Act the fifth

 

Scene the first

Scene, a camp.
Enter Osmond, as asfrighted.

 Q 

<- Osmond

 

OSMOND

Grimbald made prisoner, and my grove destroy'd!  

Now what can save me ~ Hark, the drums and trumpets!

Drums and trumpets within.

Arthur is marching onward to the fort.

I have but one recourse, and that's to Oswald;

but will he fight for me, whom I have injur'd?

No, not for me, but for himself he must;

I'll urge him with the last necessity:

better give up my mistress than my life.

His force is much unequal to his rival;

true; ~ but I'll help him with my utmost art,

and try t'unravel fate.

(exit Osmond)

Osmond ->

 

Scene the second

Enter Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Albanact, and soldiers.

<- Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Albanact, Soldiers

 

CONON

Now there remains but this one labour more;  

and if we have the hearts of true-born Britons,

the forcing of that castle crowns the day.

AURELIUS

The works are weak, the garrison but thin,

dispirited with frequent overthrows,

already wavering on their ill-mann'd walls.

ALBANACT

They shift their places oft, and skulk from war,

sure signs of pale despair and easy rout;

it shews they place their confidence in magick,

and when their devils fail, their hearts are dead.

ARTHUR

Then, where you see 'em clust'ring most, in motion,

and staggering in their ranks, there press 'em home;

for that's a coward's heap—How's this, a sally?

 
Enter Oswald, Guillamar, and soldiers on the other side.

<- Oswald, Guillamar, Other soldiers

 

OSWALD

(advancing)  

Brave Britons, hold; and thou their famous chief,

attend what Saxon Oswald will propose.

He owns your victory; but whether owing

to valour, or to fortune, that he doubts.

If Arthur dares ascribe it to the first,

and singled from a croud, will tempt a conquest,

this Oswald offers; let our troops retire,

and hand to hand let us decide our strife:

this if refus'd, bear witness earth and heav'n,

thou steal'st a crown and mistress undeserv'd.

ARTHUR

I'll not usurp thy title of a robber,

nor will upbraid thee, that before I proffer'd

this single combat, which thou did'st avoid;

so glad I am, on any terms to meet thee,

and not discourage thy repenting shame.

As once Aeneas, my fam'd ancestor,

betwixt the Trojan and Rutilian bands,

fought for a crown, and bright Lavinia's bed;

so will I meet thee, hand to hand oppos'd:

my auguring mind assures the same success.

(to his men)

Hence out of view; if I am slain or yield,

renounce me, Britons, for a recreant knight;

and let the Saxon peacefully enjoy

his former footing in our famous isle.

To ratify these terms, I swear. ~

OSWALD

You need not;

your honour is of force, without your oath.

I only add, that if I fall, or yield,

your's be the crown, and Emmeline.

ARTHUR

That's two crowns.

No more; we keep the looking heav'n and sun

too long in expectation of our arms.

 
Both armies go off the stage.

Soldiers, Other soldiers, Guillamar, Albanact ->

 
They fight with sponges in their hands dipt in blood; after some equal passes and closing, they appear both wounded: Arthur stumbles among the trees, Oswald falls over him, they both rise; Arthur wounds him again, then Oswald retreats. Enter Osmond from among the trees, and with his wand strikes Arthur's sword out of his hand, and exit. Oswald pursues Arthur. Merlin enters, and gives Arthur his sword, and exit: they close, and Arthur in the fall disarms Oswald.

<- Osmond

Osmond ->

<- Merlin

Merlin ->

 

ARTHUR

Confess thyself o'ercome, and ask thy life.  

OSWALD

'Tis not worth asking, when 'tis in thy power.

ARTHUR

Then take it as my gift.

OSWALD

A wretched gift,

with loss of empire, liberty, and love.

 
[N. 42 - Trumpet tune]

 N 

 
A concert of trumpets within, proclaiming Arthur's victory; while they sound, Arthur and Oswald seem to confer.
 

OSWALD

'Tis too much bounty to a vanquish'd foe;  

yet not enough to make me fortunate.

ARTHUR

Thy life, thy liberty, thy honour safe,

lead back thy Saxons to their ancient Elbe

I wou'd restore thee fruitful Kent, the gift

of Vortigern for Hengist's ill-bought aid,

but that my Britons brook no foreign power,

to lord it in a land, sacred to freedom,

and of its rights tenacious to the last.

OSWALD

Nor more than thou hast offer'd wou'd I take;

I would refuse all Britain held in homage;

and own no other masters but the gods.

 
Enter on one side, Merlin, Emmeline, and Matilda; Conon, Aurelius, Albanact, with British soldiers, bearing King Arthur's standard displayed. On the other side, Guillamar, and Osmond, with Saxon soldiers, dragging their colours on the ground.

<- Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers

Arthur going to Emmeline and embracing her.
 

ARTHUR

At length, at length, I have thee in my arms;  

tho' our malevolent stars have struggled hard,

and held us long asunder.

EMMELINE

We are so fitted for each other's hearts,

that heav'n had erred, in making of a third,

to get betwixt, and intercept our loves.

OSWALD

Were there but this, this only sight to see,

the price of Britain should not buy my stay.

MERLIN

Take hence that monster of ingratitude,

him who betray'd his master, bear him hence;

and in that loathsome dungeon plunge him deep,

where he plung'd noble Oswald.

OSMOND

That indeed is fittest for me,

for there I shall be near my kindred fiends,

and spare my Grimbald's pains to bear me to them.

Is carried off.

MERLIN

(to Arthur)

For this day's palm, and for thy former acts,

thy Britain freed, and foreign force expell'd,

thou, Arthur, hast acquir'd a future fame,

and of three christian worthies, art the first:

and now at once to treat thy sight and soul.

Behold what rolling ages shall produce:

the wealth, the loves, the glories, of our isle,

which yet, like golden ore, unripe in beds,

expect the warm indulgency of heav'n

to call 'em forth to light. ~

(to Oswald)

Nor thou, brave Saxon prince, disdain our triumph:

Britons and Saxons shall be once one people;

one common tongue, one common faith, shall bind

our jarring bands, in a perpetual peace.

 
 
Merlin waves his wand; the scene changes, and discovers the British ocean in a storm. Aelous in a cloud above, four Winds hanging, etc.

 Q 

<- Aeolus, Winds

 
[N. 43 - Ye blust'ring brethren of the skies]

 N 

 

AEOLUS

Ye blust'ring brethren of the skies,    

whose breath has ruffl'd all the watr'y plain,

retire and let Britannia rise,

in triumph o'er the main.

Serene and calm, and void of fear,

the queen of islands must appear;

serene and calm, as when the spring

the new-created world began,

and birds on boughs did softly sing

their peaceful homage paid to man,

while Eurus did his blasts forbear

in favour of the tender year.

Retreat, rude winds, retreat

to hollow rocks, your stormy seat;

there swell your lungs, and vainly, vainly threat.

S

 
Aeolus ascends and the four Winds fly off: the scene opens and discovers a calm sea to the end of the house. An island arises to a soft tune, Britannia seated in the island, with fishermen at her feet, etc.; the tune changes, the fishermen come ashore and dance awhile, after which Pan and a nereid come on the stage and sing.

Aeolus, Winds ->

<- Fishermen, Pan, Nereid

 
[N. 44 - Symphony (The fishermen dance)]

 N 

 
[N. 45 - Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain]

 N 

 
Duet.
 

PAN AND NEREID
(sing)

Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain,  

for thy guard our waters flow:

proteus all his herd admitting,

on thy greens to graze below.

Foreign lands thy fishes tasting,

learn from thee luxurious fasting.

 

CHORUS

Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain

etc.

 
[N. 46 - For folded flocks on fruitful plains]

 N 

 
Song of three parts.
 

CHORUS
(Alto, Tenor, Bass)

For folded flocks on fruitful plains,  

the shepherds and the farmers gains,

fair Britain all the world outvies;

and Pan as in Arcadia reigns,

where pleasure mix'd with profit lies.

Thou Jason's fleece was famed of old,

the British wool is growing gold;

no mines can more of wealth supply:

it keeps the peasant from the cold,

and takes for kings the Tyrian dye.

 
The last stanza sung over again betwixt Pan and the Nereid, after which the former dance is varied and goes on.

PAN, NEREID

For folded flocks on fruitful plains

etc.

 
Enter Comus with three Peasants, who sing the following song in parts.

<- Comus, Three peasants

 
[N. 47 - Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd]

 N 

 

COMUS

Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd;  

your barns will be full, and your hovels heap'd:

come, my boys, come;

come, my boys, come;

and merrily roar out harvest home,

harvest home,

harvest home;

and merrily roar out harvest home.

 

CHORUS

Come, my boys, come

etc.

 

1ST MAN

We have cheated the parson, we'll cheat him again.

For why should a blockhead have one in ten,

one in ten,

one in ten,

for why should a blockhead have one in ten?

 

CHORUS

One in ten

etc.

 

2ND MAN

For prating so long like a book-learn'd sot,

till pudding and dumpling burn to pot;

burn to pot,

burn to pot,

till pudding and dumpling burn to pot.

 

CHORUS

Burn to pot

etc.

 

3RD MAN

We'll toss off our ale till we cannot stand,

and hoigh for the honour of old England,

old England,

old England,

and hoigh for the honour of old England.

 

CHORUS

Old England

etc.

 
The dance varied into a round country dance.
 
Enter Venus.

