University of Virginia Library

Scena Prima.

Felix, Albin, Cleon.
Felix.
Albin , perceiv'st thou Severus plot?
Seest thou his hate, and my sad misery?

Alb.
I see nought in him but a generous Rivall,
And in you nothing but a rigorous Father.

Fel.
How ill thou know'st him? all he doth's but shew,
In heart he hates me, and disdains Paulina,
And though he sometime lov'd her he esteemes now
A Rivals Relique too unworthy of him.
He speaks in his behalf, prays, threatens me,
And sayes he will destroy me, if I grant not
Pardon unto him, passing from generous
He thinks to fear me, but the Artifice
Is too gross not to be discovered:
I know the Court, and all its subtle windings
Before him, I'm acquainted with its plots,
And all its practises, it is in vain
For him to storm, and faign to be in fury,
I see what he intendeth to the Emperor,
Of that which he requests me, he'd accuse me,
Sparing his Rivall, I should be his Victime;
And if he had to do with some young Novice,
The plot is wel laid, without doubt he would
Destroy him easily, but an old Courtier
Is not so credulous, he seeth well
When one's in jeast, and when he is in earnest;
And for my part, I've seen so many of them
Of all kinds, that if need were, I could give
Lessons even unto him.

Alb.
Gods! how you torture
Your self by this distrust?

Fel.
To stand in Court
It is the highest skill; when once a man
Hath cause to hate us, we ought to presume
That he seeks all the wayes he can to ruine us;
Then all his friendship is to be suspected;
If Polyeuctes forsakes not his Sect,
What ever his Protector intends for him
I'le boldly follow th'order is prescrib'd me.

Alb.
Pardon, Sir, pardon, let Paulina's prayers
And tears obtain it.

Fel.
Th'Emperours pardon, Albin,
Shall not come after mine, and so far am I
From drawing him out of this perilous pass,
As not to do what will destroy us both.

Alb.
But Sir, Severus promiseth—

Fel.
I mistrust him,
And know better then he the hate of Decius,
In favour of the Christians if he should
Oppose his anger without doubt he would
Ruine himself with us, I will try yet
Another way.—Bring Polyeuctes here,—
to Cleon.
And if I send him back again, if he
Remain insensible of this last attempt,—
Cleon returns.
At his departure hence he surely dies.

Alb.
Your order is too rigorous.

Fel.
I must follow it,
If I'le prevent disorder which may happen;
I see the People mov'd to take his part,
And thou thy self lately advertis'd me;
In the zeal which they do express for him,
I know not how long he may be within
My power; perhaps this evening, to night,
To morow I may see th'effects I fear;
And suddenly Severus flying to
His vengeance, may go to calumniate me
With some intelligence, I must break this stroak,
That would be fatall to me.

Alb.
What a strange evil is this diffidence?
Every thing hurts and ruines you, gives you shadows,
But see you not, Sir, that his death will put
This people into rage? tis a wrong way
To cure them, for to make them desperate.

Fel.
After his death it is in vain to murmur,
And if they dare proceed to any violence,
Tis but to give way for a day or two
Unto the insolence, I shall have done
My duty whatsoever may arrive;
But Polyeuctes comes, let us indeavour
To save him, retire Souldiers, and guard
The port well.—

Polyeuctes comes with the Guards, who retire suddenly.