 | Alcibiades |  |
SCENE a darkn'd Tent.
[Timandra asleep upon a Couch, a Spirit comes and Sings.
Tim.
I've had a dream might make a lover blest,
Oh th'sweet delights of everlasting rest!
[Queen appears at the entrance.
How this the Queen? what can her coming mean?
Qu.
Ardella with the Ruffians here remain;
I'l in, and with soft words her temper try,
If without him she'l live, she shall not dye.
Madam!—
[to Timandra.
Tim.
—Your pleasure!
Qu.
Oft' I've heard y'are brave,
But the best proof of gallantry you gave,
When of your noble Lord you were bereft,
And such a bliss with so rare patience left.
Tim.
Madam, our flames a nobler passion rules
Then fondness, th'idle guilt of wav'ring fools:
Our loves knew a far higher excellence,
Then the half pleasures of a minutes sense.
Qu.
Then you may love since you can with him part,
He has made a conquest o're my tender heart:
Love governs here, and since my Husband's dead,
Fate and my choicest wishes have decreed,
He should both in his love and throne succeed.
Tim.
Do you believe Empires or Crowns can make
Him his Timandra and his faith forsake?
Or think you I an Attome will resign
Of that heart, which by holy vows is mine?
No I will keep him maugre cruelty.
Qu.
But Madam do you know what 'tis to dye?
Tim.
Yes, 'tis to lay these clogs our bodys by,
And be remov'd to blest eternity.
By death relief from all our griefs we gain,
And by one, put an end to years of pain;
By that we in one minute find out more,
Then all the busie gown men study for;
Who after in dull search th'ave ages spent,
Learn nothing but to know th'are ignorant.
Death is a blessing, and a thing so far
Above that worst of all our frailties fear;
It claims our joy, since by it we put on
The top of happiness, perfection.
Quit him! no never whilst I here have breath;
He's mine in spight of cruelty or death.
Qu.
Then enter ye grim Ministers of fate,
[Enter Murderers with Poison.
Does not your stubborn courage now abate?
Tim.
No, my resolves more fixt and firm are grown,
Bring dreadfull'st racks and tortures yet unknown,
Provide one for each sense, and then do thou
Tempt me my love and int'rest to forgo,
Midst of my pains I'l smile, and tell thee no.
Qu.
But minion, soon your insolence shall cease.
Come, since such resolution you express,
Take this, demur not, do't,—
[Gives her a bowl of poison.
Tim.
And is this all?
I thought t'ave had a more Heroick fall,
Expected to have noblest tortures met,
Not by dull poison to have found my fate.
But any way I can thy pow'r defie,
'Tis for my Alcibiades I dye:
[offers to drink.
Qu.
Yet yeild, and live,—
Tim.
—Live! what have I to do
With life, when giv'n by one so base as you?
Thus I despise it,—
[Drinks.
Qu.
What dismal tortures strait will on her seize!
[after Timandra has drank the Poison.
So 'twas a health to Alcibiades.
Tim.
Now blush at what thy impious rage has done,
My Alcibiades is still my own.
And if thou him embrace when I am gon,
Each night thy bed I'l haunt, and challenge there
Those joys, of which thou hast bereft me here.
Anxious shall be each day, disturb'd each night,
A restless shade I'l still be in thy sight;
And thee i'th'height of all thy pleasures fright.
Heav'n what do I feel!—
Qu.
Oh does the draught succeed!
Ard.
Madam, great Alcibiades is freed,
And just is entring,—
Qu.
—Strait with straitest care
Convey her in, and wait my pleasure there.
[The Murderers lead in Timandra.
Sweet Murder! oh no Physick is so good
For th'hopeless lover as a bath of blood.
But here he comes—
[Enter Alcibiades.
—Now to my greifs again.
[veils
Alci.
It makes we wonder how I freedom gain,
All things confus'd, and in disorder are.
How's this in mourning weeds? unveil my fair.
