patient hearing honest Marcian And as far as I can see into your Temper I speak my serious Judgment in cold Blood With strictest Consultation on the matter I think this seeming plain and honest Marcian An exquisite and most notorious Traytor Marc. Ha! Traytor Pulch. Yes a most notorious Traytor Marc. Your Grandfather whose Frown could awe the World Would not have call'd me so╌or if he had╌ Pulch. You would have taken it╌But to the Business Was 't not enough Oh Heaven Thou know'st too much At first to own your self an Infidel A bold Contemner even to Blasphemy Of that Religion which we all profess For which your Heart's best Blood can ne'er suffice But you must dare with a seditious Army Thus to conspire against the Emperour I mention not your Impudence to me Taxing the folly of my Government Ev'n to my Face Such an Irreverence As sure no barb'rous Vandal would have urg'd Beside your libelling all the Court as if You had engrost the whole World's honesty And Flatterers Fools Sycophants Knaves Such was your Language did inhabit here Marc. You wrest my honest meaning by the Gods You do and if you thus go on I feel My strugling Spirit will no longer bear it Pulch. I thought the meaning of all rational Men Should still be gather'd out of their Discourse Nor are you so imprudent without thinking To vent such words tho' now you fain would hide it You find the Guilt and bauk the Accusation But think not you shall scape so easily Once more I do confront you as a Traytor And as I am entrusted with full pow'r Divest you in the Name of Theodosius Of all your Offices Commissions Honours Command you leave the Court within three Days Loyal plain-dealing honest Marcian Marc. Gods Gods Pulch. What now ha does the Traytor murmur If in three days mark me 't is I that doom thee Rash inconsiderable Man a Wretch beneath The Torments I cou'd execute upon thee If after three days space thou' rt found in Court Thou dy'st thy head thy head shall pay the forfeit Farewell now rage now rail and curse the Court Saucily dare to abuse the best of Princes And let thy lawless Tongue lash all it can Do like a mad-man rave deplore thy Fortune While Pages laugh at thee Then haste to the Army Grow popular and lead the multitude Preach up thy Wrongs and drive the giddy Beast To kick at Caesar. Nay if thou weep'st I am gone O Julia if I stay I shall weep too Yet 't is but just that I the Heart should see Of him who once must Lord it over me Ex. Pulcheria c. Luc. Why do you droop Sir╌Come no more o' this You are and shall be still our General Say but the Word I 'll fill the Hippodrome With Squadrons that shall make the Emp'ror tremble We 'll fire the Court about his Ears Methinks like Junius Brutus I have watcht An Opportunity and now it comes Few words and I are Friends but noble Marcian If yet thou art not more than General E'er dead of Night say Lucius is a Coward Marc. I charge thee in the name of all the Gods Come back I charm thee by the name of Friend All 's well and I rejoyce I am no General But hush within three days we must be gone And then my Friend farewel to Ceremony We 'll fly to some far distant lonely Village Forget our former state and breed with Slaves Sweat in the Eye of Day and when Night comes With bodies coursely fill'd and vacant Souls Sleep like the laboured Hinds and never think For if I think again I shall go mad Enter Leontine and Athonais c. Therefore no thought But see we are interrupted O Court O Emperor yet let Death threaten I 'll find a time Till then be still my Soul╌ No General now A Member of thy Country But most corrupt therefore to be cut off Loyal plain-dealing honest Marcian A Slave a Traytor O ye Eternal Gods╌ Exeunt Leon. So Athenais now our complement To the young Persian Prince is at an end What then remains but that we take our leave And bid him everlastingly Farewell Athen. My Lord Leon. I say that decency requires We should be gone nor can you stay with Honour Athen. Most true my Lord. Leon. The Court is now at peace The Emperour's Sisters are retir'd for ever And he himself compos'd what hinders then But that we bid adieu to Prince Varanes Athen. Ah Sir why will you break my heart Leon. I would not Thou art the only Comfort of my Age Like an old Tree I stand among the storms Thou art the only limb that I have left me She kneels My dear green branch and how I prize thee Child Heaven only knows why dost thou kneel and weep Athen. Because you are so good and will I hope Forgive my fault who first occasion'd it Leon I charg'd thee to receive and hear the Prince Athen. You did and Oh my Lord I heard too much Too much I fear for my Eternal Quiet Leon. Rise Athenais Credit him who bears More years than thou Varanes ha deceiv'd thee Athen. How do we differ then You judge the Prince Impious and base while I take Heav'n to witness I think him the most Vertuous of men Therefore take heed my Lord how you accuse him Before on make the Tryal Alas Varanes If thou art false there 's no such thing on Earth As solid Goodness or substantial Honour A thousand times My Lord he has sworn to give me And I believe his Oaths his Crown and Empire That day I make him Master of my Heart Leon. That day he 'll make thee Mistress of his power Which carries a foul name among the Vulgar No Athenais let me see thee dead Born a pale Corps and gently laid in Earth So I may say she 's chaste and dy'd a Virgin Rather than view thee with these wounded Eyes Seated upon the Throne of Isdigerdes The blast of Common Tongues the Nobles scorn Thy Father's Curse that is the Prince's Whore Athen. O horrid supposition how I detest it Be witness Heav'n that sees my secret thoughts Have I for this my Lord been taught by you The nicest Justice and severest Vertue To fear no Death to know the end of Life And with a long search discern the highest good No Athenais when the Day beholds thee So scandalously rais'd Pride cast the down The scorn of Honour and the People's prey No cruel Leontine not to redeem That aged Head from the descending Axe Not tho' I saw thy trembling Body rackt Thy wrinckles about thee fill'd with Blood Would I for Empire to the Man I love Be made the object of unlawful Pleasure Leon. O greatly said and by the Blood which warms me Which runs as rich as any Athens holds It would improve the Vertue of the World If every Day a thousand Votaries And thousand Virgins came from far to hear thee Athen. Look down ye pow'rs take notice we obey
