figh a piteous tale Of human frailty, and implore forgivenefs. Made of more flubboro fluff, my haughty heart, That ill can bear ev'n friendfhip's kind re- buke, Will fwell with ill-tim'd paflion, and convert My friend into a foe. BRUDUS. From that, I hope, Your long-try'd friendship will fecure you both. CADWALLAN. Let us bring up our army ere we meet him. L BRUDUS. BRUDUS. 'Twere beft to meet him foon ; ere {lander's breath Infeft this adlion with a fouler flain. Exeunt, Enter Lena and Elfrida, in mens cloaths, ELFRIDA. O\V they are gone. Come forward witl^ aflurance : And fince we have put on th' attire of men, Let us endeavour to aflume the looks And fearlefs geftures of the bolder fex. LENA. Howe'er difguis'd, my fears and forrows ftill Confefs the female weaknefs of my heart! HANNA entering. Your father, Lady, and your brother come This way on foot, advanced before their troops, Exit. ELFRIDA. ^.j Then with them comes our fafety. LENA. Safety! Ha! With whom ? Alas ! With Edwin's enemies ! And have they not combin'd with Ofrick's foes For our deftruclion ? Where is then the hope, The fole fad hope, that footh'd my mifery ? The hope of vengeance ? ELFRIDA. Know our fathers better \ Whilft emulous in the field, with ardour both Aim'dj at their rivals, Wounds, deftruclion, death, L % Reciprocal Reciprocal eileem both bofoms warm'd ; And each had mourn'd his own compleat fuccefs. 'Tis true, Cadwallan is my father's friend, And now expects th' affiftance of his force. But when my father knows th' unworthy act: So late committed, he will change his pur- pofe. Let us inform him of it. LENA. Let me fly From him, from all, to filence and deipair ! Shall I bow down before Cadwallan's friend ? And when I've, bluming, told my mameful tale, Be fcorn'd, and fent, perhaps, a captive back I ELFRIDA. So bafe an action never flain'd his fame t Diftrcfs to Kenwal feldom fues in vain ! Remember we're difguifed! From Edwin fprung, You flaall appear his fori. Without a blum Relate Relate to Kenwal no fictitious talc Qf Edwin's murder, and his daughter's wrongs. LENA. How can my fwelling heart and fault'ring tongue Exprefs fuch wrongs ! With more eafe thou, may 'ft tell it. And if thy friendly bofom heave a figh, Or eyes let fall a pitying tear for me, 'Twill give fuch graceful force to thy expref- fion, ' "*"V * r y > 5 ' * As cannot fail to move a father's heart, And turn it from a friend fo undeferving. ELFRIDA. Thou would'ft not then, it feems, remain unknown ! LENA. Did that efcape me , ? Known I muft not be I ; ELFRIDAi ( 86 ) ELFRIDA. My well-known voice would foon difcover us! If you would be unknown, you mud attempt To fpeak in this difguife like Edwin's fon. LENA. Mufti attempt it? ELFRIDA. Yes : If you would fave Your hufband from definition, and yourfelf From the detefled fate, which now you fly. LENA. For thofe great ends, wilt thou, my father's fpirit ! Who ftill perhaps behold'ft thy wretched daughter, Forgive that daughter, when thou fee'ft her bow To beg protection from thine enemy ? ELFRIDA, I 87') ELFRJDA, See they are here ! Let us move towards them. SCENE VII. To them enter Kenwal and Ofwald. KENWAL. JL OUNG warriors, ye appear as if ye had Something of moment to inform us of. LENA. Great is the fame of Kenwal in the field ; But greater far companion's nobleft acts ! Diftrefs, 'tis faid, ne'er pray'd to him in vain ; And oft his foes, when other hopes had fail'd, Have found relief in his benevolence. Confiding in that fame behold the fon Of Edwin thy mod hated enemy ? KENWAL, ( 25 ) KENWAL. Thou Edwin's fon? Rife, rife, and tell thy forrows To me, who never did thy father hate. LENA. And if thou didft, 'tis time that hate mould ceafe : For Edwin now can injure thee no more ! KENWAL. What mean thy words ? We heard of his defeat, But not his death ! In battle has he fall'n ? LENA. They bore him from the battle to his for- trefs, Wounded and feeble with the lofs of blood. Cadwallan came, and in that very hall, Where oft in feftive mirth they fat together, He flew my father fainting in his wounds ! OSWALD. OSWALD. What ? Faint with former wounds I - In his own hall ! And when the rage of battle had fubfided I LENA. Ev'n in his fhrieking daughter's arms he flew him ! KENWAL. Oh Edwin! Edwin! - Whilft thou waft in life, I often wifh'd thee dead! - Witnefs thefe tears, It gives me now ho joy ! - Revenge, which once J thought a pamon worthy of the brave, Seems now the bafefi vice of little minds ! What! in his daughter's arms! He? Cad- wallan ? Could he do this ? M LENA. ( 9 ) LENA. Oh ! had he done no worfc, I never, never thus had fued to thee ! KENWAL/ Wrong not my friend ! Though in refent- ment fierce. By honour's faireft laws he ever liv'd ; And liv'd renown'd. Worfe ! What could he do worfe ? LENA. One daughter Edwin had, by all efteem'd Of virtuous fame. Forgive me Oh ! for- give me! KENWAL. He flew not her ! LENA. Why, why, too rigid heav'n ! Was {he not doom'd to that far milder fate? KENWAL, KENWAL. Command thy forrows till thy tale be told. LENA. Torn, while fhe clafp'd her murder'd fa- ther's corfe, And hither dragg'd by violence, fhe fuffer'd The worft fhe could from cruelty and luft ! KENWAL. How know you what the Princefs fuffer'd there ? LENA. A captive there, too well was I inform'd Of her unhappy fate. KENWAL. Where is fhe now ? LENA. Thy daughter, like an angel fent from heav'n, M 2 But But ah! too late, to fave the innocent, Came while Cadwallan flept. Her generous heart Was foften'd with th' account of Lena's wrongs : She, with the ladies who had charge of her, Led the unhappy Princefs to a garden, Whence they together fled to come to you. KENWAL. To us they have not come. LENA. Ha! Have they not ? A confcious mame perhaps keeps her con- ceal'd. 4 KENWAL. You too were captives. How did ye get free ? LENA. We owe our fafety to your daughter too. KENWAI, I 93 ) KENWAL. What? While Cadwallan flept? LENA. Yes ! while he ilept, KENWAI/. , Elfrida could not then folicit him : And without his confent who durft releaftf you? - *'. Mat LENA. , - ** ; 3 Thofc'who had charge of us did venture it. KENWAL. 'Twould be imprudent, youth, for us t give An hafty credit to a tale like this, Told by no friend. LENA. Indeed I cannot boaft Of being thy friend. But in Elfrida's father I ( 94 ) I thought to have found a generous mind like hers, That would a little while protect a wretch, Till Ofrick with his army came to fave me. KENWAL. Protection thou {halt have : For though thy tale Sounds fcarce like truth, I feel within my bread A tendernefs that wifhes to relieve thee. LENA. Our tale confirm'd will foon remove your doubts. KENWAL (to one of his officers.) Captain! Conduct thefe Princes to our tent. There let them be attended with refpecl. [Exeunt Lena and Elfrida attended. SCENE VIII. KENWAL, OSWALD. KENWAL. I'LL not believe it. No ! It muft be falfe ! OSWALD. Can you diftruft him? Surely from the heart His forrow flow'd ! With a more decent blufk Not Lena could relate her injuries. KENWAL. We know him not ! Be flow, my fon, to truft The fmootheft tongue, when it reviles a friend : Elfe you may curfe too late the fatal falfe- hood. OSWALD. His years fpeak innocence; and in his looks Appears the noble pride that fcorns deceit. KENWAL. Think you Cadwallan, like a prodigal, Would, for a moment's pleafure, threw away All the renown his life had treafur'd up ? OSWALD. V 1 ' 'V' *i- ' 'Tis faid, that noble though he is, his paf- fions Rule with no common force. He's forward, bold, *\ "y i xi Impatient to pofTefs what he defires ; Warm in his friendfhip, fierce in enmity, And obftinately cruel in revenge. When victory had put it in his pow'r To gratify at once love and refentment, What might he not ? kENWAL. ( 97 ) KENWAL. I cannot think that he, Mature in age, would by impetuous paflion Be hurried now to deeds of ignominy ; After his youth for almoft half a life Had been in folitude and forrow fpent. OSWALD. Cit have I heard his fufFeririgs fpoke of thus, As facts well-known : " How mort wfiile af* " ter marriage " Had bleft him with ybur faireft filler's ' c charms, " To fhun the rage of flronger enemies, f< He was compelled to plunge into the Severn s ** To fwim aboard a vefTel, and in her :c Put off to fea." But why, or in what place, He ftaid fo long, I ne'er diftinclly heard. KENWAL. He reach'd the fhip. Deferted of her mariners N She She in the eaftcrn gale and ebbing tide Already ftretch'd her cable. That he fever 'd. Off flew the veflel. Fierce the tempeft rofe, And drove him helplefs o'er the fwelling bil- lows Three days andftormy nights. On the fourth morning He faw the white waves warn a rugged more, At no great diftance. Right on that he fteer'd ; Dafh'd on the rocks ; the planks afunder flew. On one of thofe he floated to the more. Climbing the rocks he found an ifle, where man Had feldom trode. The cautious mariner Avoids the dangerous coaft, where nature yields Nought to allure his avarice. Yet there, In want and folitude, he fofter'd life, . For fixteen tedious years. Each morn he climb'd The higheft land, and o'er the ocean look'd, With wiftful gaze. At laft a bark appeared, I-'ar in die Weft. His eager fignal caught The feaman's eye. She boldly ftem'd the furge : But ( 99 ) But bolder ftill, Cadwallan breads the waves, And gains her tow'ring fides. Now fafe a- board, The winds propitious waft the exile home To Albion's land. OSWALD. But Emma Was no more, : he return'd ? KENWAL. You've often heard her fate. His enemies, foon after his departure, tlis caftle fir'd, and barb'roufly deftroyed Jn it poor Emma, with her infant fon. OSWALD. The light-arm'd bowmen, whom you fent before ! KENWAL. Their fignals fpeak an enemy at hand ! N 2 SCENE- SCENE IX. oT (Enter an officer, ivith archers.) oj 3iA OFFICER. OT diftant far, we through the trees cfc- fcry'd An army well arrang'd. At firft we thought it Cadwallan's hofl, and towards it advanc'd : *V ci But, when within three arrow-flights, we knew The bloody banners and the lengthen'd fpears Of the Northumbrian front. KENWAL. Call all to arms ! [Exeunt archers* In this oppreflive caufe I will not fight. I OSWALD. What meafures will you then purfue ? KENWAL, KENWAL. T I'll try To mediate peace : Though fmall, I own, my hope To reconcile fuch rivals, whofe fierce minds Are fo incens'd by recent injuries. OSWALD. tri^T But, fince you hold the balance of their force, Could you not make them finim their difpu^e By fingle combat ? ! ''f r 'l f tl KENWAL. Yes. By that alone It can be finim'd. - One of them muft fall; And by his death give life and peace to thou- fands, , and exeunt. END OF THE FIRST ACT. ACT ACT II. S C E N E I. A WOOD, (Enter Ofrick and Anfrid^ with foldiers ing in two of the Britons prisoners.) ANFRID. WERE ye fent hither to explore our force? FIRST PRISONER. We- were commanded in this wood to fearch For the Northumbrian Princefs, who this morning Made her efcape. OSRICK. My Princefs ! She efcap'4 SECOND SECOND PRISONER. Yes. The Northumbrian Princefs, OSRICK. In this wood? SECOND PRISONER. We faw them to this foreft aim their courfc. OSRICK. Saw them ? By whom is me accompany 'd? FIRT PRISONER. Elf rid a, daughter of the King of WefTex, Came while Cadwallan flept, and flole her off. OSRICK. The daughter of the King of WefTex fav'd her? FIRST PRISONER. Yes : And 'tis thought that in her father's camp They both are fafe. OSRICK, t 104 ) OSRICR. "tt- 'S Great Governor of all! Accept my thanks ! Protect my wife, .and blefs This generous daughter of mine enemy ! ANFRID. A trumpet founds ! F ttfc'M 1> OSRICK. Remove the prifoners. \Tkcy are led out* Se.e what this means. AN OFFICER (entering.) One from the King of Weflex ; Who in his right hand waves the branch of peace > And in his left a fpear. OSRICK. Let him come forward. He by his fignals comes to offer peace Upon conditions. Well, I fear, he knows To make advantage of this incident ! My Queen his captive! What can be too much For Lena's ranfom : SCENE II. (Enter Ofwald 'with attendants.) [OSWALD. Jl O Northumbrians Prince The King of WefTex wifhes health and peace. OSRICK. From the Weft-Saxon King we look'd for war; Though more we wifh for peace on equal terms. OSWALD. This Kenwal bids me tell thee. He fore- fees O The The certain ifliie of thefe hoftile broils, In wide-fprcad ruin : He laments its caufe : He fees with pain the fons of this fair iile \Vafte in domeftic wars their common force; Which, if united, might have rais'd their country To be the dread and envy of the world. ul OSRICK. ' . ; v . . i 3T ii 1 I never with the Briton can unite. OSWALD. So Kenwal fears : For not unknown to him Is the fell rancour that inflames you both. But fince, fays he, the wrong is perfonal, Since each avows his purpofe in this war To be the death and ruin of his foe ; Involve not guiltlefs thoufands in the ven- geance ; But let the rival Kings themfelves atchieve This bloody purpofe with their {ingle fvvords. OSRICK. Our fmgle fwords ! Oh 'tis my keeneft wifh! Let Let Kenwal bring Cadwallan to my fword, I afk no more. Then one or both mall fall ! And all in Albion may like brothers join To ilrike a terror in the nations round. OSWALD. In yonder wood, between your hoft and ours, There is a deep recefs. -It has been nam'd The traveller's couch ; (for nature feems t'have deck'd And fown its clofe green turf with fweeteil flow'rs, For the relief of weary travellers.) There, at the foot of a tall fpreading oak, Which near its middle fingly {hades the dream, You'll find the King of WefTex. He entreats That you without delay will meet him there, To ratify the articles of combat. OSRICK. I go with fpeed. O 2 OSWALD. OS W AID.. Take but along with you Sonic chofen friends and guards, I am his fon; And am commanded with your troops to ftay Till your return, an hoftage for your fafety. OSRICK. :;, Vwt^rJife^oA^WlT Son of a gallant father ! I embrace thee With true affection. - Anfrid, let the Prince Be entertain'd with the diftinclion due To his high rank, and with thy beft regard. Yes, noble youth, all gratitude is due To him whofe filler fav'd my haplefs queen* ./rc..__.M OSWALD. Had they, as we expeded, reached our camp, It now had been my fortune to reflore Thy Princefs to her Lord. i w UiT OSRICK. Not reached your canipflO OSWAIP, ( 109 ) OSWALD. Not when I left it. OSRICK. Ha ! Where are they then ? OSWALD. We thought t' have found them under your prote&ion. i nJtU zuii /biW OSRiqK. ", ',f -~*'f'" "1 They are together flill ! But how ? -Per-y hap*, . ^ ''i ' i . Again his captives ! Or through devious wilds, Miftaking us for enemies, they fly, Ready to drop fatigu'd, or faint with fear. At ev'ry waving bufli or ruflling leaf. Send out ftrong parties. Leave no grove uu- fearch'd Till ye have found your Queen How did you hear Of their efcape ? OSWALD, OSWALD. 'Twas from the fon of Edwin ; For he too had efcap'd captivity, And to my father came with confidence. OSRICK. The fon of Edwin ? Edwin left no fon! OSWALD: He left no fon ? < What ! Could fo young a boy Be an impoftor ? Thy fufpicion guefs'd Aright, my father ! Age is ever cautious. OSRICK. Edwin had but one fon ; the gallant Os- frid: Him, brave beyond the promife of his years, I law in battle fall by mortal wounds. OSWALD. ( in ) OSWALD. The boy then play'd it well. He told a tale That mov'd us much. I'm pleas'd to find it falfe. OSRICKo What tale told he ? OSWALD. 'Twould lofe your time to hear it. OSRICK. True ! an importer's tale deferves no cre- dit. OSWALD (to fome of his attendants.) Conduct brave Ofrick to the traveler's couch. [ Exeunt federally. SCENE SCENE III. THE TRAVELLER'S COUCH. CADWALLAN, KENWAL, AND ATTENDANTS, Y ES As your friends regret your mur- cler'd fame, Your enemies fhall, with exulting joy, Receive and fpread this tale of your difhcn nour. GADWALLAN. \Vho taxes me with deeds difhonourable ? Am I grown weak with age ? Whoe'er before AilaiFd my honour, to his forrow felt, Aly arm had pow'r that honour to defend. KENWAL. Can fear of greatnefs, power, or valour fi- lence The ( M3 ) The voice of Rumour ? Like the wind, it fwells From the low whifper to the breeze; like wind, It flies abroad ; and, like the tempeft, beats With greateft fury on the higheft tow'r. But firm on virtue's bafe the good man flands Unmov'd, and fmiles at all its idle rage. So once Cadwallan flood ! \ CADWALLAN. j T n 11 n. J i And fo fliall ftand ! And ftill with force fhall hurl fuch tempefts back Againfl the flanderous mouths that utter them. But wherefore am I blam'd ? Was I not injur'd ? > Injur'd, how much! And yet not ha!f re- ,, veng do Bn . KENWAL. Revenge let Ofrick feek. He fuffer'd mod. P CAD- CADWALLAN. Doft thou too favour him? Ev'n thou, my friend ? That fordid beggar's fpurious progeny, Whofe unknown parents caft him out to ftarve, Is dill preferr'd to me, whofe fathers reign'd In Albion, ere fhe was by Saxons plundered. KENWAL. Unknown although we grant this youth's defcent, Report, in fpite of vulgar prejudice, Allows him all the virtues of the mind, That beft adorn a throne ; proclaims him fuch As greateft Princes wifli their fons to be. CADWALLAN. And fuch you wifh your friend. KENWAL. J Tis true, I own, I'd count his friendfhip of no common price, CAD- CADWALLAN. Again I'm left for him! Go to your friend ! Your honourable friend, from nothing fprung ! 'Tis war when next we meet. [Going, KENWAL. Stay, madman, flay. CADWALLAN. Provoke my wrath no farther! For I would not Cancel at once the bonds of antient amity. P 2 SCENE S C E N E IV. (.Enter. Lena and Elfrida in their mens habit ^ and Jt and afide among the officers attending.) KENWAL. J[EAR how I purpofe to befriend thee. * ''tnbti&z .' CADWALLAN. No. An honefl foe profeft I do not hate, Ev'n while I drive to ward his angry blows. But when I find a fmooth, a fmiling traitor, Who under friendship's fair attire would hide The dagger of his fecret enmity, To give a villain's ilab ; I hate him, fcorrt him; As I do Kenwal now. KENWAL. 'Twas oft thy curfc. When When fome imagin'd infult gall'd thy pride, To treat thy beft of friends with fcorn and hate. LENA (afidc.) Ye Pow'rs of Difcord ! blow your poifon- ing blafls! CADWALLAN. No friend of mine can be the friend of O rick. KENWAL. Were he thy friend, that mould perfuade that Prince To fet the iiTue of this threat'ning war Upon his {ingle fword to thine ? CADWALLAN. My friend ! By all my hopes of conquefl and revenge, He, who did this, were as a god to me ! KENWAL. f "3 ) KENWAL. This Kcnwal, whom you fcorn and hate, has done. LENA (afide.) If e'er almighty PowV has interpos'd In human aclions Have I found it fo ? CADWALLAN I've been too hot ! And yet my flubborn pride Will not permit me to acknowledge it. KENWAL. Do you decline the combat ? CADWALLAN. Can'fl thou think fo ? Could'ft thou not for a moment bear my weaknefs ? KENWAL* I've borne it long. CAD- CADWALLAN. Have we not long been friends? KENWAL. Let us be fo for ever. * SCENE V. (Enter Of rick and attendants.) ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS, IN Orthumbria's Prince! LENA (afidc to Elfrida.) Support me, myElfrida! KENWAL. Prince of Northumbria, we give tliee wel- come! OSRICK. OSRICK. I come, O King ! obedient to tlie mefTage You fent me by your fon. The Briton here ! Such enemies mould never meet, but thus ! [Drawing his fword. CAD WALL AN, (dr diving likeivife.) And fo I meet thee ! KENWAL. Hold ! I charge you botK. CADWALLAN. Ha ! wherefore hold ? KENWAL. He who advances renders me his foe. CADWALLAN. Wherefore this flop ? Did you not tell me now, That That th' iffue of this threatening war was fet Upon our fingle fwords ? KENWAL. So 'tis refolv'd. OSRICK. And why not now ; while my refentmen? burns To ftrike this murderer ? CADWALLAN. I fcorn to anfwer thee. Ev'n that were too much honour for a nave, Of parentage unknown. KENWAL. Sheathe both your fwords; And let refentment paufe, till ye have heard The reafons which have made me wifh to fee This war decided by a fingle combat. OSRICK, (Jhcatbing his f word.) You are obey'd. v CAD* CABWALLAN, (doing the fame.} Now let us hear thofe reafons. KENWAL. You fee our ifland in itfelf is bleft With every requifite to man's content^ Did nature's God from ev'ry other land Thus fever it by wide tempefluous feas, And gird it with its rocky walls t' inclofe Barbarians, who mould prey on one another? Were flrength and valour giv'n us to defeat The great Creator's bleffings ? Surely not ! Oft have I heard, or thought I heard, the Genius Of Albion thus admonifhing her fons : ' Your feas and rocks, while your undaunted " hearts * Join in your country's caufe, ye Britons, "fhall ' Defend you from th'aflaults of foreign foes. * But fhould diflention raife th' unnatural " rage * Of mutual flaughter in your valiant breafls ? " They but drive back the weak on fure de- " flruclion. " Hence learn to live in concord, and improve " The arts of peace. Here, as in one great " houfe, 1 You live, like children of one family : " So you, like brothers, fhouldjoin all your " ftrength " To guard your common goods from out- " ward force, u Or check the progrefs of domeflic rapine. .:>:: lirr- CAJ3WALLAN. Had th' antient fons of Britain fo united, No tyrant Saxon e'er had fill'd her throne. KENWAL. . We fee their errors, but avoid them not! Ev'n now, we know the envious nations round us, Watching th' event of thefe imprudent wars, Rejoice to fee our folly fight their battles, And long to feize their felf-defeated prey. Princes of Albion ! in that common name Qjz Be ( 1=4 ) Be every national diftinclion loft ! Scorning all lefs ambition, let us ftrive, Beft to defend, embellifh, and exalt Our common country. 