and gratitude is blest To Leontina The secret's yours and I should be ingrate Without your leave to claim my Father's state No 't were in vain whate're I undertake Even truth it self you can imposture make I may say more the Empire 's yours not mine Which from you I 'le receive and here resign Her title at least as mine must prove as good Since it was purchas'd with her Brothers blood Exit ACT II. SCEN. III. Leontina Eudoxia LEON MY Plot now ripe I must no more conceal My deep design but all to thee reveal For you may help to perfect my intent Phocas by Martian must to death be sent T was for that cause I gave him a reprieve And that Act done he should no longer live But for Pulcheria's sake whom he doth love A Mistress with a Throne must strongly move EVD To kill his Father Madam 's an offence With which nor Love or Empire can dispence LEON His kill'd the common Father of us all T is just that he by his own Son should fall EVD T is just to him but unjust to his Son LEON He shall not know he 's such till it be done But pass still for Leontius son to me And so by both their deaths Heraclius free EVD I know the guiltie Father merits death But that so brave a Son should stop his breath To me looks horrid though he know it not His so great fame will have a lasting blot LEON It is not fit a bloudie Tyrants son Should wear that Glorie he as mine hath won Enter Page Exuperius comes to kiss your hand LEON Exuperius I am at a stand That name surprizes me what makes he here How this new Visitant revives my fear He hates the Tyrant for his Fathers bloud Of tattling still I tell you comes no good ACT II. SCENE IV. Exuperius Leontina Eudoxia EXVP MAdam Heraclius is discover'd Leontina to Eudoxia Now Eud If I Leontina to Eudoxia Peace But since when or where or how to Exup EXVP By me just now Leont And he is doom'd to die EXVP The Tyrant yet knows not the Mystery LEONT Mystery Exup Madam he comes you need not fear LEONT None but my Son Leontius does appear ACT II. SCEN. V. Martian taken for Leontius Exuperius Leontina Eudoxia EXVP MAdam you need no more put on disguise We by a Paper now are all made wise MARTIAN taken for Leontius Madam you know and best can understand If this be feigned or Mauritius hand Whether it disabuse or more delude Pray clear what yet hath great incertitude I cannot be your Son and yet his too If any know the Caracter you do Gives her a Paper She reads LEONTINA hath deceived PHOCAS and by delivering one of her Sons to death preserved mine to inherit the Empire You that remain faithfull Subjects honour and assist so great Vertue HERACLIVS lives under the Name of LEONTIVS LEON He tels you true Sir you were in my hands When Phocas entred with his Rebel bands Seiz'd on the Emp'rour let him only live To see his children die more grief to give I past all hope you longer to conceal To save your life I did my self reveal Offer'd my Son to Phocas in your stead Gave you the name of him that now is dead For whom these tears he was your sacrifice And from his death your life and greatness rise Nature though then struck dead by duties force Does now revive and cause this briny source Weeps a while Phocas thus ravish'd with deluding joy Heaps favoure on me and on you a Boy favours so great some said my Son and I Did seem with him to share his Tyranny This Sir I thought not fit for to declare Till you had got so great a name in war That all might judge your birth must needs be great Since so much merit claim'd the highest seat And this great news that makes the Tyrant fear Must prove a truth when you your self appear MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius But Madam that you have conceal'd all this Though it seem well I feel what is amiss LEON I did not know all that the Emp'ror knew Things done long since men may suspect not true My testimony rests on your strong arm Else what design'd ' gainst him may prove our harm EXVP The Emp'ror forc'd to see his own Child die To Leontina Became a witness of your Policy And did design to hinder your intent But th' Executioner did that prevent After a little pleas'd to think his Son Might right the wrongs to him and his then done He told it Felix and this Paper gave Who gave it me that put him in his grave Call'd it a Legacy that might dethrone The Tyrant under whom the world did groan Arm'd with this secret I desir'd to know Who would with me the danger undergo The People now are up our friends assemble The Tyrant from his fears and guilt doth tremble Shew but your self do but our forces lead As he my Fathers I 'le take off his head I secretly gave out that you yet