University of Virginia Library

Actus Quintus

Scæna. Prima.

Alexander discover'd in torment, Statira, Bagistanes, And Captains.
Alex.
O there it went, and struck through ev'ry part;
The hand that from my Bosom pul'd a Dart
Ne're felt me tremble with the sudain smart;
But this like lightening parches every vein,
And lends to death a thousand speares in pain.
What have I done ye Gods that you give o're?
Was I so great that I cou'd be no more?
Great Jove, did my vast name so ponderous stand,
Not to be fix'd by thy immortal hand?
Ephestion—Ah the Torment that I feel;
The world turnes guiddy and begins to reel,
Leans on one side, and shewes its fatal keel

Sta.
Heav'n keep the thought of treason from your mind;
The Gods be to your noble life more kind;
I wish by Methres I had bin your wife,
Rather than you shou'd think I hate your life.

Alex.
Far be my soul from such a thought possest,
That Sin should dwell in your Illustrious breast.

Sta.
Ah may you find more worlds, and them subdue,
If you can be so kind to think me true.

Alex.
Most generous Princess, by the Gods I do:
All that besides a God can feel, I'le bear,
And think no mortal man such treason dare;
If such a Monster on the Earth were bred.
Through all my pangs of Death, I'de look him dead.
I'de pull back life, and wou'd that strength recall,
Which held the world, and on his head wou'd let it fall.

Bag.
Send for Physitians Sir, to give you ease,
That will consult, and find out your disease.

Alex.
That were to storm my life with greater force;
Physitians were invented for a Curse,
To plague Mankind, and make diseases worse.

Phil.
Who knowes, but your distemper is the same,
When after bathing in cold Cydnus Flood,
No sooner you out of the water came,
But such unusual paines did seise your Blood.

Alex.
Oh there it hit me with a fatal blow;
That when I'de hold of life, it made me bow,
Loosing my hands and faintly let it go—
Ephestion—Where's Ephestion?—Run, straight, fly;
Shall I not see Ephestion ere I dy?
What have you done with him? Go fetch him straight;—
D'ye stand?—Go fetch him e're it be too late.
[Exit one of the Captaines, Alex. turnes to Statira weeping
Strange tickling paines through all my senses creep,
With joy in Anguish bred, to see you weep.—
O save those tears you shed, each pretious drop,
The wealth thereof a sinking State wou'd prop.

Sta.
Weak, and defenceless my poor grief appears;
Cou'd I but with these Floods your paines disperse;
I'de melt my heart, and weep it out in tears,—

Alex.
My dear Ephestion I shall never find!

Sta.
How fares that heart, the greatest of Mankind?

Alex.
As he whose spirit does contemn his fate,
Bearing a heavy burthen on his Back,
Stretches, and rises with the mighty weight:
Such strength brave minds from their misfortunes take.—
Madam, the time will come that I'le ly low;
This lofty tow'ring Pinacle must bow,
And you'l be rid of this great Man that made a show;
As a bright Star, the darling of the sky,
That you behold so glorious, and so high,
Drops on a sudain from your wondering Eye.

Sta.
Oh say not so, unless you take me too,
Or stay you here and let me dy for you.

Alex.
I will not dy: You'l see that I can rise,
Blest by your hand, and guided by your Eyes—
[Alex. rises up supported by Statira.
Ephestion come, we will new worlds obtain,
Let loose the old and hunt it o're again.

Enter to them Ephestion wounded, led in by Parisatis, and a Captain. Ephestion and Parisatis sit down on one side of Alexander, and Statira on the other
Eph.
O bear me quickly; do not let me stay—
But if you stir you take my life away.
[to Par. Offering to unhand him.
Break wretched heart, 'Tis time for thee to end—
Ephestion's dearest soul; Ephestion's Friend;
[throwes himself on Alex.
What ails the joy of Men, and Gods above?
Speak dearest of my heart, dearer than Love.

Alex.
He's faint, and pale, and his poor heart does bleed—
It streames—O Gods! Who did this bloody deed?
Traitors of Hell, y'ave shew'd your utmost wrath.—
Ephestion! soul, there's treason on us both.
I can the Authour of My death forgive;
But he that kill'd Ephestion shall not live.
That God who raign'd auspitious at my birth,
[Offers to rise
Lend me the strength, with which I held the Earth;
Cassander, and my Bands of Macedon,
I'le fetch my self, and kill' em ev'ry one.

