University of Virginia Library

Actus Tertius.

Scena Prima.

Paulina
alone.
What floating cares! what confused clouds
Present inconstant images to mine eyes!
Sweet rest, which I dare not so much as hope,
Send thy divine Ray speedily to clear them;
A thousand diverse thoughts which my sad troubles
Produce in my uncertain heart, are lost
In wishes; no hope flatters me, not where
I dare persist, no fear affrights me not
Where I dare fix my self, my spirit imbracing
All what it doth imagine, would sometimes
My happiness, and sometimes my destruction;
Both one and tother strike it with so little
Effect, that it can neither hope nor fear.
Continually Severus troubleth
My fantasie, my hope is in his vertue,
I fear his jealousie; and I cannot think
That Polyeuctes with an equal eye
Can see his Rivall heer; as between such
The hate is natural, the interview
Soon endeth in a quarrel; the one sees
In the hands of the other what he thinks
He meriteth, the other sees a desperate
Would take it from him; whatsoe'r high reason
Raignsin their courage, th'one conceiveth envy,
The other jealousie: the shame of an
Affront, which each of them feareth to see,
Either receiv'd of old, or at this present,
Destroying all their patience from the first,
Forms choler and distrust, and seising on
The Husband and the Lover both together,
Whether they will or no delivers them
Over to their resentment, and their passion:
But what a strange Chymera do I fancy
Unto my self! and what an injury
Do I to Polyeuctes and Severus?
As if the vertue of these famous Rivals
Could not triumph over those common evils.
The minds of both, Mistresses to themselves
Are of too high an order for such baseness;
They shall see one another in the Temple
Like generous men; but alas, still I fear:
What is th'advantage that my Husband hath
To be in Militene, if Severus arm
The Roman Eagle 'gainst him, if my Father
Command here, and doth fear this Favorite,
And doth repent already of his choice?
The little hope I have is with constraint,
And born it is abortive, and gives place
To fear; what ought to fix it, doth but serve
To dissipate it. Gods! grant that my fear
Be false, and my sad fancy, a Chimere.

Scena Secunda.

Paulina, Stratonica.
Paulina.
But let us understand the Issue on't.
Now my Stratonica what's the conclusion
Of this great Sacrifice.

Strat.
Alas Paulina!

Paul.
Have my Prayers and Devotions been frustrate
I see an ill sign of it in thy face,
Have they unfortunately quarrelled?

Strat.
Nearchus, Polyeuctes, and the Christians—

Paul.
Speak then, the Christians.

Strat.
I cannot speak.

Paul.
Thou dost prepare my soul for strange afflictions.

Strat.
You ne'r could have a juster cause of grief.

Paul.
What have they murthered him?

Strat.
That had been nothing
Your dream is all true, Polyeuctes is
No more.

Paul.
What is he dead?

Strat.
No, he lives, but
(O fate to be lamented!) this great courage,
This divine soul is no more worthy of
The light, nor of Paulina, he is no more
That Spouse so charming to your eyes, he is
The common enemy of the gods, and State,
An infamous, a Rebel, a perfidious,
A Traytor, Villain; a base Parricide,
An execrable plague to all good men,
An impious and a sacrilegious Wretch,
In a word, Madam, he's a Christian.

Paul.
This word would have suffic'd without that torrent
Of Injuries.

Strat.
Can there be any titles bad enough
For Christians?

Paul.
He is what thou sayst, if he
Imbrace their faith, but he's my Husband, and
Thou speak'st to me;

Strat.
Consider him no more
Then the God he adoreth.

Paul.
I have lov'd him
With duty, and this duty still continues.

Strat.
At present he doth give you cause to hate him
Who doth betray the gods, would make no scruple
To betray you.

Paul.
Although he should betray me,
Yet I should love him. And if thou, Stratonica,
Dost wonder at this love, know, that my duty
Dependeth not of his, let him fail in it,
(If he be so dispos'd) I will do mine.
What if he lov'd elsewhere, should his example
Perswade me to imbrace unlawfull heats?
Let him be Christian, I'm not troubled at it.
I love his Person, and I hate his errour.
But what resentment hath my Father of it?

Strat.
A secret rage, and an excess of choler
Possesseth him, though yet for Polyeuctes
He shews some; he'll not let his justice
Fall upon him before the punishment
Of false Nearchus be presented to him
To see how that will work upon his spirits.

Paul.
What is Nearchus Christian too?

