Arthur and Emmeline: A dramatic entertainment, in two acts, taken from the masque of King Arthur, by Dryden. And now performed at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, with variety of scenes and machinery. ...

ACT I.

SCENE I. Represents a Gothic Temple, being a Place of Heathen Worship; the three Saxon Gods, Woden, Thor, and Freya, placed on Pedestals.

Enter OSWALD and OSMOND.

OSWALD.

FATHER of gods and men, great Woden, hear: Give conquest to the Saxon race, and me.

Osm.

Thor, Freya, Woden, hear, and spell your Saxons, With sacred Runic rhymes, from death in battle; Edge their bright swords, and blunt the Britons darts.

Grimbald, a fierce earthly spirit, arises.

No more, great Prince, for see my trusty fiend, Who all the night has wing'd the dusky air. What •…•…ews, my Grimbald?

Grim.

I have play'd my part; For I have steel'd the fools that are to die; Six fools, so prodigal of life and soul, That, for their country, they devote their lives A sacrifice to mother Earth, and Woden.

Osm.

Say, where's thy fellow-servant, Philidel? Why comes not he?

Grim.

For he's a puling sprite—but half a devil! Why didst thou chuse a tender airy form, Unequal to the mighty work of mischief? For when with sure success he might have sped His baneful errand 'gainst the Christian camp, He spy'd the red-cross banners of their host, And said he durst not add to his damnation.

Osm.

I'll punish him at leisure. Call in the victims to propitiate hell.

Grim.

That's my kind master, I shall breakfast on 'em.

[Exit Grim.

Osw.

Ambitious fools we are, And yet ambition is a godlike fault; Or rather, 'tis no fault in souls born great, Who dare extend their glory by their deeds.

Grimbald re-enters with six Saxons in white, with swords in their hands, priests and singers.

SACRIFICE SONG.

RECITATIVE I.

Mr. DANBY.

Woden, first to thee, A milk-white steed, in battle won, We have sacrific'd.

Chor.

We have sacrific'd.

RECIT. II.

Mr. WILLIAMES.

Let our next oblation be To Thor, thy thundering son, Of such another.

Chor.

We have sacrific'd.

RECIT. III.

Mr. DANBY.

A third (of Friezeland breed was he) To Woden's wife, and to Thor's mother: And now we have aton'd all three. We have sacrific'd.

Chor.

We have sacrific'd.

CHORUS.

Brave souls to be renown'd in story, Honour prizing, Death despising, Fame acquiring, By expiring, Die and reap the fruit of glory.

[All retire, and the scene closes upon them.

SCENE II. A Landscape.

Enter AURELIUS and CONON.

Con.

Then this is the deciding day, to fix Great Britain's scepter in great Arthur's hand.

Aur.

Or put it in the bold invader's gripe. Oswald is valiant—

Con.

It was the character he then maintain'd, When in my Court he sought my daughter's love; My fair, blind Emmeline.

Aur.

For that defeat in love he rais'd this war. For royal Arthur reigned within her heart, 'Ere Oswald mov'd the suit.

Con.

Arthur is all that's excellent in Oswald; And void of all his faults: in battle brave, But still serene in all the stormy war, Like heaven above the clouds; and after fight, As merciful and kind to vanquish'd foes, As a forgiving God. But see, he's here, And praise is dumb before him.

Enter King ARTHUR, reading a letter, with Attendants.

Arth.

[reading.]

" Go o•…•…, auspicious Prince, the stars are kind. " Unfold thy banners to the willing wind; " While I, with airy legions, help thy arms; " Confronting art with art, and charms with charms." So Merlin writes; nor can we doubt th' event,

[To Con,

With heav'n and you, our friends. Oh! noble Conon, You taught my tender hands the trade of war: And now again you helm your hoary head, And under double weight of age and arms, Assert your country's freedom and my crown.

Con.

No more, my son.

Arth.

Most happy in that name! Your Emmeline, to Oswald's vows refus'd, You made my plighted bride: Your charming daughter, who like love, born blind, Un-aiming hits, with surest archery, And innocently kills.

Con.

Remember, son, You are a General; orther wars require you, For see the Saxon gross begins to move.

