English

Stay , ladies — Tho' I'am almost tir'd to death
With this long part — and am so out of breath —
Yet such a lucky thought kind heaven has sent,
That if I die for't, I must give it vent.
The men you know are gone. And now, suppose,
Before our lords and masters are rechose,
We take th' advantage of an empty town,
And chuse a house of commons of our own.
What think ye, cannot we make laws? — and then
Cannot we too unmake them, like the men?
O place us once in good St . Stephen's pews ,

At length I'm freed from tragical parade,
No more a Pythian priestess — tho' a maid ;
At once resigning, with my sacred dwelling,
My wreaths, my wand, my arts of fortune-telling.

Yet superstitious folks, no doubt, are here,
Who still regard me with a kind of fear,
Lest to their secret thoughts these prying eyes
Should boldly pass, and take them by surprize.
Nay, tho' I disavow the whole deceit,
And fairly own my science all a cheat,
Should I declare, in spite of ears and eyes,

The Laurel Grove.

P HORBAS and L YCEA .

L YCEA .

O EARTH ! O heaven! O wretched, wretched Athens!

P HORBAS .

Speak on, L YCEA , wherefore art thou silent?
Why dost thou lead me to this secret shade?
What mean thy flowing tears?

L YCEA .

The queen, the queen!

P HORBAS .

Say, what of her?

The Laurel Grove.

P HORBAS and Athenians.

P HORBAS .

This way, my friends; at the pavilion doors
Stand ready arm'd, that, if we need your aid,
You may observe the sign, and crush at once
These vile usurpers on the rights of Athens.
I hope we want you not. — I must be hid
A while, lest X UTHUS should suspect my presence.
The queen too may repent, I'll therefore shun her
Till the deed's done, irrevocably done.

ACT III.

The Vestibule of the Temple.

A LETES alone .

Why should I doubt? it will, it must succeed.
Yet I could wish that I had seen C REUSA
Before 'twas undertaken, for perhaps —
'Tis better as it is. Her part had then
Been difficult to act; now what she does,
Assisting or opposing the design,
Will all seem natural. — The P YTHIA sure
Will act as I directed. — Hark, the rites
Should be ere this perform'd; why stay they then?

ACT II.

The Laurel Grove.

A LETES and I LYSSUS .

A LETES .

S EEM'D she disturb'd when she beheld thee?

I LYSSUS .

Much;
And when I gave her the slight hints I knew
Relating to my fortunes, she dissolv'd
In silent tears: such soft humanity
Sure never dwelt in any breast but hers.
Nor did I think till now that I had cause

Act I

The Vestibule of the Temple.

I LYSSUS and Virgins .

I LYSSUS .

Haste , haste, ye virgins; round the columns twine
Your flowery chaplets; and with streams fresh-drawn
Of Castaly, bedew the sacred porch
Of the great god of day. Already see
His orient beam has reach'd the double top
Of high Parnassus, and begins to shed
A gleamy lustre o'er the laurel grove!
Haste, haste, ye virgins. From the vale beneath

Spoken by Mr. ROSS.

Prologues of old, the learn'd in language say,
Were merely introductions to the play,
Spoken by gods, or ghosts, or men who knew
Whate'er was previous to the scenes in view;
And complaisantly came to lay before ye
The several heads, and windings of the story.
But modern times and British rules are such,
Our bards beforehand must not tell too much;
Nor dare we, like the neighb'ring French, admit
Ev'n confidantes, who might instruct the pit,

Spoken by Mrs. PRITCHARD.

Ladies, by me our courteous author sends
His compliments to all his female friends:
And thanks them from his soul for every brigh:
Indulgent tear, which they have shed to-night.
Sorrow in virtue's cause proclaims a Mind ,
And gives to beauty graces more refin'd.
O who could bear the loveliest form of art,
A cherub's face, without a feeling heart!
'Tis there alone, whatever charms we boast,
Tho' men may flatter, and tho' men will toast,
'Tis there alone they find the joy sincere,

ACT V.

SCENE continues .

Enter V ALERIA and servants .

V ALERIA .

Where is my brother? — Yet I know not why
I wish him here, but that my bursting heart
May vent its griefs, and find a refuge for them.

Enter V ALERIUS .

V ALERIUS .

My sister, whence these sorrows?

V ALERIA .

O V ALERIUS .