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
vent Mel. Was not that Jupiter whom we adore A man but for his more then human acts Advanc'd to Heav'n and worshipt for its Lord Heph. By all his Thunder and his Sov'raign Power I 'le not believe the Earth yet ever felt An arm like Alexanders not that God You nam'd though riding in a Car of fire And drawn by flying Horses wing'd with Lightning Cou'd in a space more short do greater deeds Drive all the Nations and lay wast the World Clyt. There 's not a man of War amongst you all That loves the King like me yet I 'le not flatter Nor sooth his vanity 't is blamable And when the wine works Clytus thoughts will out Heph. Then go not to the Banquet Clyt. I was call'd My Minion was I not as well as you I 'le go my Friends in this old Habit thus And laugh and drink the King's health heartily And while you blushing bow your heads to earth And hide'em in the dust I 'le stand upright Strait as a Spear the Pillar of my Country And be by so much nearer to the Gods But see the King and all the Court appear Enter Alexander Sysigambis Statira Parisatis c. Par. Spare him O spare Lysimachus his life I know you will Kings shou'd delight in mercy Alex. Shield me Statira shield me from her sorrow Par. O save him save him e're it be too late Speak the kind word before the gaping Lyon Swallow him up let not your Souldier perish But for one rashness which despair did cause I 'le follow thus for ever on my knees And make your way so slippery with tears You shall not pass Sister do you conjure him Alex. O Mother take her take her from me kneels Her watry eyes assault my very Soul They shake my best resolve Stat. Did not I break Through all for you nay now my Lord you must Sys Nor wou'd I make my Son so bold a prayer Had I not first consulted for his Honour Alex. Honour what Honour has not Statira said it Were I the King of the blue Firmament And the bold Titans shou'd again make War Though my resistless Arrows were made ready By all the Gods she shou'd arrest my hand Fly then ev'n thou his Rival so belov'd Fly with old Clytus snatch him from the jaws Of the devouring Beast bring him adorn'd To the Kings Banquet fit for loads of Honour Exeunt Heph. Eum. Par. Stat. O my lov'd Lord let me embrace your knees I am not worthy of this mighty passion You are too good for Goddesses themselves No woman not the Sex is worth a grain Of this illustrious life of my dear Master Why are you so Divine to cause such fondness That my heart leaps and beats and fain wou'd out To make a dance of Joy about your feet Alex. Excellent woman no 't is impossible To say how much I love thee Ha! again Such Extasies life cannot carry long The day comes on so fast and beamy joy Darts with such fierceness on me night will follo A pale Crown'd head flew lately glaring by me With two dead hands which threw a Chrystal Globe From high that shatter'd in a thousand pieces But I will lose these boding Dreams in wine Then warm and blushing for my Queens embraces Bear me with all my heat to thy lov'd bosom Stat. Go my best Love and chear your drooping Spirits Laugh with your Friends and talk your grief away While in the Bow'r of great Semiramis I dress your Bed with all the sweets of Nature And crown it as the Altar of my Love Where I will lay me down and softly mourn But never close my eyes till your return Ex. Stat. Sysig Alex. Is she not more then mortal man can wish Diana's Soul cast in the flesh of Venus By Jove 't is ominous our parting is Her face look'd pale too as she turn'd away And when I wrung her by the Rosie fingers Methought the strings of my great heart did crack What should it mean Forward Laomedon Roxana meets him with Cassand Polip Phil. and Thess. Why Madam gaze you thus Rox. For a last look she holds his hand And that the memory of Roxana's wrongs May be for ever printed in your mind Alex. O Madam you must let me pass Rox. I will But I have sworn that you shall hear me speak And mark me well for Fate is in my breath Love on the Mistress you adore to death Still hope but I fruition will destroy Languish for pleasures you shall ne're enjoy Still may Statira's Image draw your sight Like those deluding Fires that walk at night Lead you through fragrant Grots and flowrie Groves And charm you through deep