decreed to marry her this Night And tast the sweets of long expected joys Crisp. By Heav'n I swear those sweets have poison in 'em Bane to your Soul your Empire Life and Glory Const. Take heed my Crispus that thou do not wrong her I know the hazard of Succession frights thee Crisp. No By your sacred life nothing but Honour Provokes me in the point She 's false forsworn And to my certain knowledg loves another Oh! Therefore touch her not and to convince you That Empire could not work me thus This night I 'll turn a Hermit and renounce the World Const. If she be false I know his temper well And nature cannot make such faults o' th' sudden If she be false By Heav'n thou hast moved me Crispus But speak the Traitors name who thus has wrong'd me Crisp. Pardon me Sir his name He could not wrong you Because he knew not Const. What Crisp. Your Love Const. His name There 's more in this His name again I charge thee Not only name him but produce his person Or I shall think all forgery thou hast sworn Crisp. O let me beg you wed her not to night And when I see you next I 'll tell you more Perhaps betray the Innocent to Death Const. Let that be prov'd I swear he shall not die Thou art it seems his friend as well as mine But look you calm the Tempest you have rais'd Or I will make thee stranger to my Soul Ex. Constantine Crisp. Solus I am content if that some pittying Power Would make make me too a stranger to my self But hold my Heart a while till I have found her Yet there 's a lucid joy in these distractions To know he has not bedded her then had follow'd Her death and mine and consequent Damnation Yet lest she should consent I 'll haste and warn her When warn'd I 'll watch and if she after Yield Through Love or Fear to his Incestuous charms I 'll rush through all and stabb her in his Arms. Exit End 2d Act. The Third Act Scene 1st Enter Annibal and Serena Annib. IS this your Answer then You cannot love me This the Reward for Offers of my Blood And braving a stern Father to preserve you This the Effect of Crispus Eloquence To make his Friend a most untimely Grave For bear it as you please or laugh or grieve I will not be a Trouble to you long Seren. What shall I say Alas I might delude you Annibal Like other faithless Beauties of the Age But the Gods fram'd me of so plain a Temper I cannot hide my Thoughts Though to my undoing But something more there is if you could bear it To turn your desp'rate Love for ever from me Annib. Produce it then for what can Nature shew me Than Death more dreadful wilder than Despair Which now are my Familiars Seren. Take it Sir The only Secret of my wounded Soul I love I languish and despair like you Annib. What do you lovo another Seren. Love him to death nor does he know I love him Or if he did he would not make Return Annib. Can this be possible But where where is he That I may rush with all my Rage upon him And bear him with me to the other World Seren. Not for a thousand Worlds you must not hate him Annib. Plagues Curses on his Head Rage and Despair Is this then the Return of all my Vows To make my setting yet more deep in Blood But give me quick his Quality and Name Seren. His Name what after such Resolves of Vengeance Your Fate and mine should not compell it now Annib. What not to save my Life Seren. No for what Life can stand in Competition When his is threaten'd Better you and I And all the rest of humane Kind should perish Than he the Master-piece of Nature suffer And should you know him spite of your Resolves Sir you would kneel and worship too like me Annib. Show me the God then if I must adore Seren. No since you have sworn I should do ill to trust you Yet for his Preservation I must tell you When e're he dies Serena too shall bleed From the same hand the same Dispatch I crave And if at last one Monument we have What Joys can Life compare with such a Grave Exit Enter Arius with Crispus Picture Annib. Death Hell and Furies if my Sword have Charms Which never fail'd me yet I 'll find him out This Rival God And drive him from the World Ari. Ha! Goes it there Then to my Task Annib. Arius in Contemplation 'T were worth my while to spy Crispus Picture Forgive me Arius if I rob your Hand Of what 's so deep ingraven in my Heart For whom this pretty Present Ari. Your Pardon The Mystery is one of Loves great Secrets Annib. Crispus in Love and hide it from his Friend From Annibal that open'd all to him 'T was much unkind Arius I am concern'd And you must tell me where his Heart 's engag'd E're I return the Picture Arius Sir I am in haste And dare not tell her Name therefore I beg you She waits my coming Good my Lord she loves To that degree each Moments Stay is Death Therefore let me conjure you Annib. Thou dost but raise my Admiration more Therefore your Business or farewel Arius Stay Stay My Lord you are his Friend yet 't is a Breach Of Trust but since there is no other help And the fair Mistress of his Heart may pine To death upon the loss restore the Picture And take the Secret Sir her Name 's Serena Annib. Traitor thou ly'st and but thy Robe protects thee Should'st feel even now th' Effects of my Revenge Ari. To clear th' Alpersion hear it Sir your self And to Serena's Face I 'll justifie The Secret of her Love tho Crispus kill me Annib. By Heav'n thou dost recall a dreadful Image Of late I met him e're I made