ACT III. SCEN. IV. Phocas Exuperius Amintas Guards and Attendants PHO. WIth what delight such menaces I hear Small danger in vain words there does appear But I have power to make my threatnings good Punish her scorns in her dear brothers blood You my true friends that thus have eas'd my pain I fear'd your hate but now your love 's made plain Rest not till you make perfect your design For to your judgments I my will resign Shall we in secret give Heraclius death Or on a publick seaffold stop his breath EXVP What is the fittest is the best for you In publick Traitors still should have their due A private death would politick appear Not just and we more Hydra's heads might fear The Mutineers may say he is not dead And raise some other Traitor in his stead PHO. Then in the Palace-yard 't is best he die Our Guards about us for securitie EXVP Not in your own Court Sir Should it be done But in the face of all before the Sun Where justice us'd to be and so declare That publick Acts should not be mixt with fear PHO Then at the time that he gives up his breath We 'l shew his Note the just cause of his death EXVP That Sir avails not after twenty years Mauritius ' hand unknown to all appears But if the storm now you will lay indeed When publickly this Pageant-Prince shall bleed Make him acknowledge who he is and cry It is HERACLIVS People you see die PHO I am resolv'd it shall be as you say And Leontina shall the same debt pay I 've made her great her plots I now mistrust Who make their Prince fear make their own death just But Mutineers may force 'em from our hands EXVP What are those People to your well-arm'd bands None Sir will dare the least resistance show Who 's in disgrace there 's but few friends will know A little pitty as he goes along Oft curiosity does make a throng Rare sights the people love but none will be So mad to stir if so he dies by me Yet what you do should soon be put in act Let them not meet to talk about his fact Seize all convenient places through the Town And place such Guards as you know are your own For us we are ingag'd to see him die Lest if he live we lose our lives thereby Since 't is our dutie brings him to the block Our courage shall sustain the fiercest shock PHO It is enough I on your zeal relie And this may help to quell all mutiny I go to perfect this so great affair And leave your friends assembling to your care The work once done look you for such reward As so great Faith and courage hath deserv'd Exit Phocas and Attendants ACT III. SCE. V. Exuperius Amintas EXVP WE are in favour friend and all command AMINT. Why so great joy I scarce can understand Falshood and Treason are not things to boast What is our greatness when our honour 's lost EXVP True to the Generous it is not great Why we engag'd I need not now repeat We shall find waies yet to recover all And raise our honour by this present fall Come let us go this pain we must endure If honour bleeds blood may our honour cure Exeunt ACT IV. SCEN. I. Enter Heraclius Eudoxia HERAC WIth reason you her dangers apprehend Now she appears but a mistaken Friend If she flie not no hope but she must die T will justice seem in him not crueltie Eudoxia not for her I grieve but thee She justly is betray'd that betray'd me EVD Can you believe her hate to you was such When her Sons life for yours was not too much HERACLIVS To her imposture I must give that name She stayd those actings that might raise my fame And by her cunning and a false report My Name and Right to Martian doth transport Approves that Letter in my Fathers Name Entitles him to th' Empire which I claim In this there was no love no policie Since he must reign or else must die for me EVD Had she decry'd that Letter as a lie Your secret then had been reveal'd thereby She doubted Sir as by the issue now Her just suspicion you may well allow Arm'd then with something yet to make you reign More than is known or that Note could contain Had she not turn'd the blow on Martian's head You that mistake her service had been dead HERAC No matter which I Martian too much owe If one must die to suffer him to go Though none discover me my self I must To my brave friend and honour be so just This only difference Martian can I see Betray'd I wretch'd die glorious for thee EVD Ah! Sir will you so rash an action do Betray your self and give me my death too What hast the Tyrant yet doth nothing know Will you the object of his furie show HERACL Your love to what 's my dutie makes you blind Who doth not love my honour is unkind He by my Name is sure to suffer death And shall I by his Name preserve my breath If by the errour he might live and reign It might be born he by my loss might gain T were a low baseness longer to conceal Such a mistake as honour bids reveal EVD Oh Sir it is not that which I desire Your honor 's mine mean thoughts would quench my fire Arm arm your self Sir to preserve his life Make Phocas die his death will end all strife Rekindle what my Mother quencht before And from my love and courage make it more Take to the Empire now a Soldiers way If you meet Death tell him I for him stay HERAC Th' Occasion 's lost Martian now goes for me And by his pris'n our friends dispersed be Since all do take him for Heraclius They 'l think it a foul Parricide in us Some few that love my person well may rise But spight of them and us still Martian dies And when his death gives Phocas victorie What force can I expect should join with me Then speak no more your love must not retard His life my honour are of more regard Whether I reign or whether I must die I 'le trust my vertue for a Victorie ACT IV. SCENE II. Phocas Heraclius taken for Martian Eudoxia Exuperius Guards and Attendants PHOC shewing Eudoxia to his Guards TO prison with her till her Mother appear HERAC Has she a share PHO. That will be found ne'r fear T is fit that we do seiz her she may peach And help to draw the Mother within reach EVDOXIA to Phocas going off Believe not any thing that he shall tell PHOCAS to Eudoxia Follow your counsel yes 't were very well Exit Eud. with a Guard To Heraclius Her tears thy pity no way do deserve Wouldst thou thy greatest Enemies preserve No no I 'm sure when all their guilt is known Thou neither wilt their love nor persons own Bring in the Pris'ner tortures we not need To his Guard To find the crime
