 | The Prophetesse |  |
Actus Secundus
Scæna Prima.
Enter Drusilla and Delphia.Dru.
Leave us, and not vouchsafe a parting kisse
to her that in his hopes of greatnesse lives,
and goes along with him in all his dangers?
Del.
I grant 't was most inhumane.
Dru.
O you give it
too mild a name: 't was more then barbarous,
and you a partner in't.
Del.
I Drusilla?
Dru.
Yes:
you have blowne his swolne pride to that vastnes,
as he beleeves the earth is in his fadom,
this makes him quite forget his humble Being:
And can I hope that he, that onely fed
with the imagin'd food of future Empire,
disdains even those that gave him Means, and life,
to nourish such desires, when he's possest
of his ambitious Ends (which must fall on him,
or your Predictions are false) will ever
descend to look on me?
Del.
Were his Intents
perfidious as the Seas or Windes, his heart
compos'd of falshood; yet the benefit,
the greatnesse of the good he has from you,
(for what I have conferr'd, is thine, Drusilla)
must make him firm, and thankful: But if all
remembrance of the debts he stands engag'd for,
finde a quick grave in his Ingratitude,
my powerful Art, that guides him to this height,
shall make him curse the hour he ere was rais'd,
or sink him to the center.
Dru.
I had rather
your Art could force him to return that ardour
to me, I bear to him; or give me power
to moderate my passions: Yet I know not,
I should repent your grant, though you had sign'd it,
(so well I finde he's worthy of all service.)
But to believe that any check to him
in his main hopes, could yeeld content to me,
were treason to true love, that knows no pleasure,
the object that is doats on ill affected.
Del.
Pretty simplicity; I love thee for't,
and will not sit an idle looker on,
and see it cozen'd: dry thy innocent eyes,
and cast off jealous fears, (yet promises
are but lip-comforts) and but fancie aught
that's possible in Nature, or in Art,
that may advance thy comfort, and be bold
to tell thy soul 'tis thine: therefore speak freely.
Dru.
You new create me. To conceal from you
my virgin fondnesse, were to hide my sicknesse
from my physitian. O dear Aunt, I languish
for want of Diocles sight: he is the Sun
that keeps my blood in a perpetual spring:
but in his absence, cold benumming Winter
seizes on all my faculties. Would you binde me
(that am your slave already) in more fetters,
and (in the place of service) to adore you?
O bear me then (but 'tis impossible,
I fear, to be effected) where I may
see how my Diocles breaks thorow his dangers,
and in what heaps his honours flow upon him,
that I may meet him, in the height and pride
of all his glories; and there (as your gift)
chalenge him, as mine own.
Del.
Enjoy thy wishes:
this is an easie Boon, which, at thy yeers,
I could have given to any; but now grown
perfect in all the hidden mysteries
of that inimitable Art, which makes us
equal even to the gods, and Natures wonders,
it shall be done, as fits my skill and glory:
To break thorow bolts, and locks, a Scholars prize
for Theeves, and Pick-locks: To passe thorow an Army
cover'd with Night, or some disguise, the practice
of poor and needy Spies: No, my Drusilla,
from Ceres I will force her winged Dragons,
and in the air hung over the Tribunal;
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There, as his good Star, thou shalt shine upon him,
if he prove true, and as his Angel guard him.
But if he dare be false, I, in a moment
will put that glorious light out, with such horrour,
as if the eternal Night had seiz'd the Sun,
or all things were return'd to the first Chaos,
and then appear like Furies.
Dru.
I will do
what ere you shall command:
Del.
Rest then assur'd,
I am the Mistris of my Art, and fear not.
Exeunt.
Soft Musick.
Scæna secunda.
Enter Aper, Camurius, Guard, a Litter covered.Aper.
Your care of your sick Emperour, fellow-souldiers,
in colours to the life, doth shew your love,
and zealous duty: O continue in it.
And though I know you long to see and hear him,
impute it not to pride, or melancholy,
that keeps you from your wishes: such State-vices
(too too familiar with great Princes) are
strangers to all the actions of the life
of good Numerianus: Let your patience
be the Physitian to his wounded eyes,
(wounded with pious sorrow for his father)
which Time and your strong Patience will recover,
provided it prove constant.
1 Guard.
If he counterfeit,
I will hereafter trust a prodigal heir,
when he weeps at his fathers Funeral.
2 Guard.
Or a young widow, following a bed-rid husband,
(after a three yeers groaning) to the Fire.
