/- /^- JO. /'{c CARACTACUS, Dramatic Poem. CARACTACUS, A Dramatic Poem : Written on the Model o£ The Ancient Greek Tragedy, By the Author of ELFRIDA- Mifimus & ledlas Druidum de gente Choreas. LONDON: Printed for J. K N A P T O N in Ludgate-Strect j and R. and J. D O D S L E Y in Pall-MaU. MDCCLIX. .^ arfj i' T O The Rev'' Mr H U R D. ELEGY. TT^RIEND of my youth, who, when the willing Mufe X Stream'd o'er my breaft her warm poetic rays, Saw'll: the frefh feeds their vital powers diffufe, And fed'ft them with the foft'ring dew of praife \ Whate'er the produce of th' unthrifty foil. The leaves, the flowers, the fruits, to thee belong : The labourer earns the wages of his toil ; Who form'd the Poet, well may claim the fong. Yes, 'tis my pride to own, that taught by thee My confcious foul fuperior flights eflay'd j Learnt from thy lore the Poet's dignity. And fpurn'd the hirelings of the rhyming trade. 5ay, fcenes of Science, fay, thou haunted ftream \ [For oft my Mufe-led fteps did'ft thou behold] How on thy banks I rifled every theme. That Fancy fabled in her age of gold. How oft I cry'd, " O come, thou tragic Queen 1 " March from thy Greece with firm majeftic tread \ " Such as when Athens faw thee fill her fcene, " When Sophocles thy choral Graces led ; l»j-LO 1 1>/^ [ vi] " Saw thy proud pall it's purple length devolve, " Saw thee uplift the glitt'ring dagger high, " Ponder with fixed brow thy deep refolve " Prepar'd to ftrike, to triumph, and to die. *' Bring then to Britain's plain that choral throng, " Difplay thy bufkin'd pomp, thy golden lyre, " Give her hiftoric forms the foul of fong, " And mingle Attic art with Shakefpear's fire." "■ Ah what, fond Boy, doft thou prcfume to claim ?" The Mufc reply'd. " Miflaken fuppliant, know, *' To light in Shakefpear's breaft: the dazzling flame " Exhaufted all Parnaflus could beftovv. " True ; Art remains j and, if from his bright page " Thy mimic power one vivid beam can feize, *' Proceed > and In that beft of tafks engage, " Which tends at once to profit, and to pleafe." She fpake ; and Harewood's Towers fpontaneous rofe j Soft virgin warblitvgs eccho'd thro' the grove j And fxir Elfrida pour'd forth all her woes, The haplcfs pattern of connubial Love. More awful fcenes old Mona next difplay 'd j Her caverns gloom'd, her forcfis wav'd on high. While flam'd within their confecrated fliade The Genius ftern of Britilh liberty. And fee, my H U R D ! to thee thofe fcenes confign'd ; O ! take and flamp them with thy honour'd name. Around the page be friendOiip's chaplet twin'd j And, if they find the road to honed Fame, [ vii ] Perchance the candour of fome nobler age May praife the Bard, who bad gay Folly bcatr * Her cheap applaufes to the bufy ftage And leave him penfive Virtue's filent tear ; Chofe too to confecrate his fav'rite ftrain To Him, who grac'd by ev'ry liberal art, That beft might fliine amid the learned train. Yet more excell'd in morals, and in heart : Whofe equal mind could fee vain fortune fliovver Her flimzy favours on the fawning crew. While in low Thurcafton's fequefler'd bower She fixt him diftant from Promotion's view : Yet, fhelter'd there by calm Contentment's wing ; Pleas'd he could fmile, and with fage Hooker's eye "f- " See from his mother earth God's bleffings fpring " And eat his bread in peace and privacy." 20 March 1759. W. MASON. * Nil equidem feci (tu fcis hoc ipfe) Theatris •, . Mufa nee in plaufus ambitiofa mea ell Ovid. Trift. Lib. V. EI. vii. 23. f Part of a fentence in a letter of Hooker to Archbifhop Whit- gift. See his Life in the Biographia Britannica. Perfons of the Drama. A U L U S D I D I U S, the Roman General. VELLINUS,7 .^ ^ >Sons of Cartiimandua. ELIDURUSJ * CHORUS of Druids and Bards. CARACTACUS. E V I L I N A, Daughter to Caradlacus. A R V I R A G U S, Son to Caraftacus. Scene, MONA. •» The dramatic part of the Chorus is fuppofed to be fpotcit- by the chief Druid j the lyrical part fung by the Bards, [ I ] C ARACTACUS, Dramatic Poem. AULUS DIDIUS, with Romans. TH I S is the fecret centre of the ifle : Here, Romans, paufe, and let the eye of wonder Gaze on the folemn fcene j behold yon oak, How ftern he frowns, and with his broad brown arms Chills the pale plain beneath him : mark yon altar, The dark ftream brawling round it's rugged bafe, Thefe cliffs, thefe yawning caverns, this wide circus, Skirted with unhewn flone : they awe my foul. As if the very Genius of the place Himfclf appear'd, and with terrific tread Stalk'd thro' his drear domain. And yet, my friends, (If lliapes like his be but the fancy's coinage) Surely there is a hidden power, that reigns 'iVIid the lone majefty of untam'd nature, Controuling fober reafon ; tell me elfe, Why do thefe haunts of barb'rous fuperftition O'ercome me thus ? I fcorn them, yet they awe me. Call forth the Britifli Princes : in this gloom I mean to fchool them to our enterprize. Enter Vellinus and Elidurus.. B 2 CARACTACUS. AULUS DIDIUS, VELLINUS, ELIDURUS. Ye pledges dear of Cartirmandua's faith, Approach ! and to my uninftruded ear Explain this fcene of horror. ELIDURUS. Daring Roman, Thy footfteps prefs on confecratcd ground : Thefe mighty piles of magic-planted rock. Thus rano'd in myftic order, mark the place Where but at times of holieft fcllival The Druid leads his train. AULUS DIDIUS. Where dwells the feei- ? VELLINUS. In yonder fliaggy cave ; on which the moon Now (lieds a fide-long gleam. His brotherhood PofTefs the neighb'ring cliffs. AULUSDIDIUS. Yet up the hill Mine eye defcrys a diftant range of caves, Delv'd in the ridges of the craggy fteep : And this way ftill another. ELIDURUS. On tlie left Refide the Sages fliill'd in Nature's lore : The changeful univerfe, it's numbers, powers. Studious they meafure, fave when meditation Gives place to holy rites : then in the grove Each hath his rank and fundtion. Yonder grots Are tenanted by Bards, who nightly thence. CARACTACUS. Rob'd in their flowing vefts of innocent white, Defcend, with harps that glitter to the moon, Hymning immortal drains. The fpirits of air. Of earth, of water, nay of heav'n itfelf, Do hften to their lay : and oft, 'tis faid, In vifible fliapes dance they a magic round To the high minftrelly. Now, if thine eye Be fated with the view, hafte to thy fliips ; And ply thine oars ; for, if the Druids learn This bold intrufion, thou wilt find it hard To foil their fury. AULUS DIDIUS. Prince, I did not moor My light-arm'd fhallops on this dangerous Arand, To footh a fruitlefs curiofity : I come in quefl of proud Caradlacus ; Who, when our veterans put his troops to flight. Found refuge here. ^ ELIDURUS. If here the Monarch refl:s, Prefumptuous Chief! thou might'ft as well eflay To pluck him from yon fl:ars : Earth's ample range Contains no furer refuge : underneath The foil we tread, a hundred fecret paths, Scoopt thro' the living rock in winding maze, Lead