speak╌ Leon. 'T is true my Lord this is my Daughter Whom I conceal'd in Persia from all Eyes But yours when chance directed you that way Theo. He says 't is true Why then this heartless Carriage O? were I proof against the Darts of Love And cold to Beauty as the Marble-Lover That lies without a thought upon his Tomb Would not this glorious dawn of Life run through me And waken Death it self ╌Why am I slow then What hinders now but in spight of Rules I burst through all the bands of Death that hold me He kneels And fly with such a hast to that Appearance As bury'd Saints shall make at the last Summons Athen. The Emperour at my Feet O Sir forgive me Drown me not thus with everlasting shame Both Heav'n and Earth must blush at such a view Nor can I bear it longer╌ Leon. My Lord she is unworthy╌ Theo. Ha! what say'st thou Leontine Unworthy O thou Atheist to perfection All that the blooming Earth could send forth fair All that the gawdy Heav'ns could drop down glorious Unworthy say'st thou Wert thou not her Father I swear I would revenge╌But hast and tell me For love like mine will bear no second thought Can all the Honours of the Orient Thus sacrific'd with the most pure Affection With spotless thoughts and languishing desires Obtain O Leontine the Crown at last To thee I speak thy Daughter to my Bride Leon. My Lord the Honour bears such estimation It calls the Blood into my aged Cheeks And quite o'er-whelms my Daughter with Confusion Who with her Body prostrate on the Earth Ought to adore you for the proffer'd Glory Theo. Let me embrace and thank thee O kind Heav'n O Atticus Pulcheria O my Father Was ever change like mine Run through the Streets Who waits there Run and lowd as Fame can speak With Trumpet-sounds proclaim your Emperor's joy And as of old on the great Festival Of her they call the Mother of the Gods Let all work cease at least an Oaken Garland Crown each Plebeian Head Let sprightly Bowls Be doal'd about and the toss'd Cymbals sound Tell 'em their much lamented Theodosius By Miracle is brought from Death to Life His Melancholy's gone and now once more He shall appear at the State 's Helm again Nor fear a Wrack while this bright Star direct us For while she shines no Sands no cowring Rocks Shall lie unseen but I will cut my way Secure as Neptune through the highest stream And to the Port in safety steer the World Athen. Alas my Lord consider my Extraction With all my other Wants╌ Theo. Peace Empress peace No more the Daughter of old Leontine A Christian now and Partner of the East Athen. My Father has dispos'd me you command me What can I answer then but my Obedience Theo. Attend her dear Pulcheria and oh tell her To Morrow if she please I will be happy Ex. Pulch. and Athen. O why so long should I my Joys delay Time imp thy Wings let not thy Minutes stay But to a moment change the tedious day The day 't will be an Age before to Morrow An Age a Death a vast Eternity Where we shall cold and past Enjoyment lie Enter Varanes and Aranthes Vara. O Theodosius Theo. Ha! my Brother here Why dost thou come to make my Bliss run o'er What is there more to wish Fortune can find No flaw in such a glut of happiness To let one Misery in╌O my Varanes Thou that of late didst seem to walk on Clouds Now give a loose let go the slackned Reins Let us drive down the Precipice of Joy As if that all the Winds of Heav'n were for us Vara. My Lord I am glad to find the Gale is turn'd And give you Joy of this auspicious Fortune Plough on your way with all your Streamers out With all your glorious Flags and Streamers ride Triumphant on╌And leave me to the Waves The Sands the Winds the Rocks the sure destruction And ready Gulphs that gape to swallow me Theo. It was thy Hand that drew me from the Grave Who had been dead by this time to Ambition To Crowns to Titles and my slighted Greatness But still as if each work of thine deserv'd The smile of Heav'n╌thy Theodosius met With something dearer than his Diadem With all that 's worth a wish that 's worth a life I met with that which made me leave the world Vara. And I O turn of Chance O cursed Fortune Have lost at once all that could make me happy O ye too partial Powers But now no more The Gods my dear my most lov'd Theodosius Double all those Joys that thou hast met upon thee For sure thou art most worthy worthy more Than Jove in all his Prodigality Can e'er bestow in Blessings on Mankind And oh methinks my Soul is strangely mov'd Takes it the more unkindly of her Stars That thou and I cannot be blest together For I must leave thee Friend this night must leave thee To go in doubtful search of what perhaps I ne'er shall find if so my cruel Fate Has order'd it Why then farewel for ever For I shall never never see thee more Theo. How sensible my tender Soul is grown Of what you utter O my gallant Friend O Brother O Varanes Do not judge By what I speak for Sighs will interrupt me Judge by my Tears judge by these strict Embraces And by my last Resolve Tho' I have met With what in silence I so long ador'd Tho' in the Rapture of protesting Joys I had set down to morrow for my Nuptials And Atticus to Night prepares the Temple Yet my Varanes I will rob my Soul Of all her Health of my Imperial Bride And wander with thee in the search of that On which thy Life depends╌ Vara. If this I suffer Conclude me then begotten of a Hind And bred in Wilds No Theodosius no I charge thee by our Friendship and conjure thee By all the Gods to mention this no more Perhaps dear Friend I shall be sooner here Than you expect or I my self imagine What most I grieve is that I cannot wait To see your Nuptials Yet my Soul is with you And all my Adorations to your Bride Theo. What my Varanes will you be so cruel As not to see my Bride before you go Or are you angry at your Rival's Charms Who has already ravisht half my Heart That once was all your own Vara. You know I am disorder'd My melancholy will not suit her blest Condition Exit Theo. And the Gods know since thou my Athenais Art fled from these sick Eyes all other Women To my pall'd Soul seem like the Ghost of Beauty And haunt my memory with the loss of thee Enter Athenais Theodosius Leading her Theo. Behold my Lord the occasion of my Joy Vara. O ye immortal Gods Aranthes oh Look there and wonder Ha! is 't possible Athen. My Lord the Emperour says you are his Friend He charges me to use my Interest And beg of you
