see A Great Man tumble but they must be talking Cass. The Spirit of King Philip in those Arms We saw him wear pass'd groaning through the Court His dreadful Eye-balls rowl'd their horrour upwards He wav'd his Arms and shook his wondrous Head I 've heard that at the crowing of the Cock Lions will roar and Goblings steal away But this Majestick Air stalks stedfast on Spight of the Morn that calls him from the East Nor minds the op'ning of the Iv'ry Door Phil. 'T is certain there was never Day like this Cass. Late as I musing walk't behind the Palace I met a monstrous Child that with his Hands Held to his Face which seem'd all over Eyes A Silver Bowle and wept it full of Blood But having spy'd me like a Cockatrice He glar'd a while then with a shriek so shrill As all the Winds had whistled from his Mouth He dash'd me with the Gore he held and vanished Pol. That which befell me though 't was horrid yet When I consider it appears ridiculous For as I pass'd through a by vacant place I met two Women very old and ugly That wrung their Hands and howl'd and beat their Breasts And cry'd out Poyson when I askt the cause They took me by the Ears and with strange force Held me to Earth then laugh'd and disappear'd Cass. O how I love destruction with a Method Which none discern but those that weave the Plot Like Silk-worms we are hid in our own Weft But we shall burst at last through all the strings And when time calls come forth in a new Form Not Insects to be trod but Dragons wing'd Thess. The Face of all the Court is strangely alter'd There 's not a Persian I can meet but stares As if he were distracted Oxyartes Statira's Unckle openly declaim'd Against the Perjury of Alexander Phil. Others more fearful are remov'd to Susa Dreading Roxana's rage who comes i' th' Rear To Babylon Cass. It glads my rising Soul That we shall see him Rack'd before he dies I know he loves Statira more than Life And on a Crowd of Kings in Triumph born Comes big with expectation to enjoy her But when he hears the Oaths which she has ta'ne Her last adieu made publick to the World Her vow'd divorce how will remorse consume him Prey like the Bird of Hell upon his Liver Pol. To bawk his Longing and delude his Lust Is more than Death 't is Earnest for Damnation Cass. Then comes Roxana who must help our Party I know her jealous bloody and ambitious Sure 't was the likeness of her Heart to mine And Sympathy of Natures caus'd me love her 'T is fixt I must enjoy her and no way So proper as to make her guilty first Pol. To see two Rival Queens of different humours With a variety of Torments vex him Enter Lysima Hephest. Cass. Of that anon but see Lysimachus And the young Favourite sort sort your selves And like to other Mercenary Souls Adore this Mortal God that soon must bleed Lys. Here I will wait the King's approach and stand His utmost anger if he do me wrong Heph. That cannot be from Power so absolute And high as his Lys. Well you and I have done Pol. How the Court thickens Trumpets sound Cass. Nothing to what it will Does he not come To hear a thousand thousand Embassies Which from all Parts to Babylon are brought As if the Parliament of the whole World Had met and he came on a God to give The infinite Assembly glorious audience Enter Clytus Aristander in his Robes with a Wand Arist. Haste Reverend Clytus haste and stop the King Clyt. He is already entred then the Press Of Princes that attend so thick about him Keep all that wou'd approach at certain distance Arist. Though he were hem'd with Deities I 'de speak to him And turn him back from this Highway to Death Clyt. Here place your self within his Trumpets sound Lo the Caldean Priests appear behold The sacred Fire Nearchus and Eumenes With their white Wands and drest in Eastern Robes To sooth the King who loves the Persian mode But see the Master of the World appears Enter Alexander all kneel but Clytus Heph. O Son of Jupiter live for ever Alex. Rise all and thou my second self my Love O my Hephestion raise thee from the Earth Up to my Breast and hide thee in my Heart Art thou grown cold why hang thine Arms at distance Hugg me or else by Heaven thou lov'st me not Heph. Not Love my Lord break not the Heart you fram'd And moulded up to such an Excellence Then stamp'd on it your own Immortal Image Not love the King Such is not Womans love So fond a friendship such a sacred flame As I must doubt to find in Breasts above Alex. Thou dost thou lov'st me Crown of all my Wars Thou dearer to me than my Groves of Lawrel I know thou lov'st thy Alexander more Than Clytus does the King no Tears Hephestion I read thy Passion in thy Manly Eyes And glory in those Planets of my Life Above the Rival Lights that shine in Heaven Lys. I see that Death must wait me yet I 'le on Alex. I 'le tell thee Friend and mark it all ye Princes Though never mortal Man arriv'd to such A height as I yet I wou'd forfeit all Cast all my Purples and my conquer'd Crowns And dye to save this Darling of my Soul Give me thy Hand share all my Scepters while I live and when my hour of Fate is come I leave thee what thou meritest more than I the World Lys. Dread Sir I cast me at your Royal Feet Alex. What my Lysimachus whose Veins are rich With our illustrious Blood my Kinsman rise Is not that Clytus Clyt. Your old faithful Souldier Alex. Come to my hands thus double Arm the King And now methinks I stand like the dread God Who while his Priests and I quaff'd sacred Blood Acknowledg'd me his Son My Lightning thou And thou my mighty Thunder I have seen Thy glittering Sword out-fly Celestial Fire And when I cry'd Be gone and execute I 've seen him run swifter than starting Hinds Nor bent the tender Grass beneath his Feet Swifter than Shadows fleeting o're the Fields Nay even the Winds with all their stock of Wings Have puff'd behind as wanting Breath to reach him Lys. But if your Majesty Clyt. Who would not lose The last dear drop of Blood for such a King Alex. Witness my elder Brothers of the Skie How much I love a Souldier O my Clytus Was it not when we pass'd the Granicus Thou didst preserve me from unequal force It was when Spithridates and Rhesaces Fell both upon me with two dreadful stroaks And clove my temper'd Helmet quite in sunder Then I remember then thou didst me service I think my Thunder split him to the Navel Clyt. To your great self you owe that Victory And sure your Arms did never gain a nobler Alex. By Heaven they never did for well thou