Eph.
Ah sit you still, and rest this Noble heart;
You than my wounds do give a greater smart.
Lysimachus I urg'd this wound to make,
And we both fought for Parisatis sake.

Alex.
Lives 'e ye Gods? Go fetch him instantly;
Let me the pleasure have to see him dy,
Then let my soul with satisfaction fly,—
Now, now a thousand daggers peirce my skull:
Restless, as on a Bed of spikes I roll.
Yet I will bear it, by the Gods I can;
I'le live to have you all condemn'd and slain,
If they'l not grant Ephestion's health again.

Eph.
Ah mind not mine, whiles you neglect your own;
Long may you live, and Guide us like the Sun,
And we shine by your light, as does the Moon.
Leave not the world to be by fate betraid,
And us to dwell in everlasting shade.
Ah Parisatis!—
Let not my Rival shew the King his face;
But keep him ever in that blessed space,
Safe in the circled Armes of your embrace;
The Gods should not have forc'd me from that place
Had I been there—

Par.
I'le pull him from my Breast,—
And you shall dwell my soul's Eternal Guest.

Alex.
Statira! Oh Ephestion, how I burn!

Sta.
Ye Gods! Now all my griefes again return!
I did not think there cou'd be yet a cross,
That I cou'd mourn after Darius loss.

Eph.
Ah Parisatis!—
It is in vain, the pity you impart;
My death admits of Rivals by no Art.—
Give me your hand—The Gods are so severe,
[to Par.
To grant life hence; but then to snatch it here.
[to Alex.
Look down O heav'n and your own Actions mourn;
Releive the greatest Man that e're was born.
Thou great, thou only excellently good,
Heres Love, and freindship swallow'd in a Flood,
And drown'd in stormes of sighes, and tears of blood
O the last drop that trickles from my heart!
I wish ye Gods, 'twere Nectar to his smart.

[fainting
Alex.
He's gone—see too the furious and rebellious Sun,
Slave to the many Battails I have won,
Ha's in this very moment broke his chain,
And in revenge shot all his fire into my Brain.
The Gallant Eagle too, that o're my head,
So oft in sign of Victory has fled,
Shook with the terrour of my fate, lyes dead.
I'le search Joves Lap, where brighter Eagles are,—
'Tis a great way—I'le mount on yonder Star.—
See Madam, see, above the blew pav'd sky,
Do you not see my dear Ephestion fly?

Eph.
Lo dearest Son of Phillip, here am I:
I'le rob once more this treasure of my health.
And safely in his bosom lodge the wealth,
Stealing to him insensibly this kiss,
And in his breast will transmigrate the bliss,
[Eph. kisses Paris. hand, then turns to Alex.
See thou belov'd thy Macedonian Boy,
Brings the last fruites of his expiring joy.
Think who thou art, thou Royal Son of Jove;
Revive that heart, that does Ephestion Love;
See I can never from this Center move.

Alex.
Ah my Ephestion, art thou yet alive!
What sawcy Spirit told me thou wert dead?

Eph.
I will not dye if thou wilt cease to grieve,
But live to see more Crowns adorn your head:
May ne're such Love their frozen spirits warm,
That did the God-like Alexander harm.
How fares my heart? How favours i'ts disease?

Alex.
Believe me Boy that I am all o're ease;
The thoughts of this does ev'en deaths horrour please.
I will Lysimachus his Pardon give,
And will do any thing, if, thou wilt live:
Thou art my darling hopes; if thou art slain,
When I am dead, who shall the world maintain?
Or who for these fair Queens, Darius loss regain?

Enter to them Lysimachus threatning the Guards, who keep off.
Lys.
Be gone—Who does not instantly depart,
By all the Gods, this dagger's in his heart.
I need no Guards to call my duty home;
Faster I'le fly, than you can make me come.
Ah Sir believe me I my life despise;
Think you I'le live to see death close your Eyes?
Down at your feet your faithful Subject lyes,
Whose life for you's an humble sacrifice.
I did Ephestion wound, and that I did,
I beg that I may suffer for the deed.

[Lys. kneels.
Par.
Thou mighty soul, look with a gracious Eye;
[Sta. and Par. kneels
Ah pardon him, and be a God more high,—
See who 'tis kneels, Statira 'tis and I.

Sta.
Breath life, thou great, and only God-like man.