3 Guard.
Note his humility, and with what soft murmures
he does enquire his pleasures.
1 Guard.
And how soon
he is instructed.
2 Guard.
How he bows again too.
Aper.
All your Commands (dread Cæsar) I'll impart
to your most ready Souldier, to obey them;
so take your rest in peace. It is the pleasure
of mighty Cæsar (his thanks still remembred)
for your long patience, which a donative,
fitting his State to give, shall quickly follow)
that you continue a strict Guard upon
his sacred person, and admit no stranger
of any other Legion, to come neer him;
you being most trusted by him. I receive
your answer in your silence. Now Camurius,
speak without flattery; Hath thy Aper acted
this passion to the life?
Cam.
I would applaud him,
were he saluted Cæsar: but I fear
these long protracted counsels will undo us;
and 'tis beyond my reason, he being dead,
you should conceal your self, or hope it can
continue undiscover'd.
Aper.
That I have killed him,
yet feed these ignorant fools with hopes he lives,
has a main end in't. The Pannonian Cohorts
(that are my own, and sure) are not come up,
the Germane Legions waver, and Charinus
(brother to this dead dog) hells plagues on Niger,
is jealous of the murther; and, I hear,
is marching up against me. 'Tis not safe,
till I have power, to justifie the Act,
to shew my self the Authour: be therefore careful
for an hour or two (till I have fully sounded
how the Tribunes and Centurions stand affected)
that none come neer the Litter. If I finde them
firm on my part, I dare professe my self,
and then live Aper's equal.
Cam.
Does not the body
begin to putrifie?
Aper.
That exacts my haste:
when, but even now, I feign'd obedience to it,
as I had some great businesse to impart,
the sent had almost choak'd me: be therefore curious:
all keep at distance.
Exit.
Cam.
I am taught my parts;
haste you, to perfect yours.
1 Guard.
I had rather meet
an enemy in the field, then stand thus nodding
like to a rug-gown'd Watch-man.
Enter Diocles, Maximinian, Geta.
Geta.
The Watch at noon?
this is a new device.
Cam.
Stand.
Dio.
I am arm'd
against all danger.
Max.
If I fear to follow,
a Cowards name pursue me.
Dio.
Now my Fate
guide and direct me.
Cam.
You are rude and sawcy,
with your forbidden feet to touch this ground,
sacred to Cæsar onely, and to these
that do attend his person. Speak, what are you?
Dio.
What thou, nor any of thy faction are,
nor ever were: Souldiers, and honest men.
Cam.
So blunt?
Geta.
Nay, you shall finde he's good at the sharp too.
Dio.
No instruments of craft: engines of murder,
that serve the Emperour onely with oil'd tongues,
sooth and applaud his vices, play the Bauds
to all his appetites; and when you have wrought
so far upon his weaknesse, that he's grown
odious to the subject and himself,
and can no further help your wicked ends,
you rid him out of the way.
Cam.
Treason?
Dio.
'Tis truth,
and I will make it good.
Cam.
Lay hands upon 'em,
or kill them suddenly.
Geta.
I am out at that;
I do not like the sport.
Dio.
What's he that is
owner of any vertue worth a Roman,
or does retain the memory of the Oath
he made to Cæsar, that dares lift his sword
against the man that (carelesse of his life)
comes to discover such a horrid Treason,
as when you hear 't, and understand how long
y'ave been abus'd, will run you mad with fury?
I am no stranger, but (like you) a Souldier,
train'd up one from my youth: and there are some
with whom I have serv'd, and (not to praise my self)
must needs confesse they have seen Diocles
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beyond a common man.
1 Guard.
Diocles?
2 Guard.
I know him,
the bravest Souldier of the Empire.
Cam.
Stand:
if thou advance an inch, thou art dead.
Dio.
Die thou,
that durst oppose thy self against a Truth
that will break out, though mountains cover it.
Get.
I fear this is a sucking Pigg; no Boar,
he falls so easie.
Dio.
Hear me, fellow Souldiers;
and if I make it not apparant to you
this is an act of Justice, and no Murther,
cut me in pieces: I'll disperse the cloud
that hath so long obscur'd a bloody act
nere equall'd yet: you all knew with what favours
the good Numerianus ever grac't
the Provost Aper?
Guard.
True.
Dio.
