University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A hall with seats.
Sabina, Aquilius.
Sab.
Must I depart, and is he then so blind,
So lost to justice? Say, what guilt is mine
That Adrian seeks to punish?

Aquil.
Adrian found
That you were privy to, and first advis'd
The flight of Emirena and Pharnaspes.
He thinks his guard seduc'd by you; and knows
So well to aggravate your fault, that all
Who hear the sentence praise his clemency.

Sab.
I thought but to secure for me his heart
By studying only to advance his glory,
And make a rival happy; not impell'd
By hate or anger, but by love and pity.
In this I could not err, or if I err'd,
Such error sure was venial.

Aquil.
Yes, Sabina,
I know it well; and Cæsar too perhaps
Knows it not less; but gladly thus admits
A fair pretence.

Sab.
'Tis well; then let him see me,
And blush at his own sentence.

Aquil.
'Tis his charge
That I forbid you now to appear before him.

Sab.
O Heaven! but must I then depart unheard?

Aquil.
It must be so.

Sab.
And when?

Aquil.
The ships are now
Prepar'd for your reception.

Sab.
Such command
It ill befits Sabina to obey.

Aquil.
Ah! yet submit, or you are lost—depart.
Trust to my faithful care. You shall subdue
By yielding to him. I will watch the moment,
And urge him to recall you.

Sab.
Yet, at least
Tell him, Aquilius—

Aquil.
Go: there needs no more;
I understand whate'er your lips would utter.

Sab.
Tell him he's faithless and unjust,
He breaks with me a lover's trust—
Yet, ah! refrain, and rather say
That parting I his will obey,
And say how much I love.
Should you perceive a stifled sigh,
Or tear just starting from his eye,
Ah! bid him for a moment turn;
And ere I seek the silent urn,
His pity let me prove.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Aquilius
alone.
I first have plann'd to send Sabina hence,
And fondly then repine at her departure.
Think better, O! my heart, residing here
To thee she's lost; her presence in Augustus
Revives his dying virtue. Ill, Aquilius,
Thou bear'st thy lov'd-one's absence; but remember
Short sufferance now ensures thee years of bliss.

SCENE III.

Enter Adrian.
Adr.
What hast thou gain'd, Aquilius?

Aquil.
Nothing gain'd:
Sabina, sir, is constant to depart.

Adr.
She has indeed too just a cause for anger.

Aquil.
But yet so gentle her complaints, it seems
As if some other must have touch'd her heart;
And much I doubt she makes a specious plea
Of your inconstancy to veil her own.

Adr.
I like it not: this temper in a woman
Excites suspicion. Let us seek Sabina.

Aquil.
My lord, you have forgot the Parthian king.
My counsel you approv'd, and meant to appease him:
I've sent for Osrhoes, and he waits your summons.
When all is ready to complete your purpose
You still remain confus'd and unresolv'd.

Adr.
Alas! thou know'st not what a war of thought
Now agitates my bosom. Rome, the senate,
Sabina, Emirena, love and glory,
All, all are present to me, while in vain
I seek to reconcile my jarring passions.
On every side I fear some threatening rock:
I choose, repent, and long perplex'd in doubt,
I know not good from ill, till driven at last
To sudden choice, I choose from all, the worst.

Aquil.
Ah! cease, my sovereign, to torment yourself:
You have within your arms the fair for whom
You sigh, and fear to clasp her to your bosom.
I cannot bear your griefs: permit me, sir,
To introduce the king.

Adr.
Yet stay—if still—

Aquil.
No more of doubts, my lord.

Adr.
Act as thou wilt.

[Exit Aquilius.

SCENE IV.

Adrian
alone.
What will the world then say? To cherish life
Is nature's law; and thus oppress'd with anguish,
I cannot live depriv'd of Emirena.

SCENE V.

Enter Osrhoes and Aquilius.
Osr.
Why am I summon'd here?

Adr.
Let Parthia's king
Be seated and attend; and though his anger
Rejects the peace, he may vouchsafe a truce.

[sits.
Osr.
My nature cannot brook a long forbearance.

[sits.
Aquil.
Aquilius, now thy fate determines.

[aside.
Adr.
Osrhoes,
All things on earth must change, and shall we find
Our enmity alone endure for ever?
Peace is become as useful to the victor
As needful to the vanquish'd: food for strife
Is wanting now between us: adverse fate
So much from thee has taken: bounteous Heaven
Has given so much to Adrian, that no more
Is left for thee to lose, or me to conquer.