Strat.
'Twas he
Seduced him; see the unworthy fruit
Of their old amity; this perfidious
Taking him lately from us 'gainst his will,
Drew him to baptism: now you have the secret
That seemed so mysterious, which your love
Could not draw from him.

Paul.
Thou didst blame me then
For being too unfortunate.

Strat.
I foresaw not
Such a misfortune.

Paul.
Ere I will give up
My soul unto my griefs, I'le try the force
Of my laments, in quality of Wife
And Daughter, I hope to perswade a husband,
And pacifie a Father: if I fail
With both of them, I'le take no other Counsel
But what despair shall give me: tell me now
What did they in the Temple?

Strat.
The impiety
They acted there was such as 'tis without
Example, I can't think on't without trembling:
And fear, I should commit a crime but in
Relating it; in few words understand
Their beastly insolence. Scarce had the Priest
Obtained silence, and towards the East
Setled his countenance, but their small respect
Appeared plainly, both of them express'd
Their madness at the ceremony, they mock'd
Aloud the sacred mysteries, and despis'd
The gods that were invoked; all the people
Murmur'd thereat, and Felix was offended;
But both of them carrying themselves with more
Irreverence, what, said Polyeuctes, raising
His voice, adore you gods of stone or wood?
Dispence me from recital of the blasphemies
They vomited 'gainst Jupiter himself.
Adultery and Incest were the least
Crimes they objected to him. Hearken Felix.
Pursued he, and hearken all ye people;
The God of Polyeuctes and Nearchus
Is absolute Monarch both of heaven and earth,
Of Destiny sole Master, and the only
Being that's independent, substance which
Never receiveth change; it is the God
The Christians adore that we must thank
For victories he gave the Emperour Decius;
He in his hands holds the success of battels,
With him are (saith the sacred Text) the issues
Of life and death, his power, his infinit goodness,
His justice is immense, 'tis he alone
That punisheth, alone that recompenceth;
You vainly do adore impuissant Monsters.
Casting themselves at these words on the wine
And Incense, after they had thrown against
The earth the holy vessels without fear
Of Felix, or of Thunder, with like fury
They ran unto the Altar. Heavens! was ever
The like seen? there you might behold the statue
Of the chief god o'rethrown by impious hands
Lye at their feet, the mysteries disturb'd,
The Temple sacrilegiously profan'd,
That flight and clamours of a mutinous people,
That fear' the anger of offended heaven.
Felix.—but here he comes; the rest he'll tell you.

Paul.
How sullen is his countenance and full
Of trouble! he expresseth much of sadness
And indignation.

Scena Tertia.

Felix, Paulina, Stratonica.
Felix.
Durst such an insolence
appear! in publick too, and in my sight?
He shall die for't, the Traytor.

Paul.
Suffer me
T'embrace your knees.

Fel.
I speak not of your Husband,
But of Nearchus, Polyeuctes hath
Too near relation to me, though his crime
Deserves no favour, to be banished
My love for ever.

Paul.
I could not expect
Less from a Fathers goodness.

Fel.
I could sacrifice him
To my just anger, for you are not ignorant
To what a height of horror the blind fury
Of his impiety hath boldly mounted,
You might have understood it from Stratonica.

Paul.
I know tis fit he see Nearchus punish'd.

Felix.
Hereafter he shall better be instructed
In taking Counsell, when he shall behold
Him punish'd that seduc'd him to this evill;
The bloudy spectacle of a friend, whom he
Must follow, will so work upon his soul
That he'l repent his wickedness, and renounce
His new faith, an example more prevails
Then Threatning; this mad heat will suddenly
Turn into ice, cheer up your drooping spirits.

Paul.
You hope then that his courage will come down?

Felix.
He should be wise, sure, at Nearchus cost.

Paul.
He should be so, but alas! I do fear
There must be time to work it, may I hope
T'obtain this favour from your goodness, Sir?

Felix.
I do him too much favour in consenting
That he shall lie upon a quick repentance:
Like punishment is due to like offences,
Yet I have put a difference between
These two equally guilty, and thereby
Betrayed Justice to paternall love,
I've made my self a Criminall for him,
And did expect from you more thanks then plaints.

Paul.
First give me, then I'le thank you; I know well
The honour, and the spirit of a Christian;
He doth continue obstinate to the end,
He'l dye before he will repent.

Felix.
His pardon
Is in his hand, let him consider on't.

Paul.
Give it him fully.

Felix.
He may finish it.

Paul.
Give him not over to the furies of
His sect.