Hah not Timandra!—
[Queen unveils
Qu.
—No Sir, though 'tis one
That loves as nobly as Timandra can,
Or could, did she yet live, but she is dead.
Alci.
How dead!—
Qu.
Yes, Tissaphernes that black deed did do,
Prompted by his ignoble hate to you.
But you will wonder more, when I shall tell,
That by his hand the mighty Agis fell.
The King is slain: both I, and Sparta, now
Have no hopes left, but what remain in you.
Alci.
In me! alas! I am a wretch too poor;
Timandra dead! curst ever be the hour
Wherein so fair an innocence was lost.
Heav'n justly now may of its glories boast;
For the most bright, and precious Saint that e're
The World enjoy'd, is fled, and seated there.
Qu.
Why do you let your greifs distract your Soul?
Call up your reason, and let passion cool.
See here a Queen, that courts you with the charms
Of Love, a Crown, and Empire, to her Arms:
No longer for Timandra sorrow wear,
I will supply all you have lost in her:
I'l love you as she did.
Alci.
—Oh Madam, no
To love like her's a tas'k too hard for you;
Love me as she did? why each thought she had
Of me, was such, might make an Angel glad:
For Crowns; though Emp'rour of the World I were,
I'd turn a begger to recover her.
Oh Madam tempt no further, all's but vain,
I ne're can have a thought of love again.
Qu.
Never!—
Alci.
No never,—
Qu:
—Can you then so soon
Forget your promise? or will you disown
That ere, if you Timandra should survive,
You vow'd you only for my sake would live?
You see how Heaven has decreed,—
Alci:
—Alas!
I then the blessing knew, but not the loss,
Besides I now must dye—
Qu:
How Sir is't thus, my profer'd love you prize?
Alci.
I do not hate you, may not that suffice?
Qu.
Ungrateful, no, but I'l reward thy pride,
Draw back:—
[The Scene drawn discovers Timandra on a Couch in the midst of her pains.
—Go dotard, in, enjoy thy bride;
And know by me thy lov'd Timandra dy'd:
Yes cruel man by me—
Tim.
—No Queen, she lives,
And still to all thy rage defiance give's.
[spyes Alcibiades.
Do I behold my dearest Lord so nigh!
Shall I agen see him before I dye!
Alci.
Best hopes and comfort of my life! I'm here,
How fares my love?—
Tim.
Oh come not, come not near,
My blood's all fire, infection's in each vein,
And tyrant death in ev'ry part does reign;
But I for you could suffer much more pain.
Alci.
Kind heav'n! let all her pangs upon me fall,
And add ten thousand more, I'l bear 'em all,
Do but restore her back; Oh cursed Queen!
What Devil arm'd thee to so damn'd a sin?
Cou'dst thou be guilty of so foul a deed?
Qu.
Yes I did do't, by me the King too bled,
Unworthy wretch! and all for love of you:
But had I pow'r I now would kill thee too.
Alci.
Oh do't; I'l blot out all th'aft done before,
And never call thee base, nor cruel more.
Here is my breast; soon the kind work begin,
Advance thy Poniard, send it boldly in.
Qu.
No, thou shalt live for harder destiny,
But first shalt see thy dear Timandra dye.
Alci.
Oh misery beyond the damn'd beneath!
Must I not happy be in life nor death?
Tim.
Alas! cease your unnecessary moan,
I find my torments quickly will be gon.
Though I could wish they might to years renew,
So I might still be blest with seeing you.
Now the black storms of fate are all blown o're,
And we shall meet, and ne're be parted more.
But oh farewell—
[dyes
Alci.
—My dear Timandra stay!
Ah pretious Soul, fly not so soon away!
But one look more; will death have no remorse?
See, 'tis thy Alcibiades implores.
But oh she's gon, seize there that Murd'ress.
Qu.
—No:
Seize me! 'tis more then all your Camp can do:
Who e're comes, here's my guard: Alas mean fool,
[Presents her Dagger.