HERACLIUS EMPEROUR Of the EAST A Tragedy Written in FRENCH by Monsieur de Corneille ENGLISHED by LODOWICK CARLELL Esq LONDON Printed for John Starkey at the Mitre between the Middle-Temple Gate and Temple-Bar in Fleetstreet 1664. March 9. 1664. Imprimatur ROGER L'ESTRANGE The Author's ADVERTISEMENT ANother Translation formerly design'd after this seem'd to be accepted of was perfected and acted this not returned to me until that very day Such a rejection makes it more contemptible to some than perhaps it deserves Parents are apt to dote on their own brats especially those of their old age Impartial men are the best remedies against this mischief friends and prejudic'd persons will still have something of the bias therefore from those who know least of me I am likeliest to take a true measure of my self one cause why this is now in print Though my humble respects to her Royal Highness prompted me to undertake a Translation in verse because she loves plays of that kind and is as eminent in knowledge as dignity yet I presume not to beg her protection only as it took birth at Sommerset House I hope she will not despise it from the report of others For my most gracious Mistress whom I have so long serv'd and in former Playes not displeas'd I dare not address this because my first essay of this nature For her Son that Sun of Majesty I am too much dazled at this distance to attempt nearer since only Eagle-Muses can approach his brightness yet I durst in all humility present the Original and my design in translating it to his Princely consideration For the subject of it is the restoration of a gallant Prince to his just inheritance many years after the unjust and horrid murder of a Saint-like Father and this by the courage and prudence of one who seem'd in the vulgar eye to go another way Yet I know those who look'd upon all his actings when most violent to be like that of a Geer-falcon who though she seems not to eye the Hern but works a contrary way 't is but to gain the wind by which advantage she makes her self the master of her design All this if I mistake not is a just parallel Though what 's already said may seem too long I cannot conclude without some remark upon Leontina's action which some censure unnatural so unwarrantable But if we are bound to sacrifice our own lives to preserve that of our Prince we may expose our Child 's for the preservation of his Heir the continuance of a just and Royal line being not one of the least blessings to a Nation if any yet doubt I refer them to the Casuists as I do what I have writ to the censure of all that love serious Plays to whom I dedicate this Those who translate hope but a Labourers praise Who well invent contrive deserve the Bays THE PROLOGUE Intended for the PLAY WE nothing change that does the Plot concern Though in the Verse some change you may discern All tongues have proper idioms of their own Their Elegance in ours is hardly shown This but a Copy and all such go less Great Beauties may be alter'd by the dress You see how carefull an excuse we make That one so mean CORNEILLE does undertake But sure no envy to his share can fall Who once kept shop translates so keeps a stall Those who have need we should interpret this Their Clap bears the same value with their Hiss Of one of these you are too lavish grown A Song a Dance nay if an Ape were shown You 'd cast your Caps but lest you them should loose Some in good husbandry their hands mis-use This bold digression thrust in by the way Too oft the By exceeds the Main the Play What 's French you like if vain exceed their height What 's Solid Worthy too few imitate But we have those when they things serious write May give Them Patterns You more just delight The Actors Names PHOCAS Emperor of the East by usurpation upon Mauritius HERACLIVS Son to the deceased Emperor Mauritius but taken for Martian the Son of Phocas in love with Eudoxia MARTIAN Son to Phocas but taken for Leontius Leontina's Son in love with Pulcheria PVLCHERIA Daughter to the Emperor Mauritius in love with Martian LEONTINA A Lady sometime Governess of the two Princes Heraclius and Martian EVDOXIA Her Daughter in love with Heraclius CRISPVS Phocas his Son-in-Law EXVPERIVS A Noble-man of Constantinople AMINTAS His Friend Courtiers Guards and other Attendants Men and Women  The Scene CONSTANTINOPLE HERACLIUS A Tragedy ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Phocas Crispus Guards and Attendants Phocas THe lustre that from Crowns does strike our sight Crispus is but a false though glittering light Those to whom Heaven commits the Scepters care Know not the weight till they the Scepter bear A thousand sweets there seem unto it bound But the hid bitterness is only found He that possesses it yet fears the loss So to enjoy turns that into a cross But above all to me whose birth 's obscure Who by Revolt became an Emperour As I by guilt the height of power did gain By bloudy crimes I did the same maintain All that were good or great to death I sent Vertue on Vice still looks with discontent I counted all my foes who gain'd esteem Whom I made slaves their vertue might redeem I left none living of the Royal line But one not spar'd by pity but design By her to make my Son the Crown possess And keep him great should Fortune make me less CRISPVS Blind Malice now seeks to Revive a Boy Which in the Fathers sight you did destroy But 't is a Fable to the wiser sort PHOCAS Pretenders to a Crown make fatal sport Though they believe not yet they make a show And discontent makes Rumor stronger grow But what 's the name with which they would fright us CRISPVS Who gives new life calls him Heraclius PHOCAS Of no deep reach sure the Inventors were What is impossible we need not fear His death was so remarkable to all That it bred horror some on me did fall For bloud and Milk there issued from his side And the same day my Martians Mother died These things forgot because so long since done Gives a new life to the dead Emp'rors Son But little do I value their design Since yet alive is faithful Leontine Who was his Governess and did declare Where he was hid from love to me or fear CRISPVS Then Sir you trusted to her care your Son Which some did censure as not wisely done PHOCAS She brought Heraclius forth by me he died Joyn'd in his bloud she 's to my interest ty'd Her Son I have made great bred with my own His worth their Friendship to the world is known And prov'd to us most happy the last war For when my Martian was ingag'd too far Leontius bravely charg'd reliev'd my Son And join'd together soon the battel won CRISPVS Your Son 's so prodigal
