the Son of Divine Iulius are How durst you in Augustus Court appear No breast but yours such rashness ever knew But to approach him here and singly too Nought but distraction or despair would do 'T is certain death Caes. That certain death is past And I upon the blessed shore am cast I track'd a Fiend I thought by Furies driv'n I sought for Hell but stumbled upon Heav'n You are Glo. A woman Caes. Angels shou'd speak true But sure so bright a flow'r on Earth ne're grew Her lips her cheeks must more than Roses be What Stars her eyes what moving Majesty So sweet and so imperious too they move Sparkling with beauty glitt'ring all with Loveâ— Enter Leander Lea. Hast or the Emp'ror will evade the toil He 's almost out of sight hast to the spoil Caes. Not Iulia's such when all her gemms she wears Nor sad Narcissa more adorn'd with tears Yield Beauties yield or shun this dazling eye Since those that stay will soon her Victims lye Like Autumn-leaves turn yellow all and dye Glo. Just Heav'n does sure this God-like man provide To bear me from the Tyrants lust and pride Beauty if thou didst ever aid me now That I may make this haughty gazer bow This heav'nly Youth Oh force him to adore To love me only I 'le ne're ask thee more Caes. Why beats my heart as I had poison ta'en What means my burning breast and giddy brain Swift thrilling cold with panick terrour flies And an unusual thaw dissolves my eyes If Love thou art I will not take the wound My Armour shall thy pointed darts confound I 'le draw 'em if they cannot be withstood Though to the Feathers drinking in my blood Then shake 'em at her eyes with fix'd disdain And hurl 'em to thy Godhead back again Enter Araspes Aras Your vengeance must another season take Caes. Love is low play which Warriours shou'd forsake Yet what a stir does this blind Gamester make He makes my heart rebound about my breast And laughs to see me tire and cries no rest From side to side strikes the tormented Ball And with each stroke he dints the very wall Glo. If you in Fields have purchas'd high renown Have with persisting Vertue wonders done And Wreaths rewards of toiling Valour won Now in a Princess quarrel lift your Sword Fate never did a nobler cause afford By all the mighty Battels you have fought By all the Trophies you with bloud have bought A Royal suff'ring Virgins wrongs redress And kill the Giant vice that wou'd oppress Caes. I meet the summons swift and snatch the joy Kindling at death and panting to destroy Another Sword like mine you 'l ne're imploy War was my Mistress and I lov'd her long She lov'd my Musick shoutings were my Song And clashing Arms that eccho'd through the Plain Neighings of Horses groans of dying men Notes which the Trump and hoarser Drum affords And dying sounds rising from falls of Swords Command dispatch and bid your Lightning fly I 'le flash I 'le kill I 'le conquer in your eye And after all here yield my breath and dye O cou'd you love Glo. Let Love be mention'd last But first to free me hence you shou'd forecast Caes. By all my love you are already past You are O Heav'n wherever you wou'd be And I am with you all o're extasie High walls and Tow'rs are levell'd where you go You tread on pants and sighs about you blow And hearts in their own bleedings round you flow Aras If you wou'd bear her safe hast Sir away Lea. The minute 's critical and will not stay Caes. Move on and bravely let us meet our dooms But give me warning e're the Tyrant comes I 'le follow slowly and while Love is by The swiftest deaths and rushing fates defie Glo. In all your acts such God-like manners shine I doubt not but your Parents are Divine Therefore to match you with a stock of fame Know from a race as high as yours I came Pompey the Great and fair Cornelia gave The life which you so gen'rously wou'd save Caes. Ha! now I find the cause I ne're couâ—d love Long long ago our hearts were pair'd above And my ambition joyn'd with destiny Oft times suggesting it cou'd never be That Caesar's Son who all the World had aw'd Shou'd wed beneath the daughter of a God Exeunt ACT. IV. SCENE The Palace of Marcellus Marcellus with his Sword drawn against Julia. Mar. BY Heav'n I 'le bear no more 't is publick now Disgrace so bold is grav'd upon thy brow That e'en old age whose eyes are seldom clear Dim with death's mist can read thy falshood there All Rome with thy proclaim'd dishonour rings And ev'ry Infant Iulia's lewdness sings What can thy crimes expect from my just rage Iul. Death let my bloud your violent wrath asswage 'T is better we shou'd both for ever sleep In calms then wake in storms and always weep Mar. Weep If the Ocean from thy eyes were spilt The Ocean cou'd not wash away thy guilt Nor think that when thy Beauties shall be laid In Earth thy peace is then for ever made No faithless Fair still shalt thou haunted be And a long row of pale Adult'rers see And me at last pursuing them and thee Iul. Not haunting Furies there can rack me more Than Jealousies on earth that louder roar Though I shou'd make account for ev'ry thought While false relations are by Traytors wrought And you believe those most that most abuse 'T were vain for me my honour to excuse Mar. How well your pride an innocence can feign Excuse your honour That indeed 's most vain Thy purpose vain as thy past actions foul Vain all thy thoughts which with wild fancies roul And one immortal Vanity's thy soul. Iul. I cannot stay to hear your vain debate Mar. Pass not this way 't is guarded with thy fate Iul. Strike then and free me from a world of cares Better dye once then always live in fears Loud clamours all the day my peace molest With perjur'd false I hate renounce detest Still am I wak'd by day with these alarms At night you start and throw me from your arms Last night your head upon my breast reposâ—d Just as sweet balmy sleep my eyes had clos'd Hearing me sigh you cry'd aloud By Heav'n Those sighs are to your dear lov'd Ovid giv'n But I will conjure him from Pontus back And his curs'd life by thousand torments take Mar. O Iulia is there not a cause for this Thou sayst I rob thy days and nights of peace Hast thou not robb'd my life of all its bliss Heav'n witness what I am and what have been What thou hast done how gloried in thy sin How triumph'd in thy ills Iul. What I have done Shall to no mortal not to you be known Mar. I 'le know Iul. Ye shall not Mar. With this sure I shall I 'le open ev'ry vein and know thee all Iul. Strike to thy vengeance summon all the lies