to as many caverns, dark, and deep : 'Mid which the hoary fages ad their rites Myfl:erious, rites of fuch fl:range potency. As, done in open day, would dim the fun, B 2 4 CARACTACUS. Tho' thron'd in noontide brightnefs. In fuch dens He may for life lie hid. A U L U S D I D I U S. We know the talTc MolT: dithcult : yet has thy royal mother Furnifli'd the means. E L I D U R U S. My mother fayfl thou, Roman ? AULUS DIDIUS. In proof of that firm faith flie lends to Rome, She gave ye up her honour's hoftages. E L I D U R U S. She did : and we fubmit. AULUS DIDIUS. To Rome we bear ye j From your dear country bear ye ; from your joys, Your loves, your friendfhips, all your fouls hold precious. E L I D U R U S. And doft thou taunt us, Roman, with our fate ? AULUS DIDIUS. No, Youth, by heav'n, I would avert that fate. Wi(h ye for liberty ? VELLINUS, ELIDURUS. More than for life. AULUS DIDIUS. And vpould do much to gain it ? VELLINUS. Name the tafk. CARACTACUS. AULUS DIDIUS. The talk is eafy. Halle ye to thefe Druids ; Tell them ye come, commiffion'd by your Queen, To feek the great Caradlacus ; and call His valour to her aid, againft the Legions, Which, led by our Oflorius, now affail Her frontiers. The late treaty fhe has feal'd Is yet unknown : and this her royal fignet, Which more to mafk our purpofe was obtain'd, Shall be your pledge of faith. The eager king Will gladly take the charge ; and, he confenting, What elfe remains, but to the Meinai's ihore Ye lead his credulous ftep ? there will we feize him : Bear him to Rome, the fubilitute for you. And give you back to freedom. V E L L I N U S. If the Druids. — AULUS DIDIUS. If they, or he, prevent this artifice, Then force muft take it's way : then flaming brands, And biting axes, weilded by our foldiers, Mufl level thefe thick fliades ; and fo unlodge The lurking favage. E L I D U R U S. Gods, fhall Mona perifh ? AULUS DIDIUS. Princes, her ev'ry trunk fhall on the ground Meafure it's magnitude -, unlefs ere dawn. Ye lure this untam'd lion to our toils. Go then, and profper j I fhall to the fhips. 6 C A R A C T A C U S. And there exped his coming. Youths, remember, He mufl: to Rome to grace great Ca^far's triumph : Caefar and Fate demand him at your hands. Exit Aulus Didius, and Romans. ELIDURUS, VELLINUS. And will heav'n fuffer it ? Will the jufl: gods. That tread yon fpangled pavement o'er our heads, Look from their fky and yield them ? Will thefe Druids, Their fage vicegerents, not call down the thunder j And will not inftant it's hot bolts be darted In fuch a righteous caufe ? Yes, good old king, Yes, laft of Britons, thou art heav'ns own pledge j And (halt be fuch 'till death. VELLINUS. What means my brother, Doll thou refufe the charge ? ELIDURUS. Doft: thou accept it ? It gives us liberty. VELLINUS. ELIDURUS. It makes us traytors. Gods, would Vellinus do a deed of bafenefs ? VELLINUS. Will Elidurus fcorn the profer'd boon Of freedom ? ELIDURUS. Yes, when fuch it's guilty price, Brother, I fpurn it. CARACTACUS. V E L L I N U S. Go then, foollfh boy ! I'll do the deed myfelf. E L I D U R U S. It (hall not be : I will proclaim the fraud. V E L L I N U S. Wilt thou ? 'tis well. Hie to yon cave ; call loudly on the Druid ; And bid him drag to ignominious death The partner of thy blood. Yet hope not thou To 'fcape ; for thou didfl: join my impious fteps : Therefore his wrath fliall curfe thee : thou fhalt live ; Yet fhalt thou live an interdicted wretch. All rights of nature cancell'd. E L I D U R U S. O Vellinus ! Rend not my foul : by heav'n thou know'ft I love thee, As fervently as brother e'er lov'd brother : And, loving thee, I thought I lov'd mine honour. Ah ! do not wake, dear youth, in this true breaft So fierce a conflidt. VELLINUS. Honour's voice commands Thou fhouldft obey thy mother, and thy queen. Honour and fage religion both confpire To bid thee favc thefe confecraied groves From Roman devaftation. 8 C A R A C T A C U S. E L I D U R U S. Horrid thought ! Hence let us hafte, ev'n to the furtheft nook Of this wide ille ; nor view the facrilege, V E L L I N U S. No, let us ftay, and by our profperous art Prevent the facrilege. Mark me, my brother, More years, and more experience have matur'd My fober thought ; I will convince thy youth, That this our deed has ev'ry honed fanftion Cool reafon may demand. E L I D U R U S. To Rome with reafon : Try if 'twill bring her deluging ambition Into the level courfe of right and juftice : Try if 'twill tame thefe infolent invaders ; Who thus, in favagcnefs of conqueft, claim Whom chance of war has fpar'd. Do this, and profper. But, pray thee, do not reafon from my foul It's inbred honefty : that holy flame How e'er eclips'd by Rome's black influence In vulgar minds, ought ftill to glow in ours. V E L L I N U S. Vain talker leave me. E L I D U R U S. No, I will not leave thee : I mud not, dare not, in thefe perilous ftiades. Think, if thy fraud fhould fail, thefe holy men, How will their juftice rend thy traitrous limbs ? If thou fucceed'ft, the fiercer pangs of confcience, CARACTACUS. How will they ever goad thy guilty foul ? Mercy, defend us ! fee, the awful Druids Are iffuing from their caves : hear'ft thou yon fignal ? Lo, on the inftant all the mountain whitens With flow-defcending Bards. Retire, retire ; This is the hour of facrifice : to ftay Is death. V E L L I N U S. I'll wait the clofing of their rites In yonder vale : do thou, as likes thee bell:, Betray, or aid me. E L I D U R U S. To betray thee, youth, That love forbids ; honour, alas ! to aid thee. Exeunt. Enter CHORUS. SEMICHORUS. Sleep and Silence reign around ; Not a night-breeze wakes to blow ; Circle, fons, this holy ground ; Circle clofe, in triple row ; And, if mafk'd in vapors drear, Any earth-born Spirit dare To hover round this facred fpace, Hafte with light fpells the murky foe to chace. Lift your boughs of vervain blue, Dipt in cold September dew ; And dafli the moifture chafte, and clear. O'er the ground, and thro' the air. Now the place is purg'd and pure. C lo CARACTACUS. Brethren ! fay, for tliis high hour Are the milk-white fleers prepar'd ? Whofe necks the rude yoke never fcar'd, To the furrow yet unbroke ? For fuch niLifl: bleed beneath yon oak. S E M I C H O R U S. Druid, thefe, in order meet, Are all prepar'd. SEMICHORUS. But tell me yet. Cad wall ! did thy ftep profound Dive into the cavern deep, Twice twelve fathom under ground, Where our fage fore-fatiiers flcep ? Thence with reverence haft thou born, From the confecrated cheft. The golden fickle, fcrip, and veft, Whilom by old Belinus worn ? SEMICHORUS. Druid, thefe, in order meet. Are all prepar'd. SEMICHORUS. But tell mc yet, From the grot of charms and fpells, Where our matron fifter dwells, Brennus 1 has thy holy hand Safely brought the druid wand ? And the potent adder-ftone, Gender'd 'fore th' autumnal moon ? When, in