Page:Tamerlane - Rowe (1702, 1st edition).djvu/32

Think if he lives!———

Mon.He lives, he does; 'tis true,He lives; but how? To be a Dog, and dead,Were Paradise to such a State as his:He holds down Life as Children do a Potion,With strong reluctance, and convulsive Strugglings,Whilst his Misfortunes press him to disgorge it.

Tam.Spare the remembrance; 'tis a useless Grief,And adds to the Misfortune by repeating it.The Revolution of a Day may bringSuch Turns, as Heav'n it self could scarce have promis'd;Far, far beyond thy Wish: Let that Hope chear thee;Haste my Axalla, to dispose, with safety,Thy beauteous Charge, and on the Foe revengeThe Pain, which Absence gives; thy other care,Honour and Arms, now summon thy Attendance;Now, do thy Office well, my Soul, rememberThy Cause; the Cause of Heaven and injur'd Earth.O thou Supream! if thy great Spirit warmsMy glowing Breast, and sires my Soul to arms,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Grant that my Sword, assisted by thy Pow'r,This Day may Peace and Happiness restore,That War and lawless Rage may vex thy World no more,[Exeunt Tamerlane, Moneses, Stratocles, Prince of
Tanais, Zama, Mirvan, and Attendants.

Manent Axalla, and Selima, with Soldiers.

Ax.The Battle calls, and bids me haste to leave thee.Oh! Selima!—But let Destruction wait.Are there not Hours enough for Blood and Slaughter?This Moment shall be Love's; and I will waste itIn soft Complainings, for thy Sighs and Coldness,For thy forgetful Coldness; even at Birza,When in thy Father's Court my Eyes first own'd thee,Fairer than Light, the Joy of their beholding,Ev'n then thou wert not thus.

Sel.Art not thou chang'd?

Christian