[]

BOADICIA. A TRAGEDY. As it is acted at the THEATRE-ROYAL IN DRURY-LANE. By Mr. GLOVER.

LONDON: Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY in Pall-mall; and M. COOPER in Pater-noſter-row. 1753.

(Price One Shilling and Six-pence.)

PROLOGUE.

[]

Spoken by Mr. MOSSOP.

BESIDE his native Thames our poet long
Hath hung his ſilent harp, and huſh'd his ſong.
Kind Commerce whiſper'd. "See my bliſsful ſtate,
"And to no ſmiles but mine reſign thy fate.
"Beneath the pregnant branches reſt awhile,
"Which by my culture ſpread this favour'd iſle;
"On that fair tree the fruits of ev'ry cooſt,
"All, which the Ganges and the Volga boaſt,
"All, which the ſun's luxuriant beam ſupplies,
"Or ſlowly ripens under frozen ſkies,
"In mix'd variety of growth ariſe.
"The copious leaves beneficence diffuſe,
"Which on affliction drops reſtoring dews,
"And birds of hope among the loaded ſprays
"Tune with enchantment their alluring lays
"To cheer deſpondence and th' inactive raiſe.
"Reſt here, ſhe cry'd, and ſmiling time again
"May ſtring thy lyre, and I approve the ſtrain."

At length his muſe from exile he recalls,
Urg'd by his patrons in Auguſta's walls.
Thoſe gen'rous traders, who alike ſuſtain
Their nation's glory on th' obedient main,
And bounteous raiſe affliction's drooping train.
They, who benignant to his toils afford
Their ſhelt'ring favour, have his muſe reſtor'd.
They in her future fame will juſtly ſhare,
But her diſgrace herſelf muſt ſingly bear;
[] Calm bours of learned leiſure they have giv'n,
And could no more, for genius is from heav'n.

To open now her long-hid roll ſhe tries,
When vary'd forms of pictur'd paſſions riſe.
Revenge and pride their furies firſt unfold,
By artleſs virtue fatally controll'd.
Scenes wrought with gentler pencils then ſucceed,
Where love perſuades a faithful wife to bleed;
Where, join'd to publick cares, domeſtic woe
Is ſeen from manly fortitude to flow.
But if her colours mock the candid eye
By ſpurious tincts, unmix'd with nature's dye,
Ye friendly hands, reſtrain your fruitleſs aid,
And with juſt cenſure let her labours fade.

Dramatis perſonae.

DUMNORIX by: Mr. GARRICK.
TENANTIUS: Mr. BURTON.
EBRANCUS: Mr. MOZEEN.
FLAMINIUS: Mr. HAVARD.
AENOBARBUS: Mr. MOSSOP.
BOADICIA: Mrs. PRITCHARE.
VENUSIA: Mrs. CIBBER.

ROMAN AMBASSADOR, ICENIANS, and TRI⯑NOBANTIANS.

SCENE, the Britiſh camp before the tent of Dumnorix.

[]BOADICIA.

ACT I.

SCENE the Firſt.BOADICIA, DUMNORIX, ICENIANS, TRINOBANTIANS and ROMAN Ambaſſadors.
ROMAN Ambaſſador.
SUETONIUS, leader of the Roman arms,
With gentleſt greetings to th' Icenian queen,
And Dumnorix, the Trinobantian chief,
Sends health, and proffers friendſhip. Let the wrongs,
The mutual wrongs ſuſtain'd by Rome and Britain—
BOADICIA.
May ſtern Andate, war's victorious goddeſs,
Again reſign me to your impious rage,
If e'er I blot my ſuff'rings from remembrance;
If e'er relenting mercy cool my vengeance,
Till I have driv'n you to our utmoſt ſhores,
And caſt your legions on the crimſon'd beach.
Your coſtly dwellings ſhall be ſunk in aſhes,
Your fields be ravag'd, your aſpiring bulwarks
[2] O'erturn'd and levell'd to the meaneſt ſhrub;
Your gaſping matrons, and your children's blood
With mingled ſtreams ſhall dye the Britiſh ſword;
Your captive warriors, victims at our altars,
Shall croud each temple's ſpacious round with death:
Elſe may each pow'r, to whom the Druids bend,
Annul my hopes of conqueſt and revenge!
DUMNORIX
to the Ambaſſador.
You come to offer terms. Stand forth and anſwer.
Did not Praſutagus, her dying lord,
On your inſatiate emperor beſtow
Half of his rich poſſeſſions, vainly deeming,
The reſt might paſs unpillag'd to his children?
What did you then, ye ſavage ſons of rapine?
You ſeiz'd the whole inheritance by force,
Laid waſte our cities, with the ſervile ſcourge
Diſgrac'd a royal matron; you deflow'r'd
Her ſpotleſs daughters, ſtole our nobleſt youth
To ſerve your pride and luxury in Rome;
Our prieſts you butcher'd, and our hoary elders,
Profan'd our altars, our religious groves,
And the baſe-image of your Caeſar thruſt
Among the gods of Britain: and by heav'n
Do you repair to theſe victorious tents
With proffer'd peace and friendſhip?
ROMAN Ambaſſador.
Yes, to treat,
As faith, benevolence and juſtice dictate.
DUMNORIX.
How ſhall we treat with thoſe, whoſe impious hands
Have rent the ſacred bands of mutual truſt?
How ſhall we treat with thoſe, whoſe ſtony hearts
Compaſſion cannot melt, nor ſhame controll,
Nor juſtice awe, nor piety reſtrain,
Nor kindneſs win, nor gratitude can bind?
ROMAN Amboſſador.
Thou art a ſtranger to our gen'ral's virtues.
[3] No pillager, like Catus, but a ſoldier,
To calm and ſober diſcipline inur'd,
He would redreſs, not widen your complaints.
DUMNORIX.
Can he reſtore the violated maid
To her untainted purity and fame?
Can he perſuade inexorable death
To yield our ſlaughter'd elders from the grave?
No, nor by ſoothing tales elude our vengeance.
ROMAN Ambaſſador.
Yet hear us calmly, e'er from yonder hills
You call the legions of imperial Rome,
And wake her eagles, which would ſleep in peace.
BOADICIA.
Begone, and bear defiance to your legions.
Tell them, I come, that Boadicia comes,
Fierce with her wrongs, and terrible in vengeance,
To roll her chariot o'er their firmeſt ranks,
To mix their ſoaring eagles with the duſt,
And ſpurn their pride beneath her horſes hoofs.
ROMAN Ambaſſador.
Then be prepar'd for war.
BOADICIA.
We are prepar'd.
Come from your hills, ye fugitive remains
Of ſhatter'd cohorts by their fear preſerv'd.
Th' embattled nations of our peopled iſle,
Yet freſh from ſev'nty thouſand ſlaughter'd Romans,
Shall add yon refuſe to the purple heap.
And yet amid triumphant deſolation,
Though flames each Roman colony devour,
Though each diſtracted matron view her infant
Graſp with its tender hands the piercing ſpear,
Though your grey fathers to the falchion's edge
Each feeble head ſurrender, my revenge
Will pine unſated, and my greatneſs want
Redreſs proportion'd to a queen's diſgrace.
DUMNORIX.
[4]Go, and report this anſwer to Suetonius.
Too long have parents ſighs, the cries of orphans,
And tears of widows, ſignalized your ſway,
Since your ambitious Julius firſt advanc'd
His murd'rous ſtandard on our peaceful ſhores.
At length unfetter'd from his patient ſloth,
The Britiſh genius lifts his pond'rous hands
To hurl with ruin his collected wrath
For all the wrongs, a century hath borne,
In one black period on the Roman race.
ROMAN Ambaſſador.
Yet e're we part, your price of ranſom name
For the two captive Romans.
BOADICIA.
Not the wealth,
Which loads the palaces of ſumptuous Rome,
Shall bribe my fury. Hence, and tell your legions,
The hungry ravens, which inhabit round
The chalky cliffs of Albion, ſhall aſſemble
To feaſt upon the limbs of theſe, your captains,
Shall riot in the gore of Roman chiefs,
Theſe Maſters of the World. Produce the pris'ners.
[To an Icenian.

SCENE the Second.

BOADICIA, DUMNORIX, ICENIANS, TRINOBAN⯑TIANS, ROMAN AMBASSADORS, AENOBARBUS, and FLAMINIUS in Chains.

BOADICIA

to the Ambaſſador.

Stay, if thou will't, and ſee our victims fall.

AENOBARBUS

to BOADICIA.

Dart not on me thy fiery eyes, barbarian.

Vain are thy efforts to diſmay a Roman.

Life is become unworthy of my care;

[5] And theſe vile limbs, by galling chains diſhonour'd,

I give moſt freely to the wolves and thee,

ROMAN Ambaſſador.

Miſtaken queen, the Romans do not want

Theſe inſtigations, nor thy proud defiance

To meet your numbers in the vale below.

AENOBARBUS

to the Ambaſſador.

Then wherefore do'ſt thou linger here in vain.

Commend us to Suetonius; bid him ſtreight

Arrange his conquering legions in the field,

There teach theſe raſh barbarians to repent

Of their diſdain, and wiſh for peace too late.

ROMAN Ambaſſador

to AENOBARBUS and FLAMINIUS.

Yes, to Suetonius and the Roman camp

Theſe heavy commendations will we bear;

That for two gallant countrymen our love,

And indignation at their fate may ſharpen

Each weapon's point, and ſtrengthen ev'ry nerve,

Till humbled Britain have appeas'd their ſhades.

SCENE the Third.

BOADICIA, DUMNORIX, ICENIANS, TRINOBAN⯑TIANS, AENOBARBUS and FLAMINIUS.

AENOBARBUS.

Come, let us know our fate.

BOADICIA.

Prepare for Death.

AENOBARBUS.

Then ceaſe to loiter, ſavage.

DUMNORIX

to AENOBARBUS.

Now by heav'n

Wert thou no Roman, I could ſave and love thee.

That dauntleſs ſpirit in another breaſt,

And in a blameleſs cauſe were truly noble;

But ſhews in thee the murderer and ruffian.

AENOBARBUS.

[6]

Thy hate, or favour are alike to me.

FLAMINIUS

to DUMNORIX.

May I demand, illuſtrious Trinobantian,

Why muſt we fall, becauſe uncertain war

Hath made us captives.

DUMNORIX.

If in open battle

With gen'rous valour to have fac'd our arms

Were all our charge againſt thee, thou mightſt reſt

Secure of life; but leading thee to die

Is execution on a gen'ral robber.

AENOBARBUS

to FLAMINIUS.

And doſt thou meanly ſue to theſe barbarians?

FLAMINIUS

to DUMNORIX.

Though our rapacious countrymen have drawn

Your juſt reſentment, we are guiltleſs borh.

BOADICIA

to FLAMINIUS.

So are ten thouſand infants, whom the name,

The ſingle name of Roman ſhall condemn,

Like thee, to periſh by th' unſparing ſword.

FLAMINIUS.

Yet more than guiltleſs, we may plead deſert

With Boadicia.

BOADICIA.

Inſolent pretenſion!

A Roman plead deſert with Boadicia!

This ſhall enlarge the portion of thy ſuff'rings;

For this not only ſhall thy blood embrue

Andate's ſhrine but torture ſhall be added,

And fury wanton in thy various pains.

AENOBARBUS

to BOADICIA.

Produce thy tortures, them and thee we ſcorn.

TENANTIUS

to the TRINOBANTIANS.

Fall back with rev'rence, Trinobantian ſoldiers.

See, who advances from your gen'ral's tent.

SCENE the Fourth.

