University of Virginia Library

Act IV.

Scene I.

Alcibiades Solus.
Alci.
Under what fatal Planet was I born!
Sure at my birth the Heavens themselves did mourn.
Disjoynted nature did her course forbear,
And held within her Womb a civil War.
I who but now did fame and Conquest bring,
And added to the glories of a King,
Must see my Trophyes all thrown down agen,
By the base passions of a lustful Queen.
Why was I not born to a common fate,
Free from the glorious troubles of the great,
So in some humble Cell my years have spent,
Blest with a private peaceable content.
The vulgar mortal feels not fortunes harms,
The highest structures still are shook with storms.
See too she's here; what shall I do or speak?
Fate has beset me, and I've no way to take.

Enter Queen.
Qu.
My Lord you something discompos'd appear,
Surely there's nothing that can fright you here.

Alci.
Majesty Madam is a thing divine.

Qu.
If that disturb you Sir, I'le lay by mine.
Methinks I apprehend a greater pride,
To view the man whose glories spread so wide.

Alci.
Madam you on 'em set too high a price.

Qu.
Perhaps I see not Sir with common eyes.
They best of honour judge that honour have.
I find a secret in me says y'are brave.
You need not Sir unfold it, you can guess,

Alci.
How craftily she would her lust express,
And set her ills off with a winning dress.
What's to be done, which way shall I conclude?
I must abuse my King, or must be rude.
I cannot speak—

Qu.
—My Lord! let's sit a while,
Won't you vouchsafe your visitant a smile?

Alci.
Smiles Madam were too insolent a joy.

Qu.
Fye! put these formal complements away,
Ardella sing that Song I heard to day.

[Ardella]

Alci.
The Air is charming.—

Qu.
—Retire.
[Exit Ardella.
No lively Symptoms of a growing fire!
I'l urge him further—
My Lord, your hand; how beats your pulse? I fear
Y'are ill; Cold drops upon your brows appear;
I'l wipe 'em off, come Sir, your fears remove,
You need not blush to tell me that you love.
I'l do it for you, nay I more will do,
Blush for my self too when: I blush for you.
Sure this will take; what does your wonder mean,
Is love so strange?—

Alci.
—Oh name that agen,
Could you such wrong to royal Agir do?
Think what's to heav'n and to your vertue due.

Qu.
Must I be hated then? and Sir by you?
[angerly.
Pish, why d'you talk of heav'n and vertue now?

[mildly.
Alci.
Not new made mothers to their infants bear
A firmer passion, or a tend'rer care.
Show me yours or your honours enemy,
See with what vigour t'your revenge I'le fly.
For you with life I willingly could part,
But whilst that lasts, Timandra has my heart.

Qu.
The heavy pleasures of the marriage Bed,
Dull repetition soon will render dead.
Taste fresher joys, and when they tedious grow,
Then the old pleasures may seem gay and new.

Alci.
Could I expect to have such language heard,
Where beauty and such innocence appear'd?

Qu.
Can you my little beauty then approve,
And is't so difficult a thing to love?

Alci.
Love Madam! only be as truly good,
As you are fair, I shall not need be woo'd,
I'le love you as the Sister of my blood.

Qu.
A Sisters love's a lean insipid bliss,
So little we can hardly name what 'tis.
Where is the transport, extasie, delight
'Tis like thin meat to a sharp appetite.

Alci.
I know y'are beaunons as the blushing morn,
Your beams the lustre of a King adorn,
That King whose piety me happy made,
And can I in return profane his bed?
Though Madam I've liv'd free, and never see
Limits to any thing we call delight,
Yet raise not new rebellions in blood:
Beauty hath darts too keen to be withstood.

Qu.
Yet all its power has no force o're you,
Your cruel heart's immoveable, but know
'Twill to your honour be but ill apply'd,
That for your love a Queen, neglected, dy'd.

Alci.
What is't your majesty would have me do?

Qu.
Are you so ignorant that you don't know!

