Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/83

Rh

Thou art as brave, of as good parts as he.

Ros. Our talents of a diff'rent nature are; Mine for the daily intercourse of life, And his for higher things.

Fred. Well, praise him as thou wilt; I see it not; I'm sure I am as brave a man as he.

Ros. Yes, brave thou art, but 'tis subaltern brav'ry, And doth respect thyself. Thou'lt bleed as well, Give and receive as deep a wound as he. When Basil fights he wields a thousand swords; For 'tis their trust in his unshaken mind, O'erwatching all the changes of the field, Calm and inventive 'midst the battle's storm, Which makes his soldiers bold.— There have been those, in early manhood slain, Whose great heroick souls have yet inspire With such a noble zeal their gen'rous troops, That to their latest day of bearing arms, Their grey-hair'd soldiers would all dangers brave Of desp'rate service, claim'd with boastful pride, As those who fought beneath them in their youth. Such men have been; of whom it may be said, Their spirits conquer'd when their clay was cold.

Valt. Yes, I have seen in the eventful field, When new occasion mock'd all formed art, E'en old commanders hold experience cheap, And look to Basil ere his chin was dark.

Ros. One fault he has; I know but only one; His too great love of military fame