University of Virginia Library

ACT. III.

The SCENE, Babylon.
Enter Cassander and Perdicas meeting him with his Guard.
Perd.
What sadness is't, Cassander, moves you now?
It ill becomes, the Laurels on your brow:
This Day, I did believe, that I should see
You full of smiles, after our Victorie.

Cass.
If I am sad, after our great success,
Me thinks, your Looks, Sir, do no Calm express:
If dark, and shady Clouds, hang in my Eyes,
I see in yours, a storm begin to rise.

Perd.
Whilst I to wounds, and Death, my self expose,
Killing my Friends, because Roxana's foes,
She gets my' ador'd Statira, int' her power,
And keeps her pris'ner, in the Palace Tower:
But I am going, thence to set her free,
And with my sword, to give her Libertie.

Cass.
Whilst I, for her, to wounds, and dangers go,
And, 'gainst my Int'rest, save my greatest foe,
Whilst her commands, I carefully obey,
And yield this mighty Empire, to her sway,
She meets my Love, with a disdainful frown,
And him, who scorns her, with her Love, does Crown,

Perd.
Our Love, and Int'rest, should us two conjoyn
It is one Man, disturbs your peace, and mine:
'Tis fit Orontes then should dye, that he
May never more disquiet you, or me.

Cass.
Yes he shall dye, by all the Gods I vow,
This Arm shall, shortly, give the fatal blow.

Perd.
By all the Gods, if in my power it lies,
When I first see him, by this Arm he dies:
And when we have this obstacle remov'd,
We shall be kindlier us'd, and more belov'd

Cass.
Their furious Love, will cool, and we shall find
Our Queens, who now disdain us, grow more kind.

[Exeunt severally.
The SCENE, The Palace Royal in Babylon.
Enter Roxana, and Hesione.
Rox.
Who are in love, at all times cann't be wise,
Passion, o'recomes our weaker pollicies.
Who in safe peace, and undisturb'd would reign,
Should have no passions, yet oft passions feign.
Our Reason, and our Judgment they infest,
And open lay, the secrets of our Breast.

Hesi.
Madam, of all the Passions, Love's most bold,
And still is found, most hard to be control'd.

Rox.
Just now disturb'd, I from Orentes came,
Full of Revenge, of Anger, Love and Shame,
Being o'repowr'd, by their impetuous tide,
I could not my resistless Passions hide.
But at Cassander, did the Venom throw,
Of my Disdain; and Hate too plain did show.

Hesi.
I'ave wonder'd, Madam, with what skill, and Art,
You have kept under, his aspiring heart:
He cannot boast, that he in Love does thrive,
And yet, you keep his little hopes alive.

Rox.
I know not, which has in my Heart, most share,
Love, or Ambition: both are mighty there,
I cannot be content, with one alone,
I'de have my Love, and not forgoe the Throne.
For Love's sake, Perdicas my Friend I stile,
Ambition makes me on Cassander smile,
Tho I intend, at last, both to beguile.
What noise is that?—

[Clashing of swords within.
Enter Guard.
Sold.
Perdicas, Madam, on your Guard does fall,
I fear he'l force, Statira from us all.

Rox.
Go, stop him wretch—make hast—stop him I say,
First dye, and with your Bodies, block his way.
[Exeunt Guard
This amorous fool, will spoil my great designe.

Exeunt
Enter Perdicas fighting with the Guard.
Perd.
I'le force my way, tho you an Armie were.
Enter Roxana and Hesione.
Roxana snatches a sword from one of the Guard, and stops Perdicas.

Rox.
How Perdicas! Come further if you dare.
Over this Breast, you first must make your way.
Is this the great Respect you to me pay?

Perd.
Madam, you may account this Action rude,
'Tis better yet, than your Ingratitude:
Whilst Blood, and Life, I venture for your sake,
From me, what is more dear, than Life, you take.

