University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The PALACE.
Hydarnes. Conspirators.
1st Conspirator.
Is night near spent?

2d Consp.
'Tis yet the dead of night;
And not a glimm'ring ray behind yon hills
Fore-runs the morning's dawn.

1st Consp.
Thus far w'are safe.

2d Consp.
Silence and Sleep throughout the Palace reign.

1st Consp.
Success is now secure.

2d Consp.
Are all assembled?

1st Consp.
Our number's not compleat.

2d Consp.
What, not yet come!
Those two were over-zealous. It looks ill.

1st Consp.
Why fear ye? I'm their pledge. I know them brave.
They'll soon be with us and partake our glory.

Hyd.
What mean these murmurs?

1st Consp.
If mistrust divide us,
Our enterprize is foil'd, and we are lost.

Hyd.
My vengeful heart pants for the glorious deed,
And my thirst quickens for Phraortes' blood.
Why stops the lazy night?—O morning, rise;
Call up the drowsy Priests to the day's task;
The King to day the holy hill ascends,
And prostrate falls before the rising sun.

1st Consp.
The sun shall rise, but rise to him no more.
For as he passes from the royal chamber
This strikes him home.

2d Consp.
Let each man give him death.
We cannot be too sure.

Hyd.
Revenge is mine.
By him my father fell, by him my brothers;
They fail'd, they perish'd in the great design:
Success and vengeance are reserv'd for me.
My father led the Median hosts to battle,
And all the hosts of Media sung his triumphs.

1st Consp.
The people's hearts were his.

Hyd.
The people saw
His royal virtues. He, to please his country,
Grasp'd at the sceptre which Phraortes holds.
For this he suffer'd ignominious death:
His house was raz'd; my brave, unhappy brothers
Fell in his ruin; I alone escap'd;
In banishment I've sigh'd whole years away,
Unknown, forgot.—But now, even in his glory,
Now, while he leads the Persian Princes captive,
And overflows whole nations with his armies,
I'll stab him to the heart.

2d Consp.
What sound was that?

1st Consp.
Lights pass a-cross the rooms, and hasty steps
Move to the King's apartment. Sleep is fled,
And all the palace lives; Phraortes wakes.

2d Consp.
Hush! hark again!

1st Consp.
The ecchoes of the night
Catch ev'ry whisper.

2d Consp.
Some have overheard us.

1st Consp.
It must be so. The guards have took th'alarm.
Our Lives, (what's worse) our enterprize is lost!

2d Consp.
Retreat, my friends; let us reserve ourselves
For some more prosp'rous hour.

Hyd.
You raise up phantoms,
Then start at them your selves. Some sickly qualm
Has wak'd the King too soon. Hence spring your fears,
Hence grows this mean surprize. Are these your boasts?
Danger but whets the edge of resolution,
And at each noise I grasp my dagger faster.
Is every thing dispos'd to give th'alarm
Among the Persian captives? Hope of freedom
Will arm them on our side.

1st Consp.
Were the blow struck,
The rest would follow.

Hyd.
See a gleam of light
Darts from the King's apartment. Man your hearts,
Be firm, be ready. Let not trembling fear
Misguide your aim; let ev'ry wound be mortal.

1st Consp.
This way and that way danger presses near us.
Where shall we fly? The tread of nimble feet
Hurries from room to room, and all the palace
Swarms as at noon.

2d Consp.
Let us consult our safety.

1st Consp.
To stay and to be taken is despair;
And what's despair? but poor, mean cowardice.
By timely caution heroes are preserv'd
For glorious enterprize, and mighty kingdoms
Are levell'd with the dust.

Hyd.
Withdraw your selves.
Be still, and listen. These will best inform us
If still it may be done; or if the blow
Must be deferr'd. But hush, they come upon us.

SCENE II.

Orbasius, Araxes at one door, two Magi at the other, servants with lights. Hydarnes and Conspirators listning.
Ara.
Whence come ye, rev'rend Fathers; why these looks
Of terror and amaze? why gaze ye back
As if the strides of Death stalk'd close behind you?

1st Mag.
The King ev'n at this solemn hour of Night
Sent privately to call us to his presence.
Ye Gods preserve him!

Ara.
Why this wild confusion?
In ev'ry passing face I read suspicion,
[People crossing the Stage.
And haggard fear. Has sickness seiz'd the King,
And groans he with the latest pang of death?
Speak forth your terrors.

2d Mag.
May Phraortes live!

Orba.
Tell us the cause. If violence or treachery,
Our duty bids us interpose our lives
Between the King and death. O Heav'n, defend him!