<- Venus

 
[N. 48 - Fairest isle, all isles excelling]

 N 

 
Recitative.
 

VENUS

Fairest isle, all isles excelling,    

seat of pleasures and of loves;

Venus here will chuse her dwelling,

and forsake her Cyprian groves.

S

 
Air.
 

VENUS

Cupid, from his fav'rite nation,  

care and envy will remove;

jealousy, that poisons passion,

and despair that dies for love.

Gentle murmurs, sweet complaining,

sighs that blow the fire of love;

soft repulses, kind disdaining,

shall be all the pains you prove.

Every swain shall pay his duty,

grateful every nymph shall prove;

and as these excel in beauty,

those shall be renown'd for love.

Sfondo schermo () ()

 
[N. 49 - You say, 't is love creates the pain]

 N 

 

SHE

You say, 't is love creates the pain,  

of which so sadly you complain;

and yet would fain engage my heart

in that uneasy cruel part.

But how, alas! think you, that I

can bear the wound of which you die?

HE

'T is not my passion makes my care,

but your indifference gives despair:

the lusty sun begets no spring,

till gentle showers assistance bring:

so love that scorches and destroys,

till kindness aids, can cause no joys.

SHE

Love has a thousand ways to please,

but more to rob us of our ease:

for wakeful nights and careful days

some hours of pleasure he repays;

but absence soon, or jealous fears,

o'erflow the joys with floods of tears.

HE

By vain and senseless forms betray'd,

harmless love's the offender made;

while we no other pains endure,

than those that we ourselves procure:

but one soft moment makes amends

for all the torment that attends.

BOTH

Let us love, let us love, and to happiness haste;

age and wisdom come too fast;

youth for loving was design'd.

HE
(alone)

I'll be constant, you be kind.

SHE
(alone)

You be constant, I'll be kind.

BOTH

Heaven can give no greater blessing

than faithful love, and kind possessing.

 
After the dialogue, a warlike concert; the scene opens above, and discovers the Order of the Garter. Enter Honour, attended by heroes.

<- Honour, Heroes

 

MERLIN

These who last enter'd are our valiant Britons,  

who shall by sea and land repel our foes...

 
A march, while the British sailors and grenadiers come to the front of the stage.
 
[N. 50 - Trumpet tune Warlike Consort]

 N 

 

MERLIN

Now look above, and in heav'n's high abyfs,  

behold what fame attends those future heroes.

Honour who leads them to that steepy height,

in her immortal song, shall tell the rest.

 
The order of the Garter descends.
 
[N. 51 - Saint George, the patron of our isle]

 N 

 
Song.
 

HONOUR

I  

Saint George, the patron of our isle,

a soldier, and a saint,

on that auspicious order smile,

which love and arms will plant.

II

Our natives not alone appear

to court this martial prize;

but foreign kings adopted here,

their crowns at home despise.

III

Our sovereign high, in awful state,

his honours shall bestow;

and see his scepter'd subjects wait

on his commands below.

 

CHORUS

Saint George, the patron of our isle

etc.

 

ARTHUR

(to Merlin)  

Wisely you have, whate'er will please, reveal'd;

what would displease, as wisely have conceal'd:

triumphs of war and peace, at full ye show,

but swiftly turn the pages of our woe.

Rest we contented with our present state;

'tis anxious to enquire of future fate.

That race of heroes is enough alone

for all unseen disasters to atone.

Let us make haste betimes to reap our share,

and not resign them all the praise of war.

But set th' example; and their souls inflame,

to copy out their great forefathers fame.

 

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers, Fishermen, Pan, Nereid, Comus, Three peasants, Venus, Honour, Heroes ->

[N. 52 - Chaconne]

 N 

 
A dance of British sailors.

<- British sailors

 
Finis.
 

The end (Act the fifth)

Act the first Act the second Act the third Act the fourth Act the fifth

A camp.

<- Osmond

Grimbald made prisoner, and my grove destroy'd!

Osmond ->
<- Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Albanact, Soldiers

Now there remains but this one labour more

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Albanact, Soldiers
<- Oswald, Guillamar, Other soldiers

Beyond my hopes to meet 'em on the square

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald
Soldiers, Other soldiers, Guillamar, Albanact ->

(Arthur and Oswald fight with sponges in their hands dipt in blood; after some equal passes and closing, they appear both wounded: Arthur stumbles among the trees, Oswald falls over him, they both rise; Arthur wounds him again, then Oswald retreats.)

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald
<- Osmond

(Enter Osmond from among the trees, and with his wand strikes Arthur's sword out of his hand, and exit.)