is more pleasure More satisfaction that I thus dye yours Then to have liv'd anothers Grant me one thing Alex. All all but speak that I may execute Before I follow thee Stat. Leave not the Earth Before Heav'n calls you spare Roxana's life 'T was Love of you that caus'd her give me death And O sometimes amidst your Revels think Of your poor Queen and e're the chearful Bowl Salute your lips crown it with one rich tear And I am happy dyes Alex. Close not thy eyes Things of Import I have to speak before Thou tak'st thy Journey tell the Gods I 'm coming To give 'em an account of life and death And many other hundred thousand policies That much concern the Government of Heav'n O she is gone the talking Soul is mute She 's hush'd no voice no Musick now is heard The Bower of Beauty is more still then Death The Roses fade and the melodious Bird That wak'd their sweets has left 'em now for ever Rox. 'T is certain now you never shall enjoy her Therefore Roxana may have leave to hope You will at last be kind for all my sufferings My torments racks for this last dreadful murder Which furious Love of thee did bring upon me Alex. O thou vile creature bear thee from my sight And thank Statira that thou art alive Else thou hadst perish'd yes I wou'd ha' rent With my just hands that Rock that Marble heart I wou'd have div'd through Seas of bloud to find it To tear the cruel Quarry from its Center Rox. O take me to your arms and hide my blushes I Love you spight of all your cruelties There is so much Divinity about you I tremble to approach yet here 's my hold Nor will I leave the Sacred Robe for such Is ev'ry thing that touches that blest Body I 'le kiss it as the Relique of a God And Love shall grasp it with these dying hands Alex. O that thou wert a man that I might drive Thee round the world and scatter thy Contagion As Gods hurl mortal Plagues when they are angry Rox. Do drive me hew me into smallest pieces My dust shall be inspir'd with a new fondness Still the Love-motes shall play before your eyes Where e're you go however you despise Alex. Away there 's not a glance that flies from thee But like a Basilisk comes wing'd with death Rox. O speak not such harsh words my Royal Master kneels Look not so dreadful on your kneeling Servant But take dear Sir O take me into Grace By the dear Babe the burden of my womb That weighs me down when I wou'd follow faster My knees are weary and my force is spent O do not frown but clear that angry brow Your eyes will blast me and your words are bolts That strike me dead the little wretch I bear Leaps frighted at your wrath and dyes within me Alex. O thou hast touch'd my Soul so tenderly That I will raise thee though thy hands are ruine Rise cruel woman rise and have a care O do not hurt that unborn Innocence For whose dear sake I now forgive thee all But hast be gone fly fly from these sad eyâ—â— Fly with thy pardon lest I call it back Though I forgive thee I must hate thee ever Rox. I go I fly for ever from thy sight My mortal Injuries have turn'd my mind And I cou'd curse my self for being kind If there be any Majesty above That has Revenge in store for perjur'd Love Send Heav'n the swiftest ruine on his head Strike the Destroyer lay the Victor dead Kill the Triumpher and avenge my wrong In height of Pomp while he is warm and young Bolted with Thunder let him rush along And when in the last pangs of life he lyes Grant I may stand to dart him with my eyes Nay after death Persue his spotted Ghost and shoot him as he flies Exit Alex. O my fair Star I shall be shortly with thee For I already feel the sad effects Of those most fatal Imprecations What means this deadly dew upon my forehead My heart too heaves Cas. It will anon be still aside The poyson works Pol. I 'le see the wish'd effect aside E're I remove and gorge me with Revenge Enter Perdiccas and Lysimachus Perd. I beg your Majesty will pardon me A fatal Messenger Great Sysigambis hearing Statira's death Is now no more Her last words gave the Princess to the brave Lysimachus but that which most will strike you Your dear Hephestion having drank too largely At your last Feast is of a surfeit dead Alex. How dead Hephestion dead alas the dear Unhappy Youth But he sleeps happy I must wake for ever This object this This face of fatal Beauty Will stretch my lids with vast Eternal tears Who had the care of poor Hephestion's life Lys. Philarda the Arabian Artist Alex. Fly Meleager hang him on a Cross That for Hephestion But here lies my Fate Hephestion Clytus All my Victories for ever folded up In this dear body my Banners lost My Standards Triumphs gone O when shall I be mad Give order to The Army that they break their Shields Swords Spears Pound their bright Armour into dust away Is there not cause to put the World in mourning Tear all your Robes he dies that is not naked Down to the wast all like the Sons of sorrow Burn all the Spires that seem to kiss the Skie Beat down the Battlements of every City And for the Monument of this lov'd Creature Root up those Bowers and pave 'em all with Gold Draw dry the Ganges make the Indies poor To build her Tomb no Shrines nor Altars spare But strip the shining Gods to make it rare Exit Cas. Ha! whither now follow him Polipercon Ex. Pol. I find Cassander's Plot grows full of Death Murder is playing her great Master-piece And the sad Sisters sweat so fast I urge ' em O how I hug my self for this Revenge My fancy 's great in mischief for methinks The night grows darker and the lab'ring Ghosts For fear that I should find new Tortures out Run o're the old with most prodigious swiftness I see the fatal Fruit betwixt the Teeth The Sieve brim-full and the swift Stone stand still Enter Polipercon What does it work Pol. Speak softly Cas. Well Pol. It does I follow'd him and saw him swiftly walk Toward the Palace oft times looking back With watry eyes and calling out Statira He stumbl'd at the Gate and fell along Nor was he rais'd with ease by his Attendants But seem'd a greater load then ordinary As much more as the Dead out-weigh the Living Cas. Said he nothing Pol. When they took him up He sigh'd and enter'd with a strange wild look Embrac'd the Princes round and said he must Dispatch the business of the world in hast Enter Philip and Thessalus Phil. Back back all scatter with a dreadful shout I heard him cry I am but a dead man Thes. The poyson tears him with that height of horrour That I could