Osr.
O! yes—my hatred yet remains unshaken;
That still is mine, and shall suffice for Osrhoes.

Aquil.
Barbarian! savage!

[aside.
Adr.
Boast not that as good,
Which, when possess'd, torments its own possessor:
Thou hast a better way to sooth thy pride.
Know, thou art the arbiter of my repose,
As Adrian of thy life. So Heaven directs
The events of human kind, that each to each
By turns is needful; and the happiest man,
From him that is most wretched, often finds
Something to hope or fear. Speak thou the word,
And Emirena's mine: if I but will it,
Osrhoes is free, and once again a king.
Let us, my friend, make use of either's power
To both our good. I ask from thee in gift
Thy daughter's hand, and offer thee a throne.

Aquil.
[aside.]
I tremble for his answer.

Adr.
Speak: what say'st thou?
Thou smil'st, but dost not speak.

Osr.
And shall I think
Adrian so weak?

Adr.
Alas! too surely, Osrhoes.
What boots it to dissemble? If I see not
Fair Emirena knit with me in marriage,
Nor peace, nor happiness, nor life is mine.

Osr.
Since then so little serves to make thee happy,
I am content—Go, call my daughter hither.

Adr.
Thou dost accept my offer?

Osr.
Who would e'er
Refuse such offer?

Adr.
Thou hast given me back
My lost repose. Aquilius, see the princess
Conducted hither.

Aquil.
Cæsar, I obey.
[aside.]
Sabina is my own.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

Adrian, Osrhoes.
Adr.
I now begin
To live once more. Guards, from the Parthian king
Take off his chains.

[guards enter.
Osr.
Yet stay—I will not, Adrian,
Enjoy thy gifts ere thou hast tasted mine.

Adr.
Vain scruple! Execute my will.

Osr.
Forbear:
Depart my friends.

[guards go out.
Adr.
Fain would I see thee eas'd
Of that injurious load.

Osr.
I am so happy
Contemplating the future, that my limbs
Feel not their shackles.

Adr.
Yet the princess comes not.

[looking out.
Osr.
No less is my impatience than thy own.

Adr.
I go to hasten her.

Osr.
Behold, she's here.

SCENE VII.

Enter Emirena.
Adr.
Most lovely Emirena—

[meeting her.
Osr.
Better first
It fits for me to unfold our purpose to her.

Adr.
'Tis true.

Emir.
[aside.]
What mean their looks and glad deportment?

Osr.
Amidst our sufferings, still, my dearest daughter,
We may rejoice. Would'st thou believe it? Yes,
I, in thy beauty, find a recompense
For all my losses past.

Emir.
What means my father?

Adr.
[to Emir.]
The flame sincere—

Osr.
First, Adrian, let me speak.

Adr.
Even as thou wilt.

Osr.
[to Emir.]
Such virtue in thine eyes
Indulgent Heaven has lavish'd, that our victor
Becomes our slave: he sighs for thee, and offers
All for thy sake; forgets our enmity,
And stoops to be a suppliant: he abhors
His life without thee, and in thee adores
His tutelary goddess.

Adr.
[to Emir.]
Yours the power—

Osr.
[to him.]
I have not finish'd yet.

Adr.
[aside.]
He tortures me
With this delay.

Osr.
[to Emir.]
Now, hear a father's voice,
And in the deep recesses of thy heart
Engrave his last command: let me at least
In dying leave thee my avenger—hate
The tyrant with a hatred great as mine,
Which unextinguish'd here for ever flames,
And this be thy inheritance.

Adr.
Ha! Osrhoes!

Osr.
Let neither fear nor hope unite thee to him;
View him henceforth in every pang of suffering,
With frenzy burn and rage with hopeless love.

Adr.
Just Gods! insulted thus!

Osr.
Now, Cæsar, speak:
Osrhoes has finish'd.

Adr.
Rash, unhappy man!
Dost thou not know thou call'st the thunder down
That soon may crush thee?

Osr.
Rave, thou haughty tyrant,
Thy anguish is my triumph.

Adr.
Gods! what fury!
Can man resemble thus the savage kind?
I gaze, and all my anger's lost in wonder.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Osrhoes, Emirena.
Osr.
My daughter, if thou lov'st me, lo! the time
To give it proof: assist thy wretched father,
Who begs compassion from thee.

Emir.
If my blood
Can give you peace, 'tis yours—it flows for you.

Osr.
O! snatch me from the Roman tyrant's power;
—But, ha! I see thee free from chains.