my Visit To Her thou hast nam'd and ask'd him of my Love He seem'd in haste his Answers were abrupt His Count'nance sad and thus in short return'd Hunt not the Bubble Beauty like a Boy Fall like a Man and let your Rest be Fame And so it shall If what thou say'st be true I 'll level him with Earth Arius What said you Sir Annib. Yet I will have more Proof she shall her self Be witness to the Fall of this high Virtue Then Friendship to the Winds like meeting Tides We 'll fight the Tempest out nor give it o're Till one lies dash't and broken on the Shore Exit Ari. Thus far the Devil is the best mounted yet And Heresie at last shall win the Race Enter Labienus and Eubolus Ha! Labienus here And my Eubolus We shall shortly govern Labi I met the Emperour of late alone Who ask'd for you Ari. I 'll instantly attend him Where is his Son Eubol. I left him with Dalmatius Ari. Unloading his sick Heart upon his Friend Enter Dalmatius and Crispus But see the Master Enemy's at
Ex. Arius Const. By an entire surrender of thy self To me Faust. To Crispus Const. By all thy former Oaths I swear to me Faust. I told you 't was impossible before And now confirm it Const. How Faust. I am married Const. Curses and Vengeance Married say by whom Faust. To Crispus Const. When Thou false one When And where Faust. Here in your Palace on that happy night Before you made your dreadful triumph Const. Dreadful indeed For now the wretch shall die Tho Angels pleaded Sylv. Emperor you have sworn Const. I know it Sir to spare the innocent blood But I will prove him now Faust. White as the Saints By all the powers of Heav'n and Earth I swear 'T was I that push'd the marriage Conscious before What I had sworn to you nay cast the Veil Of Modesty aside to make him sure And after Marriage you may ghess the rest Const. Oh Curses Vengeance Curses yet unthought Such Curses as thou wilt let fly at me When thou shalt see his Head beneath the Ax Even Womans Curses on thee Sylv. How Sir the Ax Enter Arius with Crispus Const. Dost thou not find the Traitor But see he comes Oh thou dissembler answer Didst thou not tell me when thy life was stak'd This marriage was not yet consummate speak Crisp. 'T is true dread Sir Const. Mark all he has confess'd His own mouth has condemn'd him he shall die Crisp. I own'd Sir I was marry'd but confess'd no further Const. How Traitor Did I not force the Question often Crisp. True Which I as often wav'd with low submissions Const. Yet those thy low submissions all were lies For well thou know'st thy subtle working wrought me To a satisfaction that thou hadst not possest her Crisp. That was alas my Crime Const. That Crime was Treason Purpos'd abuse A Plot upon thy Father Nay the whole Cozenage shows thee rank in sin Or Ha! How know I yet she is enjoy'd I have but thy word and her's and both are Traitors But see my Brother comes to joyn my Justice Enter Dalmatius Dalm. What Crispus here Const. Stay my Dalmatius stay Dalm. Your pardon Sir There 's one among you whom I cannot suffer And Crispus knows the Cause Exit Dalm. Crisp. Come back and hear it then Hear thou unhappy Father hear me own The murder which this Cursed hand committed That hand that slew the wretched Annibal Const. Annibal slain O Traitor And by thee Is murder added to thy Treason too Crisp. It shall not stand me Sir instead to say Mistaken Annibal forc'd me to his ruin For see I lay my Body at your Feet And plead for Death as others begg for Life Const. Cleanthes take him Crispus thou shalt die Therefore be this our fatal last farewell One struggle more His Mother 's in his Eyes Faust. And where 's his Father but in all his form His every grace his smiles All but his frowns So exact in Body Qualities of Mind That if you kill your Son you kill your self Oh therefore listen to the call of Nature And once more view him with an Eye of Mercy Const. I have lookt my last and now am Judg agen Cleanthes Take 'em both They 're both your Prisoners Crispus and Fausta Arius look you to ' em Keep 'em apart and wait me in my Closet What yet agen 'T is the last tugg of Nature And yet another Why that sigh uncall'd And these wet Eyes On if I longer stay My vows of Justice will dissolve away Ex. with Sylvester Manent Crispus Fausta Arius Guard Faust. Ruin on ruin let destruction come With all the wings of the most violent death Yet arm'd with Innocence I 'll face the Gorgon And brave his bloodiest Terrors But thy death My Crispus death my spirit cannot bear Therefore I have resolv'd and think not Crispus Think not thy tears shall move me from my purpose Crisp. Speak Fausta speak how come these Earthquakes here And these o'reflowings Why do the sighs redouble Faust. Because my dearest life my all my Crispus Soul of my Soul that 's martyr'd for thy Love I am resolv'd rather then see thy death To wed thy Father Crisp. Ha! Do I hear thee truly But speak agen for I 'll not trust my senses Faust. To wed him Crispus Crisp. Sorrow sure distracts thee Faust. No t is th' effect of reason That makes me desp'rate in this last resolve Crisp. No more of this Haste cast the poison up T is Hell that tempts thee to Eternal ruin Therefore if thou desir'st my spirit shou'd part In peace and leave my Love and blessing with thee Repent this last result of thy despair Lest I conclude thee false Faust. How false my Crispus Crisp. False to thy Vows unconstant to thy Love And that thy Soul unable for a ruin Chose rather to sustain an infamous life Then die with honor Faust. Oh I cannot bear it Crisp. Not when I begg thee with my latest breath Faust. Thy death my Dear And I the hated Cause Crisp. Therefore I Love thee And wou'd die agen For such another proof of thy affection Faust. As wrought thy death Crisp. Thy purpose was to save me And die thy self Therefore let 's fall together Be not cast down my Fair But raise thy Eyes Those watry setting Suns shine forth my Fausta And make our Love look beautiful in ruin Enter Souldier Arius The Emperor sends agen to have you parted Faust. Oh Crispus Whither now Crisp. To our long name Where purer Spirits drink immortal Air And thin clad Souls in flying Chariots move And give and take an everlasting Love Faust. Such Love grant Heav'n our meeting Souls betide Which no inhumane Father may divide Where at first sight our minds enlarg'd may spread Thro' all the space and know the mighty Dead Such is my hope But Crispus What my fear If I should seek But never find you there Crisp. One last Embrace Oh Fausta do not stain Our bliss with fears we ne're shall meet again Through all the Heav'n in all their Mansions blest To ev'ry Saint my Prayers shall be addrest Nor shall the happy tast a moments rest Till some kind Angel guides my wandring Eyes And shews me where thy charming spirit flies Then Crown'd with joys we never knew before We 'l waste the stock of Loves immortal store And cruel fate shall never part us more Exeunt End 4th Act. The Fifth Act Scene 1st Enter Dalmatius and Serena Seren. NOw Sir you have it all the whole sad story Of your unhappy Son his Love and mine Serena's Guilt and Crispus Innocence Therefore if you ask blood and would revenge him Here waits his Murdress for the stroak of death But hate not Crispus Hate not the Innocent Much less proceed to the Murder of your friend Your faultless guiltless too deserving friend The gentlest best of all the Imperial Race Dalm. No more There needs no more my Son is dead Eternal peace attend him A few sad drops And now no more
my Blessing never hope it Nor ever think of loving her again Crisp. Impossibilities Were you a God And doom'd me thus I could not Sir obey you For I have sworn to love her while I have Life And if I love her I must hope Enjoyment Const. Death then and Curses on thy Disobedience Off Villain Traitor grovel there on Earth What are you Plotters too nay then 't is time To haste his Ruine Ruine is thy doom And wing'd with all my Curses it shall come Ex. with Dalm. Sylvester Crisp. Dalmatius and Sylvester Call him back And I 'll renounce my Love Heav'n 't is too much But hark I hear a Voice cry Crispus come Come to the thoughtless Grave where all is still It shall be so up then and fall a Man Come forth thou Minister of others Fates And be thy Masters now Where art thou Fausta Where is my Love to close my dying Eyes Enter Annibal Annib. Ha Traitor Art thou then prepar'd for Death Crisp. Yes Annibal I will receive it calmly From any Hand but thine What have I done That he should call me Traitor Annib. Guard thy self Or else by Heav'n thou dy'st Crisp. Hold. Is 't possible so quickly Can the desire of Empire lose a Friend My Father I offended but not Thee Execute then the Ruine which he dooms Ungrateful Man I will not make Defence But spread my Arms t' embrace the Death he sends me Annib. What thou deserv'st from him I neither know Nor care resolv'd upon my own Revenge Not but I think the Man who did his Friend So horrible a Wrong as thou hast done Is fit for any Mischief Therefore guard thee Crisp. Never to fight with thee not tho my Father Should grant my Love Therefore I sheath my Sword Annib. Traytor Coward Crisp. Oh Annibal I know I am no Traytor And thou whose Life I have so oft preserv'd Know'st but too well I am no Coward Annib. Draw Draw then or perish By the Gods I 'll kill thee Strikes him with his Sword Be what thou wilt and take this to provoke thee Crisp. Well Annibal 'T is well Thou hast done well Yet thus much Villany am I content to bear No longer oh ungrateful for thy sake Who injur'st me yet will not tell the Cause But for thy noble Father I will spare thee Spare thee thus far so thou resolve to leave me Annib. Not yet Why then another Crisp. But the next Be mine Humanity can bear no further Annib. falls Annib. I have my Death and now my Heart relents Crisp. Cut off my Hand Annib. Crispus thou hast wrong'd me Crisp. Speak how and where Enter Serena Annib. See she comes to tell thee Serena Oh Serena Dies Crisp. Gone for ever Seren. Oh never to return and I alas Who could not love again the wretched Cause Crisp. The Cursed Cause Seren. Call me not Cursed Crispus Who think no Blessing equal to thy Love Crisp. Wert thou a Man by Heav'n such Love I bear thee I think that I should seek thee through the World To give thee Death Seren. Take then the Death you threaten Prepare to suffer by a Virgins hand Crisp. Kill me and I 'll forgive thee Annibal's Death But take this Sword yet reeking with his Blood And thrust it through my Heart Seren. Yet hold Serena What will become of him when thou art slain Kill himself last and that I would prevent Crisp. Why dost thou stay Enter Sylvester Silv. Crispus I come to tell thee Thy Futher will not hear us Seren. Take