University of Virginia Library

Scena Secunda.

Paulina, Stratonica.
Paulina.
But let us understand the Issue on't.
Now my Stratonica what's the conclusion
Of this great Sacrifice.

Strat.
Alas Paulina!

Paul.
Have my Prayers and Devotions been frustrate
I see an ill sign of it in thy face,
Have they unfortunately quarrelled?

Strat.
Nearchus, Polyeuctes, and the Christians—

Paul.
Speak then, the Christians.

Strat.
I cannot speak.

Paul.
Thou dost prepare my soul for strange afflictions.

Strat.
You ne'r could have a juster cause of grief.

Paul.
What have they murthered him?

Strat.
That had been nothing
Your dream is all true, Polyeuctes is
No more.

Paul.
What is he dead?

Strat.
No, he lives, but
(O fate to be lamented!) this great courage,
This divine soul is no more worthy of
The light, nor of Paulina, he is no more
That Spouse so charming to your eyes, he is
The common enemy of the gods, and State,
An infamous, a Rebel, a perfidious,
A Traytor, Villain; a base Parricide,
An execrable plague to all good men,
An impious and a sacrilegious Wretch,
In a word, Madam, he's a Christian.

Paul.
This word would have suffic'd without that torrent
Of Injuries.

Strat.
Can there be any titles bad enough
For Christians?

Paul.
He is what thou sayst, if he
Imbrace their faith, but he's my Husband, and
Thou speak'st to me;

Strat.
Consider him no more
Then the God he adoreth.

Paul.
I have lov'd him
With duty, and this duty still continues.

Strat.
At present he doth give you cause to hate him
Who doth betray the gods, would make no scruple
To betray you.

Paul.
Although he should betray me,
Yet I should love him. And if thou, Stratonica,
Dost wonder at this love, know, that my duty
Dependeth not of his, let him fail in it,
(If he be so dispos'd) I will do mine.
What if he lov'd elsewhere, should his example
Perswade me to imbrace unlawfull heats?
Let him be Christian, I'm not troubled at it.
I love his Person, and I hate his errour.
But what resentment hath my Father of it?

Strat.
A secret rage, and an excess of choler
Possesseth him, though yet for Polyeuctes
He shews some; he'll not let his justice
Fall upon him before the punishment
Of false Nearchus be presented to him
To see how that will work upon his spirits.

Paul.
What is Nearchus Christian too?

Strat.
'Twas he
Seduced him; see the unworthy fruit
Of their old amity; this perfidious
Taking him lately from us 'gainst his will,
Drew him to baptism: now you have the secret
That seemed so mysterious, which your love
Could not draw from him.

Paul.
Thou didst blame me then
For being too unfortunate.

Strat.
I foresaw not
Such a misfortune.

Paul.
Ere I will give up
My soul unto my griefs, I'le try the force
Of my laments, in quality of Wife
And Daughter, I hope to perswade a husband,
And pacifie a Father: if I fail
With both of them, I'le take no other Counsel
But what despair shall give me: tell me now
What did they in the Temple?

Strat.
The impiety
They acted there was such as 'tis without
Example, I can't think on't without trembling:
And fear, I should commit a crime but in
Relating it; in few words understand
Their beastly insolence. Scarce had the Priest
Obtained silence, and towards the East
Setled his countenance, but their small respect
Appeared plainly, both of them express'd
Their madness at the ceremony, they mock'd
Aloud the sacred mysteries, and despis'd
The gods that were invoked; all the people
Murmur'd thereat, and Felix was offended;
But both of them carrying themselves with more
Irreverence, what, said Polyeuctes, raising
His voice, adore you gods of stone or wood?
Dispence me from recital of the blasphemies
They vomited 'gainst Jupiter himself.
Adultery and Incest were the least
Crimes they objected to him. Hearken Felix.
Pursued he, and hearken all ye people;
The God of Polyeuctes and Nearchus
Is absolute Monarch both of heaven and earth,
Of Destiny sole Master, and the only
Being that's independent, substance which
Never receiveth change; it is the God
The Christians adore that we must thank
For victories he gave the Emperour Decius;
He in his hands holds the success of battels,
With him are (saith the sacred Text) the issues
Of life and death, his power, his infinit goodness,
His justice is immense, 'tis he alone
That punisheth, alone that recompenceth;
You vainly do adore impuissant Monsters.
Casting themselves at these words on the wine
And Incense, after they had thrown against
The earth the holy vessels without fear
Of Felix, or of Thunder, with like fury
They ran unto the Altar. Heavens! was ever
The like seen? there you might behold the statue
Of the chief god o'rethrown by impious hands
Lye at their feet, the mysteries disturb'd,
The Temple sacrilegiously profan'd,
That flight and clamours of a mutinous people,
That fear' the anger of offended heaven.
Felix.—but here he comes; the rest he'll tell you.

Paul.
How sullen is his countenance and full
Of trouble! he expresseth much of sadness
And indignation.