My fate's a thing too great for thee to rule;
There lyes your constancy:
[pointing to Timandra.
[Alcibiades flyes to the Queen, and snatches the Dagger from her.
Alci.
Infernal hag!
Whose ev'ry breath infects, each look's a plague!
Could not thy fury on my bosome rest.
But thou must wreak thy vengeance on this breast?
To murder her!—curse on me that I stand
Thus Idle; now thy heart:
[presents the Dagger to her breast.
—But oh 'twould brand
My Trophyes with eternal infamy,
If by my hand so base a thing should dye:
Her ills so many, and so odious are,
They would disgrace an executioner.
Yet I'd do something, oh I hav't, I'l tear
[ravingly
Her peicemeal:—but Timandra's gone too far:
[mildly
Yonder she Mounts, tryumphant Spirit stay:
See where the Angels bear her Soul away!
Now all the Gods will grow in love with her:
And I shall meet fresh troops of Rivals there.
But thus I'l haste and follow,—
[Stabs himself.
—Devil there,—
[throws the Dagger to the Queen.
Dye if thou hast courage enough to dare.
But oh!—
A heavy faintness does each sense surprize:
Yet e're I close up these unhappy eyes,,
Here their last dutious sorrows they shall pay
And at this object melt in tears away.
Blest center of my hopes! in whom I plac't
Too choice, too pure a happiness to last.
I any lossless then thy death had greiv'd;
How well could I have dy'd, so thou hadst liv'd!
Damn'd fiend!—
[to the Queen.
But oh why do I rave at her?
That have so little time to tarry here;
One parting kiss, and then in peace I'l dye:
[kisses Tim.
Now farewel world, welcome eternity.
Enter Patroclus Lords and Guards.
Patr.
Horrour of horrours! this was a dismal chance,
Alas my freind!
Alci.
—Thy useless greif refrain,
Farewell; we shall hereafter meet again.
[dyes.
Patr.
Guards seize the Queen—
Qu.
—Seize me rude Slaves? forbear.
Patr.
You shall in short your accusation hear.
To kill the King, my Father, first you made
Your property; then basely him betray'd.
Your Woman all confes't, and by the Guard
Is now secur'd to a more just reward.
And (though too late) this black design I knew:
Yet all your stratagems are useless now.
Hence with the Murd'ress, to Justice.
Qu.
—Hah!
Think you that I will dye by formal law?
No, when I'm dead be thus my fame supply'd:
She liv'd a murd'ress, and a murd'ress dy'd.
stabs her self.
Justice would but my happiness retard:
Thus I descend below to a reward.
I shall be Queen of fate: the furies there
For me a glorious Crown of Snakes prepare.
I long to be in state; my Lords farewell:
Now noble Charon! hoyse up Sayl for Hell.
[dyes.
Lord,
Her Soul is fled,—
Patr.
—With her for ever dye,
Her treasons, and her odious memory.
But whither is the fair Draxilla gone?
Lord.
Distracted at the mischiefs that are done,
She's fled; but whither is to all unknown.
Patr.
Quickly let after her be made pursuit:
I'l ransack all the World to find her out.
Propitious Heav'n will sure to her be kind.
Enter Lord.
2 Lord.
My Lord we in our votes have all combin'd
To make you King, the Camp with shouts, and cryes
Of joy, send their loud wishes to the Skyes.
[Shouts within, Long live Patroclus King of Sparta.
Patr.
Go bid 'em their unwelcome noise forbear:
Turn all their shouts to sighs of sorrow here.
[Turns to the Bodyes.
Th'are gone; and with e'm all I wish'd to keep.
Now could I almost turn a boy, and weep.
My Friends! my Mistress! and my Father lost!
Never were growing hopes more sadly crost.
Now fortune has her utmost malice shown,
She'd court me with the flatt'ry of a Crown:
A thing so far beneath those joys I miss,
'Tis but the shadow of a happiness.