[7]

BOADICIA, DUMNORIX, ICENIANS, TRINOBAN⯑TIANS, AENOBARBUS, FLAMINIUS, and VENUSIA.

VENUSIA.

Victorious ſiſter, may th' unreſting labour

Of fortune weave new honours to adorn thee,

And Dumnorix, thy colleague, and my lord;

But if amid theſe warlike conſultations,

Ere yet the order'd pomp of battle moves,

A ſupplicating ſound may reach thy ear,

Stoop from thy glory to an act of mercy.

Thy doom pronounc'd on theſe unhappy captives—

BOADICIA.

Ha!

VENUSIA.

Their deſervings, and thy daughter's pray'r,

Mix'd with my own compaſſion, from the tent

Have call'd me forth a ſuitor to thy pity,

That thou would'ſt hear and ſpare them.

BOADICIA.

Spare theſe captives?

DUMNORIX.

Why this requeſt, Venuſia?

VENUSIA.

Give them hearing.

They can unfold a ſtory, which demands

Your whole attention.

DUMNORIX.

Let us hear. Proceed.

[To Flam.

FLAMINIUS.

The Romans' late injuſtice we abhorr'd,

Nor join'd the band of ſpoilers. In that ſeaſon

We chanc'd one day to wander through the foreſt,

Which parts our confines from th' Icenian land.

[8] We found a beauteous virgin in our way.

BGADICIA.

Wretch, doſt thou hope to barter with our ſiſter

For thy baſe life?

FLAMINIUS.

I fear not death, O queen;

But dread diſhonour ev'n among my foes.

AENOBARBUS

to FLAMINIUS.

Death is thy terrour; reaſon elſe would teach thee,

No gratitude with cruelty can dwell.

FLAMINIUS.

Deep in that wood we met the lovely maid,

Chac'd by a brutal ſoldier. At our threats

He ſoon retreated. To our home we led her,

From inſult guarded, ſent her back with honour,

Nor was ſhe leſs than Boadicia's daughter.

VENUSIA.

Now, deareſt ſiſter, whoſe ſucceſsful ſtandard

Not valour more, than equity upholds;

And thou, my huſband, who doſt riſe in arms

Oppreſſive deeds in others to chaſtiſe;

From your own guiding juſtice will you ſtray,

And blend deſervers with the herd of guilt?

DUMNORIX.

And are you Romans? Yes, we will, Venuſia,

Repay their worthy deed. Strike off their fetters.

BOADICIA.

What do I hear? A Britiſh chief's command?

Whoe'er unchains a Roman, on mankind

Lets looſe oppreſſion, inſolence and rapine;

Sets treaſon, falſhood, vice, and murder free.

VENUSIA.

Yet theſe preſerv'd thy Emmeline from ſhame.

BOADICIA.

Not leſs the victim of eternal ſhame,

Was ſhe conducted to their hateful manſion;

To guard her honour, and be leſs, than ruffians,

[9] Had been repugnant to their name and race;

But fear of me compell'd them to releaſe her.

Then ſhall two Romans nurs'd in fraud and falſhood,

From childhood train'd to each flagitious deed,

By colour'd pleas to ſhun the fate, they merit,

Here find regard againſt the thouſand mouths

Of Boadicia's ſuff'rings? No, this moment

Shall they expire in torture.

VENUSIA.

Yet reflect,

Of all the paths, which lead to human bliſs,

The moſt ſecure and grateful to our ſteps

With mercy and humanity is mark'd.

The ſweet-tongu'd rumour of a gracious deed

Can charm from hoſtile hands th' uplifted blade,

The gall of anger into milk transform,

And dreſs the brows of enmity in ſmiles.

BOADICIA.

Still doſt thou dare, Venuſia—.

DUMNORIX.

Gently, ſiſter.

And truſt me, theſe reſemble virtuous men.

BOADICIA.

Was not I virtuous, whom the Romans laſh'd?

Were not my violated children virtuous?

Bear them this inſtant to the fierceſt rack;

And while their trembling limbs are ſtrain'd with torture,

While thro' the cruel agony of pain

The bloody drops bedew their ſhiv'ring cheeks,

Tell them, how gentle are the pangs, they feel

To thoſe the ſoul of Boadicia prov'd,

When Roman rage her naked limbs expos'd▪

And mark'd her fleſh with ever-during ſhame.

DUMNORIX

to the Britons.

Withhold your Hands.

BOADICIA.

What means the Trinobantian?

DUMNORIX.

[10]

To ſave thy benefactors and proclaim,

Whate'er by valour we extort from fortune,

We yet deſerve by juſtice.

BOADICIA.

To contend

With Boadicia, and protect her foes

Did ſhe awaken thy ignoble ſloth,

Which elſe without reſentment of thy wrongs

Had ſlept obſcure at home.

DUMNORIX.

Forbear. Be calm.

BOADICIA.

Yes, under bondage thou hadſt tamely bow'd,

Had not I fir'd thy ſlow, inactive ſoul.

DUMNORIX.

Not with unbridled paſſion I confeſs,

I wield the ſword and mount the warlike car.

With careful eyes I view'd our ſuff'ring iſle,

And meditated calmly to avenge her.

Unmov'd by rage, my ſoul maintains her purpoſe

Through one unalter'd courſe; and oft before

As I have guided thy unruly ſpirit,

Againſt its wildneſs will I now protect thee,

And from a baſe, inhuman action ſave thee.

BOADICIA.

Thy boaſted calmneſs is the child of fear;

Thou trembleſt to exaſperate the foe.

Well was it, Britons, in our former conqueſts,

That I preſided o'er the ſcene of ſlaughter;

Elſe had thoſe thouſands of the Roman youth,

Whoſe bodies lie extended on our fields,

Stood at this hour a threatning hoſt againſt you.

Come then, ye warriors, follow your conductreſs,

And drag theſe ſlaves to death.

DUMNORIX.

They will not move,

Fix'd with amazement at thy matchleſs frenzy.

[11] Do thou revere theſe warriors, who with ſcorn

Obſerve thy folly.

VENUSIA.

Huſband, ſiſter, hear!

Oh! if my humbled voice, my proſtrate limbs,

If tears and ſighs of anguiſh may atone

For this pernicious diſcord, I have rais'd—

BOADICIA

to VENUSIA.

Hence with thy deſpicable ſighs and tears.

[To Dumnorix.

And, thou preſumptuous, what invidious power,

Foe to thy ſafety, animates thy pride

Still to contend with Boadicia's wrath?

DUMNORIX.

No, by Andate, I contend not with thee.

At this important ſeaſon, when the ſoldier

Thirſts for the conflict, it would ill become me

To trifle here in diſcord with a woman.

Nay do not ſwell that haughty breaſt in vain.

When once the ſacred evidence of juſtice

Illuminates my boſom, on a rock,

Which neither tears can ſoften, nor the guſts

Of paſſion move, my reſolution ſtands.

BOADICIA.

Now heav'n fulfil my curſes on thy head!

May ev'ry purpoſe of thy ſoul be fruſtrate!

May infamy and ruin overtake thee!

May baſe captivity and chains o'erwhelm thee!

May ſhameful crimſon from thy ſhoulders ſtart,

Like mine, diſhonour'd with the ſervile ſcourge!

With pain all ſhiv'ring, and thy fleſh contracting,

Low mayſt thou crouch beneath th' expected ſtroke,

Ev'n from the hands, thou ſav'ſt!

TENANTIUS.

Alas! great princeſs,

Divert this wrath againſt th' impending foe,

Whoſe formidable ranks will ſoon deſcend

[12] From yonder hill.

BOADICIA

to the Britons.

Ungrateful and perfidious!

Now would I draw my ſpirit from your camp,

Leave you with him defenceleſs and expos'd;

Then ſhould your ſhatter'd chariots be o'erthrown,

Your jav'lins broken, and in haſty flight

Far from your trembling hands the buckler caſt;

Did not th' inſatiate thirſt, which burns my ſoul,

To empty ev'ry vein of Roman blood,

Protect you, traitors, from my indignation:

But, by th' enſanguin'd altars of Andate,

Thou, Dumnorix, be ſure, ſhall't rue this day,

For thou henceforward art to me a Roman.

SCENE the Fifth.

DUMNORIX, VENUSIA, TENANTIUS, EBRANCUS, TRINOBANTIANS, AENOBARBUS, and FLAMINIUS.

VENUSIA.

Oh! Dumnorix!

DUMNORIX.

Let not this frantic woman

Grieve thy mild nature—Romans, ceaſe to fear.

Theſe are my tents; retire in ſafety thither.

SCENE the ſixth.

DUMNORIX, VENUSIA, TENANTIUS, EBRANCUS and TRINOBANTIANS.

DUMNORIX

to TENANTIUS.

Do thou go forth this inſtant, and command

Each ardent youth to gird his falchion round him,

His pond'rous ſpear to looſen from the turf,

And [...]race the target firmly on his a [...]m.

[13] His car let ev'ry charioteer prepare,

His warlike ſeat each combatant aſſume,

That ev'ry banner may in battle wave,

Ere the ſun reaches his meridian height.

SCENE the ſeventh.DUMNORIX, VENUSIA, EBRANCUS, and TRINO⯑BANTIANS.
VENUSIA.
My lord and husband!
DUMNORIX.
Wherefore doſt thou hold me,
And in my paſſage thy endearments plant.
I muſt prepare this moment to confront
The foul and ghaſtly face of cruel war;
And, by the gods, I rather court at preſent
That ſhape of horrour, than thy beauteous form:
Then go, thou dear intruder, and remove
Thy ſoftneſs from me.
VENUSIA.
I will ſtay no longer,
Than brave Tenantius hath perform'd thy orders.
Long have I known thy valour ſkill'd to throw
The rapid dart, and lift th' unconquer'd ſhield.
A confidence, like this, hath ſtill diffus'd
Enough of firmneſs thro' my woman's heart
Ne'er to moleſt thee with a woman's fears,
This day excepted; now my weakneſs governs,
And terror too importunate will ſpeak.
Haſt thou encounter'd yet ſuch mighty powers,
As down that mountain ſuddenly will ruſh;
From ev'ry part the Romans are aſſembled,
All vers'd in arms, and terrible in valour.
DUMNORIX.
Tell me, thou lovely coward, am not I
[14] As terrible? or falls the Roman ſword
On the tough buckler, and the creſted helm
With deadlier weight, than mine? away and fear not;
Secure and calm, repoſe thee in thy tent;
Think on thy husband, and believe, he conquers;
Amid the rage of battle he will think
On thee; for thee he draws the martial blade;
For thy lov'd infants gripes the pointed aſh.
Go, and expect me to return victorious;
Thy hand ſhall dreſs my wounds, and all be well.
VENUSIA.
Far better be our fortune, than for thee
To want that office from my faithful hand,
Or me to ſtain thy triumphs with my tears.
DUMNORIX.
Fear not. I tell thee, when thou ſeeſt my limbs
With duſt beſpread, my brows with glorious ſweat,
And ſome diſtinguiſh'd wound to grace my breaſt,
Thou in the fulneſs of thy love ſhallt view me,
And ſwear, I ſeem moſt comely in thy fight.
Thy virtue then ſhall ſhew me worthier of thee,
Than did thy fondneſs on our nuptial day.
VENUSIA.
It ſhall be ſo. All wounded thou ſhalt find
My heart prepar'd to ſtifle its regret,
And ſmooth my forehead with obedient calmneſs.
Yet hear me further; ſomething will I offer
More, than the weak effects of female dread;
Thou go'ſt to fight in diſcord with thy colleague:
It is a thought, which multiplies my fears.
DUMNORIX.
Well urg'd, thou deareſt counſellor, who beſt
Canſt heal this miſchief. Let thy meekneſs try
The ſoft perſuaſion of a private conf'rence
To win from error a bewilder'd ſiſter,
While none are preſent to alarm her pride.
VENUSIA.
[]I go, but trembling doubt my vain attempt;
Unleſs, commiſſioned with thy dear injunctions,
My ſoul, exerted to perform thy pleaſure,
Could give perſuaſion all my force of duty.