Alex.
Spare him that style, who nothing does nor can.
My mind indeed, that struggles with my fate,
But holds my shatter'd purposes too late,
Shews I am Alexander yet, but no more great.

Eph.
By all the dearest Love that dwelt in us,
Forgive, forgive the brave Lysimachus.

Alex.
And doest thou beg his fatal lifes reprieve.—
[to Eph.
Rise then, and thanks to poor Ephestion give.

[to Lys.
Lys.
Still I am curst and have no right to breath,
Nor wish to live till you are free from death;
Thou more Illustrious than the God of war,
Dark as in hell we all benighted are,
To see thee drop down from us like a falling Star.

Enter to them Cassander supported by two of the Guards.
Cass,
Quick, quickly bear me e're—
I sink into the Concaves of the Earth.

Eph.
What horrid scene of death is this? What birth
Has the base world in this one day of fate brought forth?

Alex.
Thou look'st as if this Tale thou woud'st unfold,
Be breif Cassander, thou wert ever bold.

Cass.
I by the fury of thy fate am hurl'd,
And sent to fetch thee to another world.
Does not th'Ambition start, to here it fai'd,
New wreathes of Conquests shall adorn thy head,
Lawrels that time ne're kills, nor envy fades,
But flourish thick in everlasting shades,
'Tis past thy own proud heart to be again—
By Jove, great Alexander thou art slain;
Thou canst not live an hour—

Eph.
Forbid O heaven!—

Sta.
And the all mighty Sun.—

Eph.
Unsay what thou hast said.—

Alex.
Let him go on.—

Cass.
Hadst thou a thousand lives to guard thy soul,
In Hercules his cup th'ast lost 'em all,
And drown'd thy self in that immortal bowl.
This in revenge of blood the Gods have done,
Much for the world, but more for Macedon,
For Clytus, brave Parmenio, and his Son.

Eph.
Where was this treason damn'd in Hell begot?

Alex.
Live, and discover who was in the plot.

Cass.
Tis he whose name shall never be forgot,
But live, when by this deed his does expire
That did Diana's Temple set on fire;
With greif, that he did touch this man of heaven,
To whom rich Nature all her stock has given,
Consulting those above, who joyn'd to fit.
Thy soul for all things admirably great;
Till so injust, and fall'n to that degree,
Thou most ingratfully a God would'st be,
And Phillip for thy Father didst disown,
Lifting to heav'n thy humble Macedon;
Kill'd thy best ferinds that all thy faults wou'd shew,
And none but to curst flatterers wou'dst Bow;
Ravish'd the widdows teares, and virgins smiles,
And all the wealth of nature turn'd to spoyles;
Led by a whore, to gratifie thy lust,
Didst turn the fam'd Persepolis to dust.

Lys.
Ah let me send him to eternall night.

Alex.
Still let him rail; I'le hear him with delight,
And dare death, and the villaines utmost spite.

Cass.
Thou like a Plague wert through all Nations sent,
Till the kind Gods in pity now relent,
And throw away their wrathful instrument.
I kill'd thee, and do glorying in it dy,
To have it said hereafter, this did I,
Nor wou'd the Credit of't for life exchange;
For I have done it in the worlds revenge:
And this cou'd never be too dearly bought,
Therefore my self has pledg'd thee in a larger draught.

Alex.
Base dog, thou in thy latest breath doest ly;
I scorn to dy the death that thou shalt dy.—
Bring him to me, to put him out of doubt,
Crush him, till he shall spue his poyson out;
Then kill him—No. but be a killing still,
An Age, till I from heav'n descend, and tell,
What new found plagues shall scourge his soul in Hell.

Eph.
Ah where's the place from whence our soules do meet,
I'le suck the poyson out, and call it sweet.

[Whiles the Guards offer to seize Cass. he makes a motion to stab himself.
Cass.
It is in vain; for though my life be short,
I'le hasten it, and o'pe another port.

Alex.
Guid my remaining strength, this darted Rod—
Thus aim'd I, and thus struck I like a God,

[Alex. throwes a dart, and kills Cassander.
Cass.
Thou hast but spurr'd my life that else was free;
This is the only stroak I car'd to see,
And is the last I e're shall take from thee.
Prepare ye Gods, and make us mighty Room.
For Alexander, and his fate are come.

[Cassander dyes.
Eph.
How clouded o're with guilt his soul does flye,
Like gloomy night, and darkens all the sky

Alex.
The Villain has said true; I must depart.
I sensibly perceive the poys'nous smart
Burnes in my Brain, and feedes upon my heart;
The cursed Juice will not it self confine,
But in a moment more will break the mine.

