Acast Blessings on my child, My little cherub, what hast thou to ask me ? Ser. I bring you, sir, most glad and welcome news. The young Chamont, whom you've so often wish'd for, Is just arriv'd, and entering. Acast. By my soul, And all my honours, he's most dearly welcome; Enter CHAMONT. Welcome thou relict of the best lov'd man. 81 Cha. Words wou'd but wrong the gratitude I owe you : Shou'd I begin to speak, my soul's so full, Enter MONIMIA. Mon. My brother! Cha. Oh my sister! let me hold thee With fancy'd joys, 'till morning cares awak'd me. Though I remember well I had but one : But I feel something in my heart that prompts, 100 And tells me she has claim and interest there. Acast. Young soldier, you've not only study'd war, Courtship, I see, has been your practice too, And may not prove unwelcome to my daughter. Cha. Is she your daughter! then my heart told true, And I'm at least her brother by adoption. For you have made yourself to me a father, And by that patent I have leave to love her. Let there be joy through all the house this day! It is the birth-day of my royal master. You have not visited the court, Chamont, Cha. I have no business there; I have not slavish temperance enough T'attend a fav'rite's heels, and watch his smiles, 120 And thank the lord that wrong'd me for his favour. Acast. This you could do. Cast. I'd serve my prince. He needs not any servants such as you. [To his Sons. Serve him he merits more than man can do! So just, that were he but a private man, He cou'd not do a wrong. How wou'd you serve him? Cast. I'd serve him with my fortune here at home, And serve him with my person in his wars, Watch for him, fight for him, bleed for him. Pol. Die for him, As ev'ry true-born loyal subject ought. 140 Acast. Let me embrace you both. Now, by the souls Of my brave ancestors, I'm truly happy, Blest be your mother's memory that bore you, "Of many wounds. I've with this tongue proclaim'd "His right, e'en in the face of rank rebellion; "And when a foul-mouth'd traitor once profan'd "His sacred name, with my good sabre drawn, "E'en at the head of all his giddy rout, "I rush'd, and clove the rebel to the chine." Enter Servant. Ser. My Lord th’expected guests are just arriv’d. Acast. Go you, and give 'em welcome and reception. [Exeunt Castalio, Polydore, Serina, &c. Cha. My Lord, I stand in need of your assistance In something that concerns my peace and honour. 160 Acast. Spoke like the son of that brave man I lov'd: So freely, friendly, we convers'd together. Whate'er it be, with confidence impart it, Thou shalt command my fortune and my sword. Your bounty shewn to what I hold most dear, Acast. Pr'ythee no more of that, it grates my nature. Cha. When our dear parents dy'd, they dy'd together, One fate surpris'd 'em, and one grave receiv'd 'em; My father, with his dying breath, bequeath'd Her to my love. My mother, as she lay Languishing by him, call'd me to her side, Took me in her fainting arms, wept, and embrac'd me: Let not her wants betray her to dishonour : Perhaps kind Heav'n may raise some friend. Then sighed, Kiss'd me again; so bless'd us, and expir'd. Pardon my grief. Acast. It speaks an honest nature. 180 Cha. The friend Heav'n rais'd was you; you took her up An infant, to the desert world expos'd, Acast. I've not wrong'd her. Cha. Far be it from my fears. Acast. Then why this argument? Cha. My lord, my nature's jealous, and you'll bear it. Acast. Go on. Cha. Great spirits bear misfortunes hardly. Good offices claim gratitude; and pride, Where pow'r is wanting, will usurp a little, Acast. I cannot guess your drift; Distrust you me ? Cha. No, but I fear her weakness May make her pay her debt at any rate; ૧૦૦ And, to deal freely with your lordship's goodness, I've heard a story lately much disturbs me. Acast. Then first charge her; and if th' offence be found Within my reach, though it should touch my nature, Of thy brave father, whom my heart rejoic'd in, Cha. I thank you from my soul. Mon. Alas! my brother! What have I done? and why do you abuse me? D [Exit. |