these Swords Sylvester bear 'em hence Without Reply or Crispus kills himself Away Sylv. Crispus Death I thank thee Heav'n that sent me to preserve him Exit Crisp. Why hast thou thus delay'd my Ruine Seren. To make thy Torments lasting Live that my Ghost and Annibal's may haunt thee Yet when I come believe for all my Threatnings My Soul shall seek thee in a gentle form Court thee to Cells and to the Garden shade And tell thee there what Love with us is made What Fires the Fiends for willfull Murder make And what my Spirit suffers for thy sake But hark I 'm call'd behold the Dead awake They wast me Crispus to the sleepy Shore And I shall never never see thee more Ex. Seren. Crisp. She 's gone and takes the means of Death too from me So what 's the next What have the Fates to add To my past Sufferings Lightning blast me Mountains fall on me gape to the Center Earth To hide me from my friend Enter Dalmatius Dalm. Why my dearest Crispus but alas In vain I urg'd thy Father deaf to all Our prayers remorsless rocky and unmov'd Yet think not but I press'd with all my Love Crisp. Therefore in great requital for thy Love Look there and let thy Blood congeal to Stone Behold thy Annibal butcher'd by this Hand Dalm. Cold cold my Boy Crispus Have I have I But I waste time by such unmanly wailing Take to thy Sword Crisp. Thou seest I 've none but strike Dalm. What could provoke thee to this horrid deed Crisp. His jealousie and Anger of the Heav'ns Jealous I robb'd him of Serena's Love He call'd me Traitor Coward strook me twice Before I drew than ran upon my Sword Dalm. Whatever happen'd I 'm a wretched Father And thou hast robb'd me of an only Child Therefore hereafter we no more are one Where e're I go I 'll ask before I enter If Crispus be not there that I may shun thee Therefore if thou hast any Gratitude For those kind offices which I have done thee Fly these sad Eyes as I will run from thine To moan my Son and howl my life away Ex. Dalmatius Crisp. Sol. And whither thou Thou heap of walking woe Thou that hast pull'd thy Father's Curse upon thee Kill'd thy best friend and ruin'd all that Lov'd thee Where will at last thy Cruel fortune drive thee Hence tear thy Robes And naked fly the World Unmantled to the Weather wander on To some dark wild where Sun-beam never shone Ex. Crispus Scene II. Enter Constantine Arius Fausta Sylvester Faust. COnsider Sir his Youth Const. I have consider'd all But find thy Love so rooted in my heart I must forgo my life or lose my Claim Yet mark how deep thy tears have wrought my temper If thou wilt swear to null my marriage with him By wedding me in publick and this night By making me thy Lord Faust. No Sir 't is impossible yet if you 'll swear To save your Son if I should prove him guiltless I 'll tell you wonders Sir which otherwise Not Racks shall e're compel Const. Forbid it Heav'n I should destroy the guiltless Tho strangers to my blood much less my Son Therefore I swear by Heav'n and all the Saints Prove Crispus innocent he shall not die Faust. Be witnesses Oh Arius and Sylvester What he has sworn Let Crispus strait be call'd And quitted of his Crime Run Arius haste That I may see the Royal friendship made
should I hide a secret from thee When I beheld him last He languished And wrung my hand at parting Crisp. But what said he Faust. I will not tell you Crispus till you answer What you would do with me my dearest Joy If it were true indeed your Father lov'd me Crisp. What at your parting ha Faust. Why if 't were true Would you forsake me Crisp. Be my own murderer I know not what but speak your parting Oh! Faust. Why are you so enrag'd I dare not tell you Crisp. If ought thou hid'st by Heav'n thou dost not love me Faust. By Heav'n I hope no other Heav'n but thee What if he talkt alittle Age will talk And think of it no more Trumpets ready for a Call Crisp. What was your talk I 'le know each syllable Faust. Why so you shall But then be calm What if he talk't of love And what Oh be not angry and I 'll tell you What if to save my life I promis'd him Crisp. Ha! promis'd Fausta Promise the Father and engage the Son But speak I stand upon a Precipice For if 't is true that e're so little past Of love before Faust. What then Crisp. And thou hast promis'd Faust. Suppose I have Sworn Crisp. Suppose then thy dishonour Suppose me never to behold thee more Suppose my death both Soul and Bodies ruin Faust. Suppose no more but what my Soul hath Sworn To love his Son none but the lovely Crispus O therefore clear thy brow and take me to thee Be still my love forgive this little fault And jealousie shall ne're offend thee more Crisp. O Charmer Beauty What! where was the need Why hast thou kept me on the Rack so long Tho taken down I feel the strains upon me And shall I fear too long But hark they call Trumpets And I must go Faust. But will you then return Crisp. Quick as thy wishes or my own desires But make no more such Tryal Hark again Trumpets again Faust. I cannot part with you tho for a moment Crisp. I 'll but enquire whether my Father 's come Faust. Swear to come back then Swean before you see him To give me one look more Crisp. What needs an Oath Before I speak with him Faust. You 'l speak with me For I have much to say of mighty moment Swear therefore to return Crisp. Swear on thy Lips Thus with my Heart I seal my Vows