Emir.
Augustus,
Who found us innocent of all attempts
Against his life, to me and to Pharnaspes
Gave instant freedom. But what aid for you
Can I bestow?

Osr.
A sword! a dagger! poison!
Death, death in any shape.

Emir.
What says my father?
Must these be proofs of love? A daughter's hand
Supply the cruel means! The thought alone
Chills me with horror!—'Tis in vain you ask it—
My heart abhors the task, and though my heart
Inhuman should consent, my conscious hand
Would tremble and refuse its dreadful office.

Osr.
Away. I deem'd thee worthier of thy race.
And dost thou startle at the name of death?
Infirm of purpose! know that Osrhoes' daughter
Should learn to view it with a steadier eye.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

Enter Pharnaspes.
Emir.
Unhappy Emirena! O! for counsel
In this extreme of woe!

Phar.
[entering.]
Haste, Emirena.

Emir.
Haste, whither?

Phar.
To Augustus.

Emir.
To Augustus?

Phar.
Implore him to reverse his late decree
Against thy father.

Emir.
What decree, Pharnaspes?

Phar.
He wills that, laden with the weight of chains,
Osrhoes be led—

Emir.
To death?

Phar.
No; worse than death.

Emir.
Whither?

Phar.
To Rome.

Emir.
And what can I to assist him?

Phar.
Go—weep—entreat—to Adrian offer now
Thy hand in marriage—O! forget all ties,
All thoughts of love and hope—O! give up all
To save the king.

Emir.
He charg'd me but even now
To bear for Cæsar everlasting hatred.

Phar.
Alas! you must not think to obey commands
In anger given; a momentary madness.
No, 'tis our duty, dearest Emirena,
Spite of himself to save him.

Emir.
Shall I then
Resign this person to another's arms?
Is this indeed thy counsel? Can Pharnaspes
So steel his constancy?

Phar.
Alas! my princess,
Thou little read'st my heart: thou little know'st
What pangs this conflict costs me. While I speak
I feel each fibre in my bosom tremble:
Each drop of blood runs curdling through my veins.
I know in thee I lose my only good,
Whate'er can solace life: I know without thee
I drag a wretched and despairing being;
A burthen hateful to myself and others.
But what must Asia say should Osrhoes fall,
When we have power to save him? Let us then
To this great duty sacrifice our peace.
Go, go, my love, and consort of Augustus,
Enjoy the highest rank of earthly greatness.
To me at least one comfort will remain
Amidst my wretchedness, to say, that she
Who rul'd Pharnaspes' heart, now rules the world.

Emir.
If thou would'st have me e'er consent to lose thee
Make not thyself so worthy of my love.

Phar.
No, Emirena, no, thou shalt not lose me,
While life informs this breast I'll still be thine,
Thine, as my virtue and thy fame permit.
I swear by all the Gods; by those dear eyes,
Those eyes that cheer my soul; and thou—but whither
Does passion thus transport me? Time admits not
Of mutual sorrow; while we meditate
To save him, Osrhoes may, alas! be lost.

Emir.
Farewell.

[going.
Phar.
Yet hear me.

Emir.
What would now Pharnaspes?

Phar.
Go then—yet pause awhile—Almighty Gods!
I wish thee hence, yet fain would keep thee still.

Emir.

[Exit.

SCENE X.

Pharnaspes
alone.
The subject's loyalty, the lover's truth
Maintain a doubtful conflict in my breast;
By turns are victors and by turns subdued.
But while with various fortune each contends,
And neither triumphs, I myself am lost.

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

A magnificent apartment of the imperial palace. Steps descending to the banks of the river Orontes.
Sabina, attended by matrons and Roman knights. Aquilius.
Sab.
Hold, insolent, no more—though Adrian drives
Sabina from his sight, 'tis criminal
In thee to aspire to such a heart as mine.

Aquil.
Ne'er till this hour—

Sab.
And be this hour the last
To insult me with thy love.

[going to embark.

SCENE XII.

Enter Adrian.
Adr.
Sabina, hear me.

Aquil.
[aside.]
O! cruel fortune!

Sab.
[returning.]
Ha! what would Augustus?

Adr.
And am I then so hateful to Sabina
That she would leave me thus? Depart unseen?

Sab.
O! mock me not again: you send me hence;
Forbid me ever more to appear before you.

Adr.
I send thee hence? Ah! when?—Aquilius, speak:
Did not Sabina ask to leave me?

Sab.
Heavens!
[to Aquil.]
And was it not the mandate of Augustus,
That I should part from him, and part unseen?