SCENE the eighth.

DUMNORIX, EBRANCUS, TRINOBANTIANS, and TENANTIUS.

DUMNORIX.

Hark! we are ſummon'd.

TENANTIUS.

Ev'ry band is form'd.

The Romans too in cloſe arrangement ſtand.

DUMNORIX.

You, warriors, deſtin'd to begin the onſet,

My Trinobantians, it is time to ſeek

Th'embattled foe. And you, all-judging gods,

Look down benignant on a righteous cauſe!

Indeed we cannot give you, like the Romans,

A proud and ſumptuous off'ring; we abound not

In marble temples, or in ſplendid altars:

Yet though we want this vain, luxurious pomp,

Rough though we wander on the mountain's head,

Through the deep vale, and o'er the craggy rock,

We ſtill demand your favour; we can ſhew

Hands, which for juſtice draw th'avenging ſteel,

Firm hearts, and manners undebas'd by fraud.

To you, my dauntleſs friends, what need of words?

Your cities have been ſack'd, your children ſlain,

Your wives diſhonour'd; lo! on yonder hills

You ſee the ſpoilers; there the ruffians ſtand:

Your hands are arm'd; then follow, and revenge.

End of the firſt Act.

ACT II.

[]

SCENE the Firſt.

FLAMINIUS and AENOBARBUS.

FLAMINIUS.

HO! Aenobarbus, thou mayſt now come forward.

What has thy angry ſoul been brooding o'er?

AENOBARBUS.

Well, thou haſt ſu'd, and haſt obtain'd thy ſuit;

Of theſe Barbarians meanly haſt implor'd

Thy wretched life, and haſt it. Muſt I thank thee

For this uncommon privilege to ſtand

A tame ſpectator of the Roman ſhame,

To ſee exulting ſavages o'erturn

Our walls and ramparts, ſee them with the ſpoils

Of our waſte dwellings, with our captive eagles,

And ancient trophies, raviſh'd from our temples,

March in rude triumph o'er the gods of Rome?

FLAMINIUS.

What, thou hadſt rather die?

AENOBARBUS.

And thou hadſt rather

Live, like a dog, in chains, than die with courage,

Thou moſt unworthy of the Roman name.

FLAMINIUS.

Did thoſe, who now inhabit Rome, deſerve

[17] The name of Romans? did the ancient ſpirit

Of our forefathers ſtill ſurvive among us,

I ſhould applaud this bold contempt of life.

Our anceſtors, who liv'd, while Rome was free,

Might well prefer a noble fate to chains;

They loſt a bleſſing, we have never known;

Born and inur'd to ſervitude at home,

We only change one maſter for another,

And Dumnorix is far beyond a Nero.

AENOBARBUS.

Meanſt thou to mock me?

FLAMINIUS.

No, I mean to ſhew,

Thy ſtern opinions ſuit not with the times.

AENOBARBUS.

Still by our valour we control the world,

And in that duty will I match the foremoſt.

If our forefathers' manners be neglected,

Free from that blame, I ſingly will maintain them.

My ſentiments are moulded by my ſpirit,

Which wants thy pliant qualities to yield

With ev'ry guſt of fortune rude, or mild,

And crouch beneath example baſe, or worthy.

FLAMINIUS.

Well, if thou canſt not brook a Britiſh maſter—

AENOBARBUS.

No, nor thy wanton folly will I brook,

Which ſports alike with ſlavery, or freedom,

Inſenſible of ſhame.

FLAMINIUS

Suppoſe, I free thee.

AENOBARBUS.

Free me?

FLAMINIUS.

This day, if fortune be propitious.

AENOBARBUS.

Ha! do not cheat me with deluſive fables,

[18] And trifle with my bonds.

FLAMINIUS.

By all my hopes,

I do not trifle.

AENOBARBUS.

Willt thou give my boſom

Once more to buckle on the ſoldier's harneſs,

And meet in battle our inſulting foes?

Shall my keen falchion gore the flying rout,

And raiſe a bleeding trophy to revenge

For each indignity, which Rome hath borne?

Hold me no longer in ſuſpence; inſtruct me,

From whence theſe hopes proceed.

FLAMINIUS.

Thou know'ſt, I lov'd

The Britiſh princeſs.

AENOBARBUS.

Haſt thou rais'd my hopes

To freedom, future victory and honour,

And doſt thou talk of love?

FLAMINIUS.

That love ſhall ſave us.

Thou ſaw'ſt, the gentle Emmeline but now

Stole to our tent, and gave her tend'reſt welcome.

Unchang'd I found her, ſoft and artleſs ſtill.

The gen'rous maid already hath ſuggeſted

The means of flight. The battle once begun,

While ev'ry Briton is intent on war,

Herſelf will guide us to a place of ſafety.

AENOBARBUS.

Now I commend thee.

FLAMINIUS.

Thou approv'ſt then.

AENOBARBUS.

Ay.

FLAMINIUS.

And ſee, the joyful moment is approaching;

[19] See, where th'unnumber'd Trinobantians ſpread

In rude diſorder o'er the vale beneath,

Whoſe broad extent this eminence commands.

Mark their wide-waving multitude, confus'd

With mingling ſtandards, and tumultuous cars:

But far ſuperior to the reſt behold,

The brave and gen'rous Dumnorix, erect

With eager hope, his lofty jav'lin ſhakes,

And with unpoliſh'd majeſty adorns

The front of war.

AENOBARBUS.

I mark the rabble well;

And ſoon ſhall view the Romans from their ſtation

Between thoſe woods, which ſhade the adverſe hills,

Sweep with reſiſtleſs ardour to the vale,

And trample o'er the ſavages, like duſt.

FLAMINIUS.

That ſmiling vale with pity I contemplate,

And wiſh, more gentle foot-ſteps might be ſeen

To preſs its verdure, and that ſofter notes,

Than war's terrific clamours, might be tun'd

From thoſe ſurrounding ſhades to join the murmurs

Of that fair channel, whoſe ſonorous bed

Receives the ſtream, deſcending from this grove

To form the limpid maze, which ſhines below.

AENOBARBUS.

I ſee it gliſt'ning in the noon-day ſun.

But Britiſh gore will change its glaſſy hue.

FLAMINIUS.

Oh! might we rather on its friendly banks

Erect a grateful monument to peace;

That ſhe, her ſway reſuming, might afford me

To claſp the gallant Dumnorix, and ſtile him

My friend, my benefactor, and preſerver—

Stand from before this tempeſt, while it paſſes.

SCENE the ſecond.

[20]

BOADICIA, ICENIANS, AENOBAREUS and FLAMI⯑NIUS at a diſtance.

BOADICIA.

Oh! I could drive this jav'lin thro' my heart
To eaſe its tortures. Diſobey'd! Controll'd!
Ev'n in my army's ſight! Malignant pow'rs,
If ſuch there be, who o'er revenge preſide,
Who ſteel the breaſt with ever-during hate,
And aid black rancour in its purpos'd miſchief,
Be preſent now, and guide my indignation!

[pauſes

The Trinobantians are advanc'd before me.
Let them ſuſtain the onſet; let the Romans
On Dumnorix with ev'ry cohort preſs,
Till he entreat for Boadicia's aid:
Then ſhall my eager eyes enjoy his ruin;
And when th'inſulting boaſter is o'erthrown,
His bands diſpers'd, or gaſping in the duſt,
Then will I ruſh exulting in my car,
Like fierce Andatè, on the weary'd foe
Lead rout and ſlaughter, thro' a tide of gore
Impel my clotted wheels, redeem the day,
And from the mouth of danger ſnatching conqueſt,
Crown my revenge with glory.

SCENE the third.BOADICIA, ICENIANS, AENOBARBUS and FLAMI⯑NIUS at a diſtance, and VENUSIA.
VENUSIA.
Stand apart
At my requeſt, Icenians▪ O unbend,
[To Boad.
[21] That louring brow, and hear a ſuppliant ſiſter!
So prone to errour is our mortal frame,
Time could not ſtep without a trace of horrour,
If wary nature on the human heart
Amid its wild variety of paſſions
Had not impreſs'd a ſoft and yielding ſenſe,
That when offences give reſentment birth,
The kindly dews of penitence may raiſe
The ſeeds of mutual mercy and forgiveneſs.
BOADICIA.
Weak wretch, and yet whoſe impotence aſpires
To mix in warlike councils, and determine
The fate of captives, won in fields of death,
Thou wouldſt do better to reſerve thy tears;
Thou ſhall't have cauſe for penitential torrents.
VENUSIA.
They will not wait a ſecond birth of woe;
At thy ſeverity they burſt already.
Why turns on me that formidable aſpect,
Wont with commanding ſternneſs to behold
Its foes abaſh'd, and victory its vaſſal?
Yet how much brighter is the wreath of glory,
When interwove with clemency and juſtice.
Thou go'ſt to battle, there obtain renown;
But learn compaſſion from my tears, nor think,
Benignity enfeebles, or diſhonours
The moſt exalted valour.
BOADICIA.
Shall the tears
Of abject importunity detain me,
While vengeance, ſtriding from his grizly den,
With fell impatience grinds his iron teeth,
And waits my nod to ſatisfy his hunger.
Hence to th' employment of thy feeble diſtaff.
VENUSIA.
Not ſkill'd, like thee, in war's ennobling toils,
Inferiour praiſe, and humbler taſks I court,
And own my ſafety in thy loftier virtues;
[22] Yet not like thee, with unforgiving wrath
Could I reſign a ſiſter to her grief
At this tremendous hour, ſo near deciding
The fate of both. One gentle word beſtow,
And I will leave thee with obedient haſte;
Nay I will ſeek the altars, and requeſt,
That in the future triumphs of this day
Heav'n may refuſe to Dumnorix a ſhare,
And give thee all.
BOADICIA.
Does Dumnorix conſent
To ſacrifice the Romans? art thou mute?
Still does he brave me? but your favour'd captives
Shall not eſcape. They ſoon ſhall join the victims,
Which this unconquer'd jav'lin ſhall reſerve
To ſolemnize the fall of Rome's dominion.
Then to my glory Dumnorix ſhall bend.
In ſight of Britain ſhall his baffled pride
The pomp of public ſacrifice behold,
Behold and pine. You take a band of ſoldiers;
[To an Icenian.
Watch well around the Trinobantian tents,
And guard theſe Romans, as your lives. I tell thee,
[To Venuſ.
Their gore ſhall yet beſmear Andate's altar.
VENUSIA.
In ſilent awe I heard thy firſt reſentment,
Yet hop'd the well known accents of affection,
In kindneſs whiſper'd to thy ſecret ear,
Might to thy breaſt recal its exil'd pity,
That gentle inmate of a woman's heart.
BOADICIA.
Durſt thou, preſumptuous, entertain a thought
To give this boſom, nerv'd with manly ſtrength,
The weak ſenſations of a female ſpirit?
VENUSIA.
When I remind thy elevated ſoul,
[23] That we by mutual intereſts are but one,
And by th' indiſſoluble ties of birth,
Are thoſe ſenſations weak, which nature prompts?
With juſtice ſtrengthen'd, can her pow'rful voice
Find no perſuaſion.—
BOADICIA.
None. Provoke no more
With plaintive murmurs my indignant ear.
Thou, and thy huſband, authors of my ſhame
Before th' aſſembled chiefs, may reſt aſſur'd,
No prayers ſhall ſoften, no attonement bribe,
And no ſubmiſſion ſhall appeaſe the wrong.
May deſolation trample on my dwelling
A ſecond time, rapacious force again,
And inſult revel through my inmoſt chambers,
If I forgive you. Thou haſt food for anguiſh;
Go, and indulge its appetite at leiſure.
VENUSIA.
Yes, I will haſten to the holy ſhrine,
There wring my hands, and melt in copious ſorrow
Not for my injur'd ſelf, but thee remorſeleſs,
To mourn thy faded honours, which, deform'd
By harſh injuſtice to thy blameleſs friends,
Ne'er will revive in beauty. Not ſucceſs,
Not trophies riſing round thee; not the throng
Of circling captives, and their conquer'd ſtandards,
Nor glorious duſt of victory can hide
From juſt reproach thy unrelenting ſcorn,
While none deplore thee, but the wrong'd Venuſia.