that belongs to me PHO By my right hand that doth to me belong PVL Thou hast no right since all thou hast is wrong PHO I 'm sure th' art proud and by this pride I swear PVL Your pride makes mine and so no death I fear But canst thou dread an Oath it cannot be Thy whole life's one continued perjury PHO to himself Her Genius masters mine I must submit To her great spirit heighten'd by her wit Madam let 's end this Combate of the tongue Women at their own weapons are too strong But urge me not lest I make use of swords And they can cut as deep as bitter words ACT I. SCEN. III. Phocas Heraclius taken for Martian Martian taken for Leontius Crispus Pulcheria her women Guards and Attendants MArtian thou knowst with what Paternal cares I 've bred this Serpent who ungrateful dares Spit her bold venom in her Sovereign's face My Person and my Government disgrace Lay plots partake with Traytors to my Crown And cares not who she raise to pull me down Her death is just so to prevent all harms She hath no Sanctuary but thy Arms. HERAC taken for Martian And why should I an Enemy protect No Sir I so your dignity respect That I must tell you you do shew mistrust In your own Right declare her Title just By pressing this What need I marry her Since I 'm your son that title I prefer He wears a Crown with slav'ry all his life Who hath no better title than a Wife Mine is a double right as may be said That now descends of which you conquest made PVLC They speak the Father not the Son these words Was ever conquest made with civil swords Abhor'd Rebellion all good men do call A Traitors rise by a just Princes fall PHO I am thy Prince and justly thou shalt die PVL Such justice well becomes thy tyranny Th' hast kept me like a Lamb suffer'd to feed The Wolf wants meat and innocence must bleed Nor speak I this that I repine at death I scorn a life depends upon thy breath HERAC taken fer Martian She must not die be carefull of your self Lest when you ship-wrack her you meet a shelf The winds blow high take heed Sir how you steer The storm that rose far off increases here The Peoples discontents would grow more bold Desperate if once to them her death were told On her great merit they have fixt their eies And in her safety Sir our safety lies PHO Why then are you so careless of her love HERAC taken for Martian I want that worth that her great heart should move PHO Who hath it then or who durst so aspire HERAC taken for Martian It is not such if done by my desire True friendship Sir is such a powerful charm That e'n to marry her shall do no harm PHO When dead Mauritius does such vigor give To this supposed Son now said to live Dost thou not think a real Son-in-law Would claim the Crown and keep us still in awe But thou wilt say 't is trusted to a friend Crowns once in question there 's no tie can bind HERAC taken for Martian When married meanly that will bate her pride PHO She rather seeks how to be Deifi'd Scorns an Alliance would her fortune prove And her dead kindred only seems to love We 'l send her to them out of love not hate Who not supports may yet disturb our state Pulcheria though your pride would never yet Grant any thing to me that I thought fit But call me Tyrant yet so kind I 'le prove To send you quickly to your friends above Exit Phoc. Crisp c. ACT I. SCEN. IV. Heraclius taken for Martian Martian taken for Leontius Pulcheria her Women HERAC taken for Martian IN vain he promises himself that I With his injustice should so far comply To force affection justly you may chuse And should you grant I justly might refuse We never must our houses join in one Nor are we fitted for this union You in Leontius happier will be And in his Sister 's my felicity We all are happy in our equal love And Leontina doth our choice approve Whose Vertue and whose wisdom is so great That nothing can so just designs defeat PVLC Sir you at first Leontius gave to me And as your gift increas'd his dignity Which in the world's opinion was before So great that only you could make it more But 't is improper now to think of love To any other than to those above After a pause HERAC taken for Martian I am resolv'd it never shall be done Who dares since in your Glass my life doth run Which I 'le declare and let the Tyrant storm If he raise forces I can sooner arm And check his rage who innocence defends Must not mistrust either his Cause or Friends PVL You justly now Sir do excite a fear Which I had not though I knew death was near But now that I do find that danger 's yours I feel a coldness strike my vital powers Kind Heaven your Messenger is timely sent My single death may many now prevent she swoons MARTIAN taken for Leontius I never thought that any thing but love Could in a womans breast such passion move Sir she recovers seem to change your mind HERAC taken for Martian I will and yet do what I have design'd Pulcheria be not griev'd and I will do Only what your desire shall guide me to MARTIAN taken for Leontius Rather be rul'd by me whose life was spent To serve you both though now your punishment First you must seek Sir to secure her life Which cannot be preserv'd unless your wife If you your selves and me will this way bless I shall be happy in your happiness The Princes good to subjects still should be The highest pitch of their felicity HERAC taken for Martian Ah my Leontius you too high aspire For my sake to extinguish that bright fire Which we â—ave kindled glorious whilst it burns But if extinguisht you to ashes turns I know you cannot live without her love What is divine proceeds from those above Part of their Essence friendships here on earth Are more our choice and suit our humane birth I know you better than your self you know And I my life unto your friendship owe I doubly ty'd by love and friendship too Will court this new Pretender to serve you Exit ACT I. SCEN. V. Martian taken for Leontius Pulcheria her Women PVLC THou soul of Goodness and of Greatness both How I do love the Son the Father loath Thus they divide betwixt them love and hate For what I owe to thee he did create MARTIAN taken for Leontius All that proceeds from him is greater made This glorious Sun yields me a happy shade My heart long scorcht by your bright beauties beams He gain'd me from you sweet refreshing streams Since thus by both your favours then I live My life 's a debt I 'le pay and nothing give But you being still the Tyrant's Ostage