Grass with sleeping Loves That when your fancy to its height does rise The light you lov'd may vanish from your eyes Darkness Despair and Death your wandring Soul surprize Alex. Away lead Meleager to the Banquet Ex. cum suis. Rox. So unconcern'd O I cou'd tear my flesh Or him or you nay all the world to pieces Cas. Still keep this Spirit up preserve it still Lose not a grain for such Majestick Atomes First made the world and must preserve its greatness Rox. I know I am whatever thou canst say My Soul is pent and has not elbow room 'T is swell'd with this last slight beyond all bounds O that it had a space might answer to Its infinite desire where I might stand And hurl the Sphears about like sportive Balls Cas. We are your Slaves admirers of your fury Command Cassander to obey your pleasure And I will on swift as my nimble Eye Scales Heav'n when I am angry with the Fates No Age nor Sex nor dignity of bloud No tyes of Law or Nature not the life Imperial though guarded with the Gods Shall bar Cassander's vengeance he shall dye Rox. Ha! shall he dye shall I consent to kill him To see him clasp'd in the cold arms of death Whom I with such an eagerness have lov'd Do I not bear his Image in my womb Which while I meditate and roul revenge Starts in my body like a fatal pulse And strikes compassion through my bleeding bowels Pol. These scruples which your Love wou'd raise might pass Were not the Empire of the world consider'd How will the glorious Infant in your womb When time shall teach his tongue be bound to curse you If now you strike not for his Coronation Cas. If Alexander lives you cannot reign Nor shall your Child old Sysigambis head Will not be idle sure destruction waits Both you and yours let not your anger cool But give the word say Alexander bleeds Draw dry the veins of all the Persian Race And hurl a ruine o're the East 't is done Pol. Behold the Instruments of this great work Phil. Behold your forward Slave Thes. I 'le execute Rox. And when this ruine is accomplish'd where Shall curst Roxana fly with this dear load Where shall she find a refuge from the arms Of all the Successors of this great man No
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
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
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.
pity him Pol. Peace where shall we meet Cas. In Saturn's Field Methinks I see the frighted Deities Ramming more bolts in their big-belly'd Clouds And firing all the Heav'ns to drown his noise Now we should laugh But go disperse your selves While each Soul here that fills his noble Vessel Swells with the murder works with ruine o're And from the dreadfull deed this Glory draws We kill'd the greatest man that ever was The Scene draws Enter Alexander and all his Attendants Alex. Search there nay probe me search my wounded reins Pull draw it out Lys. We have search'd but find no hurt Alex. O I am shot a forked burning Arrow Sticks cross my shoulders the sad Venom flies Like Lightning through my flesh my bloud my marrow Lys. This must be Treason Perd. Wou'd I could but guess Alex. Ha! what a change of Torments I endure A bolt of Ice runs hizzing through my bowels 'T is sure the arm of Death give me a Chair Cover me for I freeze my teeth chatter And my knees knock together Perd. Heav'n bless the King Alex. Ha! who talks of Heav'n I am all Hell I burn I burn again The War grows wondrous hot hey for the Tygris Bear me Bucephalus amongst the Billows O 't is a noble beast I would not change him For the best Horse the Sun has in his Stable For they are hot their Mangers full of coals Their Mains are flakes of Lightning curls of Fire And their red Tails like Meteors whisk about Lys. Help all Eumenes help I cannot hold him Alex. Ha ha ha I shall dye with laughter Parmenio Clytus dost thou see yon fellow That ragged Souldier thar poor tatter'd Greek See how he puts to flight the gaudy Persians With nothing but a rusty Helmet on through which The grizly bristles of his pushing Beard Drive 'em like Pikes Ha ha ha Perd. How wild he talks Lys. Yet warring in his wildness come Alex. Sound sound keep your Ranks close ay now they O the brave dinn the noble clank of Arms Charge Charge apace and let the Phalanx move Darius comes ha let me in none dare To cross my fury