SCENE the fourth.

BOADICIA, ICENIANS, AENOBARBUS and FLAMI⯑NIUS at a diſtance.

BOADICIA.

Stern pow'r of war, my patroneſs and guide,

[24] To thee each captive Roman I devote.

Come then, vindictive goddeſs in thy terrours;

O'erwhelm with wrath his ſacrilegious head,

Who would defraud thy altars: O confound

His ranks, his ſteeds, his chariots, and thy favour

To me, thy martial votareſs, confine,

In ſex, like thee, and glowing with thy fires.

SCENE the fifth.AENOBARBUS and FLAMINIUS.
AENOBARBUS.
Do thou come forward now, and ſay, what terrours
Has thy dejected ſoul been brooding o'er?
Yon furious dame, who fill'd thee ſo with dread,
Is marching onward. Raiſe thy head, and look.
See, where ev'n now with ſullen pride ſhe mounts
Her martial ſeat; yet wondrous ſlow, by heav'n,
Her car deſcends, nor ſoon will reach the vale.
Thou lookſt deſponding. Art thou ſtill diſmay'd?
Thinkſt thou, yon dreadful woman will return?
From us ſhe moves, though ſlowly; then take comfort.
FLAMINIUS.
Far other cares, than terrour, fill my breaſt.
AENOBARBUS.
What means this languor? Wherefore heaves that ſigh?
FLAMINIUS.
O Aenobarbus, willt thou bear my weakneſs;
I ſee the moment of deliv'rance near,
Yet pine with grief.
AENOBARBUS.
Whate'er the folly be,
With which thy boſom teems, the gods confound it.
FLAMINIUS.
To ſee the deareſt object of my ſoul,
Juſt ſee her after ſuch a tedious abſence,
[25] Then vaniſh from her ſight perhaps for ever,
When theſe reflections riſe, the ſweet exchange
From bonds to freedom, which to her I owe,
Is mix'd with bitterneſs, and joy ſubſides.
AENOBARBUS.
Why didſt thou leave the fair Italian fields,
Thou ſilken ſlave of Venus? what could move
Thee to explore theſe boiſt'rous northern climes,
And change yon radiant ſky for Britain's clouds?
What doſt thou here, effeminate? by heav'n
Thou ſhouldſt have loiter'd in Campania's villas
And in thy garden nurs'd with careful hands
The gaudy-veſted progeny of Flora;
Or indolently pac'd the pebbled ſhore,
And ey'd the beating of the Tuſcan wave
To waſte thy irkſome leiſure. Will't thou tell me,
What thou doſt here in Britain? doſt thou come
To ſigh and pine? could Italy afford
No food for theſe weak paſſions? muſt thou traverſe
Such tracts of land, and viſit this cold region
To love and languiſh? anſwer me, what motive
Firſt brought thee hither? but forbear to urge,
It was in queſt of honour; for the god
Of war diſclaims thee.
FLAMINIUS.
Well, ſuppoſe, I anſwer,
That friendſhip drew me from the golden Tiber,
With thee to combat this inclement ſky,
Will it offend thee?
AENOBARBUS.
No, I am thy friend,
And I will make a Roman of thee ſtill;
But let me ſee no languiſhing dejection
More on thy brow, nor hear unmanly ſighs.
Gods! can'ſt thou dream of love? When yonder ſ [...]e,
The Roman legions, all array'd for battle,
Are now deſcending; ſee their dreaded eagles,
[26] Their dazzling helmets, and their crimſon plumes:
A grove of jav'lins glitters down the ſteep;
They point their terrours on th' aſtoniſh'd foe;
Soon will they charge the Britons in the vale,
And with th' auſpicious glories of this day
Enrich the annals of imperial Rome.
O curſt captivity! with double weight
I feel thee now! malicious fate! to ſuffer
A Roman thus to ſtand confin'd in bondage,
And ſee the triumphs, which he cannot ſhare.
By heav'n, Flaminius, I will never bear it.
Where is thy Briton? Will ſhe lead us hence?
Elſe, by the god of war, unarm'd I ruſh
To join the glorious ſcene, which opens there.
FLAMINIUS.
I ſee her coming, and will fly to meet her.
AENOBARBUS.
Our time is ſhort, remember; do not dally.

SCENE the ſixth.AENOBARBUS.
I have a thought, lyes rip'ning in my breaſt,
And teems with future glory, if the fight
Prove undeciſive, and theſe tents ſubſiſt.
Soon will I bid thee, hoſtile camp, farewell.
Thou ſaw'ſt me come in thraldom; I depart
A fugitive: if ever I return,
Thou ſhallt receive me in another guiſe;
Then ſhallt thou feel me; when my ſhining helm
Shall ſtrike cold terrour through thy boldeſt guards,
And from its lofty creſt deſtruction ſhake.

End of the ſecond Act.

ACT III.

[27]

SCENE the firſt.FLAMINIUS and AENOBARBUS.
FLAMINIUS.
OUR lovely guide attends us. Thy impatience
Hath call'd me loit'rer.
AENOBARBUS.
Thou mayſt loiter ſtill.
Thou canſt not haſten, nor retard our fate,
Which is irrevocably fix'd.
FLAMINIUS.
What ſay'ſt thou?
AENOBARBUS.
I ſay, prepare to die. If Boadicia
Return once more, our deſtiny is fix'd.
Whate'er her mercileſs revenge may purpoſe,
Elate with conqueſt, or incens'd by loſs,
If on the rack to ſtrain our burſting ſinews,
If from the bleeding trunks to lop our lim [...]s,
Or with ſlow fires protract the hours of pain,
We muſt abide it all. Collect thy ſpirit,
And, like a Roman, dauntleſs wait thy doom.
FLAMINIUS.
[28]I hear thee, but thy meaning—
AENOBARBUS.
Hear again.
Before the tent ſome paces as I ſtood,
And joyful ſaw the Trinobantian guard,
Of us neglectful, from this quarter drawn
To view th'impending battle; on a ſudden
A curs'd Icenian caſt his jealous eye
Athwart my ſteps, then call'd a num'rous band,
Who prowl around us, as a deſtin'd prey.
FLAMINIUS.
Malicious fortune!
AENOBARBUS.
Now thou ſeeſt my meaning.
FLAMINIUS.
Our flight were vain, while theſe obſerve us.
AENOBARBUS.
True.
What has thy tame ſubmiſſion now avail'd,
Thy abject ſupplication to barbarians?
Hadſt thou with courage met thy fate at firſt,
We had been dead, ere now.
FLAMINIUS.
To view the ſun
Thro' his gay progreſs from the morn, till even▪
Poſſeſs my friends, my parents, and my love
Within the circle of my native walls
Were joys, I deem'd well worthy of my care;
But ſince that care is fruitleſs, I can leave
This light, my friends, my parents, love, and country;
As little daunted at my fate, as thou,
Tho' not ſo unconcern'd.
AENOBARBUS.
O Mars and Veſta!
Is it a viſion, which you raiſe before me
To charm my eyes? Behold a ſcene, Flaminius,
[29] To cheer a Roman in the gaſp of death.
The Britons are defeated; look, Flaminius;
Back from the vale in wild tumultuous flight
Behold their numbers ſweeping tow'rd the hill;
Already ſome are ſwarming up its ſide
To reach their camp for ſhelter; pale diſmay
With hoſtile rage purſue their broken rear,
While maſſacre, unchidden, cloys his famine,
And quaffs the blood of nations. O in vain
Doſt thou oppoſe thy boſom to the tide
Of war, and brandiſh that recover'd ſtandard;
Vain is thy animating voice to thoſe,
Whom fear makes deaf; O Dumnorix, thy toils
Are fruitleſs, Britain in the ſcale of fate
Yields to the weight of Rome. Now, life, farewell:
Shine on, bright Phoebus, thoſe, who reſt behind
To ſhare thy ſplendours, while I ſink in darkneſs,
Are far beneath my envy; I reſign
Theſe eyes with pleaſure to eternal ſhades,
They now have ſeen enough.
FLAMINIUS.
Whence this deſpair?
A blind confuſion fills the ſpacious camp.
Already conſternation hath diſpers'd
Our guard. Ev'n Dumnorix retires—He comes;
Avoid him—Truſt me, I am well inſtructed,
And will conduct thee to a ſafe retreat

SCENE the ſecond.

DUMNORIX

with a ſtandard.

Thou hard-kept remnant of our ſhatter'd fortune,

Stand there before the partial eye of heav'n,

Which has preferr'd the Romans' ſplendid altars,

To the plain virtue of a Britiſh heart.

Preſumptuous frenzy! Why is heav'n reproach'd?

O Boadicia, thou perfidious miſchief!

SCENE the third.

[30]

DUMNORIX and VENUSIA.

VENUSIA.

Now let my duty o'er my fear prevail,

Fill my whole breaſt with tenderneſs, and heal

With ſweeteſt comfort thy diſtreſs.

DUMNORIX.

My wife!

Thou moſt unlike to you degen'rate woman,

Her country's bane!

VENUSIA.

I tremble at thy words.

DUMNORIX.

Be not diſmay'd; the camp is ſtill our own.

Night is impending, and the Romans halt.

VENUSIA.

But what of Boadicia?

DUMNORIX.

Hear and mourn.

The Trinobantians ſcarce had fill'd the vale,

When from a narrow paſs between the woods

Forth burſt the Romans, wedg'd in deep array.

I found our ſtruggle vain, and ſent for aid

To Boadicia; ſhe with ſcorn reply'd,

I did not want th' aſſiſtance of a woman;

Nor left her ſtation, till my broken ranks

Were driv'n among th' Icenians: in a moment

All was confuſion, ſlaughter and defeat.

SCENE the fourth.

DUMNORIX, VENUSIA, and BOADICIA-

DUMNORIX.

Gods! art thou ſafe?

VENUSIA.

[31]

Oh! moſt unhappy ſiſter!

When laſt we parted, cruel were thy words,

A ſure preſage of endleſs grief to me;

Yet my deſponding ſpirit ne'er foreboded,

That thou couldſt deviate from a proſp'rous courſe,

When ev'ry gale conſpir'd to ſwell thy glory.

BOADICIA.

Throw not on me the crime of envious fortune.

DUMNORIX.

Doſt thou blame fortune, traitreſs?

BOADICIA.

Then the blame

Take on thy ſingle head.

DUMNORIX.

Avoid my ſight.

BOADICIA.

Thou ledſt the van.

DUMNORIX.

Avaunt.

BOADICIA.

Thou fledſt the firſt,

Now findſt too late th'importance of a woman.

DUMNORIX.

Too true I find a woman curs'd with pow'r

To blaſt a nation's welfare. Heavenly rulers!