thee Can there be ought in this Curse then thy birth-right Thy glorious Titles and ill-suited Greatness Since Athenais scorns thee Take again Your ill-tim'd Honours take 'em take 'em Gods And change me to some humble Villager If so at least for toils at scorching Noon In mowing Meadows or in reaping Fields At night she will but crown me with a smile Or reach the bounty of her hand to bless me Athen. When Princes speak their Subjects should be silent Yet with humility I would demand Wherein appears my scorn or my aversion Have I not for your sake abandon'd home Where I had vow'd to spend my calmer days But you perhaps imagine it but little For a poor Maid to follow you abroad Especially the Daughter of old Leontine Yet I must tell you Princeâ•Œ Vara. I cannot bear Those Frowns I have offended but forgive me For who Athenais that is toss'd With such tempestuous tydes of love as I Can steer a steady course Retire my Fair Recorders flourish Hark! the Solemnities are now beginning And Theodosius comes Hide hide thy Charms If to his clouded Eyes such Day should break The Royal Youth who dotes to Death for Love I fear would forfeit all his Vows to Heav'n And six upon thy World thy World of Beauty Excunt Enter Theodosius leading Marina and Flavilla all three drest in white followed by Pulcheria Theo. Farewel Pulcheria and I pray no more For all thy kind Complaints are lost upon me Have I not sworn the World and I must part Fate has proclaim'd it therefore weep no more Wound not the tenderest part of Theodosius My yielding Soul that would expire in Calms Wound me not with thy Tears and I will tell thee Yet e're I take my last farewel for ever The cause of all my sufferings O my Sister A bleeding Heart the stings of pointed Love What Constitution soft as mine can bear Pulch. My Lord my Emp'rour my dearest Brother Why all this while did you conceal it from me Theo. Because I was asham'd to own my Weakness I knew thy sharper Wit and stricter Wisdom Would dart Reproofs which I could not endure Draw near O Atticus and mark me well For never yet did my complaining Spirit Unlaid this weighty Secret upon him Nor groan a syllable of her Oppression Attic. Concealment was a fault but speak at large Make bare the Wound and I will pour in Balm Theo. 'T is folly all and fondnessâ•ŒO remembrance Why dost thou open thus my Wound again And from my Heart call down those warmer drops That make me die with shame Hear then Pulcheria Some few preceding days before I left The Persian Court hunting one morning early I lost my self and all the Company Still wandring on as Fortune would direct me I past a Rivulet and alighted in The sweetest Solitude I ever saw When streight as if Enchantment had been there Two charming Voices drew me 'till I came Where divers Arbours over-lookt the River Upon the Osier Bank two Women sate Who when their Song was ended talkt to one Who bathing stood far in the Chrystal stream But oh what thought can paint that fair Perfection Or give a glimpse of such a naked Glory Not Sea-born Venus in the Courts beneath When the green Nymphs first kiss'd her Coral Lips All polisht fair and washt with Orient Beauty Could in my dazling Fancy match her brightness Attic. Think where you are Theo. O! Sir you must forgive me The chaste Enthusiastick Form appears As when I saw her yet I swear Pulcheria Had cold Diana been a looker or She must have prais'd the Vertues of the Virgin The Satyrs could not gâ—in for she was veil'd Nothing immodest from her naked Bosom Down to her knees the Nymph was wrapt in Lawn But oh for me for me that was too much Her Legs her Arms her Hands her Neck her Breasts So nicely shap'd so matchless in their Lustre Such all-perfection that I took whole draughts Of killing Love and ever since have languisht With lingring surfeits of her fatal Beauty Alas too fatal sure O Atticus Forgive me for my story now is done The Nymph was drest and with her two Companions Having descry'd me shriekt and fled away Leaving me motionless till Leontine Th' Instructer of my Youth by chance came in And wak'd me from the wonder that entranc'd me Attic. Behold my Lord the Man whom you have nam'd The Harbinger of Prince Varanes here Theod. O Leontine ten thousand Welcomes meet thee Thou Foster-Father of my tender Youth Who rear'd the Plant and prun'd it with such Care How shall I look upon thee who am fallen From all the Principles of manlier reason By thee infus'd to more than Woman's weakness Now by the Majesty Divine that aws This sacred place I swear you must not kneel And tell me for I have a thousand things To ask thee Where where is my Godlike Friend Is he arriv'd and shall I see his Face Before I am cloyster'd from the World for ever Leont He comes my Lord with all the expecting Joys Of a young promis'd Lover from his Eyes Big hopes look forth and boiling Fancy forms Nothing but Theodosius still before him His thought his every word is Theodosius Theo. Yet Leontine yet answer me once more With tremblings I demand thee Sayâ•Œhast thou seen Oh has that Heav'nly form Appear'd to thee again Behold he 's dumb Proceed then to the Solemn last farewel Never was Man so willing and prepar'd Enter Varanes Aranthes Attendants Vara. Where is my Friend oh where is my belov'd My Theodosius point him out ye Gods That I may press him dead betwixt my Arms Devour him thus with over-hasty Joys That languish at his Breast quite out of breath And cannot utter more Theo. Thou mightiest Pleasure And greatest Blessing that kind Heav'n could send To glad my parting Soul a thousand Welcomes O when I look on thee new starts of Glory Spring in my Breast and with a backward bound I run the Race