1st Mag.
The King, disturb'd by visionary dreams,
Bad the most learn'd Magicians stand before him.
We stood before the King; and the King trembled
While he declar'd his dream; and thus I spoke.
‘O may the great Phraortes live for ever!
‘Avert the dire presages of the dream!
‘This night the Gods have warn'd thee to beware
‘Of deep-laid treasons, ripe for execution;
‘Assassination lurks within the palace,
‘And murder grasps the dagger for the blow.
‘If the King trust his steps beyond his chamber
‘I see him bleed! I hear his dying groan!
‘Obey the voice of Heav'n.

2d Mag.
The King is wise;
And therefore to the will of Heav'n assented;
Nor will he trust his life, a nation's safety,
From out the royal chamber. See the dawn
Breaks in the East, and calls us to devotion.
It is not Man; but 'tis the Gods he fears.

Ex. Magi.

SCENE III.

Orbasius. Araxes. [Conspirators apart.]
Hyd.
Let's quit the palace while retreat is safe.
The deed must be deferr'd. Revenge, be calm.
This day is his, to-morrow shall be ours.

[Ex. Conspirators on one side. Enter guards on the other.
Orba.
See that each centinel is on strict watch.
Let all the Guards be doubled; bar the gates,
That not a man pass forth without observance.
[Ex. a party of Soldiers.
Go you; and with the utmost vigilance
Search ev'ry room; for treason lyes in wait.

[Ex. a party of Soldiers.
Ara.
Divide your selves this instant o'er the palace.
Think Media is in danger; and remember
That he who takes a traytor, saves the King.

[Exeunt Soldiers.
Orba.
Whence can these dangers threaten?

Ara.
From the Persians.
Captivity's a yoke that galls the shoulders
Of new-made slaves, and makes them bold and resty.
He that is born in chains may tamely bear them;
But he that once has breath'd the air of freedom,
Knows life is nothing when depriv'd of that.
Our lord the King has made a people slaves,
And ev'ry slave is virtuously rebellious.
I fear the Persian Prince.

Orba.
You injure him.
I know him, have convers'd with him whole days,
And ev'ry day I stronger grew in virtue.
Load not th'unhappy with unjust suspicion;
Adversity ne'er shakes the heart of honour:
He who is found a villian, in distress,
Was never virtuous.

Ara.
Who suspects his virtue?
'Tis not dishonest to demand our right;
And freedom is the property of man.

Orba.
That glorious day when Persia was subdu'd,
Sophernes fought amidst a host of foes,
Disdaining to survive his country's fate.
When the whole torrent of the war rush'd on,
Phraortes interpos'd his shield, and sav'd him.
And canst thou think this brave, this gen'rous Prince
Would stab the man to whom he owes his life?

Ara.
Whoever is, must feel himself, a slave.
And 'tis worth struggling to shake off his chains.

Orba.
But gratitude has cool'd his soul to patience.
Ingratitude's a crime the Persians hate;
Their laws are wise, and punish it with death.

SCENE IV.

Guards with Sophernes. Orbasius. Araxes.
Ara.
Behold, Orbasius; have I wrong'd your friend?
Behold a slave oblig'd by gratitude
To wear his chains with patience! This is he
Phraortes honours with his royal favours!
This is the man that I accus'd unjustly!
Soldiers, advance, and bring the prisoner near us.

Soph.
Why am I thus insulted? why this force?
If 'tis a crime to be unfortunate
I well deserve this usage.

Ara.
'Tis our duty.
If you are innocent, let justice clear you.
Orbasius, to your charge I leave the Prince;
Mean while I'll search the palace. On this instant
Perhaps the safety of the King depends.
Come, soldiers, there are others to be taken,
Mine be that care. I'll bring them face to face,
When each man conscious of the other's crime
Shall in his guilty look confess his own.
Guard him with strictness, as you prize your life.

[Exeunt Araxes and some Guards.

SCENE V.

Orbasius. Sophernes.
Orba.
Keep off a while, and leave us to our selves.
[Guards retire to the back part of the stage.
I own, I think this rash suspicion wrongs you;
For murder is the mean revenge of cowards,
And you are brave.

Soph.
By whom am I accus'd?
Let him stand forth. Of murder, murder say you?
Bear I the marks of an abandon'd wretch?
How little man can search the heart of man!