How have the Britons merited this ſhame?

Have we with fell ambition, like the Romans,

Unpeopled realms, and made the world a deſart?

Have we your works defac'd; or how deſerv'd

So large a meaſure of your bitt'reſt wrath,

That you ſhould cloath this ſpirit of a wolf

In human form, and blend her lot with ours?

BOADICIA.

Beſet with perils, as I am, purſu'd

By rout and havoc to th'encirc'ling toyl;

Untam'd by this reverſe, my lofty ſoul,

[32] Upbraiding ſtill thy arrogance, demands,

Who ſpar'd the captive Romans? Who provok'd

My juſt reſentment? Who, in pow'r, in name

And dignity inferior, but elate

With blind preſumption, and by envy ſtung,

Dar'd to diſpute with me ſupreme command,

Then pale and trembling turn'd his back on danger?

VENUSIA.

O once united by the friendlieſt ties,

And leaders both of nations, ſhall this land

Still view its bulwarks, tott'ring with diſunion,

Enhance the public and their own misfortunes?

Thou, my complacent lord, wert wont to ſmooth

That manly front at pity's juſt complaint;

And, thou entruſted with a people's welfare,

A queen and warrior, let diſdain no more

Live in the midſt of danger—ſee Venuſia

Upon her knees—

DUMNORIX.

Shall thy perfections kneel

To this—

VENUSIA.

Oh! ſtop, nor give reſentment utt'rance.

In ſuch a cauſe the proudeſt knee might ſue

To leſs, than Boadicia—Turn not from me

[To Boadicia

Look on a proſtrate ſiſter! Think, thou hear'ſt

Our children's plaintive notes enforce my pray'r,

And Albion's genius mix his ſolemn moan;

That lamentations through thy ears reſound

From all the wives and mothers of thoſe thouſands,

Whoſe limbs lie ſtretch'd on yonder fields of death;

Thoſe wretched wives and mothers, oh! reflect,

But for the fatal diſcord of this day

With other looks, with other cries and geſtures,

With diff [...]rent tranſports, and with diff'rent tears

[33] Might have receiv'd their ſons and husbands home,

Than they will now ſurvey their pale remains,

Which there lye mangled by the Roman ſword

To feed the raven's hunger—yet relent!

Yet let reſtoring union cloſe our wounds,

And to repair this ruin be thy praiſe!

DUMNORIX.

Riſe, riſe. Thy mildneſs, whoſe perſuaſive charm

No cruelty, but hers, could hear unmov'd,

In vain would render placable and wiſe

That malice, inhumanity and frenzy,

Which have already waſted ſuch a ſtore

Of glory and ſucceſs.

BOADICIA.

Oh!

DUMNORIX.

Doſt thou groan?

BOADICIA.

No, no, I do not feel a moment's pain.

DUMNORIX.

Thy words are falſe. Thy heart o'erflows with anguiſh.

BOADICIA.

No, I deſpiſe both thee and fortune ſtill.

DUMNORIX.

By heav'n, I know diſtraction rends thy ſoul,

And to its view preſents th' approaching ſcene

Of ſhame and torture, when th' indignant Romans

Exact a tenfold vengeance for their ſuff'rings;

And when thou paſſeſt through their ſtreets in chains,

The juſt deriſion of inſulting foes,

A frantic woman, who reſign'd her hopes,

And to indulge an empty pride betray'd

Her children, friends and country; then recal,

What once was Boadicia, fall'n how low

From all her honours, by her folly fall'n

From pow'r, from empire, victory and glory

To vileſt bonds, and ignominious ſtripes.

BOADICIA.

[34]

May curſes blaſt thee, worſe, than I can utter,

And keener pangs, than whips, or ſhackles ſeize thee!

VENUSIA.

Oh! ſiſter, how unſeemly is this rage.

Whom doſt thou load with theſe ungen'rous curſes?

Thy faithful friend, thy counſellour and brother,

Whom thou haſt injur'd, injur'd paſt the pow'r

Of reparation. Doſt thou call for whips

To print thoſe venerable limbs with ſhame,

For bonds to humble that majeſtic head,

Which foes themſelves muſt honour? yet, if chains

Muſt be our fate, what cruel hand hath forg'd them,

But thine alone? thy hand hath heap'd deſtruction

On him, thy once rever'd ally, on me,

On my poor children, guiltleſs of offence,

And on thy own, who claim'd protection ftom thee;

Yet thou obdurate, to thy rage a prey,

Doſt chide remorſe and pity from thy breaſt.

DUMNORIX

to BOADICIA.

Source of thy own afflictions! to behold thee

Diſtracted thus, thus fall'n and loſt, to ſee

Thus ſtrongly painted on thy lab'ring features

The pangs, thou feel'ſt within, awakes compaſſion.

BOADICIA.

Ha! no—divine Andate ſhall uphold me

Above thy pity. Think'ſt thou, Boadicia

Is thus deſerted by her patron goddeſs,

Thus void of all reſources? think ſo ſtill,

And be deceiv'd. Ev'n now I feel her aid;

[aſide.

I feel her [...]ere; the warlike queen inſpires

My pregnant ſoul; the mighty plan is forming;

It grows, it labours in my ardent boſom;

It ſprings to life, and calls for inſtant action;

Lead on, exert thee, goddeſs, till the furies,

Which heretofore have thunder'd at thy heels,

Start at the new-born horrours of this night.

SCENE the fifth.

[35]

DUMNORIX and VENUSIA.

VENUSIA.

Oh! Dumnorix, how virtue hath recoil'd

Upon itſelf! my interpoſing pity,

Thy manly firmneſs in a gen'rous act

Gave theſe diſaſters being.

DUMNORIX.

I forbid thee

To blame thy virtues, which the gods approve,

And I revere. Now leave me to conce [...]t

With our ſurviving chiefs the means of ſafety.

VENUSIA.

Oh! that, like me, compliant, at thy word

Peace a benign companion would attend,

And moderate thy cares, while I depart.

SCENE the ſixth.DUMNORIX.
Have I been guilty? anſwer me, my heart,
Who now wouldſt burſt my agonizing breaſt,
Hath Dumnorix been guilty? willt thou, Britain,
To me impute the horrours of this day?
Perhaps a Roman's policy had yielded,
And to a colleague's cruelty and pride
Had ſacrific'd humanity and juſtice;
I did not ſo, and Albion is deſtroy'd.
Yet, O be witneſs, all ye gen'rous ſpirits,
So lately breathing in thoſe heaps of death,
That in this day's extremity and peril
Your Dumnorix was mindful of his charge;
My ſhiver'd javelin, my divided ſhield,
And blunted ſword, be witneſs for your maſter,
[36] You were not idle in that dreadful hour:
Nor ev'n amid the carnage pil'd around me,
Will I relinquiſh my purſuit of hope—
Hope may forſake me—For myſelf I fear not—
But my Venuſia—Ha! prepare, my ſoul—
There is thy ſtruggle, on her tender mind
To graft thy firmneſs, which can welcome death,
And hold it gain, when liberty is loſt.

End of the third Act.

ACT IV.

[37]

SCENE the Firſt.DUMNORIX.
TILL good Tenantius, and the reſt return,
I have been led by ſolitary care
To you dark branches, ſpreading o'er the brook,
Which murmurs through the camp; this mighty camp,
Where once two hundred thouſand ſons of war
With reſtleſs dins awak'd the midnight hour.
Now horrid ſtillneſs in the vacant tents
Sits undiſturb'd; and theſe inceſſant rills,
Whoſe pebbled channel breaks their ſhallow ſtream,
Fill with their melancholly ſound my ears,
As if I wander'd, like a lonely hind,
O'er ſome dead fallow far from all reſort:
Unleſs that ever and anon a groan
Burſts from a ſoldier, pillow'd on his ſhield
In torment, or expiring with his wounds,
And turns my fix'd attention into horrour.
Venuſia comes—The hideous ſcene around me
[38] Now prompts the hard, but neceſſary duty—
Yet how to name thee, death, without thy terrours!

SCENE the ſecond.

DUMNORIX and VENUSIA.

VENUSIA.

Thou didſt enjoin my abſence. I departed.

With ill-tim'd care if now returning—

DUMNORIX.

No.

VENUSIA.

Alas! deep-plung'd in ſadneſs ſtill I find thee.

DUMNORIX.

Doſt thou? come nearer. Thou haſt ſeen this day,

How thy perfidious, thy invet'rate ſiſter

Hath ſtain'd my glory, and my fortune baffled;

Thou haſt received me vanquiſh'd, who before

Was us'd to greet thee with the ſound of conqueſt.

Now tell me truly; am I ſtill the ſame

In my Venuſia's eyes.

VENUSIA.

What means my lord;

DUMNORIX.

Am I ſtill lov'd and honour'd, as before?

VENUSIA.

Canſt thou ſuſpect, that fortune rules my love?

Thy pow'r and honours may be ſnatch'd away,

Thy wide poſſeſſions paſs to other lords,

And, frowning heav'n reſume whate'er it gave,

All but my love, which ne'er ſhall know decay,

But ev'n in ruin ſhall augment its fondneſs.

DUMNORIX.

Then will my dictates be regarded ſtill.

VENUSIA.

Impart this moment thy rever'd commands,

[39] And if it prove within my ſlender pow'r

To eaſe thy troubles, I will bleſs the gods,

And unrepining to our fate ſubmit.

DUMNORIX.

Think not, my own calamities diſtreſs me;

I can encounter fortune's keeneſt malice:

But oh! for thee, Venuſia—

VENUSIA.

Do not fear.

While in theſe faithful arms I hold my lord,

I never ſhall complain. Let ev'ry ill,

Let ruin and captivity oe'rtake me,

With thee I will be happy.

DUMNORIX.

Ha! Venuſia!

Could thou and I find happineſs together,

Depriv'd of freedom? Doſt thou mark?

VENUSIA.

I do.

DUMNORIX.

Thou art moſt fair; but could thy lovely face

Make ſlavery look comely? Could the touch

Of that ſoft hand convey delight to mine

With ſervile fetters on?

VENUSIA.

Why doſt thou gaze

So ſtedfaſtly upon me?

DUMNORIX.

I would have thee

Reflect once more upon the loſs of freedom.

VENUSIA.

It is the heavieſt ſure of human woes.

DUMNORIX.

Learn one thing more, and though relentleſs heav'n

Its care withdraws from this ill-deſtin'd iſle,

Thou in the fall of nations ſhallt be ſafe.

Oh! heed Venuſia! never did thy welfare

[40] Raiſe in my breaſt ſuch tender cares before;

Elſe from the public danger would I ſpare

Theſe precious moments to aſſiſt thy virtue.

VENUSIA.

Thou mak'ſt me all attention.

DUMNORIX.

Reach thy hand.

Now while I hold thee, do I bleſs Andate,

That this free hand, protected by my ſword,

Hath not yet known the ſhameful doom of bondage.

VENUSIA.

Nor ſhall I know it; thy unſhaken valour

Will be my ſafeguard ſtill.

DUMNORIX.

If fate confounds

My utmoſt efforts, can I then protect thee?

VENUSIA.

Why doſt thou lead me to deſpair? Why fill

My breaſt with terrours? Never did I ſee thee,

Till this ſad hour, thus hopeleſs and dejected.

Oh! how ſhall I, a woman weak and fearful,

Suſtain my portion of the gen'ral woe;

If thou, in perils exercis'd and war,

Doſt to ill fortune bow thy gallant ſpirit?

DUMNORIX.

Think not, Venuſia, I abandon hope.

