Dr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales Part 20

IRENE.

Whoe'er thou art, or whatsoe'er thy message, [Aside.

Thanks for this kind relief--With speed admit him.

ASPASIA.

He comes, perhaps, to separate us for ever; When I am gone, remember, O! remember, That none are great, or happy, but the virtuous.

[_Exit_ Irene; _enter_ Demetrius.

SCENE X.

ASPASIA, DEMETRIUS.

DEMETRIUS.

'Tis she--my hope, my happiness, my love!

Aspasia! do I, once again, behold thee?

Still, still the same--unclouded by misfortune!

Let my blest eyes for ever gaze--

ASPASIA.

Demetrius!

DEMETRIUS.

Why does the blood forsake thy lovely cheek?

Why shoots this chilness through thy shaking nerves?

Why does thy soul retire into herself?

Recline upon my breast thy sinking beauties: Revive--Revive to freedom and to love.

ASPASIA.

What well-known voice p.r.o.nounc'd the grateful sounds, Freedom and love? Alas! I'm all confusion; A sudden mist o'ercasts my darken'd soul; The present, past, and future swim before me, Lost in a wild perplexity of joy.

DEMETRIUS.

Such ecstasy of love, such pure affection, What worth can merit? or what faith reward?

ASPASIA.

A thousand thoughts, imperfect and distracted, Demand a voice, and struggle into birth; A thousand questions press upon my tongue, But all give way to rapture and Demetrius.

DEMETRIUS.

O say, bright being, in this age of absence, What fears, what griefs, what dangers, hast thou known?

Say, how the tyrant threaten'd, flatter'd, sigh'd!

Say, how he threaten'd, flatter'd, sigh'd in vain!

Say, how the hand of violence was rais'd!

Say, how thou call'dst in tears upon Demetrius!

ASPASIA.

Inform me rather, how thy happy courage Stemm'd in the breach the deluge of destruction, And pa.s.s'd, uninjur'd, through the walks of death.

Did savage anger and licentious conquest Behold the hero with Aspasia's eyes?

And, thus protected in the gen'ral ruin, O! say, what guardian pow'r convey'd thee hither.

DEMETRIUS.

Such strange events, such unexpected chances, Beyond my warmest hope, or wildest wishes, Concurr'd to give me to Aspasia's arms, I stand amaz'd, and ask, if yet I clasp thee.

ASPASIA.

Sure heav'n, (for wonders are not wrought in vain!) That joins us thus, will never part us more.

SCENE XI.

DEMETRIUS, ASPASIA, ABDALLA.

ABDALLA.

It parts you now--The hasty sultan sign'd The laws unread, and flies to his Irene.

DEMETRIUS.

Fix'd and intent on his Irene's charms, He envies none the converse of Aspasia.

ABDALLA.

Aspasia's absence will inflame suspicion; She cannot, must not, shall not, linger here; Prudence and friends.h.i.+p bid me force her from you.

DEMETRIUS.

Force her! profane her with a touch, and die!

ABDALLA.

'Tis Greece, 'tis freedom, calls Aspasia hence; Your careless love betrays your country's cause.

DEMETRIUS.

If we must part--

ASPASIA.

No! let us die together.

DEMETRIUS.

If we must part--

ABDALLA.

Despatch; th' increasing danger Will not admit a lover's long farewell, The long-drawn intercourse of sighs and kisses.

DEMETRIUS.

Then--O! my fair, I cannot bid thee go.

Receive her, and protect her, gracious heav'n!

Yet let me watch her dear departing steps; If fate pursues me, let it find me here.

Reproach not, Greece, a lover's fond delays, Nor think thy cause neglected, while I gaze; New force, new courage, from each glance I gain, And find our pa.s.sions not infus'd in vain. [_Exeunt_.

ACT IV.--SCENE I.

DEMETRIUS, ASPASIA, _enter as talking_.