'Twas this patriot wifh Which prompted that decifion, I have nam'd, Of thofe fell contefts, elfe to be bequeathed, From fire to fon, till univerfal wafte Depopulate fair Albion's fertile vales. This to prevent, let all your chiefs agree, That howfoe'er this combat terminate, They mail immediately difband their troops, And live in peace hereafter. CADWALLAN. Beitfo! OSRICK. Then call our captains They will no\v confent. KENWAL. Proclaim't to either hoft ! All muft con- fent : All All be fpeclators of th' important combat ; That no contention afterwards may rife From falfe report. Go bring your marlhaird bands Into the open field without their arms. There front to front oppos'd, as if prepar'd For battle, let them ftand three bow-fhot di- tant. Mine arm'd, in two divifions will I place * On either flank ; and, in the midft, the chiefs Of all onrhofts fliall form a fpacious ring. There, Princes, you on equal terms mall fight To mortal iffue ! May the God of battles Direcl: that dread event to Britain's weal ! tr CADWALLAN. pome, let us inflantly prepare for it ! [Exit with his I rain, SCENE SCENE VI KENWAL, GSRICK, LENA, ELFRIDA, ETC, KENWAL. IS ftrange Cadwallan neither knew his captive, Nor Ofricjc Edwin's fon ! OSRICK, Ha ! where is he ? Who dar'd ajQTume that facred name f KENWAL, This youth, OSRICK. To > young impoftor ! Edwin left no fon ! His o:ily fpn before his father fell ! ICENWAL, KENWAL, I did fufpecl him. Now I find him falic, O could I likewife find the {lory falfc He told of Lena t OSRICK. How? What ftory? Ha! Was it not him who told of her efcape ? What told he more ? What has me fuffer'd? fpeak! -V Why doft thou tremble? Wherefore turn from me ? Oh Kenwal ! tell me all : I am prepared To hear the worft. Speak out and end my mifery. KENWAL. Can I repeat, or you believe the words Of one convidled of fuch grofs impofture ? OSRICK. So ! 'tis, it feems, too dreadful for my hear- ing! Speaky, Speak, gentle youth! I have forgiv'n thy fraud ; Thy harmlefs fraud : I fwear I will not hurt thee. Tell, tell me all ! It cannot how exceed The apprehenfion of a fond, fond hufband! What dofl thou know of Lena ? LENA (fainting.) Oh ! too much ! ELFRIDA. tlelp, help me to fupport my fainting friend ! KENWAL. What fcene have thefe importers now to play ? OSRICK. Sure no impoflure could afFedl me fo ! ELFRIDA, ( 1*9 ) ELFRIDA (d'ifcovering herfeff.) There's no impoflure ! Edwin was her father ! And Kenwal mine ! KENWAL, Elfrida ! OSRICK. O my Lena t She flirs not ! breathes not ! Art thou gone for ever ? KENWAL. Let us retire. The anguifli of this fcene Bears not a ftranger's prefence. [Exit 'with his attendants. H SCENE SCENE VII. OSRJCK, LENA, ELFRIDA. OSRICK, (holding her.) breathes ! She lives ! LENA, (recovering?) Begone, vile murderer ! Hence, murderer of the beft of fathers ! OSRICK. \Vhy doft thou talk fo wildly ? Tis thy Ofrick. LENA. MyOfrick! Yes, 'tis he. Where have I been ? OSRICK. i I tremble ftill! We thought thee gone forever! LENA. C LENA. Why, why did I revive ? OSRICK. T* adorn the world, And blefs the fondeft hufbaq.d. - LENA. Oh, no more ! With me you never can be happy more ! What means my love ? Speak, ipeak, my Lena ! tell me ! Let me no more be torn with dire furmifes ! LENA. Fly me ! O heav'ns ! unworthy now thy fight ! Fly me polluted ! OSRICK. Ha! Polluted! How? R 2 LENA. LENA. By force !- The villain! OSRICK. No! impoflible! Cadwallan! Monfter! Were it as thou fay'ft, Hell has no punifhment for fuch a fiend I LENA. Oh me ! too true. -My tongue denies to fpeak it. PSRICK. Then fince thy lightning fpar'd the mon- fter's head, Hear me, juft heav'n! while Ofrick has a, thought, That thought muft be of Lena and revenge 1 LENA. My wifhes all, like thine are for revenge! But in my fancy lately there arofe A terror, which confounds me ! OSRICK, OSRICK. Speak it out. LENA. Then think not harfhly of a woman's fears. We've heard, that the defcendants of the wicked Are often punifh'd for their parents crimes ! You know not yet ('tis hence my terrors rife) The blood which gave you birth. What if you find it Ally'd to him ? OSRICK. There is no caufe to think fp ? - ' * * LENA. Perhaps there is not. But while both flood here, Burning with rage, and threatning fell re- venge ; I thought I faw that likenefs in your looks Which marks the kindred features. OSRICK. { 134 ) OS RICK. Let not this Imaginary phantom aggravate Your real forrows ! Groundlefs 'tis and vain t LENA. Vain as it is, it -will not from my mind ! Threat echo'd threat, and frown refembled frown, As juftly as the image in the pool Reflects the pamng cloud that fhadows it. OSRICK. But though I were ally'd to him, could that Reftrain refentment, or avert my rage ? No! Though one mother at one ominous hour Had to the world produc'd us, Lena's wrongs "Would juftify the moil compleat revenge. LENA. Had you been brothers! Heav'ns! how that alarms me! OSRICK. ( '35 ) OSRICK. Since reafon's earliefl dawn my ftrongefl wifh Has been to know my parents IHear, great Pow'r ! Whofe awful vengeance trembling mortals fear! Hear, and record in folemn form this vow! " To all intelligence of my defcent, ct Left that fhould crofs my purpofe, I'll be " deaf, " Till in his hated blood I glut revenge. " This if I fail in, write my perjur'd name *' In the curft roll of black Perdition's fons. LENA. May'ft thou return with glorious vic- tory ! O may the gods preferve that precious life, For a long train of blifsful years to come, For happinefs which I muft never tafte! i OSRICK, ( '36 ) OSRICK. What does my Lena mean? Unkind! Thou know'ft Without thee I have neither joy nor hope. LENA. Henceforth no joy no hope remains for me! Oh could I find in fome far-diftant wild, Amidft the favage rocks, fome difmal cave, So deeply funk that yet no daring mortal Has ever founded its tremendous gloom, Defperate, I'd plunge into its fartheft horrors ; And then implore its rugged jaws to clofe, To hide forever an ill-fated wretch, The tale of fools, the fcorn of ihamelefs dames, A torment to herfelf and all who. love her ! ELFRIDA, (coming forward?) Divert her, Ofrick, from this fatal pur- pofe. OSRICK. ( 137 ) OSTUCK. What dreadful refolution lurks within My Lena's breaft? LENA*, Shall Lena live in fhame? -OSRICK. Would you deprive me of the only hope That could fupport me in the hour of danger! For what is vengeance, victory, or fame, When there's no Lena to partake the joy I LENA. Could'ft thoii behold the angiiifh of my foul, Ev'n thou, in pity, wouldft prefent a dagger^ And bid me purchafe reft ! OSRICK. Mdft Ihocking thought ! 6 Heav'nsj Heav'ns ! Ev'ry word you utter in this drain, Sharp as a dagger, wounds me to the heart ! Yet I for thee could fufFer worfe than death ! LENA. 4 And worfe than death for thee I'll drive to fuffer. A life of fhame is worfe, far worfe than death. OSRICK. Ah ! if thoulov'ft me, give me caufe to hope, That, when I have reveng'd our injuries, Time may efface remembrance, and reftore My Lena's peace, and with it all my blifs. LENA. Hope all my refolution can perform. OSRICK. Heav'n ftrengthen that, and we again arc bleft. Thou ( 139 ) Thou fair, thou kind deliverer of my Queen! Be ftill her guardian angel. Leave her not While fhe is anxious for this great event. ELFRIDA. Yes, truflher to my care. If friendfhip's pow'r, If fympathy can foothe her troubled mind, What claim can equal Lena's on Elfrida ? OSRICK. Moft generous Princefs ! May the God of juftice Reward thy virtue with the blifs it merits I See, Anfrid brings a party to conduct Us to our camp. Let us advance to meet him. [Exeunt, END OF THE SECOND ACT. S 2 ACT ( 14 ) ACT IIL i SCENE I. A CAVE IN A ROCK* ? Enter Ofrick and Anfrid, OSRICK. JT1AVE I been here before ? 1 dream not now ! Amazing prodigy ! Evil or good Uncommon it portends ! ANFRID. What ftrikes thee fo ? OSRICK. I ne'er was here before, and yet this place, Thofc Thofe rocks, thofe trees, that cave appear as things With which my mind has been familiar long : For oft have I beheld them in my dreams, Diftincl: as now I fee them. Can it be ? Then, fure, thy mind look'd forward to this combat, Which, whether profperous or not, becomes The moft important adlion of thy life. OSRICK. Dreams us'd not to affecT: me. But this cave Brings to my memory a fcene whofe hor- rors Made deep imprefllon. 'Twas one folemn night ; (One of thofe nights, in which 'tis thought the faints Defccnd with heav'n's behefls to pious men ;) That ( M* ) When I, with more than common warmth, had pray'cl, That God would fend my foul fome inward light, About the blood from which my being came : In fuch a cave as this, beneath fuch clifts, And fhaded by fuch boughs, methought I found A venerable man. Him foon I knew To be the father I had often fought. I ran t' embrace him with a fon's afFedlion : He feem'd to dafh againfl me, like a wave : Fromwhich,methought,ablack,foulriverran: Down this foul current feem'd to float the fhades Of drown'd, or drowning wretches : Among thefe, I faw my Lena ftruggling dill for life. I ftrove to refcue her. I funk myfelf. Then horror wak'd me. ANFRID, (going towards the cave.} We will fee this cave ! Does any living thing inhabit here ! SCENE SCENE II. DRUID, (from the cave entering.) JL H' indulgent Gods preferve me flill in life. ANFRID. Had the heav'n-created father of mankind Survived till now, he could not have look'd older ! OSRICK. Art thou a creature of this earth ? Or fent From heav'n to Ofrick? DRUID. And art thou Prince Ofrick ? Th' adopted Son of the Northumbrian King? OSRJCK. I am that Ofrick: Now Northumbrians King! 14* DRUID. And has my aged fight remain'd to fee thee Reftor'd, in manhood* to that princely rank. from which, an infant, thou waft forc'd a- way ? OSRICK. for heav'n's fake, what art thou thai know'ft fo much ? DRUID. A creature of this earth; fo worn with years, That to exprefs my nature would require A name lefs dignify 'd than that of man, OSRICK. cJrl "What waft thou in thy youth ? DRUID. I was a Druid : And ftill, adhering to my native faith, I C i worfhip and adore one God of all, By the fame rites our firft forefathers us'd. ANFRID. I thought that fedl had long fince died away. DRUID. My youth beheld its antient priefts expire, The young embrace the fafhionable zeal Of Chriftians. Conftaht to my facred vbws$ For many years I, almoft fingly, flood Againft the progrefs of that novel faith. Finding my druggies vain, myfelf forfaken, And forc'd th' unequal conflict to decline, I hither from the fcoffing world retir'd. Full fourfcore winters, in this lonely dwell- ing, Have I, with fruitleis forrow, mourn'd the change. OSRICK. And Jias the God, whom thou doft ferve, reveal'd T to To thee alone the fecret of my birth ? How could'ft thou elfe, me, or my fortunes know? DRUID. Twice ten times has that oak renew 'd his {hade, Since thy fair mother with her infant fon, Thyfelf, came hither." Wretched babe," ihe cry'd, " I have preferv'd thee from their cruel " fwords, * l From flames, at midnight rais'd for horrid ends." OSRICK. No more? I'll hear no more. My ears are fhut ! I find thou know'ft the ftory of my birth. Seal yet awhile thy lips, thou holy man-, To that inyfteribus fecret. 1 have fworn This day to reft in ignorance. This day Klls up the crifis of my fate. I'll hear At my return whate'er thou haft to tell. [Exeun!. SCENE ( 147 ) SCENE III. DRUID, EVER was day of forrows ufher'd in With more ill-boding prodigies. When firil I view'd the dawning of the morn, it feem'd A vault of variegated flame, and caft O'er hills arid woqds a difmal bloody hue : While, like a ftream of gore, burft from the rocks, Appear 'd yon rapid rill, which down their cliffs, Now white as fnow, comes rufhing to the valley. This oak, long reverenc'd by holy Druids, Without a breeze through all its branches Ihook, The huge trunk trembled; and its yet young leaves Fell faft, as in the firfl frofl's nipping blafts. T 2 Before Before my cave a fox had feiz'd a fawn : Th' impatient mother ran to its relief; Her erring aim flew him me meant to fave ; And foon herfelf became th' aflailant's prey ! So the miftaken mother of this Prince, Where me deiign'd his fafety, brought his ruin, SCENE IV. Enter Cadwallan and Ofwald OSWAID. " H A ! who is yonder venerable man CADWALLAN. An antient Druid, laft of all his race -, Himfelf the fole furviving monument Of that extinguifh'd faith. Twice has he told The natural age of man ; yet found his mind, And vigorous yet his frame : Such the re- ward Of . * Of virtuous temperance, of a life fo pure 9 As had done honour to the beft religion. DRUID. Health, honour, power, content, and peace of mind, Blefs long the days and nights of Britain's King! CADWALLAN. Thanks, reverend Druid. What hail thou with me ? iJ ' But flill the child was fafe ? EMMA. A moment's joy Sooth'd grief and terror to find him unhurt t But ev'ry object round us threat'ned then An inflant death ; and not lefs horrible. Aloft the fpiry flames afcend ! The ftars Are in the luftre loft ! Far round, the plain Was vifible as in the light of day. Clofe by me I beheld unnumber'd ruffians, Whofe weapons, flaming through the night, fent back ,A- A difmal gleam on their grim vifages ! In thofe I read the features of dire murder, Intent to make a prey of any wretch, That might attempt to fly the dreadful flames. J Twas thou, almighty Pow'r ! that gav'fl me ftrength ! 'Twas thou fupported'ft 'me and mad'ft me fee The ( '66 ) The friendly iliades along the river's banks Caus'd by a range of rocks ! Through thofc I ftole, And, umnolefted, reached this Druid's cave. I blefl the kind retreat ! I knew not then That forrows, flill more horrid than the paft,, Should thence arife tome, and to my Ofrick! 1 . J ETHA. Ofrick thy fon ? EMMA. Mine and Cadwallan's too I ETHA. From thy mifconduct come thy prefent forrows ! Four years are pad fince Britain's King re- turn'd, And yet he knows not of his fon or thee. EMMA. Ha ! Did you know before of his return ? And And wherefore did you never tell it me I T avoid fufpicion I, indeed, declin'd All talking of him ; and I never heard Of his return, but with the dreadful tale, Which made me thus fo frantic, thus to rave, And thus to conjure thee to follow me, And thus refolv'd to go and tell him all. ETHA. But wherefore, fince you chofe me for your friend, Did you conceal yourfelf fo long from me ? EMMA. Thence all my forrows come ! But in a dream, While here I refted, one, I thought, from heav'n, Bid me with care conceal my fon's defcent ; For when he knew his parents, he mould die. Fearful I wak'd, and by a dreadful oath I fwore my ftory never mould be told. (Oh ! hard neceflity, that now compells me !) I I bound the Druid by a fimilar vow To eternal filence, ETHA. Impious 'tis to enquire, And vain to know the future will of heav'n ! Sorrow foreknown is felt before it comes. Our blind endeavours to prevent it, oft Promote it moft. , J: ^ f EMMA. Too true thy words ! My caution Brings forth the woes I fear'd ! ETHA. .-ft Is this the Druid? SCENE C '69 ) SCENE VII. To them the Druid from his cave t EMMA. V_>OULD nature hold fo long ? Art thoi) the fame ? The fame thou art, by twenty years un chang'd ! DRUID. To me all- wafting time had done his worft, Ere thou didft fee me, Lady! But though thou \Vaft then in new-blown beauty's brighteft bloom, That bloom is not fo faded yet by years, But flill the princely features I difcern Of one, whofe prefence honoured once my cell. Y EMMA. EMMA. t find thou know'ft me ! -Druid, doft thou know What forrows have from our mifconduft fprung ? DRUID. Too well, too well ! The King of Bri- tons now Was with me here; and Ofrick fcarce had left . ." ., me, When he arrived. EMMA. Ah ! Whither are they gone? DRUID. EMMA. Single combat ? Heav'ns ! Are Are the mofl horrid means felecled flill For our undoing? - Guide me to them, Druid ! DRUID. I will, as faft as thefe my feeble limbs Can reach the place. . EMMA. Didft thou not let them know The horror that is in this purpos'd combat ? DRUID. You know I fwore eternal fecrecy ! EMMA. Then all is loft ! - The dreadful deed is done! And now, perhaps, expiring in his wounds, Panting and pale he lies, whom fav'ring heav'n From greater horror refcues ! Let me clofe His dying eyes ! But fmile not at his fall, Y 2 Viftor Vidor accurs'd! Soon {halt thou envy him: Soon blafted {hall thy wreaths of triumph be; And changed thy joy to bitternefs and hor- ror. [Exeunt* OF THE THIRD ACT* JV70 dj oT J haA ACT IV. - SCENE L The Outfide of the Wood. OSRICK, LENA, ELFRIDA, AND HANNA. QSRICK. 1\| O I thy too anxious fpirit could not bear Its own emotions at a fight fo mocking ! ? Twere better to remain within thy tent. Swift meflengers mall ev'ry minute fly To thee with tidings of thy Ofrick's fate : And thither will I hafte, if I fhall conquer, To crown my conqueft with my Lena's joy. LENA. If you fhall conquer ? Still you fet be- fore me Uncertain ( 174 ) Uncertain Fortune only in her fmiles ! But fhould it be my Ofrick's fate to fall, While I'm removed, what care fhall flop hi: wounds ? On what rough pillow (hall his fainting head Be laid, when Lena's bofom is not nigh ? Shalt thou expire, and {hall I not receive pne poor embrace before I follow thee ? QSRICK. Confide in heav'n, and banifh evVy fear. Though young, this arm in ftrength or active ikill is not deficient. In my bread I feel A peaceful confidence, as if my foul Forefaw th' event fuccefsful as our wimes. If I'm deceiv'd, forget me, O my Lena ! Bleis thou fome happier prince; flill blefs the world ; And let thy race long fill Northumbrian throne. LENA. Live without Ofrick ? \Vhat a group of jrrors My ( 17* ) My fancy fees in that diftradUng thought * The haughty victor claims me as his due, By conqueft won. ! - My race ! - Cadwal- lan's race ! - OSRICK. No ! To fecure thee from fuch fears, a troop, Selected from our fwifteft cavalry, Shall ready-mounted wait around thy tent. They, if I fall in fight, mall lodge thee fafe Within the walls of fome blefl fandluary. LENA. Then that blefl fancluary will be thy grave ! ,& Near thy own caftle is that famous convent, To which ill-fated ladies, far and near Reforting, fly from worldly care and forrow. As fpring's foft dews and gentle funs reftore To life the frofl-flain beauties of the year, Devotion there makes minds deprefs'd with woe To To fmile again in all die bloom of joy. Thither I'll likewife fly, and flay with thec. That facred place no ruffian dares invade, However great or powerful. Ev'ry Chri- flian Would rife t' avenge fuch daring facrilegc. LENA. Could I live any where without my Ofrick, 'Twould be in fuch a fad fociety. With fympathizing heart I'd hear them all Relate their various tales of mifery. But oh ! their woes could never equal mine \ OSRICK. Let not my Lena's fears anticipate That forrow which may never come.- Be happy While yet you may !- Grief ever comes too foon. Our trumpets found ! The army all pre- par'cfl Farewell, my Lena ! Thou, her gen'rous friend, Farewell ( '77 ) Farewell a while ! I hope to meet you foon In peace and fafety. O, my Queen 1 fare- well! [Exif t SCENE IL LENA (fainting.} O MY Ofrick! ELFRIDA. Help, Hanna, help, fupport her J HANNA. She reeovers LENA, / Why wilt thou leave me ? Stop, O flop his wounds ! Traitors, ye might have fav'd ! Where am I? Ha! Z C 178 ) ELFRIDA. Lady, there is no frightful object near us. Thy Ofrickftillisfafe. LENA. My brain's confus'd ! A fudden damp came o'er my fearful foul, Prefaging that I ne'er fhould fee him more. Farewell I would have faid; but on my tongue The accents fail'd unform'd, and fenfe for- fook me. ELFRIDA. Ha! 'tis Cadwallan comes ! LENA. Where fliall we fhun The hated fight of him ? ELFRIDA. Here are fome bufhes. In thefe we will conceal us, till he pafs. \Thcy retire, SCENE ( 179 ) SCENE III. Enter Cadivallan and Druid. CADWALLAN. o WERE this truth ! How foolifh ! how romantic Is it to wifh for what I cannot hope ! Wouldfl thou deceive me ? Or art thou de- ceiv'd ? Both wife and honeft thou waft ever thought ! Some dream abfurd it is of doating age ! DRUID. Nay then, behold herfelf ! 2 2 SCENE SCENE IV. 7\? them Emma and Randa. CADWALLAN. J~1A! Can it be? Yet art thou not fome unfubflantial form Rais'd by fome demon ? Emma ! Doil thou live? EMMA. Ah ! Canfl thou doubt I live, and am thy Emma ? CADWALLAN. Whatever thou art, I mufl embrace thee ! Oh! My Queen ! my Queen ! EMMA. Thy ever loving wife ! CAD*- CADWALLAN. Where haft thou been ? How, how, didft thou efcape The fire ? Ah ! wherefore haft thou fhumi'd fo long My kind embraces ? * EMMA. 'Twere tedious now to tell how I efcap'd, And fince unknown liv'd in Northumbrians convent. Till now I never heard of thy return ! CADWALLAN. Grow, grow forever to my happy heart ! Art thou indeed my Emma? Stand a- part! Let me again behold thy face ! The fame ! Oh happinefs beyond my fondeft wifhes ! The day that brought thee firft a yielding bride, In all the bloom of beauty to my arms, Gave not fuch blifs as this more happy day, In C 182 ) In which I find thec now redeemed from death. EMMA. O never may a thought of what is pail With pain embitter future happinefs. CAD WALL AN. Torment not thy dear bread with what is pad!- I ne'er forgot thee ! No ! - Could I have hop'd To fee thee thus, my heart had never known Another flame 1 Heav'n knows what pain I felt At my return, to find that thou waft gone ! *Twas the remembrance of the dear, dear blifs 1 knew with Emma, made me hope to find Again fuch pleafure with another bride : But in the fofteft raptures of that love, The thoughts of thee flill check'd my rifmg And tears of fecret anguiih flow'd within EMMA EMMA. I can believe thee, and forgive thee too, But oh ! - My fon ! - My fon ! CADWALLAN. Thy fon ! - Alas ! he perifh'd in the flames ! - Or was he fav'd ? And did he lately die ? And mourn'ft thou now for him ? EMMA. For him and thee I CADWALLAN. 