Arth.

By heav'n 'tis beauteous horror! The noble Oswald has provok'd my envy.

Enter EMMELINE, led by MATILDA.

Ha! now my beauteous Emmeline appears, A new, but Oh! a softer flame inspires me: E'en Rage and Vengeance slumber at her sight.

Con.

Haste your farewell; I'll chear my troops, and wait ye.

[Exit Conon.

Em.

O father! father! I am sure you're here; Because I see your voice.

Arth.

No, thou mistak'st thy hearing for thy sight: He's gone, my Emmeline; And I but stay to gaze on those fair eyes, Which cannot view the conquest they have made. Oh! star-light night, dark only to thy self, But full of glory, as those lamps of heaven, That see not, when they shine.

Em.

What is this heav'n, and stars, and night, and day, To which you thus compare my eyes and me? I understand you, when you say you love: For, when my father clasps my hand in his, That's cold, and I can feel it hard and wrinkled; But when you grasp it, then I sigh, and pant, And something presses to my heart.

Arth.

Oh artless love! where the soul move the tongue, And only Nature speaks what Nature thinks! Had she but eyes!

Em.

Just now you said I had.

Arth.

But neither see.

Em.

I'm sure they hear you then: What can your eyes do more?

Arth.

They view your beauties.

Em.

Do not I see? you have a face like mine.

Arth.

It is not sight, but touching with your hands.

Em.

Then 'tis my hand that sees, and that's all one: For is not seeing, touching with your eyes?

Arth.

No, for I see at a distance, where I touch not.

Em.

If you can see so fat, and yet not touch, I fear you see my naked legs and feet Quite through my clothes; pray do not see so well.

Arth.

Fear not, sweet innocence; I view the lovely features of your face; Your lips carnation, your dark-shaded eye brows, Black eyes, and snow-white forehead; all the colours That make your beauty, and produce my love.

Em

Nay, then, you do not love on equal terms; I love you dearly, without all these helps: I cannot see your lip's carnation, Nor your shaded eye-brows, nor your milk-white eyes.

Arth.

Alas! 'tis vain t' instruct your innocence. You have no notion of light or colours

[Trumpet sounds within.

Em.

Why, is not that a trumpet?

Arth.

Yes.

Em.

I knew it. And I can tell you how the sound on't looks; It looks as if it had an angry fighting face.

Arth.

'Tis now indeed a sharp unpleasant sound, Because it calls me hence, from her I love, To meet ten thousand foes.

Em.

How does so many men e'er come to meet? This devil trumpet vexes 'em, and then They feel about for one another's faces; And so they meet and kill.

Arth.

I'll tell ye all, when we have gain'd the field; One kiss of your fair hand, the pledge of conquest. And so short a farewel.

[Kisses her hand, and exit with Aurel. and at∣tendants.

Em.

My heart and vows go with him to the fight; May every foe be that, which they call blind,

And none of all their swords have eyes to find him. But lead me nearer to the trumpet's face; For that brave sound upholds my fainting heart; And while I hear, methinks I fight my part.

[Exit led by Matilda.

SCENE III. A Camp, Drums, Trumpets, and military Shouts.

MARTIAL SONG, sung by Mr. WILLIAMS.

Come if you dare, our trumpets sound; Come if you dare, the foes rebound: We come, we come, we come, we come, Says the double, double, double beat of the thund'ring drum. Now they charge on amain, Now they rally again: The gods from above the mad labour behold, And pity mankind that will perish for gold.

Cho.

Now they charge, &c.

[Exeunt drums and trumpet, a march.

SCENE IV. A general Engagement between the Britons and Saxons, in which the Britons are Conquerors.

 

SCENE V. A Rural Prospect.

Enter Philidel.

Phil.

Alas, for pity, of this bloody field! Piteous it needs must be, when I, spirit, Can have so soft a sense of human woes!

SCENE VI. Draws and discovers Merlin's Cave.

He comes forward.

Mer.

What art thou, spirit? of what name or order? (For I have view'd thee in my magic glass) Making thy moan among the midnight wolves, That bay the silent moon: speak, I conjure thee. 'Tis Merlin bids thee.

