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
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
rode on Thunder I must a moment have to fall from Heaven E're I could blast the growth of this Colossus Thess. The haughty Polyperchon comes this way A Male-content one whom I lately wrought That for a slight affront at Susa giv'n Bears Alexander most pernicious hate Cass. So when I mock'd the Persians that ador'd him He strook me on the Face and by the Hair He swung me to his Guards to be chastis'd For which and for my Fathers weighty Cause When I abandon what I have resolv'd May I again be beaten like a Slave But lo where Polyperchon comes now Fire him Enter Polyperchon With such complaints that he may shoot to ruine Pol. Sure I have found those Friends dare second me I hear fresh murmurs as I pass along Yet rather than put up I 'll do 't alone Did not Pausanias a Youth a Stripling A beardless Boy swell'd with inglorious wrong For a less cause his Father Philip kill Peace then full heart move like a Cloud about And when time rip'ns thee to break O shed The stock of all thy Poys'n on his head Cass. All Nations bow their heads with homage down And kiss the Feet of this exalted Man The Name the Shout the Blast from every Mouth Is Alexander Alexander bursts Your Cheeks and with a crack so loud It drown's the Voice of Heaven like Dogs ye fawn The Earth's Commanders fawn and follow him Mankind starts up to hear his blasphemy And if this Hunter of the Barbarous World But wind himself a God you ecchoe him With Universal cry Pol. I ecchoe him I fawn or fall like a fat Eastern Slave And lick his feet Boys hoot me from the Palace To haunt some Cloister with my senseless walk When thus the noble Soul of Polyperchon Le ts go the aim of all his actions Honour Thess. The King shall fley me cut me up alive Ply me with Fire and Scourges rack me worse Than once he did Philotas e're I bow Cass. Curse on thy Tongue for mentioning Philotas I had rather thou hadst Aristander been And to my Souls confusion rais'd up Hell With all the Furies brooding upon horrours Than brought Philotas's Murder to remembrance Phil. I saw him rack'd a sight so dismal sad My Eyes did ne're behold Cass. So dismal Peace It is unutterable let me stand And think upon the Tragedy you saw By Mars it comes ay now the Rack's set forth Bloody Craterus his inveterate Foe With pitiless Hephestion standing by Philotas like an Angel seiz'd by Fiends Is straight disrob'd a Napkin ties his Head His Warlike Arms with shameful Cords are bound And every Slave can now the valiant wound Pol. Now by the Soul of Royal Philip sled I dare pronounce young Alexander who Wou'd be a God is cruel as a Devil Cass. Oh Polyperchon Philip Thessalus Did not your Eyes rain Blood your Spirits burst To see your noble fellow Souldier burn Yet without trembling or a tear endure The torments of the damn'd O Barbarians Cou'd you stand by and yet refuse to suffer Ye saw him bruis'd torn to the Bones made bare His Veins wide lanced and the poor quivering Flesh With Pincers from his manly Bosome ript 'Till ye discover'd the great Heart lie panting Pol. Why kill'd we not the King to save Philotas Cass. Asses Fools but Asses will bray and Fools be angry Why stood ye then like Statues there 's the case The horrour of the sight had turn'd ye Marble So the pale Trojans from their weeping Walls Saw the dear body of the God-like Hector Bloody and soil'd dragg'd on the famous ground Yet senseless stood nor with drawn Weapons ran To save the great remains of that prodigious Man Phil. Wretched Philotas bloody Alexander Thess. Soon after him the great Parmenio fell Stabb'd in his Orchard by the Tyrant's doom But where 's the need to mention publick loss When each receives particular disgrace Pol. Late I remember to a Banquet call'd After Alcides Goblet swift had gone The giddy round and wine had made me bold Stirring the Spirits up to talk with Kings I saw Craterus with Hephestion enter In Persian Robes to Alexander's health They largely drank then turning Eastward fell Flat on the Pavement and ador'd the Sun Straight to the King they sacred reverence gave With solemn words O Son of Thundring Jove Young Ammon live for ever then kiss'd the ground I laugh'd aloud and scoffing ask'd 'em why They kiss'd no harder but the King leapt up