Death I expect, and I defire it too,

'Tis all the mercy to be wifh'd from you.
To die, is to be free: Oh let me find

A speedy death-that freedom would be kind,
Arcalaus.

Too cruel to fufpect fuch ufage meant,
Here is no death, but what your eyes present:
O may they reign, thofe arbiters of fate,
Immortal, as the loves which they create.
We know the cause of this prepofterous grief,
And we should pity, were there no relief:
One lover loft, have you not millions more!
Can you complain of want, whom all adore?

All hearts are yours; even mine, that fierce and free

Ranging at large, difdain'd captivity;

Save me, ye powers, from violence and fhame, Affift my virtue, and protect my fame. Arealaus. [Afide.]

Love, with fubmiffion, firft begins in courfe, But when that fails, a fure referve is force: The niceft dames who our en braces fhun, Wait only a pretence-and force is one : She who through frailty yields, diaonour gains, But he that's forc'd, her innocence retains : Debtors and flaves for favours they beflow, Invading, we are free, and nothing owe. No ties of love or gratitude confirain, But as we like, we leave-or come again. It fhall be fo. [To her.] Since fofrer arguments have prov'd fɔ Force is the laft, refift it if you can.

[vain,

Strike, my deliverer, 'tis a friendly froke, I fhun thee not, but rather would provoke: Death to the wretched is an end of care,

And proftrate in his chain, for mercy dies.

Oriana.

Arcalus.

[dies :

If I do love, the fault is in your eyes, Blame them who wound, and not your flave whio If we may love, then fure we may declare ; if we may not, ah! why are you so fair? Who can unmov'd behold that heavenly face, Those radiant eyes, and that refiftlefs grace? Oriana.

Pluck out these eyes, revenge thee on my face, Tear off my cheeks, and root up every grace, Disfigure, kill me, kill me instantly,

Thus may'st thou free thyfelf at once, and me.

Arcalaus.

Amadis.

[Pointing to Amadis.

On fuch diftrefs, like idle lookers-on ?
My foul, till now, no dangers could affright,
But trembles like a coward's, at this fight.
arcabon.

So paffionate! but I'd revenge it here———

Fly quick, ye dæmons, from your black abodes, And try another combat with the gods; Blue fires, and peftilential fumes arise, And flaming fountains spout against the skies; From their broad roots these oaks and cedars tear, Burn like my love, and rage like my despair. [Trumpets found on Arcabon's Side, which are answered on Urganda's. The Grove appears in an Inflant all in a Flame; Fountains from below caft up Fire as in Spouts, a Rain of Fire from above; the Sky darkened; Demons range themselves on the Stage by Arcalaus and Arcabon; o'ber Demons face Urganda; Spirits in the Air; martial Inftruments founding from all parts of the Theatre; Arcalaus advances before his Party, with his Sword drawn, to Amadis.]

Arcalaus.

Let heaven and hell ftand neuter, while we try, On equal terms, which of us two fhall die.

[Arcalaus and Amadis engage at the Head of their Parties; a Fight at the fame Time in the Air, and upon the Stage; all Sorts of loud Inftruments founding; Arcalaus falls; the Dæmons, fome fly away through the Air, others fink under Ground, with borrible Crics.]

Urganda.

Sound tunes of triumph, all ye winds, and bear Your notes aloft, that heaven and earth may hear;

And thou, O fun! fhine out ferene and gay, And bright, as when the giants loft the day. Tunes of Triumph; the Sky clears; the Grove returns to its first Prospect. A large Ball of Fire reprefenting the Figure of the Sun defcends gradually to the Stage; Amadis approaching Oriana respectfully; Arcabon flands fullen and obferving.] Amadis. [To Oriana.]

While Amadis Oriana's love poffeft, Secure of empire in that beauteous breast, Not Jove, the king of gods, like Amadis was bleft.

Oriana.

While to Oriana Amadis was true, Nor wandering flames to diftant climates drew, No heaven, but only love, the pleas'd Oriana knew.

Amadis.

That heaven of love, alas! is mine no more, Braving those powers by whom the falfely fwore; She to Conftantius would thofe charms refign, If oaths could bind, that fhould be only mine. Oriana.

With a feign'd falfchood you'd evade your part Of guilt, and tax a tender faithful heart : While by fuch ways you'd hide a confcious flame, The only virtue you have left, is shame. [Turning difdainfully from him.]

Amadis. [Approaching tenderly.] But should this injur'd vaffal you fufpect Prove true-Ah! what a turn might he expect? Oriana. [Returning to him with an air of tender ness.]

Though brave Conftantius charms with every

Fix'd in my foul, and rooted in my mind,
I love Oriana, faithlefs and unkind.
O were the kind, and faithful, as fhe's fair!
For her alone I'd live-and die for her.
Urganda.

Adjourn these murmurs of returning love, And from this scene of rage and fate remove. [To Arcabon.]

Thy empire, Arcabon, concludes this hour,
Short is the date of all flagitious power:
Spar'd be thy life, that thou may'ft living bear
The torments of the damn'd in thy despair.
[To Oriana and Amadis.]
Where zephyrs only breathe in myrtle groves,
There will I lead you to debate your loves.

[The Machine representing the Figure of the fun opens and appears to be a Chariot refulgent with Rays, magnificently gilt and adorned, with convenient Seats, to which Urganda conducts Oriana; Amadis fola loring, Arcabon ftops him by the Robe.]

Arcabon.

What, not one look? not one diffembling smile, To thank me for your life? or to beguile Defpair? cold and ungrateful as thou art, Hence from my fight for ever, and my heart.

[Letting go her hold with an air of contempti] Back, foldier, to the camp, thy proper sphere, Stick to thy trade, dull hero, follow war; Ufelefs to women-thou mere image, meant To raise defire-and then to disappoint.