Rox.
You are too Rash—It was your good I sought,
And I will soon, make you confess your fault.
Command your Guards off—

Perd.
Go wait without—

Rox.
Retire you, to your charge.
To her Guard flings away the sword.
Now, Perdicas, I will my mind disclose.
You, from my Rival, long have sought in vain,
For Love's deep wound, some Rem'edy to obtain:
To a deaf Statue, you do still complain.
You to a senceless Rock, your Love make known,
And court a Mistress, with a heart of stone.
I for your Rival, the like pains indure,
Which He, you know, has still deny'd to cure.
He scorns my Love, and does my sickness mock,
And wears an Heart, far harder, than a Rock.
All gentle ways, we too, too long, have try'd,
Have humbly sought, but still have been deny'd
No longer now, let us our pains endure,
A desperate Ill, must have a desperate Cure.

Perd.
'Tis true, all gentle means, I long have us'd
My hopes, and patience, I have found abus'd,
My tortur'd heart, for pain can hardly live,
And to my wounded soul, none ease can give:
But yet if pray'rs, won't make my Goddess kind,
I know not which way, you can force the mind.

Rox.
The stubborn mind, like grown Oaks, will not bend,
You cannot bow them, but with force they rend.
So our stiff Rivals, won't with us comply,
E're they will bow, and yield, they'l break, and dye.
Death they dispise: I know our loves to shun,
If Death be offer'd, both to Death will run.

Perd.
If the stiff mind, can no way forced be,
What is it, you'd propose, for Remedie?

Rox.
Art must be us'd, and I have found a way,
To make them both submit, and us obey.
They both, above themselves, each other Love,
And thorow one, we must the other move.
Though either Death would choose, ere they'd comply,
They'l yield, before they'l see each other dye.
They'l tender grow, their Passions will be mov'd,
To see Death offer'd, to the thing belov'd:
Then at your feet, you will Statira see,
And I Orontes, supplicating me.

Perd.
So great's the pain of Love, which I endure,
I any means would try, to' obtain a Cure:
We cut our Flesh, and put our selves to pain,
A Freedom, from some sharp Disease, to gain,
So I must stab, and wound my bleeding Heart,
Whilst I procure, Statira's pain and smart.

Rox.
That our Design, may to our wish succeed,
Threaten with Death, but what you do, take heed.
For if your Life, must with Statira's end,
Upon Orontes Life, mine does depend.

Perd.
Madam, I to your wisdom, and your Care
Shall leave the management, of this Affair.
I shall observe, all that you shall command,
And take my blessing, from your bounteous hand.
I with this subtle Queen, seem to comply,
[Aside.
But I have vow'd, my Rival soon shall dye.
With skilful cunning, she now plays her part,
But I will countermine her Art, with Art.

[Exit
Rox.
Thus Raging Beasts, we do with Ginns, insnare,
And subtle slights, for mighty force prepare:
The Elephant, and Horse, obey our will,
And the fierce Lion's tam'd, by Art, and skill
If what I now design does take, 'tis well,
If not (who can the event of things foretell?)
I for my safety, will so well provide,
That what seems jest, in earnest shall be try'd.
The Rival of my Love, and Crown, shall dye,
My' Ambition, and Revenge to satisfie:
But cunning Perdicas, deceiv'd must be,
With words, which do not with my Thoughts agree
The Rash Cassander, I must too beguile,
And fix him, with the favour of a smile.
Hesione, send for Cassander strait,
And whilst, with you, he does my leisure wait,
Charm him with hopes, and my late frowns excuse,
'Tis no great sin, fond Lovers to abuse.

[Exeunt.
The SCENE, A Tower of the Palace.
Enter Statira and Parisatis.
Stat.
Death, which each moment, we expect to see,
Is far less dreadful, than this news to me;
Whilst my Orontes was in safety, I
With less Concern, and more Content could dye:
But now, my soul opprest, with busie care,
Is ruffl'd, and for Him, disturb'd with fear.

