University of Virginia Library

Actus Quartus.

Scæna Prima.

Cassander, and Phillip severally. Cass. reading a Lettter,
Phil.
What news Cassander, have you heard from home?

Cass.
News, Phillip, that concern the mightyest doom;
A sovereigne Balme for the sick world is come.
A certain trick for Phillips mad brain'd Son,
T'unravel all that Fate for him has done;
Such News, that heav'n by me alone commends,
And to the world it's pretious freedome sends.
The Gods have sate, and giv'n the Fates to know,
They'l change their great Vice-gerent here below.
My aged Father pours in every vein
Fresh blood, and ha's begotten me again.

Phil.
The King I left inrag'd, and in a Flame
At Letters too that from my Father came.

Cass.
Let him be so, as long as 'tis his last;
It is decre'd he cannot burn too fast,
See here the greatest, and most powerful spell,
Pull'd from the very heart, and root of Hell,
Hatch'd in designe from Aristotles skull
To whom the subtil'st Feind of Hell is dull;
Thou ne're coud'st find the flowing of the sea,
But this shall be of greater fame to thee.
Never let that disturb thy curious mind,
That canst an Ebb for the worlds Torrent find.

Phil.
Antipater our Father does impart
[Phillip takes and reads the Letter.
A secret found by Aristotles Art;
A Juice so fierce, and subtile, that no Case,
Nothing can hold it, whence that will not pass,
But the cold hoofe of a scorn'd heavy Ass.
This deadly poyson now from Greece is brought,
To give to Alexander in a draught.

Cass.
Neer high Olympus 'e Crown'd with lofty Wood,
Under its shade, where nightly vapours brood;
That ne're sees Sun by day, nor Moon by night,
But with it's bending Front still pushes at the light;
In whose damp Beds, where grow immortal stings,
Clouds of dark spirits descend, and dip their wings,
Then o're the world with molting Feathers fly,
And Scatter plagues, that breed Mortality.
From thence this mighty Tutor took a weed,
And did thereof this deadly drink compound,
That to his heart who drinks, it flyes with speed,
And in his death no sign of poyson's found!

Phil.
Can the Fates suffer that so base a thing
Conspire the death of the worlds mighty King!
In this thou art in thy misfortune blest;
All things deny to bear it to thy Breast,
But the most Coward, and ignoble Beast.
But when; when shall be done this mighty deed?

Cass.
No longer then this day it is decreed.

Phil.
You bear the Cup, and you may do't with ease.

Cass.
By heav'n the thought does my rouz'd senses please,
This night I'le do't, in his proud sacrifice,
And send him to his Kindered Deities.
Oh how I burn, and how my Cheeks still glow!
Since like a patient Boy I took that blow.

Phil.
I wish we were of Oroondates sure.

Cass.
Virtu's his guard, and holds him too secure,
Only we two must all the brunt indure.
Lysimachus I fear will not be won,
And others too, who will be glad when't's done,
And stand amongst the foremost for their share;
But for our own proportion, first let's care;
You have your Armys won, and soon shall gain
Syria and over all the East shall raign,
And I by right, Antipaters first Son
Shall him succeed, o're Greece, and Macedon.

Enter to them Bagistanes.
Bag.
The King in hast does for your prisoner call,
Such labouring Tempests toss his mighty soul,
That we, as when from heav'n we Thunder hear,
Crouch, and a blasting storme of lightning fear.
H'as for the Ambassadours of Scythia sent;
The Gods yet only know what's his intent.

Cass.
I'le instantly his gallant Rival bring—
Phillip make haste, and in my absence place
The Macedonian Guards about the King.

Exeunt Cassander and Phillip severally, Manet Bagistanes.
Enter to him Statira attended.
Sta.
What change now weares the worlds inconstant Face?
What can its Masters mighty mind displace?
Why glories he i'th' fetters of the brave
That to the vanquish'd world is more a slave?
Ah Bagistanes, all my hopes still blast;
All my delights before enjoyment wast,
My envious star deny me but a tast.
The King does now for Oroondates send,
His rage in pompe does mighty pow'r attend;
He means to sit in Triumph on his end.

