SCENE III.

Changes to another part of the English Camp. Enter MARIANA and LOUISA.

Lou. Thus, madam, has obedience prov'd my

duty;

"The hurry and confusion of the field
"Giving us opportunity to 'scape,
"We've reach'd the English camp.

now?

But whither

"Where would you bend your course? Behold,

around,

"How the arm'd soldiers, as they form in ranks, "Dart from impassion'd looks ten thousand terrors! "The scene is dreadful!

"Mar. Then it suits my mind,

"The seat of horrors, terrible to bear.

"Oh, let me find him!

"Lou. Dearest lady, think

"Nor follow one that rudely spurn'd you from him. "Mar. It was not Arnold spurn'd me, 'twas his A guilt,

"The guilt I plung'd him in. · Louisa, thou

"Hast ne'er experienc'd passions in extremes,

"Or thou would'st know that love, and hate, and

scorn,

"All opposites, together meet, and blend "In the wild whirl of a distracted soul.

"Lou. Behold, he comes!

"Mar. Support me, gracious Pow'rs!"

Enter ARNOLD.

Arn. Ha! Mariana!-When will torture end!

[Aside. Mar. How shall I stand the shock of his reproaches! [Aside.

Arn. Why art thou here! Oh, why, unhappy maid? Mar. Since my too fatal rashness wrought thy ruin, 'Tis fit, at least, that I should share it with thee. Therefore, my friends, my father, and my country, I have forsook for ever, and am come To claim a portion here in all you suffer.

Arn. Return again, I beg thee, I conjure thee, By all the wond'rous love that fir'd our hearts, "And wrought-But let not that be more remember'd,

"If thou hast wish for happiness or peace," Go to thy father back, and think no more Of a lost wretch, who hastens to oblivion.

Mar. Request it not; I never will forsake thee: One fortune shall conduct, one fate involve us. I'll shew the world that my unhappy crime Was neither child of treachery or fear; But love, love only: and the guilt it caus'd, As I inspir'd, I'll share its punishment.

Arn. You cannot, nay, you must not-think no

of it.

You broke no faith; I only was to blame.

G

"And to engage thee to secure thy safety, "Know the dire state of my determin'd soul. "Heav'n and my prince permitting, I have sworn "To brave all dangers in the common fight; "And when my sword has done its best for England, "To lay my load of misery and shame "Together down for ever. Death I'll hunt "So very closely, that he shan't escape me.” Be timely, then, in thy retreat; and Heav'n, And all good angels guard thee! On thy lips I'll seal my fervent pray'rs for blessings on thee.

Oh, what a treasure does my soul give up,
A sacrifice to honour-

"Mar. Stop a moment

[Kisses her.

[Going.

"One single moment, Arnold. Let me gather "A little strength to bear this dreadful parting. "And must it be-hold, hold, my heart-for ever? "Oh, bitter potion! Kind physician, pour

"One drop of hope to sweeten it a little.

"Arn. Hope every thing; hope all that earth can

give,

"Or Heav'n bestow on virtues such as thine."

That trumpet summons me! I must away.

[Trumpet.

[Exit.

Oh, measure by thy own the pangs I feel!

Mar. Then they are mighty; not to be express'd;

Not to be borne, nor ever to be cur'd.

My head runs round, my bursting brain divides!

"Oh, for an ocean to ingulph me quick,

"Or flames capacious as all hell's extent,

"That I might plunge, and stifle torture there!" Lou. Hence, my dear lady; for your peace, go hence.

Mar. I'll dig these eyes out; these pernicious eyes, Enslaving Arnold, have undone him-Ha! [Trumpet. That raven trumpet sounds the knell of death! Behold the dreadful, bloody work begins————— What ghastly wounds! what piteous, piercing shrieks} Oh, stop that fatal faulchion! if it falls,

It kills my Arnold!-Save him, save him, save

[Exit running; Louisa follows.

SCENE IV.

Changes to a rural Eminence, with the distant Prospect of a Camp. Enter PRINCE.

Prince. The hour advances, the decisive hour,
That lifts me to the summit of renown,

Or leaves me on the earth a breathless corse.
The buz and bustle of the field before me,
The twang of bow-strings, and the clash of spears,
With ev'ry circumstance of preparation,
Strike with an awful horror! Shouts are echo'd,
To drown dismay, and blow up resolution
Ev'n to its utmost swell-From hearts so firm,
Whom dangers fortify, and toils inspire,
What has a leader not to hope? And yet
The weight of apprehension sinks me down.

O Soul of Nature, great eternal Cause,

[Kneels.

Who gave and govern'st all that's here below!

'Tis by the aid of thy almighty arm

The weak exist, the virtuous are secure.

If to your sacred laws obedient ever,

My sword, my soul, have own'd no other guide;
Oh, if your honour, if the rights of men,
My country's happiness, my king's renown,
Were motives worthy of a warrior's zeal,
Crown your poor servant with success this day,
And be the praise" and glory all" thy own.

Enter AUDLEY.

[Rises.

Aud. Now, royal Edward, is the hour at hand, That shall, beyond the boast of ancient story, Ennoble English arms. Forgive, my hero, That I presume so far, but I have sworn To rise your rival in the common fight: We'll start together for the goal of glory, And work such wonders, that our fear-struck foes Shall call us more than mortals. As of old, "Where matchless vigour mark'd victorious chiefs, "The baffled host, to cover their disgrace,

“Cry'd out, the gods assum'd commanders' forms, "And partial Heav'n had fought the field against them !"

Prince. Audley, thy soul is noble; then, together, (Safe from the prying eye of observation) Let us unmask our hearts. Alas, my friend, To such a dreadful precipice we're got,