of lusty Youth again Vara. By Heav'n it joys me too when I remember Our thousand Pastimes when we borrow'd Names Alcides I and Thou my dearest Theseus When through the Woods we chas'd the foaming Boar With Hounds that open'd like Thessalian Bulls Like Tygers flu'd and sanded as the shoar With Ears and Chests that dasht the morning Dew Driv'n with the Sport as Ships are tost in Storms We ran like Winds and matchless was our Course Now sweeping o'er the limit of a Hill Now with a full Career come thundring down The Precipice and sweat along the Vale. Theo. O glorious time and when the gathering Clouds Have call'd us home say Did we rest my Brother When on the Stage to the admiring Court We strove to represent Alcides Fury In all that raging Heat and pomp of Madness With which the stately Seneca adorn'd him So lively drawn and painted with such horror That we were forc'd to give it o'er so loud The Virgins shriek'd so fast they dy'd
disdains the Motion Leon. The Motion of a Marriage yes I see it Your angry looks and haughty words betray it I found it at the first I thank you Sir You have at last rewarded your old Tutor For all his Cares his Watchings Services Yet let me tell you Sir this humble Maid This Daughter of a poor Philosopher Shall if she please be seated on a Throne As high as that of th' Immortal Cyrus Vara. I think that Age and deep Philosophy Have crackt thy Brain Farewel old Leontine Retire to rest and when this brawling Humour Is rockt asleep I 'll meet my Athenais And clear the accounts of Love which thou hast blotted Leon. Old Leontine perhaps I am mad indeed But hold my Heart and let that solid Vertue Which I so long ador'd still keep the Reins O Athenais But I will not chide thee Fate is in all our Actions and methinks At least a Father judges so it has Rebuk'd thee smartly for thy Easiness There is a kind of mournful Eloquence In thy dumb grief which shames all clamorous sorrow Athen. Alas my Breast is full of Death methinks I fear ev'n you╌ Leon. Why should'st thou fear thy Father Athen. Because you have the Figure of a Man Is there O speak a possibility To be forgiven Leon. Thy Father does forgive thee And Honour will but on this hard Condition Never to see him more╌ Athen. See him Oh Heavens Leon. Unless it be my Daughter to upbraid him Not tho' he should repent and streight return Nay proffer thee his Crown╌No more of that Honour too cries revenge revenge thy Wrongs Revenge thy self revenge thy injur'd Father For 't is Revenge so wise so glorious too As all the World shall praise╌ Athen. O give me leave For yet I am all tenderness the Woman The weak the mild the fond the coward Woman Dares not look forth but runs about my Breast And visits all the warmer Mansions there Where she so oft has harbour'd false Varanes Cruel Varanes false forsworn Varanes Leon. Is this forgetting him is this the Course Which Honour bids thee take Athen. Ah Sir allow A little time for Love to make his way Hardly he won the place and many sighs And many tears and thousand Oaths it cost him And oh I find he will not be dislodged Without a Groan at parting hence for ever No no! he vows he will not yet be raz'd Without whole Floods of Grief at his farewel Which thus I sacrifice and oh I swear Had he proved true I would as easily Have empty'd all my Blood and dy'd to serve him As now I shed these drops or vent these sighs To shew how well how perfectly I lov'd him Leon. No Woman sure but thou so low in Fortune Therefore the nobler is thy fair Example Would thus have griev'd because a Prince ador'd her Nor will it be believ'd in after-times That there was ever such a Maid in being Yet do I advise preserve thy Vertue And since he does disdain thee for his Bride Scorn thou to be╌ Athen. Hold Sir oh hold forbear For my nice Soul abhors the very sound Yet with the shame of that and the desire Of an Immortal Name I am inspir'd All kinder Thoughts are fled for ever from me All Tenderness as if I ne'er had lov'd Has left my Bosom colder than the Grave Leon. On Athenais on 't is bright before thee Pursue the Track and thou shalt be a Star Athen. O Leontine I swear my noble Father That I will starve e'er once forego my Vertue And thus let 's joyn to contradict the World That Empire could not tempt a poor old Man To sell his Prince the Honour of his Daughter And she too match'd the Spirit of her Father Tho' humbly born and yet more humbly bred She for her Fame refus'd a Royal Bed Who tho' she lov'd yet did put off the Hour Nor could her Vertue be betray'd by Pow'r Patterns like these will guilty Courts improve And teach the Fair to blush at Conscious Love Then let all Maids for Honour come in view If any Maid can more for Glory do ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Varanes and Aranthes Vara COme to my Arms my faithful dear Aranth Soft Counsellor Companion of my Youth If I had longer been alone most sure With the Distraction that surrounds my Heart My Hand would have rebelled against his Master And done a Murder here Aranth The Gods forbid Vara. I swear I press thee with as hearty Joy As ever fearful Bride embrac'd her Man When from a Dream of Death she wak'd and found Her Lover safe and sleeping by her side Aranth The Cause my Lord Vara. Early thou know'st last Night I went to rest But long my Friend e'er Slumber clos'd my Eyes Long was the Combat fought 'twixt Love and Glory The Fever of my Passion burnt me up My Pangs grew stronger and my Rack was doubled My Bed was all a-float with the cold drops That mortal Pain wrang from my lab'ring Limbs My Groans more deep than others dying Gasps Therefore I charge thee haste to her Apartment I do conjure thee tell her tell her all My Fears can urge or Fondness can invent Tell her how I repent say any thing For any thing I 'll do to quench my Fires Say I will marry her now on the instant Say all that I would say yet in the end My Love shall make it more than Gods can utter Aranth My Lord both Leontine and she are'gone From their Apartment╌ Vara. Ha! gone sayst thou whither Aranth That was my whole Employment all this day But Sir I grieve to speak it they have left SONG after the Second ACT. Sad as Death