Which false Tiberius malice cou'd devise Mar. I 've summon'd all he told with loyal breath And all those truths doom thee to sudden death Iul. Why then dosâ— thou not strike revenging Lordâ— Behold my breast prepar'd to meet thy Sword Thy cruel kindness thus it shall approve Naked to Anger as it was to Love Why shrinks thy arm as if it fear'd to wound And drops thy coward weapon to the ground Mar. I know thee false yet have no power to harmâ— Fierce passion my arm'd vengeance does disarm Beauty which through thy vice I cou'd not spy Did like a dang'rous foe in Ambush lye Here Iulia execute thy bloudy will I know thy purpose is at last to kill Be but thus kind life freely I resign Thou' rt born to break all hearts and must break mine Iul. No my Marcellâ—â— trust me from this hour You shall be ever my Lord Conquerour Thou ever wert the dearest of mankind But now my heart is to thy looks confin'd By all our Loves you never were betray'd Henceforth be absolute my breast in vade There like a gentle Monarch thou shalt sway And I with gentler mind thy Laws obey Mar. Prove but thy heart as heav'nly as thy tongue Be but thus good and I had never wrong Enter Caesario bloudy leading Gloriana veil'd follow'd by Leander Araspes Mar. My noble brother what can friendship say Which from my arms absented half a day Together still in Battel we did ride Nor cou'd united Troops the link divide Shall Peace dis-joyn what was not broke by War And Crowds in Courts do more then Armies there Caes. Now I shall try the friendship which you boast If now not found let it be ever lost This Beauty with some bloud and danger bought Great deeds for Beauty by young bloud are wrought I from the den of an old Beast of prey Snatch'd while abroad he did for forage stray By this he is return'd and finds her gone By this the Groves resound and Forests groan Mar. Thus in your cause advancing thus Iâ—le face A band of Bloud-hound Furies in their chase Caes. First let us lodge where they shall never find The Hart whose death those Hunters have design'd Then with Relays each to his station go And bravely fall upon the Savage foe Our Bugle breath shall wind Recheatâ— and tell 'T is not the Deers but the rouz'd Hunter's knell Iul. While you that Vertue might not be undone Look'd fierce methought my brows too catch'd a frown I burn'd and grew ambitious to be one Whoe're she be as sure she is most fair For whom the sounds of fame so busie are I promise her a covert where she shall Safe as in clouds look down upon 'em all Caes. O bounty which my bloud can never pay I wou'd do all yet I must something say What Hell-born envy curs'd Infernal spight So us'd to darkness that it hates the light Shall dare though silence she with pain endures Traduce a Vertue so renown'd as yours By Heav'n I swear and by this faithful Steel So deep in Beautie 's conqu'ring quarrel dy'd I stand your Champion to your cause ally'd To damn those Slaves that have your fame bely'd Enter Narcissa â—â—â—â—ing Nar. Fly fly you 're lost the Empire 's overthrown Fly Plangus fly Sir murder'd Caesar's Sonâ— Not stir By all my fears most cruel Prince Thou shalt not stay and dye I 'le drag thee hence The Captain whom your valour left for dead Heard your discourse and has relation made All 's out thou art betray'd O Heav'n undone What shall I say thy name thy birth is known Destruction gallops to thy murder Post And Caesar looks as if the World were lost Caes. Though driv'n by whirlwinds he shou'd roul like fire I wou'd not from this Earth one inch retire Let destiny about my death consult All thoughts of safety from my side revolt I 'le stand him though he were a Thunderbolt Mar. Perhaps my pray'rs and low submissions may Divert his wrath or his revenge delay Iul. With yours my mingled tears and sighs shall joyn He may resist yours but he shall not mine Nar. But if inflexibly he will deny Together let us all resolve to dye Glo. Since this secures my honour can I fear Not Martyrs with more joy their summons hear Methinks I long in those dark walks to tread And wrap my self about with honour'd Lead Where all the Worthies of the Earth lye dead Nor shall my Spirit in that pond'rous Case Be kept but shoot as rays through Chrystal pass Through doors of death with Mountains pil'd on Rocks With thousand Bars and with ten thousand Locks Like Lightning she shall cut her sacred way Through all and rise to everlasting day Nar. What Spirit 's this more fierce than boldest men That with such hautiness does life disdain Caes. O death thou ever dry bloud-thirsty Slave All Hell-hound all art thou resolv'd to have But tast my heart 't is Royal rich and good Each drop's more worth than Tuns of Vulgar blood Cannot th' exhausted shore for once suffice I 'le make it up with Rivers from their eyes Tears will not make him drunk the Slave repliesâ— Glo. Can this be true Caesario dost thou droop Dost thou at last beneath death's burden stoop Is this the Hero this the God-like man Whose rage the stout Iberians over-ran That me redeem'd this day from rav'nous pow'r And from the pounces of the Vulture tore Caes. O Gloriana with confusion I Confess 't is now a dreadfull thing to dye Your fatal purpose does to pieces tear That courage which all dangers else can dare O live retire and those blest Beauties hide Far from the reach of Caesar's cruel pride Then I shall easily death's yoke put on And calm as those that fall asleep lye down Glo. Caesario No unjust is thy request puts up her veil Narcissa observes her Why shou'd I wake when thou art gon to rest And since I love thee which I now may own The fastest secrets are by death undone What will life signifie when thou art gone Grant that I 'scape the Tyrant's rage and fly To some strange Land and leave you here to dye Shall I survive to blot thee from my mind Forget thee Or to one less brave be kind Is this thy wish or wouldst thou I shou'd live And thy eternal loss for ever grieve Caes. Live dye be free or yield your self again I will no more of you but Heav'n complain Heav'n that can see such Vertue in distress And with exceeding power a Tyrant bless Heav'n that cou'd smile when noblest Romans fell As if enormous cruelties were well Heav'n that allows this parricide a name As great and good as the first Sons of Fame Nar. Love sparkles through her shade His eyes to her and hers to him are mov'd She loves she loves and is again belov'd She sighs and weeps and rouls her subtle eyes And all the charms of knowing beauty trys She looks as if her very eyes wou'd speak As if