No, on the verge of ruin will I ſtand,

And dauntleſs combat with our evil fate;

Nor, till its rancour bear me to the bottom,

My ſoul ſhall ever entertain deſpair:

But as the wiſeſt, and the beſt reſolv'd

Cannot controll the doubtful chance of war,

I would prepare thee for the worſt event.

VENUSIA.

Fly, where thou willt, my faithful ſteps ſhall follow.

I can purſue thy courſe with naked feet,

Though roaming o'er the rough and pointed crags,

[41] Or through the pathleſs tract of deepeſt woods;

By thy dear hand ſupported, would Ipaſs

Through the cold ſnow, which hides the mountain's brow,

And o'er the frozen ſurface of the vale.

DUMNORIX.

Thou beſt of women, I believe thou wouldſt,

Believe, thy conſtant heart would teach thoſe limbs,

Thus ſoft and gentle, to ſupport all hardſhip,

And hold with me ſociety in toil.

But ſhould we want the wretched pow'r to fly,

What then?

VENUSIA.

What then?

DUMNORIX.

The Romans may ſurround us.

VENUSIA.

How wouldſt thou act in ſuch a dreadful ſeaſon?

DUMNORIX.

Ne'er ſhall the hands of Dumnorix endure

The ſhame of fetters; ne'er ſhall Rome behold

This breaſt, which honourable war hath ſeam'd,

Pant with the load of bondage: gen'rous wounds,

Ye deep engraven characters of glory,

Ye faithful monitors of Albion's cauſe,

Oft, when you midnight anguiſh hath rebuk'd

Oblivious ſlumber from my watchful pillow,

And in her danger kept my virtue waking:

You, when that office can avail no more,

Will look more graceful on my death-cold boſom,

Than to be ſhewn before the ſcoffing Romans,

Should they behold that Dumnorix in ſhackles,

Whom once they dreaded on the field of war.

VENUSIA.

Aſſiſt me heav'n!

DUMNORIX.

Speak out. I watch to hear thee.

My pow'rs are all ſuſpended with attention.

VENUSIA.

[42]

What ſhall I do?

DUMNORIX.

Explain thy thoughts.

VENUSIA.

I cannot.

DUMNORIX.

Why canſt thou not? Remember, who thou art,

And who thy husband is.

VENUSIA.

The firſt of men,

Join'd to the leaſt deſerving of her ſex.

DUMNORIX.

View thy own heart; be conſcious of thy merit;

And in its ſtrength confiding, be ſecure,

That thou art worthy of the greateſt man,

And not unequal to the nobleſt task.

VENUSIA.

O I will ſtruggle to aſſiſt that claim!

Yet deareſt lord, extend thy whole indulgence,

Nor undeſerving of thy love eſteem me,

While trembling thus.

DUMNORIX.

I know thy native ſoftneſs.

Yet wherefore doſt thou tremble? Speak, my love.

VENUSIA.

O I have not thy courage, not been us'd,

Like thee, to meet the dreadful ſhape of death;

I never felt the anguiſh of a wound;

Thy arm hath ſtill kept danger at a diſtance:

If now it threatens, and my heart no more

Muſt treat with ſafety, it is new to me.

DUMNORIX.

It is, my love. My tenderneſs implies

No expectation, that thy gentle mind

Should be at once familiariz'd with fate.

Not inſurmountable I hold our danger.

[43] But to provide againſt deluſive fortune,

That thou mayſt bear, unterrify'd, the lot,

Which beſt ſhall ſuit thy dignity and name,

Demands thy care: take counſel of thy virtue.

VENUSIA.

I will.

DUMNORIX.

And arm thy breaſt with reſolution.

VENUSIA.

Indeed I will, and ask the gracious gods

To fill my heart with conſtancy and ſpirit,

And ſhew me worthy of a man, like thee.

Perhaps their ſuccour, thy rever'd injunction,

And high example, may controll my terrours;

But oh! what pow'r ſhall ſooth another care,

Than life more precious, and a keener pang,

Than death's ſevereſt agony, relieve;

The ſad remembance of my helpleſs infants,

Our love's dear pledges, who before me riſe

In orphan woe, defenceleſs and forſaken,

And all my borrow'd fortitude diſſolve,

DUMNORIX.

Thou perfect pattern of maternal fondneſs,

And conjugal compliance, reſt aſſur'd,

That care was never abſent from my ſoul.

Confide in me thy children ſhall be ſafe.

VENUSIA.

How ſafe?

DUMNORIX.

Shall live in ſafety. Thou ſhallt know.

Mean time retire. Our anxious chiefs, return'd,

Wait my commands, and midnight is advancing,

SCENE the third.DUMNORIX.
She goes—her love and duty will ſurmount
[44] This hideous Taſk—O morning bright in hope,
Clos'd by a night of horrour, which reduces
This poor—dear woman, yet in blooming years,
Bleſs'd in her huſband, in her offspring bleſs'd,
Perhaps to cut her ſtem of being ſhort
With her own tender hand—If ever tears
Might ſort with valour, nor debaſe a ſoldier,
It would be now—Ha! whither do I plunge?

SCENE the Fourth.

DUMNORIX, EBRANCUS, TENANTIUS and TRINO⯑BANTIANS.

DUMNORIX.

Well, my brave friends, what tidings?

EBRANCUS.

Through thy quarter

With weary ſteps, and mourning, have we travers'd

A ſilent deſart of unpeopled tents

Quite to the diſtant ſtation of th' Icenians.

Their chiefs we found in council round their queen;

The multitude was arming: twenty thouſand

Were yet remaining, and unhurt by war,

Unlike our Trinobantians, who, unaided,

The fatal onſet bore. Thoſe huge battalions,

Which Rome ſo dreaded, are alas! no more.

DUMNORIX.

Be not dejected. Far the greater part,

Are fled for ſhelter to their native roofs,

And will rejoin us, when with force repair'd

We may diſpute our iſland ſtill with Rome.

But have you gain'd acceſs to Boadicia?

EBRANCUS.

We have.

DUMNORIX.

What ſaid ſhe?

EBRANCUS.

[45]

She approv'd thy counſel

DUMNORIX.

You told her then my purpoſe to retreat

Through yonder foreſt.

EBRANCUS.

To herſelf alone

We told it.

DUMNORIX.

I commend you. You have ſav'd us

A conference, both needleſs and unpleaſing.

EBRANCUS.

She further bade us note, how all th' Icenians

Were then in arms, and ready to advance.

DUMNORIX.

Return, and tell her, (let thy phraſe, Ebrancus,

Be ſoft and humble) e're two hours be waſted,

We muſt begin our march. Do you explore

[To the other Trinobantians.

The ſecret paſſage, and with winged haſte

Bring back your tidings. Thou, Tenantius, wait.

SCENE the fifth.DUMNORIX and TENANTIUS.
DUMNORIX.
To thee my inmoſt boſom I muſt open,
And to thy friendſhip truſt my tend'reſt cares.
Thou muſt purſue thy journey (heed me well)
Quite through the foreſt—Doſt thou know the paſs?
TENANTIUS.
Yes, where thoſe guſhing waters leave the grove
To ſeek the valley, deeper in the ſhade
From the ſame fountain flows a ſmaller brook
Whoſe ſecret channel through the thicket winds
And will conduct me farther down the v [...]le—
DUMNORIX.
[46]Which once attain'd, proceed and gain my dwelling.
Give me thy honeſt hand.—Come nearer, ſoldier,
Thy faithful boſom would I claſp to mine—
Perhaps thy general and thou may never
Embrace again.
TENANTIUS.
What means my fearleſs chief?
Why haſt thou call'd this unaccuſtom'd moiſture
Into thy ſoldier's eyes?
DUMNORIX.
Thou doſt not weep,
My gallant vet'ran—I have been to blame.
A tenderneſs, reſulting from a care,
Which ſtruggles here, ſubdu'd me for a moment.
This ſhall be ſoon diſcharg'd, and all be well.
I have two boys—If after all my efforts
(I ſpeak not prompted by deſpair, but caution)
Rome ſhould prevail againſt me, and our hopes
Abortive fall, thou take theſe helpleſs infants;
With thee tranſport them to our northern frontier,
And hide them deep in Caledonian woods.
There in their growing years excite and cheriſh
The dear remembrance of their native fields;
That to redeem them from th' Italian ſpoiler,
If e'er ſome kind occaſion ſhould invite,
Forth from their covert they may ſpring undaunted.
Ne'er let the race of Dumnorix divert
One thought from Albion to their own repoſe.
Remind them often of their father's toils,
Whom thou leav'ſt grappling to the laſt with fortune.
And if beneath this iſland's mould'ring ſtate
I to avoid diſgraceful chains muſt ſink,
Fain would my ſpirit in the hope depart,
That on the ruins, which ſurround my fall,
A new born ſtructure may hereafter ſtand,
Rais'd by my virtue, living in my ſons.

End of th [...] fourth Act.

ACT V.

[47]

SCENE the Firſt.VENUSIA.
A Hollow ſound of tumult ſtrikes my ear;
Perhaps the howl of ſome night-roaming wolves,
Who, wak'd by hunger, from their gloomy haunts
Are trooping forth to make their fell repaſt
On my freſh-bleeding countrymen, whoſe limbs
O'erſpread the valley. Shall I mourn your fall,
Loſt friends, who, couch'd in death, forget your cares,
I, who may ſhortly join your ghaſtly band,
Unleſs that foreſt yield its friendly aid?
O hope, ſweet flatt'rer, whoſe deluſive touch
Sheds on afflicted minds the balm of comfort,
Relieves the load of poverty, ſuſtains
The captive, bending with the weight of bonds,
And ſmooths the pillow of diſeaſe and pain,
Send back th' exploring meſſenger with joy,
And let me hail thee from that friendly grove.

SCENE the ſecond.

[48]

VENUSIA and DUMNORIX.

DUMNORIX.

Why haſt thou left thy couch;

VENUSIA.

I heard a ſound,

Like tumult at a diſtance.

DUMNORIX.

So did I,

As near the op'ning paſs I ſtood to watch

Our meſſenger's return.

SCENE the third.

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, and EBRANCUS.

DUMNORIX

to EBRANCUS.

What means this haſte?

Why lookſt thou pale?

EBRANCUS.

With thy inſtructions charg'd,

I ſought th'Icenian quarter. All around

Was ſolitude and ſilence. When I call'd,

No voice reply'd. To Boadicia's tent

With fearful haſte I trod. Her daughters there

I found in conſternation I enquir'd

The cauſe, they anſwer'd only with their tears;

Till from the princeſs Emmeline at laſt

I learn'd, that all th' Icenians were that hour

In ſilent march departed; but their courſe

She could not tell me: that her furious mother

Had with a fell, determin'd, look enjoin'd them

To wait her pleaſure, which ſhould ſoon be known;

Mean time to reſt immoveable and mute.

SCENE the fourth.

[49]

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, EBRANCUS, and an ICENIAN carrying a bowl.

VENUSIA.

My Dumnorix, defend me.

DUMNORIX.

Ha! what means

This wild demeanour—willt thou ſpeak, Icenian?—

Fear not my love; thy Dumnorix is near.

What is that bowl, thou carry'ſt?

ICENIAN.

If ought appears diſorder'd in my geſture,

Which ill becomes the reverence, I owe thee,

Charge that demerit to my horrid errand,

And not to me.

VENUSIA.

What will befal us now!

DUMNORIX

to the ICENIAN.

Willt thou begin?

ICENIAN.

I come from Boadicia.

DUMNORIX.

Where is ſhe?

ICENIAN.

Far advanc'd o'er yonder vale.

DUMNORIX.

With what intention?

ICENIAN.

To aſſail the Romans.

