University of Virginia Library

SCENE, The Palace.
Enter Xerxes Attended.
Xer.
Through all th'unmeasur'd Bounds of Wild Delight,
I never yet could tast substantial Joy,
Or know one Pleasure more than Common Men.
If I indulge my Appetite, I'm cloy'd;
Uneasy now, with what I lately long'd for:
If when my Blood is high I taste of Beauty,
I loose the Bliss, because my Power Commands;
The Peasant there takes more delight than I
That Travels through Dispair to sweet Possession.
When Deaf to Injuries, I make my way
Through others Ruine,
Stern Conscience stops me short, and will be heard,
She keeps me waking, when the World's at Rest,
And stuffs my Pillow with a thousannd Thornes!
[A shout at a distance.
Ha! what mean those shouts! they sound of Mutiny!

Enter Cleontes hastily.
Cleo.
Arm! Arm, my Lord! the City's in a Tumult;
Aranthes having forc'd the Prison Gates,
Has freed Mardonius from the Dungeon,
Who drags his Chains along the Crowded Streets,
And calls 'em brave Rewards for Loyalty.

Xer.
Insulting Traytor!

Cleo.
Another Party here produc'd a Rack,
Stain'd with the Blood of fair Tamira's Wounds!
Here in another place
Three dead Virgins, whom you had lately Ravish'd,
In spiteful Pomp were carried round the Streets,
To turn the Peoples Hearts against you;
And I much fear, their Fury will be fatal.

Xer.
Meet they no Opposition?
The Magistrates, do they stand Idle?
They'r out indeed; but shew an Hollow-hearted Power,
Unarm'd, and unresolv'd to quell 'em:
'Tis said that Artabanus too,
Is raising Friends to join 'em.

Xer.
Let him, Mardonius and Aranthes be prescrib'd,
Set on each Head an Hundred Talents:
Mean while, to make the Rabbel ours, let 'em
Have leave to Plunder every Rebels House,
Then set 'em all on Fire.
If Children, Wife or Servant there have shelter,
Let none escape, but bury all in Flames.
Allarm the Guards! Bar up the Palace Gates, and follow me.

[Exit.