live But where or how did no suspicion give All that are honest love Mauritius ' Name Those that are not yet having miss'd their aim Seek in their discontent to bring you in What they call'd just before they now call sin MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Surpriz'd with a discourse so new and strange Wonder not that you see my passions change I know how great a debt to you I owe That to Mauritius ' Heir such love did show I ow'd you as your Son my life before And if not yours my obligation 's more But how can I my gratitude declare When this strange story breeds a Civil-war You know I love your story makes my flame Which was my glorie now appear my shame Incest to love a sister what 's a Throne When she that can command all hearts is gone My love thus murmurs and my heart must break Pardon distraction how or what to speak to Exuperius Dutie and Honour yet doth me command To give a Chief ' to your illustrious Band. Justice requires that one thing must be done Though Phocas perish yet preserve his Son He has no guilt but that he 's of his bloud The Fathers ill cannot out-weigh his good EXVP To your commands we shall obedience pay Hast Sir to those that with impatience stay Exit EXVP ACT II. SCEN. VI. Martian taking himself for Heraclius Leontina Eudoxia MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius MAdam though you have made a strange discourse That both my faith and reason seems to force Yet since 't is you my faculties submit To credit any thing that you think fit Though others this reserve might jealous make You did of Martian's love advantage take To raise your dear Eudoxia to the Throne And that the cause this secret's so late known Or that you thought it was enough for me That I from you derive my Pedigree But 't were in me a crime this to believe Yet have you done what
for which he now must bleed It is his boast his pride your self shall see to Heras Who scorns our mercie would not pitied be But what is that which I must not believe My apprehension begs thee to relieve The doubt I labour in of what she meant When faith unto thy words she would prevent Hast thou some new some greater crime disclos'd HERAC taken for Martian More than by any else can be depos'd points at Exup More than Mauritius saw more than he knows PHO. Perfidious wretch this day to death she goes Speak HERAC taken for Martian T is a secret of no common weight Before the Pris'ner I will all relate PHO He 's here but speak not for him I command ACT IV. SCEN. III. Phocas Heraclius taken for Martian Martian taking himself for Heraclius Exuperius and Guards HERAC taken for Martian THat Sir were vain for me to take in hand I rather beg that justice may be done Condemn Heraclius so preserve your Son Shall it be granted PHO T is what I desire Thy safety doth indeed his death require MART. taking himself for Herac. Without regret I saw approaching Fate But you to sentence me with so much hate I never knew you till my death I see HERAC taken for Martian I never less than now was known to thee Hear me blind Father and more blinded Prince My honour must your ignorance convince Thy Friends thy enemies Phocas sever thus He is thy Son and I Heraclius MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius My Lord what say ye HERAC I must not conceal What honour to preserve thee hids reveal Phocas by Leontina twice deceiv'd And she so cunningly her web hath weav'd By change of names she causeth their mistakes And a false Martian of Heraclius makes PHO. Mauritius Note the Contradiction gives Vnder LEONTIVS Name HERACLIVS lives HERAC I grant the Note true then now 't is not so I did Sir by Leontius name then go But though the Emp'rour what he saw did leave He could not what 's done since he ceas'd to breath Within short time began your Persian war Lasted three years you still from home so far And all that while your Wife too being dead Leontine as she pleas'd our child-hood bred To trace me out a way unto the Throne Made me your Son took Martian for her own And the resemblance Infants then may have Favour'd her so you took the Child she gave This known Compassion made me longer stay And not attempt my right a bloody way But seeing by this error he must die That sav'd my life it now were base if I Should not assume my name his only guilt My life and honour in his blood are spilt I beg not Sir that you make less your hate Behold an enemy expects his fate I ask but what you promis'd should be done Condemn Heraclius Preserve your Son MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius To Phocas Admire thou Father art of such a Son