University of Virginia Library

Act. V.

Scene I.

Tissaphernes Solus.
Tiss.
Now like a Lyon on my prey I'le feast.
Revenge! thou solace to a troubled breast.
Could but Theramnes in Elizium know,
How would his Chost rejoyce at what I do!

[Theramnes Ghost rises.
Gh.
Oh no—

Tiss.
Death, what is that I hear and see?
Begon dull Ghost; if thou art damn'd, what's that to me?

Gh.
From deepest horrour of eternal night,
Where Souls in everlasting torments groan,
Where howling fiends lye chain'd, and where's no light,
But thickest darkness covers ev'ry one,
I come to warn thee mortal of thy sin;
Short time is here left for thee to remain.
'Twere fit that thy repentance soon begin,
For think what 'tis to live in endless pain.
Farewel—

[Descends.
Tiss.
—'Twas an odd speech, but be it so:
Pish; Hell it self trembles at what I do;
And it's submission better to express,
Sends this Embassadour to make it's peace.
Let idle fears the superstitions awe;
With me my resolution is a law.
Repentance now would be too late begun:
Ages can't expiate what I have done.
And if below for Souls such torments are,
Methinks there's yet some brav'ry in despair.
The easie King looks little in his State,
His Crown is for his Head too great a weight:
But I will ease him, and adorn this brow.
Thus to my aimes no limits I'l allow.
Revenge, Ambition, all that's ill, shall be
My bus'ness; so I'l baffle destinie.
Hell! no,—
I'l act such things whilst here I have abode,
Till my own Trophyes raise me to a God.

Enter Queen.
Qu.
Now such an Engine is it I would have,
I know he is a Traytor, and is brave.
I'l bait him with ambition that may move;
Then if complacent to my ends he prove,
In seeming to comply with his design,
I'l make him but an instrument to mine:
For when success me to my wishes calls,
I'l shake him off, and then unpropt he falls.
My Lord!—

Tiss.
Madam!

Qu.
My Father lov'd you well,
I've heard him oft of your atchievements tell,
When in his Camp such gallant deeds you wrought,
And always victory and triumph brought.

Tiss.
Madam, your Father was all good and just.

Qu.
He could, why may not I your honour trust?

Tiss.
You wrong it else; your Father lives in you
As I was his, I am your Champion too.
Though old, against your Foes this Sword shall plead
Your right; name but your Traytor, and he's dead.

Qu.
Nay Sir, the Traytor's not alone my Foe,
His injuries extended are to you,
To you to whom he owes all he enjoys,
Yet basely him that gave him growth destroys;
Whilst for his ills he would his kindness plead,
To heap your honours on your Rivals head.
Rally your Courage up, if you are brave,
And at once mine, and your own honour save.

Tiss.
Your Majesty would mean the King. D'ye try
My resolution, or my Loyalty?

Qu.
Your Courage Sir is known, your Loyalty,
If you have any, you'l find due to me.
Through me these honours you in Sparta bore,
And 'twas my Father made you great before.
Now know it is the King, whose perjur'd Soul
Has done me injuries so base and foul,
That all that's good will blush at; his vowes past
To me all in anothers love are lost.
Nay, with my honour too my life must bleed,
He, with the General's, has my fall decreed,
To take the fair Timandra to his bed.
Let's go surprize him now he's full of Wine,
Revenge me on his life, his Crown is thine.

Tiss.
Madam, indeed the injuries you feel
Cry loud; nor do I tamely see my ill.
But you must swear to me you will be true,

Qu.
By all that's holy I'l be so to you.

Tiss.
I'l do't, but Madam know I undertake
To hazard life and honour for your sake,
Should you betray me:—

Qu.
Nay now you are unkinder then before.
To my first Oath I'l add a million more.

Tiss.
And you will still be mindful of the Crown?

Qu.
Had he ten Thousand, they were all your own.

Tiss.
This then's his fate; pitty a Crime were here:
He shan't have time enough to make a prayer.