for ever Ex. Crispus Faust. Heart and the Holiest Vows deep writ in Blood Blood and dishonor Take then take my cause Thou that hast made me sin O mighty love And let thy Mother plead it with her Tears He sees his Father and my crime at once And then resolves never to see me more Enter Arius Call Dalmatius Crispus all Attendants Arius What then Faust. What then O Arius Dost thou know me And ask what then when he ne're sees me more I 'll tell the then I 'll never see the day Shades Night and Death Despair and Dungeons hold me When those dear Eyes shall never light me more Arius Since you enjoy'd him let the Tides of love Be swallow'd in the Ocean of Ambition Faust. Ambition Pomp and greatness of the World All empty sounds to love But thine 's a downward sense Thou hast no tast of these sublimer joys But haste look out Why comes he not again He swore he would but he has seen his Father Who stops him with my first unhappy Contract Arius I see him yonder Faust. Blessings on thy Tongue But I 'll run forth to meet him and no longer Conceal the Innocent deceit of Love Arius Hold Madam stay Dalmatius comes retire Faust. Dalmatius Let me see my self Arius They come Faust. Dalmatius Gods 't is He He tells him all Th' Emperor told it him Nay it must out I am lost undone But gentle Arius wait And watch and bring me word how Crispus beare it Oh that I were a Spirit to stand unseen To mark his passions how they rise and fall With every Glance of those dear dreadful Eyes But see they come and yet I cannot stir I grow distracted with my hope and fear Compell'd to go yet long to tarry here Ex. Fausta Enter Dalmatius and Crispus to Arius Dalm. I have much against you Crispus and you know it Therefore with all the freedom of a friend Tell me what is the cause you have not been So free as formerly Crisp. You know I am Dalm. I 'll press you Sir no more only remember There stands a Villain whom I have seen you whisper Ex. Arius Crisp. I 'll tell you all Dalm. You dare not Come there is a guilt at bottom You blush to own a Crime of such a nature As will admit no Pardon Thou hast sin'd Against the great Divinity of friendship Which my Soul takes to death Crisp. Can it be Ever too late to gain a Pardon here Dalm. I cannot tell Yet I can tell thee this There was a time not many days are past Since I preferr'd thy friendship to the World When I cou'd say Why yonder goes the Man Whom my Soul worships more then Constantine And Loves beyond my Son By Heav'n thy fault Is ominous and grinds my temper through Crisp. That Son you nam'd unhappily 's in Love Dalm. Then He 's a Fool. With whom Crisp. Maximians Daughter The younger Beauty Dalm. Ha! And you Love the Elder My life on 't some such masterly design This makes you shun the Camp to lurk beneath The Eeves of Palaces and droop in Corners But Sir your Pardon I almost forgot To urge your swiftest speed to wait your Father Crisp. I will but take my leave Dalm. I fear there is Too much already taken but no more If you have ought to say I 'll visit for you Crisp. Be all as you would have it Oh your hand Nay I will force my Entrance to your Heart By opening all my own and so farewell Ex. Crispus Dalm. I blame my friend for walking in the Dark Yet hide my self who when I seem most strange Am fondest of his Love So Sir What now Enter Anniball Annib. The fair Constantia with condemn'd Lycinius Drest in the saddest Glass of dying sorrow Was coming to entreat you for his Pardon But soon as she had heard from weeping Arius Her Husbands doom she in our Arms Expir'd Dalm. I mourn her Fate But for Lycinius I urg'd at first and still resolve his Death Is necessary to the Emperors life Nor should a few weak drops by Women shed Stop a Decree so Absolute and Royal. Annib. He comes attended with a mournful crowd To sue for life Dalm. I 'll have him Executed in their view Yes Anniball and shew thy Youth a pattern Of the old Romans for thy imitation Who hast but poorly Copy'd from thy Father Annib. Why Sir What Villain has traduc'd my Vertue Dalm. No Villain but thy Prince has own'd thy weakness And says thou Lov'st a Captive Foe of Rome Annib. The Virgin 's beautiful and greatly born Dalm.
hand Sculk to your Posts and â—ive in Mists a way Ex. Ari. Lab. Eub. Crisp. Now my Dalmatius now thou hast my Heart And make good use on 't if I ne're see thee more By Heav'n my Friend I have not hid a Point Of that sad Story that must make my Ruine Dalm. Would thou hadst told me half of it before I might have sav'd thee many a Sigh and Tear Pray Heav'n no worse come on 't but 't is no time T' upbraid thee now What wou'dst thou have me do Crisp. Perswade my Father from enjoying her For if that be to night as once he vow'd Thou shalt behold thy Crispus dead to morrow Dalm. And what of Fausta Crisp. I know not what That subtle false one that has thus deceiv'd me And with her charms ensnar'd my innocent Soul But I will hence Dalm. For what Crisp. To execute The Vows I made Dalm. Go then and kill her Crisp. Ha! Dalm. Kill th' Adulteress This incestuous Charmer And have her born in Triumph to thy Father Then tell thy Tragick story like a Man And greatly thus Atone for both your Crimes Crisp. Farewell I 'll find another way to end her Dalm. Tongue kill her go or swear and be forsworn Thou ne're wilt see her more Heav'n That a Man Born to the Empire of the