'Tis impious now to mourn ! Blefs boun- teous heav'n, That thus hath rais'd us, as from death, to tafte Such unexpected, long-defpair'd- of joy ! Nay heav'n in mercy drew this vail of forrow, O'er th' elfe too dazzling brightnefs of our blifs : For For had our fon furviv'd, we muft have funk Under excefs of pleafure. EMMA. He furvives ! CADWALLAN. , Ha ! Have I heard thee right ! EMMA. Thy fon lives fUlL CADWALLAN. He lives! Where is he ? Let me fly t' em- brace My fon yet never feen! My Emma's fon! He too preferv'd ? Oh happinefs too great. EMMA, (afidc.) Oh happinefs too foon I fear to end ! CADWALLAN. Thy cheeks are wet; but 'tis not with the dreams Of Ofblifs exflatic as Cadwallan's are! Thy tears, my' Emma, feein with pain to flow From forrow's fountain. EMMA. O my fon ! my fon I CADWALLAN. His ftate unknown, ferves he the furly pride t)f fome poor upftart Lord, to greatnefs grown Upon the ruins of his rifled fortunes ? EMMA', O my Cadwallan! fhun this horrid com- bat! Thy foe thou know'ft not ! CADWALLA1T. Ofrick's race unknown! Defend me from fuch thoughts, ye gracious Pow'rs ! Perhaps !- Mofl horrid! A a MMA* ( I** ) EMMA. Ofrick is thy fon ! CADWALLAN. Ofrkk! Great God! (Whiljl he Jlands ajlonijhed^ Lena from the grovCy Elfrida holding her.) LENA. Art thou my friend ? And wilt thou hold meftill? To rocks, to floods unfathom'd let my fly ! [Exit 'with Elfrida. CADWALALN. What have I done ! Earth, doft thou bear me flill ? Open thy hollow graves ! Gape from thy center ! Difclofe thy yawning womb to fwallow quick The wretch who never more can face the light ! EMMA. Wilt them, for valour once fo fam'd, now fly For refuge, like a coward, to defpair ? CADWALLAN, (ftartlng up.) Yes ! 'Tis a coward's part to wifh for death ! peath fits on any fword. [Draws his fword. EMMA. My Lord! My life! What wilt thou do ? By all the tender love You once profeft for Emma CADWALLAN. Off! Away! Thou art my bane ! my curfe ! the firft dire caufe Of all my woe ! Accurs'd be that fad day In which I firft beheld thy fatal charms !, A a 2 EMMA. 3 EMMA. Strike here ! O (hike this brcaft belov'd no more : CADWALLAN. Ha ! Strike my Emma : Never, Emma, never ! EMMA, Shall Emma live to be thy bane and curfe ? j No ! Let me die ! But kill me with the fword ; And not with iharper curfes and unkindnefs. CADWALLAN. Unkindnefs, Emma ? I unkind to thee r I curs'd, indeed, our fate! Had I not caufe? Have I not caufe for inadnefs and defpair ? But thee, for whom my youthful heart firfl felt The pleafing flames of love, thee, whofe dear image Came Came ev'ry night to foothe me in my dreams, And feem'd before me all the tedious day; Jiow may tedious days ! while ftormy feas .Kept us afunder ; thee, my bell belov'd, I could not curfe. Yet, yet, we might be blefs'd, Did not thefe hideous mpnfters of my guilt-' I was th' unhappy caufe ! - Be mine the guilt ! To him lliew mercy, Heav'n t CADWALLAN, Know'ft thou my crimes ? In heav'n itfelf my foul could tafte no peace* I carry hell within me I EMMA. Let us hope, That the difcovcry of fonie hidden truth. May, by Heav'ns favour, yet reftore our peace. CAD* CADWALLAN. Could Heav'n difcover that he's not my fon! Or Lena not his wife! I've hear'd, or drcam'd, Of fpirits, that have from the cradle ftolen The rich man's heir, and to his place con- vey 'd An infant of fome poor, but virtuous parents, To be Heav'n's favourite. EMMA. Infants have been chang'd. Oh ! trufl to any thing but ram defpair ! CADWALLAN. O would to God I could but be deceived I Tell me how it might be, and I'll compel My faith, againft all reafon, to believe it, And tlill purfue him with a rival's rage, EMMA. What rival ? O Cadwallan ! r-Think what rival ! CAD- CADWALLAN. Have we no caufe to think he was ex* chang'd ? EMMA. No caufe alas ! Thefe arms through foes and fires To fafety flole him ! In this Druid's cave I refted with him. There fallacious dreams Deceiv'd me. One, I thought from heav'n, Bid me with care conceal myfelf and him ; For when he knew his parents he mould die. CADWALLAN. And was it for a dream he was conceal'd r Thus 'tis to trufl the prophecies of hell ! Cadwallan's fon mould have been known to all; And ere his manhood led confederate kings Againft his father's foes, repair 'd my palace, And fhar'd his power with thee : Then had I found, When I return'd, a paradife at home, Inftead Inftead of ruins, horrors, guilt, and heli. How was he carried to Northuinbria's court r Didft thou exchange him, Druid ? Say tliov. didft! I'll give thec half his kingdom. EMMA, 'Twas not he ! - O'er fleep rough hills, wide valleys, wood:" and rivers I travell'd with my infant all alone. Far to the weft the fuil-orb'd moon declin'd The tenth night ere I reach'd to Edwin's gate, With tears, with prayers, in bleflings and embraces, Till th' envious lark hail'd the returning dawn, I fondly hugg'd him. Then, good heav'n. Heft My dear, dear child to changeful fortuned care. CADWALLAN. what deter min'd thee to go to Edwin, Not ( '93 ) Not to thy brother Kenwal. EMMA. 'Twas my dream, Determin'd me to travel with my fon Where neither could be known ; and let the world Believe that both had perifh'd in the flames. Northumbria's famous convent promifed A dwelling to my wifli ; and having heard Of Edwin's fam'd benevolence, I hop'd My fon in that might find a father's care. In that a father's care and more he found.~- Ah ! ill-repaid at laft. - By my curfs'd hand. That, like a dagger, ftabs me to the heart \ EMMA. Although a foundling of a race unknown, He grew in favour, fame, and happinefs, Till in an evil hour - B b' CAD- CADWALLAN. Till that black hour, In which his father kill'd his better father ! And Were ye all afleep, ye minifters Of heav'nly vengeance? O what mercy then Had been your thunder I Is his race un- known ? EMMA. It is unknown to all, but thefe now pre- fent. CADWALLAN. So muft it be for ever ! Could I think That any here would utter it, my fword This inftant mould prevent it. Yes, the devil Has once fpoke truth ? For fure 'twould break his heart To know himfelf the fon of fuch a monfter. But he {hall never know it. All mufl fwear. Lay all your hands upon your hearts, and fwear, By ( 19S ) By all your hopes of blifs, and fears of pain s Here or hereafter, you will ne'er reveal it. / ALL, (with their hands en their breafts.) By all our hopes of blifs and fears of pain t Here, or hereafter, we will ne'er reveal it. CADWALLAN. Then he may live, and in my death be happy. EMMA. What means this language ? CADWALLAN. 'Tis refolv'd, EMMA. Thy death! CADWALLAN. What is beyond the grave ? A long dark chaos B b 2 Which Which human fight could never penetrate ! 'Twas Superftition firft begot on Fancy Thofe phantoms which invade our infant thoughts, Ere reafon guards them ! Yet, I find, they grow To a force too great for reafon, or for wifdom, Or proud philofophy t' expel. Our vanity In boafling would difguife the weak belief : But all are confcious of their inward fears ! Ev'n virtue trembles at th' approach of death ! Then what mull guilt, what mufl Cadwallan feel? EMMA. Defpair and horror are in all thy words. CADWALLAN. Is it to fall afleep, and wake no more ? Or fhall we, as religion teacheth us, When thefe our limbs are moulder'd into earth, Exift, and dill be blefs'd or miferable t According as our lives have merited! Q ( '97 ) O God! them know'ft my life ! But this ! O this ! Could any action for this guilt atone ? EMMA. Thou haft been more unfortunate than guilty, CADWALLAN. Yes : There a ray of hope begins to rife, And In it death's moft dreadful phantoms fade !- Heav'n muft approve, and all its hoft admire My lateft acl ! -I die that he may live ! - One laft embrace ! And then, we part for ever | [Going, EMMA. let me follow thee ! CADWALLAN. I charge thee not. Keep ( '9* ) Keep our important fecret! Come not near me Till I am ftretch'd in death. [Exit, SCENE V. EMMA, ETHA, DRUIDt EMMA. is he gone, To rufh upon the weapon of his fon ? I will prevent it yet ! - I'll go to Kenwal ; I'll tell my brother all ! - r- DRUID. Have we not fworn ? EMMA. Sure perjury were far lefs damnable ! O dreadful oath ! - Sworn that we would permit The fon to flay the father ? SCENE C 199 ) SCENE VI. .< - 'To them enter Lena At/ordered^ Elfrida fol* hiving.) LENA. and father! If knowingly, and with confenting heart, Thou haft committed - No. Thou mavft j repent! Repent in time ! Repent. ELFRIDA. Help me to hold her ! It is Northumbrians Queen, driv'n by her wrongs To rave thus wildly. LENA. Would'ft thou wrong me too, Thou with the hoary beard ? O beaftly vice ! Deteftable in all j but in the head, That ( 200 ) That (hakes the fnow of years, moft odious* Foh! Go fay thy pray'rs ! EMMA. She's raving mad ! To me that flate were blifs ! [Exit 'with Efha. . SCENE VII. LENA, ELFRIDA, DRUID* ri " ',- r "4 LENA. TH ; -7, HOUGH I by force was to the altar dragg'd And facrific'd to devils, I arn fpotlefs. Spotlefs as thou, or thou! Ha! Who art thou ? ELFRIDA. Doft thou not know me, Lady ? LENA. ( 201 ) LENA. Thee I know, Thou kindeft-hearted inaid ! When I'm an angel, I'll hover round. O hadft thou been an angel ! But what is he, who wears that long gray beard, Scoffing old age? Thou art the devil's prieft? And would'fl thou turn me from the way to heav'n ? In fpite of hell, my innocence mall foar Above the eagle. Aye beyond the fun ! DRUID* Conduct her to her tent. I'll fend fomc herbs, Which flill the fenfes to repofe, and oft Shake fuch diforders from the troubled mind, LENA. Who, who mall hold me ? See the clouds make way C c For 202 ) For me to enter ! Glorious, glorious fight ! Thoufands of atigels call me in fweet fongs How mall I to their heav'nly harmony Attune my mortal voice? itu, vain world of childijh cares! Of idle hopes, and foolifh fears! Now, now, I fake a noble flight, Beyond where Jlorms and thunders war ; Beyond each cloud, and evryjlar y To th' utmoft bounds of heavnly light 1 Ah ! Lady !-^-Thou may 'ft ftill be bleit on earth. LSNA, What! (till 6tt earth? - Still with a bo- dyclogg'd, Thatfcents pollution! Off mortality ! Off, oiF corruption ! [fearing her deaths. ( 203 ) But who (hall guide me through the long, dark region That lies betwixt us and the heav'nly man- r s lions : -!- He comes ! He comes ! ^-Do I not know - "" ^ ' * my father? I faw thy wounds! I faw thy bofom pierc'd ! I faw thy foul come forth ! Ha! wilt thou leave me ?. Jtay! wrap me with thee in thy bloody fhroud! [Runs out, they all follow her. J5ND OF THE FOURTH ACT. Cc 2 ACT C 2 4 ) ACT V. SCENE I. Trince Arthur y withfome officers of the Bri- tons. ARTHUR. JLJEFORE thou fett'ft, O fun, thou may 'ft be- hold Thy rays flafti from a crown on Arthur's brow. FIRST OFFICER. Yes, valiant Arthur, if Cadwallan Thou art the firft in merit as in blood To rule the antient Britons, SECOND SECOND OFFICER. 'Tis reported, That the conditions of the fight will be, That he who conquers fhall poflefs the realm Of him that falls. ARTHUR, No ! While the flreams of life - Run in my veins, though Britons all forfake me, I will oppofe it with my lingle fword. J'll be your King, or die attempting it, ALL THE OFFICERS. We with our lives will Arthur's right maintain. ARTHUR. So ev'ry Briton fhould. But Britons now No longer breathe that free, that manly fpi- rit, With With which our fires untaught, unarm'd, pos'd Th 1 all conquering Romans. Ev'n our WQ* men then, Fierce in the front of war, perform'd fucb feats, their enfeebled fons now cjuakc to hear. THIRD OFFICER. Both combatants now to this fpot advance 5 Whence one of them mud never more de- part. SECOND OFFICER. Our King approaches* ARTHUR* If my judgement err no, There is a flrange confufion in his looks ! \Tbcygo to a fids. SCENE - Enter Cadwallan, ' -i ... . " (A trumpet heard.} CADWALLAN. JL HE trumpet arid the impending war no more Excite the raptures they were wont to do! Now, like the death-man's warning to the fe- lon, They fummon me to my determin'd doom ! Hence ev'ry fear? Rife valour's wonted flame, Rife, royal pride, and fentiments of honour, Rife in my bread ! Let me with dignity And kingly grace conclude a life of troubles ! SCENE SCENE III. Enter Kenwal with his attendants, and Ofrick with his. . KENWALo Y E Princes, range yourfelvcs in order round, (Ofrick and his nobles arrange themfehes on the fide ofthejtage oppofite to Cadwallan and his* Keniual draws up his officers, with guards > en the front and back part between them.) KENWAL. The combat now proceeds, if all approve, CADWALLAN, I do approve. OSRICK. And I. ALL 20 9 i i * ;V ALL THE OFFICERS. And all of us. KENWAL. '^i* -j '.>.- f s ' , I Then Britifh and Northumbrian chiefs, give ear, To the conditions which IVe fworn to en- force. If any dare infringe them, or difturb, By weapon, action, gefture, fignal, word, Or any other way; the combatants, I join the other fide, agairift th' aggreffor, With my whole force. Whatever Prince's fate It is to fall, both armies muft difperfe, And with revengeful wars on this account Exhauft no more the precious blood of Albion^ CADWALLAN. More muft be added. Let the conquering Ring Inherit the dominions of the vanquim'd ; D d And And the fair prize for which the war began, Northumbria's Queen, become the victor's due. OSRICK. from this I muft difTent. Northumbria's Queen, Or her dominions, nothing can transfer But her own free confent. CADWALLAN. With that alone I wim to have her. Be my kingdom thine, If I mould fall. And I, through Lena's love, If 'tis thy fate, expect to inherit thine. OSRICK. Through Lena's love ! To the moft odious monfter That crawls on earth Ihe'd fly t' avoid thy love! CADWALLAN, q fcorn that well becomes thee ! Yet forbear 5 My My Dwelling heart, elfe I muft lofe my pur- pofe. Oh that I notv could clafp thee to my breaft! But that muft never be ! - Come on, thou braggart ! OSRICK. Aye ! to thy heart thou monfler ! - Ha I what now ? SCENE IV. AN OLD SOLDIER, (entering hajlily ! - The tale fo much exceeds be- lief, That, mighty Princes, though thefe eyes have feen her, I mould be dumb, were me not here herfelf To vouch it. KENWAL. Emma ! Who ! What Emma doft thou mean ? D d 2 SOLDIER. ( 212 ) SOLDIER. Emma, thy fitter ! The fair Queen of Britons'. Like one diftrafted with her fears me raves ! 'The foldiers cannot, without violence, \Vithhold her from her hufband. KENWAL. And knew you this ? CADWALLAN. Ah! let her not difturb the combat now. ^ But, if I fall, Q Kenwal, comfort Emma ! ~ Now, Ofrick, come, OSRICK, For Lena and her wrongs. [Fight. (As they are fghting^ Emma comes behind the attendants of Kenival.} KENWAL. Amazing providence ! 'Tis flie, indeed ! SCENE SCENE V- EMMA. JL E traitors ! murderers ! Let me fave his life ! My brother ! Canft thou calmly fland to fee A fight fo {hocking ? KENWAL, (holding her.) Emma !- My fifter ! For the love of heav'n ! You give th' advantage to his enemy ! . . ,^ . EMMA. You know not what you do 1 He falls ! He's flam! CAD WALL AN, (falling.} Aye, juflly {lain ! The better caufe prevails ! [Dies. EMMA. ( 4 ) EMMA. And art thou gone ! Thou canft return no more ! my Cadwallan! O my love ! My hufband ! [Fa/ling on the body. OSRICK. Hafte Anfrid, tell the Queen of our fuccefs! Tell her, that I by this revenge have gain'd The kingdom of the Briton. Let our trumpets Proclaim our victory to all around. [Northumbrian trumpets found, and the ar- my Jhouts within. ARTHUR, (coming forward.} Kenwal, you know my claim to Britain's throne ! And you, who would ufurp that diadem, "Which never fat but on a Briton's brow, Know, that fince this brave Prince's haplefs fall, 1 am the firft of that illuftrious blood Which govern'd Britons lince their race be- gan. Nor can Cadwallan s will rob me of that Which Which cuftoms, antient and invariable As Albion's mountains, have confirmed mine. OSRICK. Yourfelf and all agreed to the conditions. 'Tis mine by conqueft ; and it fhall remaifi fo! ' ARTHUR. It is not conquer 'd while one Briton lives, KENWAL. By thefe old cuftoms you have mention'd, Emma May claim the crown; for Britons ever fuffer'd The Queen df him who rul'd them laft, to reign During her life. My fifler, then, arife, ' And claim thy kingdom ! Leave a breath- lefs hufband! A brother ftill is here to guard thy right. EMMA, * My brother ! Oh ! in any hour but this Of C 216 ) Of hopelefs rnifery, that fight were happi* nefs I KENWAL. Alas ! What miferies has Emma fufFer'd ! O my poor fitter ! I muft mourn with thee. os RICK, (aftde.} * \ x t Her anguifh wrings my heart ! Revenge is dead! She never did me wrong. But why mould I Feel thus the forrows of an enemy ? EMMA, (afids looking on 0/rick.) Didft thou bring all thefe miferies on me ? Thou dear unhappy boy ! But down my heart, ARTHUR, She looks not on the man that flew her Lord With flern ; jefentment* or with hatred's frown ! - Nay, there is fomething more. By heav'ns, affeftion ! EMMA; ( 217 ) EMMA. How could you permit it ? How could you, O my brother, fee him flain? KENWAL. Ha! Did Cadwallan know thou waft in life? Did he forget thee, then, in the conditions, Which he proposed himfelf ? Yes, while thou liv'ft, Thou {halt, my filter, be the Queen of Bri- tons. EMMA. No earthly kingdom now can give me joy! Cadwallan's will be done in ev'ry thing. ARTHUR. Hear this, ye Britons ! Now, with man- ly hearts Repel this fhame ; or hide your daflard heads With hunted monfters in the barren rocks, E e To To wliicli ufurping Saxons have confin'd you. Shall Britain's throne, that never yet was fill'd, But by a race defcended from the gods, Be now polluted by we know not whom ? A baftard of fome namelefs flave, produced By fome lewd dame j who, that me might . again Purfue without reflraint her fordid pleafures, Expos'd her child to ftarve ; or feed on alms ? OSRICK. Ruffian ! no more. EMMA. Ungenerous and unjuft ! Wherefore afperfe th' unknown with foul con- jectures ? Perhaps his mother, virtuous, chaft as thine. Nor lefs illuftrious ARTHUR, You efpoufe his caufe ! Perhaps his mother from her huiband flaid To ) To wanton in fome younger lover's arms ! Perhaps me had put on religion's vail, And, to maintain her fanclity, was forc'd To difavow her child of many fathers. Such ladies we have heard of: Such we've feen! But fhall the. foh of fuch be King of Britons ? ALL THE BRITISH OFFICERS. We with our lives will Arthur's right de- fend. NORTHUMBRIAN OFFICERS. And we brave Ofrick's. OSRICK. Let the King of Weflex, Let the Northumbrian and the Britifh chiefs Be witnefTes of yet another combat. Upon this fland'rous ruffian I'll refent My unknown mother's wrongs; afTert my right To this new fceptre which my arm has won, Or perim in th' attempt. E e 2 EMMA. ( 220 ) EMMA. Hold, forward youth ! Endanger not thy life! Tis juftly thine! KENWAL. How, Emma ! What means this ? EMMA. '$.* What have I done I ETHA. B-efiftlefs force of nature ! ARTHUR. Shamelefs woman! Widow'd this moment, and in love the next! Why this is rank indeed ! You might be mother To that bafe youth on whom your paflion. dotes. EMMA. All-gracious Heav'n ! ARTHUR, ARTHUR. Why do you ftart at this ? But ha ! -Tis poflible your artful brain May rear a fine romance to raife your fav'rite. Cadwallan had a fon : Swear this is he ! That angels fnatch'd him from .the flames, and flew O'er cruel foes to Edwin's court with him. KENWAL. Cadwallan's fon had been of Ofrick's age? Say what, my fifler was the fate of him ? Did he efcape with you from flames and foes? EMMA. Whate'er his fate, my mifery's compleat i OSRICK. " Efcape from flames and foes !" So fpake the Druid. To a kingdom I was born, he likewife faid. 'Twas in this kingdom ! Every myftery Appears Appears mod plain ! He fought not with. the art Of fo renown'd a warrior : Yet I flew him. Great God! I flew the author of my birth ! * EMMA. His words are madnefs ! Bear ye hence, my friends, Thefe dear remains to fome fequefter'd grove; There with my tears I'll warn thy bloody wounds, O my Cadwallan! My unhappy hufband! \Thcy are going to carry off the body* os RICK;, No! Let me fall upon my murder'd fa* ther ! Let tears of penitence wafh out this ftaini O Lady, pity me! EMMA. Ha ! Pity thee > OSRICK. Forgive me! Pity me ! O curfe me not ! EMMA, EMMA. Ohaile, my Etha,bear me from his pf efence, OSRICK. Ah leave me not in this perplexity! I feel thy forrows '.They are all my own ! EMMA. Wherefore, O wherefore am I forc'd to this ? OSRICK. Forc'd ! to reftrain th' affedlion of a mother ? In my embraces let it copious flow. EMMA. Embraces! Murderer of my huiband! thine? || OSRICK. Harm are thy words! Yet through the rough reproach, I thought I heard affection's fofteu'd tone. The C 224 ) The fweets of filial love I never felt : But fure they're wondrous like what now 1 feel. At the firft fight of thee my bofom heav'd! My fympathifing heart leapt towards thine ! My fpirits flatted to their utmofl bounds, Approving, though I thought thee then m} foe! EMMA* 'Twas a delufion wild ! OSRICK, (kneeling.