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
of his own life T were well he had some Issue by a Wife And none I think could so secure your state As fair Pulcheria Pho. True but my hard fate Denies that happiness my great design That marriage would divided factions join And fix the Empire in our Royal line CRISPVS You dally with her let her know she must The Empires happiness makes all force just PHOCAS She scorns the Empire and the Emp'ror too CRISPVS And will do still whilst you appear to sue Though ne're so great your power makes her your slave Pho. She must be free Crisp How Sir PHOCAS To wed my Son or else to wed a grave ACT I. SCEN. II. Enter Phocas Crispus Pulcheria her Women Guards and Attendants MAdam at last 't is time that you should yield To what your greatness will more firmly build A Caesar got betwixt you and my Son Would add more blessing than a Kingdom won I ask no great acknowledgment in this For my past care but offer you all bliss The Crown my Son I cannot give you more The gift were less could I the dead restore Accept 'em then do not my patience tire Let not scorn force me hate what I admire With or against your will it must be done For know already your last Glass doth run Think well he sues that doth a Scepter sway Whom though you will not love you must obey PVLC I hitherto have shew'd you some respect Now find in you and me no small defect Mine that I paid you what you not deserv'd Yours now to boast that you my life preserv'd Yet threaten still to take that life away Unless I do your unjust will obey PHO. Is it unjust to offer you my Son Whose merit all hearts but your own hath won PVLC It were unjust his merits to deny Yet since your Son I 'le rather chuse to die Than by my marriage to secure your State That 's justly mine unless a more kind Fate Would make your death the first step to my Throne Till purg'd with bloud I scarce dare claim my own PHO. I have constrain'd my self and given you way To hear what Pride and Malice make you say And it is just that you should not refuse To hear that love that would you disabuse The Empire is not tied unto your race Mauritius raign'd the Army gave his place And by that Title I the Empire sway The sword made his the Sword now makes my way Who hath or ever durst dispute my power That twenty years have raign'd an Emperour I have but little need of your support T is love I offer you should thank me for 't I was not Author of your Fathers fate But griev'd his loss forc'd to obey the State PVLC T is fit this offer'd love then to requite I disabuse thee Phocas know me right I am descended of th' Imperial line In four descents from famous Constantine Thou a poor Captain of the Mysian band Who first that bloudy Treason took'st in hand Dar'st to my face pretend a right to Raign Having thy Master the just Emp'rour slain And all this ill for good unto the State What 's thy Reward the peoples deadly hate Which is the cause that I am courted now Yet threatned to be broke unless I bow Thus Tyrants when they fear are ever kinde The danger past for love we hatred finde But know Pulcheria's not degenerate For doubtful love to change her ancient hate PHO. Well Say I should the Empire back restore Placing you there whom justly all adore That I repent these things you say I 've done Could you yet have a quarrel to my Son He in his Cradle then with milk was fed And did not suck the bloud your Father bled He laid no plots to hasten on his fate Now full of Vertue why feels he your hate PVLC Go Tyrant th' art not fit to speak his praise What 's spoke by thee doth yet suspition raise Seeming to do him right thou dost him wrong Thy heart 's so false there 's none will trust thy tongue I know him better and his worth is such That all that can be said is not too much PHO. Why then refus'd since you his worth allow PVLC Only because he takes his birth from you For should I grant to marry with your Son I justifie the murthers you have done Settles the Empire in a Traytors line Lose my just vengeance perfect your design PHO. Designs to make you great deserve your love PVLC Not if that greatness his protection prove That kill'd my Father Brothers all my Kin And that black Roll too I my self am in I 'm kept alive but 't is to serve your ends For Tyrants only to themselves are Friends PHO. I not deny all this that you have said For you shall bleed if I be not obey'd Wisely prevent it marry with my Son Be safe in him for man and wife are one Think well what blessings may attend your throne Sure Heaven it self inspires this union PVLC Your Son yet with this Crown I could deny Though I did love him above Monarchy But 't is not yours to hold much less to give If I were dead a brother yet might live Divide your presents then and let me chuse Single I like but join'd I both refuse PHO What shall I to a Womans hand commit My Scepter when thy Fathers prov'd unfit PVLC Traytor that Father yet might leave a Son Shall bravely take what thou most basely won PHO. T is that vain hope then makes you now so bold Sure you have feign'd what is by others told But see the weakness of their foolish lie To make him live must make your title die PVLC Since you upbraid me with this new Report Which I believe not yet must thank 'em for 't I 'le add unto it all that 's in my power And whosoe're wish him an Emperour He must be worthy that assumes our Name And do such Actions as may raise his Fame Thou hast no title his must be as good And will be better if he shed thy bloud Thou a false Traitor didst usurp the throne He comes perhaps to yield to each their own Prevent him then resign the Crown to me By one just Act wipe off thy Tyranny PHO. Yes I shall soon do justice in thy death That dar'st abuse the Mercy gives thee breath All my kind offers thou hast still refus'd My patience mock'd and dignity abus'd PVLC Thy dignity an idol of thy own creation That from no good man yet found veneration PHO Well please thy self with what thy fancy gives That there 's a brother or some other lives To take my life to right pretended wrong But know your fate depends upon your tongue Which though thus bold must say I 'le be his Wife Or the denial ends your scornful life Smile you Now by my Crown I 'le have it done And you this day shall marry with my Son PVLC I may live long yet you not perjur'd be You swear by nothing
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
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
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