Admire the reputation he hath won He this invents from Generositie Would die himself in hopes to set me free To Heraclius T is true too much for what by me was done I sav'd your life by which I honour won Yet lost not mine but you to save my breath Do throw your self into the arms of death And if acknowledgments you owe to me Then let me Son unto the Emp'ror be Rob not my name which I count glorious Fearing to be ingrate be not injurious PHO. How many troubles breeds this strange dispute Neither themselves nor others they confute Which to believe now which is in a lie To Exup EXVPERIVS T is so perplext that only time must trie PHOCAS The Note if true the rest like truth doth show EXVP Who knows whether that rest be true or no. PHOCAS Leontine twice may have deceived me EXVP Chang'd them or chang'd them not either might be I am more Sir than you circled with doubt And cannot find which way I shall get out HERAC T is not to day that I learn'd who I am My actions witness I have known my Name These four years and have us'd my best address To gain Eudoxia shunning the Princess Which but I knew that I was not your Son You may imagine I would not have done This caution Leontina did impart MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius What Leontina HERAC Even she MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Strange Art Martian loves Eudoxia she doth abuse Him by pretended horror to refuse The Match you aim at that your Daughter may Have to the Throne by that refusal way This error does assure her of his Vows Ambition all deceitful waies allows Nor had the truth to me been ever known Unless the Emp'rors Letter you had shown To Exup PHO She does abuse him too as well as me EXVP Which she abuses yet I cannot see PHO. Dost thou not see the Daughter 's in the plot EXVP T were better Sir for her that she were not PHO Are all things ready for their punishment EXVP Which is the guilty which the innocent HERAC Can you make doubt after what I have said MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Will you by what is false be longer led HERAC Frind give me back my Name the favour 's small Since I would have it but to die withall With it I could to you my title give But that the owner must no longer live MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius And why would you my Tyrant's Victim be When your death laies a greater stain on me I did who e're I am his death design And different fate our names the plot assign What in Heraclius is a brave attempt From Parricide in Martian's not exempt Since I may guiltie or illustrious die Blast not your friend with so much infamy To right the world on Phocas I aspire And you my Fathers death make me conspire HERAC My Name is only faulty leave dispute Quit that to thee no guilt they can impute T is that conspires wirhout the help of friends Heraclius dying all the danger ends Be but his Son and live MART taking himself for Heracl Had I been such That Traitor in one word had said too much of Exup to Phocas When to kill you he had perswaded me From that Act Natures force had set me free HERAC Know then my heart's desire did thine fore-run By her kept back thy life had else been done To Pho. MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius For Leontina could not then abide That Martian should become a Parricide HERAC Consider cooly what she mov'd you to To love Pulcheria and kill Phocas too Each Act each Name in you would horrid prove This a Parricide that incestuous love Could she then scruple at a crime of mine That either way in you did one design I was the object of her love and care Which by her words most plainly doth appear Why should you hazard wherefore undertake Since MARTIAN's danger shall you Emp'ror make These were her Reasons all she did or said Was to preserve me for
the Daughters bed Yet stayd to see how your attempts would fall If fit she then me Emperor would call PHO How shall I know which of these two is mine I only finde my ruine both design My fate is sad who now can counsel give I have my Enemie yeâ— let him live Out of my hands I know he cannot make I see him yet I know not which to take Nature doth tremble and astonisht grow Uncertain which way to direct my blow Th' Assassine seen yet in my heart is hid Nature when I should kill him does forbid Martian Both turn from him Martian none to that name will answer give Will neither own me one from me did live What is it Nature then what can this mean Am I the only Actor in this Scene Can I a Father be without a Son What to be thus forsaken have I done Nature forsake me too or tell me how This