here Whatever we can act begets my fear Unless we shall attempt to scape his hand Forcing his Guard with those that I command Or else design in some disguise to flie PVLC All flight doth either guilt or fear imply We 're in a storm tost by our hope and fear Let honour hold the helm and our Barque steer To make me die must prove the Tyrants shame While bravely suffring does increase my fame MARTIAN taken for Leontius But Madam we must suffer if you do If we lose you we lose our honour too We must not live yet suffer you to die One stroke frees you and ends his Tyranny His hand to his sword PVL By that one stroke your life too must have end Who then survives Pulcheria to defend And yet some hand the danger does invite When all is danger we should danger slight But let us first with trusty friends survey The safest means and the securest way MARTIAN taken for Leontius While Vertue thus and Honour we pursue Death has his Conquest and just Laurels too Exeunt ACT II. SCEN. I. Enter Leontina Eudoxia LEONT I Fear'd his passion sad effects would move EVD His Birth conceal'd from me had shew'd small love LEONTINA As great imprudence shew'd he to reveal How hardly women secrets can conceal You could not chuse but whisper what you knew To some false friend perhaps that envies you By which grown publick that Heraclius lives Such and alarum to the Tyrant gives It troubles not so much as it doth arm By that foreknowledge to prevent his harm What 's unexpected easily may annoy Where strength 's awake we hardly can destroy His former guilt he quickly will encrease And sacrifice Heraclius to his peace The secret kept he lov'd him as his Son His life your love my care you have undone EVD Madam 't is fit that I your passion bear But reason heard it quickly will appear That I am free from this so great offence LEON How is this secret known then or from whence Is it from me or is it from the Prince EVD From neither for if you examin well They only say he lives but do not tell How you usurping Phocas did deceive Heraclius sparing one of yours did leave To feel the Tyrants rage an act so high Though your Son 's dead our fame can never die Nor was your wisdom than your courage less When being made the Prince's Governess Mauritius's Son you did to Phocas give While the true Martian as your Son did live Leontius call'd by my dead Brother's name Who in this sacrifice does share your fame Yet none pretend to say 't was carryed so As had I blaz'd the secret all must know LEON 'T is true 't is only said Heraclius lives EVD Which without circumstance no indice gives The rest is so ignor'd some simply good Expect he should by miracle not blood Resume a Throne usurp'd upon his Sire But see he comes and let your fears expire ACT II. SCE. II. Heraclius Leontina Eudoxia HERACLIVS MAdam you will be forc'd now to reveal My birth which you to serve me did conceal Pulcheria presently must be my Wife Incest's too great a price to pay for life If you do not I must declare my self On either side there is a dangerous shelf That threatens shipwrack if you now can steer Avoid those dangers that so great appear LEON As yet there 's none that are assur'd you live HERACL 'T is said I do that does suspicion give Forces are rais'd Phocas means I shall go My self against my self Leon. The fancy'd Fo No where that I can hear of doth appear HERAC Even shadows will create a Tyrants fear Fear makes him doubtful doubt doth danger breed For some to cure those doubts and fears may bleed I fear not for my self he is to me So kind that kindness is an injury Breeds strife within me how to take his life That offers such a Throne and such a Wife LEON 'T is to secure himself Tyrants can love No thing on Earth since not the Pow'rs above And yet they think they do Children and Friends When 't is indeed themselves and their own ends They only can be said truly to love When that affection others good doth move Thus love descends to us which we return When in true zeal to serve those powers we burn HERAC A greater witness none did ever give You gave your Son to death that I might live Let me no longer justice then defer You brought your Son but he the Murtherer I 'm weary longer to be thought the Son Of him that hath so many mischiefs done To crown his ills he 'l take Pulcheria's life Or my own sister I must take to wife LEON Though you her death or worse do incest fear Leave all to me your person only spare For on your life depends the life of all The giddy people rise and soon do fall Though I rejoice their love seems now so great The least disaster qualifies their heat Be yet the Son of Phocas for a while Ere long you shall be heard in your own stile Mauritius ' Son and then with great applause This Tyrant shall be sentenc'd by your Laws HERAC I doubt th' occasion ne'r will be so good There 's one pretends both to my Name and blood He may possess the peoples hearts and I Although you 'd join shall not disprove his lie Impostors oft have got too near a Throne Who Tyrants dispossess are lov'd unknown Upon what right soever one pretends Hate to Usurpers yields Usurpers Friends And I though the just Prince may punisht be As Son to Phocas for his villanie Which witness Heaven were such a curse to bear May well excuse my passion and my fear EVD She that preserv'd you with her dear Sons blood Cannot be grown less careful of your good Your honor too I value at that rate That to preserve it I would tempt my fate LEON Your life and greatness have long been my care The fruit the honour none with me shall share Phocas ere long shall by my means be slain And Prince Heraclius in full glory raign If not the bold attempt shall fully prove Duty more strong than Nature or self-love Our highest aim is glory here below Who hath it here may greater glory know EVD If love have value for a Lovers tears Preserve your Person to secure my fears The Tyrants death though just will for some time Acted by you appear a horrid crime The People though well pleas'd to see him fall Yet you a bloudy Paricide may call And say you only do assume a Name To get the Throne and yet prevent the shame Of gaining it truth often is deni'd Till it by time and circumstance be tri'd Let not the least suspicion Sir appear To cloud your glory that shines now so clear I know desire to right your Fathers wrongs HERAC I know your will hath power above all tongues Since you engage I will no more contest Who yields to love