Bag.
You only now can Guard his innocence;
The Gods you serve have arm'd you with defence:
Beauty like yours can never want the power
To break the heart of this great Conquerour.
Go, interpose e're Oroondates dyes;
Revert the blow with' Glories of your Eyes:
Whole Armies have been often broke in fight,
And wounded by the Sun with too much light;
This cloud but while you come, may overcast,
And can no longer o're your Beauty last.
Enter to them Oroondates, Araxis, and Guards.
See where the Noble generous Prince appears;
How like a lofty ship up in a storm 'e bears.
I go to see how the Kings passion cleeres.
[Exit Bagistanes.

Oroo.
What heav'n is this I meet with in the way?
Nothing can prove unfortunate to day.
Thou light, thou better Genius of my soul;
Goddess of life, that does my Fate controul;
The kindest Gods have sent thee from above,
With their divinest pow'r to rescue Love.

Sta.
You Oroondates are your owne reward;
'Tis your own virtue does it's person guard;
If all I have can your protection bear,
You need not doubt to find your safety here.

Oroo.
Brightness, and heav'n are dwelling in that Breast;
None but a God shou'd with that seat be blest,
Thou soft Elisium of eternal rest.
When first my heart was on Loves Altar layd,
So pure, and sacred, heav'n the offering made,
And in acceptance of i'ts chast desire,
Burn't and consum'd it all with heav'nly fire;
The flame has purifi'd my breast so fine,
You may behold my weeping soul within.

Sta.
My soul in vain lookes through it's mortal Cage,
And spying yours, does mourne to disingage,
Wishing to fly from Alexander's rage.
Where shall they meet these spirits so alli'd?
As two pent Birds that one another spi'd,
We faine wou'd flye, forgetting that we're ty'd.
What heavy Cloggs the envious bodies prove,
To break the heart of our aspiring Love?
Cou'd we now lay these Earthly Robes, but by,
Like darting Stars, we'd shoot, and stick ith' sky,
And with the highest brightest Planets showe,
And dwell where Alexander ne're shall go,
There we wou'd raigne, and let him raign below.

Oroo.
We'l chain this flesh, and our proud Bodys tye,
Letting our souls out of their windowes fly.
Our Loves like souls their prisons shall despise,
And meet each other flowing from our Eyes;
There they shall mingle, whiles our twisted fight,
As Lymbecks draw, shall feed them with delight;
Our humble Bodies in the rear shall stand,
Like two drawn Armies, ready at command;
That when our soules, their cheifs, in parly joyn,
They shall not dare to murmur, or repine.

Sta.
Hold Oroondates cease this killing strife;
Give me my soul again thou better life;
Against thy self thou tyest these forward hands,
That wou'd make Alexander stoop at their commands:
Lost and undone, if I do longer stay,
My ravish'd sences all will fly away;
They through my Eyes will their swift passage break,
And leave my tongue without the pow'r to speak,

Re-enter to them Cassander.
Cass.
The mighty King of all the world possest,
With all things, but the fair Statira blest,
Calls for the Prince, and to this place drawes near;
His Friends about him gloriously appear,
Like the gay seasons that adorne the year.

Sta.
I'le frown, if he but dares to disobey,
And blast him like a winters stormy day.
[Exit Statira attended.

Oroo.
Thus as a Curtain drawn before the light,
Sh'as Snatch'd my sight, and I in darkness stray.
It is ordain'd that I must set this night.
In deepest shadows then I'le lay me down,
And never more shall see the blessed Sun:
Statira then, thy faithful Lover dyes,
Thy Beauties, and my Rivals sacrifice;
Over my grave thou wilt more splendid rise.

The Scene drawes, and at an Altar is discover'd Alexander, Ephestion, Statira, Parisatis, Lysimachus, Phillip, Bagistanes, Scythian Ambassadours, Forraign Ambassadours, and other attendants in great State, Preists, Statue of Jupiter Hamon. Alexander comes upon the Stage, reading Letters.
Alex.
Cassander—

Cass.
Sir I come at your Command—
With joy approach, and all attention stand.