Alci.
Death, not to have some sense were to unman
My self; but I'le be conqu'rour if I can.
Should I be made a captive to her charms,
Er'e I am warm in my Timandra's arms?
One stratagem I'le for my freedom try,
Madam no longer I'le your pow'r deny.
[to the Queen.
For if these eyes had ne're Timandra known,
You only might have call'd my heart your own.
But whilst with her I enjoy love, and life,
And you remain the mighty Agis wife;
Know this is all I can in justice do,
I'm ready on your least commands, to shew
I live for her; but yet could dye for you.

Qu.
Must I then only border upon bliss?
Rest on the confines of my happiness?
As Souls that are excluded heav'n for sin,
See all its glories, but can't enter in.

Alci.
No Madam; free from the dull clogs of sense,
We'l reap delights of nobler excellence.
Our entwin'd Souls each other shall enjoy,
Tread vertues paths, and never loose their way.
But if one in his motion chance to err,
Strait regulate it by the other's sphear:
—Till at the last,
When the short Zodiack of this life w'ave past;
With new imp't Zeal beyond the Stars wee'l fly,
There meet, and mingle to a Deity.

Qu.
Then to all hopes of happiness adieu,
Since my chief bliss I've lost in loosing you.
Oh the Tyrannick cruelty of fate,
That lets us know our happiness too late.
Yet why shou'd I to fears and sorrows bend,
If only on their fate my hopes depend?
A Rival, and a King, I may remove:
There's nothing difficult to them that love.

[Exit Queen.
Alci.
She's gone.—
Greatness, thou gaudy torment of our Souls,
The wise mans fetter, and the range of fools!
Who is't wou'd court thee if he knew thy ills?
He who the greatest heap of Honour piles,
Does nothing else but build a dang'rous shelf,
Or erect Mountains to o'rewhelm himself.

[Exit.
Scene a Grove adjoyning to the Camp.
Enter Tissaphernes and Theramnes disguis'd.
Tiss.
Now Sir y'are free, and prosperously move,
To reap the long wisht harvest of your love.
One minute and y'are in Timandra's arms,
New fetter'd in the power of her Charms:
Methinks the thought ev'n my old blood Alarms.

The.
His rage sure works him to an extasie:
How the old Monster hugs his villany!
Good Sir dispatch, I cannot brook delay;
I wast in expectation of my joy.
But heark, did you not hear a murm'ring talk?

Tiss.
Perhaps 'tis she come in this Grove to walk:
Stay here they are, by heav'n the same, 'tis she.
[They go to the door.
Retreat a while; blest opportunity.

Enter Timandra with a Book in her hand, and Draxilla.
Tim.
Methinks Draxilla when Atlanta ran,
And slaughter was the only prize she wan;
Her power a too cruel rigour bore,
To kill those she had wounded so before.

[Theramnes throws off his disguise.
The.
Then Madam be not guilty of her ill:
Me the poor wretch y'ave wounded do not kill.
Ah in your heart, if such a sence there be
Of the injustice of her cruelty;
How much more pitty from your breast is due
To him, who ev'ry minute dyes for you!

Tim.
My Lord Theramnes! by what lucky hap
Have you from guards and prison made escape?

The.
Who wears your sacred image in your breast,
Is of such pure Divinity possest,
And from ignoble bondage so secure,
That feeble chains fall off, and loose their pow'r.

Tim.
Then Sir in your intended flight make haste,
Least by some fatal chance y'are once more lost.

The.
No, I enjoy a nobler safety here;
No danger dares approach when you are near.
These Groves to lovers bliss are dedicate,
Free from th'uncivil outrages of fate.
Come, let's to something like delight draw nigh,
And loose our selves a while in extasie.

[seizes roughly on her.
Tim.
Guard me ye powers! Draxilla help: my Lord!

Tiss.
Good gentle Madam, if you please one word.

[Draxilla runs out crying help, and Tissaphernes after her.
The.
I cannot see my Rival blest alone;
Must he reap all the sweets, and I have none?

Tim.
This outrage on my knees I beg forbear:
See Sir it is Timandra sheds a tear.
[Tiss. returns.
Her whom you vowd you lov'd with noble flame,
Oh do'nt by savage lust prophane that name!
If 'tis the envy of your Rivals joy,
Remove, remove th'offence some other way:
Save but my honour, and my life destroy.

