Mercy Otis Warren

“ Francis, hold---nor cowardly revolt From nature's post, assign'd by nature's lord. Heaven has decreed the just, the brave, should die, But 'tis a dastard soul that fears to live. Don Francis
Life lost all worth in her expiring sigh--- Adieu, my friend, for time has lost its charms. The free born mind mounts upwards with the gods, And soars and spurns a base, ignoble world. (Dies)
Conde Haro
Alas! the horrors of this awful hour--- What misery's entail'd on all mankind But those who rise and view life from the stars!--- Oh! ”

“ A mean soul, prostrate at a woman's foot--- A traitoress, both to her God and king, Was ne'er ally'd to the Velascan blood. Conde Haro
If virtue stands at variance with worth, Or if true greatness can abuse the wretched, Then may my father's much revered lip, With cruel insult, wound the fairest fame. Thou knowest not the lustre that adorns Maria's soul, and lifts her o'er her sex--- The virtues that combine to make her great: Her angel form commands profound respect ”

“ Protects her children from their father's rage, And smooths my passions down the vale of life. Go, Francis, see if yet Louisa lives, And heaven forgive my cruelty to her!--- Each passion dies but love to my Louisa, And strong affection to the best of sons. ”

“ But by the eternal thunderer above, She shall not triumph thus------------ Mine aged arm, inur'd to war and blood, Is not so worn by time, nor yet so weak, But it can send her murmuring soul to hell; Nay, harder still, has strength to grasp the hilt, And plunge this vet'ran sword in thy base breast, To let out that false blood that taints thy soul And poisons all my peace. ”

“ I, the first witness of his merit stand--- A generous wish to save and bless mankind, Urg'd him to glory in a devious path; No man can tread, but on perdition's brink, While standing armies swell the monarch's train, And kingdoms bend, and empires own the claim, Of mighty Charles, to keep the world in awe. ”

“ But if, ungratefully, ye spurn the gift, And fly the field, and yield the proffer's prize--- Bend thy weak necks, and servilely submit, Affronted virtue leaves such dastard slaves To faint and tremble at a despot's nod. ”

“ I feel my courage firm---yet fear my God--- Will he forgive a suffering wretch, Weary of life---yet not afraid to die--- Who quits her post, ere nature makes demand--- Unbidden rushes to his awful throne------ A ghastly---grim---a discontented soul, Bath'd in the blood of suicide! ”

“ Not if Maria hears my faithful vows--- 'Tis honour, wealth and empire to my soul. Don Velasco
Fly from my vengeful hand---thou'rt not my son--- I've been deceiv'd---alas! too long deceiv'd. Thou art some low---some vile imposter---palm'd Upon my house---and nature feels no pang, To send thy soul to wander with the dead. ”

“ ACT V Scene I Maria, with her young Son clad in mourning---a Standard borne before him, on which is represented his Father's Death---accompanied by Zamora and a Procession of Friends---she addresses the Citizens, Soldiers, &c. &c. &c.
Behold, ye virtuous citizens of Spain, The remnant of Don Juan's noble house; See here the son of your late murder'd lord; Behold his infant innocence that weeps A father's fall, ere yet he'd learn'd to lisp That sacred name, which cruelty dissolv'd. ”