'le wake you in your everlasting bed I 'le banish silence from your ears your eyes Affright with forms of ghastly miseries Yet hear me Aug. Thou shalt be a Monarch's wife Ask me no more to spare Caesario's life A vagabond thou shouldst disdain to own I swear I 'le match thee to a Prince be gone Nar. A Prince what Prince what King what God can be Equal to him to my Divinity He is a Prince a King a God to me My heart 's first last chief dearest only joy Can you hear this yet purpose to destroy O Iron heart Aug. Yet you can make it run Soft fool be gone by Heav'n she melts me down Nar. My milkie infancy why did you grace And flatter so while you did me embrace And swear this was the prettiest charming face Is there no sweetness left no grace to move Am I grown old have I quite lost your love No kind remains all promises forgot Aug. They are they are and I will pay thee nought I 'm callâ—d to high affairs and must not stay Go to your Garden-huswifry away Nar. 'T is well indeed you can remember that Oft times as I on beds of Violets sat You on my knees plac'd your Majestick head While on your Crown my Infant-fingers plaid And all your Silver hairs in order laid And then you smil'd and promis'd nay you swore Whatever I couâ—d ask of bounteous pow'r It shou'd be granted This you needs must know And Heav'n that heard you sure will angry grow And will revenge if you deny me now Aug. Augustus cannot with Caesario stand Asking his life thou dost my death demand Two Caesars the rent World will ne're obey As well two Rival Suns might drive the day Or Iove a partner brook in heav'nly sway Nar. Poor Prince you wrong him he an Emperour Alass he never meant to share your pow'r Spare but his life and he with me shall dwell In Groves which all your Palaces excell Where Heav'n and Earth their choicest wealth bestow Where no such weeds as Pride or Envy grow We 'l mock the arts of Courts and harms of State Where those are highest that wade deep in fate Like Giants very cruel very great Aug. Well leave me I 'le consider what to do Caesario lives and owes his life to you Nar. Live shall he live O Heav'ns pronounce it pla Speak Let him live distinctly once again That I may dye upon the ravish'd sound And with my last breath eccho Live around But you perhaps your mystick mind unfold In Riddling terms like Oracles of old And I unknowing innocence may take Your purpose wrong and some gross errour make Dear dreadfull Sir let me this grace receive kneels Shall he without equivocation live Enter Gloriana Aug. Rise dear Narcissa rise hast and retire I yield I grant whatever you require Nar. This is my hated Rival e're I go I 'le watch and what she acts with Caesar know Aug. Ambition's poison which the Spirits burn And all the bloud to liquid Sulphur turn The toil of War when action makes us sweat Sâ—orch'd with our sultry Arms redoubled heat Plagues Surfeits Feavers the great harms of Peace Contracted by excessive idleness Are Dew-drops to the brands the glowing fire You kindle here and with your breath inspire Glor. My tears shall quench the flame Aug. You may as well Put out the Sun or quench the fires of Hell I thought you set for ever but you rise More glorious more tormenting to my eyes Glor. Of furious passion why shou'd you complain To me Am I the author of your pain Or can I help what you ordain shall be You raise these storms and cast 'em upon me The works of Beauty like it self are fair I beg for Peace 't is you that thunder War Like March Tyrannick rage black Tempests pours But I like April am all Sun and showrs Aug. ' Tiâ— true continu'd storms my peace molest And like old Ocean I can never rest About my head many State-Tempests sing And rapid troubles the rais'd billows wing Yet Beautie 's influence like the Moon 's below Is cause of passionâ— constant ebb and flow But 't is at length by me resolv'd I will For the Worlds quiet and my own be still You like the Queen of Love wafted in calms Distilling cordial sweets and healing balms Shall lull my stormy cares and rock my head On the soft pillows of thy bosome laid Glor. Shall then Caesario live Aug. He shall he must 'T is indisputable be thou but just With kindness my unwearied love regard And give my services their due reward Glor. Let him but live and that reward may come Aug. Live he shall live beyond the day of doom Consent yield bow thy beauties to my will Wouldst thou have bloud Thou shalt whole Nations spill Or if t' oblige the World you 'd breath bestow Caesario's life will be too little no His immortality can ne're suffice Speak but the word the dead the dead shall rise Heroes that dy'd a thousand years ago Shall burst death's Adamantine Gates below Though Pluto shou'd himself the Porter stand And rush amaz'd to light at thy command Glor. 'T is fit that none beneath an Emp'rour shou'd Mingle with Pompey's high extraâ—ted bloud We know Caesario's youngâ— and charming fierce But 't is Augustus rules the Universe Yet since Caesario durst attempt so well Why let him liveâ— but in strange Countries dwell And not presume to shew his follies here He dies if he again in Rome appear Aug. My passion drinks yoâ—r eyes refreshing sâ—â—eams Catches your breath and hovers oâ—re the steamâ— I reel my joy 's so sprightly fierce refin'd Yes Madam Love's â—he drunkeness o th' mind Men rais'd with Wine equal with Monarchâ— moveâ— But Kings are Gods when extass'd by Love Glor. With equal passion I your raptures greet With as fierce fires your hottest burningâ— meet Fierce as Thalestris Alexander fought But with such Arms as no destruction wrought I 'le rush upon you with a Heav'n of Charms And make you buckle when you 're out of Arms. Aug. O thou art all the sweetness of the earthâ— Thou mak'st me young nay giv'st me a new birth And dost such Virgin-thoughts to me restore As if I ne're had known delights before Narcissa meets â—em going out â— Nar. Sâ—ay Caesar stay thou man of mighty ill Hear me and all the stings of Honour feel If you persist go on in this dark way May you arrive at Hell may never day Nor Glory which did once your breast enflame Gild your atchievements nor adorn your name May you be hurl'd from the high Helm of Stateâ— And seem more vile than ever you were great Aug. This seed of fire lest it shou'd spread about I will discreetly in its growth put out She shall a Pris'ner be take her away Nar. Bind me in dungeonsâ— yet I will not stay To publish thy disgrace I 'le shoot through poresâ— I 'le pierce I 'le fly I 'le burst the prison-doors