Aquil.
[aside.]
Silence or speech must both alike betray me.

Sab.
[to Aquil.]
Perfidious man!

Adr.
[to Aquil.]
Thou dost not answer.

Sab.
[to Aquil.]
Now
I understand thy plots, and Adrian too
Shall know—

Aquil.
[to Adr.]
Cæsar, 'tis true, I love Sabina,
And fear'd her presence might awake thy virtue,
Hence far remov'd I hop'd—

Adr.
Enough, thou traitor!
Base, undermining slave, thou Cæsar's rival!
Ho! guards, secure him.

[he is disarmed.
Aquil.
[aside.]
Unpropitious fate!

Adr.
No longer think, my spouse, of thy departure.

Sab.
Thy spouse, Augustus?

Adr.
Yes, I find my soul
Recovering now apace her wonted calm:
My duty, and the scorn of Emirena;
Her father's hatred—

SCENE LAST.
Enter Emirena and Pharnaspes.
Emir.
Pardon, Cæsar, pardon.

Phar.
O! pardon, sir.

Emir.
Restore to me a father.

Phar.
Preserve for me a king.

Emir.
Restore him to me;
And, if thou wilt, behold me then thy own.

Adr.
What do I hear?

Phar.
Augustus, yes, to thee
I here resign my empire o'er her heart.

Adr.
What says Pharnaspes?

Emir.
Yes, thou shalt be, Cæsar,
My guardian God: by that celestial ray
Majestic beaming from thy sacred brow;
By that victorious laurel, earn'd with toil;
By this unconquer'd hand, the world's support;
Which by this kiss—

[kneels.
Adr.
Ah! rise—no more—So weeps
A nymph or Goddess when she melts the heart.

[aside.
Sab.
[aside.]
Alas! what conflict now in yonder breast
Of love and honour.

Adr.
[aside.]
If I yield to justice,
I lose my Emirena; if to love,
I kill my best Sabina—O! my heart!
How cruel is thy trial!

Sab.
[aside.]
Though unfaithful,
He yet excites my pity.

Emir.
Cæsar, say:
Art thou not yet resolv'd?

Sab.
[to Adr.]
Augustus, hear;
At length—

Adr.
In pity torture me no further;
I know what thou would'st say, alas! Sabina,
I know it all.

Sab.
Thou little know'st Sabina:
Then hear—So fatal are our mutual wounds,
That one of us must fall. Sabina dies
In losing thee, and, Adrian, thou must die
In losing Emirena. Heaven forbid,
That to preserve a woman's worthless days,
A hero thus should perish. Live, my Adrian,
Live for thy fame, thy country, and the world;
If not for me: I freely here release thee
From every tye; forgive thee all my wrongs,
And with these lips will ever plead thy cause.

Adr.
Is't possible!

Sab.
Cæsar, farewell.

[going.
Adr.
O! stay:
O! noble mind! exalted dame! whose merits
Might claim a thousand empires. Must you all
Bring on my cheek the glow of conscious shame?
[to Phar.]
The loyal subject yields to me his mistress
In ransom for his king: [to Emir.]
The pious daughter
Does, for her father, sacrifice herself.
[to Sab.]
And thou, forsaken, injur'd as thou art,
Transcendent fair! think'st only of my peace!
And I, shall I alone, with such examples,
Be feeble as a girl, nor hide this face
From every living eye; yet press the throne,
And give to earth its laws? O! no—let all
Be happy. To the Parthian king I give
His crown and liberty; to thee, Pharnaspes,
Resign fair Emirena: I absolve
Aquilius of his guilt; to thee, Sabina,
More worthy of thy love, myself restore.

Phar.
Joy unexpected!

Sab.
This indeed is Adrian;
Now he appears himself.

Emir.
O! whilst I breathe,
This breast, Augustus, grateful for thy goodness—

Adr.
If thou wilt shew thy gratitude to Cæsar,
Leave, leave his heart in peace; scarce now in safety
When thou art near him. Let me then entreat thee
To quit me, Emirena. See thy spouse
Securely thine: thy father shalt thou find
In freedom to thy wish. Live and be happy,
And all in deep oblivion drown the memory
Of Adrian's errors.

Emir.
Yet, permit me, Cæsar—

[attempts to kiss his hand.
Adr.
O! Emirena—'tis enough—farewell.

[preventing her.
Chorus.
Augustus, while thy sacred praise
Ascends the starry way,
Our hands a snow-white stone shall raise
To mark this blissful day.