*) The happy raptures, when a parent prays For bleffings on the offspring of his love, I never knew. O let me know them now " My bleffing ! OSRICK. No ! I have defer v'd thy curfe ! Thy bittereft curfe ! Yes. Curfe the parricide; Though, haplefs wretch ! he knew not of his crime. BMMA* ( 225 ) EMMA. 1 will not curfe thee youth ; and muft not blefs thee. [Exit with Etha, SCENE VI. OSRICK. U NCERTAIN ftill ! -What think'ft thou 3 Kingof WdTex? KENWAL. That fo fhe would behave, were fhe your mother ; And had fome reafon for disenabling thus; ? f SCENE SCENE VII. Enter Jlnfrid and Elfrida* ANFRID. ]VI Y King ! -My friend ! - Alas ! - OSRICK. Can you not fpeak r - Ah ! Muft I guefs it Anfrid ! - You have heard Of Ofrick's horrid ad*. Has Lena heard it? ANFRID. Too fure {he has,- -Diftraded fee fhc comes I SCENE ( 227 ) SCENE VIII. Enter Lena, fupported by H&nna, and the Druid* LENA. , wherefore not ! How fliould he know his father ? And fathers may be wicked ! Men are frail, As well as women. OSRICK. Worfe ! O worfe than death ! LENA. It is the houfe of death ! Thefe his attend- ants ! I know you all ! Your names are on your faces ! Thou art Remorfe ! thou Vengeance ! thou Deipair ! F f 2 And ( "8 ) And thou lean Envy, with thy curling (hakes i Why do they roll, and gape, and hifs at me? I have no heart ! Long fince was that con- fum'd By fnakes more venomous ! OSRICK. She knows me not ! LENA. pid Ofrick fpeak ? Where is he ? t OSRICK. Here my Lena I LENA. Art thou my Ofrick ! No, no, no. . Sweet rofy health, and youth, and manly courage Bloom'd in my hero's cheek. Pale fear's on thine, And withered age and wrinkles ! Save me angels ! It is the Briton I- Haft thou flain my love? OSRICK* ( 229 ) OSRICK. P Lena ! O my Queen ! LENA, Villain ! and doft thou glory in the deed ? And doft thou know what blood is on thy fword ? It is thy fon's ! Frown, rage ! I care not! Wilt thou kill me? Do. For Ofrick was thy fon ! He's in my heart, There kill him o'er again. Rivet our hearts together. OSRICK, (taking hold of her.} Ah ! Let us take her hence. LENA. Villain, unhand me ! Ruffian, let me go! Kill, kill me twenty times. But keep aloof ! Wilt thou indeed? Help, O my Ofrick, help me 1 O! Thou parricide ! Thou coward ! kill a woman ! O! I am (lain! Struck to the heart? Oh Death! Why doft thou grin fo horribly ? Ye hideous fpe&res of the rotten graves, "Why do ye make your ghaflly heads ? But Ofrick waits me ! 'Tis my father's fpirit ! Take me to heaven. [Dies. OSRICK. Is Lena gone ? Shall I not follow her ? Why mould the murderer of a father live ? [Drawing his f word. KENWAL. Hold, hold thy defp'rate hand. SCENE I3L EMMA, (entering.} MYfon! my font Unhappy fon of moft unhappy parents ! What wilt thou do ? OSRICK. Revenge a father's deatlu EMMA. On me, on me ! Revenge his death on me! I was the caufe of it ! OSRICK. On thee ! My mother! EMMA. Yes. In my bofom hide thy fword ; for there 'Twill 'Twill give lefs painful, not lefs certain death^ Than 'twould in thine ! OSRICK. What monfter were I then ? The murderer accurs'd of both my parents! EMMA. If you deftroy yourfelf, you murder me ! OSRICK; I'll rather live in everlafling torture I- But much I fear, I have not always been So near thy heart : Elfe wherefore didfl thou leave me ? Leave me in ignorance, to a<5l fuch horrors . ? EMMA. Horrors indeed ! Moft horrible to me ? But thou art innocent. He had refolv'd, Before you met, to die upon thy fword. OSRICK. Ha! Did he know it then? 1MMA, ( 233 ) EMMA. A little fpace Before his death, he heard it from my mouth. My anxious care and caution to preferve thee Has brought thy ruin ! O my fon forgive me ! For in a dream I thought that I was told, By one, whom I believ'd to be from heav'n, That, when thou knew' ft thy parents thoit fhould'ft die. OSRICK. If 'twas foretold by heav'n, it muft be fo ! What have I now in life ? EMMA. Thou haft a mother ! That has none left but thee to comfort her ! O think what pains, what cares, what fearful days, And fleeplefs nights flie fufFer'd for thy fake ! G OSRICK^ 234 OSRICK. Sure fome divinity looks from thine eyes, Or in thine accents breathes, that charms de~ fpair! And flilling ev'ry tumult of my mind, Fills all my bread with reverence and love ! How can I comfort thee ? - Command thy fon. I'm all obedience. EMMA. Caft away that fword, And wait with patience for the ftroke of heav'n. OSRICK. Good caufe haft thou to execrate this fword ! Yet once on this my youthful fancy rear'd A tow'ring edifice of future fame, That mould outlive the marble monument !-*- Stain'd with a father's blood ! Hence from fight ! Adieu ( 335* ) Adieu forever all a warrior's hopes! Far diftant from the haunts of bufy men, With only thee, my mother, will I (lay j Shed ev'ry day fome tears of fad remem- brance, *"' And patient wait for the relief of heav'n*! 'Twill not be tedious, if thy dream deferves Our confidence ! EMMA. O, had it ne'er been trufted ! Too late, by what it has produc'd, we find It came from hell. Delufive 'twas and falfe! OSRICK. Perhaps 'twas true ! Perhaps equivo- cal : For now, departing from the cares of life, I to the world may be accounted dead. Then hear my dying will Prince Arthur, thou, For 'tis thy right when I am gone, ihalt wear G g 2 The ( 236 ) The Britifh crown. Tis thine, my faithful Anfrid, Since Lena is no more, to wear Northum- bria's. Thou, generous maid of WefTcx, i^ my 9 pray'rs Jiad pow'r to effect it, fhould'ft be Anfrid's Queen. ANFRID. I everlov'd you, as my Prince and friend. Yet, fince I knew this Princefs, I confefs, I wifh'd for thrones of kings or emperors, To raife her equal to her great deferts. Yet, thus obtain'd, it yields no pleafure. * Reign, And let me flill be happy in thy friendship, OSRICK. No. 'Tis refolv'd ? My only king- dom now Shall be fome lonely cottage in a defart. But what fay 'ft thou, the brother of my mo- ther, Of ( 237 ) Of this ropos'd alliance ? -Speak your thoughts : And thou, his lovely daughter! j . KENWAL. Elfrida's eyes Exprefs confent. Then take my daughter, Anfrid. And may me prove the pledge of lafling peace 'Twixt WeiTex and Northumbria. Arthur* too, Who art our kinfman ; and ye Princes all. Let us unite like brothers, and defy The vain attempts of ev'ry foreign foe, ARTHUR. With pleafure I agree. ALL THE CHEFTAINS. And all of us. KENWAL. May never foul diflention, from the plots Of Of bafe felf-intereft, or the envious views Of falfe ambition, turn a Briton's foul From acling for his country's common good DRUID. Your children's children, and their latefl race Shall blefs you the firft founders of thij union. For, when this ifland all fhall fo unite, Old feers foretel, that Britain's pow'r fhal ftride Fr,om the fun's rifing to his fetting place. THE END., ADVERTISEMENT. The following tragedy being lefs correcl than any other of the author s writings, it was at frjl refolded to omit it in the prejent publication ; and, in that view, one of the cborufes, and parts of two others 'were inferted among the /mailer poems. The friends of the author , however, have fince dejired the infertion of the tragedy entire ; and they truft to the can- dour of the public, for their indulgent recep- tion of a piece which never underwent the au- thor's loft corrections* T R A G E J> V. PERSONS. CAIRBAR, King of Erin. GATHMOR, his Brother. COLLA, an Erinian Nobleman. DARTHULA, his Daughter. USNOTH, a Caledonian Nobleman. NAT H os and ARDAN, his Sons. ALT HAN, the Bard of Cormac. CARRIL, another Bard. DERM ID, a Soldier of Nat bos' Army. Guards, Soldiers, &c. SCENE, The coaft of Ullin, or Uljler, in Ire land. A C T I. SCENE, Before Co I las Cajlk. Colla and fame of his Officers* COLLA. rr^ 1 HE time's important ! Ev'ry moment now May lead us on to glorious deeds of war : Our youthful general, eager to revenge The death of great Cuchullin, and to prop The tottering throne of Erin's minor King, Bafely attack'd by Atho's cruel Lord, Promis'd this morn to greet us by the dawn. Nathos will foon be here. The morning now Already blufhes o'er us. Yon long ftreams, Brigh'tning the tremulous ocean, mew where foon The glorious fun mall blaze above the waves- H h 2 FIRST frlRST OFFICER* Comes with hafty flride. -- SECOND OFFICER. It is the General. NATHOS, (entering.) Hail, Worthy Colla ! Are your troop* prepared ? COLLA. tnc leaders Wait you here** KATHOS. With inftant fpeed, Warriors, join the right wing of ouf front i For Cv'ry moment we exped t* engage* All elfe is ready* [Exeunt officers* COLLA. Have thofe troops return'd, Who ) . ' Who at the brave Cuchullin's fall diipers'd ? NATHOS. They come with joy, and fay they fee in me Their former leader. For it feemSj my fea- tures Refemble his. O for a mind like his ! Whofe bold ambition fpurr'd him on to fame, By the fure paths which prudent virtue pointed, Whofe courage fmil'd at danger's threat'ning front, And never yielded to oppofing hardfhips 5 But met them like a fea-furrounded rock, Unmov'd by all the fury of the ftorm* COLLA. May Cormac's youth a guardian find in thee, Faithful like him, brave and magnanimous : But of a better fortune, to repel Th' ungenerous foes, who now fo bafely come To wreft the fceptre from a ftripling's hand. Cairbar ftiall fail, as all his fathers did When When they afTail'd the kingdom of the North, NATHOS. This tyrant Cairbar is of dreadful fame, Not for his valour, but his artful frauds In th* intervals of war ; and cruel deeds, When by fuccefs his fullen pride is fwell'd. COLLA. Then only is he dreadful. In the field The coward fhrinks from danger. All his frauds Will by this vigilance in thee be foil'd : Since, though late watching in the nightly cold, Thou thus canft brave the chilling damps of morn. NATHOS. In fummer, and in Erin's temperate clime, Nodhirnal coolnefs brings delight to me, Who hardy grew among the fharper frofls Of Caledonia's hills. There with the dawn Our father led his fons into the woods, Where Where we have chac'd the flag till night re* priev'd him ; Lain down to reft beneath a tufted oak, And with the morning flar renew'd our toil, Thefe exercifes will, my fons, faid Ufnoth, Shake from your growing limbs the ruft of floth; They'll temper your young nerves with aclive fpring, To fpeed the jav'lin in more glorious fields, And bear unhurt th' illuftrious toil of arms. CQLLA. Such are the rugged paths that lead to fame! Let youth by hardy labour grow to ftrength ; And while in vigour do what they may boaft of, When envious age has left no other joy. The feebleft foes now Ihun not my approach, And cowards ftand t' infult my {baking arm. Thy father knows it was not always fo. The proudeft foes have fled from this old arm, And op'ning ranks before it fliew'd their fear. fo Is Ufaoth's (Irength, like mine, decay 'd with age. NATHOS. Like thee my father feels the weight of years ; But dill his vigour can, like thine, fupport it. COLLA. Methinks I fee thy father young again, Brave fon of Ufnoth, while I look on thee. The pleafures of our youth rufh on my mind. Together have we rang'd the favage wilds, And fide by fide the battle's dangers brav'd! O in fuch thoughts I could forgot my age, And tire thee with an old man's tedious (lories, Of wonders then atchiev'd. May all thy wars, JLike Ufnoth's, be the fav'rite fbng of fame. NATHOS. In hopes of this our father fent us hither $ Where, while defending Erin's minor king, Under our warlike uncle, we might learn Th* experienc'd leader's practice. -But alas ! When fcarce we had unfheath'd our maiden fwords, Cuchullin fell ; and I, though fmall my fkill ? And almoft ere I wifh'd it, by the friends Of Cormac arn elected General. COLLA. Oh happy Ufnoth ! thou haft fons to wield Thy weighty weapons ! Ah ! had mine remain'd ! We now perhaps with pleafure had beheld them Attach'd by warm affection, like their fa- thers, In friendly emulation, rife to fame. NATHOS. Favour'd by his coeval Prince, one fon, Fruthil, the youngeft, yet remains to blefs thee, And rife the Colla of his Cormac's reign. Thy daughter too. Darthula's pcerlefs charms I i May. May make the proudeft Prince become more proud, To hail dice for a father. O how blefs'd, Beyond expreffing blefs'dj were I to find You thought me not unworthy of the honour Of joining, by an everlafting bond, The race of Colla with the line of Ufnoth. COLLA. Thou art deferving of the higheft honours! When leifure ferves I'll tell thee more of this. Think now upon tli' importance of thy charge ! Thoulands confide to thee their lives their all! Darthula comes. In few words take your leave : For now a moments chance may be decifive. [Exit* XATHOS, (alone) "Wife is the counfel ! The reproach is juft! My traitor heart ! Is this a time for love? Enter Enter Dartkula and attendant. DARTHULA. Young foldier, I difturb your private thoughts ! I break perhaps fome plans of future con- queft, Or great ideas of expecled fame. Such contemplations to the brave, I'm told, . Afford a joy like real victory. NATHOS. No joy, no pleafure is to me like this With which Darthula's prefence fills my bread. Sweet are the hopes of fame ; revenge is fwect For my dear kinfman flain ; but when with thee, Heedlefs of fame, unmindful of revenge, A gentler pamon gives me fweeter joy. Oh could I hope that fair Darthula feit With me fuch pleafure, we mould never part! Not ev'n old age fhoukl lefTen our delight, But turn youth's raptures to a milder joy. I i 2 PAR-' DARTHULA. Of this important time can Nathos lofc A tingle fecond in fuch idle thoughts ? See danger imminent befets us clofe, And all to thee, as their defender, look. BATHOS. The time's important! But O tell me this, Before I go : Forgive an anxious lover! Have I no rival ? Some brave youth, per- haps, By former feats already crown'd with fame, Amidft his trophies offer'd you his heart, Which you regard as no unwelcome prize. DARTHULA. You have a rival. You have caufe to fear. NATHOS, Have caufe to fear ! Darthula fees me trem- ble ! But bring this rival bath'd in vanquifh'd blood, Frowning ( 253 ) Frowning in fullen pride of viclory, Burning with rage, exulting in his ftrength, His fword prepar'd, his body fheath'd in fteel, I will not fear him. Who's this happy rival? Cairbar NATHOS The tyrant ! He Darthula's love ! Then, fhould good fortune from my happy arm Send death to this deftroyer of mankind, What will the fruits of my wifh'd conquer! be? Darthula's tears ! - No. Reft in peace, my fword. But if I fall beneath the ftrength of Cairbar, When thou malt fee this head upon his fpear DARTHULA. O never! never! - Spare the dreadful image ! - With With tliee I'll die. With thee, with thee, I'll live! NATHOS. Ah! mock me not; for Cairbar is my rival. DARTHULA. Cairbar has often importun'd my love But him of all mankind I moft deteft. NATHOS. Didft thou not fay, that I had caufe to fear him? DARTHULA. More caufe have I to fear his brutal tem- per ! Thinking of that, what horror harrows me ! What if fome chance of unfuccefsful war fut me in Cairbar's power ? NATHOS. There, there, you paint, In flrongeft features, war's word mifery. Shall I, in chains perhaps, behold Darthula Torn from her Nathos by fome ruffian's force, And dragg'd away, and us'd unworthily. DARTHULA. Why are our fears the fame? Sure fancy fees, With eyes prophetic, our impending fate ! Such horrors ever haunt my waking thoughts, ' And dreadful vifions pairitthem in my dreams* Did my moil ardent wifhes aught avail, This inflant war mould fheath his bloody fword, And Nathos ne'er mould lee the face of dan- ger. NATHOS. Then Nathos never could deferve thy love. \DiJlantJhouts heard. The army fhouts ?- Sweet time-deceiving love ! I've flaid too long, [Exit. Dartbnfa, ( =56 ) Darthula, and attendant. DARTHULA. And bid me not farewell ! Who knows if ever I fhall fee him more ? ATTENDANT. He goes to fight with as much fearlefs joy$ As the young hunter to his fporting field. DARTHULA. With joy ! What joy can war and dan* ger yield ? War, the definition of the great and brave* Seems in reflection's eyes a monfter grim, Befmear'd with blood of kindred lately torn ? Yet men, how flrange ! as if in love with horror, Delighted, rum before his cruel fangs ! \_Dlftant noifc of battle. Love ! thou heap'fl new terrors on my mind ! 1 fear'd enough before for Colla's age ; For For Fruthil, in the tender bloom of youth ; The hated infolence of Cairbar's love, And all the common woes that follow war : For father, brother, country, and myfelf, I fear not now fo much as for my Nathos. Ye pow'rs who rule th' uncertain fate of war! Who from your fav'rites turn the deadly fhaft, And guide definition to the deflin'd heart ! This day let Nathos be your foremoft care ! Around his head unfeen your armour fpread, And near him let no hurtful weapon come 1 Enter Col/a. COLLA. This, my Darthula, is the curfe of age! When was a battle in my hearing fought, And I not active in its hotteft place ? In thought's firfl tranfports fometimes I re- folve To rum, as I had wont, into the ftrife : But thefe decay 'd, old, difobeying limbs Too foon remind me of my feeble flate. Kk DAK- DARTHULA. My father, you have had your fliare o0 fame, And with that fhare may well reft fatisfy'd. [Shouts at a diftance* COLLA. Heard you not that : One of the fides. prevails. DARTHULA. Which of the fides ? COLLA. Alas ! I know not that. [More Jhouts 9 But thefe are fure the fliouts of victory. DARTHULA. The noife approaches us ! -Perhaps our.? fate! If Nathos falls or flies ! If Cairbar comes,; Elate with victory, what {hall we do ? COLLA* COLLA. His cruelty, indeed, is to be fear'd, DARTHULA. Much caufe have we to fear his cruelty ! But more I fear> much more, his hated love ! COLLA. O my Darthula ! ever hate his love. Thou haft been ever dear as life to me ; And yet, methinks, before I faw thee Cair bar's, I'd fee thee dead ! DARTHULAi Then dead thou firft {halt fee me. COLLA. Thou fpeak'ft, I fear, and haft not thought of death. Could' ft thou refign the pleafant hopes of joy, That youth and beauty may expect in life, Blefs'd with the love of a young hero, form'd K k 2 With ( 260 ) With all that foftly charms the heart, or fwells Ambition's wilh. DARTHULA. There's no fuch hope with Cairbar ! Our hopes in life before us often fly, Delufive as the rainbow's fleeting radiance ; Which fimple boys purfue for fabled trea- fure. If Nathos falls, what hope can flatter me ? COLLA. Now we ihall hear ! See fome come from the battle. DARTHULA. Protecting powVs ! a party flrong in arms ! COLLA. The foldiers halt. Forward their leader comes ! Sure they are friends ! PAR- DARTHULA. Yes. Nathos' brother tis I Ardan, I know. COLLA. What tidings doft thou bring ? tlow goes the battle ? ARDAN, (entering.) All as yet goes well, Since there's no battle here. My brother fear'd From Cairbar's motions fome new flrata- gem; And, left to feize Darthula be his aim, Sent us to guard you. By a different routj Our brother Athos, with the fwifteft youths, Was to the royal refidence difpatch'd. COLLA. What were the motions tha,t produc'd fuch fears ? ARDAN. ARDAN. At founding of the charge^ not half their force Advanc'd into the plain t* attack our front. Of them we made a fhort and eafy conquefl. Our fcouts defcry'd a ftronger party move, Wide from the battle, on our left wing's fide: Thefe we expected on our flank or rear, And our referves flood ready to receive them; Their way continuing ftill through hollow paths, Their deftin'd purpofe they as yet conceal; COLLA; Cairbar's deceitful, grov'ling, coward foul, Which love of fame, or glory, ne'er infpir'd, Has now in head fome fordid view of intereft, Or plunder, to be got with little rilk. DARTHULA. I fear it is a ftorm of cruelty, That foon will burft on fome devoted head ! Should C 263 ) Should he come hither ! ARDAN. Hither let him come, That I may likewife have my fhare of fame! DARTHULA. . Ah, youthful warrior '.-Thou may ft ofter* have Such opportunities t' acquire renown : Wifh not for danger to thy early life. ARDAN. When valour falls, Fame gives a better life ; A life not mortal by the ftroke of fleel ; A life to bloom in everlafting youth, When monuments are funk beneath the foil, And level with the plain yon mountains Iie DARTHULA. More warriors from the battle ! Nathos comes ! And comes with vidory ! ARDAN. ARDAN. But who is lie, Yon captive chief of fuch a goodly mien ? \ DARTHULA. Js it the tyrant's brother ? COLLA. Yes : Tis Cathmor. Generous, humane, and brave, in war or peace, Cathmor, for ev'ry virtue is efteem'd, f As much as Cairbar is for crimes detefted. Enter Nat bos 'with Cathmor prifoner. Guards. A foldicr carrying Caihmors fivord* NATHOS. Colla, you fee the glorious prize we've made* The valiant Cathmor ! COLLA. With a brighter wreath, Conqueft ne'er bound the happy vic~lorY brow ! Brave Cathmor, think not that thou herfc fhalt find A barbarous foe, t' increafe with cruel infult. The bitter galling of a captive's chains. CATHMOR. 