[Amadis takes his Place in Urganda's Chariot, which rifes gradually in the Air, not quite disappearing till the clofe of zircabon's Speech.]

So ready to be gone- -Barbarian, ftay.
He's gone, and love returns, and pride gives way,
O ftay, come back- Horror and hell! I burn!
I rage! I rave! I die!Return, return!
Eternal racks my tortur'd bofom tear,
Vultures with endless pangs are gnawing there;
Fury diraction am all defpair.
Burning with love, may'ft thou ne'er aim at
blifs,

But thunder shake thy limbs, and lightening blat thy kifs;

While pale, aghaft, a spectre I ftand by,
Pleas'd at the terrors that distract thy joy!

Amadis.

Thou haft no equal, a fuperior ray Unrival'd as the light that rules the day. Should fame folicit me with all her charmis, Not blooming laurels nor victorious arms Should purchase but a grain of the delight, A moment from the raptures of this night. Oriana.

Wrong not my virtue, to fuppofe that I Can grant to love, what duty muft deny; A father's will is wanting, and my breast Is rul'd by glory, though by love poffeft: Rather than be another's, I would die; Nor can be yours, till duty fhall comply.

The ftorm blown over, fo the wanton doves Shake from their plumes the rain, and feek the groves,

Pair their glad mates, and coo eternal loves.
Amadis.

O Floreftan! bleft as thou dost deserve,
To thee the fates are kind, without referve.
My joys are not fo full; though love would yield,
Fierce honour ftands his ground, and keeps the

field;

Nature within feduc'd, in vain befriends,
While honour, with his guard of pride, defends:
O nature! frail, and faulty in thy frame,
Fomenting withes, honour must condemn ;
Or O too rigid honour, thus to bind,
When nature prompts, and when defire is kind.

Enter Arcaben conducting Conftantius, ber Garments loose, and Hair difbevelled, jeeming frantic. Conftantius in deep Mourning.

Arcabon.

This, Roman, is the place: 'tis magic ground, Hid by enchantment, by enchantment found,

3 A iij

Conflantius.

Fly where thou wilt, but not to bleft abodes, For fure, where'er thou art, there are no gods. [ Addressing himself to Oriana.]

I come not here an object to affright,
Or to moleft, but add to your delight.
Bahold a prince expiring in your view,
Whefe life's a burden to himself, and you.
Fate and the king all other means deny
To fet you free, but that Conftantius die.
A Roman arm had play'd a Roman part,
But 'tis prevented by my breaking heart;
I thank ye, gods, nor think my doom fevere,
Refigning life, on any terms, for her.

Urganda.

What cruel destiny on beauty waits, When on one face depends fo many fates!

Conftantius.

Make room, ye Decii, whofe devoted breath
Secur'd your country's happiness by death
I come a' facrifice no lefs renown'd,
The caufe as glorious, and as fure the wound.
O love with all thy fweets let her be bleft,
Thy reign be gentle in that beauteous breast.
Though thy malignant beams, with deadly force,
Have fcorch'd my joys, and in their baneful
courfe

Wither'd each plant, and dry'd up every fource;
Ah! to Oriana fhine lefs fatal bright.
Cherish her heart, and nourish her delight,
Restrain each cruel influence that deftroys,
Blefs all her days, and ripen all her joys.
[Griana weeps, and foorus concern; Amadis addressing
himself to Conflantius.]
Amadis.

Were fortune us'd to fmile upon defert,
Love had been yours, to die had been my part:
Thus fate divides the prize; though beauty's
mine,

Yet fame, our other mistress, is more thine. [Conftantius looking fternly upon him. Difdain not, gallant prince, a rival's praife, Whom your high worth thus humbles to confefs

In every thing but love, he merits lefs.

Conflantius.

Art thou that rival then? O killing shame! And has he view'd me thus, fo weak, so tame? Like a fcorn'd captive proftrate at his fide, To grace his triumph, and delight his pride? O'tis too much! and nature in difdain Turns back from death, and firing every vein, Reddens with rage, and kindles life again. Be firm, my foul, quick from this fcene remove, Or madness elfe may be too ftrong for love. Spent as I am, and wearied with the weight Of burdening life-I could reverse fate. Thus planted-stand thy everlasting bar

my

Lavish to him, you wrong an equal flame;

Had he been lov'd, my heart had done the fame. Floreftan.

Oh emperor! all ages must agree,

Such, but more happy, fhould all lovers be.

Urganda. [To Oriana.]

No lover now throughout the world remains, But Amadis, deferving of your chains. Remove that mournful object from the fight. [Carry off the body,

Ere yon bright beams are fhadow'd o'er with night,

The stubborn king fhall licenfe your delight;
The torch, already bright with nuptial fire,
Shall bring you to the bridegroom you defire;
And honour, which fo long has kept in doubt,
Be better pleas'd to yield, than to hold out.
[Flourish of all the Mufic. The Stage fills with
Singers and Dancers, in the Habits of Heroes and
Heroines.]

Urganda conducts Amadis, Oriana, Sc. to a Seat during the following Entertainment.

First Voice.

Make room for the combat, make room;
Sound the trumpet and drum;

A fairer than Venus prepares

To encounter a greater than Mars. The gods of defire take part in the fray, And love fits like Jove to decide the great day.

7

6

Again, again, help! help! the cries,

So Phœbus mounts triumphant in the skies,

Dance of Heroes and Heroines.

Then Singers again come forward,

To be fung.

Happy pair, Free from care, Enjoy the bleffing Offweet poffeffing; Free from care, Happy pair.

Darkness gives place to the victorious light,
And all around is gay, and all around is bright.