Act the first

 

Scene the first

Scene, a spacious country.
Osmyn at the head of the Turkish army.

 Q 

Osmyn, Turkish army

 

OSMYN

Here let the wearied army rest awhile,  

that ere we farther march,

we may have time sedately to consult

the measures neceſſary to be taken

to make the Turks victorious;

then nought remains, but with undaunted courage

to prosecute our scheme.

 

What toil! what danger! and what care!  

To glory lead the way:

commanded by the god of war,

the brave with joy obey.

 
(Exeunt.)

Osmyn, Turkish army ->

 
 

Scene the second

A court before Casimir's palace.
Casimir, Amelia, Augusta, and Rodulpho.

 Q 

Casimir, Amelia, Augusta, Rodulpho

 

AMELIA
(to Casimir)

O let me die, while yet I see  

the comfort of my heart;

for worse than instant death 'twill be

from thee, my love, to part.

 

CASIMIR

Weep not, Amelia,  

my country's safety loudly calls me hence,

and I must now inevitably leave thee:

how can these eyes behold Hungaria ravag'd

by bold invading Turks?

No, heaven is guardian of our righteous cause,

and Casimir its instrument of vengeance.

Farewel, my dear, till conquest brings me back,

to lay my laurels at Amelia's feet.

(To Rodulpho)

Rodulpho! I intrust thee with a charge

dearer to me than all terrestrial blessings,

my sister, and my wife:

attest your friendship by a faithful care.

Once more farewel, my friend and sister;

and oh my dearest wife! farewel.

 

What heart can help bleeding, my charmer!  

to leave one so virtuous and fair;

sure heav'n will let nothing alarm her,

but make her, for my sake, its care.

 
(Exeunt Casimir and Amelia different ways.)

Casimir, Amelia ->

 

Scene the third

Augusta and Rodulpho.

 

AUGUSTA

Oh what a dismal day is this, Rodulpho!  

RODULPHO

Despair not, princess, of your brother's safety;

am not I almost equally concern'd?

To Casimir my friendship is so great,

that, but for your dear sake,

arm'd by his side with pleasure would I march

to shield him, and to share with him the danger.

AUGUSTA

Are you already weary of your charge?

Go, follow him, it is not yet too late,

I need not your protection.

 

Leave me, leave me,  

don't deceive me:

faithless lover!

I discover

that another has your heart.

All your smiling

is beguiling,

all your passion

affectation,

go, I see through all your art.

 

RODULPHO

You wrong me, fair Augusta;  

can you condemn my real friendship

to him, whom you so dearly value?

You are the only one of all the sex

that ever gain'd my heart:

why would you then torment me thus,

and wound me with such undeserv'd reproaches?

 

Friendship, glory, I disdain,  

thee, my charmer, to obtain:

who can other beauties prize

that has seen those conqu'ring eyes?

Wrong not then my flame sincere,

by suspicion too severe,

since 'tis past all pow'r to move

the ardour of my constant love.

 
(Exeunt.)

Augusta, Rodulpho ->

 
 

Scene the fourth

A prospect of the Turkish camp.
Osmyn, Officers, Guards, and Attendants.

 Q 

Osmyn, Officers, Guards, Attendants

 

OSMYN

Be this the day appointed  

to rush with fury on our christian foes.

Now, now, my mussulmen, exert your courage;

those, who in this engagement fall,

will be abundantly rewarded

with the eternal joys of paradise:

the rest with spoil and conquest will return.

Inseparable blessings thus attend us,

whether we live or die,

we're sure of happiness.

 

I'll destroy the proud foe in his glory,  

from our presence he shall fly,

for I'll conquer or die,

to dubious fear I am a stranger:

let all be so brave, that the story

may be noted by fame,

from the Ganges to Thame,

and equal the height of our danger.

Sfondo schermo () ()

 
(Exeunt.)

Osmyn, Officers, Guards, Attendants ->

 

Scene the fifth

Rodulpho and Amelia.

Rodulpho, Amelia

 

RODULPHO

Oh princess! why this solemn face of mourning?  

Provoke not providence by your distrust;

'tis time enough to grieve when there's occasion.

AMELIA

I feel a secret boding in my soul,

a thousand dismal apprehension

by turns torment, and rob me of my rest.

 

Distracting fears,  

tormenting cares,

perplex my doubtful mind;

till his return,

for whom I mourn,

no pleasure can I find.

 

RODULPHO
(to Amelia)

Stop this effusion of your tears, my princess!  

Your hope for Casimir's good success

should over-weigh the balance of your grief.

 
Enter Augusta, behind.

<- Augusta

 

AUGUSTA

So close! so kind!  

'Tis proper to observe them.

AMELIA

Rodulpho! Well I know your hearty wishes,

but still the immenseness of my passion

extends to a far greater pitch,

than you can think, or I press.

AUGUSTA

So very fond! confound her, o ye gods!

 

RODULPHO
(to Amelia)

Oh let not fears,  

or anxious cares,

the fair Amelia discontent;

for soon we may

expect the day,

which shall our mutual joy cement.

 
(Exeunt Rodulpho and Amelia.)

Rodulpho, Amelia ->

 

Scene the sixth

Augusta alone.

