University of Virginia Library

The SCENE, The Prison of Orontes.
Enter Cassander.
Cass.
I bow'd my Neck indeed, to mighty Love,
When I would scorn, to be a slave to Jove,
His chains I did admit, and never strove:
They look'd so fair, so easie seem'd, and light,
They shone so glorious, and appear'd so bright,
I took pride in my Bonds, and wore them with delight.
But now they're heavy, and uneasie grown,
They sit too close, and off they must be thrown.
But ah! I fear 'tis past my pow'r, and skill,
My Rebel Heart, will not obey my will.
It loves the great, and proud Roxana still,
I'll Love, but Court her, at another Rate,
My Love, shall now appear, to her, like Hate,
I am resolv'd, I will turn Rebel strait.
Her hopes, which on Orontes life, depend
Drawes his Sword.
Shall, with his life, have instantly an End.

Goes towards the further part of the Stage, the Scene opens and discovers Orontes leaning on a Couch.
Oron.
Soft sleep, o're half the World, his Wings does spread,
And does on weary Eyes, his Poppies shed;
Nature her self, in silence, seems to nod,
And all things rest, full of the drousie God,
Yet I, whom wakeful thoughts, and cares infest,
Nor for my Soul, nor for my Eyes, find rest.
What vision's this, appears before my sight,
Sees Cass. with a drawn sword.
So fierce, and dreadful, in the dead of Night?

Cass.
I am thy evil Genius, and am come,
With this, Orontes, to pronounce thy doom.
By mighty Jove, and all the Gods, you shall
To Love, and Anger, now a Victim fall.

Oron.
Tho I from hated life, would gladly fly,
I will not, at your pleasure, tamely dye.

Rises and comes forth.
Cass.
You must Orontes—
Roxana is not here, to help you now,
You stand between, my happiness, and me.

[advances to kill Orontes
Enter Roxana and Hesione.
Roxa.
O Gods! what spectacle is this I see!
[To Hesi.
Run—Call my Guards—
[Exit Hesione.
Traytor be gone—

Roxana runs betwixt Cassander and Orontes.
Cass.
When I have kill'd Orontes, I will go.

Roxa.
You first shall kill, your Queen, and Mistress too.

Cass.
I'ave vow'd his Death, and will my vow perform.

Roxa.
I'ave vow'd his safety—He shall take no harm.
Is this the way, you your great passion prove?

Cass.
I now a Rebel am to Love.

Strives to come at Orontes. Roxana to hinder him.
Roxa.
And like a Rebel, I will use you now.
Enter Guards—seize Cassander and dis-arm him.
Traytor, you shall at last, my power know.
Bear hence this rageing Beast—
[To the Guards.
In Chains, and a close Prison, keep him safe,
Till he grows tame again—

Cass.
Ungrateful Queen—
I have too long your slave, and lover been:
But I, in spite, of your bewitching Charmes,
Will Live, to kill, your Gallant in your Armes.

Roxa.
Guards have him hence—
Exeunt Guards with Cassander.
Can my Orontes, still inhumane be?
Have you no Love, nor pity left for me?
Did'st thou the Milk, of some fierce Tygress Suck?
Or was thy Heart, cut from a Scythian Rock?
That thou can'st see a Queen, whom Kings adore,
Fall at thy Feet, and Love, with Tears, implore.
[Kneels.
Can you so tender, to Statira be,
And a cold Marble Statue, still to me?

Oron.
Roxana rise—
[takes her up.
A noble Soul, to Love, was ne'r compell'd,
Bright virtue only, makes brave Souls to yield:
But your blind passion, bears such evil sway,
That leads you far, from virtues paths, astray.
You ask'd a Heart, that was bestow'd before
On Queen Statira—

Roxa.
In vain you do on her your Love bestow,
Unless you'l Court her, in the shades below.

Oron.
How! Is Statira dead!—
Ah! cruel Tygress! have you slain the Queen?
Of all that's fair, and good, have you the Murthress been?

Roxa.
I try'd that way, your Rocky Heart to move,
And see, how soon, it can be touch'd, by Love.
Statira Lives—

Oron.
Lives!—Where?—into her Armes I'll sly,
Or—tell me, is she dead? that I may dye.
Without her, to the Gods, I would not go,
Nor tread, the blest Elysian Fields below:
Without Statira, I no bliss can know.
But if she's dead, I'll fly away
From life, and here, not one short minute stay,
Speak—is she dead?—you rack me with delay.

Roxa.
This tender passion, for my Rival shown,
My Loving Heart too, on the Rack has thrown.
But I will be reveng'd, and you shall dwell
In anxious doubt, and tortur'd in that Hell.

Oron.
Stay—do not thus, in cruelty delight:
Let me not linger here—Kill me out-right:
Tell me sh's dead, and kill me with that word,
Or say she lives, and a reprieve afford.
Free me from pain, or send my Soul from hence.

Roxa.
Thy Soul, shall feel, the torture, of suspence,
I will torment thee yet—thou shalt not know,
Whether Statira, is alive, or no.

[Exit with Hesione.
Oron.
What shall I do? 'tis pain, and Death, to Live,
Each Minute, does ten Thousand tortures give,
And yet in Death, I dare not seek my bliss,
Lest, in that unknown Region, I should miss
The happiness I seek,—
And lose my Queen, in that World, and in this.
O Gods! What pains do you for Souls prepaire,
Who dare not hope, yet know not to dispa're.

Goes in, the SCENE Closes.