Philotas is unhors'd Ay 't is Darius I see I know him by the sparkling Plumes And his Gold Chariot drawn by ten white Horses But like a Tempest thus I pour upon him He bleeds with that last blow I brought him down He tumbles take him snatch the Imperial Crown They fly they fly follow follow Victoria Victoria Victoria O let me sleep Perd. Let 's raise him softly and bear him to his Bed Alex. Hold the least motion gives me sudden death My vital Spirits are quite parch'd burnt up And all my smoaky Entrails turn'd to ashes Lys. When you the brightest Star that ever shone Shall set it must be night with us for ever Alex. Let me embrace you all before I dye Weep not my dear Companions the good Gods Shall send you in my stead a nobler Prince One that shall lead you forth with matchless conduct Lys. Break not our hearts with such unkind expressions Perd. We will not part with you nor change for Mars Alex. Perdiccas take this Ring And see me laid in the Temple of Jupiter Ammon Lys. To whom does your dread Majesty bequeath The Empire of the World Alex. To him that is most worthy Perd. When will you sacred Sir that we should give To your great memory those Divine Honours Which such exalted Virtue does deserve Alex. When you are all most happy and in peace Your hands O Father if I have discharg'd rises The duty of a man to Empire born If by unwearied toil I have deserv'd The vast renown of thy adopted Son Accept this Soul which thou didst first inspire And with this sigh thus gives thee back again dyes Lys. Eumenes cover the faln Majesty If there be Treason let us find it out Lysimachus stands forth to lead you on And swears by those most honour'd dear Remains He will not tast the joys which Beauty brings Till we revenge the greatest best of Kings FINIS EPILOGUE to Alexander the Great WHAT e're they mean yet ought they to be curst Who this Censorious Age did polish first Who the best Play for one poor Errour blame As Priests against our Ladies Arts declaim And for one Patch both Soul and Body damn But what does more provoke the Actors rage For we must show the grievance of the Stage Is that our Women who adorn each Play Bred at our cost become at length your Prey While green and sour likes Trees we bear 'em all But when they 're mellow straight to you they fall You watch 'em bare and squab and let 'em rest But with the first young down you snatch the Nest. Pray leave these poaching tricks if you are wise E're we take out our Letters of Reprize For we have vow'd to find a sort of Toys Known to black Fryars a Tribe of choopping Boys If once they come they 'l quickly spoil your sport There 's not one Lady will receive your Court But for the Youth in Petticoats run wild With oh the archest Wagg the sweetest Child The panting Breasts white Hands and little Feet No more shall your pall'd thoughts with pleasure meet The Woman in Boys Cloaths all Boy shall be And never raise your thoughts above the Knee Well if our Women knew how false you are They wou'd stay here and this new trouble spare Poor Souls they think all Gospel you relate Charm'd with the noise of sett'ling an Estate But when at last your Appetites are full And the tir'd Cupid grows with action dull You 'l find some trick to cut off the Entail And send 'em back to us all worn and stale Perhaps they 'l find our Stage while they have rang'd To some vile canting Conventicle chang'd Where for the Sparks who once resorted there With their curl'd Wigs that scented all the Air They 'l see grave Blockheads with short greasie Hair Green-Aprons steeple-Hats and Collar-Bands Dull sniv'ling Rogues that wring not clap their Hands Where for gay Punks that drew the shining Crowd And Misses that in Vizard laught aloud They 'l hear young Sisters sigh see Matrons old To their chop 't Cheeks their pick'led Kerchers hold Whose Zeal too might perswade in spight to you Our flying Angels to augment their Crew While Farringdon their Hero struts about 'em And ne're a damning Critick dares to flout ' em FINIS