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald
Osmond ->
Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald
<- Merlin
Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald
Merlin ->

Confess thyself o'ercome, and ask thy life

[N. 42 - Trumpet tune]

'Tis too much bounty to a vanquish'd foe

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald
<- Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers

At length, at length, I have thee in my arms

(Merlin waves his wand; the scene changes, and discovers the British ocean in a storm. Aelous in a cloud above, four Winds hanging.)

The scene discovers the British ocean in a storm.

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers
<- Aeolus, Winds

[N. 43 - Ye blust'ring brethren of the skies]

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers
Aeolus, Winds ->

(The scene opens and discovers a calm sea to the end of the house. An island arises to a soft tune, Britannia seated in the island, with fishermen at her feet, etc.; the tune changes, the fishermen come ashore and dance awhile, after which Pan and a nereid come on the stage and sing.)

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers
<- Fishermen, Pan, Nereid

[N. 44 - Symphony (The fishermen dance)]

[N. 45 - Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain]

[N. 46 - For folded flocks on fruitful plains]

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers, Fishermen, Pan, Nereid
<- Comus, Three peasants

[N. 47 - Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd]

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers, Fishermen, Pan, Nereid, Comus, Three peasants
<- Venus

[N. 48 - Fairest isle, all isles excelling]

Fairest isle, all isles excelling

[N. 49 - You say, 't is love creates the pain]

(The scene opens above, and discovers the Order of the Garter.)

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers, Fishermen, Pan, Nereid, Comus, Three peasants, Venus
<- Honour, Heroes

These who last enter'd are our valiant Britons

[N. 50 - Trumpet tune Warlike Consort]

Now look above, and in heav'n's high abyfs

[N. 51 - Saint George, the patron of our isle]

Wisely you have, whate'er will please, reveal'd

Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Oswald, Merlin, Emmeline, Matilda, British soldiers, Guillamar, Osmond, Saxon soldiers, Fishermen, Pan, Nereid, Comus, Three peasants, Venus, Honour, Heroes ->

[N. 52 - Chaconne]

<- British sailors

(Dance of British sailors)

 
Scene the first Scene the second
A gothic temple, being a place of heathen worship; the three Saxon gods, Woden, Thor, and Freya, placed on... A landskip. A camp, drums, trumpets, and military shouts. A rural prospect. A wood. A camp and Emmeline's pavilion, with a bank. A camp at a distance. Rocks and water. A deep wood. A stormy wintry country. A grove. A wood, with a large oak in the front. A camp. The scene discovers the British ocean in a storm.
[N. 1 - Overture] [N. 2 - Air] [N. 3 - Overture] [N. 4 - Woden, first to thee] [N. 5 - The white horse neigh'd aloud] [N. 6 - The lot is cast, and Tanfan pleas'd] [N. 7 - Brave soul to be renown'd in storry] [N. 8 - I call ye all to Woden's hall] [N. 9 - Military symphony] [N. 10 - Come if you dare, our trumpets sound] [N. 11 - Introduction] [N. 12 - Symphony] [N. 13 - Hiter this way, this way bend] [N. 14 - Let not a moon-born elf mislead ye] [N. 15 - Hither this way] [N. 16 - Come follow, follow, follow me] [N. 17 - How blest are shepherds, how happy their lasses] [N. 18 - Shepherds, shepherds, leave decoying] [N. 19 - Horpipe] [N. 20 - Come, shepherds, lead up a lively measure] [N. 21 - Second act tune: Air] [N. 22 - We must work, wee must haste] [N. 23 - Thus, thus I infuse] [N. 24 - Oh sight, the mother of desires] [N. 25 - Prelude] [N. 26 - What ho, thou Genius of the clime, what ho!] [N. 27 - What power art thou, who from below] [N. 28 - Thou doating fool, forbear, forbear] [N. 29 - Great Love, I know thee now] [N. 30 - No part of my dominion shall be waste] [N. 31 - Prelude] [N. 32 - See, see, we assemble] [N. 33 - 'Tis I, 'tis I, 'tis I that have warm'd ye] [N. 34 - Sound a parley, ye fair, and surrender] [N. 35 - Third Act Tune: Hornpipe] [N. 36 - O pass not on, but stay] [N. 37 - Two daughters of this aged stream are we] [N. 38 - Passacaglia] [N. 39 - How happy the lover] [N. 40 - For love every creature] [N. 41 - Fourth Act Tune: Air] [N. 42 - Trumpet tune] [N. 43 - Ye blust'ring brethren of the skies] [N. 44 - Symphony (The fishermen dance)] [N. 45 - Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain] [N. 46 - For folded flocks on fruitful plains] [N. 47 - Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd] [N. 48 - Fairest isle, all isles excelling] [N. 49 - You say, 't is love creates the pain] [N. 50 - Trumpet tune Warlike Consort] [N. 51 - Saint George, the patron of our isle] [N. 52 - Chaconne]
Act the first Act the second Act the third Act the fourth

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