Alex.
Read these; for from Antipater they came,
That dares protest Olympia is to blame.
He much against her government complains,
Sayes he is wrong'd, whilest she wou'd take the paines
There is the like from Aristotle too,
That writes what false Antipater has said, is true;
But I'le let Aristotle know one tear
From my dear Mothers Eyes can wash her clear,
And drown a thousand thoughts that are severe.
What ail the Preists! They tremble, and look pale,
And all in fears forsake the sacred Rail.—
Give me the Bowl, and the Gods drink prepare.

Pre.
The mighty Jove's offended at our prayer:
We had done all, we thought, that Heav'n could prise,
Yet to th'alknowing God there did arise
Something displeasing in our sacrifice,
We kill'd a lusty slave, and of his blood,
The altar, and the sacred fire bestrow'd,
With richest Gumes, and forraign spices made,
That wou'd the ransome of a King have paid.
Just in that moment which our thoughts inspire,
A cloud with thunder did from Heav'n retire
And quench'd, and scatter'd all the holy fire;
A horrid darkness fill'd the Temple round,
And of faint Groves was heard a dreadful sound.

Alex.
T'attone the Gods with all our power we'l strive,
I have a Nobler sacrifice to give,
And vow this hour the offering to make

[Alex. looking towards Oroon.
Oroo.
Where is this sacrifice that you bespeak?
Is all this Cerimony for my sake?
Thinkest thou to fright me with this bloody deed,
To be the sacrifice that here must bleed?

Sta.
The Gods protect the King from such a thought.

Oroo.
Is mine the life that thy false Preists have bought?
With shew of piety to cover fate,
And treat the Gods with bloody Scenes they hate.
Swift vengeance have they for this Act in store.
And after I am dead, they'l thunder more.

Alex.
I find that thou with groveling sense doest move,
And canst not understand the Son of Jove:
The Gods that Alexander made, did lend
A soul too great for thee to comprehend.—
Your self shall be the Judge of your own case;
Were I in yours, and you in Alexanders place?
Were Oroondates next the Gods above,
And I a slave intrench'd upon his Love;
What Mercy, or what Justice wou'd you shower
On such a one you held within your power?

Oroo.
Were I the Monarch of the world thou art,
I'de look beneath me with a Godlike heart,
Not rob the humblest shepherds of their sleepes,
Whom harmless Love in careless slumbers keeps;
Wert thou my slave and wert condemn'd this hour,
I wou'd thy Love, and wou'd thy throne restore,
And give thee past thy power of wishing more;
That thy vast spirit shou'd into wonder shrink—
I'de do; what thou hast not a soul to think.

Alex.
Brave as thou art, thou canst not yet come nigh;
Thou shalt not have a thought to wish so high,
But I will reach it, and above it fly.—
Madam—
I've sent for Oroondates with designe,
That he may see how far above you shine,
And with your sacred virtue rule his fate, and mine.

Oroo.
Having so bright an Object thou must do
What to her Beauty, and thy fame is due.

Alex.
I will not have my love prescrib'd by you;
Yet I'le be both to Love and honour true.—
The sacred pow'r of faire Statira's charmes
Has priviledg'd your person here from harmes:
Recourse to Love has wash'd away your guilt,
It shan't be said that I so roughly dealt,
To see your Blood in her protection spilt—
Take that from me which none but I wou'd spare,
Your life,
Your freedom too, as unconfin'd as Aire.—
Ambassadours of Sythia, you are free;—
Give Oroondates what you gave to mee.
With life and freedom I restore your Throne,
And with that sacrifice the Gods attone.
And for this victime on the Altar kill'd;
If they 're not pleas'd with blood already spill'd,
They shall with thousands offer'd in the field,

Sta.
You have deserv'd, great Sir, and give us cause
To think the world most happy in your lawes;
This Act beyond the Glass of time shall run,
This gallant Act as clear as is the Sun,
Which none but Alexander could have done,
It doth my thanks and admiration raise;—
So great, tis undervalu'd by my praise.

Oroo.
Though in this publique Act you have deserv'd,
Virtu's not lost that has not been observ'd;
The Sun whose light sometimes we cannot see,
Yet rules the world by secret Sympathy:—
I wou'd appear, but am eclips'd by you.—
If thou art Noble still our hopes persue.

