University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundus

Scæna Prima.

Alexander, Ephestion Lysimachus, Cassander, Philip, Bagistanes, and Captains in great State.
Alex.
Thus far with Thirst of fame we have descry'd.
The modest World that wou'd her secrets hide,
And track'd her where she to the Ocean ran.
Diving her head under the spacious Main,
Till a remoter World she rise again.
Thither in hollow Trees with Wings we flew,
And left old Countries to discover New;
Nations by Nature taught, and distant so,
Beyond the reach of any mortal Fo;
Dwelling in Tents, unus'd to civil power,
And having nought t'inrich a Conqueror,
Fly where their stock of Land can ne're be spent,
Finding no End of their vast Continent,
Leaving behind them for the Victors gains,
Famine, and Plagues, Rewards for fruitless pains.

Lys.
The Gods, Great Alexander, thought it fit
The vanquish'd World shou'd to your Arms submit,
When in a dream they did Olympia shew,
She to a God did her conception owe.
This Fame told loudly to the amazed Earth,
What they should look from such a wondrous birth.

Cas.
First haughty Greece, which Philip ne're cou'd Yoke,
Her Proudest Cities Necks bends to your Stroke:
Then all that side Euphrates joyn with them
To gain for you the Persian Diadem;
This with three Battels from Darius won,
Was but one step to Mount your mighty Throne.
Then with such speed on Conquests Wings we got,
Rise with the Sun, and met it where it sate;
Nothing to hinder us, but by the way
We took bold Tyre, that's built upon the Sea;
And Mountains big with Woods we tumbled down,
That frighted Neptune from his Royal Town.

Phil.
We sought fierce Nations, nourish'd up with damps,
Whom Rocks of Ice immur'd in frozen Camps;
With shouts we made the trembling Earth to sweat,
Loosing the Shackles from it's tender Feet,
Which soon Rebell'd, and us did onward lead
To catch those Fish that on the Land did breed.

Lys.
From thence we pass'd to th'Suns beloved Soyl,
To utmost India, and those Nations foyl,
Till we were stopp'd by Heav'n, and Natures tyes.
Huge Furniture, and Arms of mighty size
We scatter'd here and there to take all Eyes,
And make the World to come beleive, and shew
The Souls were great that did those Bodies owe.

Cas.
Great Son of Philip, do not then begin
Vain and imaginary Worlds to win;
All that there is, is subject to your sway;
Bless then in Peace, Sir, this your early day.
The Gods to you at thirty years have given,
More then the greatest Heroes boast in Heaven.

Eph.
Forget not, Sir, the time you were so bold,
When clad in Armour made of shining Gold,
As on the Oxydracon's Wall you fought,
Thence like a Star into the Town you shot;
And aw'd the People with a Godlike Frown;
Who thought from Heav'n, that Mars himself leap'd down.
At awful distance stood the wondring Croud,
Let fall their Arms, and call'd thee God aloud.

Phil.
Live then, great Sir, to dissipate our fears,
And Chronicle your self a thousand years.
No more in vain your precious minutes shed,
Tempting the Fates to think y'ar Mortal bred

Capt.
Great Son of Jove—

Alex.
Confusion seize thy tongue—
I'le hear no more of such a Syren's Song.
To Clytus death I owe a deadly shame;
Swell'd with a Sound, and poyson'd with a Name
I hurt my self, and madly was to blame.
What canst not thou Ephestion bear a part,
And share of dangers where thou sharest a heart.
Shall a few Creatures whom we found abroad
In Beds of Snow, which with our breath we thaw'd?
And feather'd Indians, who before they bled,
Like flocks of Birds before our Eagles fled;
Small Trophies there we got, or here can get;
Shall this suffice to gain the Name of great;
Stain to our Armies, we have no Conquest won,
If we do lye at ease at Babylon,
And shrink at Glory e're we put it on.

Eph.
I'll on, while your Example I behold
With wonder, which shall like a fixed Star,
Direct my wandring Youth, till I am Old,
And guide my soul in peace, and Armes in War.