The.
Such tenderness might cool another's blood;
But I am too unhappy to be good.
Let vertue to dull Anchorites repair,
Who ne're had Soul enough to know despair.
I'le banish the encroacher from my breast,
And shake him off e're he take hold too fast.
Come let's retire within this covert by;
I am impatient, and my blood boyls high.

Tim.
I will not go, I'le dye a Martyr here.

The.
Then I must drag you.

Tim.
—Barb'rous Ravisher!
Oh! Oh!—

Enter Alcibiades.
Alci.
—Did I not hear a tender cry!
Oh Heavens! turn base hell-hound, turn and dye.

[draws.
The.
That Sir will thus be better understood.

[draws.
Tiss.
Y'ave undertook Sir more then you'l make good.

[draws.
[They both make at him.
Enter Patroclus.
Patr.
How's this; assaulted! and by such base odds!
Courage my freind!—

After a fierce fight between Alcibiades and Theramnes, Patroclus and Tissaphernes, Patroclus drives his Father off the Stage, and Alcibiades runs Theramnes through.
Alci.
—To the accurst abodes
Of tortur'd Souls that in dark horrour dwell,
Thus fly, and to thy fellow Devils tell,
It was my Sword that sent thy soul to hell.

The.
Hold Sir, enough, I must your victim fall,
Though an atonement for my sin too small.
My hasty Soul can make no longer stay,
Death touls his leaden Bell, and calls away.
And now, like some sad trav'ler, taking view
Of the long Journey that I have to go,
Whilst I my thoughts to heav'ns sweet mansions bend,
Without your mercy no admittance find.
Oh but one word of pardon e're I dye,
Secure of that, my Souls dares boldly fly.
Absolv'd by you, it must have welcome there,
As incense that is offer'd up with pray'r.

Tim.
My pardon and my prayers too receive,
More then your guilt could ask me I could give.
Be happy as your penitence is true;
And may kind heav'n forgive you as I do:

[weeps.
The.
Ah! can your piety vouchsafe a tear
Of pitty, on an impious Ravisher!
My Soul will leave me in an extasie:
And I shall want the sense to know I dye.
Thus, pure Divinity, at your feet I bow,
Here 'tis my Soul would make her latest stay:
Nor can she—
Beginning hence her journey miss the way.
But I'd forgot; beware of—

[Dyes.
Alci.
—Who can fear
That is secur'd by charms so pow'rful here?
Within these sphears my Guardian Angels move;
These are my seats of safety, as of love.

Tim.
They weakly others guard, that can't defend
Themselves; I fear more mischief may depend
On this disaster.—

Enter Patroclus.
Alci.
So when a storm's blown o're,
And a calm Breeze has smooth'd the rugged deep,
The joyful Mariners can fear no more:
But thus imbrace and lull their cares asleep
[Embraces him.
Welcome my lifes Protectour and only freind.
Hah! what does that sad look, and sigh intend?
Are you Sir wounded?—

Patr.
Yes too deep I fear.

Alci.
Forbid it Heav'n; where is't?

Patr.
—Oh here Sir, here,
My Soul is pierc't, I'm tortur'd ev'ry where,
Your freind! ah let that Title be no more,
Behold me as a wretch forlorn, and poor.
Imagine ev'ry form of misery;
And when y'ave sum'd up all, then look on me.

Alci.
Now some blest Angel to my Soul reveal
This doubt; can he be wrong'd, and I not feel?
Ah kind Patroclus this sad silence break.

Patr.
Oh Sir you must not hear, nor must I speak.
Paint out black horrour in its deepest dread,
And troops of Murders hov'ring o're your head,
And when that hideous Masque of Hell you see,
Think if you can that they came all from me.

Alci.
Confusion! how my thoughts begin to start!
A new unwonted heat has seiz'd my heart,
Something unruly, that would fain get place,
But I'le subdu't,—be free, kind friend, alas!
Force me not wrong our freindship and your worth.

Patr.
That charm's resistless, and I feel 'twill forth.
But oh it must not, duty does forbid:
Yet what's my duty if my honour bleed?
Know then,—now that this stubborn heart would break!
My cruel Father—oh I dare not speak.

Alci.
Hah!