Pari.
But Sister, why are you disturb'd so much
You know, Roxana's Love for him, is such,
You may assure your self, and well believe,
He no ill treatment, will from her receive.
What is it then, should so uncalm your mind?
Unless you're jealous she should be too kind:
But his great love, and constancy you know,
Not all her Charms, and Arts, can overthrow.
This great attempt, and valiant Act does prove,
That he still wears, a true, and constant Love.

Stat.
That constancy, you think should me secure
From Fear, does cause the Fear, I now endure,
For what will not, that wicked Woman dare.
To do, when Love is turn'd into Dispair?
Whilst she has hopes, her Love will make her kind,
When they are lost, she'l shew her cruel mind:
Rob'd of her Whelps, a Tygress will not be
So Cruel, and so full of Rage, as she.
Her Love's no pure, unmixt, and gentle Fire,
But is an impure Flame, an hot, untam'd Desire.

Pari.
Are you content, he should inconstant prove,
To shun the Fate which threatens, his true Love?

Stat.
Should I consent, should I request it too,
That is a thing, I know, he could not do.

Pari.
In things that no ways remedy'd can be;
We must submit, to hard Necessitie:
By Death, our Troubles will to peace be chang'd,
And though we dye, we shan't dye unreveng'd.
We have two Friends, who with their armed powers,
Will soon revenge Orontes Death, and Ours.

Enter Cleone.
Cleo.
The Captain of Roxana's Guard, does wait
Without, and asks to be admitted strait:
His business Madam, I can no ways learn,
But's looks betray, some great, and sad concern.

Stat.
Go Cleone, and bring him in—
[Exit Cleone
The unexpected news of Death, might fright,
But expectation, now, does make it light:
They who for it, beforehand do prepare,
When it approaches, don't like others fear.

Enter Captain with the Guard and Cleone.
Capt.
By me the Queen, does let you understand,
(Madam, I must obey her strict command)
It is her pleasure, that yon strait must dye.

Stat.
'Tis what I expected, from her Cruelty.
She told me her self, what now I hear from you,
I then believ'd her Threats she would pursue,
Therefore, to dye, I have my self prepar'd,
But has the Tyrant, Sir, my sister spar'd?

Capt.
I know not, Madam, what sh' intends to do,
My Orders, now, concern not her, but you.

Pari.
In vain, she spares my Life, if she must die,
Nature, and Friendship, us together tie,
And they have knit a knot, cann't be unti'd,
Nor shall her Tyranny, us two divide,
For the kind Gods, to us, a pow'r do give,
That, at our pleasure, we may cease to live.

Stat.
Sister, you ought to Death, no more to run
Than you for fear, should its approaches shun:
On the Gods wills, with patience, you, must wait,
And neither, run to seek, nor shun your Fate.
When I am dead, I'le hover in the Air,
And there, I will unseen, of you take Care.
Adeu dear sister—
[Embrace
—I'm assur'd my Friend
Will both Revenge me, and your Life defend.

Pari,
Cruel Roxana! thus to make us part,
Is from my Breast, to tare my living Heart.
Adue dear sister—
[Embrace
—Tho w' are parted thus
Death shall again, restore our Joys to us:
You, but few moments, shall before me go,
E're I'le o'retake you, in the shades below.

Stat.
To what place is it, I must go to dye?

Capt.
'Tis to Orontes Prison.—

Stat.
What! Will Roxana be so good, to me?
Will she, once more, let me Orontes see?
For this great kindness, I'le her wrongs forgive,
Tho after that, I but one moment live.

Capt.
If kindness she designs, I do not know,
But, Madam, thither 'tis, that you must go.

Stat.
Let's go then, Death it self seems pleasant, there,
This unexpected Joy, has banished fear.