And that those bounties
should have contain'd him (if he ere had learn'd
the elements of Honestie and Truth)
in loyal duty: But ambition never
looks backward on desert, but with blinde haste
boldly runs on. But I lose time. You are here
commanded by this Aper to attend
the Emperours person; to admit no stranger
to have accesse to him, or come neer his Litter,
under pretence (forsooth) his eyes are sore,
and his minde troubled: no, my friends, you are cozen'd;
the good Numerianus now is past
the sense of wrong or injury.
Guard.
How? dead?
Dio.
Let your own eyes inform you.
Get.
An Emperours Cabinet?
Fough, I have known a Charnel-house smell sweeter.
If Emperours flesh have this favour, what will mine do,
when I am rotten?
1 Guard.
Most unheard-of villany:
2 Guard.
And with all cruelty to be reveng'd.
3 Guard.
Who is the murtherer? name him, that we may
punish it in his family.
Dio.
Who but Aper?
the barbarous and most ingrateful Aper?
His desperate Poniard printed on his brest
this deadly wound: hate to vow'd enemies
findes a full satisfaction in death;
and Tyrants seek no farther. He (a Subject,
and bound by all the Ties of love and duty)
ended not so; but does deny his Prince
(whose ghost forbad passage to his rest,
mourns by the Stygian shore) his Funeral-Rites.
Nay, weep not; let your loves speak in your anger;
and, to confirm you gave no suffrage to
the damned Plot, lend me your helping hands
to wreak the Parricide: and if you finde
that there is worth in Diocles to deserve it,
make him your leader.
Guard.
A Diocles, a Diocles.
Dio.
We'll force him from his Guards. And now, my Stars,
if you have any good for me in store,
shew it, when I have slain this fatal Boar.
Exeunt.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Delphia and Drusilla in a Throne drawn by Dragons.Del.
Fix here, and rest a while your Sail-stretch'd wings
that have out-stript the windes: the eye of heaven
durst not behold your speed, but hid it self
behinde the grossest clouds; and the pale Moon
pluckt in her silver horns, trembling for fear
that my strong Spells should force her from her Sphere;
such is the power of Art.
Dru.
Good Aunt, where are we?
Del.
Look down, Drusilla, on these lofty Towers,
these spacious streets, where every private house
appears a Palace to receive a King:
the site, the wealth, the beauty of the place,
will soon inform thee 't is imperious Rome,
Rome, the great Mistris of the conquer'd world.
Dru.
But without Diocles, it is to me
like any wildernesse we have pass'd ore:
shall I not see him?
Del.
Yes, and in full glory,
and glut thy greedy eyes with looking on
his prosperous successe: Contain thy self;
for though all things beneath us are transparent,
the sharpest sighted, were he Eagle-ey'd,
cannot discover us: nor will we hang
idle Spectators to behold his triumph:
Enter Diocles, Maximinian, Guard, Aper, Senators, Geta, Officers, (With Litter.
but when occasion shall present it self,
do something to adde to it. See, he comes.
Dru.
How god-like he appears? with such a grace
the Giants that attempted to scale heaven,
when they lay dead on the Phlegrean plain,
Mars did appear to Jove.
Del.
Forbear.
Dio.
Look on this,
and when with horrour thou hast view'd thy deed,
(thy most accursed deed) be thine own judge,
and see (thy guilt consider'd) if thou canst
perswade thy self (whom thou stand'st bound to hate)
to hope or plead for mercy.
Aper.
I confesse
my life's a burden to me.
Dio.
Thou art like thy name,
a cruel Boar, whose snout hath rooted up
the fruitful Vineyard of the Common-wealth:
I long have hunted for thee, and since now
thou art in the Toyl, it is in vain to hope
thou ever shalt break out: thou dost deserve
the Hangmans hook, or to be punished
more majorum, whipt with rods to death,
or any way, that were more terrible.
Yet, since my future fate depends upon thee,
thus, to fulfil great Delphia's Prophecie,
Aper (thou fatal Boar) receive the honour
to fall by Diocles hand. Shine clear, my Stars,
that usher'd me to taste this common air,
in my entrance to the world, and give applause
to this great work.
Musick.
Del.
Strike Musick from the Spheres.
Dru.
O now you honour me.
Dio.
Ha? in the Air?
All.
Miraculous.
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This shews the gods approve
the Person, and the Act: then if the Senate
(for in their eyes I read the Souldiers love)
think Diocles worthy to supply the place
of dead Numerianus, as he stands
his heir, in his revenge, with one consent
salute him Emperour.