Alex.
Millions of pleasures on Euphrates lye,
Swelling her Bankes with plagues of luxury;
They more than all the dangers you withstood
Will dant your Courages, and chill your blood.
You see her guilded Tow'rs, and Turrets pride,
But they come short of beauties that they hide.

Eph.
Beauty I've heard, the Gods did first ordain
To cherish Valour and reward it's payn:
This hea'ven-born Creature for your entrance stayes
To deck with plumes of love your guilded Bayes.

Cass.
The Armyes all must on your Center more;
This time is sacred both to you and love;
When you lye downe 'tis fit that war shou'd cease,
And treate you with an universal peace.

Bag.
Thus humbly I my mighty charge resigne,
[Bag. kneells.
Darius Empire, and his Royal Line.
Retire, great Sir, and all your hopes possesse,
Adorne your Conquests with loves happiness.
The blest Statira does her self prepare,
To weave you Chaplets of her Golden haire.

Alex.
Tell her I waite, and only for her stay
To Crowne the Triumph of this happy day.
[exit Bag:
Now my Ephestion, guard thy tender Breast;
I'll shew thee halfe wherewith my soul is blest.

Eph.
What need I shun whereof I am possest?
In Athens late you nip'd my forward growth.
And from my tender studies broke my Youth;
Then call'd me to you from my Country far
To waite upon you, and to teach me War.
In Battailes toiles, when you the day had spent,
You'd take me to you private in your Tent;
There, as to shelter in some silent grove,
You'd shut me in, and tell me tales of Love.
Your charming tongue did ope my breast so wide,
Love shot in shafts, on which himself did ride:
When on Statira's Picture you wou'd look,
Faire Parisatis forme from you I tooke.

Alex.
What I then told thee did but breed desire,
Which her bright Eyes will kindle into fire:
Thou but indur'dst the skirmish of a Fight.
I touch'd thy Breast, but she will kill thee quite:

Eph.
Wou'd she wou'd come: I long to be thus slayn;
For ought that I know, 'tis a pleasant pain:
Yet if to be in love, so mortal be,
What makes so many happy, that we see?

Alex.
Such are, whom love a kind acceptance showes,
Your Fate by chance may make you one of those—
Behold how these faire Goddesses appear!

Eph.
O Gods! But which is she that I must feare?

Enter to them Statira, Parisatis, Women, Bagistanes and attendants at one door, and Oroondates, and Araxis, at another door, at some distance.
Oroo.
Here we will stand, and dare the worst of fate,
[to Ar. aside.
She cannot find us in this throng of state,

Alex.
So Venus look'd, so Venus smote from far
The Iron bosome of the God of War;
So look's the Sun, so the spring sweetly smiles,
When the cold deadly Winter it beguiles;
Thus welcome is the day into his sight,
Who many years was banish'd from the light.
Let me presume to touch this sacred hand,
As Marriners, when they the Port have gain'd,
Do bless the shore, and kisse the welcome Land.
My Crimes of War have made me guilty come
To choose from you a soft, and gentle doome.

Sta.
Hold Alexander, tempt me not in Vain;—
Behold the blood that does your Ensignes stain.
Is not this Persia? did not all this State,
Before 'twas yours, on great Darius waite?
Is not the sweet and cleer Araxis Flood
Choak'd with dead Bodyes, poyson'd with their blood?
Crown'd with this purple horrour on thy head,
Do I not blush to see thee looke so red?

Alex.
When first your Country felt my angry Armes,
They straight were pleas'd at faire Statira's charmes,
And soon were sorry for the blood they spilt,
And sought abroad to wash away the Guilt.
That for one Kingdom from Darius torne,
I'll sacrifice an hundred to your scorne.

Sta.
Those ner'e can come from petty Macedon;
Thou bring'st and giv'st me, what is not thy owne;
And all your borrow'd glory but appeares
Deck'd with the Flaggs pull'd from my Fathers herse.