Orba.
Our Priests are train'd up spies by education,
They pry into the secrets of the state,
And then by way of prophecy reveal them;
'Tis by such artifice they govern Kings.
The last night's rumour of conspiracy
Form'd the King's dream, and from that very rumour
They venture to speak out, what we but whisper'd.
'Twas they that call'd us to this early watch,
'Twas they inform'd us that assassination
Lies hid, ev'n now, within the palace walls.
And we but execute the King's command
In seizing all we find.

Soph.
It is your duty,
And I submit. You cannot be too watchful
To guard the life of such a worthy prince.
I saw his prowess in the rage of battel,
I found his mercy in the flush of conquest.
Do not I share his palace, though a captive?
What can set limits to his gen'rous soul,
Or close his lib'ral hand? Am I a viper
To sting the man that warms me in his bosom?

Orba.
Why is power given into the hands of Kings,
But to distinguish virtue and protect it?
If then Phraortes loves and honours you,
Why seek you thus to nourish your misfortunes
With midnight walks and pensive solitude?

Soph.
To lose the pomp and glories of a crown,
Is not a circumstance so soon forgot!
But I have humbled me to this affliction.
To lead the flower of Persia forth to battel
And meet with overthrow and foul defeat,
Is no such trifle in a soldier's breast!
But I submit; for 'tis the will of Heaven.
To see a father bleed amidst the carnage,
Must touch the heart of filial piety.
Why was his lot not mine? His fall was glorious.
To see my brave, but now unhappy people
Bow down their necks in shameful servitude,
Is not a spectacle of slight compassion.
All these calamities I have subdu'd.
But—my dear wife! Cylene!

Orba.
Still there's hope.
Can you support the load of real ills,
And sink beneath imaginary sorrows?
Perhaps she still may live.

Soph.
Had I that hope,
'Twou'd banish from my heart all other cares.
Perhaps she still may live! no: 'tis impossible.
When storms of arrows clatter'd on our shields,
Love arm'd her breast, and where I led she follow'd;
Then Vict'ry broke our ranks, and like a torrent
Bore my Cylene from my sight for ever.
But say, she did survive that fatal day;
Was she not then the spoil of some rude soldier,
Whose blood was riotous and hot with conquest?
—Who can gaze on her beauty and resist it!
Methinks I see her now, ev'n now before me,
The hand of Lust is tangled in her hair
And drags her to his arms:—
I see her snatch the dagger from his grasp
And resolutely plunge it in her bosom.

Orba.
Yet think she may have found a milder fate.
All soldiers are not of that savage temper;
May she not chance to be some brave man's captive?
And Valour ever lov'd to shield Distress.

Soph.
Can I think thus? I cannot be so happy.

Orba.
Is still the King a stranger to this sorrow
That day and night lies rankling in your breast?

Soph.
A grateful heart is all I've left to pay him.
Phraortes is as liberal as Heaven,
And daily pours new benefits upon me.
Last night he led me to the royal garden,
(His talk all bent to soften my misfortunes)
Like a fond friend he grew inquisitive,
And drew the story from me.

Orba.
All his heart
Is turn'd to your relief. What further happen'd?

Soph.
The King was mov'd, and strait sent forth commands
That all the female captives of his triumph
Should stand before his presence. Thus (says he)
Unhappy Prince, I may retrieve your peace,
And give Cylene to your arms again.
O source of light! O Sun, whose piercing eye
Views all below on earth, in sea or air;
Who at one glance can comprehend the globe,
Who ev'ry where art present, point me out
Where my Cylene mourns her bitter bondage.
If she yet live!

Orba.
Why will you fear the worst?
Why seek you to anticipate misfortune?
The King commands. Obedience on swift wing
Flies through his whole dominions to redress you;
From hence you soon will learn what chance befell her.
'Tis soon enough to feel our adverse fortune
When there's no room for hope. This last distress
I know must move the King to tend'rest pity.

Soph.
He dwelt on ev'ry little circumstance,
And as I talk'd, he sigh'd.

Orba.
It reach'd his heart.
A tale of love is fuel to a lover.
Phraortes dotes with such excess of fondness,
All his pursuits are lost in that of love.
Astarbe suffers him to hold the sceptre,
But she directs his hand which way to point.
The King's decrees were firm and absolute,
Not the whole earth's confederate powers could shake 'em;
But now a frown, a smile from fair Astarbe
Renders them light as air.

Soph.
If you have lov'd,
You cannot think this strange.

Orba.
Yet this same woman,
To whom the King has given up all himself,
Can scarce prevail upon her haughty temper
To show dissembled love. She loves his power,
She loves his treasures; but she loaths his person:
Thus ev'ry day he buys dissimulation.
Whene'er a woman knows you in her power,
She never fails to use it.