she not well what none none answer me Or is it worse Keep down ye rising Sighs And murmur in the hollow of my Breast Run to my Heart and gather more sad Wind That when the voice of Fate shall call you forth Ye may at one rush from the Seat of Life Blow the Blood out and burst me like a Bladder Heph. I wou'd relate it but my courage fails me Alex. If she be dead That if's impossible And let none here affirm it for his Soul For he that dares but think so damn'd a Lye I 'le have his body straight empal'd before me And glut my Eyes upon his bleeding Entrails Cass. How will this Engine of unruly Passion Roar when we have rain'd him to the Mouth with Poyson Alex. Why stand you all as you were rooted here Like senseless Trees while to the stupid Grove I like a wounded Lion groan my griefs And none will answer what not my Hephestion If thou hast any love for Alexander If ever I oblig'd thee by my care When my quick sight has watch'd thee in the War Or if to see thee bleed I sent forth cryes And like a Mother wash'd thee with my tears If this be true if I deserve thy Love Ease me and tell the cause of my disaster Heph. Your mourning Queen which I had told before Had you been calm has no Disease but Sorrow Which was occasion'd first by jealous Pangs She heard for what can scape a watchful Lover That you at Susa breaking all your Vows Relaps'd and conquer'd by Roxana's Charms Gave up your self devoted to her Arms. Alex. I know that subtle Creature in my Riot My Reason gone seduc'd me to her Bed But when I wak'd I shook the Circe off Though that Enchantress held me by the Arm And wept and gaz'd with all the force of Love Nor griev'd I less for that which I had done Than when at Thais suit enrag'd with Wine I set the fam'd Persepolis on Fire Heph. Your Queen Statira took it so to heart That in the Agony of Love she swore Never to see your Majesty again With dreadful Imprecations she confirm'd Her Oath and I much fear that she will keep it Alex. Ha! did she swear did that sweet Creature swear I 'le not believe it no she is all softness All melting mild and calm as a rock'd Infant Nor can you wake her into cryes by Heaven She is the Child of Love and she was born in smiles Par. I and my weeping Mother heard her swear Sys And with such fierceness she did aggravate The foulness of your fault that I cou'd wish Your Majesty wou'd blot her from your breast Alex. Blot her forget her hurle her from my bosome For ever lose the Star that guilds my Life Guide of my Days and Goddess of my Nights No she shall stay with me in spight of Vows My soul and body both are twisted with her The God of Love empties his golden Quiver Shoots every Grain of her into my heart She is all mine by Heaven I feel her here Panting and warm the dearest O Statira Sys Have patience Son and trust to Heaven and me If my Authority or the remembrance Of dead Darius or her Mothers Soul Can work upon her the again is yours Alex. O Mother help me help your wounded Son And move the Soul of my offended Dear But fly haste e're the sad Procession's made Spend not a thought in a reply Be gone If you wou'd have me live and Parisatis Hang thou about her Knees wash 'em with Tears Nay haste the breath of Gods and eloquence Of Angels go along with you O my heart Exeunt Sys and Par. Lys. Now let your Majesty who feel the Torments And sharpest Pangs of Love encourage mine Alex. Ha. Clyt. Are you a Mad-man is this a time Lys. Yes for I see he cannot be unjust to me Lest something worse befall himself Alex. Why dost thou tempt me thus to thy undoing Death thou should'st have were it not courted so But know to thy confusion that my word Like destiny admits not a reverse Therefore in Chains thou shalt behold the Nuptials Of my Hephestion Guards take him Prisoner Lys. I shall not easily resign my Sword 'Till I have dy'd it in my Rivals blood Fight Alex. I charge you kill him not take him alive The dignity of Kings is now concern'd And I will find a way to tame this Beast Clyt. Kneel for I see the Lightning in his Eyes Lys. I neither hope nor ask a pard'n of him But if he shou'd restore my Sword I wou'd With a new violence run against my Rival Alex. Sure we at last shall conquer this fierce Lion Hence from my sight and bear him to a Dungeon Perdiccas give this Lion to a Lion None speak for him fly stop his Mouth away Clyt. The King 's extremely mov'd Eum. I dare not speak Clyt. This comes of Love and Women 't is all madness Yet were I heated now with Wine I shou'd Be preaching to the King for this rash Fool. Alex. Come hither Clytus and my dear Hephestion Lend me your Arms help for I 'm sick o' th' sudden I fear betwixt Statira's cruel Love And fond Roxana's Arts your King will fall Clyt. Better the Persian Race were all undone Heph. Look up my Lord and bend not thus your Head As you wou'd leave the Empire of the World Which you with toil have won Alex. Wou'd I had not There 's no true joy in such unweildy Fortune Eternal gazers lasting troubles make All find my spots but few my brightness take Stand off and give me air Why was I born a Prince proclaim'd a God Yet have no liberty to look abroad Thus Palaces in prospect barr the Eye Which pleas'd and free wou'd o're the Cottage fly O're flow'ry Lands to the gay distant Skie Farewel then Empire and the Racks of Love By all the Gods I will to wilds remove Stretch'd like a Sylvan God on Grass lye down And quite forget that e're I wore a Crown ACT III. Enter Eumenes Philip Thessalus Perdiccas Lysimachus Guards Eum. FArewell brave Spirit when you come above Commend us to Philotas and the rest Of our great Friends Thes. Perdiccas you are grown In trust be thankfull for your noble Office Perd. As noble as you sentence me I 'd give This Arm that Thessalus were so imploy'd Lys. Cease these untimely jarrs farewell to all Fight for the King as I have done and then You may be worthy of a death like mine Lead on Enter Parisatis Par. Ah my Lysimachus where are you going Whither to be devour'd O barbarous Prince Cou'd you expose your life to the King's rage And yet remember mine was ty'd to yours Lys. The Gods preserve you ever from the ills That threaten me live Madam to enjoy A nobler fortune and forget this wretch I ne're had worth nor is it possible That all the bloud which I shall lose this day Shou'd merit this rich sorrow from your eyes Par.