[Exeunt Capt. Stat. and Cleone with Guards
Pari.
How fast, the Dream, of Greatness, slides away!
How soon is worldly Pomp, and Glory lost.
Fortune, with Princes, still delights to play,
And in their Ruines, does her great pow'r boast.
The great, stand high, on slippery Rocks, of Ice,
They cannot move, but they must move, in Fear,
Like seeming stars, that shoot down, from the Skies,
They tumble headlong, from their lofty Sphear.
Happy are they, who in poor Cabbins dwell,
And there content, rest on their humble Beds,
Great Joys, nor Griefs, enter their homely Cell,
Nor Cares, Distrusts, nor Fears, disturb their Heads:
Their pleasures small, but natural, and true:
Happy! if their own happiness they knew.

[Exit
The SCENE, The Prison of Orontes, He is discovered lying bound as before.
Oron.
The Gods are deaf, to them I cry, in vain,
Unmov'd, they see, and pitty not our pain:
But since, for all our ills, one Cure they gave,
Why should we ask, what we already have?
Death, to all Troubles, gives a gentle end,
Does Loves, the Worlds, and Natures faults, amend.
The way to Life's but one, not easily found,
To Death, the ways are plain, and do abound,
The Gods, put nothing, in our power more sure,
To shew, it was, for humane ills the Cure.
To thee, blest Cure, I now resolve to fly,
The last, but most assured, Remedy.

Enter Statira and Cleone.
Stat.
Ah Prince! what barbarous Heart, has bound those hands?
And fetter'd them, with such unworthy Bands?
Those hands, which have such glorious Actions done,
Which have so many Laurels nobly, won?
Those hands, which were by Heav'n design'd, to bear
A Scepter, and not slavish Chains, to wear.
Can Love do this? Can Love, in fetters bind?
Can Love, thus cruel be? and thus unkind?

Oron.
Since for your sake, I do these fetters ware,
Than Crowns, or Laurels, they more glorious are:
They're full of glory, and of pleasure too,
Crowns I prize less, than suffering for you.
Love's noble Bond, which binds my Heart, I prize,
And tho your Slave, Roxana's Chains, dispise.

Stat.
Those Chains, Orontes, are more justly mine.
Roxana meant them, for my hands, not thine:
She could no other way, with all her Art,
But by afflicting me, subdue your Heart
She knew, that I could, my own sufferings, bear,
And understood, that yours, touch'd me more near
This visit then, not from her kindness springs,
Her Cruelty, now, us together brings,
That by your suff'rings, I might Torment find,
And by my Torment, she might move your mind.

Oron.
These suff'rings, Madam, I should count but light,
Did they not keep me from your beauteous sight,
Whilst I enjoy, that happiness, I find
No Grief, can touch, the quiet of my Mind,
Your sight, my Sorrows and my Griefs, destroys,
And hides all other Passions, in my Joys:
So the admir'd Elixir does enfold,
Such Virtue, which base Mettals turns, to Gold

Enter Perdicas, Roxana, Hesione, with Guards and four Blacks with Crooked Scymiters by their sides, and strangling Cords in their hands.
Roxa.
Too long, too long, Statira, you have liv'd,
And me, of all my peaceful Joys, depriv'd,
My foolish pitty, has my Torment been,
But now, no more, against my self, I'le sin.
My Actions past, I'le not excuse to you,
Nor Reasons give, for what I, now, shall do,
It is by Pow'r, that Gods, and Kings do Reign,
And by my pow'r, I'le, now, my will obtain.
To these extreams, that Man, has made me fly,
[Pointing to Orontes
'Tis he, has urg'd me, thus to make you dye
For I have vow'd, you shall no longer live,
[pointing to the black mates
From those black hands, you shall your Death, receive
Unless you will Orontes, now resign,
And what is more, perswade him to be mine.

Perd.
And, I, Orontes, must to you declare,
That I have sworn, your Life, I will not spare,
If you will not Statira quit to me,
I now am Master of your Destinie,

Stat.
I do not doubt, Roxana, but you will,
What you'ave design'd, with cruelty, fulfil.
For your black Crimes, to all the World proclame
You have no sence of Honour, or of shame
But end, what you' ave begun—for know that I
Your Pitty scorn, and Cruelty defie.
In vain, you think, to make me quit for fear,
What is, than Life, a thousand times more dear.
To threaten me, with Death, in vain you try,
'Tis more to quit Orontes, than to dye.