[draws a Dagger.
Qu.
Be bold; and prosper in thy brave design,
And when his death's perform'd, the next is thine.

[aside.
Tiss.
This trap was dang'rously and subtly lay'd,
[Exit.
But I am not so easily betrayd.
Her love to Alcibiades I know,
Her Woman for me did that kindness do.
And since she is so good at the design,
I'l to oblige her give her one of mine.
My zealous urging of her Oath was done,
Not to prevent her plots, but hide my own.
I'l cherish her in all that she pretends,
So make her ayms but covers to my ends.
For when I'm seated on the Spartan Throne,
Both her and all her Treasons I'l disown:
Prove both her judge and her accuser too,
And on her my first act of justice do.
So all my doubts and fears will be o're-past,
And by her fall I fix my self more fast.

[Exit.
Enter a Chair of State with a Table by it, and upon that the Crown and Scepter.
Enter King and Lords.
K.
My Lords, no more, w'ave drank too deep; I'd now
A while be private.

Lords.
—Royal Sir, we go.

K.
Boy take thy Lute, and with a pleasing ayr
Appease my sorrows, and delude my care.

[Sits down.
[Boy.]
SONG.

[the King falls asleep.
Enter Queen and Tissaphernes with a Dagger.
Qu.
He sleeps; now let the fatal deed be done.
Hah! what are these, the Scepter and the Crown!
So did the drousie Dragon sleep, when he
Lost the rich fruits of the Hesperian Tree.
First we'l secure his Crown, and then he dyes.
Takes up the Crown.
Thus I'm discharg'd of all my promises.
[puts it on his head.
Take this, and if I claim your promise too,
Y'are King, and justice is your duty now.
Come by his fall—
This your first step to glory solemnize,
I make you King, make him my Sacrifice.

Tiss.
I'l do't, but stay—

[advances towards the King
Qu.
—Nay, quickly to him go,
Sir he expects no Ceremony now.

Tiss.
Thus then I—hah! how alter'd am I grown!
I stand amaz'd, and dare not venture on.
There is in Majesty a secret charm,
That puts a fetter on a Traytors arm;
I cannot do't—

Qu.
Then look on her that dares.
How despicable is the man that fears!
Give me the fatal Instrument of death;
My self will in his heart this dagger sheath;
[takes his dagger from him.
Then blush to think, if e're the World should know,
That a frail Woman durst do more then you.
Courage—he smiles,—
[advances towards the King.
Some pleasing dreams his fancy entertain;
Oh it were pitty he should wake again.
Thus King, thy life and Empire I command:
Accept this from thy Deidamia's hand.

Stabs him
K.
Hah murder'd! Deidamia, and by you!
What is't that faithless Woman will not do
Henceforth all Loyalty and love farewell.
When after ages shall this story tell,
'Twill be a truth too sad to be receiv'd;
Nor shall the World be by it self believ'd.
Did I for this ev'n Crown and Empire quit,
To lay all my Ambition at your feet?
When at the Altars strictest vows I paid,
Nor were they with less zeal perform'd then made!
I lov'd you far above that life y'ave spilt,
Till ev'n my passion was become my guilt:
I for your sake depriv'd heav'n of its due,
Took adoration thence to pay it you.
And must this be th'reward for all I've done?
Yet I shall have this comfort when I'm gone,
That I no longer shall with thee remain,
But dye in hopes we ne're shall meet again.

[dyes.
Qu.
He's gon, and now my Lord,—

Tiss.
—Oh what is't you have done?
A while lay your unruly passions down.
View but the sweet Composure of that face,
Where grandeur sat attended by each grace:
Now there grim death his gashly Revels keeps,
And pallid horrour o're each feature creeps.
Weep Madam, weep, to think your rage has giv'n
That blow, which robs the World to enrich heav'n.
Oh my dear Lord, that er'e I liv'd to know
This day! Madam I can't conceal it.