rebellious wretch thou art not now That soft belov'd nor dost thou share my bloud Go hide thy bafeness in thy lovely Grot Ruine thy Mother and thy Royal House Pernicious Creature shed the innocent Bloud and Sacrifice to the King's wrath The lives of all thy people fly be gone And hide thee where bright Virtue never shone The day will shun thee nay the Stars that view Mischiefs and Murders deeds to thee not new Will start at this Go go thy crimes deplore And never think of Sysigambis more Exit Rox. Madam I hope you will a Queen forgive Roxana weeps to see Statira grieve How noble is the brave resolve you make To quit the world for Alexander's sake Vast is your mind you dare thus greatly dye And yield the King to one so mean as I 'T is a revenge will make the Victor smart And much I fear your death will break his heart Stat. You counterfeit a fear and know too well How much your Eyes all Beauties else excell Roxana who though not a Princess born In Chains cou'd make the mighty Victor mourn Forgetting pow'r when Wine had made him warm And senseless yet even then you knew to charm Preserve him by those arts that cannot fail While I the loss of what I lov'd bewail Rox. I hope your Majesty will give me leave To wait you to the Grove where you wou'd grieve Where like the Turtle you the loss will moan Of that dear Mate and murmur all alone Stat. No proud Triumpher o're my falling state Thou shalt not stay to fill thee with my Fate Go to the Conquest which your wiles may boast And tell the world you left Statira lost Go seize my faithless Alexander's hand Both hand and heart were once at my command Grasp his lov'd neck dye on his fragrant breast Love him like me which cannot be exprest He must be happy and you more then blest While I in darkness hide me from the day That with my mind I may his form survey And think so long till I think life away Rox. No sickly Virtue no Thou shalt not think nor thy Loves loss bemoan Nor shall past pleasures through thy fancy run That were to make thee blest as I can be But thy no thought I must I will decree As thus I 'le torture thee till thou art mad And then no thought to purpose can be had Stat. How frail how cowardly is woman's mind We shriek at Thunder dread the rustling wind And glitt'ring Swords the brightest eyes will blind Yet when strong Jealousie enflames the Soul The weak will roar and Calms to Tempests roul Rival take heed and tempt me not too far My bloud may boyl and blushes shew a War Rox. When you retire to your Romantick Cell I 'le make thy solitary Mansion Hell Thou shalt not rest by day nor sleep by night But still Roxana shall thy Spirit fright Wanton in Dreams if thou dar'st dream of bliss Thy roving Ghost may think to steal a kiss But when to his sought Bed thy wandring air Shall for the happiness it wish'd repair How will it groan to find thy Rival there How ghastly wilt thou look when thou shalt see Through the drawn Curtains that Great man and me Wearied with laughing joys shot to the Soul While thou shalt grinning stand and gnash thy teeth and houl Stat. O barb'rous rage my tears I cannot keep But my full Eyes in spight of me will weep Rox. The King and I in various Pictures drawn Clasping each other shaded o're with Lawn Shall be the daily Presents I will send To help thy sorrow to her Journeys end And when we hear at last thy hour draws nigh My Alexander my dear Love and I Will come and hasten on thy ling'ring Fates And smile and kiss thy Soul out through the Grates Stat. 'T is well I thank thee thou hast wak'd a rage Whose boiling now no temper can asswage I meet thy tides of Jealousie with more Dare thee to dwell and dash thee o're and o're Rox. What wou'd you dare Stat. Whatever you dare do My warring thoughts the bloudiest tracts persue I am by Love a Fury made like you Kill or be kill'd thus acted by despair Rox. Sure the disdain'd Statira does not dare Stat. Yes tow'ring proud Roxana but I dare Rox. I tow'r indeed o're thee Like a fair Wood the shade of Kings I stand While thou sick Weed dost but infect the Land Stat. No like an Ivy I will curl thee round Thy sapless Trunk of all its pride confound Then dry and wither'd bend thee to the ground What Sysigambis threats objected fears My Sisters sighs and Alexander's tears Cou'd not effect thy Rival rage has done My Soul whose start at breach of oaths begun Shall to thy ruine violated run I 'le see the King in spight of all I swore Though curst that thou mayst never see him more Enter Perdiccas Alexander Sysigambis Attendants c. Perd. Madam your Royal Mother and the King Alex. O my Statira O my angry dear Turn thine Eyes on me I wou'd talk to them What shall I say to work upon thy Soul Where shall I throw me whither shall I fall Stat. For me you shall not fall Alex. For thee I will Before thy feet I 'le have a Grave dug up And perish quick be buried straight alive Give but as the Earth grows heavy on me A tender look and a relenting word Say but 't was pity that so great Great a man Who had ten thousand deaths in Battels scap'd For one poor fault so early shou'd remove And fall a Martyr to the God of Love Rox. Is then Roxana's love and life so poor That for another you can chuse to dye Rather then live for her what have I done How am I alter'd since at Susa last You swore and seal'd it with a thousand kisses Rather then lose Roxana's smallest charm You wou'd forgo the Conquest of the world Alex. Madam you best can tell what Magick drew Me to your charms but let it not be told For your own sake take take that Conquer'd World Dispose of Crowns and Scepters as you please Let me but have the freedom for an hour To make account with this wrong'd Innocence Stat. You know my Lord you did commit a fault I ask but this repeat your crime no more Alex. O never never Rox. Am I rejected then Alex. Exhaust my Treasures Take all the Spoils of the far conquer'd Indies But for the ease of my afflicted Soul Go where I never may behold thee more Rox. Yes I will go ungratefull as thou art Bane to my life thou torment of my days Thou murd'rer of the world for as thy Sword Has cut the lives of thousand thousand men So will thy tongue undo all woman-kind But I 'le be gone this last disdain has cur'd me And I am now grown so indifferent I could behold you kiss without a pang Nay take a Torch and light you to your Bed But do not trust me no