For how uneasily on Thrones they sit,
That must like me be wretched to be great!
[Timandra asleep upon a Couch, a Spirit comes and Sings.
Merli.
Come my Salla, come away,
Thy Merli calls.
Salla
within.
Whither?
Merli.
Hither, w'ave no bus'ness to day,
And where innocence sleeps we securely may play.
Salla.
I come.
[Enters.
Merli.
So welcome my dear,
But first let's disperse the black Clouds that are here.
Both.
Round about this place we range,
And it's gloomy darkness change,
To a bright delightful Grove,
A proper Scene for happy love.
The SCENE changes to Elizium.
Merli.
Next to divert this fair one, alt
Our wing'd Companions, we'l call,
And the Ayr far musicke charm,
Whilst they their measures here perform.
Both.
Come all you bright forms that inhabit the Ayr,
And ease with your pleasures the cares of the fair,
Here frolick and slip, oh no longer delay!
But let each clap his wings and away.
Several Spirits of the ayr descend and Dance.
Salla.
Now let us discover the mansions of rest,
Where lovers with eternal joyes are blest.
[A glorious Temple appears in the Ayr, where the Spirits of the happy are seated.
See fair one, see, not long e're you
To those glorious seats shall go.
Another Spi.
The lustful Queen thirsts for your blood,
And you are for the World too good.
Merli.
Nor shall you come alone, your lovers too
Must meet a Fate the same with you.
Salla.
But here your troubles all shall cease,
'Tis the Seat of endless bliss.
Cho.
Here in endless pleasures they
Keep eternal Holyday.
Here they Revel, Sport, and are
Crown'd with joys still new and rare,
Their pleasures too can never dye,
But like themselves have Immortality.
Merli.
See the kind Spirits smile, and now
They'l bless her with a nearer view.
[The whole body of the Temple moves downward.
Cho.
Descend oh ye gloryes descend!
Who with blessings eternal are crown'd;
To this Nymph your kind influence lend:
Whilst all the Sphears with harmony resound.
Merli.
She wakes, let the apparition go,
By th'damp upon my wings I know
Something ill is drawing near,
Come Salla, come away, Oh come away my dear.
[They all vanish, and the SCENE changes
again to the Tent.
Come my Salla, come away,
Thy Merli calls.
Salla
within.
Whither?
Merli.
Hither, w'ave no bus'ness to day,
And where innocence sleeps we securely may play.
Salla.
I come.
[Enters.
Merli.
So welcome my dear,
But first let's disperse the black Clouds that are here.
Both.
Round about this place we range,
And it's gloomy darkness change,
58
A proper Scene for happy love.
The SCENE changes to Elizium.
Merli.
Next to divert this fair one, alt
Our wing'd Companions, we'l call,
And the Ayr far musicke charm,
Whilst they their measures here perform.
Both.
Come all you bright forms that inhabit the Ayr,
And ease with your pleasures the cares of the fair,
Here frolick and slip, oh no longer delay!
But let each clap his wings and away.
Several Spirits of the ayr descend and Dance.
Salla.
Now let us discover the mansions of rest,
Where lovers with eternal joyes are blest.
[A glorious Temple appears in the Ayr, where the Spirits of the happy are seated.
See fair one, see, not long e're you
To those glorious seats shall go.
Another Spi.
The lustful Queen thirsts for your blood,
And you are for the World too good.
Merli.
Nor shall you come alone, your lovers too
Must meet a Fate the same with you.
Salla.
But here your troubles all shall cease,
'Tis the Seat of endless bliss.
Cho.
Here in endless pleasures they
Keep eternal Holyday.
Here they Revel, Sport, and are
Crown'd with joys still new and rare,
Their pleasures too can never dye,
But like themselves have Immortality.
Merli.
See the kind Spirits smile, and now
They'l bless her with a nearer view.
[The whole body of the Temple moves downward.
59
Descend oh ye gloryes descend!
