Gondibert and Birtha - Act 2, Scene 2
SCENE II.
ASTRAGON, ULFINORE, TIBALT,
T IBALT .
My Alfinore! let me embrace my Friend,
And strain Him to my Heart. — Your reverend Port
And humble Dignity bespeak you Astragon:
That good old Man whose Care and healing Labours
Have piously restor'd to Life and Health,
The noble Gondibert: for which the King,
In Honour of your Virtue, comes to thank you.
U LFINORE .
What says my Tybalt? now I bless my Stars,
My kind, propitious Stars that beam with Love.
ASTRAGON .
Too much He honours with his royal Presence
The meanest of his Servants: but the Duke
Is worthy to receive Him; I'll acquaint Him.
T IBALT .
But stay: a softer Message waits for Gondibert .
Tell Him, the beauteous Rhodolinda comes,
And, with a gallant Train of Worth and Beauty,
Attends the King.
A STRAGON .
Poor Birtha! wretched Daughter!
T IBALT .
Tell Him, the King designs to bless His Valour
With Rhodolinda 's melting Pomp of Charms.
A STRAGON .
Undone for ever!
U LFINORE .
Happy, happy Ulfinore!
T IBALT .
Tell Him, like Venus in her rosy Chariot,
She comes to recompence Her God of War
With softer Scenes, and sweeten all his Labours.
— But Astragon is gone: no doubt, He flew
With joyful Haste, nor stay'd to hear the Rest,
Before th' unfinish'd Period had discover'd
The King's Munifence: He knew that Gondibert
Would gladly thank Him for but half the Message.
Now, Ulfinore , here's room to speak my Joy
In thus beholding Thee again: for oft,
Oft have I wish'd, when Pleasure fill'd my Heart,
To make Thee Sharer, and divide the Bliss.
For well I know, such is thy honest Nature,
My Happiness wou'd make my Friend rejoice,
And I am greatly happy, greatly so,
Since I beheld Thee: I am marry'd, Ulfinore ,
U LFINORE .
Marry'd? May Rapture dwell upon the Sound,
Eternal Joy, and everlasting Love:
For so I wish my Tibalt: yes, believe me,
I wish the all the Blessings of the Gods.
But tell me, who, who is that dear one? Laura?
T IBALT .
Yes, charming Laura is at last my own:
At last She list'ned to my tender Vows,
And well rewards me for my Sorrows past.
She waits upon the Princess. — Hark! methought
The Trumpet's sprightly Musick pierc'd my Ear:
'Tis so; the Notes come swelling on the Wind.
The King's at Hand: I long to see my Laura ,
For every Minute is an Age to Lovers.
Oh, 'tis a painful Interval of Time
Between the parting and the meeting Hour.
Come, Ulfinore .
U LFINORE .
I come — to thank the Gods
For this most dear and unexpected Mercy.
ASTRAGON, ULFINORE, TIBALT,
T IBALT .
My Alfinore! let me embrace my Friend,
And strain Him to my Heart. — Your reverend Port
And humble Dignity bespeak you Astragon:
That good old Man whose Care and healing Labours
Have piously restor'd to Life and Health,
The noble Gondibert: for which the King,
In Honour of your Virtue, comes to thank you.
U LFINORE .
What says my Tybalt? now I bless my Stars,
My kind, propitious Stars that beam with Love.
ASTRAGON .
Too much He honours with his royal Presence
The meanest of his Servants: but the Duke
Is worthy to receive Him; I'll acquaint Him.
T IBALT .
But stay: a softer Message waits for Gondibert .
Tell Him, the beauteous Rhodolinda comes,
And, with a gallant Train of Worth and Beauty,
Attends the King.
A STRAGON .
Poor Birtha! wretched Daughter!
T IBALT .
Tell Him, the King designs to bless His Valour
With Rhodolinda 's melting Pomp of Charms.
A STRAGON .
Undone for ever!
U LFINORE .
Happy, happy Ulfinore!
T IBALT .
Tell Him, like Venus in her rosy Chariot,
She comes to recompence Her God of War
With softer Scenes, and sweeten all his Labours.
— But Astragon is gone: no doubt, He flew
With joyful Haste, nor stay'd to hear the Rest,
Before th' unfinish'd Period had discover'd
The King's Munifence: He knew that Gondibert
Would gladly thank Him for but half the Message.
Now, Ulfinore , here's room to speak my Joy
In thus beholding Thee again: for oft,
Oft have I wish'd, when Pleasure fill'd my Heart,
To make Thee Sharer, and divide the Bliss.
For well I know, such is thy honest Nature,
My Happiness wou'd make my Friend rejoice,
And I am greatly happy, greatly so,
Since I beheld Thee: I am marry'd, Ulfinore ,
U LFINORE .
Marry'd? May Rapture dwell upon the Sound,
Eternal Joy, and everlasting Love:
For so I wish my Tibalt: yes, believe me,
I wish the all the Blessings of the Gods.
But tell me, who, who is that dear one? Laura?
T IBALT .
Yes, charming Laura is at last my own:
At last She list'ned to my tender Vows,
And well rewards me for my Sorrows past.
She waits upon the Princess. — Hark! methought
The Trumpet's sprightly Musick pierc'd my Ear:
'Tis so; the Notes come swelling on the Wind.
The King's at Hand: I long to see my Laura ,
For every Minute is an Age to Lovers.
Oh, 'tis a painful Interval of Time
Between the parting and the meeting Hour.
Come, Ulfinore .
U LFINORE .
I come — to thank the Gods
For this most dear and unexpected Mercy.
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