Patr.
—Led by some blind mistaking jealousie,
Heaps treasons upon you and shame on me.
It was by him Theramnes made escape,
And 'twas he back't him in this impious rape.
But oh no more, shame does my words suppress,
Yet think what he will do that durst do this.
I'l go and try if I his rage can stay:
I may divert the stream another way.

[Exit Patro.
Alci.
Kind youth; I cannot fear thy Fathers hate:
He sells his honour at too cheap a rate.
What have I done that could be call'd a wrong?
No I've a guard of innocence too strong;
Whilst I unspotted that and friendship bear,
No danger is so great that I need fear.

Tim.
Yet be not Sir regardless of my fears;
Some pity have of these sad sighs, and tears.
Whither oh whither, would your rashness lead;
To urge a ruine level'd at your head?
Let us—
To some recess that's safe and humble go,
Timandra can bear any thing with you.
Let int'rest the unfix'd and wav'ring sway,
With us—
Love shall supply what fortune takes away.

Alci.
Sure 'tis not my Timandra's voice I hear,
She ne're had cause to think that I could fear.
Have I so many dangers over-past,
Poorly to shrink from villany at last?
No, with my innocence I'le brave his hate,
And meet it in a free undaunted state;
See all with smiles, as fearless, and as gay,
As Infants unconcern'd at dangers, play.

Tim.
Then I'le perform what to my love is due;
Unsteady doubts be gone, blind fears adeiu.
I were unworthy of the heart you gave,
Were I then you less faithful, or less brave.
And of my courage too this proof I'le give,
When you dare meet a death, I'le scorn to live,
Nor longer be a vassal to my fear;
Wee'l in each others chance a portion bear:
So fate has thus at least some kindness shown,
Neither can wretches be, nor blest alone.

[Exeunt.
Scene the Camp.
Enter Tissaphernes and four Villains.
Tiss.
Is't done?—

1 Vil.
Sir to a point your will's fulfil'd;
Theramne's guards as they lay drunk we kil'd.
Draxilla too, by th'ambush you had lay'd
For your retreat, was on her flight betray'd.

Tiss.
Next, as from me, be there a message sent,
To bid my Son attend me in my Tent;
In's passage thither you may seize him, so
Convey him to the Cave—

1 Vil.
—My Lord, we go.

Tiss.
Ye are the best of Rogues; but disappear:
[Ex. 3. Vill.
You know your bus'ness: So the King is here.

Enter King and Queen Attended.
K.
Lead to the Grove—

Tiss.
Oh Sir, there's Treason in the Camp, retreat,
But now the Guards I in confusion met,
Who led me where Theramnes I beheld,
The late Athenian Captive General kill'd.
That little breath he had left h'employ'd to shew
His honour, and his Gallantry to you:
Treasons so strange and horrid did relate,
As would seem almost Treason to repeat.
But Sir you have no longer safety here:
Secure yourself, and leave all to my care.

K.
No more, you know not what you urge me to:
Secure my self! am I a King, or no?
That Monarch who when danger's near, sits down,
Shews but a feeble Title to a Throne.
The best securities in courage are,
We but subscribe to Treasons which we fear.
Be free, and let me the bold Traytor know,
To stem the torrent I my self will go:
In state I'le meet the fond Capricious wretch,
And dare him with that Crown which he would snatch.

Tiss.
Alas dread Sir, force me not to declare
The name, would wound your sacred breast to hear.
I in revealing honour should offend:
He once was noble Sir, and call'd me friend.

K.
How Sir your friend! and Traytor to my Crown!
Reveal him, or his Treasons are your own.

Tiss.
Alass, but must I!—'tis so foul a deed,
I cannot speak.

K.
Hell Sir; d'ye play? proceed.

Tiss.
Then to be short, he you so lately strove
T'engage in all the firmest tyes of love,
He whom you almost had from nothing rais'd,
And on the highest seats of honour plac'd;
Has thence this use of all your favours shown,
To make 'em steps to mount into your Throne.

K.
Defend me! what do I hear!—
Sir you have rais'd a tumult in my breast,
Which will not be so suddenly appeas'd:
By Heav'ns see all that you inform be true,
Or may all torments which to th'damn'd are due
Light on me, if inflicted not on you.
The brave Athenian false! it cannot be:
His Soul ne're dreamt of such impiety.