Labyrinth of doubt I may get through Or do not speak at all or let me know Which I must cherish or which count my foe But thou most cruel whosoere thou art That wilfully to both procures this smart Is my crown then thy death more shame to thee The dead more than the living happie be Two Sons Mauritius gains him to succeed Rather than mine will me he 'l chuse to bleed I justly then thy honours envy must Both scorn my glory to embrace thy dust ACT IV. SCEN. IV. Phocas Heraelius Martian taking himself for Heraclius Exuperius Crispus Leontina Guards and Attendants CRISPVS OUr search is not in vain she 's found at last PHO. Success was alwaies better far than hast HERAC Madam confess for I have told him all LEON All what PHO As if you knew not what we call You hither for Tell me which is my Son LEON What makes you doubt well what is' t I have done HERAC His Son now laies a title to my Name A Note by you attested makes his claim PHO Stay not for torture think not to denie You chang'd my Son and gave yours up to die LEON I gave my Son to die and 't is my glory Wouldst thou believe should I tell all the story If to deceive thee it was then my will How canst thou know I will not do so still PHO However shew us where the Reason lay Why from the one until this very day You kept the secret and yet four years since You had imparted all unto the Prince LEON Yet one 's thy Son the other Emperour Strike if thy hate can overcome thy fear Thou tremblest by thy love thy fear thy rage And which to satisfie darst not ingage Strike strike since one is but thy Son T is like a wager may be lost or won T is fit all Tyrants should be in thy case To fear an Enemy in their own Race Thy Son thou in thy Enemy shalt love Half Tyrant and half Father only prove And all that time in vain thy study spend To punish thee is one part of my end Phocas chafes Since from me only knowledge can be had Thou wilt not kill me till I make thee mad Then thou mayst do it not before i 'm sure Thy doubts and fears there 's none but I can cure PHOCAS Thou forcest me to that which I am loath They both shall die since I 'm deny'd by both LEONT Those Mutiniers that now give thee Alarms Would reach thy head shouldst thou cut off thy Arms. PHO I justly punish both though neither know One's sure Heraclius th' other would be so LEONT I should be pleas'd 't were a most happie hour To see thee cut those props support thy power Proceed and make thy resolution good Strike let instinct inform which is thy blood PHO. What strange acknowledgments are these from thee Since thou hast shar'd even my Authority Pho. flatters Committed to thy care my only Son Yet give him back and all my anger 's done LEON Should I do so yet neither thee would own They death prefer before a Tyrant's Throne Admire the vertue which this trouble breeds So brave Plants rais'd from such accursed seeds No Age could ever boast of greater worth These Acts my better Precepts have brought forth If they by thy Example had been taught Their honours had been sold their safety bought Heaven hath afforded them a better fate Than to have had thy vice to imitate Thus I 've return'd more than thou didst for me Purging their blood from thy impuritie EXVP Impostors impudent and proud still be Lies are the weapons gain them victorie I have another way to make her know What she to Truth and Majestie does owe Spight of th' obscuritie of her delusion I shall make clearâ— what 's now confusion Since Sir I have begun I will conclude Or if I fail forfeit my dearest blood If to my custodie you 'l her commit I 'le spread such nets shall catch her female wit There 's none so fortified of all her kind But have some fit place to be undermin'd PHO. O my best friend take all the ways you please Even to torment her so you give me ease But yet I think 't is flattery must gain She is ambitious give her hopes to raign But what need I my thoughts to you reveal All things are less nothing above your zeal The service you have done can only be Out-gone by what you now design for me This while I mean to take 'em both apart And try the utmost of perswasive art Nature in private may more aptly move And Mine be softned by a Father's love Bring 'em away Exeunt Phocas c. ACT IV. SCEN. V. Exuperius Leontina EXVP NOne can hear and I must Unto your faith commit the greatest trust And that you may the better credit give Know 't is resolv'd that Phocas shall not live LEON Yes to reward that base officious zeal That sells thy Father does thy Prince reveal EXVP You by appearance judge and so mistake LEON They do indeed who you for honest take EXVP That which to