Who with blessings eternal are crown'd;
To this Nymph your kind influence lend:
Whilst all the Sphears with harmony resound.
Merli.
She wakes, let the apparition go,
By th'damp upon my wings I know
Something ill is drawing near,
Come Salla, come away, Oh come away my dear.
Tim.
I've had a dream might make a lover blest,
Oh th'sweet delights of everlasting rest!
[Queen appears at the entrance.
How this the Queen? what can her coming mean?
Qu.
Ardella with the Ruffians here remain;
I'l in, and with soft words her temper try,
If without him she'l live, she shall not dye.
Madam!—
[to Timandra.
Tim.
—Your pleasure!
Qu.
Oft' I've heard y'are brave,
But the best proof of gallantry you gave,
When of your noble Lord you were bereft,
And such a bliss with so rare patience left.
Tim.
Madam, our flames a nobler passion rules
Then fondness, th'idle guilt of wav'ring fools:
Our loves knew a far higher excellence,
Then the half pleasures of a minutes sense.
Qu.
Then you may love since you can with him part,
He has made a conquest o're my tender heart:
Love governs here, and since my Husband's dead,
Fate and my choicest wishes have decreed,
He should both in his love and throne succeed.
Tim.
Do you believe Empires or Crowns can make
Him his Timandra and his faith forsake?
Or think you I an Attome will resign
Of that heart, which by holy vows is mine?
60
Qu.
But Madam do you know what 'tis to dye?
Tim.
Yes, 'tis to lay these clogs our bodys by,
And be remov'd to blest eternity.
By death relief from all our griefs we gain,
And by one, put an end to years of pain;
By that we in one minute find out more,
Then all the busie gown men study for;
Who after in dull search th'ave ages spent,
Learn nothing but to know th'are ignorant.
Death is a blessing, and a thing so far
Above that worst of all our frailties fear;
It claims our joy, since by it we put on
The top of happiness, perfection.
Quit him! no never whilst I here have breath;
He's mine in spight of cruelty or death.
Qu.
Then enter ye grim Ministers of fate,
[Enter Murderers with Poison.
Does not your stubborn courage now abate?
Tim.
No, my resolves more fixt and firm are grown,
Bring dreadfull'st racks and tortures yet unknown,
Provide one for each sense, and then do thou
Tempt me my love and int'rest to forgo,
Midst of my pains I'l smile, and tell thee no.
Qu.
But minion, soon your insolence shall cease.
Come, since such resolution you express,
Take this, demur not, do't,—
[Gives her a bowl of poison.
Tim.
And is this all?
I thought t'ave had a more Heroick fall,
Expected to have noblest tortures met,
Not by dull poison to have found my fate.
But any way I can thy pow'r defie,
'Tis for my Alcibiades I dye:
[offers to drink.
Qu.
Yet yeild, and live,—
Tim.
—Live! what have I to do
With life, when giv'n by one so base as you?
61
[Drinks.
Qu.
What dismal tortures strait will on her seize!
[after Timandra has drank the Poison.
So 'twas a health to Alcibiades.
Tim.
Now blush at what thy impious rage has done,
My Alcibiades is still my own.
And if thou him embrace when I am gon,
Each night thy bed I'l haunt, and challenge there
Those joys, of which thou hast bereft me here.
Anxious shall be each day, disturb'd each night,
A restless shade I'l still be in thy sight;
And thee i'th'height of all thy pleasures fright.
Heav'n what do I feel!—
Qu.
Oh does the draught succeed!
Ard.
Madam, great Alcibiades is freed,
And just is entring,—
Qu.
—Strait with straitest care
Convey her in, and wait my pleasure there.
[The Murderers lead in Timandra.
Sweet Murder! oh no Physick is so good
For th'hopeless lover as a bath of blood.
But here he comes—
[Enter Alcibiades.
—Now to my greifs again.
[veils
Alci.
It makes we wonder how I freedom gain,
All things confus'd, and in disorder are.
How's this in mourning weeds? unveil my fair.