World should dote On such slight stuff as Woman Crisp. See my Father Look thou to Him as I 'll be guard on Her Incest Dishonour To all future Ages Think Think on that and push him from his ruine Ex. Crispus Enter Constantine Sylvester Dalmatius Const. What say the People to the rumour spred Of my new Contract Sylv. All the Christians mourn And sicken in their Souls as if Heav'n warn'd The Earth of some unheard Calamity The Heathens on the other side rejoice And cry a Persecution is at hand Const. No matter to the point Knowst thou the man Whom Fausta Loves Sylv. I told you Sir before I would be dumb for ever on this Theam Const. Yet this implies thou knowst but wilt not show him All know him all all but he that shou'd For Crispus has confess'd Yet hides the name But I 'll find out one Less meriting respect whom Racks shall force Dalm. If you intend your Empires safety Sir Cast Fausta from your Bosom Turn her out Away with her far let her be Exil'd With all her race For Death is in her Beauty Const. My Brother offer this Death in her Beauty Dalm. Violent sudden Death Death to your Health and Ruine to your Glory Const. Perhaps he is the man Her Lover Yes And thus conceals his flame with Covert rage For else what Cause could thus provoke his Passion What is the Publick Interest here concern'd Their murmurings or their joys which with a nod My Power can hush By Heav'n there 's more at bottom And I will find it out Their looks betray e'm Priest Princes all engag'd and for some great one Enter Arius But hold here comes my Man Brother I 've thought And will consider further what you urg'd Against my Wife Dalm. We leave you to Heav'ns care And wish you to beware that waiting Fiend Ex. Dalm. Sylv. Const. So now your business Arius Arius Sir Const. Your business The Coast is clear be your Confession so And speak what all the Court have sworn to hide Arius Sir Labienus gave me your Commands That I shou'd wait Const. Dost thou dally with me Thou knowst the least of thy Enormous Crimes Deserve a lengthen'd death Think on thy Treason Atheism Blasphemies against the Highest Think on the purpos'd murther of my Brother Wrought by thy Charms thou damn'd one after this Let thy affrighted Soul despise my wrath And if she dares be dumb to my demands Arius What must I Answer Const. Give me Truth for Truth Once more then And this warning be thy last Show me the robber of my hearts repose Friend to my Crispus but his Fathers Foe The Conquering Rival of my ravish't Love Arius What has your Son reveal'd Const. He says she 's false but tells me not to whom Swears she 's foresworn And when I see him next I shall know more Arius What if you never see him Const. Why dost thou start a Question so unlikely Arius I cannot think he will betray his Friend He who betrays his friend betrays himself And rather than do that I judge he 'll leave your sight The Empire and his Love for ever Const. Love Arius Ha! His Love What Love To whom Arius Why Love to you What other Love shou'd Crispus entertain He has no Mistress sure Const. Thou seem'st to hint As if he had Mark thy foregoing words He who betrays his friend betrays himself By Heav'n Thou hast set my anxious Soul a' work For when thou saidst he has no Mistress sure Thy meaning was to make me think he had And that this Mistress could be none but Fausta Arius I hope dread Sir you will not wrest my words And Innocent thoughts to any evil purpose Const. What! at your tricks agen Be quick my Traitor And spread at once thy double Heart before me Dost thou not judge my Son his Father's Rival Arius If you would know my Heart indeed I do Const. Why what a Devil wert thou then to deny 't So pittifully play the Hypocrite And scrue that lying Face into a show Of Innocence When nature stampt thee for a Villain Arius Forgive me Sir if I avow 't was fear Not Villany that made me hide my thought Const. All fear but fear of Heav'n betray 's a guilt And guilt is Villany But let thy fear Produce what past betwixt the wicked pair Show me th' Adulteress and Adulterer Where how and when this Incest was Committed Who was the Instrument and Cursed Bawd And damn'd contriver of their horrid joys Arius Oh Heav'n Const. O Hell For there shalt thou be hurl'd And rost in Sulphur if Thou not tell me all Thou who perhaps thy self wer 't the Contriver The Bawd I nam'd and Instrument of their lust Arius Hold Sir And I 'll confess I 've seen your Son Oftner then I have wish'd attend your Fausta And seen him late from her Apartment come I 've heard him praise her long and when the praise Was finish'd sigh that he durst praise no longer At least I thought so but my thought 's no proof Const. No Arius not enough for Crispus Death But there 's enough to turn my Spirit from him To make me loath his form When next we meet From Head to Foot to measure him with my Eye Both as an Object of my scorn and hate Arius That Love has past betwixt 'em is past doubt But for enjoying Const. Knowst thou ought of that Arius Not I by Heav'n Const. Why didst thou start it then Arius Sir to be satisfi'd what you wou'd do Upon the demonstration Const. Both shou'd bleed Both dye as sure as we are living Arius For him 't were sacriledge to think to save him