and gratitude is blest To Leontina The secret's yours and I should be ingrate Without your leave to claim my Father's state No 't were in vain whate're I undertake Even truth it self you can imposture make I may say more the Empire 's yours not mine Which from you I 'le receive and here resign Her title at least as mine must prove as good Since it was purchas'd with her Brothers blood Exit ACT II. SCEN. III. Leontina Eudoxia LEON MY Plot now ripe I must no more conceal My deep design but all to thee reveal For you may help to perfect my intent Phocas by Martian must to death be sent T was for that cause I gave him a reprieve And that Act done he should no longer live But for Pulcheria's sake whom he doth love A Mistress with a Throne must strongly move EVD To kill his Father Madam 's an offence With which nor Love or Empire can dispence LEON His kill'd the common Father of us all T is just that he by his own Son should fall EVD T is just to him but unjust to his Son LEON He shall not know he 's such till it be done But pass still for Leontius son to me And so by both their deaths Heraclius free EVD I know the guiltie Father merits death But that so brave a Son should stop his breath To me looks horrid though he know it not His so great fame will have a lasting blot LEON It is not fit a bloudie Tyrants son Should wear that Glorie he as mine hath won Enter Page Exuperius comes to kiss your hand LEON Exuperius I am at a stand That name surprizes me what makes he here How this new Visitant revives my fear He hates the Tyrant for his Fathers bloud Of tattling still I tell you comes no good ACT II. SCENE IV. Exuperius Leontina Eudoxia EXVP MAdam Heraclius is discover'd Leontina to Eudoxia Now Eud If I Leontina to Eudoxia Peace But since when or where or how to Exup EXVP By me just now Leont And he is doom'd to die EXVP The Tyrant yet knows not the Mystery LEONT Mystery Exup Madam he comes you need not fear LEONT None but my Son Leontius does appear ACT II. SCEN. V. Martian taken for Leontius Exuperius Leontina Eudoxia EXVP MAdam you need no more put on disguise We by a Paper now are all made wise MARTIAN taken for Leontius Madam you know and best can understand If this be feigned or Mauritius hand Whether it disabuse or more delude Pray clear what yet hath great incertitude I cannot be your Son and yet his too If any know the Caracter you do Gives her a Paper She reads LEONTINA hath deceived PHOCAS and by delivering one of her Sons to death preserved mine to inherit the Empire You that remain faithfull Subjects honour and assist so great Vertue HERACLIVS lives under the Name of LEONTIVS LEON He tels you true Sir you were in my hands When Phocas entred with his Rebel bands Seiz'd on the Emp'rour let him only live To see his children die more grief to give I past all hope you longer to conceal To save your life I did my self reveal Offer'd my Son to Phocas in your stead Gave you the name of him that now is dead For whom these tears he was your sacrifice And from his death your life and greatness rise Nature though then struck dead by duties force Does now revive and cause this briny source Weeps a while Phocas thus ravish'd with deluding joy Heaps favoure on me and on you a Boy favours so great some said my Son and I Did seem with him to share his Tyranny This Sir I thought not fit for to declare Till you had got so great a name in war That all might judge your birth must needs be great Since so much merit claim'd the highest seat And this great news that makes the Tyrant fear Must prove a truth when you your self appear MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius But Madam that you have conceal'd all this Though it seem well I feel what is amiss LEON I did not know all that the Emp'ror knew Things done long since men may suspect not true My testimony rests on your strong arm Else what design'd ' gainst him may prove our harm EXVP The Emp'ror forc'd to see his own Child die To Leontina Became a witness of your Policy And did design to hinder your intent But th' Executioner did that prevent After a little pleas'd to think his Son Might right the wrongs to him and his then done He told it Felix and this Paper gave Who gave it me that put him in his grave Call'd it a Legacy that might dethrone The Tyrant under whom the world did groan Arm'd with this secret I desir'd to know Who would with me the danger undergo The People now are up our friends assemble The Tyrant from his fears and guilt doth tremble Shew but your self do but our forces lead As he my Fathers I 'le take off his head I secretly gave out that you yet live But where or how did no suspicion give All that are honest love Mauritius ' Name Those that are not yet having miss'd their aim Seek in their discontent to bring you in What they call'd just before they now call sin MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Surpriz'd with a discourse so new and strange Wonder not that you see my passions change I know how great a debt to you I owe That to Mauritius ' Heir such love did show I ow'd you as your Son my life before And if not yours my obligation 's more But how can I my gratitude declare When this strange story breeds a Civil-war You know I love your story makes my flame Which was my glorie now appear my shame Incest to love a sister what 's a Throne When she that can command all hearts is gone My love thus murmurs and my heart must break Pardon distraction how or what to speak to Exuperius Dutie and Honour yet doth me command To give a Chief ' to your illustrious Band. Justice requires that one thing must be done Though Phocas perish yet preserve his Son He has no guilt but that he 's of his bloud The Fathers ill cannot out-weigh his good EXVP To your commands we shall obedience pay Hast Sir to those that with impatience stay Exit EXVP ACT II. SCEN. VI. Martian taking himself for Heraclius Leontina Eudoxia MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius MAdam though you have made a strange discourse That both my faith and reason seems to force Yet since 't is you my faculties submit To credit any thing that you think fit Though others this reserve might jealous make You did of Martian's love advantage take To raise your dear Eudoxia to the Throne And that the cause this secret's so late known Or that you thought it was enough for me That I from you derive my Pedigree But 't were in me a crime this to believe Yet have you done what
