So, when heav'n frowns, we think our anger vain ;
Joyful, and thankful, when it smiles again.
Taking ASPASIA by the hand.
This knot you broke, be pleas'd again to bind,
And we fhall both forget you were unkind.
KING May you be happy! and, your forrows paft Set-off thofe joys, I with may ever last!
Giving the letter to AMINTOR.
AM. EVADNE fled!--ASPASIA, now You'll have no more occafion for your bough. Enter a Meffenger.
MESS. MELANTIUS, Sir! has let the people know How just you are, and how he's grac'd by you: The town's appeas'd, and all the air does ring With repetitions of Long live the KING!
Luc. Sir! let us to the facred Temple go,
That you are fafe our joys, and thanks, to fhow.
KING. Of all we offer to the Pow'rs above,
The fweeteft incenfe is fraternal love.
Like the rich clouds that rife from melted gums,
It fpreads itfelf, and the whole isle perfumes.
This facred union has preferv'd the state;
And from all tempefts hall fecure our fate :
Like a well-twisted cable, holding fast
The anchor'd veffel in the loudest blast.
THE fierce MELANTIUS was content, you see,
The KING bould live ; be not more fierce than he:
Too long indulgent to fo rude a time,
When love was held fo capital a crime,
That a crown'd head could no compassion find;
But dy'd, because the killer had been kind!
Nor is't lefs frange, fueh mighty wits as thofe
Should use a ftyle in Tragedy, like profe.
Well-founding verfe, where Princes tread the flage,
Should speak their virtue, or defcribe their rage.
By the loud trumpet, which our courage aids,
We learn that found, as well as fenfe, perfuades.
And verfes are the potent charms we use,
Heroic thoughts, and virtue, to infufe.
When next we act this Tragedy again,
Unless you like the change, we shall be flain.
The innocent ASPASIA's life, or death,
AMINTOR'S too, depends upon your breath.
Excefs of love was heretofore the cause;
Now if we die, 'tis want of your applaufe.
Defign'd upon the firft alteration of the Play, when the KING only was left alive.
SPASIA bleeding on the Stage does lye,
To fhew you, fill 'tis the MAID'S TRAGEDY.
The fierce MELANTIUS was content, you fee,
The KING bould live: be not more fierce than he:
Too long indulgent to so rude a time,
When love was held fo capital a crime,
That a crown'd head could no compaffion find,
But dy'd--because the killer had been kind!
This better natur'd Poet had repriev'd
Gentle AMINTOR too, had he believ'd
The fairer fex his pardon could approve,
Who to ambition facrific'd his love.
ASPASIA he has spar'd: but, for her wound
(Neglected love!) there could no falve be found.
When next we act this Tragedy again,
Unless you like the change, I must be flain.
Excefs of love was heretofore the cause:
Now if I die, 'tis want of your applause.
R. WALLER, in his first thonghts of altering this
among the Veftals. But, confidering that the perfons in this Play are fuppos'd to be heathens, who never admitted any but pure virgins among their Veftals, he chang'd his defign. Nevertheless, before he did fo, he had writ the following verjes.
EVADNE. A Veftal vow'd, with pity I look down
On the KING's love, and fierce MELANTIUS' frown.
But here's the facred place, where we may have,
Before we die, an honorable grave.
The dead, and they that live retired here,
Obtain like pardon from the most severe.
Gov. The great EVADNE vifiting our cell!
Ev. 'Tis not to vifit you; but here to dwell.
Can you find room for one fo bad as I,
That humbly begs the may among you die?
Gov. You, that fo early can correct your thoughts,
May hope for pardon for your greatest faults.
Happy is the that from the world retires,
And carries with her what the world admires!
Thrice happy the! whofe young thought fix'd above,
While fhe is lovely, does to heav'n make love,
I need not urge your promife, e'er you find
An entrance here, to leave the world behind.
Ev. My guilty love devotion fhall fucceed;
Love fuch as mine was, tho' a dang'rous weed,
Shews the rich foil, (on which it grew fo high)
May yield as fair a crop of piety.
But, of all paffions, I ambition find
Hardest to banish from a glorious mind.
Yet, heav'n our object made, ambition may
(As well as love) be turn'd a nobler way.
Still I afcend: it is a step above
A Prince's favor, to belong to Jove.
[They go in, and the door shuts.~
Enter MELANTIUS with a Letter.
Among the Vestals! fhe'll corrupt them all;
And teach them from their facred vow to fall. * *
Tranflated from the FRENCH of
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