University of Virginia Library

[Scene V.

Ye Grove.]
Zoroastres solus.
Daemolgoron enters with a guard, all their swords drawn, comes upp and speaks to his Father.
Daem.
There—seize the Monster, dragg him to ye Cell.
'Gainst your great charms I'le find a mightier spell.
Let Nothing with him but his Conscience dwell.
May'st thou with horror, and unpittyed, fall,
Who'st been the dreadfull ruin of us all!
As much of Beauty as ye gods durst trust
On Earth, thou'st basely sacrific'd to lust.
Tygers and lions, who noe pity own,
To Beauty stoop, and lay all fury down,
But you more savage, and more curst than they,
Listen'd to your Rage, and devour'd your prey.
But know—I've promised revenge, and will
Thy blood, thy soul, unto my fairest spill.

Zor.
Gods! can I hear this, and from m'only son?
Is't thus you pay mee, Sir, for what I've done?
Goe, take him hence—let him too have his chain.
[To his spirits.
(To Daem.)
Your disobedience shall not long remain.
Unto my Blackest altar lead ye way; [To his spirits.

Take these slaves too. They all shall bleed today.
[Pointing to Daemolgoron's guards.
I'le riot all ye Gods. Away!

As the spirits are a leading Daemolgoron and the guards off, a spirit flys down, and speaks.
Spirit.
Hold! Thy Power, O King, is now expir'd.
I open'd ye Golden Legend and there saw
Thy leas'd soul run out, and forfeited.
Your spirits I discharge, by a command above.

Daem.
«Say you soe? then I'le turn about.» [Aside.


Zor.
How! Expir'd?—'tis false, it cannot bee.
You must and shall bee govern'd still by mee.
[The spirits shake their heads.
But if I can't, and ye great gods doe call,
Heav'n, hell, earth, shall wait uppon my fun'rall.

Spirit.
Know then that this is ye last Night you'le have.
To Morrow's sun will see you in your grave.

Zor.
By all ye gods, it sha'n't. I will not dye,
I all their damn'd malicious power defye.
'Tis not one single Comet that shall light
My Fun'rall torch. I'le have all Heaven bright
With scorching Fires, and all ye Earth shall shine,
And then, when all's dissolv'd, I'le—think of mine.

The spirits all vanish singing:
Let us goe, let us goe to ye hollow Tree
[Shaking their heads at ye King.
And there rejoice, for wee are free,
As you, as you shall see. [They vanish.


Daem.
I wish your Fate may bee recall'd again
That you may here amongst us longer reign.
«For if hee dyes, hee'le then Cyane see [Apart.

And who can tell but hee may rivall mee?
But oh! may hee see her—»

Zor.
'Tis false! My death I know you doe desire,
But when I doe, you with mee shall expire.
I'le open all thy veins, and you shall dye,
By all ye Angry gods, as well as I.

Enter Messenger hastily.
Mess.
Hast, Sir, and see. Your Pallace flames all o're.
A Voice was heard i'th'air this hour, this hour.
Your mighty statue too is fallen down,
And when it fell, 'twas heard to give a groan.
The Heavens open'd, and from a rented cloud
Legions of spirits flew, Led by their God,
Who on ye highest Pinnacle did stand,
Pouring in falling Comets with his hand.

Daem.
O Mighty Prodigys!

Zor.
Let heaven doe its worst. I can but fall.
Thunder, yee Gods! I dare defye you all.

Mess.
Oh, Sir, repent! Ye Gods may yet forgive.
How easy is it for to ask, and live!

Zor.
Curse on my stars! that gave mee soe short time.
Is there noe safety in another clime?

Daem.
Noe place of safety, Sir, can now bee found.
Heav'n has itself beseig'd you all around.

Zor.
Come then, and lead the way that I must tread.
I'le see the gods before they strike mee dead.
[The stage darkens. A clap of thunder.
I come, I come. [Exit cum Mess.


Manet Daemolgoron
Daem.
Happy's the man who's born below a Crown,
And wants those cares, which weigh us Princes down.
Give mee an humble Cottage, Shady Cell,
Where never yet from Heaven Thunder fell.
—But 'tis too late to wish; that day is gone.
The best of life is past, the worst to come.
And I must fall t'attend my father to his tombe,
For Kings to show that they have liv'd in state
Will have attendance even in their fate.
But if I can I will prevent it. [Exit.