And spurn'd me to the Earth with this reply Do thou whilst with his Foot he prest my Neck 'Till from my Ears my Nose and Mouth the blood Gush'd forth and I lay foaming on the Earth For which I wish this Dagger in his heart Cass. There spoke the Spirit of Callisthenes Remember he 's a Man his Flesh as soft And penetrable as a Girls we have seen him wounded A Stone has struck him yet no Thunderbolt A Pebble fell'd this Jupiter along A Sword has cut him a Javelin pierc'd him Water will drown him Fire burn him A Surfeit nay a Fit of Common-sickness Brings this Immortal to the Gate of Death Pol. Why shou'd we more delay the glorious business Are your hearts firm Phil. Hell cannot be more bent To any ruine than I to the Kings Thess. And I. Pol. Behold my hand and if you doubt my truth Tear up my breast and lay my heart upon it Cass. Join then O worthy hearty noble hands Fit Instruments for such Majestick Souls Remember Hermolaus and be hush'd Pol. Still as the Bosome of the desart Night As fatal Planets or deep plotting Fiends Cass. To day he comes from Babylon to Susa With proud Roxana Ha! who 's that look here Enter the Ghost of King Philip shaking a Trunchion at 'em walks over the Stage Cass. Now by the Gods or Furies which I ne're Believ'd there 's one of 'em arriv'd to shake us What art thou glaring thing speak what the Spirit Of our King Philip or of Polyphemus Nay hurle thy Trunchion second it with Thunder We will abide Thessalus saw you nothing Thess. Yes and am more amaz'd than you can be Phil. 'T is said that many Prodigies were seen This Morn but none so horrible as this Pol. What can you fear though the Earth yawn'd so wide That all the labours of the deep were seen And Alexander stood onth ' other side I 'd leap the burning Ditch to give him death Or sink my self for ever Pray to the business Cass. As I was saying this Roxana whom To aggravate my hate to him I love Meeting him as he came Triumphant from The Indies kept him Revelling at Susa But as I found a deep repentance since Turns his affections to the Queen Statira To whom he swore before he cou'd espouse her That he wou'd never Bed Roxana more Pol. How did the Persian Queens receive the news Of his revolt Thess. With grief incredible Great Sysigambis wept but the young Queen Fell dead amongst her Maids Nor cou'd
she not well what none none answer me Or is it worse Keep down ye rising Sighs And murmur in the hollow of my Breast Run to my Heart and gather more sad Wind That when the voice of Fate shall call you forth Ye may at one rush from the Seat of Life Blow the Blood out and burst me like a Bladder Heph. I wou'd relate it but my courage fails me Alex. If she be dead That if's impossible And let none here affirm it for his Soul For he that dares but think so damn'd a Lye I 'le have his body straight empal'd before me And glut my Eyes upon his bleeding Entrails Cass. How will this Engine of unruly Passion Roar when we have rain'd him to the Mouth with Poyson Alex. Why stand you all as you were rooted here Like senseless Trees while to the stupid Grove I like a wounded Lion groan my griefs And none will answer what not my Hephestion If thou hast any love for Alexander If ever I oblig'd thee by my care When my quick sight has watch'd thee in the War Or if to see thee bleed I sent forth cryes And like a Mother wash'd thee with my tears If this be true if I deserve thy Love Ease me and tell the cause of my disaster Heph. Your mourning Queen which I had told before Had you been calm has no Disease but Sorrow Which was occasion'd first by jealous Pangs She heard for what can scape a watchful Lover That you at Susa breaking all your Vows Relaps'd and conquer'd by Roxana's Charms Gave up your self devoted to her Arms. Alex. I know that subtle Creature in my Riot My Reason gone seduc'd me to her Bed But when I wak'd I shook the Circe off Though that Enchantress held me by the Arm And wept and gaz'd with all the force of Love Nor griev'd I less for that which I had done Than when at Thais suit enrag'd with Wine I set the fam'd Persepolis on Fire Heph. Your Queen Statira took it so to heart That in the Agony of Love she swore Never to see your Majesty again With dreadful Imprecations she confirm'd Her Oath and I much fear that she will keep it Alex. Ha! did she swear did that sweet Creature