Phil.

An airy shape, the tend'rest of my kind, The last seduc'd, and least deform'd of hell; Half white, and shuffl'd in the crowd, I fell, Desirous to repent, and loth to sin: My name is Philidel.

Mer.

Thy business here?

Phil.

To shun the Saxon wizard's dire commands. Osmond, the awfull'st name next thine below. 'Cause I refuse to hurl a noisom fog On christen'd heads, the hue-and-cry of hell Is rais'd against me.

Mer.

Osmond shall know, a greater power protects thee: Now mark me, Philidel, I will employ thee for thy future good: Thou know'st, in spite of valiant Oswald's arms, Or Osmond's powerful spells, the field is ours—

Phil.

Oh master! Grimbald is at hand, I snuff his earthy scent: The conquering Britons he misleads to rivers, Or dreadful downfalls of unheeded rocks;

Mer.

Be that thy care, Warn off the bold pursuers from the chace: But lest fierce Grimbald's pond'rous bulk oppress Thy tender flitting air, I'll leave my band Of spirits with united strength to aid thee,

[Exeunt Merlin and Philidel into the cave.

SCENE, A Wood.

Enter GRIMBALD and his followers disguised like shep∣herds, leading King ARTHUR, CONON, AURE∣LIUS, and attendants.

Grim.

Thus wrapt in Shepherd's weeds, I, and my fel∣low fiends, The sottish Britons chuse us for their guides: Here, this way, Britons, follow Oswald's flight.

Arth.

I thank thee, shepherd; Expect reward, lead on, we follow thee.

[As Arthur is going off, enter Philidel and his followers.

SONG. Sung by Philidel.

Hither this way, this way bend, Trust not that malicious fiend: Those are false deluding lights, Wafted far and near by sprites, Trust 'em not, for they'll deceive ye; And in bogs and marshes leave you.

Chor. of Phil. Spirits.

Hither this way, this way bend.

Chor. of Grimb. Spirits.

This way, this way bend.

Phil.

sings.

If you step, no danger thinking, Down you fall, a furlong sinking: 'Tis a fiend who has annoy'd ye; Name but Heav'n, and he'll avoid ye.

Chor. of Phil. Spirits.

Hither this way, this way bend.

Chor. of Grimb. Spirits.

This way, this way bend.

Philidel's Spirits.

Trust not that malicious fiend.

Grimbald's Spirits.

Trust me, I am no malicious fiend.

Philidel's Spirits.

Hither this way, &c.

Grimb.

By Hell she s•…•…gs them back, in my despite. I had a voice in Heav'n, ••re sulph'rous steams Had damp'd it to a hoarseness: try it now.

SONG.—Grimbald.

Let not a moon-born elf mislead ye From your prey, and from your glory. Too far, alas! he has betray'd ye: Follow the flames, that wave before ye: Sometimes sev'n, and sometimes one; Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry on.

II.

See, see, the footsteps plain appearing, That way Oswald chose for flying: Firm is the turf, and fit for bearing, Where yonder pearly dews are lying, Far he cannot hence be gone; Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry on.

Arth.

'Tis true, he says; the footsteps yet are fresh Upon the sod, no falling dew-drops have Disturb'd the print.

[All are going to follow Grimbald.

Phil.

sings.

Hither this way.

Chorus of Phil. Spirits.

Hither this way, this way bend.

Chorus of Grimb. Spirits.

This way, this way bend.

Philidel's Spirits.

Trust not that malicious fiend.

Grimb. Spirits.

Trust me, I am no malicious fiend.

Philidel's Spirits.

Hither this way, &c.

[They all incline to Philidel.

Grim.

speaks.

Curse on his voice, I must my prey forego; Thou Philidel, shalt answer this below.

[Grimbald sinks in a flash of fire.

Arth.

At last the cheat is plain; The cloven-footed fiend is vanish'd from us; Good angels be our guides, and bring us back.

Phil.

singing.

Come follow, follow, follow me.

Chor.

Come follow, &c. And me. And me. And me.

Vers. 2 Voc.

And green-sward all your way shall be.

Chor.

Come follow, &c.

Vers.