Heracl You who were alwaies great alwaies so bred Should to the conquest of your self be led Is not so strange great hearts have great designs When lower souls at hard things still repines Pardon that in Heraclius yet may be As poor Leontius left and you shall see What ever this dares say the other do It shall become revenge his birth and you To the Conspirators I 'le add new fire Honour's and your fame nobler thoughts inspire May I of one request the freedom use PVLC I neither can dislike it nor refuse MARTIAN taken himself for Heracl The Tyrant now in you will miss his ends The Crown no longer on your match depends Since then you cannot me a Husband make Martian accept and love him for my sake PVL Since not your wife I justly might deny With any other man that knot to tie Yet some perhaps might call this to my shame A guilty warmth of a remaining flame Therefore to cure all doubts I this demand That as my Emp'ror you the match command His worth is great his person I can love But first his Father must the victim prove To purge his blood this done I 'le him accept But whil'st he lives the marriage I reject MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Rather your marriage you should now declare When Phocas dies they Martians life will spare Your interest will protect him from all harm And in that hope my self and friends I 'le arm PVL Shall I my self then Phocas daughter make I then his interest do undertake How shall I pray that your designs may speed And wish to see my Husbands Father bleed It were a kind of parricide in me Marriage deferr'd from all this sets me free I justly hate the Father though the Son By your command has fair acceptance won Think then what 't is that you perswade me to A match that poor Pulcheria would undoe For should not now your enterprize succeed In me they 've title to the Crown indeed 'T is Phocas blood that must prepare my way Without that cleansing there 's no wedding day ACT III. SCEN. II. Phocas Mart. taking himself for Herac. Crispus Exuperius Amintas Pulcheria her Women Guards and Attendants PVLCH SEE Brother where he comes what shall we doe MARTIAN taking himself for Heracl I am betray'd here 's Exuperius too PHO What discourse have you now with the Princess O' th' marriage I intend MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius 'T is that I press PHO Does she incline prevail you for my Son MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius I have her promise Sir it shall be done PHO 'T is not a little won on her hard heart But when MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius That secret she does not impart PHO Tell me then one that is of greater worth 'T is said that you can bring Heraclius forth If you love Martian let me know him too MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius You know him but too well and him I do pointing at Exuperius EXVPERIVS I serve my Prince who duty does deserve MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius And well thou doest thy promises preserve PHO I have a note here that does give some hint But 't is obscure there 's much of riddle in 't And for the meaning I am come to you Leontius MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Call me Heraclius too Leontius is no more nor do I need To hear my sentence I 'm prepar'd to bleed PHO. And well thou may'st expect it whose attempt From treason and fowl murther's not exempt MART. taking himself for Heracl 'T was what I ought to serve and let thee raign Both to my name and birth had bin a stain My Fathers blood cries lowd to me for thine Which I 'd not spare shouldst thou the Crown resign Death I expect nay rather death desire Since of our courage 't is the greatest trier That death I fear'd not I have shown for thee That thy Son lives the thanks belong to me PHO This allegation is but weakly made Leontius sav'd my Son that debt 's well pay'd Heraclius then methinks should find some shame To beg more payment in another name But grant you sav'd my Son you would kill me Though calld a Tyrant yet I just will be I owe thee for his life thou me for mine Leons shall scape but justice forfeits thine Against a Princes life there 's nothing weighs Treason deserves death noble Acts just praise MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Which you but pay unto my borrowed name But know your Tyranny shall build my fame I as Heraclius by my death will shew What to my honour and my birth I owe Make that so glorious that my subjects shall Grieve for my loss rejoice to see thee fall PHOCAS Well we shall see your courage the next room May cool your heat there you shall know your doom MART taking himself for Heracl Madam farewel but know my latest breath Shall be to those that can prevent your death Exit with Crispus and Guards ACT III. SCEN. III. Phocas Pulcheria Exuperius Amintas Guards and Attendants PHOCAS NOr canst thou hope fond fool to alter me Having thy Brother there 's no fear of thee No more constrain my self for thy love plead One stroke abates thy pride takes off his head Do not restrain thy self come vent thy Gall No words to ease thy heart then tears must fall PVLC I grieve I weep I well might so have done Had he appear'd less than our Father's Son I am so pleas'd with all that he did do That though his Sister I 'm his Lover too PHOCAS Dissemble not freely express your heart From me you scarce can hide it by this Art Will you to save so dear a Brothers life Lay by your hate and be my Martians Wife PVL Think'st thou thy policies can ever gain Me to consent to what I so disdain My bloud to save his life I 'le sacrifice But so to give my hand my honour dies PHO Well then he dies thy cruelty's the cause Whose pride contemns both Love and Natures Laws PVL Thou that my crueltie dost thus upbraid For thy own crueltie mayst be afraid Though human vengeance scarce can reach thy head There 's thunder yet above to strike thee dead Nor dost thou know some Brother yet of mine To punish thee the Grave may now resign Or he might scape thy hands by some device More subjects there might be both stout and wise And thou shalt never know that he does live Till by thy death he thee assurance give If no such be I make my self a prize And all my youth and greatness sacrifice For whosoere can take away thy life The worlds Plague deserves the greatest Wife PHO Strange Spirit PVLC Go kill Heraclius or think that I Do hope to save him by this policy Be not deceiv'd importune me no more Since I can say but what was said before If you grant this I will safe counsel give If you would reign we both must die or live Exit Pulcheria
