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Francis Godolphin Waldron [1797], The virgin queen, a drama in five acts; attempted as a sequel to Shakspeare's Tempest (Printed for the author, London) [word count] [S38600].
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SCENE I. A CABIN IN THE KING OF NAPLES' SHIP AT SEA Enter Anthonio, and Sebastian.

ANTHONIO.
Tush! tell not me; i'th' night we might have done't:
Instead of this, 'would I had stay'd behind,
In yon' lone isle to reign, a rock my throne,
And been both lord and subject to myself!

SEBASTIAN.
But, will you hear? think not I mean you should,
Through Milan-streets, page Prospero's proud heels;
Like captive king in Roman victor's train.

ANTHONIO.
Nor will I ever, come what may instead!
Death! to be hooted by a senseless rabble,
The scorn of slaves who knelt i' th' mire to me!
Deserted and despis'd! no refuge left,
Unless to shave my crown, turn whining monk,
And supplicate for scanty dole of bread!

-- 26 --

SEBASTIAN.
You apprehend too quickly; I no more
Than you mean tamely to return, and live
Obscure in Naples, where I thought to rule;
And yet intend: as thou may'st still in Milan.

ANTHONIO.
At length thou speak'st; say on! I am all attention!

SEBASTIAN.
Vainly 'gainst Prosp'ro's art we had contended;
But, mark our fortune! ere on board he came,
His wand he brake, and drown'd his magick book:
Foregoing, nay abjuring, most fool-like,
The only means by which we had been foil'd!

ANTHONIO.
'Tis true!

SEBASTIAN.
We're equal now! and, by a deed,
The world, were't known, might villainy miscall,
Ere we arrive at Italy's lov'd shore,

-- 27 --


We'll lay in an eternal, dreamless, sleep,
Alonso, Prosp'ro, Ferdinand, nay all!

ANTHONIO.
Impossible! so closely we're observ'd!

SEBASTIAN
Go to! to men like us resolv'd, 'tis easy!
For, in the night, whose next morn lights us home,
Can we but get the boat, nay even a plank
Whereon to float ourselves, to th' crew unknown;
We'll sink or fire the ship, whence none can 'scape!
Then to th' amazed multitude on shore,
With hypocritick wailing, tell a tale
Of wreck, and deaths; and reign compleatly blest!

ANTHONIO.
My Delphick oracle! it shall be done!
I' th' ship shall they find death, i' th' sea a grave,
Where they may ever rest! here break we off—
Our faces mask in smiles, and 'tend the king,
Lest our retirement should be marvell'd at;
Confirming th' adage as we play our parts—
Fair visages oft cover foulest hearts!
Exeunt.

-- 28 --

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Francis Godolphin Waldron [1797], The virgin queen, a drama in five acts; attempted as a sequel to Shakspeare's Tempest (Printed for the author, London) [word count] [S38600].
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