 | Heraclius, Emperour of the East |  |
SCEN. VI.
Heraclius, Martian taking himself for Heraclius, Pulcheria, Amintas.HERAC.
What does this Traytor's coming mean? speak slave.
AMIN:
I am not so, since I no Master have;
The name of Traytor I can less endure,
Washt in the Tyrants blood, I now am pure.
HERAC.
Ha! What saies he?
AMIN.
That I am free from stain:
By Exupere and me Phocas is slain.
MARTIAN
taking himself for Heraclius.
He that betray'd me?
AMIN.
You mistaken were,
We Traytors seem'd to find our Emperor.
PUL.
Were not both sent the Mutineers to quell?
AMIN.
Yes but each others minds we knew so well,
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To punish Phocas for his Tyranny.
For he secur'd by our deceit from fear,
Quickly his wonted fierceness did appear;
For pride and crueltie do greater grow,
When one believes he has subdu'd a foe:
The seeming Pris'ners kneeling on the ground,
Implor'd his mercie, but this threatning found;
You are all Traytors to whom death as due,
Tis just, cries Exupere, most just to you.
He strikes, we second him; the Tyrant dies:
Long live HERACLIUS, Exuperius cries.
The standers by struck with amazement were,
To see one stroke destroy their hope and fear:
Thus for self-ends who call'd this Tyrant good,
Soon read his ills once written in his blood.
| Heraclius, Emperour of the East | |