undulating twine, C A R A C T A C U S. ii The foaming fnakes prolific join ; When they hifs, and when they bear Their wond'rous egg aloof in air ; Thence, before to earth it fall, The Druid, in his hallow'd pall. Receives the prize; And inflant flys, FoUow'd by th' envenom'd brood, 'Till he crofs the cryftal flood. SEMICHORUS. Druid, thefe, in order meet, Arc all prepar'd. SEMICHORUS. Then all's compleat. And now let nine of the feled:ed band, Whofe greener years befit fuch ftation befl. With wary circuit pace around the grove : And guard each inlet ; watchful, left the eye Of bufy curiofity profane Pry on our rites ; which now muft be as clofe As done i'th' very central womb of earth. Occafion claims it ; for Caradlacus This night demands admiffion to our train. He, once our king, while ought his power avail'd To fave his country from the rod of tyrants j That duty paft, does wifely now retire To end his days in fecrecy and peace ; Druid with Druids, in this chief of groves, Ev'n in the heart of Mona. See, he comes ! How awful is his port ! mark him, my friends ! C 2 ,2 C A R A C T A C U S. He looks, as doth the tower, vvhofe nodding wah's, Afcer the conflia of hcav'n's angry bolts. Frown with a dignity unmark'd before, • Ev'n in it's prime of ftrength. Health to the king 1 CARACTACUS, E V I L I N A, CHORUS. This holy place, methinks, doth this night wear More than it's wonted gloom : Druid, thefe groves Have caught the difmal colouring of my foul, Changing their dark dun garbs to very fable. In pity to their gueft. Hail, hallow'd oaks I Hail, Britifli born ! who, laft of Britifh race. Hold your primaeval rights by nature's charter j Not at the nod of Caefar. Happy forefters, Ye wave your bold heads 'mid the liberal air ; Nor afk, for priviledge, a praitor's edidl. Ye, with your tough and intertwifted roots, Grafp the firm rocks ye fprung from ; and, eredl In knotty hardihood, ftill proudly fpread Your leafy banners 'gainfl the tyrannous north, Who Roman like aflails you. Tell me, Druid,, Is it not better to be fuch as thefc,. Than be the thing I am ? CHORUS. To be the thing, tuoi zidi ihiw Eternal wifdom wills, is ever beft. CARACTACUS, But I am loft to that predeftin'd ufe Eternal wifdom will'd, and fitly therefore CARACTACUS. 13 May wifli a change of being. I was born A king ; and Heav'n, who bade thefe warrior oaks Lift their green fliields againft the fiery fun. To fence their fubjedt plain, did mean, that I Should, with as firm an arm, protedl my people, Againft the peftilent glare of Rome's ambition. I fail'd } and how I fail'd, thou know'fi: too well ; So does the babbling world : and therefore, Druid, I would be any thing fave what I am. CHORUS. See, to thy wiflx, the holy rites prepar'd. Which, if heav'n frown not, confecrate thee Druid : See to the altar's bafe the vidiims led, From whofe free-gufhing blood ourfelf fliall read Its high behefts ; which if afienting found, Thefe hands around thy chofen limbs fhall wrap The veft of fandity ; while at the adt Yon white-rob'd bards, fweeping their folemn harps,. Shall lift their choral warblings to the fkies, And call the gods to witnefs. Mean-while, Prince, Bethink thee well if ought on this vain earth Still holds too firm an union with thy foul, Eftranging it from, peace. CARACTACUS. I had a queen : ^ '^T R O H O Bear with my weaknefs, Druid ! this tough breaft , > ^ ' Mull heave a figh, for fhe is unreveng'd. tat.'J And can I tafte true peace, fhe unreveng'd ? So chafte, fo lov'd a queen ? ah, Evilina I 14 C A R A C T A C U S. Hang not thus weeping on the feeble arm That cou'd not fave thy mother. E V I LIN A. To hang thus Softens the pang of grief; and the fweet thouglit, That a fond father rtill fupports his child, Sheds, on my penfive mind, fuch foothing balm, As doth the blefling of thefe pious feers. When moil they wifli our welfare. Would to heav'n A daughter's prefence could as much avail, To eafe her father's woes, as his doth mine. CARACTACUS. Ever moft gentle ! come unto my bofom : Dear pattern of the precious prize I loft. Loft, fo inglorious loft ; my friends, thefe eyes Did fee her torn from my defencelefs camp ; Whilft I, hemm'd round by fquadrons, could not fave her : My boy, ftill nearer to the darling pledge. Beheld her flirieking in the ruffian's arm ; Beheld, and fled. E VILINA. Ah ! Sir, forbear to wound My brother's fame ; he fled, but to recall His fcatter'd forces to purfue and fave her. CARACTACUS. Daughter, he fled. Now, by yon gracious moon, That rifing faw the deed, and inftant hid Her bluftiing face in twilight's dufky veil, The flight was parricide. CARACTACUS. EVILINA. Indeed, indeed, I know him valiant ; and not doubt he fell 'Mid flaughter'd thoufands of the haughty foe, Vidtim to filial love. Arviragus, Thou hadfl: no fifler near the bloody field, Whofe forrowing fearch, led by yon orb of night, Might find thy body j wafli with tears thy wounds ; And wipe them with her hair. CHORUS. Peace, virgin, peace : Nor thou, fad prince, reply ; whate'er he is, Be he a captive, fugitive, or corfe. He is what heav'n ordain'd : thefe holy groves Permit no exclamation 'gainft heav'n's will To violate their echoes : Patience, here. Her meek hands folded on her modeft breaft, In mute fubmiflion lifts th' adoring eye, Ev'n to the llorm that wrecks her. EVILINA. Holy Druid, If ought my erring tongue has faid pollutes This facred place, I from my foul abjure it. And will thefe lips bar with eternal filence, Rather than fpeak a word, or ad: a deed Unmeet for thy fage daughters ; blefling firft This hallow'd hour, that takes me from the world. And joins me to their fober fifterhood. 15 ,6 C A R A C T A C U S. CHORUS. 'Tis wifely f^id. See, prince, this prudent maid, Now, while the ruddy flame of fparkling youth Glows on her beauteous cheek, can quit the world Without a figh, whilrt: thou C A R A C T A C U S. Would fave my queen From a bafe ravilhcr ; would wifh to plunge This falchion in his breaft, and fo avenge Infulced royalty. O holy men ! Ye are the fons of piety and peace ; Ye never felt the (harp vindictive fpur. That goads the injur'd warrior; the hot tide, That flufhes crimfon on the confcious cheek Of him, who burns for glory ; clfe indeed Ye much would pity me : would curfe the fate That coops me here inaftive in your groves, Robs me of hope, tells me this trufty fteel Muft never cleave one Roman helm again. Never avenge my queen, nor free my country, CHORUS. 