'Tis not captivity that galls me moft, NATHOS. The brave and generous man finds ev'ry where, Th'efteemand friendfhip of all kindred hearts 5 Ev'n thofe, who fear his valour, love his vir- tues. Though thee we fear as our mofl deadly foe, Believe me, all thou now behold'ft are friends. Then ftrive not, Cathmor, to conceal thy griefs, L 1 From from fympathizing hearts that wifh to (hare them. CATHMOR. I wifh I could conceal my prefent griefs Not only from my friends, but from my- felf. NATHOS. Forgive me, Prince, if I conjecture wrong. But fure thou haft much caufe of grief, and feel'ft Th' ungrateful ufage of thy barb'rous bro- ther. GATHMOR. ; )J1| I feel it like a poifon'd arrow here ! Barb'rous indeed ! O Cairbar ! tfATHOS. Could he feek So brave a Prince's death ? Yet this appear 'd! Plainly his treacherous aim, in leaving thee So few to meet our whole compacted force. CATHMOR, CATHMOR. He promis'd to attack your rear, as foon As I mould charge your front : He bafely fled, And left me, as he thought, to fure deftruc- tion. i . NATHOS. You flood like one regardlefs of his fate. CATHMOR. To find the zeal, the not unfruitful zeal, With which I've ever ierv'd him, fo repaid, So fhock'd and fo aftounded me, I flood Incapable of acting, till you brought Your numbers round, and made me prifoner* COLLA. Whither has Cairbar with his army gone '? CATHMOR. I am not trufled now with Cairbar 's coun- fels. L 1 2 NATHOS, NATHOS. Envious of glory which he ne'er can reach, An enemy to virtues, which, compar'd With his foul vices, make him look fo mean 9 His little, bafe, malignant, rancorous mind Hat> even attempted to deftroy a brother. Confult thy fafety, Prince ! Defend thyfelf Againft an enemy, who threatens thee. CATHMOR. That threatening enemy is flill my bro- ther. NATHOS* Ever a flranger to th' endearing ties Of brotherly affection, openly now He by his deeds difclaims them : Join with .... . , us, And in thy fervice I will die, or fet Falfe Cairbar's crown on Cathmor's worthier brow. CATHMOR, CATHMO$. You know not Cathmor. He defires no crown That one muft wade to thro' a brother's blood. NATKOS. At thine that very brother fcrnples not, Tho' there's no crown to tempt, no injury T' excite revenge ; and though thy ufeful life Is cherifh'd and admir'd by all but him ! Does he, a wretch, whom all mankind deteft, And juilly for his crimes condemn to death, Deferve to wear a crown ? What thou haft fuffer'd Calls loud for vengeance : but much more than that, Thy future danger, and the care of life, Which all are bound to have, admonim thee To Hand on thy defence againft this bro- CATHMOR, ( 270 ) CATHMOR. Above the fervile fears of death, above The mean ambition of inglorious greatnefs, In fpite of his demerits, true to thofe Dear feelings that connect fraternal hearts, I will defend him, while my vigour lafts ; And, fcorning crowns, afpire to brighter wreaths. COLLA. The fong, that mall to future times record This wondrous virtue, will by little fouls Be deem'd romantic fable. NATHOS. But the brave Inwardly confcious of refembling greatnefs, Aflenting, will extol th' accomplim'd hero. Take, gallant Cathmor ! take this fword a which mines With honour, even in a difhonefl caufe : [Giving him hisfevord. And with it take thy freedom. Might I hope Thy Thy friendfhip in return, I would efleem it The richeft ranfom ever captive paid, CAJHMOR. If, by my friendfhip, thou mean'fl that efleem Thy bravery merits, with a grateful fenfe Of this benevolence, thou haft it now. But if thou giv'ft me liberty, in hopes That I mall draw this fword againft my bro- ther, Thou art deceived. So take thy prefent back. For in the battle I muft be thy foe, Whilft thou art Cairbar's. NATHOS. That is, while either lives! Without" reftraint, without conditions, free, Obey the dictates of thy manly mind. I know I put this weapon in a hand That's terrible in battle : But I'm fure, I'll find one generous and one candid foe. PAR- ( 272 ) DARTHULA. See one, whofe hafty fleps feem to foretel His tidings are important. NATHOS. One of thofe I fent to Cromla's top to look for Cairbar. Enter a Mejftnger. MESSENGER. Hafle, Nathos, hade, witfi fuccours to thy brother. Near Cormac's caflle he's with Cairbar met, And much fuperior is the tyrant's force. t - - NATHOS; All follow me. - Thou, Ardan only flay, "With thy detachment. \Exit Let us hade t'avenge their death ! CHOILUS. Spirits of Erin fpeed the happy gales ! Strengthen each fav'ring current and eacli wave ! Fly fwiftly homeward on our fwelling fails ! Hade to avenge the dead, and the furvi- vors fave ! ACT ACT II. SCENE. A court within the gales ofCormais caftk. CAIRBAR, \ Y OU whining bards, in your pedantic rhimes, "Will blazon this action with opprobrious titles. Rail on, rail on ! By this am I become The fole great Sovereign of this fpacious ifle! When one attains what he with ardour wifh'dj Should not his joy of fatisfaction rife In lively tranfports ? I feel no fuch thing ! But rather fomething ever flinging me ; tor I have done what all will execrate. Enter Enter Althan* ALTHAN. Turn, murderer ! hither turn, and end thy works ! CAIRBAR. Where are my guards ? Why am I left alone? ALTHAN. The guilty tremble when no danger's near; And well mayfl thou, whom deeds inhuman mark The common enemy of human kind. ---' CAIRBAR. Thou art not worth my notice ! Live, old bard, And fing this fcene that makes me king of Erin. ALTHAN. And art thou fo depraved to boaft of it ? Go It ( 290 ) It fhall be fung But O what words gan paint Its difmal horrors ? All our once great hopes Of riling heroes murder'd with their king. Their ihrieks and groans {hook Erin's hardeft rocks, Pierc'd the deep caverns of the fblid earth, Th' abyfles of th' unfathom'd ocean, rous'd The fpirits of the long-departed dead ; Moving all things but thy unnatural heart. CAIRBAR. Think'ft thou I would be mov'd by chil- dren's fcreams, When th' empire of all Erin was in view. Go, fing Temora's crown to Alnecma's join'd, By mighty Cairbar, the firfl King of Erin. ALTHAN. Thou King of Erin ! Rather may the waves, That round her confines beat, meet in the center, And leave no hill to tejl where Erin flood. CAIRBAR, CAIRBAR. Wilt thou compel me yet to murder thee ? Yes, flrike ! - What is an old manVufe- lefs life, After the youthful lives by thee deftroy'd ? Tyrant of .Erin fhort while flialt thou be ! Vengeance is near thee ! - 1 have heard thy doom ! Their fathers ghofts, who at their murder groan'd, Bear it with awful gladnefs through the Iky, And frown revengeful o'er thy deflin'd head. CAIRBAR. My death canft thou forefee, and not thine owij, Which is much nearer thee I A T H M o R , (entering^. Hold, Cairbar, hold ! O o 2 Hold ! Hold! Too much murder thou to-day haft done : Though not fo much as thou didft meditate, CAIRBAR. Welcome, my brother, from the dangerous field ? CATHMOR. Dangerous indeed ! as thou hadft plann'd the fight. CAIRBAR. I thought Believe me I have been de- ceiv'd - I was inform'd - A ftronger army 'twas CATHMOR. No more of that ! - 1 would forget .thy bafenefs : But in too faft fucceflion come thy crimes, And (till the lafl is the moft infamous. "What could provoke thee now to raife the fword Ovei Over this hoary head ? this facred head, In which are regifter'd the glorious feats Of antient chiefs, with thofe who lately fell ? And grateful fongs are forming now to fire Our lafl defcendants with our prefent fame ! ALTHAN. But it were well for him that Fame were mute ; That all records fhould with his being ceafe, And with his carcafe all remembrance rot. . CAIRBAR. You fee, my brother, how I am contemn'd ! And am I brought fo low to fuffer this ? -VFt**N 3 CATHMOR. Contempt will ever be the lot of vice. However high in ftation ! If thou fear'ft The free reproach of independent Bards, Deferve it not. Thou murder'ft Cathmor's fame ! When laid in earth, they'll fay, " He fought "forCairbar!" No ( 294 No fong fhall rife, no tear fall o'er his tomb. CAIRBAR. t How beautiful, my brother, are thy viiv tues ! How foul my vices, when compar'd with them ? J5ut now, pofTefs'd of all ambition wiili'd, (Since Erin all from fea to fea is mine,) I will from henceforth ftrive to imitate, worth, and rife by virtuous deeds to fame. CATHMOR. I've little faith in this! Nathos advances With all his army ! Shall we wait him here .* Or fallying out attack him on the plain ? CAIRBAR. Here we will ftay to night : The cattle's ftrong. $ee if the gates be fhut, and guards prepared, [Exeunt Cathmor, Althan. CAIRBAR (alone.) in fpite of" me, his virtues I approve, And ( 195 ) And whilft with him in my refolves t'amend I almoft am fincere. But when he's gcne My own more profitable views return. When will thy foolifh virtues bring a crown? And yet they might ! He is belov'd by all ! And I am hated !- He has feen my aim ! How has it fail'd ! It was, it feems, too grofs Even to deceive his unfufpecling foul ! He's dangerous ? No peace I'll ever find, Till I am footh'd with Cathmor's funerat fong ! Enter Cathmor. CATHMOR. Old Colla with his daughter is without : He begs permiflion to convey the bodies Of his own fon, his king, and other nobles, With decent obfequies to humble tombs. CAIRBAR* Darthula too ? Yes, Cathmor, bring them in: Allure them of my real penitence ; Of Of lenient entertainment while they're here, And liberty at pleafure to depart. CATHMOR. And may I truft you are fincere in this ? CAIRBAR. Sincere, my brother, as I mean t' amend; [Exit Cathmor, fc AIR BAR (alone.) Good fortune pours on me! Darthula here. Where I am fovereign ? No ! I'll ufe no force! She muft defire to be fo great a queen ; And that may pleafe th' ambitious father too! They mufl not fee me in this bloody trim ! In fmootheft language I'll entreat them both. [Exit. Enter Colla, Darthula t dlthan. COLLA. Why did ye not, ye facred towers of Cor- mac, 297 ) "Fall on the murderer's heads ? "Were ye awake Avenging fpirits ? You who tempefts raife, And dart red thunder! ah ! had ye no pow'r To tear his limbs, and hurl his curfed foul Into the darkeft dungeon of defpair? ALTHAN. Why enters Colla thefe unhappy gates ! COLLA. Althan ! How did the villain pity thee? Did he not pity Fruthil too and Cormac ? Did he relent ? and are they yet in life? ALTHAN. Why came you hither ? Your own life's in danger. COLLA. My lif ! O 'tis too long ! For what great crimed Am I referv'd the laft of all my race ? Was it in light ? Had they the fliapes of men p p That t \f That killed fuch innocents? Didft thou behold it ? And did thine eyes not from their focket* v i - leap ? Ah! how could'ft thou fupport a fight fa {hocking ? ALTHAN. Two of his ruffians held me in the cham- ber, A forc'd fpeclator of the bafeft murder That e'er difgrac'd the chronicles of men. COLLA. Defcribe it black in all its mocking hor- rors! And let my foul's high indignation fwell, ''Till thefe old heart-ltrings with the paflion break ! ALTHAN. This villain, who did never any act But by fome fordid flratagem, in hafce, As if purfu'd, with all his army fought A A refuge for the vanquiih'd troops of Nathos. We let him in, tho' loud the ravens croak'd, And howling dogs beheld the trembling ghofts, That came with fhrieks to warn us of woe. But fee he comes, DARTHULA. Where mail I fly from him ? Conduct me, Althan, where the haplefs boys Yet ghaftly in their wounds all bloody lie. ALTHAN. Ah, Lady, 'tis a fight of frightful horror ! DARTHULA, "Tis not fo frightful as the fight of Cairbar, [Exeunt Darthula and jilt ban. P p 2, Colla Colla and Cairbar. COLLA. Come Cairbar ! Murderer come ! Here is a breaft "Will thank the friendly arm that pierces it ! CAIRBAR. Nothing has Colla t' apprehend from me ! Nothing but good mean I to thee and thine ! I've long efteem'd thy merit, long defir'd To be inroll'd among the happy number Of Colla's friends. COLLA. What ? Comes the carion-crow ? In blood of the devoured lamb befmear'd, With mow of friendship, to decoy the dame ? CAIRBAR. Here I am King, and can command thy death! COLLA. COLLA. That here thou'rt King is worfe to me than death ! CAIRBAR. I wim'd to be a King for Colla's fake ! \That he might mare with me the fovereign pow'r. I wim'd for empire, that I might appear More worthy of the love of fair Darthula. COLLA. Mofl likely means to win a virgin's love ! Go, warm in Fruthil's blood, and woe his fitter! Vaunt of thy valour, that could, unprovok'd, Butcher defencelefs infants ! Shew the fpoils Stol'n from Temora's (lores, and tell her, thefe Have made thee worthy of Darthula's love ! CAIRBAR. Was thy fon there? Oh my unlucky arm! Forgive Forgive me, Colla ! No ! I knew him In that occafion which ambition found To attain that empire I fo ardent wifii'd. COI.LA. Ambition ! Wretch ! It was thy avarice, .... r The lucre, not the glory of a crown, Tempted thy little foul to fuch a crime ! Ambition never kept fo foul a feat As thy baie heart. CAIRBAR. No matter what it was. - - You and your daughter both are in my pow'r. Do you confent that me mall be my Queen? COLLA. No ! - Colla's blood fhall never mix with Cairbar's. CAIRBAR. What ! Would not Cairbar's blood ennoble. Colla's! My fathers long have fill'd Alnecma's throne, And ( 33 ) And made your monarchs of the north tfc tremble. COLLA. I knew thy father well ! Fierce Borbur- duthil, Like thee, delighted in the bloody field, When feeble foes with little danger fell. But he had pride, and never would have ftoop'd To fuch degrading deeds of infamy. If Cairbar's brood degenerate as much, They'll foon depopulate the living world. CAIRBAR. Guards ! Take this ill-tongu'd traitor from my fight; And let him in fome vault unheeded rail. COLLA, (drawing hisfivord.) I've feen the day ! But twenty years ago, All thefehad fled like herds of timorous deer. Revenge, Revenge, give vigour ! [Attacking Cairbar, and is unarmed* Curfe my feeble limbs ! Had thefe obey'd the impulfe of my foul, His hated blood had now fmoak'd on the pavement ; And peftilence, fprung from the filthy fleams, Had wafted half the world. Slaves ! take me herice ! [Exit guarded, CAIRBAK, (alone.) Enlarg'd dominion, wealth, and pow'r in- creas'd, j.0 ( I find have only brought me more contempt. 'Tis true, I am a villain, and deferve not Real refpecl : But fuch have found it ftia- dowed In th' adulation of mens hopes and fears. I know this makes me not more amiable In female eyes. But there are many, Who, for difTembled homage, forc'd refpe<5t, And all th' external pageantry of (late, Would mare with me thefe inward pangs of confcience, Darthula ( 305 ) Darthula may be one of thofe ! I'll try it ! Oh ! {he deferves the greateft monarch's love t Enter Darthula. DARTHULA. My father bound ! Thou murderer of my brother ! Thou wilt not kill my aged father too ! CAIRBAR. No violence to Colla or to thee Do I intend. The old man wasincens'd. I but fecur'd him by a fhort confinement, Until his dangerous frenzy mail fubfide. But how mall I with love accoft Darthula, Whom I have injur'd thus * Oh, blinded eyes ! Could ye not in her brother's features fee Some fweet refemblance of Darthula's charms ! Charms, that through night's obfcurity might fend Meridian luftre ! Ah could Cairbar's tears Recal him back to lifel Thefe tears fhould flow Till Till Cairbar wafted in the bitter flood !' DARTHULA. This grief fictitious y thefe diflembled tears, Thefe fighs conftrain'd, and this pretended fawning, Can ne'er impoie on me ; for through them all I fee thy little foul ftill brooding o'er Its wonted murders, rapine, and deceit. CAIRBAR. Miftaken, cruel fair one ! Could'ft tliou fee My foul aright, thou'd'ft fee rt all contrition; All chang'd to pity, foften'd and prepared To be new modell'd by Darthula's will ! For day and night I've conftant figh'd for thee, Since firft I faw thee ! O the fweet remem- brance t 'Twas when Alnecma once with Ullin met In peaceful fports, to try their heroes flrength. The plain was circled by a ring of beauty, Like that which oft arrays the Ihowery fphere : Thou, like the fun gav'ft luftre to the whole; In youthful charms bright as the morning fun, When 37 When firft he fmiles upon the fettled lake ! When firft the riling fifties leap for joy, And birds on bordering bufties fweetly fing. On thee engaging champions caft their eyes, And felt new vigour from th' infpiring view; Their looks on thee the bards tranfported fix'd; And when they fhould have fung the conque- ror's praife, Their erring tongues pronounc'd Selama's maid. Love's flames fince that time in my bofom burn'd. ! be the Queen of Erin and of Cairbar ! DARTHULA. Sooner I'd leap into the angry mouths Of bears or wolves. I'd fooner meet grim death In the moft dreadful form e'er terror fancy 'd. CAIRBAR. I like no bear or wolf purfue to tear thee! J woe thee gently to thy happinefs. .' ' '>_ ~-^'~f.:: 'jr.'* '. PAR- DARTHULA. Like bear or wolf! Like Cairbar! That is worfe. They fpare the young of their peculiar kinds ; But he's a monfter of fome new fierce kind, Which nature knows not yet, and has not nam'd. CAIRBAR. Blufhing, I own I have too long been fuch. Chang'd by my love, I'm now all gentlenefs : My melting heart expands itfelf to thee, And would inclofe thee in its inmoft folds. As the fun's warmth firft forms the fwelling buds, Then makes the fragrant blofToms of the fpring, With heat accumulated, grow to fruit ; So mall my love DARTHULA. Peace, vile diflembler ! Peace ! The fierceft tempeft of the frozen North Ne'er made fuch havoc on the blooming fpring, As As thou haft done on Erin's richeft bloflbms. Hear me, departed fpirits of my brothers 1 If I confent to love your murderer, That inftant fend me fome more torturing death, Than mortals know ; and when my body's cold, Defpife my fpirit; fpurn it far from you, To howl with the opprefTors of mankind, Who on each other in grim Torture's cave Practife the dreadful parts they play'd in life ! CAIRBAR. Yet, yet relent! Think what is in my pow'r ! To make thee Queen df this extenfive ifle, Or make thee prifoner, and take by force- Why this intrufion ? Enter Cathmor. CATHMOR. Wherefore am I made The fliameful inftrument of your deceit ? You You made me now affure them, ere they en-. tered, Of gentle treatment while they tarried here, And liberty at pleafure to depart. Yet Colla you have made a prifoner ; And in the lady's face I read diftrefs I CAIRBAR. I am thy King. CATHMOR. Thou art my brother too. But make me not forget that double bond. CAIRBAR. His boldnefs awes me. (afide^] - No my be(l of friends, No more fhallCairbar's conduct givethee pain. Go, fet old Colla free. - This fcornful fair, Safe in the flrength of her all-pow'rful charms, Needs nothing fear. In fofteft terms of love^ I woo'd her to be Erin's Queen and mine. CATHMOR. Nathos has fent a party, who demand The The bodies of th' unhappy youths, to lay Among their fathers, with th' accuftom'd rites. (That done, he'll meet thee on th' adjacent plain. To avenge, he fays, their deaths, or {hare their fates. CAIRBAR. The bodies let him have. Their fates he'll mare. And fo I'll tell him. Cathmor, follow me. [Exeunt Cairbar and Cathmor. DARTHULA, (alone.) Tremendous Pow'rs ! who fierce in hurri- canes, Or fwifter thunders, dart th' avenging ftroke ! Why is the foreft, or th' unfeeling rock Rent in your idle wrath, while Cairbar lives? Enter T '; . ( 31- Enter Colla. COLLA. Break! break? Wilt thou not break, my ftubborn heart? DARTHULA. What means my father ? COLLA. Wherefore have I IbW ^Wherefore, O wherefore, have I nV d to fee The iatl of all my fons borne to his grave ? DARTHULA. Ah! - -Are they gone? COLLA. Now they are carrying out. My King! My fon! How ghaftly in their wounds ! And of brave youths untimely flam, befides, More ( 313 ) More thn enough to break the hardeft heart, Although no fon of mine, or King, were there: Yet mine breaks not. DARTHULA. Let us go hence, my father, COLLA. X ,.. 1 Yes ; we will follow the fad fpeftacle, And leave this difmal, now detefted place. Once happy feat of royal dignity, Art thou become the naufeous den of mur- der? [Going, they arejlopt by a guard. CUARD. t am commanded to detain you here. DARTHULA. 'tis as I fear'd ! He will not let us go, COLLA. He by our danger will reftrain the rage t Rr Of ( 314 ) Of iuch as would revenge the death of Cor- mac. DARTHULA. Our danger ! O, my father ! great our o danger. Enter Cairbar, COLLA. Tyrant I What is thy bloody purpofe now? CAIRBAR. I & Much I repent me of the blood I've fhed 3 But hope to be compelled to fhed no more. If Colla, yet rejoicing long in life, Would fee his daughter Erin's happy Queen- If thou would'fl fmile in thy departing hour, To think that Princes mail defcend of thee ; Solicit her t' accept my offer'd love. -* s .. :. - . -'. COLLA. Behold a father on his bended knee, To entreat his daughter. 0AR- ( -3*5 ) DARTHULA. What can my father mean ? COLLA. By thy 'departed mother's fhade, whofc charms Now feem renew'd in thee ! By thofe dear {hades, That yet are hovering o'er their .bleeding limbs, New borne to burial ! I conjure thee DARTHULA. What? COLLA. IDefpife the murderer ! Scorn all fhame- ful greatnefs ! Thou know'ft me not, if thou haft any fears. R r 2 COLLA. C 316 ) 03011 btei COLLA. 