Tiss.
Sir y'are unkind if you suspect me false,
I never yet abus'd your ears with tales.
Had I such mystick Policy pursu'd,
Perhaps I'd now been kindlier understood.

K.
Alas dear friend misconstrue not my Zeal,
Weigh not my Passions in nice Reasons Scale.
Who wou'd believe a King should blindly place
His love so firmly, for returns so base?
Wrack me no more, but the dark scruple clear:
My Souls in a Convulsion till I hear.

Tiss.
Yes Sir, 'tis he, and thus his Plots were lay'd.
Th'account I from the dying Captive had;
Whom he with liberty had brib'd, to joyn
With him in this his Treacherous design,
This night wi'th'enemy your Camp t'envade,
On promise it should be by him betray'd.
Which when the Gallant Captive did disdain,
He was to Combat dar'd, and by him slain.
If you insist on farther evidence,
Theramne's murder'd Guards enough convince:
Hence you may farther confirmation have.

K.
Be bold; speak what thou knowst.—

4 Vil.
—When to relieve
The Captives Guards, I by command was sent,
I found e'm murder'd at th'door o'th'Tent.
In one of e'm some life did yet remain,
Who told me they were by our General slain,
'Cause they Theramnes freedom had deny'd.
More he had said, but at these words he dy'd.

K.
It was enough. Treason, how dark art thou?
In shapes more various then er'e Proteus knew.
By Heav'n I'le make him base, despis'd, and poor,
More wretched then e're Monster was before.
Naked, and stript of all his dignities,
I'le lay his odious Crimes before his eyes.
Then when his mind is lab'ring with regret,
To make his infamy the more compleat,
Some common slave shall on him justice do,
And send his Soul among the damn'd below.
Guard wait on him—
[to Tissaphernes.
Go ere' my love return, and I repent,
And seize upon the Traytor in his Tent.
A speedy vengeance best befits this wrong,
'Twere too much mercy to delay it long.

Enter Alcibiades and Timandra.
Alci.
This way's the King?

Tiss.
He's here leapt into th'net.
Thus Sir the King salutes you.

[Guards seize Alci.
Alci.
Slaves retreat.

Tim.
Alas my Lord!

Tiss.
—Sir 'tis the command.
The least of 'em I never durst withstand,

Tim.
But Sir what meaning can this usage bear?

Tiss.
The King Sir quickly all your doubts will clear.

K.
Away with him, thou Poyson to my eyes.

Alci.
The basest wretch not unconvicted dyes.
Sir, let me know what 'tis that I have done,
Unworthy of my honour or your Crown.
If in your cause who'd spend his dearest blood,
As is to be your meanest Vassal, proud,
No greater welfare then in yours does know,
If he be an offender, I am so.

K.
How cunningly he would seem innocent,
And guild with flattery his foul intent!
Thus Traytours in their fall are like the Sun,
Who still looks fairest at his going down.
'Sdeath Sir, do you believe me Child, or fool,
Whom ev'ry fawning word, or toy can rule?
By Heav'n I'le let you see Sir your mistake;
Hence with the Traytour quickly to the wrack.

Alci.
Sir, hear me speak.—

K.
What is't that you can say,
Who would my Crown and your own trust betray?
When you from Prison set the Captive free,
Basely to win him to your Treachery:
Whom, when on him your plots could nothing do,
You kill'd, 'cause he more honour had then you.

Alci.
By all above Sir I am innocent;
I ne're knew what the thought of Treason meant.
But know from whence this jealousie you drew,
From him that hates me, and abuses you:
Theramnes had his liberty from hence;
[to Tissapher.
And for designs so base.—

Tiss.
—Oh impudence!
To what prodigious height will treason climb!
Dare you Sir charge me with your heavy crime?
Old as I am, my Sword should do me right.
But—

Alci.
—Monster hence, and them that fear thee fright.
Thinkst thou to play with the black deeds th'ast done?
Were I but free, though naked and alone,
Thou too defended by a desp'rate crew,
And all indeed more near being damn'd then thou;
This single Arm should prove my cause is good,
And Chronicle my honour in their blood.

K.
I'st thus Sir you would plead your innocence?
Think you t'outbrave us with your impudence?
Once more the Traytor to his tortures bear.