'Tis heav'n's high will CARACTACUS. I know it, reverend fathers 1 Tis heav'n's high will, that thefe poor aged eyes Shall never more behold that virtuous woman. To whom my youth was conftant, 'twas heav'n's will To take her from me at that very hour, When beft her love might footh me ; that black hour, [May memory ever raze it from her records] CARACTACUS. ij When all my fquadrons fled, and left their king Old and defencelefs : him, who nine whole years Had ftemm'd all Rome with their firm phallanx : yes, For nine whole years, my friends, I bravely led The valiant veterans, oft to vidlory, Never 'till then to fhame. Bear with me, Druid, I've done : begin the rites. C FI O R U S. O would to heav'n A frame of mind, more fitted to thefe rites, PofTeft thee, Prince ! that Refignation meek. That dove-ey'd Peace, handmaid of Sandlity, Approach'd this altar with thee : 'ftead of thefe, See I not gaunt Revenge, enfanguin'd Slaughter, And mad Ambition, clinging to thy foul. Eager to fnatch thee back to their domain, Back to a vain and miferable world ; Whofe mifery, and vanity, tho' try'd, Thou ftill hold'fl: dearer than thefe folemn fliades. Where Quiet reigns with Virtue ? Try we yet What Holinefs can do ; for much it can : Much is the potency of pious prayer : And much the facred influence convey 'd By fage myfterious office : when the foul, Snatch'd by the power of mufick from her cell Of fleflily thraldom, feels herfelf upborn On plumes of extafy, and boldly fprings, 'Mid fwelling harmonies and pealing hymns. Up to the porch of heav'n. Strike, then, ye Bards ! Strike all your firings fymphonious ; wake a ilrain D ',8 C A R A C T A C U S. May penetrate, may purge, may purify, His yet unhallow'd bofom ; call ye hither The airy tribe, that on yon mountain dwell, Ev'n on majeftic Snovvdon : they, who never Deign vifit mortal men, fave on fome caufe Of higheft: import, but, fublimely fhrin'd On it's hoar top in domes of cryftaline ice. Hold converfe with thofe fpirits, that poflefs The fkics pure fappiiire, neareft heav'n itfelf. ODE. I. I. M O N A on Snowdon calls : Hear, thou King of mountains, hear ; Hark, flic fpeaks from all her firings j Hark, her loudeft echo rings ; King of mountains, bend thine ear : Send thy fpirits, fend them foon. Now, when Midnight and the Moon Meet upon thy front of fnow : See, their gold and ebon rod. Where the fober fifters nod. And greet in whifpers fage and flow. Snowdon mark ! 'tis Magic's hour ; Now the mutter'd fpell hath pow'r j Pow'r to rend thy ribs of rock. And burfl: thy bafe with thunder's fliock j But to thee no ruder fpell Shall Mona ufe, than thofe that dwell GARACTACUS. 19 In mufic's fecret cells, and lie Steep'd in the ilream of harmony. I. 2. Snowdon has heard the ftrain : Hark, amid the wond'ring grove Other harpings anfwer clear, Other voices meet our ear, Pinnions flutter, {hadows move, Bufy murmurs hum around, Ruftling veilments brufli the ground ; Round, and round, and round they go, Thro' the twilight, thro' the (hade. Mount the oak's majeftic head, And gild the tufted mifTeltoe. Ceafe, ye glittering race of light, Clofe your wings, and check your flight : Here, arrang'd in order due. Spread your robes of faffron hue ; For lo, with more than mortal fire. Mighty Mador fmites the lyre : Hark he fweeps the mafler -firings ; Liften all CHORUS. Break off; a fullen fmoak involves the altar; ■,; The central oak doth (liake ; I hear the found Of fteps prophane : Caradlacus, retire j Bear off the vidlims ; Mona is polluted. SEMICHORUS. ^ Father, as we did watch the eafl:ern fide, We fpied and inftant feiz'd two flranger youths, D 2 20 CARACTACUS. Who, in the bottom of a Ihadowy dell, Held carnen; converfe : Britons do they lecm, And of Brigantian race. CHORUS. Hafte, drag them hither. VELLINUS, ELIDURUS, CHORUS. O fpare, ye- fage and venerable Druids ! Your countrymen and fons. C H O R U S^. And are ye Britons ? Unheard of profanation ! Rome herfelf, Ev'n impious Rome, whom conqueft makes more impious. Would not have dar'd fo ralhly. O ! for words. Big with the fierceft force of execration. To blaft the deed, and doers. E L I D U R U S. Spare the curfe, Oh fpare our youth ! CHORUS. Is it not now the hour. The holy hour, when to the cloudlefs height Of yon flarr'd concave climbs the full-orb'd moon^ And to this nether world in folemn ftillnefs Gives fign, that to the lilVning ear of Heav'n Religion's voice fhould plead ; the very babe Knows this, and, chance awak'd, his little hands Lifts to the gods, and on his innocent couch Calls down a blefling. Shall your manly years Plead ignorance, and impioufly prefume To prefs, with vile unconfecrated feet. CARACTACUS. 2i On Mona's hallow'd plain ? know, wretches, know, At any hour fuch boldnefs is a crime, At this 'tis facrilege. V E L L I N U S. Were Mona's plain More hallow'd ftill, hallow'd as is Heav'n's felf. The caufe might plead our pardon. ELI DURUS. Mighty Druid ! True, we have radily dar'd, yet, forc'd by duty, Our fov'reign's mandate V E L L I N U S. Elder by my birth, Brother, I claim, in right of elderfhip, To open our high embafly. CHORUS. Speak then ; But fee thy words anfwer in honeft weight To this proud prelude. Youth I they muft be weighty, T' atone for fuch a crime. V E L L I N U S. If then to give New nerves to vanquilh'd valour, if to do, What, with the blefTing of the Gods, may fave A bleeding country from oppreffion's fvvord. Be weighty bufinefs, know, on our commiffion. And on it's hop'd fuccefs, that weight depends. CHORUS. Declare it then at once, briefly and boldly.iJB ,3Dr 2V CARACTACUS. V E L L I N U S. Cara Their own high hoftagc ; and each facred hair Of his feledled head, would in thefe caverns Sleep with the unfunn'd filver of the mine. As precious and as fafe ; record the time. When Mona e'er betray 'd the haplefs wretch, That made her groves his refuge. V E L L I N U S. Holy Druid ! Think not fo harllily of our enterprizc. Can force, alas ! dwell in our unarm'd liands ? Can fraud in our young bofoms ? No, dread feer, Our bufinefs told, I truft thou'lt foon difclalm The vain fufpicion ; and thy holy ear (Be brave Caradlacus or here or abfent) Shall inftant learn it. From the north we come ; The fons of her, whofe heav'n-intrufted fway Bleffes the bold Brigantes ; men who firmly Have three long moons withftood thofe Roman powers, Which, led by fell Oflorius, ftill aflail Our frontiers : yet fo oft have our flout fwords Repell'd their hot affiult, that now, like falcons. They hang fufpended, loth to quit their prey. C A R A C T A C U S. 23 Nor daring yet to feize it. Such the ftate Of us and Rome ; 'mid which our prudent mother, Revolving what might to her people's weal Befl: fink the dubious fcale, gave us fvvift charge To feek the great Caradtacus, and call His valour to her aid, to lead her bands. To fight the caufe of liberty and Britain, And quell thefe ravagers. CaraSlacus Jlarts from behind the altar. CARACTACUS, VELLINUS, ELIDURUS, CHORUS. And ye have found me ; Friends, ye have found me : lead me to your Queen, And the laft purple drop in thefe old veins Shall fall for her and Britain. CHORUS. Rafli, rafli Prince ! VELLINUS. Ye blefl; immortal pow'rs ! is this the man. The more than man, who for nine bloody years Withftood all Rome ? He is ; that war-like front, Seam'd o'er witli honefl: fears, proclaims he is : Kneel, brother, kneel, while in his royal hand We lodge the fignet : this, in pledge of faith. Great Cartifmandua fends, and with it tells thee She has a nobler pledge than tlus behind ; Thy Queen — CARACTACUS. Guideria ! 