Qu.
—Say you so?
But Sir I Scorn to be betray'd by you.
[At the noise of People entring, throws away the Dagger, then falls upon her knees, and layes hold of Tissaphernes; then speaks.
Treason, Treason, Treason, &c.—
Is't not enough y'ave shed my Husbands blood?

Tiss.
The Devil!—

Qu.
And rob'd the World of all that's great and good,
But you must seek my life? Oh pitty take,
If not for mine, at least for vertues sake!

Tiss.
Hell and Plagues!—

Qu.
But why do I name that? for all that e're
The World had left of it, lyes murder'd there.

Tiss.
Very fine.

Qu.
Yet though you've rob'd him of his life, save mine:
I'l live to ask heav'n pardon for your sin.

Tiss.
So now I'l stop your mouth.

[Breaks from her, and takes up the Dagger.
Qu.
Help, murder, Treason, help.

Enter Lords.
1 Lord.
How, Tissaphernes arm'd against the Queen!
What means this posture Sir?—

Qu.
—Oh noble Lord,
If e're your pitty could a tear afford,
Weep down an Ocean there; behold the spring
Of Sparta's hopes lyes murder'd in her King.
And had not I the traytors rage withstood,
He with my Husbands too had mixt my blood.
See where he guilty stands.

Lord.
—Great Agis slain!
By Tissaphernes too!

Qu.
Yes, he to gain
The Spartan Crown, this bloody deed has done,
See he already has usurpt the Crown;
His hot Ambition could not bear delays,
But on the Royal spoyles thus proudly preys;
Insults in's treason.

Tiss.
—I am now run own
So far that all hopes of recov'ry's gon.
But Madam, can you dare to lay this guilt
On me? was't not by you his blood was spilt?

Qu.
By me! base wretch, would thy impiety
Lay this inhumane regicide on me?
I wound this breast? ah dearest Saint, too well
I knew thy worth!

[weeps.
Tiss.
Death, she'l be Queen of Hell:
Pluto will grow in love with her for this.

1 Lord.
My Lord, treason's above all pardon.

Tiss.
—'tis.

Lord.
Then Sir to justice.

Tiss.
No, thus I deny.
[presents his Dagger.
I liv'd not by it, nor will by it dye.
Was it for this my stratagems I lay'd
To ruin her, to be by her betray'd?
Curse on my narrow fate, but yet to shew
That I love murder too as well as you,
Thus perjur'd Queen.

[offers to stab the Queen, but is hinder'd by the Lords.
Qu.
See how he'd still pursue
His Treason! hence to justice with him go:
Hourly let on the Rack his pains encrease,
Till he the horrour of his guilt confess.

Tiss.
That shall not need. I'l own the deed as mine,
But glory in't, it was a brave design.
The King kill'd! and I ruin'd! to compleat
Thy lust, all by one stratagem! was great:
So great, that for its sake
I can with satisfaction yeild my breath,
Else I should take no pleasure in my death.
But e're I go, be pleas'd to entertain
The last kind precepts of a dying man.
Be bloody, false, revengful, lustful all
That can be found recorded on Hells hall
Embrace, where e're you rising vertue see,
Down with it, and set up impietie.
Make that your theam, leave nothing ill undone,
So copy Tissaphernes when he's gon:
Who leaves this counsel as a Legacy,
'Tis my Religion, and I'l in it dye.

[Exit Tiss. guarded.
Qu.
Hence with the wretch—
Mean while to my dead Lord I'l sorrows pay,
And after his sigh my own life away.
So now they are gon—hah who comes there?

Enter Ardella.
Ard.
—'Tis I.

Q.
Ardella, on that thing cast back an eye;
'Twas once a King, but thank these hands now none:
Nay start not, Tissaphernes too is gon;
[Ardella starts.
His treasures all are thine as a reward.

Ard.
You are too kind—

Qu.
See strait a draught prepar'd,
And Murderers, Timandra next must fall,
You know our will, let it be done.

Ard.
—It shall.

