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Act. V.
SCEN. I.
Cornelia with a little Urne in her hand, and Philip.
CORNELIA.
MAy I believe my Eyes? or does this sight
Delude me, with Chimera's of the Night?
Do I behold Thee Philip? and didst Thou
Funeral rites to my lov'd Lord allow?
His Ashes does this Urne contain? O view!
At once so terrible and tender too!
Eternal Food of Sorrow and of Hate,
All of Great Pompey that is spar'd by fate.
Expect not I a Tear to you should pay,
For Great Souls ease their Griess another way.
Shallow Afflictions, by Complaints are fed:
And who laments, would fain be Comforted.
But I have sworn by all that we Adore;
And by your self (sad Object) which is more:
(For my griev'd Heart does more to you submit,
Then to those Gods who so ill-guarded it.)
By you I swear it then (Mournful remain,
My only Deity, now he is slain)
That no extinction or decay, shall be
In that revenge which must enoble me.
To Caesar, Ptolomy, by base surprize,
Rome, of thy Pompey, made a Sacrifice.
And I, thy injur'd walls will never see,
Till Priest, and God, to him shall offer'd be.
Put me in mind, and my just hate sustain,
O Ashes! now my hope as well as Pain.
And to assist me in that great design,
Shed in all Hearts, what now is felt by mine.
But Thou, who on so infamous a shore,
Gavist him a flame, so Pions, though so Poor:
Tell me, what God thy Fortune made so great,
To pay to such a Hero such a Debt?