Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/304

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
272
THE BEACON:

On all wild songs, and sounds, and ominous things,
(Shunning the sober intercourse of friends
Such as affliction courts,) her ear and fancy
Do solely dwell. This visionary state
Is foster'd by these nightly watchings; therefore,
I say again, I will no more endure it;
This night shall be the last.

Ter. That Ermingard upon the plains of Palestine
Fell on that fatal day, what sober mind
Can truly doubt; altho' his corpse, defaced,
Or hid by other slain, was ne'er discover'd.
For, well I am assured, had he survived it,
Knowing thou wer't his rival, and Aurora
Left in this isle, where thou bear'st sov'reign sway,
He, with a lover's speed, had hasten'd back.
All, whom the havoc of the battle spared,
Have to their homes return'd.——Thou shak'st thy head,
Thou dost not doubt?

Ul.We'll speak of this no more.
I'm sick and weary of these calculations.
We must and will consider him as dead;
And let Aurora know——

Enter Bastiani.


(To Bast, angrily.) Why, Bastiani,
Intrud'st thou thus, regardless of my state: