Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/168

Vict. O no! that will not be! 'twill peace restore;
For after this, all folly of the kind
Will quite insipid and disgusting be;
And so I shall become a prudent maid,
And passing wise at last. (musick heard without.)
Hark, hark! again!
All good be with you! I'll return ere long.
[Exeunt Victoria and Isabella.

Alb. (solus.) Ay, go, and ev'ry blessing with thee go,
My most tormenting, and most pleasing charge!
Like vapour, from the mountain stream art thou,
Which highly rises on the morning air,
And shifts its fleeting form with ev'ry breeze,
For ever varying, and for ever graceful.
Endearing, gen'rous, bountiful and kind;
Vain, fanciful, and fond of worthless praise;
Courteous and gentle, proud and magnificent;
And yet these adverse qualities in thee,
No striking contrast, nor dissonance make;
For still thy good and amiable gifts
The sober dignity of virtue wear not,
And such a 'witching mien thy follies shew,
They make a very idiot of reproof,
And smile it to disgrace—
What shall I do with thee?—it grieves me much
To hear count Basil is not yet departed.
When from the chace he comes, I'll watch his steps,
And speak to him myself—