at dead of night the fair complaining Caelia sat but one poor Lamp was all her light while thus she rea╌son'd with her Fate Why should Man such Tri╌umphs gain and purchace Joys that gives us pain Ah! what Glory ah what Glory can en╌sue a help╌less Vir╌gin to un╌do Curse the Night then Curse the Hour when first he drew thee to his arms when vir╌tue was be-tray'd by pow-er and yield╌ed to un╌law╌ful Charms when Love approach'd with all his Fires arm'd with hopes and strong de-sires sighs and tears ev'ry wile with which the Men with which the Men the Maids be guile with which the Men with which the Men the Maids beguile SONG after the Second ACT. Dream no more of Plea-sures past since all thy tor-ments are to come the se╌cret is made known at last and end╌less shame is now thy Doom The false for╌sworn a╌las is gone and left thee to de-spair a╌lone Who that hears of Caelia's pain will e╌ver trust will e╌ver trust a Man a╌gain Chorus The false for-sworn a╌las is gone and left thee to de╌spair a╌lone The false for-sworn a╌las is gone and left thee to de╌spair a╌lone Who that hears of Caelia's pain will e╌ver Who that hears of Caelia's pain will e╌ver trust will e╌ver trust a Man a╌gain trust will e╌ver trust
to stay at least so long As our Espousals will be solemnizing I told him I was honour'd once to know you But that so slightly as I could not warrant The grant of any thing that I should ask you╌ Vara. O Heaven and Earth O Athenais why VVhy dost thou use me thus Had I the VVorld Thou know'st it should be thine Athen. I know not that╌ But yet to make sure work one half of it Is mine already Sir without your giving My Lord the Prince is obstinate his Glory Scorns to be mov'd by the weak Breath of Woman He is all Heroe bent for higher Game Therefore 't is nobler Sir to let him go If not for him my Lord yet for my self I must intreat the Favour to retire Exit Athen. c. Vara. Death and Despair Confusion Hell and Furies Theo. Heav'n guard thy Health and still preserve thy Vertue VVhat should this mean I fear the Consequence For 't is too plain they know each other well Vara. Undone Aranthes lost undone for ever I see my Doom I read it with broad Eyes As plain as if I saw the Book of Fate Yet I will muster all my Spirits up Digest my Griefs swallow the rising Passions Yes I will stand this Shock of all the Gods VVell as I can and struggle for my Life Theo. You muse my Lord and if you 'll give me leave To judge your thoughts they seem employ'd at present About my Bride I guess you know her too Vara. His Bride O Gods give me a moments Patience I must confess the sight of Athenais VVhere I so little did expect to see her So grac'd and so adorn'd did raise my wonder But what exceeds all admiration is That you should talk of making her your Bride 'T is such a blind effect of monstrous Fortune That tho' I well remember you affirm'd it I cannot yet believe╌ Theo. Then now believe me By all the Pow'rs Divine I will espouse her Vara. Ha! I shall leap the bounds Come come my Lord. By all these Pow'rs you nam'd I say you must not Theo. I say I will and who shall bar my pleasure Yet more I speak the Judgment of my Soul Weigh but with Fortune Merit in the Balance And Athenais loses by the Marriage Vara. Relentless Fates malicious cruel Pow'rs O for what Crime do you thus rack your Creature Sir I must tell you this unkingly meanness Suits the Profession of an Anchorite well But in an Oriental Emperour It gives offence nor can you without Scandal Without the notion of a groveling Spirit Espouse the Daughter of old Leontine Whose utmost Glory is to have been my Tutor Theo. He has so well acquitted that Employment Breeding you up to such a gallant height Of full perfection and imperial greatness That ev'n for this respect if for no other I will esteem him worthy while I live Vara. My Lord you 'll pardon me a little Freedom For I must boldly urge in such a Cause Who-ever slatters you tho' ne'er so near Related to your Blood should be suspected Theo If Friendship would admit a cold Suspicion After what I have heard and seen to day Of all Mankind I should suspect Varanes Vara. He has stung me to the Heart my Groans will choke me Unless my strugling Passion gets a vent Out with it then╌I can no more dissemble╌ Yes yes my Lord since you reduce me to The last necessity I must confess it I must avow my Flame for Athenais I am all Fire my Passion eats me up It grows incorporate with my flesh and Blood My Pangs redouble now they cleave my heart O Athenais O Eudosia╌ oh╌ Though plain as day I see my own destruction Yet to my death and oh let all the Gods Bear Witness I swear I will adore thee Theo. Alas Varanes Which of us two the Heav'ns Have mark'd for death is yet above the Stars But while we live let us preserve our Friendship Sacred and just as we have ever done This only Mean in two such hard Extreams Remains for both To morrow you shall see her With all advantage in her own Apartment Take your own time say all you can to gain her If you can win her lead her into Persia If not consent that I espouse her here Vara. Still worse and worse O Theodosius oh I cannot speak for sighs my death is seal'd By this last sweetness had you been less good I might have hop'd but now my Doom's at hand Go then and take her take her to the Temple The Gods too give you joy O Athenais Why does thy Image mock my Foolish sorrow O Theodosius do not see my Tears Away and leave me leave me to the Grave Theo. Farewel let 's leave the Issue to the Heav'ns I will prepare your way with all that Honour Can urge in your behalf tho' to my Ruine Ex. Theod. Vara. O I could tear my Limbs and eat my Elesh Fool that I was fond proud vain-glorious Fool Damn'd be all Courts and treble damn'd Ambition Blasted be thy remembrance Curses on thee And plagues on plagues fall on those Fools that seek thee Aranth Have comfort Sir╌ Vara. Away and leave me Villain Traytor who wrought me first to my destruction╌ Yet stay and help me help me to curse my pride Help me to wish that I had ne'er been Royal That I had never heard the name of Cyrus That my first Brawl in Court had been my last O that I had been born some happy