Cassius God-like Brutus rise combine Nay with the Memphian black Armado joyn Dip ev'n your heels all o're in Stygian Lake And more than Achilaean hardness take Hire all the winds immortal as ye are Again to Actium I your Ghosts will dare And into Atomes drive the gather'd Air. Agr. Stop not the Torrent of his rising rage Give it full course and it will soon asswage Aug. Thus Pyrrhus whom no manly force could quell At last inglorious by a woman fell O Iupiter dread King of Heav'n and Rome kneels Let death but not dishonour be my doom That Iulia's name no more may cleave my head Strike me for ever deaf deaf as the dead O Iulia but for thee my fame had past Shew'd like a Chrystal Rock to Ages last Each lust of thine like an envenom'd dart Has drunk the life-blood of thy Father's heart Iul. That I am innocent Aug. I know thou art But make no words on 't go with life depart Ex. Iul. Agr. Your Wars in Spain a glorious period have And all applaud Marcellus as most brave Who in his first essay your Foes o'rethrew And cou'd such wonders in his Non-age doe Mec. Equal to him the valiant brave unknown Plangus so fam'd rush'd through all hazards on Of birth unknown but of high blood in War Who with Marcellus did the Triumph share Marcellus who adopted Caesar stands And under you the conquer'd Earth commands Agr. Fame loudly speaks the deeds which he has done First shews the Father and then draws the Son Aug. Ev'n he has guilty been and as 't is said Caesario whom we thought in Aegypt dead This brave Marcellus harbour'd in his Tent Such news was to my Empress Livia sent But once more by my Father's soul I swear If that young King of Kings in Rome appear The Parthian Empire shall not save his head I 'le give ten thousand Talents for him dead Mec. Dispell those clouds that thicken on your brow And I will speak Aug. Full freedom we allow Mec. Against Caesario be not thus severe At least not openly your wrath declare By private Instruments his hopes abate Which more agrees with your own rules of State Agr. 'T is nois'd for sure such secrets cannot sleep That you in private Gloriana keep Th' Illustrious Pompey's Daughter I advise That your white Age wouâ—d Beauty's gloss despise Let not the Nations blame you being old Nor think of loving now your blood is cold Aug. Furies and Hell I am become their sport They flout me How ye elder slaves o th' Court Come feel my arms and learn to be more bold Am I not fit to love Ha! am I old Ye Apes of fame ye Sparks to my full day Ye Gnats that in my Ev'ning glory play But with my Sword I 'le punish your offence lays his hand on his Sword And make ye know what 't is t' affront a Prince Agr. Our deaths are in your hands act as you please Mec. Your frowns not death our souls with terrour seize Aug. No ye regard me not nor love nor fear I know your hearts you wish Caesario here Here in my Throne ungratefull as ye are By me preferr'd in Peace advanc'd in War Agr. You are the best of Kings Aug. No I 'm the worst Stupid morose tyrannical accurst I like old Saturn must forgo my Sphere You 're for a mad young fiery Iupiter Yet this remember in your Thund'rers reign The Golden days will never come again Exeunt ACT. II. SCENE Palace Hall Caesario Araspes Leander Caes. PRoscrib'd Aras So rumour spreads it Caes. Ha! Aras 'T is true His fears the old Proscription now renew Great is the man he said that brings him dead I le give ten thousand Talents for his head Such dreadful noise from Caesar's fury broke And guilt like Wild-fire thrill'd him as he spoke Lea. He thought you long ago in Aegypt slain But with late tremblings heard you liv'd again Then tore his hair and mad with choler said Augustus lives not till Caesario's dead Caes. Then Caesar's lost and shall in Chaos lye Since 't is not to be thought that I should dye Immediate from the loins of Iulius sprung Like Hercules from Iove for ever young In battles big as Mars and full as strong Aras Yet you 're a man Caes. Said you of me 'T was poor A man Araspes I was always more When me in Swadling-bands the Nurses rock'd My soul was full with God-like courage stock'd The sounds which first my wondrous voice did move Were Father Iulius and Grandsire Iove Ev'n in my Childhood I was more than man Bears in my Non-age slew and Stags out-ran Leander thou remembrest who are old When yet nine Winters I had scarcely told A half starv'd Lion in our chase I brav'd And from his jaws my panting Mother sav'd Lea. I saw him by your early valour fall Caes. Fall by my valour saw him is that all Thou speak'st Leander as thou didst repine Thou should'st have said it was an act Divine A God-like act to see a ruddy Boy Wieh milk on 's lips the Royal beast destroy With my gay Sword brandish'd above my Crest O'respread with Plumes and with Queens favours dress'd I cross'd the Savage eager for his prey Who daunted with my aspect shun'd the fray But I out-run him though he got the start And flesh'd my little Rapier in his heart By the dread Thunderer from whom I came Whose hand casts forked bolts and leaping flame I 'le tumble head-long this Usurper down And from his head tear the Imperial Crown Aras Stay Son of Caesar whither wou'd you runâ— Sorrow shall end what your blind wrath begun Forgive me if your death I dare prevent And force your courage take another bent Lea. Both you shall send to everlasting rest And ride to ruine o're this Loyal breast For think not we can stay to see you dye We 'l usher you to immortality Let wit contrive and leisure give to Time While we instruct you this steep Throne to climb Caes. Plots are the dark and back way to a Throne Miss but one step we roul with ruine down Then let 's away to quell with open strife This base Usurper that proscribes my life Lea. Perhaps the rumour 's false your rage subdue Or reek it here on us for being true Caes. Was I for this in Alexandria fam'd The King of Kings and Heir o th' World proclaâ—m'd While Vassal Princes did about me croud And Asia's Chiefs of my commands grew proud Did not our Mother perish by his Arms That source of Love and ever-flowing charms Great Cleopatra who now drowns the Stars And shews to Goddesses her glorious Scars Yet have I question'd him for what was done Lea. We know you ne're molested what he won Caes. Nay have I not of late his Foes o'rethrown His Standards fix'd i th' heart of stubborn Spain And bow'd her neck to the old yoke again And dares he thus my services reward draws Stand back I 'le kill him midst of