0\ 3 WJ TA,-, I fear not that his greatnefs, or his love, Dilplay'd with all his art, fhall ever find A traitor weaknefs in my daughter's heart. But mould he with his wonted rigour threat This hoary fiead; refufe, and let me die ! CAIRBAR. Then die thou muft. Ha! Can I be re - fus'd Where all is in my pow*r ?.. DARTHULA. My life's in mine ! My father rife ! Why didft thou kneel to> pray To her thou may'ft command ? COLLA. I've more to beg ! Should kg .compel thee to his hated bed, Let never flt^p or flumber fhut thine eye, Till, infome Jieedlefs hour, thou make his blood * " Attone ( ,317 ) Attone for murder'd Fruthil's, and thy King's. C A I R B A R, (putting his hand to hisfword.) - jv^*- ', /' * //' " Ha ! Suffer this ! Old traitor, doft thou hatch **' ' " Thy dangerous treafons in a Sovereign's hear- ing? No ! I'll be merciful ! - Go : Take him. hence ! And in fome ftrong. apartment fhut him up. Tear me, thou tyrant ! tear me limb froin. limb : But from my dear, dear daughter drag me not, [He is forced out. DARTHULA. Let me. be laid with him in fome dark vault ; And let us die together far from thee. ( 3*8 ) CAIRBAR. No ! This apartment, Lady, is thine own. Qr, when thou pleafeft, walk through all thi$_ court. Hear this you guards ! Still keep within her fight. Enter jlhhan. ALTHAN. Wilt thou confine the Lady I CAIRBAR. Worthy bard, Stay thou with her. If by thy foftening arts Of mufic, thou canft footheher cruel heart, Thou (halt be firfl of all the bards of Erin. ALTHAN. Not from the favour of a tyrant comes The bard's pre-eminence. The tuneful pow'rs Diftinguifli them. Men yet unborn may glow With With Althan's fong : But none mall ever He flatter'd vice, tho' crown'd with bound- [ le& pow'r. * CAIRBAR. Then ftarve on airy fame, thou whining fool! In manlier founds thus Cairbar {ings his love : I give thee yet an hour to think of it. If then thou ftill refufe to be my Queen, Thy father, that old ftubborn fool mall die. I'll cut his gray head from his {looping moul- ders. And when thou haft beheld the dreadful fc'ene, Force {hall procure what is deny'd to love. [Exit, Daftbula, Althan^ Guards. DARTHULA. Thou monfter ! Force ? O had he threat- ned death,-' ( 320 ) I could have fmiTd at the uplifted fword, Receiv'd its fall without a dying groan, And gone a joyful ghoft to meet my bro- thers. Within an hour ! Thefe guards, thefe guards oppofe. AtTHAN. " : I Aye, they prevent it: Elfe I could thee lead Without his pow'r. DARTHULA. Q tell me, Althan, how. . To leap from th* higheft of this cattle's walb, Into its deepeft ditch, and fink in mud, Compos'd of filth and putrid carcafes, Were far lefs horrible than flaying here. ALTHAN, Some lucky moment we perhaps may find. When they fhall in their vigilance relax. DARTHULA. And is it but perhaps ? Our time runs on ! Sterri Stern perpetrators of his cruelties, Whofe fwords are reeking yet with childrens \rblood ! To murder me would mow fome pity in you. If any iiore humane. But Cathmore conies. Cathmor is merciful ! He'll give me. death ! Enter Cathmor. ?3U3 JDjujO2 . . ., Does Cathmor bear his brothers harfh com- mands, To aggravate my fbrrows ? /.woil ,n,;:iv~ i CATHMOR. , 4 eusv/ 8 shi.;? No, Darthula! I fympathize with thee in all thy forrows, And hate, : like 'thee, my brother's fliameful deeds. Before you entered thefe unhappy gates, He made me pledge my honour for your fafety. Though he meant to deceive, I was fincere ; And ftill look on myfelf as bound to" exert My power to fruftrate his bafe ftratagems. Ss DARTHULA. Vile and contemptible mankind would be, Were all like Cairbar ! But the few like Cath- T mor Still make us of our general nature proud. Moft generous friend of men ! thy chiefeft joy Is ftill in actions of benevolence, Relieving the diftrefs'd of every kind ! Greater diftrefs ne'er flood before thee, Catli- mor ! Than now thou feeft. One hour, and that runs on, 'Twixt threatned force and murder ! Save, O fave rn,e ! CATHMOR. Point out fome way. By force I cannot now: And with his nature fupplication's vairt. DARTHULA. No fupplicadon can have weight with him! He knows no love, no pity, no remorfe, None of th' affections that the virtuous feel. For hatred, envy, malice, and revenge,. With falfehood, avarice, and cruelty, Are all th' ingredients of his dark'ned foul. CATHMOR. Canft thou, O reverend bard, devife no means I ALTHAN. I know a paffage, and 'tis known to few, By which, but for thefc guards, we might efcape. DARTHULA. Their orders are, ne'er to lofe fight of us. And could I leave my poor old father here ? ALTHAN. If there's a meiTenger that you could truft, This way he might bring Nathos in with force, S s 2 That ( 324. ) That by furprize could drive out Cairbar's troops. CATHMOR. I've no fuch meflenger ! No friend of mine Whom I could truft, has entred yet thefe walls. Important is the truft ! DARTHULA. Our time is iliort ! CATHMOR, But this attempt were to betray my bro- ther, Elfe would I be this meflenger myfelf. DARTHULA. Does fuch a brother merit Cathmor's love? Then love thy brother, and prevent his fhame ! And O remember, that our little hour Is almoft half expir'd ! CATHMOR. CATHMOR. There is no way To fave yon, but by bringing Nathos in : And his refentnient would not ipare my bro-i ther. DARTHULA. Yes ! he will fpare him for brave Cath- mor's fake. Make thefe conditions with him firft. CATHMOR. I will. Where is this pafTage ? Under ground, I hope, ALTHAN. In yonder vault, whofe entrance fronts us here, You near the middle of the floor will find A ring. That pulls a trap door up. Go down. The way is fmooth and eafy. Four in rank, Marching upright, may carry all their arms. DAR- C 3*6 ) DARTHULA. O generous Cathmor, fly with fwiftell fpeed, Left Cairbar come, and blaft our new-fprung hopes : As frofl the forward bud which comes too< early, With the deceitful warmth of winter funs. CATHMOR. If Cairbar come, feem to confent to love, him; Or make excufes for fome fhort delay. PARTHULA. Seem to confent ! - I'm yet untaught to feem. looks with falfehood never will accord. My tongue, as yet unpracHs'd in deceit, \Vill, fault'ring, all the blamelefs fraud be r tray. By fair refiftance may I not evade him, Till ill Nathos c6me ? ALTHAN. , Ty ;>-- Then will he kill thy father 4 . % . DARTHULA. had I never been, or dy'd a child, My father thou hadfl liv'd in fafety now ! In half an hour ! Muft I be forc'd to fee My venerable father dragg'd to death ? He threat'ned worfe ! Diftradlion! Never, never ! With my own hand I'll liberate my foul! ALTHAN. Hope flill the bed! Cathmor is fwift of foot. He'll run with fpeed, and Nathos will re- turn Upon love's fwifteft wings to fave Darthula. PAR- DARTHULA. Soon he may come too late ! ALTHAN. O'ercome your fears, And go within ; left in your anxious looks Thefe prying guards find matter of fufpi- ciqn, [Exeunt. END OF THE SECOND ACT. CHORUS tl SCENE, A burying place near Nathos' army,. NATHOS, OFFICERS, BARDS, MUSICIANS. L I. JL AREWELL ! Alas ! a long farewell* Too tender tenants of a tomb ! By murder's ftern commands ye fell ; Fell ere your lives had reach'd their bloom* How favage he who fo commands ! And cruel, cruel they, Whofe harden'd hearts allow their hands, Such ftern commands to obey ! Now, lifelefs, breathlefs, cold, Laid low beneath the mold, In the damp ground, Ye ileep profound : T t While C 330 ) While bufy life is buftling round, And fears and fell remorfe the murderers wound, Here your fair limbs muft now decay, ! And all remembrance of you fade away. II. Yet many long, with heart-fprung tears^ Unhappy Cormac's fate (hall mourn, And long lament the little Peers That were about, his reign t' adorn. Your mournful fathers long for you Shall heave the fecret figh; And long your mother's tears bedew The pillows where they lie. Oft hither mail repair The little virgins fair, Their griefs to {hew, And round you ftrew The fweeteft flowers their fancies know, While down their lovely cheeks the bitter tor- rents flow ; And every little bofom heaves, To fee their brothers, or young lovers graves. III. But ( 331 ) III. $ut raife, bled fouls, your fpiritual eyes ! Behold the wonders of the fkies ! The fpirits of your grandfires old, Although we cannot, ye behold ! Thofe fpirits kind, that wont erewhile, On all your little plays to fmile ; That lately at your murder frown 'd, That groan'd and wept at ev'ry wound : Affembled by your fing'lar fate, Now all in fmiles around you wait. They wait, till they have heard our fong, To lead your tim'rous fouls along. To teach you on new wings to fly Through the new pleafures of the iky. Faint is their voice ! It founds too low For a grofs mortal ear ; But fp'ritual language now ye know ; Now ye thefe friendly greetings hear : IV. " Welcome ev*ry gentle fhade, " Welcome here to better life ! T t 2 " Ye '( 33* ) * 4 Ye leave the world ; but are ye therefore. "fad? 1 Ye leave much anguifh, terror, envy, flrife! ;t Fear no more the murderer's blow ! " Sorrows ye no more mall know. " On generous fouls we ever fmile, " And lead them to fublimefl ioys ; " But fordid minds, whom cruel deeds defile, " \Ve all contend to humble and defpife. *' If ye bring with you inward peace j " Everlafting is your blifs ! " In youth's mod pleafa'nt playful days, " With health and vigour ye arrive ; " To health more certain, to more pleafant " plays, ^ And never-ending youth ye now revive ! " Rife, happy fpirits ! chearful rife, ^ To mofl fublime etherial joys ! V. " Does Cormac all his courtiers bring, " His life's companions in his train ? " Moft happy courtiers ! happy King ! " Begin, begin your happy reign ! "No ( 333 ) ' No wrangling jealous fear, '* No envying even of fav'rites here ! ;< But ev'ry mind ferene, and ev'ry confcience " clear ! VI. " Behold the joys fublime of light ! " Behold thefe cloud-form'd deeds, with " wings of wind ; " With all the rainbow's colours bright! " Swift as the quick emotions of the mind ! " Our thoughts at once rife to the moon! *' Thofe little airy fteeds can thither fly as " foon ! " D've choofe the chace ? or mimic war ? j " On thefe you'll bound from ftar to ftar ! *' Would ye fee whence fpringsthe foremoftray *' Of morning light ? " Or the dark cave where refls by day, " The gloomy night ? " On thefe o'er earth, o'er feas, o'er ether " foar, *' All nature's wondrous myfteries at once ex- " plore ! VII. " But ( 334 ) VII. " But if it more ftiall plcaie " To vifit earth below ; " Your mournful parents hearts to eafe " Of wafting wpe : {' Gently, gently on their {lumbers fteal j " Difturb them not with fudden fcreams" t *' But in foftly-foothing dreams, ** Their bleeding forrows heal. VUL " If ye fometimes wifh in your wrath t; Due vengeance for your wrongs t6 find, tt Wifii not for the curs'd murderer's death ; " But view his tortur'd mind ! "See, for ye now can fee it plain, V What phantoms rack the guilty brain *;> f " Short fleeps ! dire dreams ! He ftarts, he '*' wakes ! < He at imagined horror makes ! *' Remorfe and never-cealing fear ^ Engender ftill frelh pois'nous. fnakes, " His confcious bread to tear ! "Bv 4 By tortur'd mortals pangs fevere are feltt " But there's no torture like the fling of guilt." Enter Cathmor haftily. CATHMOR. Th* importance of my meflage will excufc ine, For interrupting thus your pious rites ! O Nathos, hear! Meantime caufe light fomfe torches. {Cathmor and Nathos 'walk afide, 'while the Chorus goes off /ing ing.) CHORUS. Forever ! ever ! O farewell ! Forever, dearefi youths, adieu ! Yet future bards your fates may tell^ And future mourners weep for you ! Forever, O adieu ! [ExeuntCborus. Manent ( 336 ) Mancnt Ca:bmor, Nathos, Officers. CATHMOR. I know he will not fight thee. 'Tis agreed That he fliall go in fafety with his troops. NATHOS. Not one fliall fall, if they make no refill- ance. O my Darthula ! what thou fuffer'ft now ! My Caledonians only follow me. Four men in rank. One torch rmift go before, Difpofe the reft fo as t' enlight the whole ! [Exit 'with Cathmorfoldiers bearing torches. Remain fame Erinidn officers. FIRST OFFICER. ^ His Caledonians ! So ! 'Tis manifeft We are not trufted by our foreign chief! SECOND OFFICER. A fmooth-fac'd boy to lead fuch veteran warriors. [ Exeunt. ACT; ( 337 ) ACT III. Scene within the Caftle, as before. Cairbar meeting an Officer* OFFICER. C' ATHMOR we cannot find. CAIRBAR. Search all the apartments. X,aft night he watch'd ; was much fatigu'd to- day, And now perhaps he is retir'd to reft, Were I affur'd that he would ne'er be found, 'Twould give me little fbrrow. But I fear We foon mall find him with our enemy, And thither all our force will follow him, I am no king while this fmooth Cathmor lives ! Who faw my brother laft ? U U OFFICER OFFICER ON GUARD. I faw him lately Converting with the mourning lady here. 'Twas when you left her. Both appear 'd di turb'd, She with her fears, and he with fympathy. Their conference was fhort; but it feem'd earneft. I flood too far remote to hear their words. CAIRBAR. What ! is Darthula gone along with him ? OFFICER. As you commanded, we kept fight of her; Nor has me yet from this apartment ftirr'd. --*--:- "'*""' 9&.'\ r $$tt% '#&>& it* CAIRBAR. And if fhe be not there, woe to thy life ! I'll inftantly be fatisfy'd of this. [Opening the door. DAR- ( 339 ) DARTHULA, (rujhingoutinfcar.) What would'ft thou now ? The time is not expif'd. CAIRBAR^ (after apaufe.} Be all the guards, be^ev'ry fentinel This inftant chang'd ; the gates keep ftrongly fhut. On no pretence let any pafs by them. There's treafon hatching ! But I'll fcarch it out. [Exit. Dartbula, Althait. DARTHULA. Confcious of what his horrid deeds deferve. He fees th' avenging fword in ev'ry fhadow. But, anxious in fufpicion, he will fearch. If he difcover it, where are our hopes ? ALTHAN. To C 34 ) To ftrive fuch apprehenfions to fupprefs. For, be aflur'd, his art will work on thefe, And, feigning information, make thee fpeak In terror, what thy prudence would conceal. DARTHULA. He comes ! The monfler ! ALTHAN. s Labour to diflemble Thy ftrong averfion. O pretend compli- ance. Enter Cairbar. CAIRBAR, (to hlmfdf.') 'Tis certain Cathmor's not within thefe walls. As certain 'tis he pafs'd not by the gate. It follows then, he found fome fecret way, Which none but Althan could direct him to, ALTHAN. Is Cathmor gone? Would we were gone with him ! His His cruelty is now without reftraint. CAIRBAR. Is this thy way, thou virtuous feeming bard! Thou hoary hypocrite ! Is this thy way ? Does it conform with that philofophy Profefs'd by thee, to injure and betray A King who gave thee life and liberty ? ALTHAN. I thank not thee, but Cathmor for my life. And where's the liberty thou boaft'ft of giv- ing? Am I not Hill thy prifoner confin'd ? W T hen was it in my pow'r to injure thee ? r\for were it treafon ! When did I profefs To be thy friend? Yet I've befriended J thee. Thefe guards cafi vouch it ; fmce you left us here, I have not from Darthula's pretence ftirr'd. I've counfel'd her, that the moft prudent flep Were to be more compliable to thee. CAIR- ( 342 ) CAIRBAR. and thy counfels I confide not in ! Vain are thofe arts : For I am well informed Of all your plots. I know my brother's gone To bring in Nathos by a fecret pafTage ! ALTHAN. Not long ago I faw brave Cathmor here. CAIRBAR. And then it was your treafons were con- triv'd. ALTHAN. Canft thou fufpecT: of treafon that brave Prince, Whofe only failing is his faithfulnefs To fuch a brother ? But if he has found A paflage, fuch as thou imagined, I hope that Colla's faf e along with him, CAIRBAR. Ha ! Colla gone ? 'Tis not improbable ! Let C 343 ) Let Colla be this inftant here produc'd. YOU ! : Carry this deceitful bard away. Let him be tortur'd to a full difcovery. \_A It ban led out. What, fair Darthula, haft thou now refolv'd? More than the time allow 'd thee is elaps'd; And I impatient wait to hear my doom. I hope you profited by Althan's counfel ; And find it now moft prudent to comply, DARTHULA. That 'tis moft prudent, all, my Lord, a- gree. And were I fure that you was really chang'd, As late you faid, to gentle and humane But of that change 110 fymptoms can I fee, In your commanding thus a poor old bard. To be tormented, almoft in my fight. CAIRBAR. Kings, the moft merciful, are oft con- ftrain'd To guard themfelvcs by fuch feverities ; And C 344 ) And prudent Princes never pardon treafon. DARTHULA. True ; when their treafons are made ma~ nifeft. But thus to punim on a bare fufpicion Is liker far the tyrant than the king. CAIRBAR. Though fair thy perfon, fairer is thy mind t Henceforth in virtue will I rival thee ! Go, flop the tort'ring of the poor old bard ! [ sifi de to meffenger. But let him in a prifon be fecur'd. ; Hence fee the influence of thy pow'r on me ! Let me but know thy pleafure, and 'tis done I O take, and make of me whate'er thou wilt, DARTHULA. Thus to command a King, who governs many, To my ambition is mod flattering. But th' approbation of a father ftill Js wanting to confirm me. ( 343 ) CAIRBAR. Lo ! he comes ! I leave thee with him.- Labour to appeafe His juft refentment. Thou may'fl well allure him, That his advice mall all my actions fway. (To Colla as he is entering.) Colla, thou art a prifoner now no more. [Exit. Colla and Darthula. COLLA. My dear, dear daughter ! Do I find thee fafe? No more a prifoner ? What means the tyrant? Dungeons and death were welcomer to me Than any favours Cairbar can confer. DARTHULA. As foon as you was dragg'd away from us. Xx I ( 346 ) I flill perfifting to defpife his love, Jle threatened ' O my father! what he threaten'd ! To cut thy gray head from thy reverend moulders ! - And then by violence to ruin me. COLLA. 'Tis time that this old head were laid in dull. But, violence! -What! Violence to thee! DARTHULA. One hour he only gave to think of this. Diftracted, defperate, and perplex'd, I fought Ev'n with my being to conclude my troubles. Meanwhile the noble, generous Cathmor came With foft companion melting in his eye, Said that he felt my forrows, he had pledg'd His honour for our fafe departure hence, And would effecT: it, mould it coft his life. He's gone to bring in Nathos, by a cave "Which reaches from this caflle to the wood. Cairbar foon mifs'd his brother. Hither he came, With 347 , With jealous apprehenfions agitate. ' Sufpedting all our plot, he prefs'd me hard.~ I've done what thou, I fear, wilt not approve* COLLA. What haft thou done ? DARTHULA. Dear is thy life to me! COLLA. O my Darthula ! fee the rueful marks Of time's deftrudlive hand on this old carcafe ! This breathing corfe, this wafted fkeleton ! This poor incumbrance of a bufy world! This wither'd arm behold! unftrung its nerves* And loofe its joints, it quivers in the breeze! What haft thou done for fuch a worthlefs life? DARTHULA; Cathmor and Althan both advis'd me % COLLA; What? j X 2 PAR- DARTHULA. That I, difguifmg my diflike of him. Should feign compliance, to procure delay. I put him off with waiting your confent. Your juft refentment, therefore, Oreftrain! And for a fhort time ufe dimmulation . r COLLA. Dimmulation ! 1 deteft and loath it !- Deceit dwells not in truly noble breads ! That foul criterion of the groveling foul Was ever the mod defpicable of vices ; And now by Cairbar's practice 'tis more vile! Sufpedl not that I mean to juftify What thou condemn'ft : But fure if ever caufe Could vindicate fuch practice, it is ours. 'Tis for our fafety indifpenfible. 'Twas ever meritorious to defeat By any meafures fuch vile purpofes ! *T\vas ever juft to turn againft our foes Such weapons as they ufe for our deftruclion, COL- ( 349 j COLLA. In thefe old days mutt I be forc'd to wield A weapon which I never us'd in youth? Severe neceflity ! Nor is fuccefs From thence aflur'd. Soon will the tyrant come. Didft thou not fay, that he fufpects the plot? Then jealoufy will ftimulate him t' efTay If we're fincere in our intent, by urging Th' immediate finifhing of what is fought. In your refufal he difcovers all ! Provok'd he rages ! Cathmor is not here! Cathmor alone reftrains his violence ! His violence ! What will Darthula do ? My comfort is, that I mall firft be dead. But thou haft no alternative. DARTHULA. This dagger, This fhall at leaft preferve me from the worft! COL- { 350 J COLLA. *Tis what I wilh'd. Yet when proposed by thee, father's tender heart almoft relents, And would difTuade thee from it! O my child! In thee are all my hopes, and all my fears ! Be not too hafty in this defperate act ! For with thee perifh all the, race of Colla ! But perifh Colla ! periih Collars race ! Darthula, never turn from honour's paths ! DARTHULA. But what, my father! will become of thee When I, the laft of all thy race, mall fall? COLLA* Think not of me. I will not long fur- vive; But in foft melancholy calmly fink, Reflecting on my children gone before ! fcAR- DARTHULA. Ha! See Jie comes! Ye pow'rs that guard the good, Protedl us ! Save us from this murderer ! ?.7'i fit L.r >' rffep ,vrft t'Vi^ioT Enter Cairbar. i f * ' . ' "* > - * * *-r . / " * ..* c A I R B A R , (To his foldiers as he advances. ) I i.J^-i fUETW 1". ' 'j\' ' j-J'C*.': . x 'Tis pad a doubt ! There is a fecret paf- fage; And you mufl find it. Make a ilridley fearch. I f.O^^vl'/l' >f.; !jj. . '("} ' . t f ilh' '-I (To himfelfj To flop the torturing of yon cunning bard Was not fo fafe '.From him we mufl extort They will attempt, if they are in the plot, T* amufe me for a time with feign'd afTent. If any man out-do me in deceit, He muft have more dexterity than Colla. - - 4 (T, ( 352 ) (To them.) , . r Confcious of my unwpr thine is, I fear, And tremble, while I come t'. enquire my doom! Forgive me, Colla ! You behold in me An object more of pity than refentment. For I, unhappy ! I have ever been, By blind, impetuous paffions oft impell'd T 1 offend the moft, where mod I wifh'd'tQ pleafe. x ^i 31jii>. The injuries, the heinous injuries So lately done to you, would I hadiuffer'd 1 I had not then this bitter anguifh feit. But could my all O could my life atone [ j * I'd now refign it at Darthula's feet ! DARTHULA. Refign thy lifer Alas! Could that a,- tone! A life of virtue, (fuch as you propofe) And generous actions, ufeful to mankind, Would beft compenfate former injuries. ( 353 ) CAIRBAR. 'Tis true ! My death would fruftrate mv '. . * intention Of making an atonement more compleat, By dedicating all my future life To Colla's will, and fair Darthula's pleafure. In ages yet to come mall Erin blefs The happy reign of Cairbar's virtuous Queen. For thou malt govern me, and all my actions. The virtuous, brought from their obfcure re- treats, Shall hine, as they deferve, with eminence. While vice, difgrac'd, mall fkulk in vile con- tempt, Or be dragg'd out to fuffef what he merits. COLLA. Such kings have been in Erin ! But. Alas ! CAIRBAR. Why that Alas ? t)oft thou miftruft me, Colla? Ah! ( 3*4 ) Ah ! Shall I never win thy confidence? COLLA. Believe me, Sir, I'd wifli to fee thee virtu-* ous ! But cannot now expect to- live fo long ! CAIRBAR. Colla ! Colla ! Wilt thou ne'er forgive me? Oh ! canft thou riot forget what I have done ? The thoughts of it now fill thefe eyes with tears, And make this breaft, thou think'fl fo fierce, to bleed ! Forget, forget it ! 