Swain And never known a life so great so vain Where I extreams might not be forc'd to choose And blest with some mean Wife no Crown could lose Where the dearer Partner of my little state With all her smiling Off-spring at the Gate Blessing my Labours might my coming wait Where in our humble Beds all safe might ly And not in cursed Courts for Glory dy ╌ Exeunt SONG 1. Hail to the Mirtle Shade All hail to the Nymphs of the Fields Kings would not here invade Those pleasures that virtue yields SONG after the Third ACT. Hail to the Myrtle shade all Hail to the Nymphs of the Fields Kings will not her in-vade tho Vir╌tue all free╌dom yields Beauty here opens her arms to soften the languishing mind and Phillis un╌locks her Charms ah Phillis ah why so kind Chorus Beauty here opens her Arms to soften the languishing mind and Beauty here opens her Arms to soften the languishing mind and Phillis un locks her Charms ah Phillis ah why so kind ah Phillis un locks her Charms ah Phillis ah why so kind ah Phil╌lis ah why so kind Phil╌lis ah why so kind Chor. Beauty here opens her Arms To soften the languishing mind And Phillis unlocks her Charms Ah Phillis ah why so kind 2. Phillis thou Soul of Love Thou joy of the Neighb'ring Swains Phillis that Crowns the Grove And Phillis that guilds the Plains Chor. Phillis that ne'er had the skill To paint to patch and be fine Yet Phillis whose Eyes can kill Whom
former Brutus for the Crime Of Sextus drive old Tarquin from his Kingdom And shall this Prince too by permitting others To act their wicked Wills and lawless Pleasures Ravish from the Empire its dear Health Well-being Happiness and ancient Glory Go on in this dishonourable rest Shall he I say dream on while the starv'd Troops Lie cold and waking in the Winter Camp And like pin'd Birds for want of sustenance Feed on the Haws and Berries of the Fields O temper temper me ye gracious Gods Give to my Hand forbearance to my Heart Its constant Loyalty I would but shake him Rouze him a little from this death of Honour And shew him what he should be Theo. You accuse me As if I were some Monster most unheard of First as the Ruin of the Army then Of taking your Commission But by Heav'n I swear O Marcian this I never did Nor ere intended it Nor say I this To alter thy stern usage for with what Thou hast said and done and brought to my remembrance I grow already weary of my life Marc. My Lord I take your word you do not know The wounds which rage within your Country's Bowels The horrid usage of the suff'ring Soldier But why will not our Theodosius know If you intrust the Government to others That act these Crimes who but your selfs to blame Be witness ye Gods of my plain dealing Of Marcian's honesty how-e'er degraded I thank you for my banishment but alas My loss is little to what soon will follow Reflect but on your self and your own Joys Let not this Lethargy for ever hold you 'T was rumour'd through the City that you lov'd That your Espousals should be solemniz'd When on a sudden here you send your Orders That this bright Favourite the lov'd Eudosia Should lose her Head Theo O Heav'n and Earth What say'st thou That I have seal'd the death of my Eudosia Marc. 'T is your own Hand and Signet Yet I swear Tho' you have giv'n to Female hands your sway And therefore I as well as the whole Army For ever ought to curse all Woman-kind Yet when the Virgin came as she was doom'd And on the Scaffold for that purpose rais'd Without the walls appear'd before the Army Theo. What on a Scaffold ha before the Army Marc. How quickly was the Tide of Fury turn'd To soft Compassion and relenting Tears But when the Axe Sever'd the brightest Beauty of the Earth From that fair Body had you heard the groan Which like a peal of distant Thunder ran Through all the armed Host you would have thought By the immediate Darkness that fell round us Whole Nature was concern'd at such a Suff'ring And all the Gods were angry Theo. O Pulcheria Cruel ambitious Sister this must be Thy doing O support me noble Marcian Now now 's the time if thou dar'st strike behold I offer thee my Breast with my last Breath I 'll thank thee too if now thou draw'st my Blood Were I to live thy Councel shall direct me But 't is too late╌ He swoons Marc. He faints what hoa there Lucius Enter Lucius My Lord the Emperour Eudosia lives She 's here or will be in a minute moment Quick as a thought she calls you to the Temple O Lucius help╌I have gone too far but see He breaths again╌ Eudosia has awak'd him Theo. Did you not name Eudosia Marc. Yes she lives I did but feign the story of her Death To find how near you plac'd her to your Heart And may the Gods rain all their Plagues upon me If ever I rebuke you thus again Yet 't is most certain that you sign'd her death Not knowing what the wise Pulcberia offer'd Who left it in my Hand to startle you But by my Life and Fame I did not think It would have toucht your Life O pardon me Dear Prince my Lord my Emp'rour Royal Master Droop not because I utter'd some rash words And was a mad Man╌by th' immortal Gods I love you as my Soul what e'er I said My thoughts were otherwise believe these Tears Which do not use to flow all shall be well I swear that there are Seeds in that sweet Temper To attone for all the Crimes in this bad Age. Theo. I thank thee first for my Eudosia's Life What but my Love could have call'd back that Life Which thou hast made me hate But oh methought 'T was hard dear Marcian very hard from thee From him I ever reverenc'd as my Father To hear so harsh a Message╌but no more We are Friends Thy hand Nay if thou wilt not rise And let me told my Arms about thy Neck I 'll not believe thy Love In this forgive me First let me wed Eudosia and we 'll out We will my General and make amends For all that 's past Glory and Arms ye call And Marcian leads me on╌ Marc. Let her not rest then Espouse her straight I 'll strike you at a heat May this great humour get large growth within you And be encourag'd by the emboldning Gods O what a sight will this be to the Soldier To see me bring you drest in shining Armour To head the shouting Squadrons╌O ye Gods Methinks I hear the echoing Cries of Joy