Eph.
Your words like death through all my veins disperse;
You kill me quite at what you do rehearse:
If you but talk of dying, I'le make hast
And shun that sight; I cannot be the last;
You shake the Glass that else does run too fast.
I'le tear these Wounds, and spoil the surgeons art,
And kill my self, er'e you from me depart.
Can you so cruel be, such thoughts to own,
To leave your dear Ephestion here alone?
Leave, let me go—To stay this threatning harm,
And save the widow'd world, the Gods will arm.

Alex.
Ah spare more words, that speed thy parting breath;
Thy Love augments the danger of thy death:
Look up Ephestion, see who's by thy side;
Fate cannot either of our soules divide;
Our lives together in one chain are ty'd.

Eph.
I will, I will, ev'n my last look afford;
As long as I can live, I'le keep my word;
But dy I must, and then I'le mount all prayer;
If there's a God will lend a feeling Eare,
I'le charm the deity, till I can gain
Immortal pitty to asswage your pain.
The dark, and secret book of Fate I'le read,
And know what of the world's great King's decreed.

Alex.
Now I begin to surfeit with the drink.

Eph.
Is there no aid? O speak, oh do, O think.—
Chill death shall quickly freeze up all my veines,
Like icecles I'le drop upon thy scorching paines—
Come close thou dear—Thus gently as we twine,
When I am dead, lay my cold brest to thine,
And there, in spite of all thy fire, I'le freeze,
As snow upon the burning Ætna lyes.

[Eph. begins to faint
Alex.
Stay pretious Boy, another look restore;
Spare but my happiness one moment more—
Ah 'tis not I, 'tis thou that art unkind;
And cruel too, to leave me here behind—
Stay my soules soul, there is some hope remaines;
These floods of grief have quench'd my scorching paines;
I am not sick, my senses all are free,
And feel no burning, but with Love of thee.

Eph.
Ah let me go before it be too late
For heaven to punish thy unlucky fate—
Happy Lysimachus, my Rival bee,
In her, but him you must not envy me,

Alex.
A thousand Adders bask within my skul,
With heat ingender, all my Braines are full—
Where is Ephestion? Have you let him go?—
O for a world; a world made up of snow
How I cou'd plunge, till I did melt it down,
And make more havock than the scorching Sun.

Sta.
Ah say y'are well or make him so believe.
For 'tis in search of you his senses grieve.

Alex.
See, see the Battailes Joyn—Beat, beat the Drumes,
Bucephælus inrag'd he champs and foames;
Darius with his hooked Charriots comes.—
Wheres old Parmenio? Let more Trumpets sound;
How his proud horse does beat the fearful ground!
Haste, haste—Ephestion's routed in the wing,—
Now, now they have inclos'd him in a Ring—
Heark how they shout, and clap their hands for joy,
The Gods have ravish'd my beloved Boy!

Eph.
Look dearest Alexander, yet I live—
This is a greater stroak than death can give.

Lys.
Ah Royal Sir, stay till you have decreed,
Who o're the mighty world shall you succeed.

Alex.
A deadly frost hath peirc'd my senses through;
O! I am fall'n int'an Abysse of snow
Something like cold dew-drops about my heart does move
Warme me Ephestion, warme me with thy Love.
The worthyst man amongst you shall be King;
To him that ownes that title give this Ring.
Yet somewhat else there is I'me proud to do;
That is Statira, to be just to you—
Be you of all your fathers Crownes possest,
And be you too with Oroondates blest.—

Sta.
Ah hold, with kindness now you wound me more,
Than all your presecution did before;
Witness ye Gods, to whom my soul is known,
With how much sorrow I embrace my own.

Eph.
Now ends his roughness in a calm delight;
As westerne windes are often laid at night:
Thus silent falls the sweetest of mankind,
Softer than blossomes carried by the wind!

Alex.
Now let us mount, and then for ever joyn,
Like the twin-starres, that do together shine;
Still guiding o're the world our heav'nly parts;
Whilest I rule Monarchs; thou shalt govern hearts.

Eph.
Come Alexander then, if we must go,
Let's Raign above, and make a glorious show.
[Eph. kisses Par. hand, then turns to Alex.
Farwell thou dearest Love—Come dearest friend;—
Thus like too Cherubims we'l both ascend;
Whiles guarded so, by friendship, and by Love,
We go prepar'd to meet the joyes above.