swear I 'le not believe it no she is all softness All melting mild and calm as a rock'd Infant Nor can you wake her into cryes by Heaven She is the Child of Love and she was born in smiles Par. I and my weeping Mother heard her swear Sys And with such fierceness she did aggravate The foulness of your fault that I cou'd wish Your Majesty wou'd blot her from your breast Alex. Blot her forget her hurle her from my bosome For ever lose the Star that guilds my Life Guide of my Days and Goddess of my Nights No she shall stay with me in spight of Vows My soul and body both are twisted with her The God of Love empties his golden Quiver Shoots every Grain of her into my heart She is all mine by Heaven I feel her here Panting and warm the dearest O Statira Sys Have patience Son and trust to Heaven and me If my Authority or the remembrance Of dead Darius or her Mothers Soul Can work upon her the again is yours Alex. O Mother help me help your wounded Son And move the Soul of my offended Dear But fly haste e're the sad Procession's made Spend not a thought in a reply Be gone If you wou'd have me live and Parisatis Hang thou about her Knees wash 'em with Tears Nay haste the breath of Gods and eloquence Of Angels go along with you O my heart Exeunt Sys and Par. Lys. Now let your Majesty who feel the Torments And sharpest Pangs of Love encourage mine Alex. Ha. Clyt. Are you a Mad-man is this a time Lys. Yes for I see he cannot be unjust to me Lest something worse befall himself Alex. Why dost thou tempt me thus to thy undoing Death thou should'st have were it not courted so But know to thy confusion that my word Like destiny admits not a reverse Therefore in Chains thou shalt behold the Nuptials Of my Hephestion Guards take him Prisoner Lys. I shall not easily resign my Sword 'Till I have dy'd it in my Rivals blood Fight Alex. I charge you kill him not take him alive The dignity of Kings is now concern'd And I will find a way to tame this Beast Clyt. Kneel for I see the Lightning in his Eyes Lys. I neither hope nor ask a pard'n of him But if he shou'd restore my Sword I wou'd With a new violence run against my Rival Alex. Sure we at last shall conquer this fierce Lion Hence from my sight and bear him to a Dungeon Perdiccas give this Lion to a Lion None speak for him fly stop his Mouth away Clyt. The King 's extremely mov'd Eum. I dare not speak Clyt. This comes of Love and Women 't is all madness Yet were I heated now with Wine I shou'd Be preaching to the King for this rash Fool. Alex. Come hither Clytus and my dear Hephestion Lend me your Arms help for I 'm sick o' th' sudden I fear betwixt Statira's cruel Love And fond Roxana's Arts your King will fall Clyt. Better the Persian Race were all undone Heph. Look up my Lord and bend not thus your Head As you wou'd leave the Empire of the World Which you with toil have won Alex. Wou'd I had not There 's no true joy in such unweildy Fortune Eternal gazers lasting troubles make All find my spots but few my brightness take Stand off and give me air Why was I born a Prince proclaim'd a God Yet have no liberty to look abroad Thus Palaces in prospect barr the Eye Which pleas'd and free wou'd o're the Cottage fly O're flow'ry Lands to the gay distant Skie Farewel then Empire and the Racks of Love By all the Gods I will to wilds remove Stretch'd like a Sylvan God on Grass lye down And quite forget that e're I wore a Crown ACT III. Enter Eumenes Philip Thessalus Perdiccas Lysimachus Guards Eum. FArewell brave Spirit when you come above Commend us to Philotas and the rest Of our great Friends Thes. Perdiccas you are grown In trust be thankfull for your noble Office Perd. As noble as you sentence me I 'd give This Arm that Thessalus were so imploy'd Lys. Cease these untimely jarrs farewell to all Fight for the King as I have done and then You may be worthy of a death like mine Lead on Enter Parisatis Par. Ah my Lysimachus where are you going Whither to be devour'd O barbarous Prince Cou'd you expose your life to the King's rage And yet remember mine was ty'd to yours Lys. The Gods preserve you ever from the ills That threaten me live Madam to enjoy A nobler fortune and forget this wretch I ne're had worth nor is it possible That all the bloud which I shall lose this day Shou'd merit this rich sorrow from your eyes Par.