[Exeunt severally.
SCENE a darkn'd Tent.
[Timandra asleep upon a Couch, a Spirit comes and Sings.
[They all vanish, and the SCENE changes again to the Tent.
Tim.
I've had a dream might make a lover blest,
Oh th'sweet delights of everlasting rest!
[Queen appears at the entrance.
How this the Queen? what can her coming mean?

Qu.
Ardella with the Ruffians here remain;
I'l in, and with soft words her temper try,
If without him she'l live, she shall not dye.
Madam!—

[to Timandra.
Tim.
—Your pleasure!

Qu.
Oft' I've heard y'are brave,
But the best proof of gallantry you gave,
When of your noble Lord you were bereft,
And such a bliss with so rare patience left.

Tim.
Madam, our flames a nobler passion rules
Then fondness, th'idle guilt of wav'ring fools:
Our loves knew a far higher excellence,
Then the half pleasures of a minutes sense.

Qu.
Then you may love since you can with him part,
He has made a conquest o're my tender heart:
Love governs here, and since my Husband's dead,
Fate and my choicest wishes have decreed,
He should both in his love and throne succeed.

Tim.
Do you believe Empires or Crowns can make
Him his Timandra and his faith forsake?
Or think you I an Attome will resign
Of that heart, which by holy vows is mine?
No I will keep him maugre cruelty.

Qu.
But Madam do you know what 'tis to dye?

Tim.
Yes, 'tis to lay these clogs our bodys by,
And be remov'd to blest eternity.
By death relief from all our griefs we gain,
And by one, put an end to years of pain;
By that we in one minute find out more,
Then all the busie gown men study for;
Who after in dull search th'ave ages spent,
Learn nothing but to know th'are ignorant.
Death is a blessing, and a thing so far
Above that worst of all our frailties fear;
It claims our joy, since by it we put on
The top of happiness, perfection.
Quit him! no never whilst I here have breath;
He's mine in spight of cruelty or death.

Qu.
Then enter ye grim Ministers of fate,
[Enter Murderers with Poison.
Does not your stubborn courage now abate?

Tim.
No, my resolves more fixt and firm are grown,
Bring dreadfull'st racks and tortures yet unknown,
Provide one for each sense, and then do thou
Tempt me my love and int'rest to forgo,
Midst of my pains I'l smile, and tell thee no.

Qu.
But minion, soon your insolence shall cease.
Come, since such resolution you express,
Take this, demur not, do't,—

[Gives her a bowl of poison.
Tim.
And is this all?
I thought t'ave had a more Heroick fall,
Expected to have noblest tortures met,
Not by dull poison to have found my fate.
But any way I can thy pow'r defie,
'Tis for my Alcibiades I dye:

[offers to drink.
Qu.
Yet yeild, and live,—

Tim.
—Live! what have I to do
With life, when giv'n by one so base as you?
Thus I despise it,—

[Drinks.
Qu.
What dismal tortures strait will on her seize!
[after Timandra has drank the Poison.
So 'twas a health to Alcibiades.

Tim.
Now blush at what thy impious rage has done,
My Alcibiades is still my own.
And if thou him embrace when I am gon,
Each night thy bed I'l haunt, and challenge there
Those joys, of which thou hast bereft me here.
Anxious shall be each day, disturb'd each night,
A restless shade I'l still be in thy sight;
And thee i'th'height of all thy pleasures fright.
Heav'n what do I feel!—

Qu.
Oh does the draught succeed!

Ard.
Madam, great Alcibiades is freed,
And just is entring,—

Qu.
—Strait with straitest care
Convey her in, and wait my pleasure there.
[The Murderers lead in Timandra.
Sweet Murder! oh no Physick is so good
For th'hopeless lover as a bath of blood.
But here he comes—
[Enter Alcibiades.
—Now to my greifs again.

[veils
Alci.
It makes we wonder how I freedom gain,
All things confus'd, and in disorder are.
How's this in mourning weeds? unveil my fair.
Hah not Timandra!—

[Queen unveils
Qu.
—No Sir, though 'tis one
That loves as nobly as Timandra can,
Or could, did she yet live, but she is dead.