Oron.
This base Tyrannick way, you may pursue,
[To Perdicas
Who ne'r yet Honour, or true Valour knew,
By them alone, you should advance your sute,
For her, with blood, and services dispute.
But, like a Robber, you have seiz'd your prey,
Tho a more safe, yet more ignoble way.
In thee, what mark, of Valour can be found,
Who thus dost treat a Prince, who, like a Slave, is bound.

Perd.
Thy Life, Orontes, now, at stake, does lye,
'Tis in her choyce, if you shall live, or dye.
[Pointing to Statira
By thy advice, or of her own accord,
Let her resolve—
If she, Orontes, does thy Life esteem,
She soon, may thee, from Death, and Bonds, redeem.

Roxa.
And if Orontes, does Statira love,
That Death, which threatens her, He may remove.
Determine strait, if Life, to her you'l give,
Few are the moments else, she has to live.

Oron.
Fair Queen, what, is it, you resolve to do?

[To Statira
Stat.
What's just: I have resolv'd, to dye for you.

Oron.
Your Life, fair Queen, is sacred, and divine,
More worth, than are a thousand, such as mine:
It is unjust, that you should dye, for me,
My Death, perhaps, may end your miserie.

Stat.
You are unjust, if you my Death lament,
Or seek to hinder, this my last content.
For this, Orontes, is the only way,
I'ave left, my mighty debt, to you to pay.
Your Life, for me, you often did expose,
From me, your trouble, and your Danger grows,
You' ave made your Love, and Valour nobly known,
Which I till now, ne'r had the pow'r, to own.
But now, Orontes, I some proofs will give,
Since for your sake, I will no longer live.
That my Affection, to that hight is grown,
It cann't, by fear of Death, be overthrown:
My Death, dear Prince, shall seale, my Love to you,
And witness for me, that my Love was true.

Oron.
What happiness is this, you give to me!
Nothing can add, to my Felicity,
Now you, for me, have so great kindness shown,
And, what I ne'r deserv'd, your Love made known:
But, Madam, I request, and humbly sue,
That you will live, and let me die, for you.

Stat.
Alas! in Life, in Liberty, or a Throne,
What pleasure can there be, when you are gone?
All our Felicities below, we find,
Are currant made, and measur'd by the mind:
From me, all joys, all pleasures, soon will fly,
And torments seize me, when my Prince shall dye
I'de have you live, Orontes—but live mine,
You to Roxana, I can ne'r resign.
My Life, I can resign, and Empire too,
Those I can give her, but not give her you.

Oron.
No, Madam, no, I here my promise give,
I will not, for the proud Roxana, live:
A thousand Deaths, I for your sake prefer,
To Life, and th' Empire of the World, with her.
Live then fair Queen—tho from you I depart,
My Image, still shall live, within your Heart:
And, Perdicas, since you to Love pretend,
[To Perd.
Her, from Roxana's Cruelties, defend:
Keep her Life safe—I make it my last prayer,
My fair Queens safety, now is all my Care.
Assure, me, that she shall, in safety be,
And I'le forgive, what e're thou dost to me.

Stat.
In Perdicas's pow'r, that does not lie,
For if you live not, I resolve to die.
And if I am not, by Roxana, slain,
By my own hand, that Freedom, I'le obtain.

Perd.
Ah! Madam, do you thus resolve, at last?
Will you repay thus, all my kindness past?
If for your sake, have spar'd my greatest foe,
Shall my Indulgence, be rewarded so?

Stat.
Yes, Sir, this firm Resolve, which now I make,
Not all your Threatnings, shall have power to shake.
There is no other way, to separate
Us two, but by my Death, for which I wait,

Perd.
No 'tis by his—And by the Heavens, I vow,
Not all the world shall save him from it now.
Dye—dye Barbarian—with thy Blood repay,
Draws his sword to run Oront. thorow
That Peace, which thou from me hast tane away

Roxa.
Hold Perdicas—if you Orontes hurt,
I'le strike this Javelin th'row Statira's Heart,

[Roxana snatches a Javelin from one of her Guard, and presents it to Statira's Breast.
Oron.
Ah Perdicas! run—save the Queen—
From fierce Roxana's power, set her free,
And then you, safely, may give Death to me.