for if you do By all the Furies and the flames of Love By Love which is the hottest burning Hell I 'le set you both on fire to blaze for ever Exit Stat. O Alexander is it possible Good Gods That guilt can shew so lovely yet I pardon Forgive thee all by thy dear life I do Alex. Ha! Pardon saidst thou Pardon me Sys Now all thy Mothers blessings fall about thee My best my most belov'd my own Statira Alex. Is it then true that thou hast pardon'd me And is it giv'n me thus to touch thy hand And fold thy body in my longing arms To gaze upon thy Eyes my happier Stars To tast thy lip and thy dear balmy breath While ev'ry sigh comes forth so fraught with sweets 'T is incense to be offer'd to a God Stat. Yes dear Impostor 't is most true that I Have pardon'd thee and 't is as true that while I stand in view of thee thy eyes will wound Thy tongue will make me wanton as thy wishes And while I feel thy hand my body glows Therefore be quick and take your last adieu These your last sighs and these your parting tears Farewell farewell a long and last farewell Alex. O my Hephestion bear me or I sink Stat. Nay you may take Heav'n how my heart throbs You may you may if yet you think me worthy Take from these trembling lips a parting kiss Alex. No let me starve first why Statira why What is the meaning of all this O Gods I know the cause my working brain divines You 'l say you pardon'd but with this reserve Never to make me blest as I have been To slumber by the side of that false man Nor give a Heav'n of beauty to a Devil Think you not thus speak Madam Sys She is not worthy Son of so much sorrow Speak comfort to him speak my dear Statira I ask thee by those tears Ah canst thou e're Pretend to Love yet with dry eyes behold him Alex. Silence more dreadfull then severest sounds Wou'd she but speak though Death eternal Exile Hung at her lips yet while her tongue pronounces There must be Musick even in my undoing Stat. Still my lov'd Lord I cannot see you thus Nor can I ever yield to share your Bed O I shall find Roxana in your arms And tast her kisses left upon your lips Her curs'd embraces have defil'd your body Nor shall I find the wonted sweetness there But artificial smells and aking odours Alex. Yes obstinate I will Madam you shall You shall in spight of this resistless passion Be serv'd but you must give me leave to think You never lov'd O cou'd I see you thus Hell has not half the tortures that you raise Clyt. Never did passions combat thus before Alex. O I shall burst Unless you give me leave to rave a while Sys Yet e're destruction sweeps us both away Relent and break through all to pity him Alex. Yes I will shake this Cupid from my arms If all the rages of the Earth can fright him Drown him in the deep bowl of Hercules Make the World drunk and then like Aeolus When he gave passage to the struggling winds I 'le strike my Spear into the reeling Globe To let it bloud set Babylon in a blaze And drive this God of flames with more consuming fire Stat. My presence will but force him to extremes Besides 't is death to me to see his pains Yet stand resolv'd never to yield again Permit me to remove Alex. I charge ye stay her For if she pass by all the Hells I feel Your Souls your naked Ghosts shall wait upon her O turn thee Turn thou barb'rous brightness turn Hear my last words and see my utmost pang But first kneel with me all my Souldiers kneel All kneel Yet lower prostrate to the Earth Ah Mother what Will you kneel too Then let the Sun stand still To see himself out-worship'd not a face Be shewn that is not wash'd all o're in tears But weep as if you here beheld me slain Sys Hast thou a heart or art thou Savage turn'd But if this posture cannot move your mercy I never will speak more Alex. O my Statira I swear my Queen I 'le not out-live thy hate My Soul is still as death But one thing more Pardon my last extremities the transports Of a deep wounded breast and all is well Stat. Rise and may Heav'n forgive you all like me Alex. You are too gracious Clytus bear me hence When I am laid in Earth yield her the world There 's something here heaves and is cold as Ice That stops my breath Farewell O Gods for ever Stat. Hold off and let me run into his arms My dearest my all Love my Lord my King You shall not dye if that the