Alex.
What have I done, ye Gods? To see you frowne,
Is more to me, than you to loose a Crowne.

Sta.
No fatal Monarch, still your Crimes persue,
You are their darling, can't commit a fact,
They have Darius punish'd, and not you,
And scourge the world for all the wrongs you act.

Eph.
Ah gentle Goddesse, be not angry now;
Disperse the storm that hangs upon your brow,
Which or'e your beauty such disturbance seems,
As windes create on smooth and Christal streams.
Vouchsafe that I your sister may adore,
And give a heart that was design'd before;
But let me beg you wou'd not be severe,
And in her frownes, as you in Beauties share.

Alex.
Still I presume unhappy, to be kind,
That Parisatis for my Friend design'd—
Let it be said the least of all my faults,
To give Ephestion to your kindest thoughts—
[presents Eph. to Par.
More then a Crown he on his head shall bring,
He is my Favourite, more than twice a King.

Par.
I must beleive the Man y'are pleas'd to grace,
May well deserve within my breast a place.

Lys.
O Gods! What discord was there in that Voice!
She seemes to me as if she lik'd the choice.

[aside,
Sta.
You are Ambitious to dispose of Fate,
And King for Love, and Love for Kings create;
So as y'ave slic'd, and given the world in parts,
You'd take upon you to dispose of hearts;
That you new Empires to the old might gain,
You'd rule ore love, as you o're kingdomes raign.

Alex.
'Tis an Ambition that from you I take,
To become great, and only for your sake.
I'le dedicate to Love my lasting Toyls,
And crowd his guilded Temples with rich spoiles;
His Altars shall with blood of Kings run o're,
And their lost Crowns, and Scepters fill his Store.

Sta.
You give so much, your self seemes but the less;
You hide your Merits in this gawdy dress:
Love ne're will stoop to anything, but Love;
The world may flatter me, but 'twill not move;
Love is too rich a jewel to be bought,
'Twill only be in 'its own likeness sought.

Alex.
Those Ornaments to Love are iustly due,
Who gave them as rewards for loving you;
As he that wins the Prize at publique Playes
Offers his God the Garland of his Bayes.

Sta.
You seek your Love in great and horrid formes,
As Sun shine dayes are met by dreadful stormes;
Your rav'nous Eagles in the Feild increase,
Like Birds of prey, to rob this Dove of peace;

Alex.
I'l scatter this Contagion, whilst it flies,
Like Clouds of Insects driven before your Eyes:
I will my self of power, and Armes divest,
And Love shall then in peace, and glory rest.
All that Darius held, I will restore,
And leave my self, without your favour poor;
I'll give you all that's in my power to give,
Yet after all, let Alexander live.

Sta.
Ah Monarch! Thou canst never end this strife,
Till thou restor'st me to a Fathers life;
His Kingdomes I shall never wish to have,
And build my throne upon a Fathers Grave:
Had not those Trophies on his Death began,
I'de think the world has not a braver Man.

Oroo.
O Gods Araxis, did you hear!

Alex.
That you may see, how much his Death I grieve,
I'll Crown his head, as if he were alive,
And in the richest seat of Babylon,
The world shall to his Golden Statue run,
And pay more homage, then they do the Sun

Sta.
Desist that kindness; for 'tis only meant
To make thy pride his fatal Monument,
And let the world perceive by such a shew,
That a great God did to thy Fortune bow.
Why does thy Breast with such Ambition burn?
Cannot his life, and Empire serve thy turn?
Letting him rest within his silent Urne.

Alex.
All powers on Earth are subject still to Fate;
Empires, as well as Men have sudden date.
The Gods look'd down that held the Fate of Kings,
And bad me one, and Arm'd me with their stings,
'Twas they, not I, your Fathers death decreed,
And they ordain'd I shou'd in all succeed.