Hah not Timandra!—
[Queen unveils
Qu.
—No Sir, though 'tis one
That loves as nobly as Timandra can,
Or could, did she yet live, but she is dead.
Alci.
How dead!—
Qu.
Yes, Tissaphernes that black deed did do,
Prompted by his ignoble hate to you.
But you will wonder more, when I shall tell,
That by his hand the mighty Agis fell.
The King is slain: both I, and Sparta, now
62
Alci.
In me! alas! I am a wretch too poor;
Timandra dead! curst ever be the hour
Wherein so fair an innocence was lost.
Heav'n justly now may of its glories boast;
For the most bright, and precious Saint that e're
The World enjoy'd, is fled, and seated there.
Qu.
Why do you let your greifs distract your Soul?
Call up your reason, and let passion cool.
See here a Queen, that courts you with the charms
Of Love, a Crown, and Empire, to her Arms:
No longer for Timandra sorrow wear,
I will supply all you have lost in her:
I'l love you as she did.
Alci.
—Oh Madam, no
To love like her's a tas'k too hard for you;
Love me as she did? why each thought she had
Of me, was such, might make an Angel glad:
For Crowns; though Emp'rour of the World I were,
I'd turn a begger to recover her.
Oh Madam tempt no further, all's but vain,
I ne're can have a thought of love again.
Qu.
Never!—
Alci.
No never,—
Qu:
—Can you then so soon
Forget your promise? or will you disown
That ere, if you Timandra should survive,
You vow'd you only for my sake would live?
You see how Heaven has decreed,—
Alci:
—Alas!
I then the blessing knew, but not the loss,
Besides I now must dye—
Qu:
How Sir is't thus, my profer'd love you prize?
Alci.
I do not hate you, may not that suffice?
Qu.
Ungrateful, no, but I'l reward thy pride,
Draw back:—
[The Scene drawn discovers Timandra on a Couch in the midst of her pains.
63
And know by me thy lov'd Timandra dy'd:
Yes cruel man by me—
Tim.
—No Queen, she lives,
And still to all thy rage defiance give's.
[spyes Alcibiades.
Do I behold my dearest Lord so nigh!
Shall I agen see him before I dye!
Alci.
Best hopes and comfort of my life! I'm here,
How fares my love?—
Tim.
Oh come not, come not near,
My blood's all fire, infection's in each vein,
And tyrant death in ev'ry part does reign;
But I for you could suffer much more pain.
Alci.
Kind heav'n! let all her pangs upon me fall,
And add ten thousand more, I'l bear 'em all,
Do but restore her back; Oh cursed Queen!
What Devil arm'd thee to so damn'd a sin?
Cou'dst thou be guilty of so foul a deed?
Qu.
Yes I did do't, by me the King too bled,
Unworthy wretch! and all for love of you:
But had I pow'r I now would kill thee too.
Alci.
Oh do't; I'l blot out all th'aft done before,
And never call thee base, nor cruel more.
Here is my breast; soon the kind work begin,
Advance thy Poniard, send it boldly in.
Qu.
No, thou shalt live for harder destiny,
But first shalt see thy dear Timandra dye.
Alci.
Oh misery beyond the damn'd beneath!
Must I not happy be in life nor death?
Tim.
Alas! cease your unnecessary moan,
I find my torments quickly will be gon.
Though I could wish they might to years renew,
So I might still be blest with seeing you.
Now the black storms of fate are all blown o're,
And we shall meet, and ne're be parted more.
But oh farewell—
[dyes
64
—My dear Timandra stay!
Ah pretious Soul, fly not so soon away!
But one look more; will death have no remorse?
See, 'tis thy Alcibiades implores.
But oh she's gon, seize there that Murd'ress.
Qu.
—No:
Seize me! 'tis more then all your Camp can do:
Who e're comes, here's my guard: Alas mean fool,
[Presents her Dagger.