24 C A R A C T A C U S. V E L L I N U S. Safely with our mother, C A II A C T A C U S. How, when, where refcued ? mighty Gods, I thank ye. For it is true, this figiiet fpeaks it true. O teli me briefly. V E L L I N U S. In a fally, Prince, Which, wanting abler chiefs, my gracious mother Committed to my charge, our troops affail'd One outwork of the camp ; the maik. of night Favour'd our arms, and there my happy hand Was doom'd 'mid other prifoners to releafe The captive matron. C A R A C T A C U S. Let me clafp thee, youtli, And thou (halt be my fon ; I had one, ftranger, Juft of thy years ; he look'd like thee right honed ; Had juft that fredborn boldnefs on his brow, And yet he fail'd me. Were it not for him,, Who, as thou feeft, ev'n at this hour of joy. Draws tears down mine old cheek, I were as bleft As the great gods. Oh, he has all difgrac'd His high-born anceftry ! But I'll forget him. Hafte, Evelina, barb my knotty fpear, Bind faft this trufty falchion to my thigh. My bow, my target — CHORUS. Ra(h Caradacus ! What haft thou done ? What doft tbou mean to do ? CARACTACUS. 25 CARACTACUS. To fave my country. CHORUS. To betray thyfelf. That thou haft done j the reft thou canft not do, If Heav'n forbids ; and of it's awful will Thy fury recks not : Has the bleeding vI6lim Pour'd a propitious ftream ? the milk-white fteeds Unrein'd and neighing pranc'd with fav'ring fteps ? Say, when thefe youths approach'd, did not a guft Of livid fmoak involve the bickering flame ? Did not the foreft tremble ? every' omen Led thee to doubt their honefty of purpofe } And yet, before their tongues could tell that purpofe. Ere I had tender'd, as our laws ordain. Their teft of faith, thy rudenefs rufti'd before me, Infringing my juft rights. CARACTACUS. Druid, methinks, At fuch a time, in fuch a caufe. Reproof Might bait it's fternnefs. Now, by Heav'n, I feel, Beyond all omens, that within my breaft. That marflials me to conqueft j fomething here That fnatches me beyond all mortal fears, Lifts me to where upon her jafper throne Sits flame-rob'd Vidlory, who calls me fon, And crowns me with a palm, whofe deathlefs green Shall bloom when Caefar's fades. CHORUS. Vain confidence ! 26 C A R A C T A C U S. C A R A C T A C U S. Yet I fubmlt in all — CHORUS. 'Tis meet thou fliould'H:. Thou art a King, a fov'reign o'er frail man ; I am a Druid, fervant of the Gods ; Such fcrvice is above fuch fov'reignty, As well thou know'll : if they fliould prompt thefe lip* To intcrdiifl: the thing thou dar'il: to do, What would avail thy daring ? CARACTACUS. Holy man ! But thou wilt blefs it ; Heav'n will bid thee blefs it ; Thou know'fl: that, when we fight to fave our country. We fight the caufe of Heav'n. The man that falls, Falls hallow'd ; falls a vidim for the Gods ; For them and for their altars. CHORUS. Valiant Prince ? Think not wc lightly rate our country's weal, Or thee our country's champion. Well we know The glorious meed of thofe exalted fouls. Who flame like thee for freedom : mark me, Prince. The time will come, when Deftiny and Death, Thron'd in a burning car, the thund'ring wheels Arm'd with gigantic fcythes of adamant, Shall fcour this field of life, and in their rear The fiend Oblivion : kingdoms, empires, worlds Melt in the general blaze : when, lo, from high Andrafte darting, catches from the wreck C A R A C T A C U S. 27 Tke roll of fame, claps her afcending plumes, And ftamps on orient ftars eacli patriot name, Round her eternal dome. CARACTACUS. Speak ever thus, And I will hear thee, 'till attention faint In heedlefs extafy. CHORUS. This tho' we know, Let man beware with headlong zeal to rufli Where llaughter calls ; it is not courage, Prince, No nor the pride and pradis'd iTcill in arms. That gains this meed : the warrior is no patriot, Save when, obfequious to the will of Heav'n, He draws the fword of vengeance. CARACTACUS. Surely, Druid, Such fair occafion fpeaks the will of Heav'n CHORUS. Monarch, perchance thou haft a fair occafion : But, if thou haft, the Gods will foon declare it : Their fov'reign will thou know'ft not ; this to learn Demands our fearch. Ye mortals all retire ! Leave ye the grove to us and Infpiration ; Nor let a ftep, or ev'n one glance prophane, Steal from your caverns : ftay, my holy brethren, Ye time-ennobled Seers, whofe rev'rend brows Full eighty winters whiten ; you, ye Bards, Leoline, Cadwall, Hoel, Cantaber, Attend upon our {lumbers : Wondrous men, E 2 >»8 CARACTACUS. Ve, whofe fkill'd fingers know how bcfl: to lead, Thro' all the maze of found the wayward ftep Of Harmony, recalling oft, and oft Permitting her unbridled courfe to rufh Thro' dilfonance to concord, fweeteft then Ev'n when expedted harflieft. Mador, thoa Alone flialt lift thy voice ; no choral peal Shall drown thy folemn warblings ; thou beft know'rt: That opiate charm which lulls corporeal fenfe : Thou hafl; the key, great Bard 1 that bcjft can ope The portal of the foul; unlock it ftrait, And lead the penfive pilgrim on her way, Thro' the vaft regions of futurity. Exeunt CaraBacm, VellinuSy ODE. I. I. HAIL, thou harp of Phrygian frame ! In years of yore that Camber bore From Troy's fepulchral flame ; With ancient Brute, to Britain's fliore The mighty minftrel came : Sublime upon the burnifh'd prow. He bad thy manly modes to flow j Britain heard the defcant bold, She flung her white arms o'er the fea > Proud in her leafy bofom to unfold The freight of harmony. C A R A C T A C U S. »<) I. 2. Mute 'till then was ev'ry plain. Save where the flood 'mid mountains rude Tumbled his tide amain ; And echo from th' impending wood Refounded the hoarfe flrain ; While from the north the fullen gale With hollow whiftlings fliook the vale j Difmal notes, and anfwer'd foon By favage howl the heaths among. What time the wolf doth bay the trembling moon, And thin the bleating throng. I- 3- Thou fpak'ft, imperial Lyre, The rough roar ceas'd, and airs from high Lapt the land in extafy : Fancy, the fairy, with thee came ; And Infpiration, bright-ey'd dame. Oft at thy call would leave her fapphire fky ; And, if not vain the verfe prefumes, Ev'n now fome chaft Divinity is near : For lo ! the found of diflant plumes Pants thro' the pathlefs defart of the air. 