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Scene the first |
Scene, a spacious country.
Osmyn at the head of the Turkish army. |
 Q 
Osmyn, Turkish army
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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.
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What toil! what danger! and what care!
To glory lead the way:
commanded by the god of war,
the brave with joy obey.
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| (Exeunt.) | Osmyn, Turkish army ->
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Scene the second |
A court before Casimir's palace.
Casimir, Amelia, Augusta, and Rodulpho. |
Q
Casimir, Amelia, Augusta, Rodulpho
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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.
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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.
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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.
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| (Exeunt Casimir and Amelia different ways.) | Casimir, Amelia ->
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Scene the third |
Augusta and Rodulpho. |
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AUGUSTA |
Oh what a dismal day is this, Rodulpho!
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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.
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AUGUSTA |
Are you already weary of your charge?
Go, follow him, it is not yet too late,
I need not your protection.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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| (Exeunt.) | Augusta, Rodulpho ->
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Scene the fourth |
A prospect of the Turkish camp.
Osmyn, Officers, Guards, and Attendants. |
Q
Osmyn, Officers, Guards, Attendants
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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.
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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.
|  (♦)
(♦)
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| (Exeunt.) | Osmyn, Officers, Guards, Attendants ->
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Scene the fifth |
Rodulpho and Amelia. |
Rodulpho, Amelia
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RODULPHO |
Oh princess! why this solemn face of mourning?
Provoke not providence by your distrust;
'tis time enough to grieve when there's occasion.
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AMELIA |
I feel a secret boding in my soul,
a thousand dismal apprehension
by turns torment, and rob me of my rest.
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Distracting fears,
tormenting cares,
perplex my doubtful mind;
till his return,
for whom I mourn,
no pleasure can I find.
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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.
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| Enter Augusta, behind. | <- Augusta
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AUGUSTA |
So close! so kind!
'Tis proper to observe them.
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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.
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AUGUSTA |
So very fond! confound her, o ye gods!
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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.
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| (Exeunt Rodulpho and Amelia.) | Rodulpho, Amelia ->
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Scene the sixth |
Augusta alone. |
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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.
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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.
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| (Exit.) | Augusta ->
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Scene the seventh. |
A pavilion.
Osmyn, with Attendants. |
Q
Osmyn, Attendants
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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.
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| (Casimir enters in chains.) | <- Casimir
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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.
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CASIMIR |
Osmyn! I rather choose to die,
than on inglorious terms to purchase life,
for death is welcome after this defeat.
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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.
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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.
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| (Exeunt.) | Osmyn, Attendants, Casimir ->
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Scene the eighth |
A room.
Amelia and Rodulpho. |
Q
Amelia, Rodulpho
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| (Enter messenger with a letter.) | <- Messenger
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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.
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| (Reads, and swoons, Rodulpho runs to her.) | |
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RODULPHO |
Dearest Amelia!
Why this sudden change?
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| Enter Augusta, aside. | <- Augusta
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AUGUSTA |
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AMELIA |
Give me the letter, 'tis no doubt the last
that I shall from my dearest lord receive.
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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.
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| (Exit Amelia.) | Amelia ->
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RODULPHO |
Lovely Augusta, follow your sad sister,
and try to comfort her in this affliction.
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AUGUSTA |
No.
I have too many sorrows of my own,
you best can sooth her anguish:
leave me to myself.
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RODULPHO |
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AUGUSTA |
I will be left, this is no time
for idle compliments.
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| (Exit Rodulpho.) | Rodulpho ->
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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.
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| The end of the first act. | |
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