DUMNORIX.

Aſſail the Romans?

ICENIAN.

To ſurprize their camp

At this dead hour with unexpected ſlaughter.

[50] Before ſhe march'd, to me this ſecret charge

In words, like theſe, ſhe gave. "Obſerve our courſe;

"When I have paſs'd the camp's extremeſt verge

"Back to my daughters and Venuſia ſpeed:

"Tell them, I go our fortune to reſtore,

"If unſucceſsful never to return.

"Should that ſtern doom attend me, bid them take

"The laſt, beſt gift, which dying I can leave them;

"That of my blood no part may prove diſhonour'd.

"The Trinobantian, of his Roman friends

"So well deſerving, may accept their grace."

This ſaid with wild emotion in her breaſt,

Her viſage black'ning with deſpair and horrour,

She ſtreight committed to my trembling hands

Two fatal bowls, which flow with poiſon'd ſtreams.

I have acc [...]mpliſh'd half my horrid taſk

With Boadicia's daughters.

DUMNORIX.

Frantic woman!

Who hopes with fury and deſpair to match

The vigilance and conduct of Suetonius.

ICENIAN.

From this ill-fated hand receive the draught,

Whoſe hue and odour warrant it the juice

Of that benumbing plant, the Druids gather;

That plant, whoſe drowſy moiſture lulls the ſenſe,

And with a ſilent influence expels

The unreſiſting ſpirit from her ſeat.

DUMNORIX.

Miſtaken woman! did ſhe deem Venuſia

Was unprovided of this friendly potion—

Perfo [...]m thy orders; bear it to my tent—

Thou mayſt not want it yet—take comfort, love.

SCENE the fifth.

[51]

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, EBRANCUS, and a ſecond ICENIAN.

Second ICENIAN.

Oh! Dumnorix.

DUMNORIX.

Icenian, ſpare thy voice.

Thy flight, thy terrour, and thy wounds interpret

Too plainly.

Second ICENIAN.

We are vanquiſh'd.

DUMNORIX.

I believe thee.

Second ICENIAN.

Oh! I have much to tell thee—but I faint.

DUMNORIX

to EBRANCUS.

Conduct him hence, and learn the whole event.

SCENE the ſixth.

VENUSIA and DUMNORIX.

VENUSIA.

On you, celeſtial arbiters, we call.

Now, as we ſtand environ'd by diſtreſs,

Now weigh our actions paſt, deform'd, or fair.

If e'er oppreſſion hath defil'd his valour,

In help and pity to the woes of others

Our hearts been ſcanty, and our hands reſerv'd,

Let our tranſgreſſions ratify our doom:

Elſe with your juſtice let our merits plead

To hold its ſhield before us, and repel

Theſe undeſerv'd misfortunes.

DUMNORIX.

[52]

Heav'n may hear,

And through that foreſt lead us ſtill to ſafety.

Ha! no; each pow'r againſt us is combin'd;

What but their anger, levell'd at our heads,

Could bring Tenantius back, ſo ſtrictly charg'd

To ſeek our home—The intercepting foes

Have ſeiz'd the ſecret paſs.

VENUSIA.

Whoſe guardian care

Now to the gloomy ſhelter of a deſart,

To ſolitary innocence and peace

Will guide our friendleſs orphans?

DUMNORIX.

True, Venuſia.

Through ev'ry trial heav'n is pleas'd to lead us.

Droop not—one comfort never can forſake us.

The mind, to virtue train'd, in ev'ry ſtate

Rejoicing, grieving, dying, muſt poſſeſs

Th'exalted pleaſure to exert that virtue.

SCENE the ſeventh.

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, and TENANTIUS.

VENUSIA.

Speak, ſpeak, Tenantius.

TENANTIUS.

We purſu'd our courſe,

But had not travell'd far, before we heard

The ſound of footſteps, daſhing through the brook,

Whoſe winding channel marks the ſecret way.

Not long we ſtood in wonder, ere a troop

Of Romans ſally'd forth, and made us captives.

DUMNORIX.

Why then farewell to what was left of hope.

TENANTIUS.

Not ſo my lord.

VENUSIA.

[53]

Speak; what reſource is left?

TENANTIUS.

We were conducted to the Roman leaders,

One fierce and haughty, gentler far the other,

Who calm'd his ſtern companion, gave us comfort,

Nam'd thee with rev'rence, then an earneſt zeal

Diſcloſing for thy ſafety, and requeſting

A ſhort, but friendly conference between you,

With courteſy diſmiſs'd us.

VENUSIA.

Is he near?

TENANTIUS.

Hard by he waits impatient for an anſwer,

Juſt where the paſs is open to the tent.

DUMNORIX.

What would the Roman?

VENUSIA.

Haſten back Tenantius,

And ſay, that Dumnorix conſents to parley.

DUMNORIX.

Ha! truſt our freedom in a Roman's pow'r?

TENANTIUS.

Unarm'd and ſingle will the Roman join thee.

DUMNORIX.

O ineffectual effort!

VENUSIA.

Only ſee him,

If but to parley for thy children's ſafety.

Weak, as I am, unequal to theſe conflicts,

I would embrace deſtruction, ere requeſt thee

Once to comply with ought below thy greatneſs.

DUMNORIX.

Let him approach.

SCENE the eighth.

[54]

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, and EBRANCUS.

DUMNORIX.

What haſt thou learnt, my ſoldier?

EBRANCUS.

Like ours, th'Icenian force is all deſtroy'd.

DUMNORIX.

And Boadicia?

EBRANCUS.

Nought of her I know,

But that ſhe found the Roman hoſt embattled,

Which ſhe had fondly deem'd immers'd in ſleep.

DUMNORIX.

And ſo is fall'n a victim to her folly.

Retire.

SCENE the ninth.

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, TENANTIUS, and FLA⯑MINIUS.

TENANTIUS

to FLAMINIUS.

Thy helmet, caſt aſide, reſtores thee

To my remembrance, Lo! thy benefactors.

FLAMINIUS.

Brave Dumnorix!

DUMNORIX.

My captive!

FLAMINIUS.

Yes, Flaminius,

Who owes to thy humanity his life.

DUMNORIX.

Where haſt thou hid thee from my notice, rather

Whence now return'ſt, ennobled with command,

[55] No more in thraldom, but a Roman leader?

FLAMINIUS.

Amid the tumult of your late defeat

We ſought th'adjacent foreſt; thence we paſs'd

The vale below and reach'd the Roman tents.

DUMNORIX.

And now are maſters o our late retreat.—

Had I been cruel, Britain had been ſafe.

FLAMINIUS.

Was this an act unworthy of a ſoldier?

DUMNORIX.

Our woes are all the progeny of folly,

Not charg'd to thee or fortune.

VENUSIA.

Heav'n well pleas'd

Perhaps ordain'd this unforeſeen event,

That our benevolence to brave Flaminius

Its due return of gratitude ſhould find.

FLAMINIUS.

The life, you gave me, to your mutual welfare

I here devote. My influence, my pow'r,

My thoughts, my care to ſoften your afflictions,

Shall all combine. Surrender to your friend,

Before Suetonius with his legions pours

On your defenceleſs camp, who long in arms

Hath ſtood, expecting the appointed ſignal,

Which he enjoin'd us with the dawn to rear.

DUMNORIX.

Though thou didſt well, accepting life from me,

That gift from thee muſt Dumnorix refuſe.

FLAMINIUS.

Thou willt not rob my gratitude of pow'r

To ſhew, how well thy goodneſs was beſtow'd.

DUMNORIX.

Thou canſt not ſhew it. If thou ſav'ſt my life,

Canſt thou from bonds protect me and a triumph?

FLAMINIUS.

[56]

Alas! I cannot.

DUMNORIX.

Wouldſt thou ſee me led

A ſullen captive, and through haughty Rome

Inglorious count my paces to the clink

Of my own chains? this faithful woman too—

VENUSIA.

Like thee, diſdains a being ſo preſerv'd.

FLAMINIUS.

O let me water with my tears your feet!

If ev'ry drop, which iſſues from my heart,

Could from the doom, you juſtly ſcorn, ſecure you,

Before you now the purple ſluice ſhould open.

Yet let my knees in humbleſt adoration

Before ſuch elevated virtue bend.

O godlike Britons, my acknowledg'd patrons

And benefactors; if my ſoul retain not

Your memory for ever dear and ſacred;

May diſappointment, poverty and ſhame

Deform my life, and pining ſickneſs cloſe

My youthful eyes untimely in the grave.

DUMNORIX.

Thou ſeem'ſt of all the Romans to poſſeſs

A heart, which feels for others. Riſe, and hear.

Though we reject the wretched boon of life,

Thou may'ſt, Flaminius, yet repay our bounty.

FLAMINIUS.

Then will I aſk no other grace from heav'n.

DUMNORIX.

We have two children.

VENUSIA.

O my bleeding heart!

My poor, deſerted infants, whom theſe arms

No more muſt cheriſh, nor my lulling voice

Huſh in the quiet of my ſheltring boſom!

DUMNORIX

[57]

aſide.

Yet ſhall not this unman me. I will feel

A father's anguiſh, but conceal the pain.

[To Flam.

Know then, I meant this faithful friend, Tenantius,

Should traverſe yonder wood, and bear my ſons

Far from theſe borders to extremeſt north,

Where they might dwell ſecure, nor ſhare the ills,

Doom'd to their parents. Willt thou let him paſs?

FLAMINIUS.

I will, and Jove be witneſs to my word.

DUMNORIX.

Give thy laſt charge, Venuſia, to Tenantius.

One word apart with thee, my Roman friend.

As thou art gen'rous, anſwer me with truth.

When willt thou make thy ſignal?

FLAMINIUS.

At the dawn,

Whoſe beams though faint already tinge the eaſt.

DUMNORIX.

What time will bring your legions near this tent.

FLAMINIUS.

An hour at fartheſt.

DUMNORIX.

I have heard, Flaminius,

Of your forefather's ſpirit, how they fell

Oft on their ſwords to ſhun ignoble bondage;

This part have we to act: and, friendly Roman,

When thou ſhallt ſee our cold remains—my own

Are little worth attention—Oh! remember

Venuſia's goodneſs, and her gentle clay

Defend from ſhame and inſult.

FLAMINIUS.

Thou doſt pierce

My heart—I cannot anſwer—but believe

Theſe tears ſincere.

[56]

[...]

[57]

[...]

DUMNORIX.

[58]

Enough. Perform thy promiſe.

Thy obligations will be then diſcharg'd.

Farewell. Fulfill thy gen'ral's commands.

SCENE the tenth.

VENUSIA, DUMNORIX, and TENANTIUS.

VENUSIA

to TENANTIUS.

Thou future parent of my orphan babes,

Soon as their gen'rous minds imbibe thy precepts,

And thy example warms their budding virtues,

Do not forget to tell them, that no perils,

Nor death in all its terrous can efface

Maternal love; that their ill-fated mother

Amid this awful ſeaſon of diſtreſs

Wept, but for them, and loſt her fears in fondneſs.

DUMNORIX.

We have been long companions, brave Tenantius,

Thy leader I, once fortunate and great,

And thou my faithful and intrepid ſoldier.

Nay, do not weep—we have not time for wailing.

By thy approv'd fidelity and love

Thy chief, juſt ent'ring death's unfolded gates,

Stops, and once more conjures thee to retain

This his laſt charge in memory—his children.

SCENE the eleventh.

VENUSIA and DUMNORIX.

DUMNORIX.

The ſun is ris'n. All hail! thou laſt of days

To this nigh-finiſh'd being. Radiant pow'r,

Thou through thy endleſs journey mayſt proclaim,

That Dumnorix dy'd free, for thou ſhallt view it.