'Tis not the flight of her ; 'Tis Sleep, her dewy harbinger. Change, my harp, O change thy meafures ; Cull, from thy mellifluous treafures, Notes that fteal on even feet. Ever flow, yet never paufing, Mixt with many a warble fweet. In a ling'ring cadence clofing, 30 C A R A C T A C U S. While the pleas'd power finks gently down the (kies, And feals with hand of down the Druids ilumb'fiiig eyes. 1 1. J. Thrice I paufe, and thrice I found The central firing, and now I ring (By meafur'd lore profound) A fevenfold chime, and fweep, and fwing Above, below, around, To mix thy mufic with the fphcrss, That warble to immortal ears. Infpiration hears the call ; She rifes from her throne above, And, fudden as the glancing meteors fall. She comeSj fhe fills the grove. 11. 2. High her port ; her waving hand A pencil bears ; the days, the years, Arife at her command. And each obedient colouring wears. So, where Time's pidur'd band In hues -ethereal glide along ; O mark the tranfitory throng j Now they dazzle, now they die, Inftant they flit from light to (liade, Mark the blue forms of faint futurity, O mark them ere they fade. II. 3. Whence was that inward groan ? Why burfls thro' clofed lids the tear ? Why uplifts the bridling hair CARACTACUS. 31 It's white and venerable (hade, Why dov/n the confecrated head Courfes in chilly drops the dews of fear ? All is not well, the pale-ey'd moon Curtains her head in clouds, the ftars retir*. Save from the fultry fouth alone The fwart flar flings his peftilential fire j Ev'n Sleep herfelf will fly, If not recall'd by harmony. Wake, my lyre ! thy foftefl numbers, Such as nurfe ecflatic flumbers, Sweet as tranquil virtue feels When the toil of life is ending, While from earth the fpirit fteals. And, on new-born plumes afcending, Hafliens to lave in the bright fount of day, 'Till Defliny prepare a (lirine of purer clay. The Druid wakings /peaks. CHORUS. It may not be. Avaunt terrific ax ! Why hangs thy bright edge glaring o'er the grove } O for a giant's nerve to ward the flroke ! It bows, it falls. Where am I ? hu{h, my foul ! 'Twas all a dream. Refume no more the ftrain : The hour is pafl: : my brethren ! what ye faw, (If what ye faw, as by your looks I read, Bore like ill-omen'd fhape) hold it in filence. The midnight air falls chilly oq my breaft ; 32 C A R A C T A C U S. And now I fliiver, now a fev'ii(h glow Scorches my vitals. Hark, Ibmc ftep approaches. EVELINA, CHORUS. Thus, with my wayward fears, to burfl unbidden On your dread fynod, roufing, as ye feem. From holy trance, appears a defperate deed, Ev'n to the wretch who dares it. CHORUS. Virgin ! quickly Pronounce the caufe. EVELINA. Bear with a fimple maid Too prone to fear, perchance my fears are vain. CHORUS. But yet declare them. EVELINA. I fufpedl me much The faith of thefe Brigantes. CHORUS. Say'ft thou. Virgin } Heed what thou fay'ft ; Sufpicion Is a gueft That in the bread of man, of ireful man. Too oft' his welcome finds ; yet feldom fure In that fubmiiTive calra that fmooths the mind Of maiden innocence. ^ i" - EVELINA. I know it well : . Yet muft I ftill diftruft the elder flranger : Fer while he talks, (and much the flatterer talks) CARACTACUS. 33 His brothers filent carriage gives difproof Of all his boaft ; indeed I mark'd it well ; And, as my father with the elder held. Bold fpeech and warlike, as is ftill his wont When fir'd with hope of conqueft, oft I faw A figh unbidden heave the younger's breafl:. Half check'd as it was rais'd ; fometimes, methought. His gentle eye would caft a glance on me. As if he pitied me ; and then again Would faften on my father, gazing there To veneration j then he'd figh again. Look on the ground, and hang his modefl: head Mofl penfively. CHORUS. This may demand, my breth'ren, More ferious fearch : Virgin ! proceed. EVELINA. 'Tis true. My father, rapt in high heroic zeal, His ev'ry thought big with his country's freedom. Heeds not the different carriage of thefe brethren. The elder takes him wholly ; yet, methinks. The younger's manners have I know not what. That fpeaks him far more artlefs. This befides, Is it not ftrange, if, as the tale reports. My mother fojourns with this diflant queen. She fliould not fend or to my fire, or me, Some fond remembrance of her love ? ah ! none, With tears I fpeak it, none, not her dear bleffing Has reach'd my longing ears. F 54 G A R A C T A C U S. CHORUS. The gods, my brethren, ir-ave wak'd thefe doubts in the untainted breafi! Of this mild maiden ; oft to female foftnefs. Oft to the purity of virgin fouls Doth heav'n it's voluntary light difpenfe, When vii5lims bleed in vain. They murt: be fpies. Hie thee, good Cantaber, and to our prefcnce Summon the young Brigantian. E V I L I N A. Do not that, Or, if yc do, yet treat him nothing fternly r The foftefl terms from fuch a tender bread Will draw confefllon, and, if ye {hall find The treafon ye fufpedt, forbear to curfe him. (Not that my vveaknefs means to guide your wifdom) Yet, as I think he would not wittingly E'er do a deed of bafenefs, were it granted That I might queflion him, my heart forbodes It more could gain by gentlenefs and prayers, Than will the lierceft threats. CHORUS. Perchance it may : And quickly fhalt thou try. But fee the King ! And with him both the youths. E V I LIN A. Alas ! my fears Forewent my errand, elfe had I inform'd thee That therefore did I come, and from my father To gain admiflion. Mark the younger, Druid, C A R A C T A C U S. ^ 35 How fad he feems ; oft did he in the cave So fold his arms CHORUS. We mark him much, and much The elder's free and dreadlefs confidence. Virgin, retire a while in yonder vale. Nor, 'till thy royal father quits the grove, Refume thy ftation here. Exit Evilina. CARACTACUS, CHORUS, VELLINUS, E L I D U R U S. Forgive me, Druid 1 My eager foul no longer could fuftain The pangs of expedtation ; hence I fent The virgin innocence of Evilina, SafeU: to break upon your privacy : She not return'd, O pardon ! tliat uncall'd I follow : the great caufe, I truft, abfolves me : 'Tis your's, 'tis freedom's, 'tis the caufe of heav'n j And fure heav'n owns it fuch. CHORUS. Caraflacus, All that by fage and findlmonious rites Might of the gods be afk'd, we have effay'd. And yet, nor to our wilh, nor to their wont, Gave they benign affent. CARACTACUS. Death to our hopes ! CHORUS. While yet we lay in facred flumber tranc'd, F 2 3*^ C A R A C T A C U 5. Sullen and hul to fancy's frighted eye Did lliapes of dun and murky hue advance, In train tumultuous, all of gefture ftrange, And pafling horrible ; ftarting we wak'd. Yet felt no waking calm ; ftill all was dark, Still rang our tinkling ears with fcreams of woe. Sufpicious tremors ftill V E L L I N U Sk Of what fufpicious ? Druid, our Queen CHORUS; Reflrain thy way-ward tongue, Infolent youth ! in fuch licentious mood To interupt our fpeech ill fuits thy years. And worfe our fandlity. CARACTACUS. 