Soph.
That's a sure proof
Of cold indifference and fixt dislike.
In love both parties have the power to govern,
But neither claims it. Love is all compliance.
Astarbe seem'd to me of gentlest manners,
A tender softness languish'd in her eyes,
Her voice, her words bespoke an easy temper.
I thought I scarce had ever seen till then
Such beauty and humility together.

Orba.
How beauty can mis-lead and cheat our reason!
The Queen knows all the ways to use her charms
In their full force, and Media feels their power.
Whoever dares dispute her hourly will,
Wakens a busy fury in her bosom.
Sure, never love exerted greater sway;
For her he breaks through all the regal customs,
For she is not confin'd like former Queens,
But with controuling power enjoys full freedom.
I am to blame, to talk upon this subject.

Soph.
My innocence had made me quite forget
That I'm your prisoner. Load me with distresses,
They better suit my state. I've lost my kingdom,
A palace ill befits me. I'm a captive,
And captives should wear chains. My fellow soldiers
Now pine in dungeons, and are gall'd with irons,
And I the cause of all! Why live I thus
Amidst the pomp and honours of a court?
Why breathe I morn and ev'n in fragrant bowers?
Why am I suffer'd to behold the day?
For I am lost to ev'ry sense of pleasure.
Give me a dungeon, give me chains and darkness;
Nor courts, nor fragrant bowers, nor air, nor daylight
Give me one glimpse of joy—O lost Cylene!

Orba.
Misfortunes are the common lot of man,
And each man has his share of diff'rent kinds:
He who has learnt to bear them best is happiest.
But see Araxes comes with guards and prisoners.

SCENE VI.

Orbasius. Sophernes. Araxes Hydarnes. Conspirators, with guards.
Arax.
Behold your leader. Where are now your hopes
[To the Conspirators.
Of murd'ring Kings and over-turning nations?
See with what stedfast eyes they gaze upon him,
As thinking him the man that has betray'd them.
Angry Suspicion frowns on ev'ry brow,
They know their guilt, and each mistrusts the other.
We seiz'd them in th'attempt to make escape,
All arm'd, all desperate, all of them unknown,
And ev'ry one is obstinately dumb.
[To Orbas.
I charge you, speak. Know you that prisoner there?
Ay, view him well. Confess, and merit grace.
What, not a word! Will you accept of life?
[To Hyd.
Speak, and 'tis granted. Tortures shall compel you.
Will you, or you, or you, or any of you?
What, all resolv'd on death! Bring forth the chains.

[Exit Soldier.
Orba.
Be not too rash, nor treat the Prince too roughly.
He may be innocent.

Arax.
You are too partial.
I know my duty. Justice treats alike
Those who alike offend, without regard
To dignity or office. Bring the chains.

[Enter Soldiers with chains.
Orba.
This over-zeal perhaps may give offence,
The Prince is treated like no common slave.
Phraortes strives to lessen his affliction,
Nor would he add a sigh to his distresses:
Astarbe too will talk to him whole hours
With all the tender manners of her sex,
To shorten the long tedious days of bondage.
I'll be his guard. My life shall answer for him.

Ara.
My life must answer for him. He's my charge,
And this is not a time for courtesy.
Are you still resolute and bent on death?
[To the Conspirators.
Once more I offer mercy. When the torture
Cracks all your sinews and disjoints your bones,
And death grins on you arm'd with all his terrors,
'Twill loose your stubborn tongue. Know ye this man?

Hyd.
We know him not; nor why we wear these chains.
We ask no mercy, but appeal to justice.
Now you know all we know: lead to our dungeons.

[Ex. Hyd. and Conspirators guarded.
Orba.
How have you wrong'd the Prince! these shameful irons
Should not disgrace the hands of innocence.
Let's set him free.

Ara.
This is all artifice,
To let their leader scape. Guards, take him hence,
And let him be confin'd till further orders.

Soph.
Who shall plead for me in a foreign land!
My words will find no faith; for I'm a stranger:
And who holds friendship with adversity?
So Fate may do its worst. I'm tir'd of life.

[Exit guarded.

SCENE VII.

Araxes. Orbasius.
Ara.
I've done my duty, and I've done no more.
Why wear you that concern upon your brow?
It misbecomes you in this time of joy.
Strait let us to the King, and learn his pleasure.
Justice is ours, but mercy's lodg'd in him.

Orba.
I never can believe the Prince so vile
To mix with common murderers and assassins.
I think him virtuous, and I share his suff'rings.
All generous souls must strong reluctance find,
In heaping sorrows on th'afflicted mind.

[Exeunt.