their care With richest Cordials for an hour or more Recover Life Cass. Knowing how much she lov'd I hop'd to turn her all into Medea For when the first gust of her grief was past I enter'd and with breath prepar'd did blow The dying Sparks into a Towring flame Describing the new love he bears Roxana Conceiving not unlikely that the Line Of dead Darius in her Caufe might rise Is any Panthers Lionesses rage So furious any Torrents fall so swift As a wrong'd Womans hate Thus far it helps To give him troubles which perhaps may end him And set the Court in universal uproar But see it rip'ns more than I expected The Scene works up kill him or kill thy self So there be mischief any way 't is well Now change the Vizor every one disperse And with a face of friendship meet the King Exeunt Enter Sysigambis Statira Parisatis Attendants Stat. Give me a Knife a draught of Poyson flames Swell heart break break thou stubborn thing Now by the sacred Fire I 'll not be held Why do you wish me Life yet stifle me For want of Air pray give me leave to walk Sys Is there no reverence to my Person due Darius wou'd have heard me trust not rumour Stat. No he hates He loaths the Beauties which he has enjoy'd O he is false that great that glorious Man Is Tyrant midst of his triumphant spoils Is bravely false to all the Gods forsworn Yet who would think it no it cannot be It cannot What that dear protesting Man He that has warm'd my Feet with thousand sighs Then cool'd 'em with his tears dy'd on my Knees Outwept the Morning with his dewy Eyes And groan'd and swore the wondring Stars away Sys No 't is impossible believe thy Mother That knows him well Stat. Away and let me dye O 't is my fondness and my easie Nature That wou'd excuse him but I know he 's false 'T is now the common talk the news o' th' World False to Statira false to her that lov'd him That lov'd him cruel Victor as he was And took him bath'd all o're in Persian Blood Kiss'd the dear cruel Wounds and wash'd 'em o're And o're in Tears then bound 'em with my Hair Laid him all Night upon my panting Bosome Lull'd like a Child and hush'd him with my Songs Par. If this be true ah who will ever trust A Man again Stat. A Man a Man my Parisatis Thus with thy hand held up thus let me swear thee By the eternal Body of the Sun Whose Body O forgive the Blasphemy I lov'd not half so well as the least part Of my dear precious faithless Alexander For I will tell thee and to warn thee of him Not the Springs Mouth nor Breath of Jesamin Nor Violets Infant sweets nor opening Buds Are half so sweet as Alexander's Breast From every Pore of him a perfume falls He kisses softer than a Southern Wind Curles like a Vine and touches like a God Sys When will thy Spirits rest these transports cease Stat. Will you not give me leave to warn my Sister As I was saying but I told his sweetness Then he will talk good Gods how he will talk Even when the joy he sigh'd for is possest He speaks the kindest words and looks such things Vows with such Passion swears with so much grace That 't is a kind of Heaven to be deluded by him Par. But what was it that you would have me swear Stat. Alas I had forgot let me walk by And weep a while and I shall soon remember Sys Have patience Child and give her liberty Passions like Seas will have their Ebbs and Flows Yet while I see her thus not all the losses We have receiv'd since Alexander's Conquest Can touch my hardn'd Soul her sorrow reigns Too fully there Par. But what if she should kill her self Stat. Roxana then enjoys my perjured Love Roxana clasps my Monarch in her Arms Doats on my Conquerour my dear Lord my King Devours my Lips eats him with hungry Kisses She grasps him all she the curst happy she By Heav'n I cannot bear it 't is too much Rises I 'le dye or rid me of the burning torture I will have remedy I will I will Or go distracted Madness may throw off The mighty Load and drown the flaming Passion Madam draw near with all that are in presence And list'n to the Vow which here I make Sys Take heed my dear Statira and consider What desperate Love enforces you to swear Stat. Pardon me for I have considered well And here I bid adieu to all Mankind Farewel ye Cozners of the easie Sex And thou the greatest falsest Alexander Farewel thou most belov'd thou faithless Dear If I but mention him the Tears will fall Sure there is not a Letter in his Name But is a Charm to melt a Womans Eyes Sys Clear up thy griefs thy King thy Alexander Comes on to Babylon Stat. Why let him come Joy of all Eyes but the forlorn Statira's Sys Wilt thou not see him Stat. By Heav'n I never will That is my Vow my sacred Resolution And when I break it Kneels Sys Ah do not ruine all Stat. May I again be flatter'd and deluded May sudden death and horrid come instead Of what I wish and take me unprepar'd Sys Still kneel and with the same Breath call agen The woful Imprecation thou hast made Stat. No I will publish it through all the Court Then in the Bowers of great Semiramis For ever lock my woes from human view Sys Yet be perswaded Stat. Never urge me more Lest driv'n to rage I should my Life abhor And in your presence put an end to all The fast Calamities that round me fall Par. O angry Heav'n what have the guiltless done And where shall wretched Parisatis run Sys Captives in War our Bodies we resign'd But now made free Love does our Spirits bind Stat. When to my purpos'd loneness I retire Your sight I through the Grates shall oft desire And after Alexander's health enquire And if this Passion cannot be remov'd Ask how my Resolution he approv'd How much he loves how much he is belov'd Then when I hear that all things please him well Thank the good Gods and hide me in my Cell Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. Noise of Trumpets sounding far off The Scene draws and discovers a Battel of Crows or Ravens in the Air an Eagle and a Dragon meet and fight the Eagle drops down with all the rest of the Birds and the Dragon flies away Souldiers walk off shaking their Heads The Conspirators come forward Cass. HE comes the fatal glory of the World The headlong Alexander with a Guard Of thronging Crowns comes on to Babylon Though warn'd in spight of all the Pow'rs above Who by these Prodigies foretell his ruine Pol. Why all this noise because a King must dye Or do's Heav'n fear because he sway'd the Earth His Ghost will war with the high Thunderer Curse on the babling Fates that cannot