 

 

A faithful friend!  

A chaste and virtuous wife!

Is this the lover has so often vow'd

eternal constancy to me?

Is this the wife so generally fam'd

for exemplary goodness?

How is my brother and myself abus'd!

But he shall know, and I'll revenge their infidelity.

 

Vengeance! Vengeance! swift overtake 'em,  

may they never more be blest!

May the gods as wretched make them,

as they've render'd me distress'd.

Rise, ye fierce infernal legions,

from the dismal shades below!

Bear 'em to your darksome regions,

plunge 'em deep in endless woe.

 
(Exit.)

Augusta ->

 
 

Scene the seventh.

A pavilion.
Osmyn, with Attendants.

 Q 

Osmyn, Attendants

 

OSMYN

At length the sultan's arms  

have prov'd triumphant,

and conquest is the premium of our courage.

Bring forth the once renowned Casimir,

now Osmyn's captive, and the sultan's slave.

 
(Casimir enters in chains.)

<- Casimir

 

OSMYN

Well, Casimir! you see the fate of war  

is now decided in our favour;

these chains are not to be compar'd

with the severities I can inflict,

unless, upon the terms I shall propose,

you purchase your redemption.

CASIMIR

Osmyn! I rather choose to die,

than on inglorious terms to purchase life,

for death is welcome after this defeat.

OSMYN

Christian! 'tis vain to hope immediate death,

for I'll consummate my revenge

by a protraction of thy misery:

were we to live the series of an age,

my vengeance then would be the more compleat.

 

The eagle with its prey,  

through aether cuts his way,

retaining fast his trembling prize;

with a relentless breast,

he bears him to his nest,

and makes him there a sacrifice.

 
(Exeunt.)

Osmyn, Attendants, Casimir ->

 
 

Scene the eighth

A room.
Amelia and Rodulpho.

 Q 

Amelia, Rodulpho

 
(Enter messenger with a letter.)

<- Messenger

 

AMELIA
(to messenger)

Let me not hear you speak,  

your looks at once declare

that you're the bearer of unwelcome news:

give me the letter.

 
(Reads, and swoons, Rodulpho runs to her.)
 

RODULPHO

Dearest Amelia!

Why this sudden change?

 
Enter Augusta, aside.

<- Augusta

 

AUGUSTA

A very kind embrace!  

AMELIA

Give me the letter, 'tis no doubt the last

that I shall from my dearest lord receive.

 

Come, sad companion of eternal grief!  

Let floods of tears to sorrow give relief.

I'll read and kiss thee all the tedious day,

and o'er thee weep till sight is wept away.

(Exit Amelia.)

Amelia ->

 

RODULPHO

Lovely Augusta, follow your sad sister,  

and try to comfort her in this affliction.

AUGUSTA

No.

I have too many sorrows of my own,

you best can sooth her anguish:

leave me to myself.

RODULPHO

I cannot leave you thus.

AUGUSTA

I will be left, this is no time

for idle compliments.

 
(Exit Rodulpho.)

Rodulpho ->

 

AUGUSTA

That all succeding times  

may shun such monstrous crimes,

ye gods, exert your power?

On all who thus offend,

let fiery wrath descend

in an unbounded shower.

 
The end of the first act.
 

The end (Act the first)

Act the first Act the second Act the third

A spacious country.

Osmyn, Turkish army
 

Here let the wearied army rest awhile

Osmyn, Turkish army ->

A court before Casimir's palace.

Casimir, Amelia, Augusta, Rodulpho
 

Weep not, Amelia

Augusta, Rodulpho
Casimir, Amelia ->

Oh what a dismal day is this, Rodulpho!

You wrong me, fair Augusta

Augusta, Rodulpho ->

A prospect of the Turkish camp.

Osmyn, Officers, Guards, Attendants
 

Be this the day appointed

Osmyn, Officers, Guards, Attendants ->
Rodulpho, Amelia
 

Oh princess! why this solemn face of mourning?

Stop this effusion of your tears, my princess

Rodulpho, Amelia
<- Augusta

So close! so kind!

Augusta
Rodulpho, Amelia ->

A faithful friend!

Augusta ->

A pavillion.

Osmyn, Attendants
 

At length the sultan's arms

Osmyn, Attendants
<- Casimir

(Casimir is chained)

Well, Casimir! you see the fate of war

Osmyn, Attendants, Casimir ->

A room.

Amelia, Rodulpho
 
Amelia, Rodulpho
<- Messenger

Let me not hear you speak

Amelia, Rodulpho, Messenger
<- Augusta

A very kind embrace!

Rodulpho, Messenger, Augusta
Amelia ->

Lovely Augusta, follow your sad sister

Messenger, Augusta
Rodulpho ->
 
Scene the first Scene the second Scene the third Scene the fourth Scene the fifth Scene the sixth Scene the seventh. Scene the eighth
A spacious country. A court before Casimir's palace. A prospect of the Turkish camp. A pavillion. A room. Osmyn's pavilion A gallery. Osmyn's pavilion. A room in Casimir's palace. A room in Osmyn's pavilion. An apartment in the palace. A spacious plain. An Apartment in Osmyn's pavilion. A prison. A great hall.
Act the second Act the third

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