Stat.
Here, here, Roxana, plunge thy cruel Spear:
shews her Breast.
The child of great Darius, cannot fear.
Strike th'row this Heart—strike boldly, do not spare,
And pierce his Image, who disdains thee, there.

Perdicas casts himself before Roxana's Javelen, and Roxana places her self between him and Orontes.
Roxa.
Ingrateful as thou art, thou shalt not dye
[To Oront.
Thy Life is safe enough, whilst I am by;
For with my own, I will thy Life defend,
And though thou hatest me, shew my self thy Friend.

Oron.
Since to Statira, you'ave such malice shown,
You are to me most black, and odious grown:
Ev'n Perdicas, I love much more, than thee,
And pardon, all his cruelties, to me,
Because his care, and tenderness I'ave seen,
In snatching, from thy Murth'rous hands, my Queen,
When you, with so much wrath, and Rudeness prest,
That dreadful Javelin, 'gainst her tender Breast.

Perd.
For you fair Queen, I all my Blood, will spend,
[To Stat.
Your pretious Life, I'le with my own defend:
But I entreat you, to return with me,
T' avoid Roxana's further crueltie.

Stat.
I pardon all, what she to me did do,
To me, she was less cruel far, than you;
But one Death she had given, and Eas'd my pain,
You many Deaths, had you Orontes slain.

Perd.
Madam, your self did first Orontes slay,
When you took from me, all my Hopes away:
A Rival, in Despair, you should not blame.

Stat.
Despair should quench, and not increase Loves flame.

Perd.
We must not here dispute—Madam let's go,
I will secure you, from this Cruel Foe.

Stat.
I Sir your pris'ner am, and know it well
Pray'ers are Commands, with those who can Compel.
Orontes Live, and I will live, for you,
[To Oront.
And, if you're forc'd to dye, I will dye too.

Oron.
Live still, fair Queen, my Heart, to you I give,
I will be yours, whether I dye, or live.

Roxa.
Have you forgot, to what we did agree?
To Perd. going off.
Remember Sir, you first broke Faith, with me,
Lost your Respect, and now not only jarr,
But have denounc'd against me, open War.
Tyrant, thou would'st have slain, what I above
Mankind, the World, or Life, or Empire, love.
Assure thy self, I won't my Rival spare,
I'le seek her, in thine Arms, and Kill her there.
Perdicas, I'le doe't—'tis not thy Art, or power,
Shall thee, or her, from my Revenge secure.

Perd.
Madam, the Gods protect the Innocent.

Exeunt Perd. Stat. Cleone, with their Guards.
Roxa.
Whilst I have pow'er, declare for me they must,
Or I will fling, their Temples in the Dust,
O'rethrow their Altars, all their Flammins slay,
And take from them, their Deities away.
Tell me no more of Gods, my pow'er shall be
My greatest, and my only Deitie.
'Tis that th'whole World adores—'Tis pow'er alone,
Which must maintain me, in my Husband's Throne.
Guards,—Keep this pris'ner safe—but let him be
To her Guards.
From those base, and unworthy Chains, set free.
What Pow'er is this, which does my Heart subdue,
[The Guards bow.
That would at once oblige, and punish too?

[Exit with Guard and Blacks.
Oron.
My Life depends, yet on a slender thred,
For whilst Statira lives, I must live too,
With faint, and empty hopes, I still am fed,
And wait to see, what the just Gods will doe.
But if my fair Queen dyes, from hence I'le go,
To seek her in the blessed shades, below:
For, Loves strong bonds, so fast, our Souls have ty'd,
That Fate it self, cannot us two, divide.

[Goes in, the Scene Closes.