Alex.
What wouldst thou have? What is there yet to do?

Sta.
Nothing, for you beyond just hopes aspire,
And to do more is past the Gods desire.

[Preist gives Cassander the bowl, he offers it Alexander on his knees.
Cass.
The greatest God that you the world has giv'n,
To rule on Earth, as he does rule in heav'n,
That God who does all other Gods controll.
Drinks to his Son in this Immortal Bowl.
Let heav'n look down with most auspicious Eyes,
Whiles Joves imperial Son does sacrifice.

Alex. takes the Cup, and bowes to the Altar.
Alex.
Accept, great Joves, the Son whom thou hast crown'd,
Who was the first thy secret Temple found,
Seated beyond the world in holy Ground.
Past barren Lybia, and it's dearest Lands,
Through hot parch'd Grounds, and over burning sands—
As the first fruites of all thou gav'st to mee,
I sacrifice the world again to thee,
And drink this Cup of Immortality.

Whiles Alexander drinks, the Statue of Jupiter Hamon falls down, with thunder, and lightning and kills the Preists. Alex. lets fall the Bowl.
Alex.
Ye Gods what's wanting in such vowes as these,
That can the soul of Jupiter displease?
I'le send in haste for the most cunning Spyes
To search the Oracle o'th' Deities;
But I'le through fate this dreadful Riddle find.
And know why Jove can be to me unkind.

Cass.
We are betrai'd by these base Prodigies,
The Language of the tell-tale Deities;
Philip stand firme—
I'll bear the guilt of all, least thou shou'dst sink,
And take the rest of the most fatal drink—
I charge thee stay me not—

[exit, Phillip offers to hold him.
Eph.
Ah Sir, retire from this most horrid sight;
I wish you had not sacrific'd to night:
A dream last night disturb'd my quiet rest;
Me thought I (leaning on your noble Breast)
Was in a moment snatch'd, and dispossest:
A flaming Charriot did from heav'n appear,
And took you in, whilest I look'd up with fear,
And saw you shine a Constellation there:
The Charriot gone that fill'd the place so bright,
I felt no Ground and sunk in Darkness quite.

Alex.
Let not such fears thy gentle thoughts divide;
This dream foretels thou shalt i'th' Chariot ride,
With lovely Parisatis by thy side.
This way we will appease the angry Jove,
And quench his rage with sacrifice of love;—
[to Oroondates
To morrow Rival if thou darest be bold,
Mine and Ephestions marriage to behold,
Then in this place the solemn Rites we'l hold.

Oroo.
That sight wou'd cancel all that's due from me,
And from this gen'rous Act wou'd set me free,
When you take back the life that you did give,
And in ten thousand Deaths wou'd make me live,

Alex.
Then your own time for your departure take;
All shall be granted for Statira's sake;
And for her self, thou mayest behold her here;
But henceforth, as a Star, above thy Sphere,
Where she shall raign the Queen of all the world.

Oroo.
First let my Soul be to the Furies hurld.

Lys.
Still in this Circle doest thou safe remain.

[to Ephestion.
Exeunt Alexander leading Statira, Ephestion and Lysimachus striving both to lead Parisatis. Manent Oroondates, Araxis, and Scythian Ambassadours.
Oroo.
She's gone for ever, all my hopes are vain;
I'me backwards dash'd upon the Sea again;
The wealth I thought I had, I did not hold,
As Misers dream, and think they grasp their Gold;
So the tir'd wretch with swimming looking round,
Prepares his feet in hopes to touch the Ground,
But finding none he straight is sunk, and drown'd.

Ara.
T'were fit you talk'd of something that procures
A grateful peace with your Ambassadours.

Oroo.
These are the furies of the peoples Brain,
That dare to sit upon a Monarchs raign;
Not all the fire, nor all the feinds of Hell
Can Act the rage that in Plebeians dwell;
When they are mad and know not what 'tis for,
Like winds they bustle, and like Waves they roar;
On those above 'em look with Envies stings,
And mad because they cannot all be Kings:

Ara.
At Kings they let their gorged stomachs fly,
Belching out treason, sprung from Luxury,
Behold with censures still bright Majesty;
As base Astronomers look up and pry
Into the Glorious Planets of the sky.