My fate's a thing too great for thee to rule;
There lyes your constancy:
[pointing to Timandra.
[Alcibiades flyes to the Queen, and snatches the Dagger from her.
Alci.
Infernal hag!
Whose ev'ry breath infects, each look's a plague!
Could not thy fury on my bosome rest.
But thou must wreak thy vengeance on this breast?
To murder her!—curse on me that I stand
Thus Idle; now thy heart:
[presents the Dagger to her breast.
—But oh 'twould brand
My Trophyes with eternal infamy,
If by my hand so base a thing should dye:
Her ills so many, and so odious are,
They would disgrace an executioner.
Yet I'd do something, oh I hav't, I'l tear
[ravingly
Her peicemeal:—but Timandra's gone too far:
[mildly
Yonder she Mounts, tryumphant Spirit stay:
See where the Angels bear her Soul away!
Now all the Gods will grow in love with her:
And I shall meet fresh troops of Rivals there.
But thus I'l haste and follow,—
[Stabs himself.
—Devil there,—
[throws the Dagger to the Queen.
Dye if thou hast courage enough to dare.
But oh!—
A heavy faintness does each sense surprize:
Yet e're I close up these unhappy eyes,,
Here their last dutious sorrows they shall pay
65
Blest center of my hopes! in whom I plac't
Too choice, too pure a happiness to last.
I any lossless then thy death had greiv'd;
How well could I have dy'd, so thou hadst liv'd!
Damn'd fiend!—
[to the Queen.
But oh why do I rave at her?
That have so little time to tarry here;
One parting kiss, and then in peace I'l dye:
[kisses Tim.
Now farewel world, welcome eternity.
Enter Patroclus Lords and Guards.
Patr.
Horrour of horrours! this was a dismal chance,
Alas my freind!
Alci.
—Thy useless greif refrain,
Farewell; we shall hereafter meet again.
[dyes.
Patr.
Guards seize the Queen—
Qu.
—Seize me rude Slaves? forbear.
Patr.
You shall in short your accusation hear.
To kill the King, my Father, first you made
Your property; then basely him betray'd.
Your Woman all confes't, and by the Guard
Is now secur'd to a more just reward.
And (though too late) this black design I knew:
Yet all your stratagems are useless now.
Hence with the Murd'ress, to Justice.
Qu.
—Hah!
Think you that I will dye by formal law?
No, when I'm dead be thus my fame supply'd:
She liv'd a murd'ress, and a murd'ress dy'd.
stabs her self.
Justice would but my happiness retard:
Thus I descend below to a reward.
I shall be Queen of fate: the furies there
For me a glorious Crown of Snakes prepare.
I long to be in state; my Lords farewell:
Now noble Charon! hoyse up Sayl for Hell.
[dyes.
Lord,
Her Soul is fled,—
66
—With her for ever dye,
Her treasons, and her odious memory.
But whither is the fair Draxilla gone?
Lord.
Distracted at the mischiefs that are done,
She's fled; but whither is to all unknown.
Patr.
Quickly let after her be made pursuit:
I'l ransack all the World to find her out.
Propitious Heav'n will sure to her be kind.
Enter Lord.
2 Lord.
My Lord we in our votes have all combin'd
To make you King, the Camp with shouts, and cryes
Of joy, send their loud wishes to the Skyes.
[Shouts within, Long live Patroclus King of Sparta.
Patr.
Go bid 'em their unwelcome noise forbear:
Turn all their shouts to sighs of sorrow here.
[Turns to the Bodyes.
Th'are gone; and with e'm all I wish'd to keep.
Now could I almost turn a boy, and weep.
My Friends! my Mistress! and my Father lost!
Never were growing hopes more sadly crost.
Now fortune has her utmost malice shown,
She'd court me with the flatt'ry of a Crown:
A thing so far beneath those joys I miss,
'Tis but the shadow of a happiness.
For how uneasily on Thrones they sit,
That must like me be wretched to be great!
| Alcibiades | |