we know You are not so far gone to lose all Temper Your Hopes and Fears your broken Resolutions Are Symptoms all of a most noble Nature Where Judgment seems half sunk but not quite drown'd Const. Why this I can alledge as well as you I know the Lawrels which I 've worn so long Must wither If my Son should find a Grave My present Fame and Glory too hereafter Is all upon the hazard But what then I see the Storm before me threatning Wrack I see the Shelves but who can point the Shore Syl. Cast over-board the Casket of your Love I know 't is precious but 't will sink you Sir Divorce her Sir and give her to your Son Const. For go my Fausta 't is impossible Dalm. Nothing 's Impossible to a Mind resolv'd But pass beyond Sylvester's mild Remonstrance And ease your Love by Death by Fausta's Death When she is past Recall you 'll love no more Envy no more Const. If that could be resolv'd The Conquest were a great one Dalm. The more you think the more the Thought will strike you See but the difference of Counsellors What Colours good and bad can give to Reason Had Arius stay'd by this time you had doom'd Your Son to Death who now have gain'd the Conquest Const. Would half were gain'd yet since the Start was noble I 'll try to win in this Olympick Race Tho hilly all the way and at the Gole The Summit touches Heav'n Dalm. Urge the Necessity she or Crispus dies Th' innocent Crispus or the guilty Fausta That after all her Vows could thus deceive you Deceive you both Who if your Son were dead No doubt as quick would practise with another Const. By Heav'n why not She that could swear and was Forsworn may swear and be forsworn again Oh! I remember now with what a Look An Angel-look she vow'd Dalm. Yet with that Look This Angel like a Devil drew in your Son Methinks the very grossness of the Cheat Should make you loath her Const. Ha! Dalm. Detest and scorn her Const. Scorn on her Scorn and Death Disdain succeed By Majesty by Empire she shall bleed Silv. Banish her Caesar. Dalm. No Sir Death or nothing Banish her to day and she 'll be here to morrow Down with her down dwell on her perjur'd Vows When the same Breath that swore her yours for ever Dam'd her anothers Const. Arius bring her forth She dies I 'll sweat and bleed but I will conquer Call call my Son Henceforth but name a Woman 'T is Treason to my Ear Why what a Plague Might she have here engender'd Forc'd a Father To put his guiltless Son to horrid Death Dalm. Royally urg'd By Heav'n 't was ever thus Where Women had to do Therefore behold her As a Gangreen to the State Const. And cut her off Dalm. The Bane of Empire Const. And the Rott of Power Yet there I 'll stay and fix my Imagination On all their Mischiefs Murders Massacres And Seas of Blood they have spilt in former Ages Woman no more And when my Heart is going Sound but that Name the pow'rful spell shall bind Beyond Circean and Aegyptian Charms 'T will raise the lowest Devils up in swarms Unhinge the Globe and put the World in Arms. Woman that dooms us all to one sure Grave And faster damns than Providence can save Exit Enter Constantine and Fausta Const. Fausta thou art'false forsworn Faust. I say so too Const. Therefore shalt dye Faust. I have no other Wish Const. What not to live If I should pardon thee Faust. That were Life indeed To gain your Pardon and to live for Crispus Const. No Wretch remember as you swore to me I now return it is impossible Yet thou shalt dye for Crispus Faust. And not with him Sir Const. No I 've decreed That thou shalt dye to save him Faust. But have you Sir decreed to love him too On Fausta's Death Const. I have Faust. Oh! then the Gods Have heard my Pray'rs which next to living for him Was still to dye to save him Faust. Yet grant me Sir in Death One last Farewel Const. No thou hast look'd thy last Faust. Yet you may let 'em bear me by his Window If it be possible to snatch a Glance And not delay my Execution Sir Const. She weeps and there is Magick in her Tears I shall weep too Bring forth the Poison Haste She shall not stay the making of a Bath What Arius Ari. Sir Const. Give her the Poison Haste and see her dye Faust. Stay Sir come back I have no load upon me But what you all may know give me the Bowl I 'll drink it for my Love Alas my Lord Methinks one last farewel had not been much But since you judge it Sir unfit I 'll die Without complaining Therefore tell my Love That my last Pray'r was for his life and yours Const. Hold Fausta Arius take the Poison from her And bring the Bath My Son shall see her die Call Crispus hither since her Fates decreed 'T were just he shou'd be harden'd with the view She weeps agen And with the trick unmans me Spite of my vows she works my Lyon Heart And melts me into Love How fares my Fausta Faust. Sir Const. Thy hand before we part for ever Fausta I am lost I 'm vanquish't With a touch o'recome Dalm. Wake Sir Where are you Const. Ha! Dalm. Sylvester's here And Crispus waits Const. Why then she dies agen Haste Bring him in bring him to my relief The earning of a Father comes upon me And my Soul longs to meet him Fausta turn Turn thy bright Eyes on death And carry fires To scorch new Worlds but warm the old no more For here 's the rising Sun to eclipse thy beams Enter Crispus with Sylvester O Crispus Who that has beheld our distance That infinite space that passion cast betwixt us Would e're have thought we thus should meet agen Crisp. What can be added Heav'n to such a kindness Const. What Crispus What