soul and body Of thy Statira can restore thy life Give me thy wonted kindness bend me break me With thy embraces Alex. O the killing joy O extasie my heart will burst my breast To leap into thy bosom but by Heav'n This night I will revenge me of thy beauties For the dear rack I have this day endur'd For all the sighs and tears that I have spent I 'le have so many thousand burning Loves So swell thy lips so fill me with thy sweetness Thou shalt not sleep nor close thy wandring Eyes The smiling hours shall all be lov'd away We 'l surfeit all the night and languish all the day Stat. Nor shall Roxana Alex. Let her not be nam'd O Mother how shall I requite your goodness And you my fellow Warriours that cou'd weep For your lost King But I invite you all My equals in the Throne as in the Grave Without distinction to the Riot come To the Kings Banquet Clyt. I beg your Majesty Would leave me out Alex. None none shall be excus'd All Revel out the day 't is my command Gay as the Persian God our self will stand With a Crown'd Goblet in our lifted hand Young Ammon and Statira shall go round While antick Measures beat the burden'd ground And to the vaulted Skies our Clangors sound Exeunt ACT IV. Enter Clytus in his Macedonian habit Hephestion Eumenes Meleager c. in Persian Robes Clyt. AWay I will not wear these Persian Robes Nor ought the King be angry for the reverence I owe my Country sacred are her Customs Which honest Clytus shall preserve to death O let me rot in Macedonian rags Rather then shine in fashions of the East Then for the Adorations he requires Rost my old body in eternal flames Or let him Cage me like Calisthenes Eum. Dear Clytus be perswaded Heph. You know the King Is God-like full of all the richest Virtues That ever Royal heart possess'd yet you Perverse but to one humour will oppose him Clyt. Call you it humour 't is a pregnant one By Mars there 's venom in it burning pride And though my life shou'd follow rather then Bear such a hot ambition in my bowels I 'd rip 'em up to give the poyson
which from his eyes shot gloomy red Made the Sun start as the spectators thought And round 'em cast a day of bloud and death Heph. When we arriv'd just as the valiant Prince Cry'd out O Parisatis take my life 'T is for thy sake I go undaunted thus To be devour'd by this most dreadfull creature Clyt. Then walking forward the large Beast disery'd His prey and with a roar that made us pale Flew fiercely on him but the active Prince Starting aside avoided his first shock With a slight hurt and as the Lyon turn'd Thrust Gauntlet arm and all into his throat And with Herculean force tore forth by th' roots The foaming bloudy tongue and while the Savage Faint with that loss sunk to the blushing Earth To plough it with his teeth your conqu'ring Souldier Leap'd on his back and dash'd his skull to pieces Alex. By all my Laurels 't was a God-like act And 't is my Glory as it shall be thine That Alexander cou'd not pardon thee O my brave Souldier think not all the prayers Of the lamenting Queens cou'd move my Soul Like what thou hast perform'd grow to my breast embraces him Lys. However Love did hurry my wild arm When I was cool my fev'rish bloud did bate And as I went to death I blest the King Alex. Lysimachus we both have been transported But from this hour be certain of my heart A Lyon be the Impress of thy Shield And that Gold Armour we from Porcus won The King presents thee but retire to Bed Thy toils ask rest Lys. I have no wounds to hinder Of any moment or if I had though mortal I 'd stand to Alexander's health till all My veins were dry and fill 'em up again With that rich bloud which makes the Gods Immortal Alex. Hephestion thy hand embrace him close Though next my heart you hang the Jewel there For scarce I know whether my Queen be dearer Thou shalt not rob me of my Glory Youth That must to Ages flourish Parisatis Shall now be his that serves me best in War Neither reply but mark the charge I give And live as Friends Sound Sound my Armies Honour Health to their bodies and eternal Fame Wait on their memory when those are ashes Live all you must 't is a God gives you life Sound Lysimachus offers Clytus a Persian Robe and he refuses it Clyt. O vanity Alex. Ha! what says Clytus Who am I Clyt. The Son of good