[In a tone like a Spirit, and points to a Chair; soft
Musick begins to play, which continues all this Scene.
To disobey, thy punishment shall be;
To live in endless torments, but ne’er die.
Alcip. Thou threatnest high, bold Rebel,
[He sits within the Scene, bows.
Er. Alcippus, tell me what you see,
What is’t that I appear to be?
Alcip. My blest Erminia deify’d.
Er. Alcippus, _you inform me true;
I am thus deify’d by you;
To you I owe this blest abode,
For I am happy as a God;
I only come to tell thee so,
And by that tale to end thy Woe;
Know, Mighty Sir, your Joy’s begun,
From what last night to me was done;
In vain you rave, in vain you weep,
For what the Gods must ever keep;
In vain you mourn, in vain deplore
A loss which tears can ne’er restore.
The Gods their Mercies will dispense,
In a more glorious Recompence;
A World of Blessings they’ve in store,
A World of Honours, Vict’ries more;
Thou shalt the Kingdom’s Darling be,
And Kings shall Homage pay to thee;
Thy Sword no bounds to Conquest set,
And thy Success that Sword shall whet;
Princes thy Chariot-wheel shall grace,
Whilst thou in Triumph bring’st home Peace.
This will the Gods; thy King yet more
Will give thee what those Gods adore;
And what they did create for thee_,
Alcippus, look, for that is she.
Enter the Princess, who goes over the Stage as a Spirit, bows a little to Alcippus, and goes off.
Alcip. The Princess! [He offers to rise.
Er. Be still; ‘tis she you must possess,
‘Tis she must make your happiness;
‘Tis she must lead you on to find
Those Blessings Heaven has design’d:
‘Tis she’ll conduct you, where you’ll prove
The perfect Joys of grateful Love.