indeed to make it lasting See'st thou that fair one Crisp. Sir you give me hopes Tho dash't with fears But hold perhaps I have to death offended For sinning but in wish A dawning joy Shines in her Eyes and revels in her smiles Which seem to tell me we shall both be happy Const. Would'st thou be happy in thy Fathers Love Crisp. Judge me you Powers if that be not my thought The utmost reach of my extended Soul Which knows no other wish but Fausta's Love Const. And that 's the Love which you by my example Must learn to hate Crisp. To hate Sir What Const. Hate thy Love Or what 's all one to bear the effect of hate Her execution here before thy Eyes Crisp. My Fausta's death Scene draws Arius Labienus Eubolus with a Bath Const. Behold the Poison'd Bath Crisp. For me I am ready Sir Haste Launch my Veins You that are destin'd here for my Destruction Unrobe me haste Const. None touch him on your lives They
may as safely Launch their Emperor As wound his Son But Fausta must prepare There is no other way to reconcile us Crisp. Then hold me Sir at everlasting distance Cast me agen for ever from your sight Banish me Curse me as you did before But make not Fausta's death the Cursed cause To save this Villains life This hangman Traitor Nay Coward that can live and hear her threatned Faust. My Love my Lord Blame not thy noble Father Nor Curse thy self for this was all my seeking Crisp. Thy seeking Ha! And seekest thou my embraces After the base dishonor thou hast done me Hence from my Arms Faust. I will not I will hold thee To my last gasp and grasp thee after death Why push me yet agen Nay strike me Crispus I will not leave thy Bosom Crisp. See he 's going By my blest Mothers Soul let me come at him Const. Arius see it done All Prayers are vain some of you break his hold Crisp. Dalmatius and Sylvester will not sure And for the rest let me but see who dares Const. Their Emperor commands 'em help to force him I charge thee Crispus leave me And dare not by this willfulness provoke me Crisp. I have no willfulness But these stubborn Tears Hear my last sighs For groans quite choak my words My Fausta's life Or break my heart before you Faust. Sir do not hear him snatch your self away And leave us here I 'll hush him e're I die And send him weeping to you for his Pardón Const. He sees 't is vain And has let go his hold Withdraw yet Brother we 'll observe unseen I do not like this sudden fullenness Fausta farewel Arius dispatch No more Exeunt Crispus Arius Fausta Executioners Faust. Now Crispus Now my Dear wilt thou forgive me This glorious Conquest of Triumphing Love Crisp. No By my Soul and by my hopes of Heav'n Not at thy parting groan will I forgive thee But rather Curse the hour when first I saw thee Curse our first Kisses Marriage and Embraces Unless thou joyn me Ha come forwarder With Arius joyn me to provide some means That I may bear thee company in Death If this thou dost deny me by the Saints By all our Loves I swear thou never Lov'st me Arius By Heav'n my Lord I pitty you and if Faust. If Arius What Thou wilt not joyn his madness Crisp. Hark Arius By our friendship I conjure thee For I have sworn I will not eat nor drink Tho I survive this hour Arius I have the means Crisp. A Dagger Blessings on thee Give 't me I say Faust. Arius thou art a Villain Crisp. I 'll tell my Father that I forc'd it from thee Faust. Keep Keep it from him or I 'll tell the Emperor 'T was you that first betray'd him to my Love And Marry'd us Arius Hold Madam Let me begg you Crisp. Now Love I am for thee Faust. No! I 'll call the Emperor Oh that damn'd Villain Traitor Devil Arius Help there without Crispus is Murder'd Help Arius Nay then 't is time to fly Constatine meets him 〈…〉 est Const. Yes Fiend to Hell Where thou shalt make thy Damn'd account In with him Cast the unblooded Villain in the Bath Which he prepar'd for others Throw him in Arius Hold Sir the Bath's not Poison'd Const. How Arius Compassion for your Emprèss Made me contrive this only way to save her Const. Thou hast done well Yet in with him to try Arius Hold Sir And I 'll confess it is it is 'T is Poison'd Pardon Const. Down with him keep him down Till he be dead Then give him to his Slaves The Bath sinks with him O Crispus Why Why dost thou Eye me thus With snatch'd regards Why dost thou Eye thy Father Now looking on thy Dagger now on Fausta As if 't were possible to deny her still Crispus Deny her Why Sir Mean you then to give her Const. Or let me stand a Curse to after Ages It is the hand of Heav'n not mine that gives her The Treasons of the perjur'd Arius So turn my Soul and quite reduce my reason That I will give her thee without a Pang Take her my Son And with her all the blessings And all the Love my loaded Bosom bears The Dews of Heav'n and these thy Fathers Tears Crisp. Oh Joys Faust. Oh Heav'n Crisp. Fausta Faust. Crispus Caesar Crisp. Father But let us prostrate as a God approach him Thou glorious Image of the Deity What shall we answer Const. Crispus Fausta Nothing Nothing but rise and take me in your Arms. Thus brooding o're you with a fruitful Joy I prophecy by my example led Such Love and peace thro' all the World shall spread And Roman Arts that British Isle adorn Where Helena Deceas'd and I was Born While Crispus thus to Fausta's Love I give And both for ever in my Bosom live Ex. Omnes FINIS