Qu.
But Sir your justice now is too severe.
'Twere an ill Tryumph after victories,
To make the Conquerour the Sacrifice;
That Gallantry some priviledge may plead.

K.
His treasons are too plain and open lay'd,
And all his merits weigh'd against them light.

Qu.
Should we him guilty of worse crimes admit,
And that in's death you'd worthiest justice show,
Yet to forgive's the nobler of the two.

K.
When Deidamia pleads I can't deny,
His doom's this time recal'd, he shall not dye;
But (rob'd of all his joys) let him be sent
To a perpetual imprisonment;
His treasures rifl'd, and his Wife a slave.

Alci.
Here on my knees let me one favour crave.
Whatever fate you have design'd for me,
It is embrac't, but Sir let her be free;
Let all the weight of the alleadg'd offence
Light upon me; wrong not her innocence.

Tim.
How mean and abject is your courage now!
Think you that I dare suffer less then you?
No Sir; in this he has no right to plead;
What e're you think either has merited,
Let equally justice on us both be shown;
And as we are, so let our fates be one.

Alci.
Thou wonder of thy Sex!—

K.
I'l hear no more:
How dare you tempt an angry Monarchs pow'r?
But since his fate so grateful you esteem:
Let her be Pris'ner too, but far from him.
He must not be so happy to have her,
For fetters would be blessings were she there.
Go see you execute our orders strait.

Tim.
Thus we with smiles will entertain our fate.
My dearest Lord farewel, let not a sigh
Or tear proclaim we greive our parting's nigh.
Were it to quit our happiness a pain,
Joy were not then a blessing, but a chain.
No, let us part, as dying Martyrs do,
Who leave this life only to gain a new.
Greif equally ignoble were as vain,
Since we at least in Heav'n shall meet again.

Alci.
So from their Oracles the Deities
Instruct the ignorant World in Misteries.
But, part! that word would make a Saint despair.
Obedience cannot be a vertue here.
If so ye Gods ye have such precepts giv'n,
That an example would confound your Heav'n,
You duties beyond your own omnipotence enjoyn;
Can you forsake your Heaven, or I leave mine?
Till when thus King I'm fix't beyond remove,
With all the Cements of an endless love.
Kill me, thou yet shalt of thy ends despair,
My Soul shall wait upon her ev'ry where,
Nay I'd not fly to Heav'n till she came there!

K.
Shall I thus see my self out-brav'd? away,
He is a Traytor that but seems to stay.

[Alcibiades snatches a Sword from one of the Guards.
Alci.
Now I am arm'd, death to that wretch that stirs.

K.
Sir, do you think to look us into fears?
Disarm him Guards, or kill him.

[they fight and disarm him.
Tiss.
Push home ye Dogs—

Alci.
—Sordid slaves.
Thus ev'ry Ass the helpless Lyon braves.
Adieu divinest of thy Sex, adieu!
I never thought that I could part till now.
Now I deserve the worst fate has in store,
That in so brave a cause should do no more.
[The Guards offer to lead him off.
Yet stay one look. Thus does the needle steer
To his lov'd North, and fain would come more near:
When in the eager prospect of his joy,
He is by some rude artist snatch't away.
Farewel,—

Tim.
Farewel, and if your memory
E're trouble you with such a thing as I,
Let not a sigh come from you, but believe
I'd rather be forgot, then you should grieve.

Alci.
Such worth shall in each Temple have a shrine;
What, to regain her, would I not resign?
But she's too heav'nly to be longer mine.

[Exeunt several ways Guarded, and looking back at each other.
K.
She's gon, but oh what mighty charms there lye
Couch't in the narrow circle of an eye!
Had she but stay'd another minute here,
I had worn chains, and been her Prisoner:
And still I fear my heart is not my own;
For if so bright when to a Dungeon gone,
How would she shine Triumphant on a Throne!

[Exit.
Qu.
So now or never must my love succeed,
Vainly weak King hast thou his doom decreed.
In this beginning of his fall th'ast shown
But the imperfect figure of thy own.
Few hours remain 'twixt thee and destiny,
Till when grow dull in thy security.
Timandra's and thy death is one design;
Then if a Crown can tempt him, he is mine.

[Exit.