University of Virginia Library

Scena Quarta.

Felix, Albin, Paulina, Stratonica.
Felix.
Daughter, thy dream hath plung'd me in strange fears
Since yesterday, I doubt th'effects thereof,
Which seem t'approach.

Paul.
I do beseech you, tell me
What ist you feel?

Felix.
Severus is not dead.

Paul.
What evil doth his life do unto us?

Felix.
He is the Favourite
Of th'Emperour Decius.

Paul.
After having saved him
From the hands of his Enemies the hope
Of such a rank justly might be allow'd him,
Thus Fortune to great hearts so often cruel,
Resolvs her self sometimes to do them justice.

Felix.
He's comming here himself.

Paul.
What? is he comming?

Felix.
Thou shalt receive his Visit.

Paul:
That's too much;
But how do you know this? Sir.

Felix.
Albin met
In the adjacent field, a troup of Courtiers
Attending him in crouds which shewed plainly
His rank and credit, but Albinus tell her
That which his People told thee.

Albin.
You know, Madam,
What that great Expedition was, which made us
So fortunate by his loss, where th'Emperour
A Prisoner, dis-ingaged by his hand,
Confirm'd again his almost conquered party;
Whilst that his vertue fell amongst the number,
You know the honours that he caus'd to be
Done to his shadow, when his body could not
Be found amongst the dead. The King of Persia
Witness of his high acts, though to his damage,
Caused him to be carry'd off, and brought
Into his Tent, he did desire to know
His face though dead, every one did lament him,
Covered with wounds, though jealous of his glory.
Within a while he shew'd some sign of life:
This generous Monarch was o're joy'd therewith,
And though o'recome, thought not of his misfortune;
To honour vertue in its very Authour,
He caus'd that speciall care should be tane of him;
His cure was secret, and at a Months end
His health was perfect, when the King, to gain him,
Offer'd him dignities, allyance, treasures,
And us'd a thousand means: when all things fail'd,
After high prayse bestow'd on his refusall,
He sent to Decius to propose exchange,
And presently the Emperour transported
With pleasure, offered to the Persian
His Brother and a hundred chiefs to chuse.
So came unto the Camp the valorous
And brave Severus, to receive the recompence
Of his high vertue: Decius favour was
The worthy price thereof: we fought again,
And were surpris'd, yet this misfortune serv'd
T'increase his glory, he alone restablish'd
The order, and recovered the victory,
So fair and plain, and by such glorious feats,
That our stout Enemies offer'd us tribute,
And made us peace; The Emperour express'd
An infinite love unto him, and being ravish'd
With the success, sent him into Armenia;
He comes to bring the news into this Countrey,
And by a sacrifice to render thanks
Unto the Gods,

Felix.
O heaven! to what estate
My fortune is reduc'd!

Albin.
I learned this
From one that doth belong unto his train,
And hasted here, Sir, to acquaint you with it.

Felix.
Oh without doubt he comes to marry thee,
Daughter, the order of a sacrifice
Is a small thing to him, not worth his presence,
It is a false pretence, whose cause is love.

Paul.
It may well be, he lov'd me very dearly.

Felix.
What will not he allow to his resentment?
And to what point will not his anger carry
A just revenge with so much power to prop it?
He will destroy us, daughter.

Paul.
He's too generous.

Felix.
Thou wilt in vain flatter a wretched Father;
He will destroy us, daughter. Oh regreet
That kils me now, in that I loved not
The naked vertue. Oh Paulina really
Thou hast too much obeyed me, thy courage
Was good, but thy nice duty hath betray'd thee.
How thy rebellion had been favourable
Unto me, how it would have priviledg'd me
From a deplorable condition!
If any hope rests with me, it is now
No more but in the absolute power which he
Gives thee upon him: Husband in my favour
The love that doth possess him, and from whence
My evill doth proceed, produce the remedy.

Paul.
Shall I, Shall I see such a Puissant Conqueror?
And expose me unto those eyes that pierce
My heart? Father, I am a Woman, and
I know my weakness, I perceive my heart
Already to be interested for him,
And will without doubt in spight of my faith
Thrust forth some sigh unworthy both of you
And me, I will not see him.

Felix.
Re-assure
Thy soul a little.

Paul.
He is alwayes lovely,
And I am alwayes firm, in the power which
His looks have had upon me, I can't answer
With all my vertue, therefore I'le not see him.

Felix.
Daughter you must, or you'l betray your Father,
And all your Family.

Paul.
It is my duty
T'obey since you command, but see the perills
Wherein you hazard me.

Felix.
I know thy Vertue.

Paul.
Without doubt it will vanquish, the success
Is not the thing that my soul doubts, I fear
This stubborn combat, and puissant troubles
That makes my senses to revolt already;
But since I must combat an Enemy
I love, permit me t'arm against my self,
And give me some time to prepare to see him.

Felix.
Without the Ports I'm going to receive him,
In the mean time call home your stragling force,
And think that in thy hands thou holdst our destinies,

Paul.
True, I am born to sacrifice me still
In serving as a victime to your will.