Theodosius, or, The force of love a tragedy, acted by Their Royal Highnesses servants, at the Duke's Theatre / written by Nat. Lee ; with the musick betwixt the acts.

ACT III. SCENE I.

Enter Varanes and Aranthes.

Vara

COme to my Arms, my faithful, dear Aranth Soft Counsellor, Companion of my Youth; If I had longer been alone, most sure, With the Distraction that surrounds my Heart, My Hand would have rebelled against his Master, And done a Murder here.

Aranth.

The Gods forbid.

Vara.

I swear, I press thee with as hearty Joy, As ever fearful Bride embrac'd her Man, When from a Dream of Death she wak'd and found Her Lover safe, and sleeping by her side.

Aranth.

The Cause, my Lord?

Vara.

Early thou know'st last Night I went to rest; But long, my Friend, e'er Slumber clos'd my Eyes; Long was the Combat fought, 'twixt Love and Glory; The Fever of my Passion burnt me up, My Pangs grew stronger, and my Rack was doubled; My Bed was all a-float with the cold drops That mortal Pain wrang from my lab'ring Limbs; My Groans more deep than others dying Gasps: Therefore, I charge thee, haste to her Apartment; I do conjure thee tell her, tell her all My Fears can urge, or Fondness can invent: Tell her how I repent, say any thing; For any thing I'll do to quench my Fires: Say, I will marry her now on the instant: Say all that I would say; yet in the end My Love shall make it more than Gods can utter.

Aranth.

My Lord! both Leontine and she are'gone From their Apartment╌

Vara.

Ha! gone, sayst thou! whither?

Aranth.

That was my whole Employment all this day: But, Sir, I grieve to speak it, they have left

SONG after the Second ACT.

〈♫〉〈♫〉 Sad as Death at dead of night the fair complaining Caelia sat, but 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 one poor Lamp was all her light, while thus she rea╌son'd 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 with her Fate; Why should Man such Tri╌umphs gain, and 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 purchace Joys that gives us pain. Ah! what Glory; ah what Glory 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 can en╌sue, a help╌less Vir╌gin to un╌do. 〈♫〉〈♫〉

〈♫〉〈♫〉 Curse the Night then, Curse the Hour when first he drew thee 〈♫〉〈♫〉 to his arms, when vir╌tue was be-tray'd by pow-er, and 〈♫〉〈♫〉 yield╌ed to un╌law╌ful Charms, when Love approach'd with 〈♫〉〈♫〉 all his Fires arm'd with hopes and strong de-sires, sighs and tears, & 〈♫〉〈♫〉 ev'ry wile with which the Men, with which the Men the Maids be- 〈♫〉〈♫〉 guile, with which the Men, with which the Men the Maids beguile.

SONG after the Second ACT.

〈♫〉〈♫〉 Dream no more of Plea-sures past, since all thy tor-ments are to 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 come; the se╌cret is made known at last, and end╌less shame is 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 now thy Doom; The false for╌sworn a╌las is gone, and 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 left thee to de-spair a╌lone. Who that hears of Caelia's pain, will 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 e╌ver trust, will e╌ver trust a Man a╌gain. 〈♫〉〈♫〉

Chorus. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 The false for-sworn a╌las is gone, and left thee to de╌spair a╌lone. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 The false for-sworn a╌las is gone, and left thee to de╌spair 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 a╌lone. Who that hears of Caelia's pain, will e╌ver 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Who that hears of Caelia's pain, will e╌ver 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 trust, will e╌ver trust a Man a╌gain. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 trust, will e╌ver trust a Man a╌gain: 〈♫〉〈♫〉

No track behind for Care to find 'em out; Nor is it possible╌

Vara.

It is, it shall; I'll struggle with impossibilities, To find my Athenais: Not the Walls Of Athens, nor of Thebes, shall hide her from me: I'll bring the Force of all my Fathers Arms, And lay 'em waste, but I'll redeem my Love. O, Leontine! morose old Leontine, Thou meer Philosopher! O cruel Sage, Who for one hasty word, one Cholerick doubt, Hast turn'd the Scale; though in the sacred Balance My Life, my Glory, and my Empire hung.

Aranth.

Most sure, my Lord, they are retir'd to Athens, I will send Post to Night╌

Vara.

No, no, Aranthes, Prepare my Chariots, for I'll go in Person; I swear 'till now, 'till I began to fear Some other might enjoy my Athenais, I swear, I did not know how much I lov'd her; But let's away, I'll to the Emperour, Thou to the hasty management of my business; Prepare, to day I'll go, to day I'll find her: No more; I'll take my leave of Theodosius, And meet thee on the Hippodrome: away, Let the wild hurry of thy Masters Love, Make quick thy apprehension: Haste, and leave me.

[Exeunt.