[59] Behold th' appointed ſignal from the grove,

Juſt as Flaminius warn'd us, is appear'd

To call Suetonius, and his legions on.

Come, deſolation, tyranny reſort

To thy new ſeat; come, ſlavery, and bend

The neck of Albion, all her ſons debaſe,

And ancient virtue from their hearts expel.

Now then, ye honour'd manſions of our fathers,

Ye hallow'd altars, and ye awful groves,

The habitation of our gods, farewell!

And yet the guilty auth'reſs of theſe woes

Deſerves a ſhare of praiſe, who, ſtill retaining

One unextinguiſh'd ſpark of gen'rous honour,

Scorn'd to remain ſpectatreſs, or partaker

Of Albion's fall, and, dying, ſtill is free.

Need I ſay more, Venuſia?

VENUSIA.

Oh! my lord.

DUMNORIX.

Why heaves that ſigh?

VENUSIA.

Alas! I am a woman.

DUMNORIX.

True, a defenceleſs woman, and expos'd

To keener ſorrow by thy matchleſs beauty;

That charm, which captivates the victor's eye,

Yet helpleſs to withſtand his ſavage force,

Throws wretched woman under double ruin.

But wherefore this? Thy virtue knows its duty.

VENUSIA.

Stay but a little.

DUMNORIX.

aſide.

Would I might for years!

But die that thought—Falſe tenderneſs, away.

Thou Britiſh genius, who art now retiring

From this loſt region, yet ſuſpend thy flight;

And in this conflict lend me all thy ſpirit—

[60] We only aſk thee to be free and die.

Well, my Venuſia; is thy ſoul reſolv'd?

Or ſhall I ſtill afford a longer pauſe?

VENUSIA.

Though my weak ſex by nature is not arm'd

With fortitude▪ like thine, of this be ſure;

That dear ſubjection to thy honour'd will,

Which hath my life directed, ev'n in death

Shall not forſake me; and thy faithful wife

Shall with obedience meet thy laſt commands.

But canſt thou tell me; is it hard to die?

DUMNORIX.

Oh! rather aſk me, if to live in ſhame,

Captivity and ſorrow be not hard?

VENUSIA.

Oh! miſerable!

DUMNORIX.

In a foreign land

The painful toils of ſervitude to bear

From an imperious miſtreſs?

VENUSIA.

Dreadful thought!

DUMNORIX.

Or be inſulted with the hateful love

Of ſome proud maſter?

VENUSIA.

Oh! proceed

No further!

DUMNORIX.

From thy native ſeat of dwelling,

From all the known endearments of thy home,

From parents, children, friends and—husband torn.

VENUSIA.

Stop there, and reach the potion; nor to drink

The cure of troubles will I longer pauſe.

SCENE the twelfth.

[61]

VENUSIA.

For ev'ry paſs'd poſſeſſion of delight,

Both in my offspring, and their godlike ſire,

A dying matron bends her grateful knee,

Ye all diſpoſing pow'rs! as now theſe bleſſings

Muſt reach their period, to my ſons transfer

That copious goodneſs, I have ſhar'd ſo long!

Through my reſigning ſoul that promiſe breathe,

And my laſt moments comfort thus with peace!

SCENE the thirteenth.

VENUSIA and DUMNORIX with a bowl.

DUMNORIX

aſide, ſeeing Venuſia on her knees.

Now reſolution, now be doubly arm'd

[He gives her the bowl and ſhe drinks.

Now ſtand awhile before the fanning breeze.

So with its ſubtle energy the potion,

Leſs rudely ſtealing on the pow'rs of life,

Will beſt perform its office to remove

Pain, fear and grief for ever from thy breaſt.

How doſt thou fare, Venuſia?

VENUSIA.

I perceive

No alteration. Every ſenſe remains

Yet unimpair'd. Then while theſe moments laſt,

Let me on thee direct my eyes to gaze,

While unobſtructed ſtill their ſight endures;

Let me receive thee to my faithful boſom,

Before my heart is motionleſs and cold:

Speak to me, Dumnorix! my lord! my husband!

Give one kind accent to thy dying wife,

Ere yet my ears be frozen, and thy voice

[62] Be heard no longer; join thy lip to mine,

While I can feel thy laſt and tend'reſt kiſſes.

DUMNORIX.

Yes, I will utter to thy dying ear

All my fond heart, ſuſtain thee on my boſom,

And cheer thy parting ſpirit in its flight.

Oh! whereſoe'er thy fleeting breath ſhall paſs,

Whate'er new body, as the Druids ſing,

Thou ſhallt inform hereafter, ſtill thy ſoul,

Thou gentle, kind, and ever-pleaſing creature;

Shall bear its own felicity along,

Still in its native ſweetneſs ſhall be bleſs'd,

And in its virtue, which can thus ſubdue

The fear of death, ſtill brave the pow'r of fortune.

But thou beginſt to droop.

VENUSIA.

My eyes grow dizzy.

DUMNORIX

aſide.

Keep firm, my heart.

VENUSIA.

A heavineſs, like ſleep,

O'ercomes my ſenſes—Every limb is faint—

Thy voice is ſcarce diſtinguiſh'd in my ears.

DUMNORIX.

Indeed!

VENUSIA.

Alas! thou lookſt ſo kindly on me!

My weak, and darken'd ſight deceives me ſure,

Or thy fond eye did never yet o'erflow

With tenderneſs, like this.

DUMNORIX.

I never view'd thee

For the laſt time.

VENUSIA.

Look, look upon me ſtill

Why doſt thou turn thy face away?

DUMNORIX.

[63]

For nothing.

VENUSIA.

Nay, thou art weeping, Dumnorix—and wherefore

Wouldſt thou conceal thy tears?

DUMNORIX.

I cannot hide them.

VENUSIA.

And doſt thou weep?

DNMNORIX.

I do.

VENUSIA.

Then didſt thou love me

With ſuch exceſs of fondneſs.—For Venuſia

Do theſe ſoft ſtreams bedew that awful face?

DUMNORIX.

Love thee! Behold, when Albion groans around me,

Yet thou theſe ſprings of tenderneſs canſt open

To wet the cheeks of Britiſh Dumnorix.

VENUSIA.

Oh! extacy! which ſtops my parting ſoul,

And gives it vigour to enjoy theſe tranſports.

Once more receive me to thy breaſt.

DUMNORIX.

Venuſia!

VENUSIA.

Thy tenderneſs makes death delightful to me—

Oh! I would ſpeak—would anſwer to thy kindneſs—

My fault'ring tongue—

DUMNORIX.

What ſayſt thou?

VENUSIA.

Ceaſe to grieve—

No pain moleſts me—ev'ry thought is calm—

Support my drowſy burthen to that couch—

Where death—ſerenely ſmiles.

SCENE the fourteenth.

[64]

FLAMINIUS

ſpeaking to the Romans behind the Scene.

My warlike friends,

Keep back—our troops on ev'ry ſide advance.

I cannot long controll them. Yet I tremble

To enter there—By heav'n he lives, and ſees me.

SCENE the fifteenth.

FLAMINIUS and DUMNORIX with his ſword drawn.

DUMNORIX.

Importunate Flaminius! Art thou come

To rob my dying moments of their quiet?

FLAMINIUS.

Forgive the crime of ignorance—Forgive,

Since accident hath join'd us once again,

If ſtrong compaſſion at thy fate yet pleads—

DUMNORIX.

What, when Venuſia is no more?

FLAMINIUS.

No more!

DUMNORIX.

No; and be further leſſon'd by a Briton,

Who ſince his union with the beſt of women

Hath never known an interval from love,

And at this ſolemn pauſe yet melts in fondneſs:

While death's black curtain ſhrouds my cold Venuſia,

Of dearer value doth my ſoul eſteem her,

Than ſhould thoſe eyes rekindle into luſtre,

And ev'ry charm revive with double pow'r

Of winning beauty, if alone to ſhine

Amid the gloom of bondage.

FLAMINIUS.

[65]

I will urge

No more—farewel—our legions hover nigh.

SCENE the ſixteenth.

DUMNORIX.

Now in my breaſt reſume thy wonted ſeat,

Thou manly firmneſs, which ſo oft has borne me

Through ev'ry toil and danger. O return,

Riſe o'er my ſorrow, and compleat thy laſt,

Thy higheſt taſk, to cloſe a life of glory—

They come—Be ſwift, my ſword—By thee to fall,

Near that dear clay extended, beſt becomes

A ſoldier's courage, and a husband's love.

SCENE the laſt.

AENOBARBUS, FLAMINIUS, and ROMANS.

AENOBARBUS.

To Boadicia's quarter I advanc'd

At thy requeſt, who ſince her laſt defeat,

Blind with deſpair and diſappointed fury,

Fled to her tent; expiring there I found her

With one ill-fated daughter, both by poiſon:

Nor had the friendly Emmeline eſcap'd,

But by the ſwift prevention of my hand.

Doſt thou not thank me, whoſe ſuggeſtion prompted

Our quick return to ſeize the ſecret paſs?

Thou gav'ſt me freedom; love and fame repay thee.

FLAMINIUS.

If thou couldſt add, that Dumnorix ſurviv'd?

AENOBARBUS

looking into the tent.

Thou ſeeſt, the Gods have otherwiſe decreed.

Forbear to mingle vain regret with conqueſt.

He hath done nobly. Fair befal his urn.

[66] Death is his triumph, which a captive life

Had forfeited to Rome, with all the praiſe,

Now from the virtuous to his aſhes due.

FLAMINIUS.

Then art thou fall'n at laſt, thou mighty tow'r,

And more than Roman edifice of glory?

See too Venuſia, pale in death's embrace,

Preſents her faded beauties. Lovely ruin!

Of ev'ry grace and virtue once the ſeat,

The laſt kind office from my hand receive,

Which ſhall unite thee to thy husband's ſide,

And to one grave your mingling reliques truſt.

There ſoon a hallow'd monument ſhall riſe.

Inſculptur'd laurel with the myrtle twin'd,

The well-wrought ſtone adorning, ſhall proclaim

His gen'rous valour, and thy faithful love.

End of the laſt act.

Appendix A EPILOGUE.[]Spoken by Mr. HAVARD.
NOW we have ſhewn the fatal fruits of ſtrife,
A hero bleeding with a virtuous wife,
A field of war embru'd with nation's gore,
Which to the duſt the hopes of Albion bore,
If weak deſcription, and the languid flow
Of ſtrains unequal to this theme of woe
Have fail'd to move the ſympathyzing breaſt,
And no ſoft eyes their melting ſenſe expreſt;
Not all the wit, this after ſcene might ſhare,
Can give ſucceſs, where you refus'd a tear;
Much leſs, if haply ſtill the poet's art
Hath ſtol'n perſuaſive to the feeling heart.
Will he with fancy's wanton hand efface
From gen'rous minds compaſſion's pleaſing trace,
Nor from their thoughts, while penſive they purſue
This maze of ſorrow, ſnatch the moral clue:
If yet to him thoſe pow'rs of ſacred ſong
To melt the heart and raiſe the mind belong.
Dar'd he to hope, this ſketch of early youth
Might ſtand th'award of nature and of truth:
Encourag'd thus, hereafter might he ſoar
With double ſtrength, and loftier ſcenes explore,
And following fortune through her various wiles,
Shew ſtruggling virtue, dreſs'd in tears, or ſmiles;
Perhaps his grateful labours would r [...]quite
With frequent off'rings one propitious night.

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Citation Suggestion for this Object: TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 3855 Boadicia A tragedy As it is acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane By Mr Glover. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-59AB-0