in one Fun'ral Pile Alas Tiberius had another said Iulia is false and honour has betray'd I could not have believâ—d but thou art true Wou'd thou wert not wou'd all that Hell er'e knew Of darkest mischiefs harbour'd in thy mind So by thy fraud I might her Vertue find Tib. While you abroad fought in Rome's cause so well She to the lowest leudest courses fell Her Palaces with late debauches rung Strip'd Eunuchs wanton Odes before her sung On tall young Monarchs shoulders lifted high She acted Triumphs Io was her cry Her crown'd Supporters Io did reply Mar. Loose Iulia what strong philters did unman Augustus from whose loins thy Spirit ran Tib. At midnight dress'd like Venus all Divine I saw her by the blaze of Diamonds shine High on a Throne of Gold with God-like port Follow'd with clamours of the reeling Court Thrice she the doors of Ianus Temple burâ—t And once Iove's house the Capitol she forc'd From his Gold Statue polish'd Thunder took And at his face the brandish'd weapon shook In her left hand the Silver Lightning clash'd Which blindly hurl'd the Sacred windows dash'd Mar. Love I conjure thee though with mortal smart Draw back thy Arrows that inâ—ect my heart Tib. Of all the Scepter'd throng that did adore She none refus'd but wish'd they had been more What was in private acted we but think Where all her Maids are muâ—â—s and Eunuchs winkâ— Her Monarch dalliance was not prov'd but guess'd But Love to Wit did open all her breast And she so foul a knot with Ovid drew As bloud can never loose nor death undoe Mar. With Ovidâ— Dares his haughty muse aspire To practise on his Prince I 'le mount it higher Teach his rude wit a flight she never had And send her Post to the Elysian shade Tib. One solemn Night when the pale conscious Moon Rode high and clear at melancholy Noon I rose with Dreams abash'd of true event And to the Princess Bower my musings bent To the crown'd Arbours as I nearer drew Methought I heard two voices that I knew Parting the Leaves I saw by Lunar light Love's guilty joys a sinful pleasing sight On Flow'rs and all the sweets of Nature spred In Ovids arms the smiling Princess laid Mar. What mortal patience can the news abide Tib. Pow'r circling Wit and Pleasure pressing Pride Her glowing breast joyn'd to his kindling side She catch'd his sighs that panted in their flight With eyes hands lips all trembling with delight Long did her naked beauty stay my sight Fair as the blushing bed her body prest As a May-morning rising from the East Or day dismounting in the golden West Mar. Wheels Stones and all the subtlest pains of Hell With burnings reddest plagues about 'em dwell About ' em In 'em through 'em let 'em run And flames with flames involv'd be swallow'd down Tib. With tendrest words her busie love she grac'd And having kindly touch'd his yielding wast She said Ah wou'd Marcellus were in Heav'n And wou'd Corinna were to Ovid giv'n For Wit to me is more than Empires charms Or all the surfeits of a Monarchs arms Mar. No more thou 'st put my soul upon the â—ack Both lives revenging glory bids me take But the remains of passion bid me spare This beautiful ingrate perfidious fair Since he was ne're with gallant ardour mov'd That cou'd be urg'd to harm what once he lov'd And how I lov'd how wonderfully well None but the Author of my flame can tell Thy beauty Iulia did my reason blind For e're our hands unlucky Hymen joyn'd I guess'd thee false yet swore I wou'd be kind Enter Ovid with Julia reading Iul. Such a companion ne're did Iulia bless To have a menial Monarch wait were less Ovid whose fame above high Virgil grows Whose labour sure must Nature discompose But Ovid with familiar greatness flows And when he pleases to command our eyes What charming Tales does his soft muse devise Ov. Thus to be grac'd by her whom all admire To gain whose love Gods wou'd Kings do expire Mar. Amongst the rest fall thou a Sacrifice Thus to be offer'd to your Goddess eyes Iul. Marcellus hold fly Ovid hast away Ov. Madam I know what duty I shou'd pay The Prince resolves to take my life which none Shall do without the hazard of their own Mar. Tiberius give me way by Heav'n he dies I 'le tread upon the worm which I despise Iul. Help Treason Murder help Enter Caesario Ov. Come all for were ye more I cou'd not fear Caes. What about one is all this trouble here Put up for shame I 'le blow him from your sight Valour disdains the Quarry in her flight Commands in Fields we should our Standards raise And make this Writer but our drudge to prâ—ise Enter Augustus Agrippa Mecaenas and Guards Aug. Where are the Authors of this Treason gon Traytors to pow'r disarm 'em ev'ry one The Captain of the Guards takes Marcellus Ovids and Tiberius Swords goes lâ—st to Caesario Caes. Captain stand off I did no cause afford Of quarrel here and will not yield my Sword Aug. What a new Traytor in my presence too Know obstinate thy death thou dost pursue Resign or dye Mar. Have you so soon forgot The wonders which his Sword so lately wrought The noble Plangus who preserv'd your Son And three pitch'd Battels by his valour won Aug. What shall he stand and brave me to my faceâ— Refuse my orders bid him take my place By the Caesarian Majesty ador'd He is a Traytor that denies his Sword Caes. I say my Sword 's my own and shall Aug. So fond of fate Then that thou mayst not want for Arms take that Hurlâ—s his Dagger at him the Guards rush on Caesario and hold him Mar. Thus is it thus his Services you pay kneels Aug. If thou wouldst have him live take him away Mar. Guards force him hence Caes. Yes Caesar I will go Conqu'ring my self I quell thy mightiest foe Exit Aug. And you Sir you who durst your weapon draw Against that Prince whom I ordain to awe The greatest Kings to banishment be gone I 'le teach your saucy Muse to dare a Throne Ov. If I in thought to you less Rev'rence gave Than what the Deiâ—ies from Altarâ— have If that the Royal Iulia I adore In other manner than we worship Pow'r Add to the punishment that you have laid Unjustly on me and pronounce me dead Iul. O Caesar Fatherâ— Aug. Dare not intercede Speak but another word and he shall bleed Ov. For ever then thou glorious Rome farewell To the Earth's limits Caesar I will goâ— Where if thou hast a yet unconquer'd Foe My Sword for I have fought shall take his head And with my Pen I 'le damn him when he 's dead Exit Aug. Still homebred jarrs But I these feuds will end By Heav'n I 'le break your hearts if you 'le not bend My Hydra Rebels vanquish'd rise up more Was ever Monarch thus perplex'd before O that Pythagoras his dream were true
