While I, abandoned and forlorn, Through lonely wilds have seemed to stray, They're phantoms all; I'll think no more; They're phantoms all! my Henry's here. SCENE II-A Postern Gate of the Bower. GRID. My stomach swells with secret spite, That charmed the ladies long ago, GRID. He does, my child: or tell me why His whiskers curled, and shoe-strings tied, In shoulder-belt so trimly placed, With band so nicely smoothed and laced. PAGE. If Rosamond his garb has viewed, The knight is false, the nymph subdued. His falsehood by a thousand signs: GRID. And he has charms. GRID. By a barbarous swain, Вотн. That laughs at your pain. GRID. How should I act? canst thou advise f GRID. PAGE. I, in an unsuspected hour, May catch them dallying in the bower, Thou art in truth A forward youth, Of wit and parts above thy age; I'll do what I can Thou art a page. To surprise the false man. GRID. Of such a faithful spy I've need:1 Go in, and if thy plot succeed, Fair youth, thou may'st depend on this, I'll pay thy service with a kiss. GRID. sola. Prithee, Cupid, no more Hurl thy darts at threescore; SCENE III. PAGE, solus. Oh the soft, delicious view, Ever charming, ever new! Greens of various shades arise, [Erit PAGE. Decked with flowers of various dyes: Paths by meeting paths are crost, Alleys in winding alleys lost; [Exit GRID. An opening scene discovers another view of the bower. Fountains playing through the trees, Gay confusion, All a vision, all a dream! SCENE IV. QUEEN and PAGE. QUEEN. At length the bowery vaults appear! PAGE. Behold the brazen gate unbarred! -She's fixt in thought, I am not heard-Apurt. see, I see my hands embrued QUEEN. I In purple streams of reeking blood: To hear Britannia's queen lament. [Aside. The guilty foe. QUEEN. It is decreed-it shall be so; [After a pause. I cannot see my lord repine, (Oh that I could call him mine!) Why have not they most charms to move, PAGE. Her heart with rage and fondness glows. Where those fair-blossomed arbours rise. SCENE V.-The Scene changes to the Pavilion as before. ROSAMOND, sola. Transporting pleasure! who can tell it A sudden motion shakes the grove: see; -Open, O earth! and swallow me! SCENE VI. Enter to her the QUEEN, with a Bowl in one hand, and a Dagger in the other. QUEEN. Thus armed with double death I come : Behold, vain wretch, behold thy doom! ROSA. What shall I say, or how reply QUEEN. 'Tis guilt that does thy tongue control. ROSA. Can Britain's queen give such commands, QUEEN. How black does my design appear! Aside. ROSA. When tides of youthful blood run high, Oh how dreadful 'tis to die! QUEEN. To those whom foul dishonours stain, ROSA. Who could resist great Henry's charms, QUEEN. And dost thou thus thy guilt deplore? [Offering the dagger to her breast Presumptuous woman, plead no more! ROSA. O queen, your lifted arm restrain! QUEEN. Behold these tears! They flow in vain. ROSA. Look with compassion on my fate. QUEEN. They rise too late. ROSA. Though I live wretched, let me live. |