Felix.
I'le give him up unto the Laws,
Which I ought to respect.

Paul.
Is this all the support a Son-in-Law
May hope for from the Father of his Wife?

Felix.
Let him do for himself as much as I
Have done for him.

Paul.
Alas! Sir, he is blind.

Felix.
It pleaseth him to be so, he that cherisheth
His errour never will acknowledge it.

Paul.
In the name of the gods.—

Felix.
Invoke them not.
The interest of the gods requires his death.

Paul.
They hear our prayers.

Felix.
Well then, Petition them.

Paul.
In the name of the Emperour whose place
You hold.

Felix.
'Tis true, his power is in my hand,
But if he hath committed it unto me
'Tis to display it 'gainst his enemies.

Paul.
Is Polyeuctes so?

Felix.
All Christians are
Rebels.

Paul.
Hear not these cruel maximes for him.
In marrying Paulina he's become
Part of your bloud.

Felix.
I look upon his fault,
Not on his quality, where a crime against
The State, is mingled with black sacriledge,
Nor amity nor blood have any priviledge.

Paul.
Excess of rigour!

Felix.
Less then his offence.

Paul.
Oh effect too true of my fearfull dream!
Know, that with him, Sir, you destroy your daughter.

Felix.
My Family is not so dear to me
As the gods and the Emperour, are honour'd.

Paul.
Cannot the ruine of us both arrest you?

Felix.
I fear the gods add Decius both together;
But we need doubt no sad thing yet; think you
He will persist in his blind error? if
He seemed to us to run to his misfortune,
It was but the first heat of a new Christian.

Paul.
If yet you love him, have not that opinion
That he will change belief twice in a day:
The Christians are more constant, you expect,
I doubt too much Legerity from him;
'Tis not an errour suck'd in with the milk,
That his soul hath imbrac'd without examining:
No, Polyeuctes is a Christian,
Because he would be so, and brought with him
Unto the Temple a resolved spirit.
You may presume of him as of the rest,
Death's neither fatal to them, nor dishonorable.
They seek for glory in despising of
The gods, for earth blind, they aspire to heaven;
And thinking that death opens them the gate,
Torment, dismember, murther them, they care not;
Tortures and racks are the same unto them
That pleasures are to us, and bring them to
The Butt where their desires and wishes tend;
They call the cruel'st and most infamous death
Sweet Martyrdome.

Felix.
Well, Polyeuctes then
Shall have what he desires, no more of him.

Paul.
My Father.

Scena Quarta.

Felix, Albin, Paulina, Stratonica.
Felix.
Is it done, Albin?

Alb.
Yes Sir, and Nearchus
Hath paid for his fault.

Fel.
And Polyeuctes
Hath seen him?

Alb.
Yes, but with an envious eye;
He was on fire to follow him, far from
Retreating, and his heart was firmly fix'd,
In stead of being shaken.

Paul.
Oh! my Father,
I told you so; once more I do beseech you,
If ever my respects gave you content
If you esteem'd them, if you ever lov'd them.—

Fel.
Paulina, you love an unworthy husband
Too much.

Paul.
I had him from your hand, my love
Is without crime, he was your worthy choice,
And for him I have quench'd the fairest fires
That e're were kindled in a heart; I beg
In the name of that blind and quick obedience,
Which I have always rendred to my duty,
Since you had all power on me and my love,
That I at my turn now may prevail with you.
By this just power too much now to be fear'd,
By those fair sentiments which I must smother,
Take not your presents from me, they are dear
Unto mine eyes, and have cost me too much
Not to be precious to me.

Fel.
You are troublesome.

Paul.
Good gods! what do I hear!

Fel.
I love not pitty
But at the rate I would receive thereof,
To touch me with't whether I will or no
By so many vain trials, is to lose
Time and your tears, only to anger me:
You gave it me, but you must understand
I disavow it when you snatch it from me:
Prepare to see this miserable Christian,
And use your best endeavour to perswade him,
When I have used mine; go, and no more
Provoke a Father that doth love you tenderly:
See if you can by your perswasion gain
Your Husband to himself, presently
I'le cause him to come hither, in the mean time
Leave us, I'le try what my discourse can do.

Paul.
Suffer, I do beseech you.—

Fel.
Once again
Leave me alone your grief offendeth me
Asmuch as it afflicts me, all your industry
Must be apply'd to gain you Polyeuctes,
The less you do importune me, the more
You shall advance.

Scena Quinta.

