Page:Poems upon Several Occasions.djvu/196

184 Furies, Alecto, aid my just Design: But if, averse to Mercy, you decline The pious Task, assist me, Pow'rs divine; Just Gods, and thou their King, Imperial Jove, Strike whom you please, but save the Man I love.

The SCENE changes to a pleasant Garden, Oriana sitting in a Bower at the lower Part of the scene, list'ning to soft Musick. Arcalaus enters bowing respectfully; she rises; they advance slowly towards the Stage in mute Discourse, 'till the Musick ceases.

Arcal. Of Freedom lost, unjustly you complain, Born to command, where-e'er you come, you reign; No Fetters here you wear, but others bind, And not a Prison, but an Empire find.

Ori. Death I expect, and I desire it too, 'Tis all the Mercy to be wish'd from you. To die is to be free: Oh let me find A speedy Death; that Freedom wou'd be kind.

Arcal. Too cruel to suspect such Ills were meant, Here is no Death, but what your Eyes present: O may they reign, those Arbiters of Fate, Immortal, as the Loves that they create. We know the Cause of this prepost'rous Grief, And we shou'd pity, were there no Relief. Rh