you doth falsehood seem as yet LEON Is but a knack of State a trick of wit EXVP How can you judge since yet you do not know What our designs are which way we will go But I will tell you how our plot is laid And that we should fall off be not afraid Our injuries are Rapes Oppressions Blood Our Prince to be restor'd the chiefest good We that were once disfavoured and disgrac'd Remov'd from Court are thus in credit plac'd And that which to you treachery doth seem Is a sure way our honour to redeem LEON Others may credit give to what you 've said I have no faith for you at least 't is dead EXVP You have much reason from that faith may grow LEONT Not from such seeds as you did lately sow EXVP You know how strong and watchful are his Guard All entrance to his hated person barr'd Till now that I have such opinion won I am confided in beyond his Son 'T was my pretended zeal
Heracl You who were alwaies great alwaies so bred Should to the conquest of your self be led Is not so strange great hearts have great designs When lower souls at hard things still repines Pardon that in Heraclius yet may be As poor Leontius left and you shall see What ever this dares say the other do It shall become revenge his birth and you To the Conspirators I 'le add new fire Honour's and your fame nobler thoughts inspire May I of one request the freedom use PVLC I neither can dislike it nor refuse MARTIAN taken himself for Heracl The Tyrant now in you will miss his ends The Crown no longer on your match depends Since then you cannot me a Husband make Martian accept and love him for my sake PVL Since not your wife I justly might deny With any other man that knot to tie Yet some perhaps might call this to my shame A guilty warmth of a remaining flame Therefore to cure all doubts I this demand That as my Emp'ror you the match command His worth is great his person I can love But first his Father must the victim prove To purge his blood this done I 'le him accept But whil'st he lives the marriage I reject MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Rather your marriage you should now declare When Phocas dies they Martians life will spare Your interest will protect him from all harm And in that hope my self and friends I 'le arm PVL Shall I my self then Phocas daughter make I then his interest do undertake How shall I pray that your designs may speed And wish to see my Husbands Father bleed It were a kind of parricide in me Marriage deferr'd from all this sets me free I justly hate the Father though the Son By your command has fair acceptance won Think then what 't is that you perswade me to A match that poor Pulcheria would undoe For should not now your enterprize succeed In me they 've title to the Crown indeed 'T is Phocas blood that must prepare my way Without that cleansing there 's no wedding day ACT III. SCEN. II. Phocas Mart. taking himself for Herac. Crispus Exuperius Amintas Pulcheria her Women Guards and Attendants PVLCH SEE Brother where he comes what shall we doe MARTIAN taking himself for Heracl I am betray'd here 's Exuperius too PHO What discourse have you now with the Princess O' th' marriage I intend MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius 'T is that I press PHO Does she incline prevail you for my Son MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius I have her promise Sir it shall be done PHO 'T is not a little won on her hard heart But when MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius That secret she does not impart PHO Tell me then one that is of greater worth 'T is said that you can bring Heraclius forth If you love Martian let me know him too MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius You know him but too well and him I do pointing at Exuperius EXVPERIVS I serve my Prince who duty does deserve MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius And well thou doest thy promises preserve PHO I have a note here that does give some hint But 't is obscure there 's much of riddle in 't And for the meaning I am come to you Leontius MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Call me Heraclius too Leontius is no more nor do I need To hear my sentence I 'm prepar'd to bleed PHO. And well thou may'st expect it whose attempt From treason and fowl murther's not exempt MART. taking himself for Heracl 'T was what I ought to serve and let thee raign Both to my name and birth had bin a stain My Fathers blood cries lowd to me for thine Which I 'd not spare shouldst thou the Crown resign Death I expect nay rather death desire Since of our courage 't is the greatest trier That