Alci.
How dead!—

Qu.
Yes, Tissaphernes that black deed did do,
Prompted by his ignoble hate to you.
But you will wonder more, when I shall tell,
That by his hand the mighty Agis fell.
The King is slain: both I, and Sparta, now
Have no hopes left, but what remain in you.

Alci.
In me! alas! I am a wretch too poor;
Timandra dead! curst ever be the hour
Wherein so fair an innocence was lost.
Heav'n justly now may of its glories boast;
For the most bright, and precious Saint that e're
The World enjoy'd, is fled, and seated there.

Qu.
Why do you let your greifs distract your Soul?
Call up your reason, and let passion cool.
See here a Queen, that courts you with the charms
Of Love, a Crown, and Empire, to her Arms:
No longer for Timandra sorrow wear,
I will supply all you have lost in her:
I'l love you as she did.

Alci.
—Oh Madam, no
To love like her's a tas'k too hard for you;
Love me as she did? why each thought she had
Of me, was such, might make an Angel glad:
For Crowns; though Emp'rour of the World I were,
I'd turn a begger to recover her.
Oh Madam tempt no further, all's but vain,
I ne're can have a thought of love again.

Qu.
Never!—

Alci.
No never,—

Qu:
—Can you then so soon
Forget your promise? or will you disown
That ere, if you Timandra should survive,
You vow'd you only for my sake would live?
You see how Heaven has decreed,—

Alci:
—Alas!
I then the blessing knew, but not the loss,
Besides I now must dye—

Qu:
How Sir is't thus, my profer'd love you prize?

Alci.
I do not hate you, may not that suffice?

Qu.
Ungrateful, no, but I'l reward thy pride,
Draw back:—
[The Scene drawn discovers Timandra on a Couch in the midst of her pains.
—Go dotard, in, enjoy thy bride;
And know by me thy lov'd Timandra dy'd:
Yes cruel man by me—

Tim.
—No Queen, she lives,
And still to all thy rage defiance give's.
[spyes Alcibiades.
Do I behold my dearest Lord so nigh!
Shall I agen see him before I dye!

Alci.
Best hopes and comfort of my life! I'm here,
How fares my love?—

Tim.
Oh come not, come not near,
My blood's all fire, infection's in each vein,
And tyrant death in ev'ry part does reign;
But I for you could suffer much more pain.

Alci.
Kind heav'n! let all her pangs upon me fall,
And add ten thousand more, I'l bear 'em all,
Do but restore her back; Oh cursed Queen!
What Devil arm'd thee to so damn'd a sin?
Cou'dst thou be guilty of so foul a deed?

Qu.
Yes I did do't, by me the King too bled,
Unworthy wretch! and all for love of you:
But had I pow'r I now would kill thee too.

Alci.
Oh do't; I'l blot out all th'aft done before,
And never call thee base, nor cruel more.
Here is my breast; soon the kind work begin,
Advance thy Poniard, send it boldly in.

Qu.
No, thou shalt live for harder destiny,
But first shalt see thy dear Timandra dye.

Alci.
Oh misery beyond the damn'd beneath!
Must I not happy be in life nor death?

Tim.
Alas! cease your unnecessary moan,
I find my torments quickly will be gon.
Though I could wish they might to years renew,
So I might still be blest with seeing you.
Now the black storms of fate are all blown o're,
And we shall meet, and ne're be parted more.
But oh farewell—

[dyes
Alci.
—My dear Timandra stay!
Ah pretious Soul, fly not so soon away!
But one look more; will death have no remorse?
See, 'tis thy Alcibiades implores.
But oh she's gon, seize there that Murd'ress.

