STUART.

Or say, thy love, inconstant as the wave,
Another object claims.-False-perjur'd maid!
I mark'd thy minion, as he charm'd thine ear
With grov'ling adulation.-Yes, I saw
Thy looks, in artful languishment, disclose
Thy yielding soul, and heard thy tongue proclaim
The praises of Dunbar.-

ELEONORA.

Away-away!

I scorn thy mean suspicion, and renounce
Thy passion with thy crimes.-Tho' bred in camps,
Dunbar is gentle, gen'rous, and humane;
Posscss'd of ev'ry manly grace, to win
The coyest virgin's heart,—

STUART.

Perdition whelm

The prostrate sycophant!-may Heav'n exhaust
Its thunder on my head-may Hell disgorge
Infernal plagues to blast me, if I cease
To persecute the caitiff, 'till his blood
Assuage my parch'd revenge!-Perfidious slave!
To steal between me and my darling hope!-
The traitor durst not, had I been-O vows!
Where is your obligation?-Eleonora !
O lovely curse! restore me to myself!-

ELEONORA.

Rage on fierce youth, more savage than the storm
That howls on Thule's shore!-th' unthrifty maid
Too credulously fond! who gave away
Her heart so lavishly, deserves to wed
The woes that from her indiscretion flow!-
-Yet ev'n my folly should, with thee, obtain
A fairer title and a kinder fate!-

STUART.

Ha! weep'st thou?-witness all ye sacred pow'rs!
Her philtres have undone me!-lo, my wrath
Subsides again to love!-Enchantress! say,
Why hast thou robb'd me of my reason thus?

ELEONORA.

Has Eleonora robb'd thee?-O recall
Those fatt'ring arts thy own deceit employ'd
To wreck my peace?-recal thy fervent vows
Of constant faith-thy sighs and ardent looks!
Then whisper to thy soul, those vows were false-
Those sighs unfaithful, and those looks disguis'd!

STUART.

Thou thou art chang'd-but Stuart still the same!
Ev'n whilst thou chid'st me, ev'ry tender wish
Awakes anew, and in my glowing breast
Unutterable fondness pants again!-

-Wilt thou not smile again, as when, reclin'd
By Tay's smooth-gliding stream, we softly breath'd
Our mutual passion to the vernal breeze?

ELEONORA.

Adieu-dear scenes, adieu!-ye fragrant paths
So courted once!-ye spreading boughs, that wave
Your blossoms o'er the stream!-delightful shades!
Where the bewitching music of thy tongue,
First charm'd my captive soul!-when gentle love
Inspir'd the soothing tale!-Love-sacred Love,
That lighted up his flame at Virtue's lamp!-

STUART.

In Time's eternal round, shall we not hail Another season equally serene?

Thou little know'st me-or thy rankling hate
Defrauds my courage.-Wherefore should I skulk
Like the dishonour'd wretch, whose hireling steel
In secret lifted, wreaks with human gore,
When valiant Athol hastens, at the bead
Of warlike thousands, to assert our cause?
ANGUS.

The cause of treason never was confin'd
To deeds of open war; but still adopts
The stab of crouching murder.-Thy revolt,
The stern contraction of thy sullen brow,
And this disguise, apostate! speak thee bent
On fatal errand.-

STUART.

That thou seest me here Unarm'd, alone, from Angus might obtain A fair interpretation-Stuart's love Pleads not in mystic terms; nor are my voWS To Eleonora cancell'd or unknownVows by thyself indulg'd, e'er envy yet, Or folly had induc'd thee, to embrace The fortunes of our foe.-Thy foul reproach My soul retorts on thee! and mark, proud lord, Revenge will have its turn!—

ANGUS.

Ha! must I bear

A beardless traitor's insults?-'tis not mine
To wage a fruitless war of words with thee, [just,
Vain glorious stripling.-While thine aims were

I seal'd thy title to my daughter's love;

But now, begrim'd with treason, as thou art,

KING.

Let Heaven decide Between me and my foes.-That I would spare The guiltless blood which must our quarrel dye, No other proof requires, than my advance To reconcilement opposite perhaps To my own dignity.-But I will rise In vengeance mighty! and dispel the clouds That have bedim'd my state.

ANGUS.

The odds are great Between the numbers: but our cause is just: Our soldiers regularly train'd to war, And not a breast among us, entertains A doubt of victory.

KING.

O valiant thane! Experienc'd oft, and ever trusty found! Thy penetrating eye, and active zeal First brought this foul conspiracy to light; And now thy faithful vassals first appear In arms for my defence!-Thy recompence My love shall study.

ANGUS.

Blotted be my name From honour's records, when I stand aloof, Regardless of the danger that surrounds The fortunes of my prince!

KING.

I know thee well.Mean time our care must be, to obviate, With circumspection and preventive skill, Their numbers.-In unequal conflict joins Th' unwieldy spear that loads the borderer, With the broad targe and expeditious sword: The loyal band that from the hills of Lorn Arriv'd, shall in our front advance, and stand With targe to targe, and blade to blade oppos'd; The spears extended form the second line, And our light archers hover to and fro, To gall their flanks.-Whatever accident In battle shall befal, thy vigilance Will remedy.-Myself will here remain

No!-Lightning blast me

If I become thy debtor, proud Dunbar!
Thy nauseous benefits shall not enslave
My free-born will.-Here, captive as I am,

DUNBAR.

To exult

Ev'n o'er an enemy oppress'd, and heap
Affliction on th' afflicted, is the mark
And the mean triumph of a dastard soul.-
'Tis what Dunbar disdains.-Perhaps, I come
To pity, not rejoice at Stuart's fate.-

STUART.

To pity!-Torture! am I fall'n so low!--Ha! recreant!-move thy pity!-Hell untie These slavish manacles, that I may scourge This wretched arrogant!

DUNBAR.

True courage scorns To vent her prowess in a storm of words: And to the valiant, actions speak alone: Then let my deeds approve me.-I am come To give thee instant freedom,

My friendship!-No! nor stifie my revenge

DUNBAR.