Sta.
The Gods have us'd thee but for punishment,
And soon will end those plagues themselves have sent.
The Gods thou mak'st the Authors of thy pride,
Who n'er consented, that thou shoud'st divide,
And snatch the husband from his woeful Bride,
Then tare the Orphans from their parents Eyes.
Which ne're can grace, but blush at Victories.
To us thou shewst the Earth, yet holdest the Rains,
Darius Daughters are not pleas'd in gawdy Chaines
No Alexander, yet too low thou art,
Mounted on all the world, to reach my heart.

Oroo.
Great God of Love thou hast thy pity show,
[aside
Exeunt Statira, Parisatis, and women, and Oroondates following at distance. Manent Alexander and the rest.
Araxis, waite you here—

Eph.
Will you be gone?—

Alex.
Persia had stood, had its tame Heroes been
But blest with so much spirite as this Queen.—
Well, now, Ephestion, have you found it true,
Women are worse than Armies to subdue?
The skye is not so faire, nor downe so soft,
But their hard hearts, are on the Anvile wrought.

Eph.
But Parisatis sure, is all divine,
And cannot Sir, to cruelty incline:
Yet I am sad, but 'tis not that I feare
Her tender soul, but that she loves elswhere.

Alex.
You must not think she will at first obleige;
Women, like Townes, hold out a longer siege.

Enter one of the Captaines.
Capt.
The world does to great Alexander send
All Nations proud to be your slaves contend:
Ambassadours from all parts, present bring,
Begging you'd be, or else create their King.
Amongst the rest proud Scythia stoopes in time,
The greatest Empire in the Northern Clime:
For since the Battaile from Darius won,
That gallant Oroondates has been gone,
They Offer you his rich, and mighty Throne.

Ara.
Ah fatall! Newes—

[aside.
Alex.
That Prince if he be slain—
There's not a Braver Heroe does remain,
And I with sorrow must his Empire gain.

Exeunt. Manet Araxis Solus.
Ara.
Go Oroondates now, and finde thy death;
Thou hast no place, no Earth, no Aire to breath,
But what is Alexanders; nay whats more,
He holds thy Love, and Fortune in his power.
Where shall we wander now? where be possest
That we may live from care, and love at rest.
Reenter to them Oroondates.
He is return'd, for pity I'll refrain
To tell the news that will increase his pain.

Oroo.
Araxis come, le'ts undermine our Foes,
And follow Alexander where he goes;
Let's watch his lookes, and Countermine his sight,
Till on Statira's Cheeks our Eyes do fight,

[Oroo. offers to go off.
Ara.
Stay Oroondates, are you in a dream?
Beware the Gulph, y'are led to by the stream.
Unless invisible, you cannot passe!
For Jealousy through all things sees, like Glasse.
Let's straight return; tis dangerous staying here,
Your Carriage did suspitiously appear;
For Alexander saw when you went out,
And after you he turn'd his Jealousie Eyes about.

Oroo.
I have no soul, no Eyes, no thing that's sence;
They all have left me with that excellence.
I find my self like one of life bereft,
And nothing but a solid Carkasse left.
I'l find her through the dark, and let her know't,
T'releive my Body, as a light that's out.

Ara.
Now it is almost neer retreat of day,
Whose hand-maid evening lookes so fresh and gay,
T'will make Statira to the walks repair,
And with her sweeter Breath perfume the Air.
Thither we'll go, by th'secret way we came;
There you may find, but here you'l lose your aim.

Oroo.
I'll find my Rivall wrap'd in his delight,
Who as the Globe, oft hides the Suns faire light
Stands betwixt me and my Statira's sight.
I'l grow above him till I have descry'd,
O're his huge Bulke the treasure he wou'd hide.
Why shou'd I fear this Monster of a Name?
Wherefore Araxis? Am not I the same,
Who striding o're the heapes his slaughter fill'd,
Sustein'd his mighty Arme upon my sheild?
Then straight return'd a more substantial blow,
That made his head with shameful weakness bow,
And blush'd for greif, till he did understand,
It was no shame, from Oroondates hand.

Ara.
The State retreats from the Kings private Room:—
One of the Princesses does this way come—
Retire into the Garden Sir, before w'are seen.