Qu.
—No:
Seize me! 'tis more then all your Camp can do:
Who e're comes, here's my guard: Alas mean fool,
[Presents her Dagger.
My fate's a thing too great for thee to rule;
There lyes your constancy:

[pointing to Timandra.
[Alcibiades flyes to the Queen, and snatches the Dagger from her.
Alci.
Infernal hag!
Whose ev'ry breath infects, each look's a plague!
Could not thy fury on my bosome rest.
But thou must wreak thy vengeance on this breast?
To murder her!—curse on me that I stand
Thus Idle; now thy heart:
[presents the Dagger to her breast.
—But oh 'twould brand
My Trophyes with eternal infamy,
If by my hand so base a thing should dye:
Her ills so many, and so odious are,
They would disgrace an executioner.
Yet I'd do something, oh I hav't, I'l tear
[ravingly
Her peicemeal:—but Timandra's gone too far:
[mildly
Yonder she Mounts, tryumphant Spirit stay:
See where the Angels bear her Soul away!
Now all the Gods will grow in love with her:
And I shall meet fresh troops of Rivals there.
But thus I'l haste and follow,—
[Stabs himself.
—Devil there,—
[throws the Dagger to the Queen.
Dye if thou hast courage enough to dare.
But oh!—
A heavy faintness does each sense surprize:
Yet e're I close up these unhappy eyes,,
Here their last dutious sorrows they shall pay
And at this object melt in tears away.
Blest center of my hopes! in whom I plac't
Too choice, too pure a happiness to last.
I any lossless then thy death had greiv'd;
How well could I have dy'd, so thou hadst liv'd!
Damn'd fiend!—
[to the Queen.
But oh why do I rave at her?
That have so little time to tarry here;
One parting kiss, and then in peace I'l dye:
[kisses Tim.
Now farewel world, welcome eternity.

Enter Patroclus Lords and Guards.
Patr.
Horrour of horrours! this was a dismal chance,
Alas my freind!

Alci.
—Thy useless greif refrain,
Farewell; we shall hereafter meet again.

[dyes.
Patr.
Guards seize the Queen—

Qu.
—Seize me rude Slaves? forbear.

Patr.
You shall in short your accusation hear.
To kill the King, my Father, first you made
Your property; then basely him betray'd.
Your Woman all confes't, and by the Guard
Is now secur'd to a more just reward.
And (though too late) this black design I knew:
Yet all your stratagems are useless now.
Hence with the Murd'ress, to Justice.

Qu.
—Hah!
Think you that I will dye by formal law?
No, when I'm dead be thus my fame supply'd:
She liv'd a murd'ress, and a murd'ress dy'd.
stabs her self.
Justice would but my happiness retard:
Thus I descend below to a reward.
I shall be Queen of fate: the furies there
For me a glorious Crown of Snakes prepare.
I long to be in state; my Lords farewell:
Now noble Charon! hoyse up Sayl for Hell.

[dyes.
Lord,
Her Soul is fled,—

Patr.
—With her for ever dye,
Her treasons, and her odious memory.
But whither is the fair Draxilla gone?

Lord.
Distracted at the mischiefs that are done,
She's fled; but whither is to all unknown.

Patr.
Quickly let after her be made pursuit:
I'l ransack all the World to find her out.
Propitious Heav'n will sure to her be kind.

Enter Lord.
2 Lord.
My Lord we in our votes have all combin'd
To make you King, the Camp with shouts, and cryes
Of joy, send their loud wishes to the Skyes.

[Shouts within, Long live Patroclus King of Sparta.
Patr.
Go bid 'em their unwelcome noise forbear:
Turn all their shouts to sighs of sorrow here.
[Turns to the Bodyes.
Th'are gone; and with e'm all I wish'd to keep.
Now could I almost turn a boy, and weep.
My Friends! my Mistress! and my Father lost!
Never were growing hopes more sadly crost.
Now fortune has her utmost malice shown,
She'd court me with the flatt'ry of a Crown:
A thing so far beneath those joys I miss,
'Tis but the shadow of a happiness.
For how uneasily on Thrones they sit,
That must like me be wretched to be great!