The King I know is bent to thy destruction Now by command they forc'd me from his knees But take this satisfaction in thy death No Power Command my Mothers Sisters tears Shall cause me to survive thy cruel loss Lys. Live Princess live howe're the King disdains me Perhaps unarm'd and fighting for your sake I may perform what shall amaze the World And force him yet to give you to my arms Away Perdicas dear Eumenes take The Princess to your charge Exeunt Perd. Lys. Guards Eum. O cruelty Par. Lead me Eumenes lead me from the light Where I may wait till I his ruine hear Then free my Soul to meet him in the Air. Exeunt Phil. See where the jealous proud Roxana comes A haughty vengeance gathers up her brow Thes. Peace they have rais'd her to their ends observe Enter Roxana Cassander Polipercon Rox. O you have ruin'd me I shall be mad Said you so passionate is 't possible So kind to her and so unkind to me Cas. More then your utmost fancy can invent He swouned thrice at hearing of her Vow And when our care as oft had brought back life He drew his Sword and offer'd at his breast Pol. Then rail'd on you with such unheard of curses Rox. Away be gone and give a whirlwind room Or I will blow you up like dust avaunt Madness but meanly represents my toyl Roxana and Statira they are names That must for ever jarr eternal discord Fury revenge disdain and indignation Tear my swoln breast make way for fire and tempest My brain is burst debate and reason quench'd The storm is up and my hot bleeding heart Splits with the rack while passions like the winds Rise up to Heav'n and put out all the Stars What saving hand O what Almighty arm Can raise me sinking Cas. Let your own arm save you 'T is in your power your beauty is Almighty Let all the Stars go out your Eyes can light 'em Wake then bright Planet that shou'd rule the world Wake like the Moon from your too long Eclipse And we with all the Instruments of War Trumpets and Drums will help your Glorious Labour Pol. Put us to act and with a violence That fits the Spirit of a most wrong'd woman Let not Medea's dreadfull vengeance stand A pattern more but draw your own so fierce It may for ever be Original Cas. Touch not but dash with stroaks so bravely bold Till you have form'd a face of so much horrour That gaping Furies may run frighted back That Envy may devour her self for madness And sad Medusa's head be turn'd to Stone Rox. Yes we will have revenge my Instruments For there is nothing you have said of me But comes far short wanting of what I am When in my nonage I at Zogdia liv'd Amongst my She-companions I wou'd reign Drew 'em from idleness and little arts Of coining looks and laying snares for Lovers Broke all their Glasses and their Tires tore Taught 'em like Amazons to ride and chace Wild Beasts in Desarts and to Master men Cas. Her looks her words her ev'ry motion fires me Rox. But when I heard of Alexander's Conquests How with a handfull he had Millions slain Spoil'd all the East their Queens his Captives made Yet with what Chastity and God like temper He saw their Beauties and with pity bow'd Methought I hung upon my Father's lips And wish'd him tell the wondrous tale again Left all my sports the Woman now return'd And sighs uncall'd wou'd from my bosom fly And all the night as my Adraste told me In slumbers groan'd and murmur'd Alexander Cas. Curse on the name but I will soon remove That bar of my Ambition and my Love Rox. At last to Zogdia this Triumpher came And cover'd o're with Laurels forc'd our City At night I by my Father's order stood With fifty Virgins waiting at a Banquet But oh how glad was I to hear his Court To feel the pressure of his glowing hand And tast the dear the false-protesting lips Cas. Wormwood and Hemlock henceforth grow about 'em Rox. Gods that a man should be so great and base What said he not when in the Bridal Bed He clasp'd my yielding body in his arms When with his fiery lips devouring mine And moulding with his hand my throbbing breast He swore the Globes of Heav'n and Earth were vile To those rich Worlds and talk'd and kiss'd and lov'd And made me shame the morning with my blushes Cas. Yet after this prove false Pol. Horrid perjury Cas. Not to be match'd Pol. O you must find revenge Cas. A person of your Spirit be thus slighted For whose desire all Earth should be too little Rox. And shall the Daughter of Darius hold him That puny Girl that Ape of my ambition That cry'd for milk when I was nurs'd in bloud Shall she made up of watry Element A Cloud shall she embrace my proper God While I am cast like Lightning from his hand No I must scorn to prey on common things Though hurl'd to Earth by this disdainfull Jove I will rebound to my own Orb of fire And with the wrack of all the Heav'ns expire Cas. Now you appear your self 'T is noble anger Rox. May the Illustrious bloud that fills my womb And ripens to be perfect Godhead born Come forth a Fury may Barsina's Bastard Tread it to Hell and rule as Soveraign Lord When I permit Statira to enjoy Roxana's right and strive not to destroy Enter Sysigambis Statira in mourning Cas. Behold her going to fulfill her Vow Old Sysigambis whom the King engag'd Resists and awes her with Authority Rox. 'T was rashly vow'd indeed and I shou'd pity her Sys O my Statira how has passion chang'd thee Think if you drive the King to such extremes What in his fury may he not denounce Against the poor remains of lost Darius Stat. I know I know he will be kind to you And to my mourning Sister for my sake And tell him how with my departing breath I rail'd not but spoke kindly of his person Nay wept to think of our divided Loves And sobbing sent a last forgiveness to him Rox. Grant Heav'n some ease to this distracted wretch Let her not linger out a life in torments Be these her last words and at once dispatch her Sys No by the Everlasting fire I swear By my Darius Soul I never more Will dare to look on Alexander's face If you refuse to see him Rox. Curse on that cunning tongue I fear her now Cas. No she 's resolv'd Stat. I cast me at your feet To bath 'em with my tears or if you please I 'le let out life and wash 'em with my bloud But still conjure you not to rack my Soul Nor hurry my wild thoughts to perfect madness Shou'd now Darius awfull Ghost appear And my pale Mother stand beseeching by I wou'd persist to death and keep my Vow Rox. She shews a certain bravery of Soul Which I shou'd praise in any but my Rival Sys Dye then