Oroo.
Not stay!—I'll speak t'her, if it be my Queen.
Enter to them Statira, Melanthe attended
So leaves of flowers, shut up in showers of Rain,
Open their bosomes with the Sun again.

Sta.
Blesse me ye Gods! 'Tis Oroondates sure!
What passions does my trembling heart indure!
Why Oroondates, will you not obey?
See, see, Melanthe, who does come this way.
Are you that haughty stranger then, who late,
Among the throng did on the Conquerour wait?
How durst you be so bold? Urg'd by what thought?
Was't Jealousie, or Love your Person brought?

Oroon.
Ah glorious Creature; Blest of all thy Sex,
Urge not imputed Crimes my Soul to vex—
[Kneels.
I'le tell thee, Dear, more soft, more sweet by far,
Than breath of Incense, or than morning Air,
Wing'd with my Love, and hurri'd by despair,
I broak through all the stops, that Fate cou'd rear;
Who can Love you, and be a slave to fear!

Sta.
Rise Oroondates. Alexander sees;
The Gods do frown, and he on Earth decrees;
Like flaming horrour o're the World 'e Darts,
And pries into the secret Lovers hearts;
That blazing Comet in the Skye beware,
Who threatens me with Love, and you with War.

Oroon.
He cannot gentle Creature, do us harm;
True Love's a Pow'r that all the Gods will charm,
And winged Furies of the Air disarm.
While our united hearts with joyes are Crown'd.
No Fiend shall tread the sacred Lovers Ground.
Let him look down, this Meteor that's so high,
To see our Loves with all it's lustre vie,
And drop with wonder from it's borrow'd Skye.

Sta.
The Gods to us are yet the more unkind.
Where shall we then those pleasant minutes find,
And seek out Love, while we do lye confin'd?
Unless in pitty he to us resort,
And meet us here in Alexanders Court.
The Watchful Dragon here disturbs our peace,
More strict, than that which kept the Golden Fleece.

Oroon.
Since else y'are lost to Oroondates quite,
I'le break your Chains, and with the Monster fight:
I only arm'd with Love, if you but say
Through all his Dev'lish Guards will force my way;
Defie this Atlas, if he durst be bold,
And lay at stake the Heav'n that he does hold—
Say but the word, and I'le at once remove
The Scourge of Empires, and the plague of Love.

Sta.
No Oroondates, cease this vain design,
He 's at his highest, and will soon decline.
The Gods in time, in pity of our tears,
Will rid the World and us of all it's fears.

Oroon.
Never let's tarry, for in all that time.
Our Love might reach, and up to Heav'n might climb;
Let us not waste one moment of our Joyes,
More worth than Crowns, and all such Worldly toyes,
Nor wait so long for Alexanders death,
But straight get out of this unlucky Path,
And turn our Eyes as from some Desert climb,
And never wish to look the second time.
Hence we'le repair to some blest lonely Isle,
On whose fair Breast, both Heav'n and Nature smile,
Far from the gaudy Train of dismal Sate;
And we our selves will King and Queen create,
And each to other shall a Subject be,
Living on Earth, like Spheres in Harmony.

Sta.
There at our Joyes will none with envy burn,
Nor Alexander were he there, return;
He soon the weary hunted World would spare,
And find enough to glut Ambition there.—
But Oh thou excellent man! I talk, while you
Neglect your safety, and my honour too;
I feel it strive within me: for by turns,
My honour blushes, and your danger mourns—
Dear Oroondates, spare your farther talk;
See me to morrow i'the Cyprus walk.

Oroon.
Go my propitious Goddess, thou that art
The Heavenly excellence of all my heart;—
Take but one look, thou best of Deities,
And carry't from me in thy Diamond Eyes,
That when the Conqu'rour comes to beg a Grace,
Bend thy dark brow, and shoot it in his Face.

Sta.
Thou best of Men, all Joyes about thee dwell.

Oroon.
Thou Soul of Love, and all that's good, Farewell.

[Exeunt severally.