death I fear'd not I have shown for thee That thy Son lives the thanks belong to me PHO This allegation is but weakly made Leontius sav'd my Son that debt 's well pay'd Heraclius then methinks should find some shame To beg more payment in another name But grant you sav'd my Son you would kill me Though calld a Tyrant yet I just will be I owe thee for his life thou me for mine Leons shall scape but justice forfeits thine Against a Princes life there 's nothing weighs Treason deserves death noble Acts just praise MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Which you but pay unto my borrowed name But know your Tyranny shall build my fame I as Heraclius by my death will shew What to my honour and my birth I owe Make that so glorious that my subjects shall Grieve for my loss rejoice to see thee fall PHOCAS Well we shall see your courage the next room May cool your heat there you shall know your doom MART taking himself for Heracl Madam farewel but know my latest breath Shall be to those that can prevent your death Exit with Crispus and Guards ACT III. SCEN. III. Phocas Pulcheria Exuperius Amintas Guards and Attendants PHOCAS NOr canst thou hope fond fool to alter me Having thy Brother there 's no fear of thee No more constrain my self for thy love plead One stroke abates thy pride takes off his head Do not restrain thy self come vent thy Gall No words to ease thy heart then tears must fall PVLC I grieve I weep I well might so have done Had he appear'd less than our Father's Son I am so pleas'd with all that he did do That though his Sister I 'm his Lover too PHOCAS Dissemble not freely express your heart From me you scarce can hide it by this Art Will you to save so dear a Brothers life Lay by your hate and be my Martians Wife PVL Think'st thou thy policies can ever gain Me to consent to what I so disdain My bloud to save his life I 'le sacrifice But so to give my hand my honour dies PHO Well then he dies thy cruelty's the cause Whose pride contemns both Love and Natures Laws PVL Thou that my crueltie dost thus upbraid For thy own crueltie mayst be afraid Though human vengeance scarce can reach thy head There 's thunder yet above to strike thee dead Nor dost thou know some Brother yet of mine To punish thee the Grave may now resign Or he might scape thy hands by some device More subjects there might be both stout and wise And thou shalt never know that he does live Till by thy death he thee assurance give If no such be I make my self a prize And all my youth and greatness sacrifice For whosoere can take away thy life The worlds Plague deserves the greatest Wife PHO Strange Spirit PVLC Go kill Heraclius or think that I Do hope to save him by this policy Be not deceiv'd importune me no more Since I can say but what was said before If you grant this I will safe counsel give If you would reign we both must die or live Exit Pulcheria
ACT III. SCEN. IV. Phocas Exuperius Amintas Guards and Attendants PHO. WIth what delight such menaces I hear Small danger in vain words there does appear But I have power to make my threatnings good Punish her scorns in her dear brothers blood You my true friends that thus have eas'd my pain I fear'd your hate but now your love 's made plain Rest not till you make perfect your design For to your judgments I my will resign Shall we in secret give Heraclius death Or on a publick seaffold stop his breath EXVP What is the fittest is the best for you In publick Traitors still should have their due A private death would politick appear Not just and we more Hydra's heads might fear The Mutineers may say he is not dead And raise some other Traitor in his stead PHO. Then in the Palace-yard 't is best he die Our Guards about us for securitie EXVP Not in your own Court Sir Should it be done But in the face of all before the Sun Where justice us'd to be and so declare That publick Acts should not be mixt with fear PHO Then at the time that he gives up his breath We 'l shew his Note the just cause of his death EXVP That Sir avails not after twenty years Mauritius ' hand unknown to all appears But if the storm now you will lay indeed When publickly this Pageant-Prince shall bleed Make him acknowledge who he is and cry It is HERACLIVS People you see die PHO I am resolv'd it shall be as you say And Leontina shall the same debt pay I 've made her great her plots I now mistrust Who make their Prince fear make their own death just But Mutineers may force 'em from our hands EXVP What are those People to your well-arm'd bands None Sir will dare the least resistance show Who 's in disgrace there 's but few friends