Felix, Albin.
Felix.
Albin , how died he?

Alb.
Like a Beast, like an impious desperate wretch
In braving torments, in despising death,
Without regret, astonishment, or murmur,
In obstination, and insensibility;
Lastly, he dyed like a Christian
With blasphemy in's mouth.

Fel.
What did the other?

Alb.
I have told you already, nothing touch'd him,
So far was he from being dejected at it,
That his heart grew more lofty: they enforc'd him
To quit the Scaffold: he is now in Prison.
Where I saw him conducted; are you ready
To entertain discourse with him a little?

Fel.
Oh! how unfortunate am I?

Alb.
You are
Lamented every where.

Fel.
None know the evils
Wherewith my heart's oppress'd, thoughts upon thoughts
Trouble my soul, cares upon cares disturb it:
I find that love and hate, that fear and hope,
That joy and grief by turns, presse and provoke it.
I enter into sentiments that pass
Belief, I have some that are violent,
And others that are pitifull, some generous
Which dare not act, and likewise some ignoble
Which make me blush, I love that wretched man
Whom I chose for my Son-in-Law, I hate
The blind and dangerous error he is in;
I do deplore his loss, and being willing
To save him, I must look too on the gods,
Whose injur'd glory I must vindicate:
I fear their thunderbolts and Decius wrath;
It is my charge, my life depends upon it.
Thus sometimes for him I expose my self
To death, and other times I expose him
To save my self.

Alb.
Sure Decius will excuse
A Fathers amity, besides Polyeuctes
Is of a bloood that should be reverenc'd.

Fel.
His order for the punishment o'th' Christians
Is very rigorous, and the more th'example
Is great, the more 'tis dangerous and dreadfull.
There's no distinction when th'offence is publick;
When we connive at a domestick crime,
By what authority, by what Law can we
Punish that in another which we suffer
Amongst our selves?

Alb.
If you dare not to have
Regard unto his person, write to Decius
That he ordain his pardon.

Fel.
Should I do so,
Severus would destroy me, tis his hate
And power that make my greatest care, if I
Should but defer to punish such a crime,
Though he be generous, though he be magnanimous
He is a man, and sensible, and I
Disdain'd him formerly, his spirit offended
With those receiv'd contempts, and desperate
Through th'unexpected marriage of Paulina,
Will from the anger of the Emperour
Obtain my ruine. Every thing seems lawfull
To revenge an affront, and opportunity
Tempteth the most remiss, perhaps (and this
Suspition is not without some apparence)
He in his heart conceives again some hope,
And thinking to see Polyeuctes punish'd
Recals a love with much pain banished:
Judge if his anger in this case implacable
Would hould me innocent to save a Criminal,
And if he'd spare me, seeing his designes
Twice made abortive by me. Shall I tell thee
A base, unworthy, and low spirited thought?
I smother it, it springs up again, it flatters,
And angers me, ambition still presents it
Unto me, and all that I can do is
But to detest it; Polyeuctes here
Is the prop of my Family, but if
The other by his death espouse my daughter,
I should acquire greater advantages,
Which would raise me a thousand times more high
Then now I am. My heart thereat by force
Takes a malignant joy, but rather let
Heaven strike me with a Thunder-bolt, then that
I should consent unto so base a thought,
Which hitherto my glory hath bely'd.

Alb.
Your heart is too good, and your soul too high;
But d'ee resolve to punish this offence?

Fel.
I'le use all my endeavour to subdue
His errour by the fear of death, but if
I can't prevail, then I will afterward
Imploy Paulina's power.

Alb.
What will you do
At last, if he continue obstinate?

Fel.
Press me not on that point in such displeasure,
I can't resolve, and know not what to chuse.

Alb.
Sir, like a faithfull servant I am bound
T'advertise you that the Town murmureth
In his behalfe already, and is even
Upon the point to mutiny, if you
Proceed against him further, I perceive
Th'Inhabitants are all resolv'd t'oppose you,
And will not see their last hope, and the blood
Of their Kings pass the rigour o the Laws:
Besides his prison is not very safe.
I left about it but a pittifull troop,
I fear they will be forc'd.

Fel.
Then take him thence,
And bring him here, where we'l be sure of him.

Alb.
Then take him thence your self, and with a hope
Of pardon, pacifie the fury of
The multitude.

Fel.
Come let us go, and if
He still persist to remain Christian,
We will dispose of him, and carry't so
That what's resolv'd upon, they shall not know.