place Therefore my Lord this Play must be yours and Alexander whom I have rais'd from the dead comes to you with an assurance answerable to his Character and your Virtue You cannot expect him in his Majesty of two thousand Years ago I have only put his illustrious Ashes in an Urne which are now offer'd with all observance to your Lordship By My Lord Your Lordships most humble obliged and devoted Servant NAT. LEE Dramatis Personae MEN. By Alexander the Great Mr. Hart. Clytus Master of his Horse Mr. Mohun Lysimachus Prince of the Blood Mr. Griffin Hephestion Alexander's Favourite Mr. Clarke Cassander Son of Antipater Mr. Kenaston Conspirators Polypercon Commander of the Phalanx Mr. Goodman Philip Brother to Cassander Mr. Powell Thessalus the Median Mr. Wiltshire Perdiccas great Commanders Mr. Lydall Eumenes Mr. Watson Meleager Mr. Perin Aristander a Southsayer Mr. Coysh WOMEN By Sysigambis Mother of the Royal Family Mrs. Corey Statira Daughter of Darius Married to Alexander Mrs. Boutell Roxana Daughter of Cohortanus first Wife of Alexander Mrs. Marshall Parisatis Sister to Statira in Love with Lysimachus Mrs. Baker Attendants Slaves Ghost Dancers Guards Scene Babylon To Mr. Lee on his Alexander THE Blast of common Censure cou'd I fear Before your Play my Name shou'd not appear For 't will be thought and with some colour too I pay the Bribe I first receiv'd from You That mutual Vouchers for our Fame we stand To play the Game into each others Hand And as cheap Pen'orths to our selves afford As Bessus and the Brothers of the Sword Such Libels private Men may well endure When States and Kings themselves are not secure For ill Men conscious of their inward guilt Think the best Actions on By-ends are built And yet my silence had not scap'd their spight Then envy had not suffer'd me to write For since I cou'd not Ignorance pretend Such worth I must or envy or commend So many Candidates there stand for Wit A place in Court is scarce so hard to get In vain they croud each other at the Door For ev'n Reversions are all beg'd before Desert how known so e're is long delay'd And then too Fools and Knaves are better pay'd Yet as some Actions bear so great a Name That Courts themselves are just for fear of shame So has the mighty Merit of your Play Extorted praise and forc'd it self a Way 'T is here as 't is at Sea who farthest goes Or dares the most makes all the rest his Foes Yet when some Virtue much out-grows the rest It shoots too fast and high to be opprest As his Heroic worth struck Envy dumb Who took the Dutchman and who cut the Boom Such praise is yours while you the Passions move That 't is no longer feign'd 't is real Love Where Nature Triumphs over wretched Art We only warm the Head but you the Heart Alwayes you warm and if the rising Year As in hot Regions bring the Sun too near T is but to make your Fragrant Spices blow Which in our colder Climates will not grow They only think you animate your Theme With too much Fire who are themselves all Phle'me Prizes wou'd be for Lags of slowest pace Were Cripples made the Judges of the Race Despise those Drones who praise while they accuse The too much vigour of your youthful Muse That humble Stile which they their Virtue make Is in your pow'r you need but stoop and take Your beauteous Images must be allow'd By all but some vile Poets of the Crowd But how shou'd any Sign-post-dawber know The worth of Titian or of Angelo Hard Features every Bungler can command To draw true Beauty shews a Masters Hand JOHN DRYDEN PROLOGUE TO ALEXANDER Written by Sir Char. Scroop Baronet HOW hard the Fate is of that Scribling Drudge Who writes to all when yet so few can judge Wit like Religion once Divine was thought And the dull Crowd believ'd as they were taught Now each Fanatick Fool presumes t' explain The Text and does the sacred Writ prophane For while you Wits each others Fall pursue The Fops usurp the Power belongs to you You think y' are challeng'd in each new Play-bill And here you come for tryal of your Skill Where Fencer-like you one another hurt While with your Wounds you make the Rabble sport Others there are that have the bruital Will To Murder a poor Play but want the Skill They love to fight but seldome have the Wit To spye the Place where they may thrust and hit And therefore like some Bully of the Town Ne're stand to draw but knock the Poet down With these like Hogs in Gardens it succeeds They root up all and know not Flowers from Weeds As for you Sparks that hither come each day To Act your own and not to mind our Play Rehearse your usual follies to