If thou wilt sooth me, tell some dismal tale For, Oh! I've gone around through all my thoughts, But all are indignation, love, or shame, And my dear peace of mind is lost for ever. Luc. Why do you follow still that wand'ring fire, That has misled your weary steps, and leaves you Benighted in a wilderness of woe, That false Lothario? Turn from the deceiver; Who had long since, like me, by love undone, Cal. There I fain would hide me 20 From the base world, from malice, and from shame; For 'tis the solemn counsel of my soul D Never to live with public loss of honour: 'Tis fix'd to die, rather than bear the insolence Of each affected she that tells my story, And blesses her good stars that she is virtuous. My trembling heart forebodes, let me intreat you, Let me forbid his coming. Cal. On thy life I charge thee no: my genius drives me on; And this one interview shall end 'my cares. My lab'ring heart that swells with indignation, And never beat again. Luc. Trust not to that: Rage is the shortest passion of our souls: Like narrow brooks that rise with sudden show'rs, Still as it ebbs the softer thoughts flow in, And the deceiver Love supplies its place. 4I 60 Cal. I have been wrong'd enough to arm my temper Against the smooth delusion; but alas! (Chide not my weakness, gentle maid, but pity me) A woman's softness hangs about me still: Then let me blush, and tell thee all my folly. I swear I could not see the dear betrayer And quite forget 'twas he that had undone me. "Luc. Ye sacred pow'rs, whose gracious provi dence "Is watchful for our good, guard me from men, "From their deceitful tongues, their vows, and flat"teries; "Still let me pass neglected by their eyes, "Let my bloom wither, and my form decay, "That none may think it worth his while to ruin me, "And fatal love may never be my bane.” Cal. Ha, Altamont! Calista, now be wary, [Exit. And guard thy soul's accesses with dissembling: 80 The warring passions, and tumultuous thoughts, Enter ALTAMONT. Alt. Begone, my cares, I give you to the winds, Far to be borne, far from the happy Altamont; "For from this sacred æra of my love, "A better order of succeeding days "Comes smiling forward, white and lucky all." She crowns the season with auspicious beauty, Alt. Oh, mighty Love! Shall that fair face profane With sighs so moving, with so warm a transport, That thou shalt catch the gentle flame from me, 100 And kindle into joy. Cal. I tell thee, Altamont, Such hearts as ours were never pair'd above: To me brings nothing that should make me bless it, Or any other in the course of time, That duly took its turn, and was forgotten. Alt. If to behold thee as my pledge of happiness, To know none fair, none excellent but thee; If still to love thee with unwearied constancy, "Through ev'ry season, ev'ry change of life, "Thro' wrinkled age, thro' sickness and misfortune,” Be worth the least return of grateful love, And set it down for happy. Cal. 'Tis the day In which my father gave my hand to Altamont; Enter SCIOLTO, HORATIO, and LAVINIA. 120 Scio. Let mirth go on, let pleasure know no pause, But fill up ev'ry minute of this day. 'Tis yours, my children, sacred to your loves; "SONG, "BY MR. CONGREVE. [Music. "Ah, stay! ah, turn! ah, whither would you fly, "Too charming, too relentless maid? "I follow not to conquer, but to die; 140 |