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Show 36 G U S T AVU S VA S A, Criftina. He has, my Mariana, he has feen me. I'll tell thee yet while inexpert of Years, I heard of bloody Spoils, the Wafteof W a r, And dire confli&ing M a n : Guftavus' N a m e Superior rofe, ftill dreadful in the Tale : Theu firft he fciz'd m y Infancy of Soul, As fomewhat fali'd of gigantick Fiercenefs, T o o huge for any Form ; he fcar'd m y Sleep, A n d fiU'd m y young Idea. Not the Boaft Of all his Virtues, Graces only known T o him, and heav'nly Natures ! cou'd erafe T h e ftrong Impreflion > 'till that wond'rous Day In which he met m y Eyes. But O, O Heav'n ! O Love, and all ye cordial Pow'rs otPaffion ! What then was m y Amazement ! he was chain'd, W a s chaia'd, m y Mariana I Like the Robes Of Coronation, worn by youthful Kings, H e drew his Shackles. The Herculean Nerve Braced his young A r m ; and foften'd in his Cheek Liv'd more than Woman's Sweetnefs! Then hi,Eye! His Mein ! his native Dignity ! H e look'd, As tho' he led Captivity in Chains, A n d all were Slaves around. Mar. Did he obferve you ? Criftina. H e did : For as I trembl'd, look'd and ligh'd ; His Eyes met mine ; he fix'd their Glories on me. Confufion ihrili'd m e then, andiccret Joy, Faft throbbing, Hole its Treafures from m y Heart, And mantling upward, turn'd m y Face tu Crimson I wifh'd but did not dare to look- he gaz'i; W h e n fudden, as by Force, he turn'd away, And would no more behold me. S C E N The Deliverer of his Country. 3 7 . SCENE X. Enter Laertes. Laertes. Ah, bright imperial Maid ! my royal Miftrefs ! Criftina. Whaa wou'dft thou fay ? T h y Looks fpea,k Terror to me. Laer. O you are ruin'd, facrified, undone ! I heard it all; your cruel, cruel Father Ha, fold you, giv'n you up a Spoil to Treafon, The Purchafe of the nobleft Blood on E a r t h - Guftavus! Criftiana. Eh ! What of him ? Where, where is he ? Laer. In Dalecarlia, on foma great Dsfign, Doom'd in an Hour to fall by faithlefs Hands : His Friend, the brave, the falfe, deceiv'd Arvida, Ev'n now prepares to lift a Band of Ruffians Beneath the winding Covert of the Hill, And feize Guftavus, obvious to the Snares Of Friendship's fair DifTemblance. And your Father Has vow'd your Beauties to Arvida'% Arms, Tne Purchafe of his Falfehood. Criftina. Shield m e Heav'n ' ^M^i blHzk thy fllh{ B™d* « fonder, And Mot the N a m e of Parent from the World ! uJr n\ M ' °? M?ans of ^uick tendon ? ^Jy will mall have a Wing for ev'rv Word That breathes thy Mandafe Y ' Crfttna. Will yoa, good'Laertes f Alas, I fear to overtake thyFriendfhio ^ wdl you fave rae ^ - 1 5 ^ hailc, fly! C 3 Ac |