University of Virginia Library

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.