I oft have wonder’d at thy fortitude How can thy heart so firmly meet thy fate The wisest best of men tho’ bent with age, Grown callous of the earth and all its pleasures Tremble at death’s approach, and cling to life With eager fondness. Then how canst thou my friend Adorned with ev’ry grace, courted by ev’ry bliss The earth affords, resign these pleasures And scarce breath a sigh. ELIZABETH. Bred in obscurity I feel no bliss Allied to greatness, except the praise of virtue Perhaps I had not met a common fate With equal firmness. But when the world looks on And applauds the deed, shame nerv’s the feelings And we meet great evils with firmer patience Than the triffling sorrows, the secret woes Which daily rend the heart, which borne with patience Oft make private life a scene of virtue Worth an angel’s praise. (_Enter_ PEDAZAR, _and a number of young women_.) PEDAZAR. The people wait the priests are ready. ELIZABETH. A moment more, Tirzah support my mother I fear my fate will bend her to the tomb Oh watch her evening hours with tender care Try to assuage her grief, bid her remember We soon shall meet again never to part. And ah my friend remember That when a few more waning suns have roll’d Their silent course, thou too must join me in the narrow tomb I love thee Tirzah, thou hast many virtues But earthly joys too much engross thy heart Forget not my last words, sweet friend and sister Life’s but a day a short and wintry day Then do not waste it in forgetfulness Of that eternal glorious morn which follows Receive my last embrace, my last adieu Farewell my young companions, weep not for me To that last dwelling whither I am going Ye all will shortly follow. Then dry your tears Or weep for your sins, or those of Israel Thro’ death’s dark vale we pass to realms of bliss Seek then to adorn your souls in virtue’s robes By faith prepare to meet the bless’d in heaven Where I trust this day to find a happy home Beyond the limits of yon glorious orb With soul enlarg’d, made pure from earth’s defilement With saints and angels, sing redeeming love Glory on glory opening to our view, Thro’ the never ending ages of eternity My lov’d companions, my earliest friends Reject not this my last, my dying counsel Flee ev’ry pleasure hurtful to the soul Live here as strangers, bound to a better land Then we shall meet where sorrow never comes Where happiness is lasting, as tis pure. (_Enter_ JEPHTHAH, ELZAPHAN _and attendant priests_.) JEPHTHAH.