Alex.
Why wilt thou dy? with thee's all sweetness gone;
More rare than Persia offers to i'ts Sun
The Violets perfum'd, and purple crest,
Or Phœnix burning it 'its spicey nest,
Breath not so sweet an odour, as thy Breast.

Eph.
Now, now my spirit 'sore my Ey-sight sweepes—
Let us begin our Journy on our Lipps.

[they kisse.
Alex.
This kisse in which thy latest Breath does fleet,
No dew that falls from heav'n is half so sweet—
Stay, stay—I will not let thee get the start—
Take all with thee, each Atome of my heart—
Now, now I have thee just before my Ey;—
Ephestion, now—

Eph.
Now let's together fly—

[both dy
Phil.
Now I am sure that the great deed is done,
I'l haste and tell the news in Macedon.

[exit
Par.
He's gone—

Sta.
He's gone, the life-spring of us all—
A heav'nly Legion waits his soul in view.
What miseries shall all mankind befall!

Lys.
Nature shou'd melt it self into a dew,
And the whole world into disorder fall.
And mourn in Chaos at thy funeral.

Stat.
He is not dead, or I am not alive—
It cannot be—

Lys.
Cease Madam, cease to grieve—

Bag.
What shall we do? Ah, what is to be done?

Lys.
Call all the Captaines, call 'em every one
Tell 'em the worlds, and their great Master's gone.
[Exit Bagistanes.
Bear forth Cassander's Body—
Which limb from limb wild horses having tore,
Then let his scatter'd joynts the Dogs devour.
[Cassander's Body is carried forth
Enter to them Oroondates, and Araxis,
Ah Oroondates you are come too late—
Behold the sad great Miracle of fate.

Oroo.
Too soon I fear to such a dismal sight,
The news whereof did my firme soul a fright;
What, is he dead? By heaven he is not sure!
Thus look'd he, the same awful visage wore,
When he dispers'd with wonder Love, and power.—
See too, the richest fruit of Natures pride,
And mourning Love lyes bleeding by his side.—
How do the Gods like Children with us play!
First shew the world in splendour, fine, and gay,
Then on a suddain snatch the gawdy Toy away.
This who like Heav'n peirc'd thunder most divine,
And lightned where the Sun durst never shine.
That div'd through all the secrets of the Earth;
Saw more than ever yet did humane Birth,
Does fall i'th' Crowd, and undistinguish'd pass;
Leaving but fame, that such a man there was.
Ah my Statira! weep no more divine;
I did not think such showers cou'd cloud thy shine,
And dark the day, when I shou'd call thee mine.
Instead of Alexander, heav'n does lend
Lysimachus, our brave, and noble Freind.

Sta.
Who wou'd not shrink at such a day of doome?

Lys.
Spare Love a while, and when the Captaines come,
We'l straight to Councel; then if I have power,
To Parisatis I will Persia's Crown restore
To give to whom she please—

Par.
If this be true—
I with my self, will give it back to you.

Lys.
You when you please, shall then to Scythia go,
And bright Statira your lov'd Queen indow.

Oroo.
Now I will call thee Brother—

Lys.
But how dear—
[looking on the Bodyes
We purchase pleasure, almost with despair.—
Re-enter to them Bagistanes with the Captaines, making a full stage.
See Valiant, souldiers; look with wonder there.

Omnes.
O horrour! Plagues! Revenge!—

Cap.
H'as such a dread—
We dare not look upon him now he's dead,
But as on Gods with reverent surprise,
And pay our Adorations from our Eyes.

Cap.
We hear Antipater has late rebell'd;
And as all Greece his King, has took the field.

Cap.
Now all will out—Phillip they say is fled,
And had a hand in this most horrid deed.

Lys.
I knew Cassander cou'd not this have done,
Had not the Father joyn'd in treason with the son.—
Straight in the Hall erect a golden Throne;
There seat the King all glorious as the sun,
A Scepter in his hand, and on his head a Crown.
That Throne in which he did commands disperse
Through the tam'd world, and aw'd the Universe.
Proclaim a loud to heav'ns high Arch, that there,
The Deputies of all the world appear,
Whilest we in Council sit, agreed in power,
To name this mighty man a Successour;
Then we will arm for just revenge, and Fame;
And conquer still in Alexander's Name.

[Exeunt Omnes.