This seed of fire shall get ten thousand fears And set the World on blaze about your ears Aug. No to the Vestaâ—s you shall go and thereâ— Since you 're so hot the Sacred fires repair While you have any breath there reek your spight This frantick zeal will make 'em burn more bright Glor. Though highly born yet educated lowâ— Distance degrees and forms she cannot know She like a Shepherdess by Princes lov'd Is dazl'd with the height to which she 's mov'd Though bold to madness pardon her for me Excuse her ignorance and leave her free Nar. At thy request disdainfull as you areâ— Offending false and most destructive Fair Rather than with thy pray'rs I 'le freedom buyâ— Dark as thy soul I will in dungeons lye By philters witchcraft and Infernal art 'T is true that thou hast stoln Caesario's heart Thou like a cruel Fairy didst convey That dear belov'd that darling heart away weeping And in its room a cold dead figure lay But I will be reveng'd to pieces tear Those borrow'd eyes and that inchanted haiâ— Pull off thy pride disrobe thy gorgeous pow'râ— And strip'd of those shew thee a Witch all o're Aug. Awâ—y to some dark room let her be had For either you and I or she is mad Nar. Yes go devour your selveâ— with eager lust Gnash with the pangs of passion grind to dust Joyn'd with dishonour infamously one So may ye to the blushing world be shewn As once the grim lascivious God of War Caught by the jealous Husband 's watchfull care Kissing Love's melting Empress was betray'd Ridiculous to all high Rulers made May thy Gold Scepter wither in her hand Still be a Slave and still may she commandâ— Exitâ— Glor. Caesar is mov'd in his consid'rate eye I read remorse and wâ—â—â—ing passions spy With stronger charms 't is just I draw him on Lest the revenging deed be leâ—t undoneâ— Aug. No I 'le noâ— go to â—ed nor tast the â—oy The lovely poison whose â—ad sweets destroyâ— Neither in Bed nor Throne I 'le be her Slave That Nest of pleasure but my Honour 's Grave Here like Pigmalioâ—'s Image will I stand But never to be warm'd by any hand Glor. What sudden horrour's this that clouds your eyeâ—â— Like damps which from some vault's â—oul bottom rise Smoth'ring the chearfull lights that shone e're while It turns to mortal frowns your ev'ry smile The breath of any man can warm or chillâ— But yours alone can make alive or killâ— Aug. Of late so coy and now so forward grown The mysteries of Love I have not known Nor can I this dark Riddle 's meaning guess If Fate be in 't let Fate it self expressâ— I feel vast appetite yet dread to eat As if I saw that death were in the meat As half-starv'd Fish that fear the mortal Hook Yet by the lovely Baâ—â— drawn in are strook She hangs so fair so tempting to my eye Let ruine wait I 'le tast her though I dye Exeâ—â—â— SONG How severe is fate to break a heart That never went a roving To torture it with endless smart For too much constant loving I bleed I bleed I melt away I wash my watry Pillow I walk the Woods alone all day And wrap me round in Willow Caesario solâ—â— rising as from sleep Caes. I 'le not endure 't Hence from my fancy rushâ— Or I to nought your frightfull air will crush Methought I saw her in Augustus bedâ— And after by my side beheld her dead Dye Gloriana better thou shouldst bleed Than once consent in thought to such a deed Enter Narcissa O beauteous Virgin daughter of the Springâ— Who to my Winter dost refreshings bring Still all in tears Like the Celestial bow Bending with cares and sorrows that o'reflow Though bright yet sad thy shinings all appear And on thy ev'ry Glory hâ—ngs a tear Nar. Alas I know not what I have to say Yet I methinks cou'd talk to you all day Tell you the mightiness of Tyranâ— Love And how I cou'd from Courts with you remove Cou'd like the humble â—ark in my cold Nesâ— I Abroad all night in frosty Meadows resâ—â— So I my vows to you my Star might bring And ev'ry morning Songs of sorrow sing Caes. O torment which the gen'rous cannot â—earâ— Cease thy â—amented story to declareâ— Dolefull and sweet as waâ—ing Nightingales When they repeat in Groves their Tragick Talesâ— Nar. Is it then writ in the dark booâ—â— above That you the poor Narcissa ne're shall loveâ— That she shall languish with eternâ—l pain And never never be belov'd againâ— O stay I see denial in your eyes Yet as when some belov'd Relation dyesâ— We to the person whom he lov'd most deaâ— With caution come first â—sher doubtâ— then fearâ— And with sad preparation teach the earâ— So to my trembling heart be cruel kind And sooth with soft delays my wounded mind Caes. I will for ever thus before thee stand Walk sit or live or dye at thy commandâ— Nar. 'T is Heav'n to be thâ—â— part of one poor â—oâ—â— To gaze and talk alas I ask no more And yet methinks If you and me the Emp'rour wou'd 〈◊〉 Where you my company must needs endure In some close prison for a yeâ—r or so I 'd find such thousand ways my love to shew With thousand 〈…〉 That you shou'd say at last shâ— does deserve Nay sigh perhaps and as I weary â—ay Before your feet wiâ—h â—ears my labouâ— payâ— Caes. O arm thy genâ—le boâ—ome with diâ—dain And o're thy heart a noble conquâ—â—â— gain Think me alas unworthy to receiveâ— And the vast Present to some other giveâ— Nar. There is no reasoâ— why we loâ—e nor how Yet to the yoke we all submissive bow With equal feet Love reads on Kings and Swains Like death o're ev'ry neck he casâ—â— hâ—s chains He wakes in Thrones â—â—d â—leepâ— in stowâ—ie Plains Caes. Will you forgive me iâ— I pâ—ess to hear How Gloriana does 〈…〉 Nar. Yes that 's the beautâ—â—â—â— Thief thâ—â— stole my â—ight In whom your soul ignoâ—ly doeâ— deligâ—â— For the blest know thoâ—gh she more beauteous be In vertue she comes short fâ—r short of me Vile as she is untrue to all her vows Who now the Tyrant's profferâ—d lâ—st allowsâ— Caes. O do not spot thy Virgin pâ—rity With such untruths for one so loâ—t aâ— I. She vile ungentle cruel aâ— you are Take heed take heed â—hou â—ost â—njurâ—ous Fair And speak no more 〈…〉 To have a spice of Caesar in your blood Nar. If there be truth in what the dying say Who wou'd suspecâ—ed with 〈…〉 stay By Heav'n she is as 〈…〉 And Caesar wholly doâ—◠〈…〉 To banish 〈…〉 And sleeps this night in 〈…〉 bed Caes. Never such thund'ring shall my vengeance make Though she werâ— charm'd she shou'd no slumber take Though she were sleep sleep were she death yet she shou'd wake I 'le rouze her with the noise of all my wrongs Furies shall call her with eternal tongues False false forsworn But I unjust appear