HERAC She 's my Sister Sir PHO. You no more my Son And all I 've labour'd for again undone PVL What if he were Tyrant art thou so vain To think his grant could alter my disdain Could I love any thing should but seem thine And from thy blood less than my own decline Cease then to hope the least pretence in me Whilst death hath power from that to set me free ACT V. SCEN. IV. Phocas Heraclius Martian taking himself for Heraclius Pulcheria her Women Crispus Guards and Attendants CRISPVS TO Exuperius Sir the debt you owe He and his friends have born the business so That he the Mutineers hath overcome And Pris'ners brings their chiefs to hear your doom PHO Command that in the Court for me he stay Where them their due my thanks to him I 'le pay Ingrateful wilt thou be my Son or no The Mutineers o're come I need not show Or fear or love more than I have indeed Use well the time while I make others bleed And thou Pulcheria if thou wouldst not see Both their bloods shed to end the Tragedie Find or make choice of one of them for mine And with the usual forms your right hands join At my return I swear this shall be done Who scorns my blood and Throne is not my Son PVLC Threat not they dead I gladly death imbrace PHO I know thou wouldst but I 'le not grant that grace That were a mercie I must punish thee Which as the highest thou shalt marry me PVLC Ha! What Plague PHO. If it be great from me 't is justly due But I shall make it yet more strange and new I 'le bath this in their blouds when so take thine One way or other compass my design She will not kill her self whilst yet they live To himself They error me and I 'le them terror give Exit Pho. Crisp c. ACT V. SCENE V. Heraclius Martian taking himself for Heraclius Pulcheria PVLCHERIA O The sly Wolf his fear made him seem mild The danger past how bloudy and how wild Threatning our hearts in pieces he will tear If only mine it were not worth my fear But when you both must die whose worth is such The world ne're knew nor shall again so much Since we to death must all together go Which is indeed my Brother let me know That aptly I may pay the debt I owe. MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Rather resolve your danger drawing near He may come back and act what you so fear The marriage with the Son then celebrate To shun the Father you so justly hate PVL Who is' t will show me if I could consent And so assure me incest to prevent MART. taking himself for Herac. I see too much of fear for us and you Yet a faign'd marriage you may yield unto Deceive the Tyrant vertue not destroy All live and yet not Hymen's rights enjoy PVL So to dissemble would look poor and low HERAC A Tyrant to outreach makes it not so 'T would place in trust a Brother which he gives We having power he at our mercy lives And so we may when ever we think good Sue a divorce and seal it with his blood PVL Well to preserve your lives avoyd my shame I am content whose wife must I seem name Which of you is it offers me his hand 'T is not a real since no legal band HERAC You Sir who did at first the motion make MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius You Prince who for his Son Phocas will take HERAC You who these four years have her lover him MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius You who have greater worth her heart to win PVL Ah Princes By this so brave retreat your worth is shown But I mistrusted still judg'd by my own For great hearts which the Heavens for Empire make Even at the shadow of a crime must shake Let us leave all to Heaven and nothing do But what bright honour fairly guides us to HERACL Was ever fate more cruel than is mine The doubtful truth which with my blood I sign Leaves me unworthy still of that great Name I suffer for in death I lose my aim Saving not him for whom I choose to die MART. taking himself for Herac. That nothing is to my strange destiny Who in the compass of one day appear Leontius Martian and Heraclius here A Tribun's Tyrant's a just Emp'ror's Son And die I know not who e're it be done PVLC How small your griefs are yet compar'd to mine Though I confess you justly may repine For death which may ease you I must not try They that give life that help to me deny We are born Servants and our Lord's design We must not question but our wills resign It is determin'd by great Nature's Laws That all effects depend upon their cause ACT V. SCEN. VI. Heraclius Martian taking himself for Heraclius Pulcheria Amintas HERAC WHat does this Traytor 's coming mean speak slave AMIN I am not so since I no Master have The name of Traytor I can less endure Washt in the Tyrants blood I now am pure HERAC Ha! What saies he AMIN. That I am free from stain By Exupere and me Phocas is slain MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius He that betray'd me AMIN. You mistaken were We Traytors seem'd to find our Emperor PVL Were not both sent the Mutineers to quell AMIN. Yes but each others minds we knew so well That when time fitted we did soon agree To punish Phocas for his Tyranny For he secur'd by our deceit from fear Quickly his wonted fierceness did appear For pride and crueltie do greater grow When one believes he has subdu'd a foe The seeming Pris'ners kneeling on the ground Implor'd his mercie but this threatning found You are all Traytors to whom death as due T is just cries Exupere most just to you He strikes we second him the Tyrant dies Long live HERACLIVS Exuperius cries The standers by struck with amazement were To see one stroke destroy their hope and fear Thus for self-ends who call'd this Tyrant good Soon read his ills once written in his blood The last Scene Heraclius Martian taking himself for Heraclius Pulcheria her Women Leontina Eudoxia Exuperius Amintas Guards and Attendants HERACLIVS SAy Madam is it true is there a change Amintas tells us news though good yet strange LEON Sir the success though great you may believe Nor is there any blood shed we should grieve HERAC False to be generous I thee embrace To Exuperius If I have power expect the highest grace EXVP I must beg pardon from one of you two If I have injur'd him I have serv'd you MARTIAN taking himself for Heraclius Either of both may easily forgive His death who was resolv'd we should not live Yet at the mention something touches me HERAC It may the great effects of nature be If so you have no great cause to complain If I the Empire you my sister gain Nor can my dear Pulcheria now refuse The Father dead how can
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