No goblin or elf shall dare to offend ye.

Chor.

No, no, no, &c. No goblin or elf shall dare to offend ye.

Vers. 3 Voc.

We brethren of air, Your heroes will bear To the kind and the fair that attend ye.

Chor.

We brethren, &c.

[Philidel, and the spirits go off singing, with King Arthur, and the rest in the middle of them.

SCENE VIII. A Camp, and Emmeline's Pavilion, with a bank. Moonlight.

Enter EMMELINE led by MATILDA.

Em.

No news of my dear love, or of my father?

Mat.

None, madam, since the gaining of the battle:

Em.

If Arthur's slain, I mean to die: but there's a greater doubt; Since I ne'er saw him here, How shall I meet him in another world?

Mat.

Indeed I know not.

Em.

I should find him, Among a thousand Angels in the sky.

Mat.

But what a kind of man do you suppose him?

Em.

He must be made of the most precious things, And I believe his mouth, and eyes, and cheeks, And nose, and all his face, are made of gold.

Mat.

Heav'n bless us, Madam, what a face you make him!

Em.

Yet I must know him better: of all colours, Tell me which is the purest, and the softest.

Mat.

They say 'tis black.

Em.

Why then, since gold is hard, and yet is precious, His face must all be made of soft black gold.

Mat.

But, Madam—

Em.

No more; I have learn'd enough for once.

Enter, on the other side of the Stage, OSWALD and GUILLAMAR.

Osw.

The night has wilder'd us; and we are fall'n Among their formost tents.

Guil.

Ha! what are these! They seem of more than vulgar quality.

Em.

What sounds are those? they cannot far be distant; Where are we now, Matilda?

Mat.

Just before your tent. Fear not, they must be friends, and they approach.

Em.

My Arthur, speak my love, are you return'd To bless your Emmeline?

Osw.

[to Guillamar]

I know that face: 'Tis the ungrateful fair, who, scorning mine, Accepts my rival's love: heaven, thou'rt bounteous, Thou ow'st me nothing now.

Mat.

Fear grows upon me: Speak what you are; speak, or I call for help.

Osw.

We are your guards.

Mat.

Ah me! we are betray'd; 'tis Oswald's voice.

Em.

Let them not see our voices, and then they cannot find us.

Osw.

Passions in men oppress'd are doubly strong, I take her from King Arthur; there's revenge. Fear nothing, ladies, you shall be safe.

[Oswald and Guillamar seize Emmeline and Matilda.

Em. and Mat.

Help! help!

Osw.

By heav'n ye injure me! tho' force is us'd, Your honour shall be sacred.

Em.

Help! help! Oh Britons! help!

Osw.

Your Britons cannot help you; This arm, thro' all their troops, shall force my way; Yet neither quit my honour nor my prey.

[Exeunt; the women still crying.

[An alarm within; and a cry of Follow! follow! follow!

SCENE IX. Of Rocks and Water.

Enter AURELIUS and SOLDIERS.

Aur.

Furl up our colours, and unbrace our drums; Dislodge betimes, we must give up this fatal post, Th' imbattl'd legions of fire, air, and earth, Are banded for our foes. But who are these? Stand!—Conon, what's th' alarm?

Enter CONON, Captain of GUARDS, and SOLDIERS.

Con.

Our victory is marr'd, And we are outwitted by the Saxons, My Emmeline, my daughter's stol'n!

Aur.

Mischance indeed!—and here Some more than mortal power assails our guards. How fares it with great Arthur?

Con.

As when the lover with the King is mixt, He puts the gain of Britain in one scale, Which weighing with the loss of Emmeline, He thinks he's scarce a saver. He comes, with Merlin, whose strong aid we hope.

Enter MERLIN and ARTHUR.

Mer.

Wait Heav'n's time, th' attempt's too dange∣rous; There's not a tree in that enchanted grove, But's number'd out, and giv'n by tale to fiends.

Arth.

Hadst thou been here, (for what can thwart thy skill?) Nor Emmeline had been the boast of Oswald; Nor I, forewarn'd, been wanting to her guard.

Con.

Her darken'd eyes had seen the light of Heav'n; That was thy promise too, and this the time.