The sound of Trumpets and the beat of Drums I see each starving Soldier bound from Earth As is some God by Miracle had rais'd him And with beholding you grow fat again Nothing but gazing Eyes and opening Mouths Cheeks red with Joy and lifted Hands about you Some wiping the glad Tears that trickle down With broken Io's and with sobbing Raptures Crying to Arms He 's come our Emp'rour's come To win the World Why is not this far better Than lolling in a Lady's lap and sleeping Fasting or praying Come come you shall be merry And for Eudosia she is yours already Marcian has said it Sir she shall be yours Theo. O Marcian oh my Brother Father all Thou best of Friends most faithful Counsellor I 'll find a Match for thee too e'er I rest To make thee love me For when thou art with me I 'm strong and well but when thou art gone I am nothing Enter Athenais meeting Theodosius Theo. Alas Eudosia tell me what to say For my full Heart can scarce bring forth a word Of that which I have sworn to see perform'd Athen. I am perfectly obedient to your pleasure Theo. Well then I come to tell thee that Varanes Of all mankind is nearest to my Heart I love him dear Eudosia and to prove That Love on trial all my Blood 's too little Ev'n thee if I were sure to die this moment As Heav'n alone can tell how far my Fate Is off O thou my Soul 's most tender Joy With my last Breath I would bequeath him thee Athen. Then you are pleas'd my Lord to yield me to him Theo. No my Eudosia no I will not yield thee While I have Life for Worlds I will not yield thee Yet thus far I am engag'd to let thee know He loves
thee Athenais more than ever He languishes despairs and dies like me And I have past my word that he shall see thee Athen. Ah Sir what have you done against your self And me Why have you past your fatal word Why will you trust me who am now afraid To trust my self Why do you leave me naked To an assault who had made proof my Vertue With this sure Guard never to see him more For oh with trembling Agonies I speak it I cannot see a Prince whom once I lov'd Bath'd in his Grief and gasping at my Feet In all the violent Trances of Despair Without a sorrow that perhaps may end me Theo. O ye severer Pow'rs too cruel Fate Did ever Love tread such a maze before Yet Athenais still I trust thy Vertue But if thy bleeding Heart cannot refrain Give give thy self away yet still remember That moment Theodosius is no more ╌ Ex. Theo. with Attic. Pulc Leon. Athen. Now glory now if ever thou didst work In Woman's Mind assist me╌Oh my Heart Why dost thou throb as if thou wer 't a breaking Down down I say think on thy Injuries Thy wrongs thy wrongs 'T is well my Eyes are dry And all within my Bosom now is still Enter Varanes leaning on Aranthes Ha! is this he or is 't Varanes Ghost He looks as if he had bespoke his Grave Trembling and pale I must not dare to view him For oh I feel his melancholy here And fear I shall too soon partake his sickness Vara. Thus to the angry Gods offending Mortals Made sensible by some severe Affliction How all their Crimes are registred in Heav'n In that nice Court how no rash word escapes But ev'n extravagant Thoughts are all set down Thus the poor penitents with Fear approach The Reverend Shrines and thus for Mercy bow Kneels Thus melting too they wash the hallowed Earth And groan to be forgiven╌ O Empress O Eudosia such you are now These are your Titles and I must not dare Ever to call you Athenais more Athen. Rise rise my Lord let me intreat you rise I will not hear you in that humble Posture Rise or I must withdraw╌The World will blush For you and me should it behold a Prince Sprung from Immortal Cyrus on his Knees Before the Daughter of a poor Philosopher Vara. 'T is just you righteous Gods my Doom is just Nor will I strive to deprecate her Anger If possible I 'll aggravate my Crimes That she may rage till she has broke my heart For all I now desire and let the Gods Those cruel Gods that joyn to my undoing Be Witnesses to this unnatural Wish Is to fall dead without a Wound before her Athen. O ye known sounds But I must steel my Soul Methinks these Robes my Delia are too heavy Vara. Not worth a word a look nor one regard Is then the Nature of my Fault so hainous That when I come to take my eternal leave You 'll not vouchsafe to view me This is scorn Which the fair Soul of gentle Athenais Wou'd ne'er have harbour'd╌ O for the sake of him whom you ere-long Shall hold as fast as now your Wishes form him Give me a patient hearing for however I talk of Death and seem to loath my Life I would deliberate with my Fate a while With snatching Glances eye thee to the last Pause o'er a loss like that of Athenais And parley with my ruine Athen. Speak my Lord To hear you is the Emperor's Command And for that Cause I readily obey Vara. The Emperour the Emperour's Command And for that Cause she readily obeys I thank you Madam that on any terms You condescend to hear me╌ Know then Eudosia Ah rather let me call thee By the lov'd Name of Athenais still That Name that I so often have invok'd And which was once auspicious to my Vows So oft at Midnight sigh'd amongst the Groves The Rivers murmur and the Echo's burden Which every Bird could sing and Wind did bear By that dear Name I make this Protestation By all that 's good on Earth or blest in Heav'n I swear I love thee more far more than ever With conscious Blushes too Here help me Gods Help me to tell her tho' to my Confusion And everlasting Shame yet I must tell her I lay the Persian Crown before her Feet Athen. My Lord I thank you and to express those thanks As nobly as you offer 'em I return The gift you make nor will I now upbraid you With the Example of the Emp'rour Not but I know 't is that that draws you on Thus to descend beneath your Majesty And swell the Daughter of a poor Philosopher With hopes of being great Vara. Ah Madam ah you wrong me by the Gods I had repented e'er I knew the Emp'rour╌ Athen. You find perhaps too late that Athenais However slighted for her Birth and Fortune Has something in her Person and her Vertue Worth the Regard of Emperours themselves And to return the Complement you gave My Father Leontine