And you more cruel than the Tyrant are Cruel to add to such a mass of grief And I unjust to give your words belief Nar. How think me guilty of a Lye O Heav'n Have I liv'd thus Yet may you be forgiv'n I am unfit to live and you to love Let me to Death and you to War remove You cannot be too rude in Armour drest Since cruelty is there like fame profess'd Like Love in Courts it râ—ves in ev'ry breast Nor shall I need your Sword to make a wound This last unkindness weighe me to the groundâ— O all ye vows of passion that I gaveâ— Return and let me hide ye in the Grave Caes. Falâ— first teâ— millions such as I â—'re â—hoâ— To any griâ—f my folly murmur'd bow Look up thou eye o th' Worldâ— why does the red That now adorn'd thy cheeks appear so deadâ— What fatal Purple's this that shakes thy lip Nar. I 'm adding one â—mall grain â—o death 's vast heapâ— Thy love thy love hard hearted Câ—sar's Sonâ— The poor accus'd Narcissâ— has undoneâ— Methinks you aâ—e not now so lovely quite Or else 't is death â—hat darkens thus my â—ight Not to believe 't was â—o unkind â— partâ— There wanted only thaâ—â—o break my heart Caes. Believe I swear I do I will believeâ— And but for thee I will heâ—eafter live I 'le tear that cruel Sorceress from my breast And plant thee there of all my heart possess'd O do not dye 〈…〉 Expos'd 〈…〉 who le eaâ—th will arm it self against my head And all the damn'd torment me when I 'm dead Nar. Ah soft repose how sweetly now I rest As if your bosome were with Roâ—es drestâ— Wou'd you have been thus kind if I had liv'd Caes. Witness Nar. Nay now you shall not be believ'd O Gloriana blest above women how Didst thou this heart to thy false beauty bow I over-heard her with the Emperour 'T is dying truth she loves you less than pow'r But I above the World or that high bliss To which I hast for my soul's lasting peace Give me thy love no more Caes. My soul receive Which thus infâ—s'd shall a new being giveâ— Breathe with my breath and with my being live Nar. The mighty câ—rdial does my senses cloy I dye like those that surfeit with vast joy Had you such words some minutes sooner spoke They'd fastned liâ—e but now 't is vain to speak For what can hold us when our heart â—trings break dyes Caes. Take me along by Heav'n I 'le follow thee But how no Instrument of destiny Heart canst not break like hers how calm she went But mine'â— too big and must with fate be rent Torn from my prison-house why so it shall I 'le rush and leave my brains on yonder wall Dye 't is most fit yet e're the deed be wrought Shall not the blood of Pompey know her fault Yes Gloriana yes thou murd'ring Fair I 'le hollow death and vengeance in thy earâ— Rouze thee from Glorie's grave with potent cries Charm'd like a naked Ghost compell'd to rise Enter Marcellus Mar. I bring the◠〈◊〉 neâ—â— lâ—ve live bu◠〈◊〉 â— Caes. News for thy news look thâ—â—eâ—â—nd biâ— me dyeâ— Mar. My Sister dead Caes. She parted from life's Tree Hard like Green-fruit and she was pluck'd by me Why dost thou bend her life thou canst not mold She is like Alablaster fair but cold Mar. O barbâ—rous Friend Friend I the name disown But 't is thy blood that must her loss attone Thy own curs'd tongue which did her murder boast Has sentenc'd thee to death for ever lost Dye Royal wretch Caes. What does thy arm arrest I have no Sword and proffer thee my breast Why dost thou turn thy melting eyes away I am in hast for death and cannot stay Mar. Thou art not yet so black but my quick sight Through all thy shades can spy some streaks of light Though bloudy thou art valiant and I scorn To give base death to one so Nobly born Thou shalt in equal Duel perish Caes. No Thou wert my Friend and canst not be my Foe 'T is true thy Sister dy'd for love of me Can mortals help what Heav'n sets down shall be Am I in fault To thee I must be so Then right thee here 't will prove a welcome blow Enter Julia. Iul. Caesario live what means my fatal Lord Is 't possible that you can draw your Sword Against your Friend that Friend whose life of late Our pray'rs redeem'd from near approaching fate Mar. Look there and blame the vengeance I shou'd give Is this a Friend does he deserve to live The horrid crime which he has done peruse And then the justice of my â—age excuse Caes. Something in this last treatment shews thee base Thou call'st my crime what my misfortune was Should I have us'd thee thus who wert to me A thousand times more dear then life could be Iul. How e're unfortunate 't was a dread deed At such a sight my Father's eyes will bleed Yet Oh Marcellus spare Caesario's life 'T is due to Friendship and your weeping Wife Sorrow so noble paints his manly look That to the heart I am with pity strook Let his life 's former acts this once perswade For faults perhaps which his ill fortune made Mar. 'T is in the clouds what e're it be and why But my heart says by me he cannot dye But fly be gone to some far desart where Thou maist with safety live thou canst not here For though we spare thee Caesar will not spare Iul. Go go Caesario fly thy threatning fate And fly from those thou mak'st unfortunate Caes. Wretch that I am and terrour to the Earth Where where is now th' advantage of my birth But to be highly miserable no Marcellus yet there 's something leâ—t to do Bring me before we part for ever where I may to Gloriana's guilt appear By Heav'n nor she nor Caesar shall be harm'd For I will go with nought but sorrow arm'd By all remembrance of our Friendships past Grant me this one request for 't is my last Mar. I will do this go not that way my eyes Grow sick and clouds of death before me rise Exeunt SCENE The Emperours Bed-Chamber Gloriana sola drest in white with a Dagger in her hand Tapers c. Glor. He dyes this Idol of the earth shall down That brow that aw'd the World with ev'ry frown This night shall bear its terrours to the Grave There Great Augustus shall his Empire have When he is dead Marcellus must ascend And to high safety call his noble Friend To save my honour and Caesario too What more can Gloriana wish to do O Love how masculine are all my fires With what dread thoughts the God my breast inspires When like a Lion all compos'd to rest The Tyrant leans upon my Virgin-breast In golden dreams expecting boundless bliss I 'le rock him fast for ever fast with this But heark he comes I must my arm prepare I 'le to the Bed and wait