Forrest And hurl'd 'em back with most unconquer'd fury Clyt. 'T was all Bravado for before you leapt You saw that I had burst the Gates in sunder Alex. Did I then turn me like a Coward round To seek for succour Age cannot be so base That thou wert young again I wou'd put off My Majesty to be more terrible That liké an Eagle I might strike this Hare Trembling to Earth shake thee to dust and tear Thy heart for this bold Lye thou feeble dotard Clyt. What do you pelt me like a Boy with Apples He tosses Fruit at him as they rise Kill me and bury the disgrace I feel I know the reason that you use me so Because I sav'd your life at Granniccus And when your back was turn'd oppos'd my breast To bold Rhesaces Sword you hate me for 't You do proud Prince Alex. Away your breath 's too hot flings him from him Clyt. You hate the Benefactor though you took The Guift your life from this dishonour'd Clytus Which is the blackest worst ingratitude Alex. Go leave the Banquet thus far I forgive thee Clyt. Forgive your self for all your Blasphemies The riots of a most debauch'd and blotted life Philotas murder Alex. Ha! what said the Traytor Lys. Eumenes let us force him hence Clyt. Away Heph. You shall not tarry Drag him to the door Clyt. No let him send me if I must be gone To Philip Attalus Calisthenes To great Parmenio and his slaughter'd Sons Parmenio who did many brave exploits Without the King the King without him nothing Alex. Give me a Javelin takes one from the Guards Heph. Hold Sir Alex. Off Sirrah lest At once I strike it through his heart and thine Lys. O sacred Sir have but a moments patience Alex. Preach patience to another Lion what Hold my arms I shall be murder'd here Like poor Darius by my own barb'rous Subjects Perdiccas sound my Trumpets to the Camp Call all my Souldiers to the Court nay hast For there is Treason plotting 'gainst my life And I shall perish e're they come to rescue Lys. and Heph. Let us all dye e're think so damn'd a deed kneel Alex. Where is the Traytor Clyt. Sure there 's none about you But here stands honest Clytus whom the King Invited to his Banquet Alex. Be gone and sup with Philip strikes him through Parmenio Attalus Calisthenes And let bold Subjects learn by thy sad Fate To tempt the patience of a man above ' em Clyt. The rage of wine is drown'd in gushing bloud O Alexander I have been too blame Hate me not after death for I repent That so I urg'd your noblest sweetest nature Alex. What 's this I hear say on my dying Souldier Clyt. I shou'd ha' kill'd my self had I but liv'd To be once sober Now I fall with honour My own hand wou'd ha' brought foul death O pardon dies Alex. Then I am lost what has my vengeance done Who is it thou hast slain Clytus what was he Thy faithful Subject worthiest Counsellor Who for the saving of thy life has now A noble recompence for one rash word For a forgetfulness which wine did work The poor the honest Clytus thou hast slain Are these the Laws of Hospitality Thy Friends will shun thee now and stand at distance Nor dare to speak their minds nor eat with thee Nor drink lest by thy madness they dye too Heph. Guards take the body hence Alex. None dare to touch him For we must never part cruel Hephestion And you Lysimachus that had the power Yet would not hold me Lys. Dear Sir we did Alex. I know it Ye held me like a Beast to let me go With greater violence O you have undone me Excuse it not you that cou'd stop a Lion Cou'd not turn me you shou'd have drawn your Swords And barr'd my rage with their advancing points Made Reason glitter in my dazl'd eyes Till I had seen what ruine did attend me That had been noble that had shew'd a Friend Clytus wou'd so have done to save your lives Lys. When men shall hear how highly you were urg'd Alex. No you have let me stain my rising virtue Which else had ended brighter then the Sun Death Hell and Furies you have sunk my Glory O I am all a blot which Seas of tears And my hearts bloud can never wash away Yet 't is but just I try and on the point Still reaking hurl my black polluted breast Heph. O sacred Sir this must not be Eum. Forgive my pious hands Lys. And mine that dare disarm my Master Alex. Yes cruel men you now can shew your strength Here 's not a Slave but dares oppose my Justice Yet I will render all endeavours vain That tend to save my life here I will lye falls Close to his bleeding side thus kissing him These pale dead lips that have so oft advis'd me Thus bathing o're his Reverend face in tears Thus clasping his cold body in my arms Till death like him has made me stiff and horrid Heph. What shall we do Lys. I know not my wounds bleed afresh With striving with him Perdiccas lends your arm Ex. Per. Lys. Heph. Call Aristander hither Or Meleager let 's force him from the body Cries without Arm Arm Treason Treason Enter Perdiccas bloudy Perd. Hast all take Arms Hephestion where 's the King Heph. There by old Clytus side whom he has slain Perd. Then misery on misery will fall Like rouling billows to advance the storm Rise sacred Sir and hast to aid the Queen Roxana fill'd with furious Jealonsie Came with a Guard of Zogdean Slaves unmark'd And broke upon me with such sudden rage That all are perish'd who resistance made I only with these wounds through clashing Spears Have forc'd my way to give you timely notice Alex. What says Perdiccas is the Queen in danger Perd. She dyes unless you turn her Fate and quickly Your distance from the Palace asks more speed And the ascent to th' flying Grove is high Alex. Thus from the Grave I rise to save my Love All draw your Swords with wings of Lightning move When I rush on sure none will dare to stay 'T is Beauty calls and Glory shews the way Exeunt ACT V. Statira is discover'd sleeping in the Bower of Semiramis The Spirits of Queen Statira her Mother and Darius appear standing on each side of her with Daggers threatning her They Sing Dar. IS Innocence so void of cares That it can undisturbed sleep Amidst the noise of horrid Wars That make Immortal Spirits weep Stat. No boding Crows nor Ravens come To warn her of approaching doom Dar. She walks as she dreams in a Garden of Flowers And her hands are employ'd in the beautifull Bowers She dreams of the man that is far from the Grove And all her soft Fancy still runs on her Love Stat. She nods o're the Brooks that run purling along And the Nightingales lull her more fast with a Song Dar. But see the sad endwhich the Gods have decreed Stat.