Oroo.
Mercy the curse of Monarchs in this age,
That breeds this plague, that shou'd be quell'd by rage;—
I'le like a Lion shake my angry Locks
And fright the Souls out of this Coward Herd,
And make them put their Necks into their Yoaks—

Amb.
Great Prince—

Oroo.
Be gone—You shall have your reward—
You thought me dead, or els from pow'r debar'd;—
I'le send you home with Chaines upon your feet,
With that reward you shall your Masters greet.

[Exeunt Amb. bowing
Ara.
What shall we do Sir? shall we go or stay
To morrow is the great, and fatal day,
That takes your Love, more than your life away

Oroo.
I'le stay, and dare the worst till it be past,
Till Love in spite has thrown his utmost cast;
Then as the Body of on sense bereft,
Increases in the other senses left,
Honour shall side and help the weaker part,
And rouze with Noble deeds my sinking heart.
I'le follow Armes till my loud Fame shall prove
As great a Rival to him, as my Love:
His Jealous soul shall fly to find me out,
Through all Loves Charms that fence his heart about.

Re-enter to them Lysimachus.
Lys.
When shall this breast be free from Jealous pain?
Ye Gods! Am I prevented once again?

Oroo.
My Eyes deceive me, if it be not true,
You are Lysimachus, to whom all worth is due.

Lys.
The brave, and valiant Oroondates you,
Whose mighty mind above the fates aspire,
Heav'n cannot lend a grace to mount it higher;
The greatest Lover, and the bravest Man,
That dares doe more than Alexander can.

Oroo.
You make me blush at what I can't deserve;
Such praise my modesty must not observe.

Lys.
Cease Oroondates; mark the threatning shower
That hangs o're us—To morrow brings the hour,
When both our Loves shall feel Tyrannick power.
Besides your self, there is one wretched more,
Who Parisatis does in vain adore;
Yet there's a glimpse of hope my fate procures,
Which I will follow, that is not in yours:
Statira ne're can hope to be your wife;
Without attempt on Alexander's life:
The Gods protect the greatest King from harms;
But had Ephestion Parisatis hand,
Though bound by Hymenyal sacred Charmes;
Without the aw of Duty or command,
I'de snatch him out of hers, and Alexander's Armes.
[Re-enter to them Ephestion.
Look where this lov'd Ephestion does appear.

Oroo.
Let him not see that we are talking here.

Lys.
This moment is an Age while you retire.

Exeunt Oroondates, and Araxis.
Eph.
Lysimachus, I come at your desire;
I read your looks and understand your sign,
And hope you did not misinterpret mine;
Though you have call'd me from my only bliss,
And greatest pleasure that on Earth there is.

Lys.
For all that I can say, it is decreed,
That you'l run on, and Love with fatal speed.

Eph.
To morrow e're the Sun forsakes the Morne,
A bride shall be by Parisatis worne,
And thou a poor neglected Rival burn.
The Gods with musick of the sphere, shall move,
And fill the Temple with delights above,
To usher Alexander's, and Ephestion's Love.

Lys.
Tw'ere fit before, that you your self went there,
And did in time this Heav'nly Masque prepare;
'Twill ease the Gods of an important care
Darest thou defend thy false, and treacherous flame?

Eph.
Against the Starres in Parisatis name.

Lys.
Those Starres are angry, and, thy life conspire;
Therefore desist, and from her Love retire:
Feed not thy youth with such a vain design;
For by the Gods, she never shall be thine.

Eph.
The Gods are pleas'd and will in time fulfill,
What they'v decreed in Alexander's will;
But you are Mad; I'le give you leave to talk.

Lys.
Follow me then into the Cyprus walk.

Eph.
Go on; I fear not all thy strength, and ods.

Lys.
Nor I, wert thou the Minion of the Gods.

Eph.
I follow thee—May Parisatis charmes
Crown but my Love, as Love shall Crown my Arms.

[Exeunt Omnes.