Page:Poems upon Several Occasions.djvu/211

Rh Restrain each cruel Influence that destroys, Bless all her Days, and ripen all her Joys. [Amadis addressing to Constantius.Amad. Were Fortune us'd to smile upon Desert, Love had been yours; to die had been my Part: Thus Fate divides the Prize; tho' Beauty's mine, Yet Fame, our other Mistress, is more thine. [Constantius rises, looking sternly upon him.Disdain not, gallant Prince, a Rival's Praise, Whom your high Worth has humbled to confess In every thing, but Love, he merits less.

Con. Art thou that Rival then? O killing Shame! And has he view'd me thus, so weak, so tame? Like a scorn'd Captive prostrate at his Side, To grace his Triumph, and delight his Pride? O 'tis too much! and Nature in Disdain Turns back from Death, and firing ev'ry Vein, Reddens with Rage, and kindles Life again. Be firm, my Soul, quick from this Scene remove, Or Madness else may be too strong for Love. [Draws a Dagger, and stands between Amadis and Oriana, facing Amadis. Spent as I am, and weary'd with the Weight Of burthening LifeI cou'd reverse my Fate. Rh