Mer.

Nor has my aid been absent, tho' unseen; I have employ'd a subtle airy sprite T' explore the passage, and prepare thy way. Myself, mean time, will view the magic wood, To learn whereon depends its force.

Con.

But Emmeline—

Mer.

Fear not: her sight ere long shall be restor'd.

Arth.

Oh might I hope (and what's impossible To Merlin's art?) to be myself the bearer, That with the light of Heav'n she may discern Her lover first.

Mer.

'Tis wond'rous hazardous; Yet I foresee th' event, 'tis fortunate. I'll bear ye safe, and bring you back unharm'd: Then lose not precious time, but follow me.

[Exeunt omnes, Merlin leading Arthur.

SCENE X. A Wood, with the Sun.

Enter PHILIDEL.

Phil.

I left all safe behind: At every walk I pass'd, I drew a spell; So that if any fiend, abhorring Heav'n, There sets his foot, it roots him to the ground. Now could I but discover Emmeline, My task was fairly done.

GRIMBALD rushes out: he seizes Philidel, and binds him in a Chain.

Grim.

O rebel! have I caught thee?

Phil.

Ah me! what hard mishap!

Grim.

What just revenge! Thou miscreant elf, thou renegado scout! So clean, so furbish'd, so renew'd in white, The livery of our foes; I see thee thro': What mak'st thou here? Thou trim apostate, speak.

Phil.

Ah! mighty Grimbald, Who would not fear, when seiz'd in thy strong gripe! I'm fled from Merlin, free as air that bore me, T'unfold to Osmond all his deep designs.

Grim.

I believe nothing: oh, thou fond impostor, But since thou say'st thy errand was to Osmond, To Osmond shalt thou go: March, know thy driver.

Phil.

[kneeling]

O spare me, Grimbald, and I'll be thy slave: Tempt hermits for thee in their holy cells, And virgins in their dreams.

Grim.

Canst thou, a devil, hope to cheat a devil? A spy! why that's a name abhorr'd in hell.

Haste, forward, forward, or I'll goad thee on With iron spurs.

Phil.

But use me kindly then: Pull not so hard, to hurt my airy limbs; I'll follow thee unforc'd: Look, there's thy way.

Grim.

Ay, there's thy way indeed; but for more surety I'll keep an eye behind: Not one word more, But follow decently.

[Grim. goes out, dragging Phil.

Phil.

So catch him, spell.

[Aside.

Grim.

[within.]

O help me! help me Philidel!

Phil.

Why, what's the matter?

Grim.

Oh, I am ensnar'd; Heav'n's birdlime wraps me round, and glues my wings. Loose me, and I will free thee: Do, and I'll be thy slave.

Phil.

What, to a spy, a name abhorr'd in hell?

Grim.

Do not insult. Oh! oh! I grow to ground; The fiery net draws closer on my limbs. Oh! oh! oh!

Phil.

Thou shalt not have the ease to curse in tor∣ments: Be dumb for one half hour: so long my charm Can keep thee silent, and there lie Till Osmond breaks thy chain.

[Philadel unbinds his own fetters.

Enter to him Merlin.

Mer.

Well hast thou wrought thy safety with thy wit, My Philidel; go meritorious one: Me other work requires, to view the wood, And learn to make the dire inchantments void; Meantime thy fellows summon, and call forth

The precious drops I taught thee to compound, And to the spirit of light his task assign; Then may'st thou show King Arthur to his love, Tho' short must be their interview.

[Exit.

Phil.

Pleas'd I obey, and haste the mystic charm, That gives fair Emmeline to light and love.

SONG and CHORUS.

Phil.

Come away, From shades and cool fountains, Bright spirits of day, Who gild the high mountains.

Chorus.

We come, we obey, With delight we attend thee.

Phil.

To fair Emmeline bear Your heav'n born treasure,

Chorus.

Come away, we obey!

Phil.

With fair Emmeline share Your pure light, love, and pleasure.

Chorus.

Lead on, point the way, With delight we attend thee, Lead on, point the way, Love to light shall befriend thee.

[Exeunt.

END OF ACT FIRST.