'Tis his diftrefs Makes him forget, what elfe his reverent zeal Would pay ye holily. Think what he feels, Poor youth ! who fears yon moon, before fhe wanes. May fee his country conquer'd ; fee his mother The vigor's flave, her royal blood debas'd, Dragging her chains thro' the throng'd flreets of Rome,, To grace oppreflion's triumph. Horrid thought ! Say, can it be that he, whofe ftrenuous youth Adds vigor to his virtue, e'er can bear This patiently ? he comes to afk my aid, And, that witheld, (as now he needs muft fear) What means, alas 1 are left ? fearch Britain round. What chief dares cope with Rome ? what king but holds CARACTACUS. n-y His loan of power at a Proconful's will. At beft a fcepter'd flave ? V E L L I N U S- Yes, Monarch, yes. If Heav'n reftrains thy formidable fword, Or to it's ftroke denies that juft fuccefs Which Heav'n alone can give, I fear me much Our Queen, ourfelves, nay Britain's felf, mufl peridi. CARACTACUS. But is not this a fear makes Virtue vain ? Tears from yon miniftring regents of the fky Their right ? Plucks from firm-handed Providence, The golden reins of fublunary fway. And gives them to blind Chance ? If this be fo. If Tyranny muft lord it o'er the earth, There's Anarchy in Heav'n. Nay, frown not, Druid,. I do not think 'tis thus. CHORUS. We truft thou dofl: not. CARACTACUS. Mafters of Wifdom \ No : my foul confides- In that all-healing and" all- forming Power, Who, on the radiant day vi'hen Time was born, Caft his broad eye upon the wild of ocean, And calm'd it with a glance : then, plunging deep His mighty arm, pluck'd from it's dark domain This throne of Freedom, lifted it to light. Girt it with filver clifiTs, and call'd it Britain :. He did, and will preferve it. 33 CARACTACUS. CHORUS. Pious Prince, In that all-healing and all-forming power Still let thy foul confide ; but not in men. No, not in thefe, ingenuous as they fecm, 'Till they are try'd by that high teft of faith Our ancient laws ordain. V E L L I N U S. Illuftrious Seer, Methinks our Sov'reign's fignet well might plead Her envoy's faith. Thy pardon, mighty Druid, Not for ourfelves, but for our Queen we plead ; Millrufting us, ye wound her honour. CHORUS. Peace ; Our will admits no parly. Thither, Youths, Turn your aftoniOi'd eyes ; behold yon huge And unhewn fphere of living adamant. Which, pois'd by magic, refts it's central weight On yonder pointed rock : firm as it feems. Such is it's ftrange and virtuous property, It moves obfequious to the gentleft touch Of him, whofe bread is pure j but to a traytor, Tho ev'n a giant's prowefs nerv'd his arm. It ftands as fixt as Snowdon. No reply ; The Gods command that one of you mufl now Approach and try it : in your fnowy vefts, Ye Priefts, involve the lots, and to the younger, As is our wont, tender the choice of Fate. CARACTACUS. 39 E L I D U R U S. Heav'ns ! is it fall'n on me ? CHORUS. Young Prince, it is ; Prepare thee for thy tryal. E L I D U R U S, Gracious Gods ! Who may look up to your tremendous thrones, And fay his breaft is pure ? All-fearching Powers, Ye know already how and what I am ; And what ye mean to publifla me in Mona, To that I yield and tremble. CARACTACUS. Roufe thee, Youth ! And, with that courage honeft Truth fuppHes, (For fure ye both are true) hafte to the tryal j Behold I lead thee on. CHORUS. Prince, we arreft Thy hafty ftep ; to witnefs this high teft Pertains to us alone. Awhile retire. And in yon cave his brother be thy charge j The tryal paft, again will we confer. Touching that part which Heav'n's deciding choice Wills thee to ad. Exeunt Cara&acus and VelUnus. 40 CARACTACUS. CHORUS, ELIDURUS. Now be the rites prepar'd : And now, ye Bards, chaunt ye that cuftoni'd hymn, The prelude of this fam'd folemnity. ODE. I. I. THOU Spirit pure, that fpread'ft unfeen Thy pinions o'er this pond'rous fphcre. And, breathing thro' each rigid vein, Fill'ft with ftupcndous Hfe the marble mafs, And bid'fl it bow upon it's bafe, When fov'reign Truth is near ; Spirit invifible ! to thee We fwell the folemn harmony ; Hear us, and aid : Thou, that in Virtue's caufe O'er-rulefl Nature's laws, O hear, and aid with influence high The fons of Peace and Piety. I. 2. Firft-born of that aethereal tribe Call'd into birth ere time or place. Whom wave nor wind can circumfcribe. Heirs of the liquid liberty of Light, That float on rainbow pennons bright Thro' all the wilds of fpace, Yet thou alone of all thy kind Canft range the regions of the mind. C A R A C T A C U S. 41 Thou only know'fl That dark meandring maze, Where wayward Falfliood ftrays, And, feizing fwift the lurking fprite. Forces her forth to fhanie and light, '• 3- Thou canft enter the dark cell Where the vulture Confcience {lumbers, And, unarm'd by charming fpell, Or magic numbers, Canft roufe her from her formidable fleep, And bid her dart her raging talons deep ; Yet, ah ! too feldom doth the furious fiend Thy bidding wait } vindictive, felf-prepar'd. She knows her tort'ring time ; too fare to rend The trembling heart, when Virtue quits her guard. Paufe then, celeftial gueft 1 And, brooding on thine adamantine fphere, If fraud approach, Spirit, that fraud declare ; To Confcience and to Mona leave the reft. CHORUS. Heard'ft thou the awful invocation, Youth, Wrapt in thofe holy harpings ? E L I D U R U S. Sage, I did 3 And it came o'er my foul as doth the thunder, While diftant yet, it, with expedled burft Threatens the trembling ear. Now to the tryal. ■ 4.2 C A R A C T A C V ^. C H O R U S. Ere that, bethink thee well what rig'rous doom Threatens thine acl, If flailing, certain death : So certain, that in our abfolving tongues Rcfls not that power may lave thee v Thou mufl die, E V I L I N A, E L I D U R U S, CHORUS. Die, fay'fl thou r Druid ! E L I I) U R U S. Evilina liere ! Lead to the rocL CHORUS. No, youth, a while we fpare thee ; And, in our ftead, permit this royal raaidea To urge thee firfi: with virgin gentlenels -, Refpedl our clemency, and meet her queftions With anUvers prompt and true ; fo may'll thou 'leapt A flerner tryal. E L I D U R U S. Rather to the rock E V 1 L I N A. Doll thou difd.iin me. Prince ? Loft a-s I am,. Methinks the daughter of Caraftacus Mio-ht merit milder treatment : I was born To roval hopes and promile, nurs'd i'th' lap Of loft profperity, alas the change ! I meant but to addrefs a few brief words To this young Prince, and he doth turn his eye. And fcorns to anfwer me. C A R A C T A -C U S.. E LI I^ MRUS. Scorn thee, fweet Maid ? ,,^i,, Noj 'tis the fear E V I L I N A. And canft thou fear me. Youth ? Ev'n while I led a life of royalty, I bore myfelf to all with meek deportment. In nothing harlli, or cruel : and, howc'er Misfortune works upon the minds of men, (For fome they fay it turns to very ftone) Mine I am fure it foftens. Wert thou guilty. Yet I fhould pity thee ; nay, wert thou leagu'd To load this fufFering heart with more m.isfortunes, Still fliould I pity thee ; nor e'er believe Thou would'ftj on free and voluntary clioice. Betray the innocent. : E L I D U R U S. Indeed I would not. E V I L I N A. No, gracious Youth, I do believe thou wouldTc net i For on thy brow the liberal hand of Heav'n Has portray'd Truth