University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

After Clashing and Shouts without.
Enter Phineas and a Levite. Scene a Street.
Phin.
Triumphant News!—Let us our voices raise,
And fill the Steets with Joyful sounds of Praise.
The Parthian King, with the brave unknown Prince,
Men that seem dropt from Heav'n for our defence,
Have chas'd the Rebels to their Vaults and Towers;
As storms drive flying Billows to the Shores.

Lev.
The Kings great Soul wants but the light Divine,
To make it every way with Glory shine.
But see, the Train approach the Pallace Gate,
Whilst joyful Crowds on their Preserver wait.

Enter Phraartes, Monobazus, Matthias, Queen Berenice, Clarona, Semandra, Phedra, Guards. Two or Three Prisoners.
Phraar.
You lift your Swords against a King; from whence
Has your base Spirits all this Insolence?
[To Prisoners
You sordid Villains at the best are made
For the low Earth, on which a King should tread.
By the mean Victory my Sword has gain'd,
I have my self and Dignity profan'd:
And can my self no Expiation make,
Less on their Altars I revenge should take:
Which I forgive!—but Drag these Slaves away,
With speed out of your Monarchs sight, and lay
Their servile Necks beneath the High Priests Feet,
Let him dispose of 'em, as he thinks meet.

Guard Carries them to Matthias, whilst Phraartes turns to Clarona.
Phraar.
Fair injur'd Power! what Offering shall I make?
These I disdain to give, and you to take;
'Twere Sacriledge designing to appease
Your Anger with whole Hecatombs of these:
So many Princes at your Feet should lye,
And at your Sentence either live or dye.
Howe're a Royal Sacrifice I bring,
The Flaming Soul of a Love-wounded King.

Claro.
Great Prince! the Joy I in your Triumphs find
Has more already than appeas'd my mind.
For though I know not love, and any Flame,
But that of pure Devotion, must disclaim;
Yet for the Gen'rous and truly brave
Of all Religions I a Friendship have;
And as for others I my Pray'rs employ,
For your great Soul I'd be content to dye,
And oh!—how rich an offering would it be
To Heaven, which you thus vainly make to me.

Phraar.
Oh! tell not me of Heav'n and Powers above,
There's no Elizium but Clarona's Love.

Claro.
To a poor Shrine you offer your regard,
Where you must take Devotion for reward.

Monob.
Madam, you Crown with undeserved Praise,
A courage you did both inspire and raise.

Qu. Beren.
I but my sense of Gratitude would shew,
For what your Valour, Sir, did twice bestow;
Nor can the breath by your defence enjoy'd,
Be better sure then in your Praise employ'd.

Matth.
Go; and abuse the Liberty I give,
[To the Prisoners.
'Gainst him, by whose indulgence now you live.
Not all the wrong I from your hate indure,
Shall one Revengeful deed from me procure;
As fellow Servants of one Lord above,
You shall enjoy my pity and my Love.
But yet I will empale my Masters ground,
And from the rotten Sheep protect the sound.

1. Phar.
We'll do the same, and Guard them from the Power
Of wicked Shepherds, who the Flock devour.

Matth.
These men Heaven's Favourites themselves repute,
And then as such none must their Power dispute.
[Prisoners are dismist, and Matth. turns to Phraar. and Monob.
Now, valiant Princes, we must pay to you
The publick Triumphs which to both are due;
And to the Mighty Parthian King, who springs
Of Jewish blood by a long Race of Kings,
Let the great Shades of all who wore this Crown,
For their sav'd Monuments his Valour own.
And now the Stars their twinckling Fires disclose,
And night approaching summons to repose,
Let Guards these Royal Persons wait with care,
Who both my Guests and my Protectors are.

[They all go out attended with a Guard, except Matthias and Phineas, who stay—and Enter the Sagan.
Matth.
Now, what from Edom? will they stay or Fly?
And our Indulgence or our Valour try?

Sag.
They are resolv'd to guard the Rebel Crue:
Till you free them, or else the Romans you.

Matth.
And do they know on whose designs they wait?

Sag.
They Stile 'em Saints and Guardians of the State:
Till they are free'd they'l not our Walls forsake,
But send for Wives and a Plantation make.
Set Javelins till they grow, whose Martial shade
Shall serve for Shelter, and for Ambuscade.

Matth.
Now it is plain, these Idumeans came
To adde fresh Brands to our domestick flame;
And on pretence our Tumults to appease,
To share with Thieves in publick Robberies.
But I'le see well to all the Guards to night,
And if to morrow the bold Edomite,
In Thieves defence, to face our walls shall dare,
Their Martial Plants unpleasant Fruit shall bear.

[Ex. omnes.