his coming there Caesario enters goes to the Bed draws the Curtain and gazes on her she rises amaz'd Glor. Who 's this am I awake or do I see Caesario here indeed can this be he If thou be Caesar's Son that did adore The bloud of Pompey speak or love no more Caes. Love no more Glor. Why dost thou thus with frightfull action gaze Or art thou but the Ghost of him that was Caes. The Ghost of him that was Glor. Such by thy stedfast eyes thou wou'dst appear Thy dread replies unusual horrour bear Yet sure that form my soul can never fear Who was thy murd'rer if thou murder'd be By Caesar slain or wert thou kill'd by the Caes. Kill'd by thee Glor. Cease horrid eccho cease and tell at large What dost thou seek what is it thou wou'dst charge Some dreadfull business drives thy stormy mind In Gloriana's breast a Haven find Art thou distracted with thy mighty grief Or wou'dst thou gain from wretched me relief Caes. I came to seek for painted vertue here For one exceeding false exceeding fair For one whose breast shone like a Silver cloud But did a heart compos'd of Thunder shrowd For one more weeping than the face of Nile Whose liquid Chrystal hides the Crocodile For one who like a God from Heav'n did pour Rich rain but lust was in the golden showr For one who like Pandora beauteous flew But a long train of curses with her drew For one who like a Rock of Diamonds stood But hemm'd with death and universal flood Glor. Did I not know you of the Noblest frame I must confess you might the manner blame Appearance wou'd some jealous troubles raise Respect the time the posture and the place But trust me and retire Caes. Still worse Retire And leave thee here to roul in sinfull fire Like a fair Glutton gorging vast desire O Appetite of Angels such with awe Thou didst appear when first thy form I saw Glory came down and Beauty hover'd there But fleeting as the bosome of the Air Air not more wish'd nor easier had than thou Air which the Gods to men and brutes allow Glor. Have I deserv'd this but you may go on My faith will better by your guilt be shewn Caes. 'T is true the dress of innocence you have You look as you were going to a Grave Prepar'd to crumble into Rosie dust To meet a Tomb and not the Bed of lust Such Heav'n is in your face all clean and white Like Goddesses in flesh so clear to sight But 't is not fit I tell what 's lodg'd within How full thy bosome is of foulest sin Glor. Speak for I am prepar'd the worst to hear Caes. O such a heart thou hast that lodges there It all things deadly and perverse does will So in bright Palaces black Tyrants kill So mortal damps are hid in golden Mines And deprav'd spirits lurk in Sacred shrines Glor. Have you done yet Caes. The ills that thou hast done Will like the Steeds of Night for ever run Furies still lashing on for thee ingrate I was the cause of dead Narcissa's fate Glor. O Heav'ns Caes. 'T was love of thee that urg'd her doom Thou thoughtst thy perjury shou'd never come To these deluded ears but 't was from her I learnt how excellently false you were But I fond fool wou'd not believe till she By death confirm'd thy matchless treachery Glor. I seem'd indeed with Caesar to consent But 't was to give him fatal punishment To end his Tyrannies with one great blow Which all your rage in vain essay'd to doe For this I leant on the Imperial Bed Deeply resolv'd with this to strike him dead For this I urg'd you to retire at first 'T is true or may I be for ever curs'd Caes. I know I know you cannot want excuse The fair are still most witty in abuse But I am arm'd with demonstration arm'd And will no more with Beautie 's wounds be harm'd Did not the dying speak it perfect proof I heard I 've seen by Heav'n there is enough I will be deaf as winds when Sea-men pray And sweep as furious and as swift as they Glor. Yet cruel turn Caes. By all the Gods I 'le not I am resolv'd and will no more be caught Thus turning from thee thus I lose the sight Of all I ever lov'd I 'le take my flight Beyond the Scythian hills where horrid care With her cold sighs chills all the neighb'ring aâ—r Freezes life's heat and binds the springing blood Where mirth and joy are words not understood Where thousand sorrows shoot along the glades And melancholy sits in mighty shades Thither I 'le fly and darken all the place And with new clouds the solemn mourners grace With flouds of tears I'leâ— wash the stains of Love And rise all Caesar to the Thrones above Glor. Be gone to death to death Caesario fly Or if you fear I 'le teach you how to dye I 'le be your guide in your dark course and shew The way to Heav'n which sure you do not know I 'le imp your pennons when they flag with guilt And rest you on some clouds embroider'd quilt Chide your suspicions as you weâ—ping sit Yet pardon all the faults you did commit Thou wilt believe me true when I am dead And death will free me from the Tyrant's bed Turn then behold the offering which I make The last of Pompey dying for thy sake Caes. Hold Gloriana desperate murd'ring Faiâ— Thus is it thus thou wou'dst thy honour â—lear Each drop that falls will to an Ocean swell To swallow me who can the horrour tell I drown I 'm sunk beneath the depths of Hell But I 'le not speak to thee my breath 's so foul That ev'ry poisonous word will blast thy soul. Glor. Ah cruel kind I can but lose thee now And death's less dreadfull then thy angry brow The dreadfull Scene was so severely wrought Except I dy'd I must be guilty thought But I 'le no more the crime of fate upbraid Wipe thy bath'd eyes and raise thy drooping head Alas we were not for each other made Caes. Night everlasting Night Oh! Glor. Do not grieve With my last breath pardon and love receive Support me Caes. Firmer then old Atlas stands And prop a Richer Heav'n with Mortal hands Glor. Take me secur'd from past and future harms Bow'd to thy neck and sinking in thy arms I go the long dark way Caes. Not yet Glor. Farewell dyes Caes. Back thou departing life back to thy Cell Her heart in Heav'n thou canst not sweeter dwell Move the still pulse and thaw each frozen vein Return I say I 'le force thee back again Catch the bare soul just plunging into bliss And give it back with this fast deathless kiss Enter Augustus in his Night-gown Aug. Thus when the Royal Eagle stoops to pair With a delib'rate wing he beats the air Views all the Queens of his Heroick Race To judge whose eyes deserve Imperial grace But having chose aloâ—t his