will know A little pitty as he goes along Oft curiosity does make a throng Rare sights the people love but none will be So mad to stir if so he dies by me Yet what you do should soon be put in act Let them not meet to talk about his fact Seize all convenient places through the Town And place such Guards as you know are your own For us we are ingag'd to see him die Lest if he live we lose our lives thereby Since 't is our dutie brings him to the block Our courage shall sustain the fiercest shock PHO It is enough I on your zeal relie And this may help to quell all mutiny I go to perfect this so great affair And leave your friends assembling to your care The work once done look you for such reward As so great Faith and courage hath deserv'd Exit Phocas and Attendants ACT III. SCE. V. Exuperius Amintas EXVP WE are in favour friend and all command AMINT. Why so great joy I scarce can understand Falshood and Treason are not things to boast What is our greatness when our honour 's lost EXVP True to the Generous it is not great Why we engag'd I need not now repeat We shall find waies yet to recover all And raise our honour by this present fall Come let us go this pain we must endure If honour bleeds blood may our honour cure Exeunt ACT IV. SCEN. I. Enter Heraclius Eudoxia HERAC WIth reason you her dangers apprehend Now she appears but a mistaken Friend If she flie not no hope but she must die T will justice seem in him not crueltie Eudoxia not for her I grieve but thee She justly is betray'd that betray'd me EVD Can you believe her hate to you was such When her Sons life for yours was not too much HERACLIVS To her imposture I must give that name She stayd those actings that might raise my fame And by her cunning and a false report My Name and Right to Martian doth transport Approves that Letter in my Fathers Name Entitles him to th' Empire which I claim In this there was no love no policie Since he must reign or else must die for me EVD Had she decry'd that Letter as a lie Your secret then had been reveal'd thereby She doubted Sir as by the issue now Her just suspicion you may well allow Arm'd then with something yet to make you reign More than is known or that Note could contain Had she not turn'd the blow on Martian's head You that mistake her service had been dead HERAC No matter which I Martian too much owe If one must die to suffer him to go Though none discover me my self I must To my brave friend and honour be so just This only difference Martian can I see Betray'd I wretch'd die glorious for thee EVD Ah! Sir will you so rash an action do Betray your self and give me my death too What hast the Tyrant yet doth nothing know Will you the object of his furie show HERACL Your love to what 's my dutie makes you blind Who doth not love my honour is unkind He by my Name is sure to suffer death And shall I by his Name preserve my breath If by the errour he might live and reign It might be born he by my loss might gain T were a low baseness longer to conceal Such a mistake as honour bids reveal EVD Oh Sir it is not that which I desire Your honor 's mine mean thoughts would quench my fire Arm arm your self Sir to preserve his life Make Phocas die his death will end all strife Rekindle what my Mother quencht before And from my love and courage make it more Take to the Empire now a Soldiers way If you meet Death tell him I for him stay HERAC Th' Occasion 's lost Martian now goes for me And by his pris'n our friends dispersed be Since all do take him for Heraclius They 'l think it a foul Parricide in us Some few that love my person well may rise But spight of them and us still Martian dies And when his death gives Phocas victorie What force can I expect should join with me Then speak no more your love must not retard His life my honour are of more regard Whether I reign or whether I must die I 'le trust my vertue for a Victorie ACT IV. SCENE II. Phocas Heraclius taken for Martian Eudoxia Exuperius Guards and Attendants PHOC shewing Eudoxia to his Guards TO prison with her till her Mother appear HERAC Has she a share PHO. That will be found ne'r fear T is fit that we do seiz her she may peach And help to draw the Mother within reach EVDOXIA to Phocas going off Believe not any thing that he shall tell PHOCAS to Eudoxia Follow your counsel yes 't were very well Exit Eud. with a Guard To Heraclius Her tears thy pity no way do deserve Wouldst thou thy greatest Enemies preserve No no I 'm sure when all their guilt is known Thou neither wilt their love nor persons own Bring in the Pris'ner tortures we not need To his Guard To find the crime