1 will be thy fon ! I will obey and love thee like a fon, And be thy future comfort of thy age. COLLA. A fon of fo much pow'r would make me proud. The injuries, that cannot be redrefs'd, It is the part of prudence to forget. CAIR- ( 355 ) CAIRBAR. Thou anfwereft but in general fentences : Thou fay 'ft not yet, Darthula fhall be mine! COLLA. May {he be happy in her deftin'd Lord j Thou in thy Queen ! CAIRBAR. Still, ftill equivocal ! I fee their aim, and foon will difconcert it ! This unexpected happinefs quite, quite O'erpow'rs me! : It has almoft flruck me dumb! Darthula mine ! Come to thy lover's arms ! Thy happy, blefs'd, tranfported lover's arms ! And let us now to immediate joys retire. COLLA. Check thy impatience ! There are previous forms : facred, neceffary vows of love, Yy 2 Of Of faithful, virtuous, honourable love, You mud fubmit to. fi-oT CAIRBAR. Forms for fettering fools ! But be it fo, fince it is Colla's will. (Aloud.} Let all our nobles, officers, and bards, Prepare to celebrate our inftant fpoufals, With banqueting, with fongs, and fhouts of j7* '\*\ -t^.-!ji 1 ' : . rf i:C"t- ' T ;-;3 iiiuTj t . '. pARTHULA. Not in this caflle ! where my brother fell j So lately fell, and fcarcely buried yet ! The laft of- Colla's fons ! At this fad time In this fad place, how could we relifh joy ? . Grant fome few days t' extenuate our grief; Then with becoming chearfulnefs I'll rife To the exalted ftate of Cairbar's Queen. CAIRBAR. What? for the ceremonious forms of grief- Shall C 357 ) Shall I forgo fuch joys, when in my pow'r ? No! Let us timely wife, be blefs'd to day ! To-morrow will be foon enough to mourn. DARTHULA. Stay, I conjure thee, Cairbar! yet forbear, Forbear a while. CAIRBAK. No ! Bid the ocean flop, In midft of its career, the flowing tide ! It will obey thee fooner than my love ! DARTHULA. It muft not be ! Not now. * CAIRBAR. irA ^Ullf t4> u~ . : , '. 'S, : ., ';-.'; d' Not now? It mall. * .' . '. i '* - Am I a king? and fhall I be controul'd? Think ye, that I perceive not your deceit? No rapturous wiihes tremble in your eyes; And if your bofom beat, it is with fear, Or hopes unfettled of your plot's fuccefs. I know your plots. 1 know my brother's gone To ( 3J8 ) To bring the Caledonian boy to kill me ! That flart confirms it all. You have con- fpir'd Againft my life ; and thereby forfeit yours ! You mall not die ! But let me not repeat My former threats. . 'Tis in your ppw'r to fhun them. DARTHULA. O grant me but one day ! one little day ! CAIRBAR. No ! Not a minute. Inftantly comply ; Or See the fword is drawn to finifli Colla. COLLA. Had Colla nothing worfe than death to fear, It would not pain him : But to leave my child At fuch a monger's mercy, forces tears From thefe old eyes, which have not often wept. CAIRBAR. Thy daughter's lo ve may yet prefer ve thy life. V DAR-r ( 359 ) DARTHULA. Thou might'ft have been belov'd, when thou didft feem Humane and generous, though 'twas all a- fum'd: But in this fierce, this dreadful attitude, Thou art deteflible! CAIRBAR. I am refolv'd. Yield thou this inftant willingly to love, And thou {halt be a Queen ! Refufe, and fend This fword to Colla's heart; and then expect What force may do. DARTHULA. I'll not furvive my father ! O {pare my father ! Spare that reverend head. CAIRBAR. Thou, thou thyfelf condemn'ft that head to death. And for a kingdom wilt not ranfom it. Now Now But 'tis fitter for a fervile hand. Here, guards ! difpatch this traitor fpeedily. (Shouts, warlike itiftruments.} (Soldiers fying.} FIRST SOLDIER, The enemy ! SECOND SOLDIER. The enemy 1 THIRD SOLDIER. Every vault pours out frefh numbers, Enter Nathos purfuing them off thcjiage -with hisfoldiers. CAIRBAR. Stand to your arms, ye flaves ! Why do ye fly? [Exit. (4 (As he is going, to Cathmor entering?) Thou haft betray'd me ! CATHMOR. And preferv'd thee too. *Tis now no time to (land: The gate is open'd* All rally on the plain beyond the caftle. (Shouts and warlike inftruments continued fonts* time.} Enter Nathos. NATHOS. Now is this caftle clear'd of murderers j And not a drop of murderers blood is fhed. CATHMOR. Is Cairbar gone ? NATHOS. Aye ! With the foremoft fle OME, Bards, in thoughts and numbers free, Unfetter'd all with fruitlefs flow'rs, Sing what we of the fight fhall fee, As prompted by the tuneful pow'rs. SECOND BARD, In nature's bold, but ready drains Let the unmeafur'd numbers flow, Varying with the various fcenes, That war fhall now prefent of blifs or woe, CHORUS. Come, Bards, in numbers bold and free, Prepare to fing the fcenes we fee 1 A a a THIRP ( 37 ) THIRD BARD. Collecting death, on either hand, In awful paufe both armies (land, Like two oppofing clouds that lowr Ready to difcharge their wrath, In rain, or hail's impetuous fhow'r, The thunder's rough tremenduous And flafh that fuddcn ftrikes with death, FOURTH BARD. Already the declining beams Saffron o'er the weftern ikies ; Gray mifts from the running ftreams, From the lakes and marfhes rife. CARRIL. Gray mifts to mortals thefe appear ! But, mortals, could ye fee aright, Ghofts of warriors mufter there, To behold the important fight. CHORUS. Glide flow, great ghofls, along the vale ! Or, hovering o'er their heads, behold Your 37 ' h - Your fons confirm each wond'rous tale, That ancient bards of you have told. FIFTH BARD. Colla to the deftin'd field Drives his lofty car. B, 6. Now he ftrikes his founding fhielcj ! B. 7. Now, now begins the war. B. 8. Both armies advancing with ardour en- gage. B. 9. The Demon of Battle has loos'd all his rage, B. I o. Stones, arrows, and javelins, darken the fky! B. 1 1 . Some wounded already are falling be- hind! B. 1 2. In vain they look forward ! Their weak- nefs they find. AIL But whence comes that forrowful cry ? B. 13. 'Twas from our own hoft ! B. 14. Some hero we've loft. B. 1 5. 'Tis Althos that falls to the ground. Ml. A hero we've loft : 'Tis Althos that lies on the ground ! Car. I'll view the nature of his wound, Chor. Ill-fated victim of the noble flame Deftrudlive only to the brave ! A a a 2 How ( 372 ) How many youths, like thee, purfuing fame, Have drop'd into a grave ? Yet Bards thy fame mall raife : For having fecn Thy manhood in thy early days, They'll guefs what thou mature hadft been, And fing thy praife. B. I. In fury the combatants clofe, With fword againft fword, and fpear a- gainft fpear. 5. 2. With pufhes and blows they each other oppofe, All aiming deflruclion and death at their foes. B. 3. What havoc ! What flaughter ! now yon- der, now here. B. 4. From the bloody ftreams, The fun's declining beams Rebound in horrid gleams ; B. . And through blood all the features of nature appear! B. 6. Rank drives on rank. B. 7 . ( 373 ) B.7- They fall, they die. B. 8. Their friends behold without a fighl B. 9. On heaps of flaughter riQng high, They fill the dangerous place. B. 10. But fbon, too loon, alas! Thofe warriors in thofe heaps may ly. B. 1 1 . Behold upon our right, ."Where Nathos leads the fight ; Like a river fwell'd with rain, That burfls the bounding banks, He breaks thro 1 hoftile ranks. B. 1 2. Thofe ranks give way! B. 13. They take to flight! p. 1 4. All fcatter'd o'er the plain, They fall at ev'ry blow! Chor. Rufh on! Strike home, till all be flain. End the war, and end o.ur woe! B. 15. Our left in confufion! Ml. They fly, they fly! Fall not in diforder! Recover the line! B. 1 6. Who makes all this havoc? B. 1 7. What warrior is he ? All. 'Tis Cathmor himfelf, or fome fpirit divine. Chor. Ceafe, friend of men! from flaughter ceafe! Can Cathmor be a cruel foe? Thou (374 ) Thou life, thou joy of all in peace! Canft thou in war bring death and woe? B. i. Colla, in his lofty car, Leading on a chofen band, Ruflies boldly through the war, To fuccour the flying. B. 2. They rally! B. 3. Theyftand! B. 4. They charge with new vigour again,. B. 5. They cover the plain With heaps newly flain ! j4ll. They are proud to fight under brave Colla's command. B. 6. Cathmor far from Colla keep j Unequal is the ftrife ! B. 7. Even thy own gallant heart would weep For ending fuch a life. B. 8. But Colla turn where late you led ; The main has now your abfence found. B. 9. With equal fate, while you was at their head, They fought and bled. But now they're lofing ground. B. I o. Faint and languid falls each ftroke. B. 1 1 . Support them, or they'll foon be broke, B. 12. C 37* ) B. 1 2. Is there no chief to chear ? B. 13. No fuccours near? Chor. Difmal is the face our fortunes wear. B. 14. But who comes over the height? B. 1 5. Impatience appears in his ftride. B. i. Already at the fight With fpirit now they fight. B. 2. Th 1 advantage appears on their fide. B. 3. 'Tis he that wields Cuchullin's fpear. B. 4. And who wields that, but Ufnoth's fon? B. 5. Conqueft he over their left has won. B. 6. He charges their main in flank and rear. B. 7. New courage returning, With new fury burning, Our friends lately fainting fight fiercely again. B. 8. While the foe all furrounded, Diforder'd, confounded, On every fide wounded, By hundreds are flain. Ckor. Difmay and terror, havoc, horror, Urging on their hurried flight; Crying, flying, groaning, dying, No hopes but in th' approaching night. ( 376 ) B. 9. Cathmor, ever truly great, Unchang'd by ev'ry change of fate, Draws off his conquering troops, to cover the retreat. B. 10. Backward he {lowly goes, Intrepid in the rear, Calmly repelling his purfuing foes. B. 1 1. Victorious fquadrons from his blows Recoil with fear. Chor. Powers benign! may never dart Strike him in a mortal part! Guard, O guard that generous heart, Which ev'n his foes revere! CARRIL. No longer fing ! Tis time to fearch the field, For wounded friends, who lying there in pain, Long for th* afliftance of our healing art. [Exeunt all but Carril. ACT Scene continues.* - The Evening, CARRIL, (atone.) JLS my old fight deceived by evening's dufk Or is it Colla comes fupported thus ? Enter Colla, carried byfoldiers, flop, my friends ! Here fet me fofdy down I- Fain would I fee my daughter ere I die; But find, this motion rankles fo my wound, That I mould die before I reach'd the cattle. Let lights be brought t' examine Colla 'a wound. B b b COLLA. No matter, Carril, what becomes of me! Your ikill maybe more ufefully employed: Here many vigorous lives you may preferve. CARRIL. Can I not yet preferve the life of Colla? COLLA. You fee how deep this arrow lodges here I With this my foul will ifTue forth, to greet The mighty fpirits in our fongs renown'd* CARRIL. The wound is mortal! COLLA, Short while it prevents The flow, but certain fap of wafting age ! Which every day was gaining on my vitals. CARRIL. Ah you had flrength to hold out many years ! ( 379 ) COLLA. 1 might have dragg'd with pain an ufelefs life, For a few tedious melancholy years! No joys had I in life ! Is this not better? Oh had I found the vengeance which I fought! And feen my child by Cairbar's death fecure, In clofing thefe old eyes I had rejoic'd, To die a foldier of unfpotted fame! CARRIL. If thou would'fl fee thy daughter, O fup- prefs paflion's inflammatory virulence, Which haflens on thy few remaining minutes, Enter Darthula and Althan. (With Ladies andfoldiers attending.) DARTHULA. Is that not he fo pale by yonder light! B b b 2 And And art thou dead before I could receive Thy lad fad counfel from thy dying lips? COLLA. No, my Darthula! flill thy father lives! He wiih'd to live till now, that he behold^ The fole furviving object of his care I DARTHULA. Carril! Althan! Can ye not prefenre c j rr > So dear a href CARRIE AND ALTHAN. 'TTis paft the ppw'r of art, DARTHULA. \Vhy do ye weep?- Ye have no caufe to weep ! Leave that to me! For I was born to mourn* COLLA. Weep not for me. Thy forrows, O my child, Give me more pain than does this outward wound* DAR- DARTHULA. Shall I not weep? Shall I not weep for thee? For thee, my father ? I alone am left pf all thy race? Shall I not mourn thy fall ? COLLA. Yes! thou of all my race art left alone.* That race, I hope, may yet revive in thee, Though I fhall never fee it, . But the pain s That more I feel than all my dying pangs, Proceeds from leaving thee fo unfecure. |f thou wert fafe beyond this murderer's reach, I'd go with pleafure to embrace the fhades Of all my family now waiting round me, If to be murder'd were the worft I fear'4, I would not grieve.-^ - In tranfports could I g Along with thee to join that happy group! But who fhall aid, protedt, or counfel me, When ( 382 ) When them art gone ? Advife me what to do, Whilft yet thou canfl advife ine ! That ad- vice Shall with my father's image ever b9 My boibm's deareft treafure. COLLA. Fly from hence : Here Cairbar is ; and here are many fuch Of fordid, felfifh, avaricious fouls, Who will by falfehood, ftratagem, or force* Attempt thy perfon for the large domains That now unhappily devolve to thee. Seek thy protection in a hufband's arms ! j * p " May he be loving, faithful, generous, brave ! Such Nathos is. In him thou mayll 4 " nde. : With him to Caledonia quickly fly ! May you be happy there ! O may the race Of old Selama fpring afrefh from you ! DARTHULA. Where, where is he ? Have not his wounds iucreas'd The dreadful deluge of this bloody field ? CA*- CARRIL. I hear his voice ! He comes from the put* fuit. NATHOS, (entering.) Though ev'ry where with ardour him I fought, !He no lefs anxioufly avoided me : And when his army broke, this boafting chief, This king of flaughterj with the fofemoft fled. Cathmor, who nobly fell into their rear And there with valour to be envy'd fought, Reflrain'd the progrefs of our firft purfuit ; Elfe had I fwam the flood, and climb'd the mountain, Chac'd him along the narrow precipice, Under the danger of the falling rocks, And to the whirlwind giv'n his howling ghoft. DARTHULA. O Nathos ! Nathos ! Coll* is no more i *** NATHOS, NATHOS. Alas, the good old chieftain ! who fo Brought honour's brightcfl wreaths from danger's field ! Who has in this his lateft day difplay'd A valour that made youth to wifli for years ! Sedate and temperate in the hottefl ftrife, He brought to my remembrance what I had heard Of that great Pow'r, which rides above the florin, Conducting calmly its deftruelive courfe ! And art thou gone ? COLLA. Am going faft, znyNathos! NATHOS. He fpeaks ! He knows me ! How is it with Colla ? COLLA. As with a foldier who has flruggled long With t 3*5 ) Vith all the hardihips of a diftant war, When from the neareft height he kens his home. NATHOS. / \ O victory too dear, that is acquir'd With fo much precious blood ! COLLA. Too much indeed ! My life is nothing ! It is more than ripe! But many blooming youths, with both thy brothers, Are in the blofibm of their vigour crop'd ! NATHOS. What both my brothers ! Ardan I faw fall* Ah! how fell Althos> COLLA. As the brave mould fall. He too impetuous hafted to the foe.- The hoftile archers mark'd his goodly mien. His manly valour with the danger grew! While yet I look'd at him, an arrow came C c c ( 336 ) And to the feather in his bofom funk. I drove to hide my grief Tfelt his death, As if another fon of mine had fallen. NATHOS. Shall my poor brothers never more return To fill their aged father's heart with joy I But joy no more (hall fill my father's heart : For never, never fhall his fons return ! Ufnoth has yet one worthy fon in thee ! O my Darthula ! foon thou'lt have no father! Thou haft no brother to protect thee now ! NATHOS. If I am worthy, think thou leav'fl in me A fon, who fhall revere thy memory ! Who all the affe&ion of a father, joinM To that of many brothers, mail exceed, For this dear maid j and with more zeal pro- tedl her. COLLA. I'm fatisfy'dj my fon ! Be kind to her ! DARTHULA. Alas! alas! Ho w weak thou grow'ft, my father ! COLLA. Oh ! Bear me to the tenr ! Farewell my Na- thos! - Now all that I pofTefs'd is thine ! NATHOS. Of that Parthula is by far the deareft part ! [Colla carried out, Darthula, Carril, Al- than following. BATHOS, (alone.} Like Colla let me live ! like Colla die ! Like him by every flep move to renown ! Not fade in fpirit when my limbs decay, But bravely meet, in arms, the fword of death. C c c 2 Enter 338 Enter Ufnoth attended, ' A USNOTH. My Nathos T NATHOS, Ha! -My father come ta Erinh USNOTH. Thy vidlory was the firfl happy news That I heard utter'd on th' Erinian fhore I It makes thy aged father's heart exult To fee this rifing fun of thy renown 1 NATHOS. Why has my father, in his hoary days, Refum'd the buckler, which he had refign'4 To ruft with thofe of his great anceftors. USNOTH. Since firfl we heard of brave Cuchullin's. death, Dire Dire apprehenfions have thy father t6rn ! *Tis faid no fenfe of honour e'er reftrain'd The cruel Cairbar from ungenerous plots : ; , That he, deceitful, waits in conftant anx- bum To feize th' advantage of unguarded hours. My arm, indeed, is now of fmall avail ! But I am old, and you are young in arms ! NATHOS. What army hail thou brought ? USNOTH. Our force is great. Fingal has fent before his chofen youths, Conducted by his grandfon valiant Ofcar. Himfelf is following with a greater force Of veteran troops, t' avenge the death of Cor- mac. NATHOS. And where is Ofcar ? USNOTH. landing now his troops In ( 39 ) In Tura ? s bay. The {hip that carried me, Complying with tli* impatience of my \viflies 8 Outfail'd the reft, and hurried me to joy. NATHOS. My good old father ! USNOTH. Ha ! Where are your brothers ? NATHOS. Alas ! my father ! - They in battle fell. What ! Both my younger boys ? You faid not both ! NATHOS. But both are (lain. - And here old Colla too! - USNOTH. What! Colla too? -My friend! and both nay fons ! NiS- C 391 ) NATHOS. Be comforted, my father ! USNOTH. O, my Nathos ! I am the father now of none but thee ! NATHOS. They fought like heroes ! They have fall'n renown'd ! USNOTH. I hope they have ! But many glorious years They might have fought, exalting their re- nown ! I, too indulgent to th' infatuate pray'rs Of youth precipitate, fent them to meet, Ere they had ilrength t* encounter, danger's grafp ! NAfHOS. Their valour merited a better fate ! ys- USNOTH. How fudden chang'd to mourning are the joys I felt at my firft landing on this coafl ! Among the flaughter'd bodies twice I {tum- bled ! In one I thought I faw my Ardan's fhapes ! Evening obfcur'd the face! 1 chid my heart For fuch a dire fuggeftion ! O, twas lie 1 A L THAN, (entering?} Colla's great fpirit is at laft at peace ! Darthula pours her pious forrow forth Upon the breathlefs body. USNOTH. O my friend ! NATHOS. My father, you muft fee this beauteous maid! Not more for beauty than for prudence fam'd, And ev'ry female virtue ! She alone Survives ( 393 ) Survives of Colla's lately numerous race. To me her father's dying breath bequeatVi her ; And ties of mutual love unite our hearts. USNOTH. .**r ft*. .- : 'Tis now no time t' intrude upon her for- rows. Enter Dermid. ^i'e^.;; : - DERM1D. Short way has Cairbar fled ! We fee their fires Now blazing on the height beyond the heath* KATHOS. To-morrow we'll diflodge him. v- PERMID. Has our chief, The ever-honour'd Ufnoth brought an army* USNOTH. A little army, Dermid, we have landed D d d C 394 > But Fingal, Morven's never-conquer'd King, Who, vigorous ftill, with locks as white a* mine, Makes, youthful fquadrons fly before his fword, Is landing now with a much greater force. DERM ID. Mofl grateful tidings ! For we n9w fuf- pecT: Some fecret treafon in th' Erinian troops. In bufy whifpers, cautiouily remov'd From Caledonian ears, their chiefs confer. NATHOS. Tis not improbable : Their King is flain, And Colla dead. Perhaps they grudge t'obey A foreigner's commands, and now confpire To rob me of my pow'r. DERMfD. Tis that we fear. NATHOS. Keep you ftricl watch to-night. r 3 DERMID. Moil needful 'tis ! [Exit, NATHOS. * < ' O j_ *' U ,1 ''!!. I have of late obferv'd a difcontent Among the veteran chiefs. Should they re- volt, Our force is nothing. Few our native troops: And ev'n of thofe the better part was left To garrifon the caftle of Temora. Qould not your army join with ours tonight? USNOTH. I will endeavour it. My chariot waits. I'll go to Ofcar, and will bring them hither With all the fpeed I can. Meanwhile fare- well. '[Exit. NATHOS. Thy being here, alas, my good old father! Is an addition to my former cares. D d d 2 Enter C 396 ) Enter Darthula. DARTHULA. Woe ftill fucceeds to woe: And forrowa have Mark'd ev'ry period of Darthula's life ! At haplefs Fruthil's birth my mother dy'd I One after one my gallant brothers fell ! The laft this morning !' And my father now \ My dear, dear father ! Shall thy words no^ more Appeafe my forrows, diflipate my fears, And%cengthen ev'ry virtue in my breail ? NATtfOS.. Mourn not for Colla !- He has but ex- chang'd A life of forrow for a life of blifs. A life he wifii'd for, of immortal youth, With all his family rejoicing round ! The only anguim now they feel, is that A daughter's and a fitter's forrow gives. DARTHULA. I know he's happy ! Know his prefence brings Incrcafe- ( 397 ) Increafe of pleafure to the realms of joy ! i But how can we, who have that prefence loft, Not feel our Jofs ? Long mufti mourn for him ! NATHOS. Now deep thefe griefs are on our minds imprefs'd ; But time, that wears the titles from their tombs, Will wear thefe deep impreflions from our minds, $.nd fmooth them to receive fucceeding joy. $ome of our deareft friends are fnatch'd away : But thou art left ; and that mail comfort me ! DARTHULA. Yes, I am left ! And fo the lamb is left That weary ilaughter till to-morrow fpares ! Do ye, indeed, dear fhades ! partake our for- rows ? Then ye perceive and feel our dangers too! i Our danger's great ! The murderer ftill exifts, To form new ftratagems for our deftrudlion ! Q ily, my Nathos, from this dangerous land: For fafety is not in it !