for which he now must bleed It is his boast his pride your self shall see to Heras Who scorns our mercie would not pitied be But what is that which I must not believe My apprehension begs thee to relieve The doubt I labour in of what she meant When faith unto thy words she would prevent Hast thou some new some greater crime disclos'd HERAC taken for Martian More than by any else can be depos'd points at Exup More than Mauritius saw more than he knows PHO. Perfidious wretch this day to death she goes Speak HERAC taken for Martian T is a secret of no common weight Before the Pris'ner I will all relate PHO He 's here but speak not for him I command ACT IV. SCEN. III. Phocas Heraclius taken for Martian Martian taking himself for Heraclius Exuperius and Guards HERAC taken for Martian THat Sir were vain for me to take in hand I rather beg that justice may be done Condemn Heraclius so preserve your Son Shall it be granted PHO T is what I desire Thy safety doth indeed his death require MART. taking himself for Herac. Without regret I saw approaching Fate But you to sentence me with so much hate I never knew you till my death I see HERAC taken for Martian I never less than now was known to thee Hear me blind Father and more blinded Prince My honour must your ignorance convince Thy Friends thy enemies Phocas sever thus He is thy Son and I Heraclius MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius My Lord what say ye HERAC I must not conceal What honour to preserve thee hids reveal Phocas by Leontina twice deceiv'd And she so cunningly her web hath weav'd By change of names she causeth their mistakes And a false Martian of Heraclius makes PHO. Mauritius Note the Contradiction gives Vnder LEONTIVS Name HERACLIVS lives HERAC I grant the Note true then now 't is not so I did Sir by Leontius name then go But though the Emp'rour what he saw did leave He could not what 's done since he ceas'd to breath Within short time began your Persian war Lasted three years you still from home so far And all that while your Wife too being dead Leontine as she pleas'd our child-hood bred To trace me out a way unto the Throne Made me your Son took Martian for her own And the resemblance Infants then may have Favour'd her so you took the Child she gave This known Compassion made me longer stay And not attempt my right a bloody way But seeing by this error he must die That sav'd my life it now were base if I Should not assume my name his only guilt My life and honour in his blood are spilt I beg not Sir that you make less your hate Behold an enemy expects his fate I ask but what you promis'd should be done Condemn Heraclius Preserve your Son MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius To Phocas Admire thou Father art of such a Son Admire the reputation he hath won He this invents from Generositie Would die himself in hopes to set me free To Heraclius T is true too much for what by me was done I sav'd your life by which I honour won Yet lost not mine but you to save my breath Do throw your self into the arms of death And if acknowledgments you owe to me Then let me Son unto the Emp'ror be Rob not my name which I count glorious Fearing to be ingrate be not injurious PHO. How many troubles breeds this strange dispute Neither themselves nor others they confute Which to believe now which is in a lie To Exup EXVPERIVS T is so perplext that only time must trie PHOCAS The Note if true the rest like truth doth show EXVP Who knows whether that rest be true or no. PHOCAS Leontine twice may have deceived me EXVP Chang'd them or chang'd them not either might be I am more Sir than you circled with doubt And cannot find which way I shall get out HERAC T is not to day that I learn'd who I am My actions witness I have known my Name These four years and have us'd my best address To gain Eudoxia shunning the Princess Which but I knew that I was not your Son You may imagine I would not have done This caution Leontina did impart MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius What Leontina HERAC Even she MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Strange Art Martian loves Eudoxia she doth abuse Him by pretended horror to refuse The Match you aim at that your Daughter may Have to the Throne by that refusal way This error does assure her of his Vows Ambition all deceitful waies allows Nor had the truth to me been ever known Unless the Emp'rors Letter you had shown To Exup PHO She does abuse him too as well as me EXVP Which she abuses yet I cannot see PHO. Dost thou not see the Daughter 's in the plot EXVP T were better Sir for her that she were not PHO Are all things ready for their punishment EXVP Which is the guilty which the innocent HERAC Can you make doubt after what I have said MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Will you by what is false be longer led HERAC Frind give me back my Name the favour 's small Since I would have it but to die withall With it I could to you my title give But that the owner must no longer live MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius And why would you my Tyrant's Victim be When your death laies a greater stain on me I did who e're I am his death design And different fate our names the plot assign What in Heraclius is a brave attempt From Parricide in Martian's not exempt Since I may guiltie or illustrious die Blast not your friend with so much infamy To right the world on Phocas I aspire And you my Fathers death make me conspire HERAC My Name is only faulty leave dispute Quit that to thee no guilt they can impute T is that conspires wirhout the help of friends Heraclius dying all the danger ends Be but his Son and live MART taking himself for Heracl Had I been such That Traitor in one word had said too much of Exup to Phocas When to kill you he had perswaded me From that Act Natures force had set me free HERAC Know then my heart's desire did thine fore-run By her kept back thy life had else been done To Pho. MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius For Leontina could not then abide That Martian should become a Parricide HERAC Consider cooly what she mov'd you to To love Pulcheria and kill Phocas too Each Act each Name in you would horrid prove This a Parricide that incestuous love Could she then scruple at a crime of mine That either way in you did one design I was the object of her love and care Which by her words most plainly doth appear Why should you hazard wherefore undertake Since MARTIAN's danger shall you Emp'ror make These were her Reasons all she did or said Was to preserve me for
