HENRY. Vainly thou tell'ft me, what the woman's care Shall in the wildnefs of the wood prepare: 420 Thou, ere thou goeft, unhappyeft of thy kind, Must leave the habit and the fex behind. No longer shall thy comely treffes break In flowing ringlets on thy fnowy neck; Or fit behind thy head, an ample round, In graceful braids' with various ribbon bound: 425 430 No longer shall the boddice, aptly lac'd 435 440 The short trunk-hofe fhall fhew thy foot and knee Nor folitude, nor gentle peace of mind, V. 426. breeds. V. 428. wafte. 'Tis long fince Cynthia and her train were there; 450 Made bold by want, and prostitute for bread: Tho' not partaker, witness of their night. 461 That latest weapon of the wretches war, And blafphemy, fad comrade of despair. 465 Now, Emma, now the laft reflection make, What thou would'st follow, what thou must forsake : By our ill-omen'd stars, and adverse heav'n, 470 Or yield thy virtue, to attain thy love; Or leave a banish'd man, condemn'd in woods to rove. EMMA. O grief of heart! that our unhappy fates 480 Our outward act is prompted from within; In vain the fyrens fing, the tempests beat: } For thee alone these little charms I dreft; 490 Condemn'd them, or abfolv'd them by thy teft. In comely figure rang'd, my jewels fhone, Or negligently plac'd, for thee alone: For thee again they shall be laid aside; The woman, Henry, shall put off her pride 495 For thee my cloaths, my sex, exchang'd for thee, I'll mingle with the people's wretched lee; O line extreme of human infamy! Wanting the fciffars, with these hands I'll tear (If that obftructs my flight) this load of hair. 500 Black foot, or yellow walnut fhall disgrace This little red and white of Emma's face. These nails with scratches shall deform my breaft, Left by my look, or color be express'd The mark of aught' high-born, or ever better drefs'd. Yet in this commerce, under this disguise, 506 My fate I can absolve; if he shall own, HENRY. 515 O wildeft thought of an abandon'd mind! 511 Name, habit, parents, woman, left behind, Ev'n honour dubious, thou preferr'st to go Wild to the woods with me: faid Emma fo? Or did I dream what Emma never faid? O guilty error! and O wretched maid! Whose roving fancy would refolve the fame With him, who next should tempt her eafie fame And blow with empty words the fufceptible flame. Now why should doubtful terms thy mind perplex? Confefs thy frailty, and avow thy fex: No longer loose defire for conftant love 521 Miftake; but say, 'tis man with whom thou long'st to rove. V. 505. ought. EMMA. Are there not poisons, racks, and flames, and fwords; That Emma thus muft die by Henry's words? 525 Yet what could fwords or poison, racks or flame, But mangle and disjoint this brittle frame? More fatal Henry's words; they murder Emma's fame. And fall these fayings from that gentle tongue, Let envious jealousie and canker'd spight } Did e'er my tongue speak my unguarded heart |