King Philip. Alex. No 't is false By all my Kindred in the Skies Jove made my Mother pregnant Clyt. I ha' done Here follows an Entertainment of Indian Singers and Dancers The Musick flourishes Alex. Hold hold Clytus take the Robe Clyt. Sir the Wine The weather 's hot besides you know my humour Alex. O 't is not well I 'd burn rather then be So fingular and froward Cylt So wou'd I Burn hang or drown but in a better cause I 'le drink or fight for Sacred Majesty With any here Fill me another Bowl Will you excuse me Alex. You will be excus'd But let him have his humour he is old Clyt. So was your Father Sir This to his memory Sound all the Trumpets there Alex. They shall not sound Till the King drinks by Mars I cannot tast A moments rest for all my years of bloud But one or other will oppose my pleasure Sure I was form'd for War eternal War All all are Alexander's Enemies Which I cou'd tame yes the Rebellious world Shou'd feel my wrath But let the sports go on The Indians Dance Lys. Nay Clytus you that cou'd advise Alex. Forbear Let him persist be positive and proud Sullen and dazl'd amongst the Nobler Souls Like an Infernal Spirit that had stole From Hell and mingled with the laughing Gods Clyt. When Gods grow hot where is the difference 'Twixt them and Devils fill me Greek wine yet fuller For I want Spirits Alex. Ha! let me hear a Song Clyt. Musick for Boys Clytus wou'd hear the groans Of dying persons and the Horses neighings Or if I must be tortur'd with shrill voices Give me the crys of Matrons in sack'd Towns Heph. Lysimachus the King looks sad let us awake him Health to the Son of Jupiter Ammon Ev'ry man take his Goblet in his hand Kneel all and kiss the Earth with adoration Alex. Sound sound that all the Universe may hear That I cou'd speak like Jove to tell abroad The kindness of my people Rise O rise My hands my arms my heart is ever yours Comes from his Throne all kiss his hand Clyt. I did not kiss the Earth nor must your hand I am unworthy Sir Alex. I know thou art Thou enviest my great Honour Sit my Friends Nay I must have a room Now let us talk Of War for what more fits a Souldiers mouth And speak speak freely or ye do not love me Who think you was the bravest General That ever led an Army to the Field Heph. I think the Sun himself ne're saw a Chief So truly great so fortunately brave As Alexander not the fam'd Alcides Nor fierce Achilles who did twice destroy With their all-conqu'ring Arms the famous Troy Lys. Such was not Cyrus Alex. O you flatter me Clyt. They do indeed and yet you love 'em for it But hate old Clytus for his hardy Virtue Come shall I speak a man more brave then you A better General and more expert Souldier Alex. I shou'd be glad to learn instruct me Sir Clyt. Your Father Philip I have seen him March And fought beneath his dreadful Banner where The stoutest at this Table would ha' trembl'd Nay frown not Sir you cannot look me dead When Greeks joyn'd Greeks then was the tug of War The labour'd Battle sweat and Conquest bled Why shou'd I fear to speak a truth more noble Then e're your Father Jupiter Ammon told you Philip fought men but Alexander women Alex. Spite by the Gods proud spite and burning envy Is then my Glory come to this at last To vanquish women Nay he said the stoutest here Wou'd tremble at the dangers he has seen In all the sicknesses and wounds I bore When from my reins the Javelins head was cut Lysimachus Hephestion speak Perdiccas Did I tremble O the cursed Lyar Did I once shake or groan or bear my self Beneath my Majesty my dauntless courage Heph. Wine has transported him Alex. No 't is plain meer malice I was a woman too at Oxydrace When planting at the walls a Scaling-Ladder I mounted spite of showrs of Stones Bars Arrows And all the lumber which they thunder'd down When you beneath cry'd out and spread your arms That I shou'd leap amongst you did I so Lys. Turn the discourse my Lord the old man rav'd Alex. Was I a woman when like Mercury I left the walls to fly amongst my Foes And like a baited Lion dy'd my self All over with the bloud of those bold Hunters Till spent with toil I battel'd on my knees Pluck'd forth the Darts that made my Shield a
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
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