that poor Philosopher Whose utmost Glory is to have been your Tutor I here protest by Vertue and by Glory I swear by Heav'n and all the Pow'rs Divine The abandon'd Daughter of that poor old Man Shall ne'er be seated on the Throne of Cyrus Vara. O Death to all my Hopes what hast thou sworn To turn me wild Ah cursed Throne of Cyrus Would thou hadst been o'erturn'd and laid in Dust His Crown too Thunder-struck My Father all The Persian Race like poor Darius ruin'd Blotted and swept for ever from the World When first Ambition blasted thy Remembrance╌ Athen. O Heav'n I had forgot the base Affront Offer'd by this proud Man a Wrong so great It is remov'd beyond all hope of Mercy He had design'd to bribe my Father's Vertue And by unlawful means╌ Fly from my sight left I become a Fury╌ And break those Rules of Temperance I propos'd Fly fly Varanes fly this sacred place Where Vertue and Religion are profess'd This City will not harbour Insidels Traytors to Chastity licentious Princes Be gone I say thou canst not here be safe Fly to Imperial Libertines abroad In foreign Courts thou 'lt find a thousand Beauties That will comply for Gold for Gold they 'll weep For Gold be fond as Athenais was And charm thee still as if they lov'd indeed Thou 'lt find enough Companions too for Riot Luxuriant all and Royal as thy self Tho' thy loud Vices should resound to Heav'n Art thou not gone yet Vara. No I am charm'd to hear you O from my Soul I do confess my self The very blot of Honour I am more black Than thou in all thy Heat of just Revenge With all thy glorious Eloquence canst make me Athen. Away Varanes Vara. Yes Madam I am going╌ Nay by the Gods I do not ask thee pardon Nor while I live will I implore thy mercy But when I am dead if as thou dost return With happy Theodosius from the Temple If as thou go'st in Triumph through the
brand me thus with Infamy And everlasting shame Thou might'st have made Thy choice without this cruel act of Death I left thee to thy will and in requital Thou hast murder'd all my Fameâ•Œ Athen. O pardon me I lay my dying Body at your Feet And beg my Lord with my last sighs intreat you To impute the fault if 't is a fault to love And the ingratitude of Athenais To her too cruel Stars Remember too I begg'd you would not let me see the Prince Presaging what has happen'd yet my word As to our Nuptials was inviolable Theo. Ha! she is going see her languishing Eyes Draw in their Beams the sleep of death is on her Athen. Farewell my Lord alas alas Varanes To embrace thee now is not immodesty Or if it were I think my bleeding Heart Would make me criminal in Death to clasp thee Break all the tender niceties of Honour To fold thee thus and warm thee into Life For oh what Man like him cou'd Woman move O Prince belov'd O Spirit most divine Thus by my Death I give thee all my Love And seal my Soul and Body ever thineâ•Œ Dies Theo. O Marcian O Pulcheria did not the Power Whom we adore plant all his Thunder-bolts Against Self-murderers I would perish too But as I am I swear to leave the Empire To thee my Sister I bequeath the World And yet a gift more great the Gallant Marcian On then my Friend now shew thy Roman Spirit As to her Sex fair Athenais was Be thou to thine a Pattern of true Honour Thus we 'll atone for all the present Crimes That yet it may be said in after-times No Age with such Examples cou'd compare So Great so Good so Vertuous and so Fair Ex. Omnes FINIS Epilogue THrice happy they that never writ before How pleas'd and bold they quit the safer shore Like some new Captain of the City Bands That with big looks in Finsbury Commands Swell'd with huge Ale he cries beat beat a Drum Pox o' the French-King uds bud let him come Give me ten thousand Redcoats and alloo We 'll firk his Crâ—qui and his Conde too Thus the young Scriblers Mankinds sense disdain For ignorance is sure to make 'em vain But far from Vanity or dang'rous pride Our cautious Poet courts you to his side For why should you be scorn'd to whom are due All the good days that ever Authors knew If ever gay 't is you that make 'em fine The Pit and Boxes make the Poet dine And he scarce drinks but of the Criticks Wine Old Writers should not for vain glory strive But like old Mistresses think how to thrive Be fond of ev'ry thing their Keepers say At least till they can live without a Play Like one that knows the Trade and has been bit She doats and fawns upon her wealthy Cit And swears she loves him meerly for his Wit Another more untaught than a Walloon Antick and ugly like an old Baboon She swears is an accomplisht Beau-garson Turns with all winds and sails with all desires All hearts in City Town and Court she sires Young callow Lords lean Knights and driv'ling Squires She in resistless flattery finds her ends Gives thanks for Fools and makes ye all her Friends So should wise Poets sooth an awkard Age For they are Prostitutes upon the Stage To stand on points were foolish and ill-bred As for a Lady to be nice in Bed Your wills alone must their performance measure And you may turn 'em ev'ry way for pleasure FINIS A Catalogue of some Plays Printed for R. Bently and M. Magnes in Russel-Street near Covent-Garden TArtuff or the French Puritan Forc'd Marriage or the Jealous Bride English Monsieur All Mistaken or the mad Couple Generous Enemies Andromacha A Tragedy Calisto or the Masque at Court Country-Wit A Comedie Destruction of Jerusalem 2 parts Miseries of Civil-War Henry 6. with the Murder of the Duke of Glocester Nero a Tragedie Gloriana a Tragedie Sophonisba or Hanibals overthrow Alexander the Great or the Rival Queens Mithridates King of Pontus Caesar Borgia Son of Pope Alexander 6. Oedipus King of Thebes Theodosius or the Force of Love The Plain Dealer The Town Fop or Sir Timothy Taudry Abdellazar or the Moors Revenge Madam Fickle or the Witty False one The Fond Husband or the Plotting Sisters The Vertuous Wife or good luck at last The Fool turn'd Critick a Comedy Squire Oldsap or the Night Adventurers The Mistaken Husband a Comedy Mr. Limberham or the Kind-Keeper Notes and Observations on the Empress of Morocco The Orphan or Unhappy Marriage The Souldier of Fortune in the Press