the counsel gave That Prince Heraclius publick death might have The streets gates forts his guards must all make good Then with my friends I 've power to shed his blood Which shall be done when once you make us know Which is the Prince to whom we duty owe. We from the Tyrrnt take both life and Crown To make our act just a just power must own LEON How dull and weak art thou that couldst believe Since me thou can'st not thou shouldst him deceive He finds thy plot if true and doth design Thy ruine but this way he shall not mine EXVP Madam I 've told you truth and will say more LEON Not to the purpose that you spoke before EXVP Well I am satisfi'd be faithless still I will take care that you shall do no ill I 'le keep my secret and you may keep yours Those must obey that are in others powers To prison Madam you ere long shall know To the same end men several waies may go Exeunt ACT V. SCE. I. HERACLIVS WHat strange confusion's this that I do finde He whom I hate would kill appears so kinde That I still fear what ever is design'd Perhaps Leontina does me abuse Then wrought by her my right I may refuse Mauritius ' interest honour bids me chuse If Phocas Son I then must share his guilt By a just Prince much blood is seldom spilt My hopes are on my first opinion built Look down great Soul from thy coelestial home And to thy stagger'd sons assistance come Arm him with scorn against a Tyrant's doom ACT V. SCEN. II. Heraclius Pulcheria HERAC OH Heavens What good Angel brings you to me PVLC Phocas who of your birth resolv'd would be And hopes by me he may the secret know He 's cunning and the likeliest waies does go HERAC If I were sure how could I then denie What my soul loves in all to satisfie PVLC If I did know it he should never do I 'ld die my self if so I could save you HERAC Do not Pulcheria do not weep for me How gladly would I die so to save thee But 't is in vain to hope that I should die I cannot move his hate though all means trie I am not so much as a Pris'ner made The least affront to do me he 's affraid Which gives some fears makes me suspect my fate That I am Son to him whom all men hate PVLC Your fears and doubts beget much fear in me Canst thou Oh Love then my dishonour be A Son of Phocas in my Love claim part Yet he alive I 'le first tear out my heart HERAC Worth of it self where e're it be does live And though our Parents some addition give It were unjust true merit to denie Since Birth is not our choice but Destinie PVLC In one of you two I a Brother find Nay to that int'rest you do both pretend Your state 's so doubtful you may well believe That as I both do love for both I grieve Yet am not without hope as I came here Great Troops were seen the Pallace to draw near And Exuperius ' gainst them drew his force Our fortunes may be better cannot worse ACT V. SCEN. III. Phocas Heraclius Martian taking himself for Heraclius Pulcheria her Women Guards and Attendants BUt here 's Phocas PHO. What good news will he yield PVL My Forces are too weak I quit the Field All the advantage that I yet have won I have two Brothers you still want a Son PHO Thus you are rich although I yet am poor PVLC I only know Sir what you knew before They for my sake do thus their births obscure Or else that they their safeties may procure Preserve them both and that ends all the strife PHO In favour of my blood I yours will save But first the knowledge of my Son I crave On that condition my consent is won To give him life that back restores my Son Ingrate I this once more do thee conjure To Herac. Thou thy own safetie and thy friends procure Why should not Nature be as strong in thee As her impulses shew themselves in me Consider with what care I thee have bred Consider these floods from my aged head Consider those deep sighs I fetch for thee If this move not yet let that amity That thou art bound to have for thy brave friend That sav'd thy life how dar'st thou cause his end HERAC I give you back your Son his birth and all PHO. How can that be since thou for death dost call HERAC I die to give you him and his life save PHO. We both in thee die buried in thy grave Well since I see I nothing can obtain At least grant this somthing to ease my pain Adopt me for thy Father so my Son And with thy dear friend raign my raign 's near done HERAC Oh that 's too much and will my glory stain Why real love for what I did but faign Yours is so too for what you offer me Would not make more but less my dignity I to my self a monster should appear Son to a just Prince yet a Tyrants heir PHO Go cease to hope that death thou dost deserve Since thou refusest what might both preserve All I requir'd was but to take his name Thy cruelty not mine must bear the blame Thou art my Son and nature bids me spare But of his death thou shalt the torment share Strike Soldiers now I 'le see his heart blood spilt He dead chuse then for Father whom thou wilt HERAC Hold villain hold MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Ah Prince what would you do HERAC Preserve the Son nay so the Father too MART. taking himself for Heracl Preserve that Son which he in you would have And hinder not one that doth court his grave Heraclius needs must happily expire Since to your hands he yields up his Empire May the Gods long and happy make your raign PHO Strike strike Octavian all discourse is vain HERAC Hold Traytor Sir I am PHO. Confess at last HERACLIVS Into what mist of errror am I cast PHO. Get out at leisure strike and end the strife HERAC I am What I should be to save his life From me to him Sir there is so much due That I will pay the debt he ows to you So readily so fully and sincere As if indeed you my true Father were But then you shall engage your life to mee That from all injury you keep him free For if he die be sure that I die too Or your life payes the forfeit made by you PHO. Fear nothing my supporters both I 'le make Then nothing can my peace or Empire shake I know that both have so much love for other That I shall have two Sons you each a Brother My joys are now so great I scarce can see By what addition they can greater be You are my Son obedience have profest Shew it this once I am for ever blest Admir'd Pulcheria you must grant to be The happy cement of our amity