Against the smooth delusion; but alas! (Chide not my weakness, gentle maid, but pity me) A woman's softness hangs about me still: Then let me blush, and tell thee all my folly. I swear I could not see the dear betrayer Kneel at my feet, and sigh to be forgiven, "Luc. Ye sacred pow'rs, whose gracious provi dence " Is watchful for our good, guard me from men, "From their deceitful tongues, their vows, and flat "teries; " Still let me pass neglected by their eyes, "That none may think it worth his while to ruin "And fatal love may never be my bane." [Exit. Cal. Ha, Altamont! Calista, now be wary, And guard thy soul's accesses with dissembling: 80 Nor let this hostile husband's eyes explore The warring passions, and tumultuous thoughts, That rage within thee, and deform thy reason. Enter ALTAMONT. Alt. Begone, my cares, I give you to the winds, Far to be borne, far from the happy Altamont; "For from this sacred æra of my love, "A better order of succeeding days 1. " Comes smiling forward, white and lucky all." She crowns the season with auspicious beauty, Alt. Oh, mighty Love! Shall that fair face profane Cal. I tell thee, Altamont, Such hearts as ours were never pair'd above: That duly took its turn, and was forgotten. Alt. If to behold thee as my pledge of happiness, "Thro' wrinkled age, thro' sickness and misfortune," Be worth the least return of grateful love, - Oh, then let my Calista bless this day, And set it down for happy. Cal. 'Tis the day In which my father gave my hand to Altamont; Enter SCIOLTO, HORATIO, and Lavinia. 120 Scio. Let mirth go on, let pleasure know no pause, “SONG, "BY MR. CONGREVE. [Music. "Ah, stay! ah, turn! ah, whither would you fly, "Too charming, too relentless maid? "I follow not to conquer, but to die; "You of the fearful are afraid. 140 " In vain I call; for she, like fleeting air, Sci. Take care my gates be open, bid all welcome; All who rejoice with me to-day are friends: Let each indulge his genius, each be glad, Jocund and free, and swell the feast with mirth; The sprightly bowl shall chearfully go round, None shall be grave, nor too severely wise; Losses and disappointments, cares and poverty, The rich man's insolence, and great man's scorn, In wine shall be forgotten all. To-morrow Will be too soon to think, and to be wretched. Oh, grant, ye pow'rs, that I may see these happy, [Pointing to Alt. and Cal. Completely blest, and I have life enough; [Exeunt. 160 Hor. What if, while all are here intent on revelling, I privately went forth, and sought Lothario? This letter may be forg'd; perhaps the wantonness Of his vain youth, to stain a lady's fame; Perhaps his malice to disturb my friend. Oh, no! my heart forebodes it must be true. Methought, ev'n now, I mark'd the starts of guilt That shook her soul; tho' damn'd dissimulation Screen'd her dark thoughts, and set to public view A specious face of innocence and beauty. "Oh, false appearance! What is all our sovereignty, "Our boasted pow'r? When they oppose their arts, "Still they prevail, and we are found their fools." With such smooth looks, and many a gentle word, The first fair she beguil'd her easy lord; Too blind with love and beauty to beware, He fell unthinking in the fatal snare; Nor could believe that such a heav'nly face Had bargain'd with the devil, to damn her wretched race. SCENE II. [Exit. The Street near SCIOLTO's Palace. Enter LOTHARIO and ROSSANO. 180 Loth. To tell thee then the purport of my thoughts; The loss of this fond paper would not give me A moment of disquiet, were it not My instrument of vengeance on this Altamont ; Therefore I mean to wait some opportunity Of speaking with the maid we saw this morning. Ros. I wish you, Sir, to think upon the danger Of being seen; to-day their friends are round 'em; And any eye that lights by chance on you, Shall put your life and safety to the hazard. Enter HORATIO. [They confer aside. Hor. Still I must doubt some mystery of mischief, Some artifice beneath. Lothario's father! I knew him well; he was sagacious, cunning, I |