as vifible and bold, As were the picflur'd funs that deckt the brows Of our brave ancefcors. Say then, young Prince, (For therefore have I wifli'd to queftion thee) Bring ye no token of a mother's fondnefs To her expedling child ? Gentle thou feemeft. And fure that gentlenefs would prompt thine heart To vifit, and to footh with courteous otiice, DIftrefs like her's. A captive and a queen ■G ?, 43 44 C A R A C T A C U S. Has more than common claim for pity, Prince, And, ev'n the ills of venerable age i,;ri '■ Were caiife enough to move thy tender nature. The tears o'er-charge thine eye. Alas, my fears I Sicknefs or fore infirmity had feiz'd her. Before thou left'fl; the palace, elfe her lips Had to thy care intruded foine kind meffage, -^'A And bled her haplefs daughter by thy tongue. ' • Would llie were here ! E L I D U R U S. Would Heav'n fhe were I EVILINA. Ah why ? >• E L I D U R U S- Becaufe you wifli It. EVILINA. , oofiT Thanks, ingenuous youth. For this thy courtefy. Yet, if the queen Thy mother fliines with fuch rare qualities. As late thy brother boafted, fhe will calm Her woes, and I fhall clafp her aged knees Again, in peace and liberty. Alas ! He fpeaks not ; all my fears are jufl. E L I D U R U S, What fears ? The Queen Guideria is not dead. EVILINA. Not dead ! But is fhe in that facred flate of freedom. Which we were taught tg hope ? Why figh'fl thou. Youth ? i.A C A R A C T A C U S. 45 Thy years have yet been profp'rous. Did thy father E'er lofe his kingdom ? Did captivity E'er feize thy flirieking mother ? thou can'ft go To yonder cave, and find thy brother fafe : He is not loft, as mine is. Youth, thou figli'ft Again ; thou haft not fare fuch caiife for forrow j Put if thou haft, give me thy griefs, I pray thee j I have a heart can foftly fympathize, And fympathy is foothing. E L I D U R U S. O gods ! gods ! She tears my foul. What ihall I fay ? EVILINA. Perchance, For all in this bad world muft have their woes, Thou too haft thine ; and may 'ft, like me, be wretched Haply amid the ruinous wafte of war, 'Mid that wild havock, which thefe fons of blood Bring on our groaning country, fome chafte maid, Whofe tender foul was link'd by love to thine. Might fall the trembling prey to Roman rage, Ev'n at the golden hour, when holy rites Had feal'd your virtuous vaw&. If it were foy Indeed I pity her I ELIDURUS. Not that : not that. dj,.30 :on Never 'till now did beauty's matchlefs be^m But I am dumb. - EVILINA. ■ uaffieiiua Why that deje M 2 ^r CARACTACUS. CARACTACUS, AULUS DIDIUS, CHORUS, 5cc. Romans, methink the malice of your tyrant Might furnifh heavier chains. Old as I am And vvither'd as ye fee thefe war-worn limbs, Truft me, they fliall fupport the weigh tied load Injuflice dares impofe. Proud-crefted, foldier ! [lo Didius. Who feemft the mafter-mover in this builnefs. Say, dofl thou read lefs terror on my brow. Than when thou met'ft me in the fields of war Heading my nations ? No, my free-born fouL Has fcorn ftill left to fparkle thro' thefe eyes. And frown defiance on thee. Is it thus 1 [fi-''^ing his Son's body. Then I'm indeed a captive. Mighty gods ! My foul, my foul fubmits : Patient it bears The pondrous load of grief ye heap upon it. Yes, it will grovel in this Ihatter'd breall. And be the fad tame thing, it ought to be Coopt in a fervile body. AULUS 'DIDIUS. Droop not, ting. When Claudius, the great mafter of the world,. Shall hear the noble flory of thy valour. His pity CARACTACUS. Can a Roman pity, foldier ? And if he can, gods ! muft a Briton bear it ? i C A R A C T A C U S. 'B^ Arvlragus, my bold, my breathlefs boy, Thou haft efcap'd fuch pity : thou art free. Here in high Mona fliall thy noble limbs Reft in a noble grave j pofterity Shall to thy tomb with annual reverence bring Sepulchral ftones, and pile them to the cloud.si Whilft mine • AULUSDIDIUS. The morn doth haften our departure. Prepare thee, king, to go : A fav'ring gale Now fwells our fails. CARACTACUS, Inhuman, that thou art ! Doft thou deny a moment for a father To £hed a few warm tears o'er his dead fon ? I tell thee, chief, this adl might claim a life To do it duly ; even a longer life. Than forrow ever fuifer'd. Cruel man ! And thou denieft me moments. Be it fo. I know you Romans weep not for your children ; You triumph o'er your tears, and think it valour ; I triumph in my tears. Yes, beft-lov'd boy. Yes, I can weep, can fall upon thy corfe. And I can tear my hairs, thefe few grey hairs. The only honours war and age have left me. Ah fon ! thou mightft have rul'd o'er many nations. As did thy royal anceftry : But I, Rafh that I was, ne'er knew the golden curb,. Difcretion hangs on brav'ry : Elfe perchance Thefe men, that faften fetters on thy flither,. Had fued to him for peace, and claim'd his friendfhip., 86 C A R A C T A C U S. AULUS DIDIUS. But thou Waft ftill implacable to Rome, And fcorn'd her friendlhip. CARACTACUS ftarting up from tl,: body. Soldier, I had arms, Had neighing fteeds to whirl my iron cars. Had wealth, dominion. Doll: thou wonder, Roman, I fought to fave them ? What if Caefar aims To lord it univerfal o'er the world, Shall the world tamely crouch at Csefar's footft(X)l ? AULUS DIDIUS. Read in thy fate our anfwer. Yet if fooner Thy pride had yielded CARACTACUS. Thank thy gods, I did not. Had it been fo, the glory of thy mafter. Like my misfortunes, had been fhort and trivial, Oblivion's ready prey : Now after ftruggling Nine years, and 'that right bravely 'gainft a tyrant, I am his flave to treat as feems him good ; If cruelly, 'twill be an eafy tafk To bow a wretch, alas ! how bow'd already! Down to the duft : If well, his clemency. When trick'd and varniili'd by your glofling penmen. Will lliine in honour's annals, and adorn Himfelfi it boots not me. Look there, look there. The flave, that ihot that dart, left not a hope For loft Caradlacus ! Arife, my daughter. Alas ! poor prince ; art thou too in vile fetters ? 3 \to Elidnrus^ C A R A C T A C U S. 87 Come hither, youth : Be thou to me a fon, To her a brother. Thus with trembhng arms I lead ye forth-; children, we go to Rome. Weepft thou, my girl ? I prithee hoard thy tears For the fad meeting of thy captive mother : For we have much to tell her, much to lay Of thefe good men, who nurtur'd us in Mona; Much of the fraud and malice, that purfued us ; Much of her fon, who pour'd his precious blood To fave his lire and lifter :. Thinkft thou, maid>. Her gentlenefs can hear the tale, and live ? And yet Ihe muft. O gods, I grow a talker ! ■. Grief and old age are ever full of words : But I'll be mute. Adieu ! ye holy men ; Yet. one look more — Now lead us hence for ever,. TiTR END. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. y / ,^^ M2c 1759a I a a S PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THIS BOOK CARDS i? -K^^t*^BRARY" I University Research Library ' •v5?^ UNIV REGII