the Pit And with loud Non-sense drown the Stages Wit Talk of your Cloaths your last Debauches tell And witty Bargains to each other sell Gloat on the silly She who for your sake Can Vanity and Noise for Love mistake 'Till the Cocquet sung in the next Lampoon Is by her jealous Friends sent out of Town For in this Duelling Intriguing Age The Love you make is like the War you wage Y' are still prevented e're you come t' ingage But 't is not to such trisling Foes as you The Mighty Alexander daigns to sue You Persians of the Pit he does despise But to the Men of Sence for Aid he flies On their experienc'd Arms he now depends Nor fears he odds if they but prove his Friends For as he once a little handful chose The numerous Armies of the World t' oppose So back'd by you who understand the Rules He hopes to rout the Mighty Host of Fools Some Books Printed this Year 1677. for J. Magnes and R. Bently Madam Fickle Town Fop. Abdellazar The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian The Fool turn'd Critick The Happy Slave First and Second Part in French and English The False Count Brion Moral Essays by the Metures of the Port-Royal Plays Written by Mr. Lee. The Tragedy of Nero. Sophonisba or Hanibal 's Overthrow Glorian or the Court of Augustus Caesar. The Rival Queens or the Death of Alexander the Great The French Novels L'Heureux Esclave Galant Escroc Princesse Momferrat Le Cercle L'Histoire des Visiers Memoires de Suede Relation D'Espagne Touchant Don John THE Rival Queens OR ALEXANDER THE GREAT ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Hephestion Lysimachús fighting Clytus parting them Cly. WHAT are you Mad-men ha Put up I say Then mischief in the bosoms of ye both Lys. I have his Sword Cly. But must not have his Life Lys. Must not Old Clytus Cly. Mad Lysimachus you must not Heph. Coward Flesh O feeble Arm He dallied with my point and when I thrust He frown'd and smil'd and foil'd me like a Fencer O Reverend Clytus Father of the War Most famous Guard of Alexander's Life Take pity on my Youth and lend a Sword Lysimachus is
brave and will not scorn me Kill me or let me fight with him again Lys. There take thy Sword and since thou art resolv'd For death thou hast the noblest from my hand Cly. Stay thee Lysimachus Hephestion hold I bar you both my Body interpos'd Now let me see which of you dares to strike By Jove ye've stirr'd the Old Man that rash Arm That first advances moves against the Gods Against the Wrath of Clytus and the Will Of our great King whose Deputy I stand Lys. Well I shall take another time Heph. And I. Cly. 'T is false Another time what time what foolish hour No time shall see a brave Man do amiss And what 's the noble Cause that makes this madness What big Ambition blows this dangerous Fire A Cupids puff is it not Woman's breath By all our triumphs in the heat of Youth When Towns were sack'd and Beauties prostrate lay When my Blood boil'd and Nature work'd me high Clytus ne're bow'd his body to such shame The brave will scorn their Cobweb Arts The Souls Of all that whining smiling coz'ning Sex Weigh not one thought of any Man of War Lys. I must confess our vengeance was ill-tim'd Cly. Death I had rather this right Arm were lost To which I owe my glory than our King Should know your fault what on this famous day Heph. I was to blame Cly. This memorable day When our hot Master that wou'd tire the World Outride the lab'ring Sun and tread the Stars When he inclin'd to rest comes peaceful on Listning to Songs while all his Trumpets sleep And plays with Monarchs whom he us'd to drive Shall we begin disorders make new broils We that have temper learnt shall we awake Hush'd Mars the Lion that had left to roar Lys. 