This Poniard's thy Fate Dar. My Daughter must bleed Chor. Awake then Statira awake for alas you must dye Ere an hour be past you must breath out your last Dar. And be such another as I Stat. As I Chor. And be such another as I Statira sola Stat. Bless me ye Pow'rs above and guard my Virtue I saw nor was 't a Dream I saw and heard My Royal Parents there I saw 'em stand My eyes beheld their precious Images I heard their Heav'nly voices where O where Fled you so fast Dear shades from my embraces You told me this This hour should be my last And I must bleed Away 't is all Delusion Do not I wait for Alexander's coming None but my loving Lord can enter here And will he kill me hence phantastick shadows And yet me thinks he should not stay thus long Why do I tremble thus if I but stir The motion of my Robes makes my heart leap When will the dear man come that all my doubts May vanish in his breast that I may hold him Fast as my fears can make me hug him close As my fond Soul can wish give all my breath In sighs and kisses swoun dye away with Rapture But hark I hear him noise within Fain I would hide my blushes I hear his tread but dare not go to meet him Enter Roxana with Slaves and a Dagger Rox. At length we have conquer'd this stupendious height These flying Groves whose wonderfull ascent Leads to the Clouds Stat. Then all he Vision 's true retires And I must dye lose my dear Lord for ever That that 's the murder Rox. Shut the Brazen Gate And make it fast with all the massie Bars I know the King will fly to her relief But we have time enough where is my Rival Appear Statira now no more a Queen Roxana calls where is your Majesty Stat. And what is she who with such Tow'ring pride Wou'd awe a Princess that is born above her Rox. I like the Port Imperial Beauty bears It shews thou hast a Spirit fit to fall A Sacrifice to fierce Roxana's wrongs Be sudden then put forth these Royal Breasts Where our false Master has so often languish'd That I may change their milkie Innocence To bloud and die me in a deep Revenge Stat. No barb'rous woman though I durst meet death As boldly as our Lord with a resolve At which thy Coward heart wou'd tremble Yet I disdain to stand the Fate you offer And therefore fearless of thy dreadful threats Walk thus regardless by thee Rox. Ha! so stately This sure will sink you Stat. No Roxana no The blow you give will strike me to the Stars But sink ny murdress in Eternal ruine Rox. Who told you this Stat. A thousand Spirits tell me There 's not a God but whispers in my ear This death will crown me with Immortal Glory To dye so fair so innocent so young Will make me company for Queens above Rox. Preach on Stat. While you the burden of the Earth Fall to the Deep so heavy with thy Guilt That Hell it self must groan at thy reception While foulest Fiends shun thy society And thou shalt walk alone forsaken Fury Rox. Heav'n witness for me I would spare thy life If any thing but Alexander's Love Were in debate come give me back his heart And thou shalt live live Empress of the world Stat. The world is less then Alexander's Love Yet cou'd I give it 't is not in my power This I dare promise if you spare my life Which I disdain to beg he shall speak kindly Rox. Speak is that all Stat. Perhaps at my request And for a gift so noble as my life Bestow a kiss Rox. A kiss no more Stat. O Gods What shall I say to work her to my end Fain I would see him yes a little more Embrace you and for ever be your Friend Rox. Oh the provoking word Your Friend Thou dy'st Your Friend what must I bring you then together Adorn your Bed and see you softly laid By all my pangs and labours of my Love This has thrown off all that was sweet and gentle Therefore Stat. Yet hold thy hand advanc'd in air I see my death is written in thy eyes Therefore wreak all thy lust of Vengeance on me Wash in my bloud and steep thee in my gore Feed like a Vulture tear my bleeding heart But O Roxana that there may appear A glimpse of Justice for thy Cruelty A grain of Goodness for a mass of Evil Give me my Death in Alexander's presence Rox. Not for the Rule of Heav'n are you so cunning What you wou'd have him mourn you as you fall Take your farewell and taste such healing kisses As might call back your Soul No thou shalt fall Now and when Death has seiz'd thy beauteous limbs I 'le have thy body thrown into a Well Buried beneath a heap of Stones for ever Enter a Slave Slav. Madam the King with all his Captains and his Guards Are forcing ope ' the doors he threatens thousand deaths To all that stop his entrance and I believe Your Eunuchs will obey him Rox. Then I must haste stabs her Stat. What is the King so near And shall I dye so tamely thus defenceless O ye good Gods will you not help my weakness Rox. They are far off stabbing her Stat. Alas they are indeed Enter Alexander Cassander Polipercon Guards and Attendants Alex. Oh Harpy thou shalt reign the Queen of Devils Rox. Do strike behold my bosom swells to meet thee 'T is full of thine of veins that run ambition And I can brave whatever Fate you bring Alex. Call our Physicians hast I 'le give an Empire To save her Oh my Soul alas Statira These wounds Oh Gods are these my promis'd joys Stat. My cruel Love my weeping Alexander Enter Physicians Wou'd I had dy'd before you enter'd here For now I ask my heart a hundred questions What must I lose my life my Lord for ever Alex. Ha! Villains are they mortal what retire Raise your dash'd Spirits from the Earth and say Say she shall live and I will make you Kings Give me this one this poor this only life And I will pardon you for all the wounds Which your Arts widen all Diseases Deaths Which your damn'd Drugs throw through the lingring world Rox. Rend not your temper see a general silence Confirms the bloudy pleasure which I sought She dyes Alex. And dar'st thou Monster think to scape Stat. My life is on the wing my Love my Lord Come to my arms and take the last adieu Here let me lie and languish out my Soul Alex. Answer me Father wilt thou take her from me What is the black sad hour at last arriv'd That I must never clasp her body more Never more bask in her Eyes-shine again Nor view the Loves that play'd in those dear beams And shot me with a thousand thousand smiles Stat. Farewell my dear my life my most lov'd Lord I swear by Orosmades 't