Senat.
Long live Diocles:
Augustus, Pater Patriæ, and all Titles
that are peculiar onely to the Cæsars,
we gladly throw upon him.
Guard.
We confirm it,
and will defend his honour with our Swords
against the world: raise him to the Tribunal.
1 Sen.
Fetch the Imperial Robes: and as a signe
we give him absolute power of life and death,
binde this sword to his side.
2 Sen.
Omit no Ceremony
that may be for his honour.
Song.
Max.
Still the gods
expresse that they are pleas'd with this election.
Geta.
My Master is an Emperour, and I feel
a Senators Itch upon me: would I could hire
these fine invisible Fidlers to play to me
at my instalment.
Dio.
I embrace your loves,
and hope the honours that you heap upon me,
shall be with strength supported. It shall be
my studie to appear another Atlas,
to stand firm underneath this heaven of Empire,
and bear it boldly. I desire no Titles,
but as I shall deserve 'em. I will keep
the name I had, being a private man,
onely with some small difference; I will adde
to Diocles but two short syllables,
and be called Dioclesianus.
Geta.
That is fine:
I'll follow the fashion; and when I am a Senator,
I will be no more plain Geta, but be call'd
Lord Getianus.
Dru.
He ne'er thinks of me,
nor of your favour.
Enter Niger.
Del.
If he dares prove false,
these glories shall be to him as a dream,
or an inchanted banquet.
Niger.
From Charinus,
from great Charinus, who with joy hath heard
of your proceedings, and confirms your honours:
he, with his beauteous sister, fair Aurelia,
are come in person, like themselves attended
to gratulate your fortune.
Loud Musick.
Enter Charinus, Aurelia, Attendants.
Dio.
For thy news,
Be thou in France Pro-consul: let us meet
the Emperour with all honour, and embrace him.
Dru.
O Aunt, I fear this Princesse doth eclipse
th'opinion of my beauty, though I were
my self to be the judge.
Del.
Rely on me.
Char.
'Tis vertue and not birth that makes us noble:
Great actions speak great mindes, and such should govern;
and you are grac't with both. Thus, as a Brother,
a Fellow, and Co-partner in the Empire,
I do embrace you: may we live so far
from difference, or emulous Competition,
that all the world may say. Although two Bodies
we have one Minde,
Aur.
When I look on the Trunk
of dear Numerianus, I should wash
his wounds with tears, and pay a sisters sorrow
to his sad fate: but since he lives again
in your most brave Revenge, I bow to you,
as to a power that gave him second life,
and will make good my promise. If you finde
that there is worth in me that may deserve you,
and that in being your wife, I shall not bring
disquiet and dishonour to your Bed,
Although my youth and fortune should require
both to be su'd and sought to, here I yeeld
my self at your devotion,
Dio.
O you gods,
teach me how to be thankful: you have pour'd
all blessings on me, that ambitious man
could ever fancie: till this happie minute,
I nere saw beauty, or believ'd there could be
perfection in a woman. I shall live
to serve and honour you: upon my knees
I thus receive you; and, so you vouchsafe it,
this day I am doubly married; to the Empire,
and your best-self.
Del.
False and perfidious villain.—
Dru.
Let me fall headlong on him: O my Stars!
this I foresaw and fear'd.
Cha.
Call forth a Flamen.
This knot shall now be ti'd.
Del.
But I will loose it,
if Art or Hell have any strength.
Enter a Flamen. Thunder and Lightning.
Cha.
Prodigious!
Max.
How soon the day 's orecast?
Fla.
The Signes are fatal:
Juno smiles not upon this Match, and shews too
she has her thunder.
Dio.
Can there be a stop
in my full fortune?
Cha.
We are too violent,
and I repent the haste: we first should pay
our latest duty to the dead, and then
proceed discreetly. Let's take up the body,
and when we have plac'd his ashes in his Urn,
we'll try the gods again: for wise men say,
Marriage and Obsequies do not suit one day.
Senate exit.
Del.
So, 't is deferr'd yet, in despite of falshood:
Comfort Drusilla, for he shall be thine,
or wish, in vain, he were not. I will punish
Ascend.
his perjury to the height. Mount up, my birds;
some Rites I am to perform to Hecate,
to perfect my designes; which once perform'd,
he shall be made obedient to thy Call,
or in his ruine I will bury all.
Ascends throne.
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