'T is true Old Clytus is an Oracle Put up Hephestion did not Passion blind My Reason I on such occasion too Could thus have urg'd Heph. Why is it then we love Cly. Because unmann'd Why is not Alexander grown Example O that a Face should thus bewitch a Soul And ruine all that 's right and reasonable Talk be my bane yet the Old Man must talk Not so he lov'd when he at Issus fought And join'd in mighty Duel great Darius Whom from his Chariot flaming all with Gems He hurl'd to Earth and crush'd th' imperial Crown Nor cou'd the Gods defend their Images Which with the gawdy Coach lay overturn'd 'T was not the shaft of Love that did the feat Cupid had nothing there to do but now Two Wives he takes two Rival Queens disturb The Court and while each hand do's beauty hold Where is there room for glory Heph. In his heart Cly. Well said You are his favourite and I had forgot Who I was talking to see Sysigambis comes Reading a Letter to your Princess go Now make your claim while I attend the King Exit Enter Sysigambis Parisatis Par. Did you not love my Father Yes I see You did his very name but mention'd brings The Tears howe're unwilling to your Eeys I lov'd him too he would not thus have forc'd My trembling heart which your Commands may break But never bend Sys Forbear thy lost complaints Urge not a suit which I can never grant Behold the Royal Signet of the King Therefore resolve to be Hephestion's Wife Par. No since Lysimachus has won my heart My body shall be Ashes e're anothers Sys For sixty rowling years who ever stood The shock of State so unconcern'd as I This whom I thought to Govern being young Heav'n as a Plague to Power has render'd strong Judge my distresses and my temper prize Who though unfortunate wou'd still be wise Lys. To let you know that misery do's sway Both kneel An humbler Fate than yours see at your Feet The lost Lysimachus O mighty Queen I have but this to beg impartial stand And since Hephestion serves by your permission Disdain not me who ask your Royal leave To cast a throbbing heart before her feet Heph. A blessing like possession of the Princess No Services not Crowns nor all the Blood That circles in our Bodies can deserve Therefore I take all helps much more the Kings And what your Majesty vouchsaf'd to give Your word is past where all my hopes must hang. Lys. There perish too all words want sense in Love But Love and I bring such a perfect Passion So nobly pure 't is worthy of her Eyes Which without blushing she may justly prize Heph. Such arrogance should Alexander Wooe Wou'd lose him all the Conquest he has won Lys. Let not a Conquest once be nam'd by you Who this Dispute must to my mercy own Sys Rise brave Lysimachus Hephestion rise 'T is true Hephestion first declar'd his love And 't is as true I promis'd him my aid Your glorious King turn'd mighty Advocate How noble therefore were the Victory If we could vanquish this disordered Love Heph. 'T will never be Lys. No I will yet love on And hear from Alexander's Mouth in what Hephestion merits more than I. Sys I grieve And fear the boldness which your Love inspires But lest her sight should haste your Enterprize 'T is just I take the Object from your Eyes Exeunt Sys Par. Lys. She 's gone and see the Day as if her look Had kindled it is lost now she is vanished Heph. A sudden gloominess and horrour comes About me Lys. Let 's away to meet the King You know my suit Heph. Yonder Cassander comes He may inform us Lys. No I wou'd avoid him There 's something in that busie Face of his That shocks my Nature Heph. Where and what you please Exeunt Enter Cassander Cass. The Morning rises black the lowring Sun As if the dreadful business he foreknew Drives heavily his sable Chariot on The Face of Day now blushes Scarlet deep As if it fear'd the stroke which I intend Like that of Jupiter Lightning and Thunder The Lords above are angry and talk big Or rather walk the mighty Cirque like Mourners Clad in long Clouds the Robes of thickest Night And seem to groan for Alexander's fall 'T is as Cassander's Soul cou'd wish it were Which whensoe're it flies at lofty mischief Wou'd startle Fate and make all Heav'n concern'd A mad Chaldaean in the dead of Night Came to my Bed-side with a flaming Torch And bellowing o're me like a Spirit damn'd He cry'd Well had it been for Babylon If curs'd Cassander never had been born Enter Thessalus Philip with Letters Thess. My Lord Cassander Cass. Ha! who 's there Phil. Your Friends Cass. Welcome dear Thessalus and Brother Philip Papers with what Contents Phil. From Macedon A trusty slave arriv'd great Antipater Writes that your Mother labour'd with you long Your Birth was slow and slow is all your Life Cass. He writes dispatch the King Craterus comes Who in my room must Govern Macedon Let him not live a day he dies to night And thus my Father but forestalls my purpose Why am I slow then if I