'Mid the lone majesty of untam'd nature, Why do these haunts of barb'rous superstition Enter VELLINUS and ELIDurus. Ye pledges dear of Cartismandua's faith, Elid. Daring Roman, Know that thou stand'st on consecrated ground: These mighty piles of magic-planted rock, Thus rang'd in mystic order, mark the place Where but at times of holiest festival The Druid leads his train. Aul. Did. Where dwells the seer? Vel. In yonder shaggy cave; Now sheds a side-long gleam. Possess the neighb'ring cliffs. Aul. Did. on which the moon His brotherhood Yet up the hill Mine eye descries a distant range of caves, On the left Elid. Are tenanted by Bards, who nightly thence, Aul. Did. Prince, I did not moor My light-arm'd shallops on this dangerous strand To sooth a fruitless curiosity; I come in quest of proud Caractacus; Who, when our veterans put his troops to flight, Elid. If here the monarch rests, Presumptuous chief! thou might'st as well essay To pluck him from yon stars: Earth's ample range Contains no surer refuge: underneath The soil we tread, a hundred secret paths, Scoop'd through the living rock in winding maze, In which the hoary sages act their rites He may VOL. VI. U Aul. Did. We know the task Most difficult, yet has thy royal mother Furnish'd the means. Elid. My mother, say'st thou, Roman? Aul. Did. In proof of that firm faith she lends to Rome, She gave you up her honour's hostages. Elid. She did: and we submit. Aul. Did. To Rome we bear you; From your dear country bear you; from your joys, Your loves, your friendships, all your souls hold precious. Elid. And dost thou taunt us, Roman, with our fate? Aul. Did. No, youth, by Heav'n, I would avert that fate. Wish ye for liberty? Vel. and Elid. More than for life. Aul. Did. And would do much to gain it? Vel. Name the task. Aul. Did. The task is easy. Haste ye to these Druids: Tell them ye come, commission'd by your queen, His valour to her aid, against the legions, Ye lead his credulous step? there will we seize him; Bear him to Rome, the substitute for you, And give you back to freedom. Vel. If the Druids Aul. Did. If they, or he, prevent this artifice, Then force must take its way: then flaming brands, And biting axes, wielded by our soldiers, Must level these thick shades, and so unlodge The lurking savage. Elid. Gods, shall Mona perish? A.Did. Princes, her ev'ry trunk shall on the ground Stretch its gigantic length; unless, ere dawn, Ye lure this untam'd lion to our toils. Go then, and prosper; I shall to the ships, And there expect his coming. Youths, remember, He must to Rome to grace great Cæsar's triumph: Cæsar and fate demand him at your hand. [Exeunt AULUS DIDIUS and Romans. FROM THE SAME. Caractacus among the Druids, where he is to be consecrated one of their number. Caractacus; Evelina, daughter of Caractacus; and Chorus. Car. THIS holy place, methinks, doth this nightwear More than its wonted gloom: Druid, these groves Have caught the dismal colouring of my soul, Changing their dark dun garbs to very sable, In pity to their guest. Hail, hallow'd oaks! Hail, British born! who; last of British race, Than be the thing I am? Chor. To be the thing, Eternal wisdom wills, is ever best. Car. But I am lost to that predestin'd use Eternal wisdom will'd, and fitly therefore May wish a change of being. I was born A king; and Heav'n, who bade these warrior oaks Lift their green shields against the fiery sun, To fence their subject plain, did mean that I Should, with as firm an arm, protect my people Against the pestilent glare of Rome's ambition. I fail'd; and how I fail'd, thou know'st too well: So does the babbling world: and therefore, Druid, I would be any thing save what I am. Chor. See, to thy wish, the holy rites prepar'd, Which, if Heav'n frowns not, consecrate thee Druid: See to the altar's base the victims led, From whose free gushing blood ourself shall read Its high behests; which if assenting found, |