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On this Celinda took her leave, And vanished from his view, And, thinking proudly of her smile, Azarco straight withdrew. Scarce half a league from Gelva the knight dismounted stood, Leaning upon his upright spear, and bitter was his mood. He thought upon Celinda's curse, and Zaida's fickle mind, "Ah, Fortune, thou to me," he cried, "hast ever proved unkind."
That presence changed the tint of earth, Drew off the dusky veil, And turned to living verdure The leafage of the dale. "Till now," Azarco said, "the scene Has filled my heart with pain; 'Tis freshened by Celinda's face, Or passion turns my brain. Ah, well may men her beauty praise, For its transcendent might Elates the human spirit, And fills it with delight."
And we will live in Sin while this holds out. And then to my cold Home Come let's be gone: Oh, that I ne'er might see the rising Sun. SCENE I. Celinda's Chamber. Discovers Celinda as before sitting in a Chair, Diana by her in another, who sings.
"And since 'tis my unhappy lot, through slander's cruel wiles, I should be robbed so many years of Zaida's cheering smiles, Yet those who say that I am false, and name Celinda's name, Oh, may they gain no end at length but obloquy and shame! It is not just that to these words and to these anxious fears, These wild complaints, the god of love should close his heedless ears!
And from his valiant bosom burst a storm of angry sighs, And acts and words of anguish before his memory rise. "Celinda's loss I count as naught, nor fear her wicked will; I were a fool, thus cursed by her, to love the lady still." In rage from out the sod he drew his spear-head, as he spoke, And in three pieces shivered it against a knotted oak.
Dia. Come, Sir, you must forget Celinda's Charms, And reap Delights within my circling Arms, Delights that may your Errors undeceive, When you find Joys as great as she can give. Bel. What do I hear? is this the kind Relief Thou dost allow to my Despair and Grief? Is this the Comfort that thou dost impart To my all-wounded, bleeding, dying Heart?
Poor Celinda's countenance gave such indications of melancholy and dismay, that he could not omit asking the cause of her disquiet, and she, at his earnest request, was prevailed upon to communicate the dreadful salutation of the preceding night, which she considered as an omen of death to some person of the family, in all probability to herself, as the groan seemed to issue from one corner of her own apartment.
Why, who art thou Diana? Dia. Yes, that Diana, Whom, maugre all the Penitence thou shew'st, Can scarce forgive the Injuries thou hast done her. Bel. I shew a Penitence for injuring thee! By Heav'n, I never cou'd do one, or other; All that I am is the divine Celinda's. Friend. Bel. Cel. Canst thou not credit me? She pardons thee. Bel. What art thou, who know'st her Heart so well?
Celinda's old nurse, at night, admits Bellmour to her mistress' chamber, where they are surprized by Friendlove, her brother, who is, however, favourable to the union, the more so as he is a friend of Bellmour, and they have but newly returned from travelling together in Italy.
And at Diana's Feet! The fittest Altar for my Sacrifice! Turn, turn, from what thou lov'st, and meet my Justice. Cel. Oh, hold, my dearest Brother. Bel. Nay, now I'm ready for the welcome Sword, Since my Celinda's false, and cannot pardon. Cel. Oh, do not die with that profane Opinion. Celinda false! or cannot pardon thee! Dia. Stay, generous Sir, my Pity has forgiven him. Bel. Thou!
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