-< Fly from Cairbar. ( 398 ) NATHOS. What ! Shall we leave the field of victory. And all our honour to a vanquiih'd foe ? No ! here we'll watch all night upon our arms, To catch the firft glimpfe of the morning's beams. Then, then, thou tyrant, I will be reveng'd For all the precious lives thou haft deftroy'd. DARTHULA. There are more lives ! there are more pre- cious lives, That he will ever labour to deftroy. And I, my Nathos, hazard more than life !? I have no friend, no kindred to defend me ; No hopes have I of fafety but in thee; ?Sor ev'n with thee have hopes of fafety here! NATHOS. In thy defence what would I not attempt ? I'd rum between thee and a falling rock ! I'd catch a thunder-bolt that threatened thee! What would'ft thou have me do ? DARTHULA. Alas ! what caufe Have ( 399 ) we to flay in thte^iow-wafted land ? It was my father's laft advice to leave it As foon as poflible ! See all around, How ev'ry circumflance ev'n now concurs With that my prudent father's laft advice ! l^Io ray of ev'ning blufhes in the weft ; But night's dark fhades have with th* horizon. clos'd, To hide our embarkation from the foe : While night's fair Queen now rifes from the waves. With dufky light to guide us through the gloom ! No angry ftorm frowns on the diftant hill, Portentous to the fearful mariner : But weftern breezes, ruftling d'er the rocks, Make the gay glittering moon-beams fportiv* play Upon the curling furface of the main, And will convey us quick to Etha's Ihore ! NATHOS. * Thy fweet words make ev'n cowardice feem fair ! But let us hazard here this one fhort night, And And wait the burying of our friends to-mor- row. And we have friends that yet thou know'ft not of. My father now was here! He brings with him A powerful army, fent by Morven's King To ftrengthen us. DARTHULA. Ha ! that brings hopes indeed ! And gives me comfort in the midfl of woe ! NATHOS. Ha ! What means this ?- There's an un- ufual buttle Among our troops. I'll fee what it imports, [Exit. DARTHULA, (alone.) HafWiou already reached the aerial feats Of happy fouls ? Or doft thou mournful here Behold my tears with fympathizing woe r Could I forget thee, and indulge the hopes The prefent profpecl of my fate affords, Thou I 401 ) Thou would'ft depart to blifs without a figh! Go then; dear fpirit ! let my brothers know, That Cairbar flies ; that the fele&ed force Of Morven's never-conquer'd heroes comes TQ perfect conqueft, and enfure our joy. Enter Natbos ivitb feveral officers. *'- ; NATHOS. Hafte, Ronan, hade, with all thy wonted fpeed! Tell them that they muft come immediately, With all the troops they've landed : For we (land . Between two armies* Each too potent far For our diminim'd force. DARTHULA. Ah ! what means this ? NATHOS. Great, my Darthula, is our danger now ! For our Erinians in a body march To fight againft us on the adverfe fide! Eee DARTHULA, What! All th' Erinians ? ONE OF COLLA'S OFFICERS, No, Darthula, no ! Thy father's friends are faithful flill to thee.3. And will defend thee while their lives remain ;. Por fo they bid me tell thee. DARTHULA. And their friendfhip 1 will remember while my life remains. But though they're brave, though brave the. Caledonians, Hardy in toil, and faithful to their chief, Strong and refifllefs as the impetuous torrents That, fwell'd with rain, rum down their native hills ; Yet what can they, fo few, againft fo many ? O Nathos, is there yet no way to rly ? NATHOS. I fear there is not : for they eal^ward mo ee Between us and our friends upon the more ; Between 43 between us and the caftle. If they pafs it, We will make it our refuge till to-morrow. OFFICER. But be aflur'd they will not pafs it now ; For this is plainly their concerted plan, To cut us off. They dar'd us, as they went, Tp follow them ; which if we 'ad ramly done, Cairbar was ready to attack our rear. DARTHULA. Are there no hopes ? May we not yet efcape them? BATHOS. Go, Dermid, to the north, and, Connel, fouth : Try if we could not pafs them there unfeen. Meanwhile, hard oy there is an eminence, On one fide bounded by a wall of rocks ; There we'll prepare ourfelves, the beft we can, For our defence, if we fliould be attack'd. [Exeunt. END OF THE FOURTH ACT. e e a CHORUS ( 44 ) SCENE, The fed-fare. The army landing moon-light. BARDS AND SOLDIERS. FIRST BARD. LIDE on, fair fplendid Queen Through yon ferene and fable Iky ! White-fkirted clouds; blaze all with light ! Darknefs, beyond the mountains fly ! Ye winds, your breath reftrain ! Thou palely-fhining main, Still all thy fwelling waves I Ye Ghofts, who with malicious joy Mifguided mariners annoy, Reft in your hollow caves ! Come, fathers, brothers, children, whord We loft, when lately here before ! Your fame we fung ! \Ve rais'd your tombs ! The lofs of you we ftill deplore! "With good-portending omens come, And welcome us afhorc ! Enter 45 Enter Soldiers. SOLDIERS. Huzza ! Huzza ! Huzza ! SECOND SOLDIER. Come on, my brave fellows ! Well known is this ground ; Well known ev'ry obje And on that fame relies T' infpire love's flame. For mould the lofs of limbs or eyes His ftrength or beauty maim, The ladies would the fool defpife With all his boafted fame. We've feen, while in the bloody field, The foldier made his thoufands yield, !By fome gay youth in love more ikill'd. The hero's miftrefs from him torn ! How, foldier, how fhall this be borne ? Better ( 49 ) m Better with fteel hadft thou been kill'd; Than with a woman's fcorn ! EIGHTH SOLDIER. Away, filly fopling ! How vainly ye rave ! ' To think that fuch dunces as you, Will e'er by the fair be efteem'd like the brave, With victory's wreaths on his brow! Such painted moth-flies The ladies defpife ; Though rolling your eyes^ Though heaving foft fighs, Ye think ye are wonderous charming ! Though fmiling mofh fweetly, though looking fo wife, Though frifking and lifping out ignorant lies, The conduct of foldiers ye dare criticife> And of battles and lieges determine ! A foldier who wants both his limbs and hi| eyes, Is worth twenty tribes of fuch vermin. Fff ACT t 41 ) ACT DARTHULA, (alone.) now, though 'twas our wifh, we could not fly. The moon-light face of heav'n, erewhile fo calm, And feemingly inviting, now Is chang'd To gloomy darknefs, and loud-howling ftorms Inftead of foft Weft-winds, the boiflerous eaft Lets loofe his rougheft blafts ' All nature feels The dreadful uproar bluftering through her Works, And trembles left her fpacious empire fall. The fhatter'd foreft groans, the mountains fhakej And like continued thunder roar the waves. How terrible to thofe who are furpriz'd Amidft their horrors ! Dreadful too to me ! Tho' forc'd to fly \ve could not now efcape. So ftrong the billows break upon the beach, That to encounter them were certain death. But ( 4" ) But death in any fhape is better far Than here to meet the tyrant's cruelties* NATHOS, (entering in haftc.} Where is Darthula ? All is loft, my love t Our treacherous Erinians have deferted, And join'd the tyrant's troops; our trufty friends, The Caledonian troops, befet at once, O'erpow'r'd by multitudes, e'er yet awake^ Are either flain, or prifoners ta Cairbar. DARTHULA. O Nathos i$ there no way to efcape ? NATHOS. Doftthou not hear how furious tempefts rage? Doft thou not hear the billows how they roar, As if they'd burft the barriers'of their flrength, And tofs the mafly rocks, like froth, in air ? Bare is the rugged bottom in their hollows ; While fcarce a paffage for our mips is left Betwixt their lofty ridges and the ftars. And, like a circling wall, the troops of Cairbar Incompafs us around. What ftiall we do? indeed rufh on their crowded fpears, Fffa And And make with honour my retreat from life. But what becomes of thee ? DARTHULA,. I will not live ! Death is the danger which I fear the lead! NATHOS. Come death or life> I will remain with time ! Farewell, farewell to all the dear, dear hopes Of mutual love, which flatter'd us fo lately '. Now all. our. hopes are here to die together 1 DARTHULA. O Nathos ! Doll thou love me ? NATHOS. Why that queftion? DARTHULA. Then fend my foul before to wait on thine* Among the fpirits of our friends departed ! . NATHOS. Shocking to thought ! Think'fl thou I could do this ? DAR-. And wilt thou let me live to meet the ty- rant, With all his paflions heighten'd by fuccefs ? Send, Nathos, fend my foul beyond his pow'r !- r I will not mingle with the happy fhades, Till Natho.s come !- I'll hover o'er thy head ! I'll drive to turn their weapons from thy heart!- - Their wounds fhall firft transfix my airy form ! "When thy dear foul comes forth, we'll fmil-? ing clafp, And in each others arms foar to the ftars. NATHOS. More favage ev'n than Cairbar would he be, Who could deftroy that form of lovelinefs ! DARTHULA. No toils, no dangers but thou would'fl en-, counter, With ( 4'4 With pleafure, to deliver me from death. With worfe, far worfe than death, I'm now befet ! Tis in thy pow'r with eafe to refcue me ! Ev'n with one little ftroke ! Is that refus'cl ? NATHOS. Shall Nathos kill Darthula ? Never, never I One ftroke at Cairbar's heart! That, that would fave th.ee ! DARTftULA. Such fafety would be foolilh to expecl ! - Ah ! if thou canfl not (Irikc, hold here the ; fword ! To avoid him I will run upon its point. Death, which we think fo dreadful, loon is. pad! Soon, foon our fpirits fhall aflume new forms s Perhaps more lovely, better form'd for joy, And proof againft all life's diftrelTing fears 1 XATHOS. If deat;]i be fuch, it is not to be fear'd^ But rather wifli'd for ! DAR- 415 ) >ARTHULA. Now he comes! he comes 1 . 1 have no hopes, no refuge but in death ! O Nathos I wilt thou not affift me there > NATHOS. That delperate remedy muft be the laft : DARTHULA. "Tis time t' apply that remedy! He's here! - &nd if thou wilt not, here's a dagger will ! ; NATHOS, (taking the dagger .) Porbear, forbear, let me not fee thee dead, Enter Cairbar behind ajirong party of ff carmen. CAIRBAR. Halt! And advance not till you are com- manded. Darthula ! now thy Nathos (lands at bay ! He cannot fave thee, or defend himfelf From Prom inftant death againft fo many ipearsf NATHOS. Yes, murderer, I expec*l no lefs than 'death ; \Yhen in thy pow'rl-^-To-day thou waft iA mine. I ofier'd thee an equal combat then ; But thou com'il like a frighted hedge-rliog now, shrunk up within thy prickles. Forward come ;nto die front, and pour thy vengeance forth. CAIRBAR. Shall I, who conquer kingdoms, and de~ fcend -.nighty kings, contend on equal terms With thee, a boy unknown to fame, and iprung : From fubjecT: parents of a fmall renown ? ^ ' NATKOS. Th' excufe is worthy of thy little foul ! Thou dar'fl not fight ! The cruel ne'er \vej-.' brave. On On equal terms ! Thefe I demanded not. Thefe I exped not. If thou dar'ft, come forward To danger's front, where leaders ought to be, I'll fight againfl thee with this dreadful odds. CAIRBAR. I take no counfel of fuch things as thee. But, that this Lady may not think me cruel, Though fometimes forc'd by blood t' aflert . , my right, And as I make of thee but fmali account, I fend thee to thy father fafely home. NATHOS. Oa what conditions doft thou offer this? i CAIRBAR. Conditions ! None will I demand of thee ! But thou, fair captive, now become my own By right of conqueft, muft. with me remain! Would'ft thou do much to fave a lover's life? That life fo dear thou uaay'ft with eafe pre- ferve. If thou with feeming willingnefs confent To be my Queen, I now Uifinifs him fi Ggg NATHOS. 1 value not my life at fuch a rate. DARTHULA. Who Can Confide in treaties made with Cair bar? CAIRBAR. Think how abfurd in thee 'tis to refute What thou art fo unable to withhold ! I only afk, for form's fake, thy confent To what I can, and am refoly'd to efFecl, Whether 'tis given or no. - Since 'tis re- fus'd, This inftant dies thy lover ; and thyfelf, On terms to thee by much lefs honourable^ Shalt be compell'd t' obedience of my will. DARTHULA. I'll die with him ! but fhall not live witf| thee! CAIRBAR. Then all advance upon him. NATHOS, (putting bimfelfin a po/lure of defence.) 1 am ready.! PAR DARTHULA, (running before him) Through me ! through me, your fpears muft reach his heart ! CAIRBAR. Defpis'd! mfuMM! I will be reveng'd ! I'll bind thee faft, thou mad prefumptuous boy! And in thy fight enjoy this haughty maid, Who dares for thee reject an offer 'd kingdom* NATHOS. In that, vile murderer, I defy thy powY! Never alive fhall I come in thy hands ! I ~am refolv'd upon a defperate death ! Many fhall bleed around me ere I fall ! CAIRBAR. Secure the Lady firft. JNATHOS. Stand off, ye flaves ! Tis death to ev'ry ruffian that attempts it. CAIRBAR. Come up behind him. G g 5 a DARTHULA, (going behind is feized. ) I'll fecure thy rear ! Defend thyfelf in front ! O Nathos ! Na~ fhos ! Seiz'd! torn! Deliver me! Tis death I want. NATHOS, (turning to her , and killing fame.) What fhall I do? Is there no other way? Torgive me, my Darthula ! O forgive me ! [Stabs her, DARTHULA, (falling.) I thank thee love! 'Twas kindly done ! Farewell ! SOLDIERS, (behind.) The Lady! SECOND SOLDIER. O the Lady ! THIRD SOLDIER. She is dead ! , * NA- ( 4" ) NATHOS. There's nothing now in life ! CAIRBAR. Hold! Strike not yet. He muft be tortur'd for this dreadful murder! Carry the body hence ! Be it thy care, Old Bard, to fee it decently interr'd. NATHOS. . w kf*j .\_..- Doft thou flill hover o'er the head of Nathos, And chide this long delay? Or doft thou fhrink Trom thy loth'd murderer ? I murder'd thee ! Cairbar ! if thou didft love Darthula, ftrike : 'Twas I that murder'd her ! Revenge hor death! V 4 .xi iQ WJO i^^^fUD ,- ' '. CAIRBAR. No ! My refentment better is indulg'd, To fee thee live,, and thus torment thyfelf. NATHOS. Think'ft thou I have a grov'ling foul like thine, T* ( 4*2 ) To beat for life remorfe and infamy ? No ! 'tis determined ! I will fall with her ! And in my falling thus avenge our wrongs. ('Breaks in upon them with his fword and Jhicld, kills tiv.o or three, and puts them in tonfu/ion. Shouting and noije of \fighting 'without.) ,] s^-j . Enter foldiers calling, " Fingal, Of car ^ Offian, Nathos, Ufnoth" Coir bar's party flying, leaves him expofed. at Cairbar, *who endeavour: to get off.) Die, king of cruelty ! Now let the world In fafety live ! Darthula, thou'rt reveng'd! c AIR BAR, (after he is do'wn.) Curfe on th' ignoble arm by which I fall i NATHOS. Ha! fpeak'fl thou flill ? Take that to make thee fure. Take that for Gormac ; ^-and for Fruthil this ! JBut ( 4*3 ) But, were thy lives as num'rous as thy hairsj They all were far too little for Darthula. [Stabbing him often. Come all ye fpirits difpofTeft by him Of your fair dwellings ! come, in vengeance^ come, And drag his curfed ghoft to Torture's den ! Thither I'll foon purfue. SOLDIERS, (Jhouting.) Ho,Nathosl Ufnoth,hoi NATHOS. My father! Oh! 'twill break his good old heart. Enter Ufnoth andfoldicrs. M-L'f> V-t^ 1 A SOLDIER. ? Twas here the enemy furrounded him. USNOTH. Pead bodies here! Come forward with the lights! Nathos ! art thou here ? N A - ( 4*4 ) NATHOS. I am, my father. USNOTH. My Nathos ftill is left to blefs my age I How is it with my fon ? NATHOS. I've flain the tyrant. See where the curfed murderer's body lies! USNOTH. . Bear the detefted object from our fight ! I fear, my fon, thou haft receiv'd fome hurt. Elfe wherefore dofl thou groan and bite thy lip? Why dare fo wild? Why thus dejected frown, When thou fhouldfl fmile at the proud ty- rant's fall, And wear the chearful face of victory ? NATHOS. The voice of victory (hall chear no more ! Wounded I am not; but in mind much hurt ! I'll I'll fmile no more till I am with DartK\i la! I murder'd her ! -I've murder'd all my fmiles !- What! MurderM! Who? Darthula! Thou, thyfelf? NATHOS To free her from the murderer's threateu'd f~orce * The brutal luft of his detefted paffion, No means feem'd poffible. - rfa raQ d*. fpair - I ftruck : 'Twasher requeft. - O fool, rath oo ] {, _ - Oli had you come before Darthula dy'd!- ad I delay'd till now, we had been hap- py! USNOTH. Be comforted, Ay fon! Some favouring ( 4*6 ) make thec happy where thou dar'il not Jiope. NATIIOS. I have no hopes ! What can I hope ?T- What pow'r Can bring my love, my murder'd fair, to life? What can extirpate from my memory The fad reflection that I kiH'd mv love ? J I cannot live ! -My father ! O my father,.! USNOTH. Your fbrrows cannot call her back from death. NATHOS. I fent her but before, to follow her. USNOTH. What means my fon? Thou wilt not flay thyfelf ? NATHOS. I've, flain already dearer than myfelf ! Dar- (4*7 ) Darthula ! There I fufFer'd worfe thaft death! Eafkr I could have torn my vitals out !-< I promifed! I mud, I mufl perform! Yes, my Darthula! I will come to thee ! . Us NOT ii. . O Kathos ! Nathos ! could'il thou kill thy father? , But fu rely killing him were r not fo bad, As thus refigning him to what is worfe. NATHOS. To leave thee, O my father, racks my ' foul ! But my fad life could never comfort thee! Sorrow, remorfe, defpair, will ftill infeft. My -future days ! Darthula waits too long. USNOTH. And riuift thy wretched father die de^ priv'd Of all his fons ! Lay firft this hoary head Peaceful to ilumber in the filent grave ! . NATOOS. NATHOS. She faid her foul would hover o'er my head, Till mine came from my bread ! Doft thou not fee her ; For fhe is near! Doft thou not hear her voice, In the low accents of unorgan'd ghofts, Reproaching me with this unkind delay I USNOTH. Mud I be now bereft of every joy, Of every comfort, in the wane of life ? NATHOS. She gently thank'd me for the murd'ring wound ! Her laft fad looks invited me away ! She in her calm farewell appear'd afTur'd, That to her fpirit mine fhould fhortly come ! USNOTH. Let pity for thy wretched father force That ( 429 ) That dang'rous weapbn from thy defperate hand. ^ ? NATHOS, (throwing away thcjword.) Hence, ufelefs inflrument, I need thec not! I'll refolutely grow to this cold earth, \Cafting himf elf down. Until my rotten limbs mix with the foil, And my freed fpirit to Darthula rife. % ITS NOT H. Thou laft, thon ever deareft of my fons! Let me die firfk ! Let me not live to fee > all my family, extinct before me ! Enter Darthula, dlthan. DARTHULA. can he live ? Ye only flatter me ! Arthoufand lances at his breaft I faw ! A thoufand hardened murderers wielded them ! tTSNOTH. ( 43 ) * USNOTH. Was Colla's daughter lovelier than fhe ? DARTHULA. f Bring me where bleeding yet his body liei, And with my tears I'll wafh his blood away! ** - US NOT H. ^y What lady's this, fo mournful and ftf fair ? DARTHULA. There! -O my Nathds ! 'Do I fee thec * P thus 1 ? Thou died for me!- 1 .will be with thec foon ! Wherefore, O wherefore did ye bring me back o life? Detefted life ! Oh had I dy'd We had ere this for ever been vinited ! We fhall be foon united ! I will cling To thy yet warm, but fafl-corrupting corfef I And on thy bloody bofoin ileep for e.ver,! A NATHOS, I - i ( 43i ) NATHOS, (raifmg his head.} ' I come, my love ! I hear diftina thy voice 1 When fliall I fee thy lovely, lovely fpirit? DARTHULA. He fpeaks ! Art thou indeed alive, O Na- thos? NATHos, I fee thee plainly now! my dearDarthula! DARTHULA, He lives ! he lives! NATHOS. What dear delufion's this ? I thought flie liv'd, I thought me fpoke to me! I am diftracled ! Let me think fo ftill ! Aiid there is joy in evcrlafting madnefs ! At- ( 43* ) ALTHAN. e lives, and foon will rife to life and thee. NATHOS. Why do ye mock me? Is it well my friends, To flatter thus a poor delirious wretch ? How can &e live I Did I not murder her ? ALTHAN. The ftroke came from a lover's arm, too light To reach the feat of life. She fainted then, As now {he does. The tyrant thought her dead, And gave to me the care of burying her. She'll foon revive ! The wound is free from danger. Now {he recovers ! Stand afide, my fon, Left ( 433 ) Left the furprife fliould prove too powerful for her. DARTHULA. He is not here ! Ah ! was it all a dream ? I thought I faw my Nathos lying dead ; And when 1 fpoke he ftarted into life ! ALTHAN. it was no dream, Darthula ! Nathoa lives ! Cairbar is flain ! Thou haft no more to fear ! Prepare thyfelf to meet immediate joy ! DARTHULA. - If he's alive, he bleeds in deadly wounds! Elie wherefore would he leave Darthula now? HATHOS. Left he again deftroy that lovely form ! May I approach? May I come to thy arms? Welcome from death, to endlefs love and ii XJSNOTH. C 434 ) USNOTH. O brighter! happinefs,from darkefl forrow ! I fhall rejoice in my declining years, And fee the children of my Nathos dill ! See, my Darthula ! See my father here! He almoft finks beneath excefs of joy ! 'Twas he reftrain d me ; elfe defpair had fent me Ere this to feek thee in the ihades of death ; And curs d thy waking with a dreadful fcene. DARTHULA. My overflowing heart can fcarce contain Thefe floods of joy : And yet 1 fhudder ftill, To think how near impatience had undone us. ALTHAN. When adyerfe fortune deals her {harped blows, With refoludon firm, ye brave, oppofe ! Though ( 435 ) Though deep the wounds, though th' anguifh be fevere, Still ftruggle bravely; {lill with patience bear I Sink not, defponding, under flrokes of grief; But with true fortitude expect relief: For forrow's ftorms in time themielves de- flroy, And brighter from their clouds fhines the fuc- ceeding joy ! THE END. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 1968 Form L9-Series 444 A 000032212 3