University of Virginia Library

[Scene III.]

The Scene Mar's Temple.
To Juliana, Polynice, and Oroandes, enter King Zoroastres, Daemolgoron, Phylander, Cyane, with Preists holding wands. At ye foot of the Altar Tapers stand burning, with dishes of blood. The Divan or High Preist takes a dish of blood, and after ye ceremony speaks.
H. P.
This blood the fates from dying Persia took,
And at ye blow th'expiring Kingdome shook
And strugl'd with its fate.

Zor.
Let Heaven bee propitious to my design
And all its altars shall with victims shine.

H. P.
On, Noble King! and all their gods destroy.
Poor subject gods, th'ave none soe great as you.

Zor.
O sacred Divan, tell us the Event.
Shall wee bee glorious conquerours, ride in tryumph?
See 'em bow their necks, ye slaves cringe and stoop?
That will bee brave, and worthy of our Arms!

H. P.
Tryumphs, and Tropheys shall your war succeed,
If all ye bord'ring Princes too doe bleed.
Our God loves blood.

Zor.
Before the sacred temple here, I swear
To perform all th'articles of your war.
Nor shall their putrid blood bee spar'd by mee,
I'le have a drop for ev'ry Deity.
Such mountains of dead corps shall heaped lye
That Jove shall fear th'invasion of the scky.

Daem.
The swelling granick floud shall bloody run
With sanguine streams and fright their setting sun.
With raging Flames wee'le all their Citys burn;
The very Heav'ns with smoke shall clouded turn;
All their high marble tow'rs shall scorched bee.
Soe much of fire Persia then shall see
That she shall mistake her own Deity.

H. P.
Sound then ye horned trumpets, sound away,
Outstrip ye sun, and post it with ye day.
For why, dread Monarck, should wee longer stay?
'Twas only Rome could conquer by delay.

Zor.
Advance our Eagles, bloudy let 'em fly;
Perch 'em with ye sun;
They le keep the aiding gods from coming nigh.

Oro.
Thy fate, o Persia, is drawing near.
Squadrons of armed men doe now appear.
All thy great Nobles in this war must dye,
And ev'ry one that helps as an Ally.
Thy sacred Magi, Gods themselves, must fall
As victims, to attone us angry all.

Zor.
The sun has almost lost ye sight of day,
See how hee gallops down ye Milkey way.
Hast then, you sons of glory, hast away!
These Royall Youths that here by us doe stand
Shall share, if they doe please, in our command.

Oro.
Dread sovereign, as long as here wee stay,
'Tis yours to command, and ours t'obey.

Phy.
Yes, I will goe, and if I can, I'le gain
All those citys which thicken on ye plain.

H. P.
May Heav'n prosper this your glorious design
And all its forces with your armys joine.

[The High Preist makes figures on ye ground while they speak hereafter.
Zor.
Hear then, brave Youths, since you're resolv'd to goe,
What 'fore these Altars I doe solemn vow.
Hee of you two which acts ye greatest thing,
That can ye fairest spoil unto mee bring,
Shall of my Daughters have—

Poly.
Hold, father, hold!
Promise them mountains of ye fairest gold
That ever yet were seen by Mortal Eye.
They'le sooner fight for gold than such as wee.

Phy.
Oh, Madam—I thought you had better known
The worth that's due to such Perfection.
Let Cursed Gold in Earth still tombed lye!
What has gold to doe with poor love and I?
May it below with Pluto still remain
And never fright mee from my Heav'n again!

Oro.
«Hell! Furys! where are all my spirits gone?
Can I still live? and hear him thus run on?
I can't.
What's freindship?—Nothing when great love appears.»
Draw, Sir [Draws.


Phy.
Hold—I'le not draw against ye man I love.
I'le never soe ungratefull to you prove.

Oro.
This will not doe. You must and shall, Sir, draw.

Poly.
Who ever such ingratitude yet saw?
Hold, barbarian, stop thy Hand. Peirce my heart
If you must have blood, but touch not his—
'Tis sacred. As you love, show your Obedience. [Exit.


Phy.
Yet doe not think, because I doe retire,
I ether fear your arm, or dread your ire.
Take, take my life, I'le noe resistance make.
You cannot miss unless your hand does shake.

The King interposes.
Zor.
Hold, Oroandes, 'tis I your King command.
If you but offer, you shall leave my land.
Ramm down ye rising Passions of your mind,
And leave no relick of your wrath behind;
And this I'le promise on my Royall word,
Hee of you two who does deserve ye best,
Of ye fair Polynice shall bee possest,
But hee, that next of you does dare t' offend,
Not only looses her, but mee his freind.

[Exit cum Phyl.
Oro.
By merits only if this saint bee wonn,
I'le have her 'fore ye yonder setting sun.

Jul.
«Burst then my Heart, Heavens! What shall I doe?
Where can ye wretched Juliana goe?
Outrival'd by my sister—yonger too!
Curse on my stars!
I'le boldly say hee has ungratefull been.
Why should I not, and tell him of his sin?»
Ungratefull Man! are these ye vows you made?
[To Oroandes.
Remember how you woo'd mee in ye shade.
Did not you say, “Noe, I will never part.
How can I, Madam, when you have my Heart?”
Are not these truths? Deny 'em if you can.
Nay, ne're blush for't, thou trew dissembling man!
O Gods! that e're you could perfidious prove! [Weeps.

Especially to one who did you love.
Say—what was ye cause you did remove?

Oro.
Madam, you said you'de not accept of mine.
You bawk'd my flame which did soe glorious shine.
Thank then your self.

Jul.
I can noe longer stay.
His very ingratitude will drive m' away. [Exit.


Cy.
Alas, poor Princess, sh'as my Pity mov'd,
To see how unfortunately she lov'd.
Oroandes! can you see ye Princess dye,
And at your feet an humble sutour lye?
It is not handsome. Conquerours should bee mercifull.

Oro.
I thought, when first she scorn'd my rising flame,
She'd had some spirit, but I see she's tame.

Enter again Juliana hastily.
Jul.
Young Prince, you are mistaken, and shall find
I'me not soe tame. I'le scorn, I'le bee unkind,
And still I'le, I'le bee a Princess in my mind. [Exit.


H. P.
Noe more of love! Our god begins to frown,
Begins to answer in a dreadfull sound.
[A clap of thunder.
Away, away, you shall not stay this night;
I'le see you all goe marching in my sight.

[Exeunt omnes.
A Martial tune is playd. Enter King Zoroastres, Oroandes, Phylander, Daemolgoron, with swords drawn, with divers Preists who two and two cross ye stage, and close in a round, and sing.
[Exeunt.
Six spirits rise and dance an antick dance.