 | The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian. Part the First |  |
1
ACT I.
SCENE I.
The Curtain drawn, the Brazen Gates of the Temple appear; Musick is heard within. Above, without the Temple as in the Womens Court, behind guilded Lettices, appear Queen Berenice and Clarona at their devotion.A SONG to be sung by Levites at the Temple Gates, on the opening of the Scene.
Day is dismounted on the watry Plain,
And Evening does begin to fold
Up Light's rich Cloth of Gold,
And Nature's Face the Night begins to stain.
Holy Angels round us keep,
While our sense dissolves in sleep.
While the half of us is dead
Let the living half be lead
To your Gardens, to your Bowers,
Where you pass your pleasing hours.
Treat within your heav'nly Tents
Your Brethren Spirits thus in state
While they wait
The leisure of their slumbring sense.
Enter Phraartes and Monobazus.
Phra.
Ha! at Devotion still? Can the tir'd Air
Obtain no truce from Sacrifice and Prayer?
They are importunate, with their great power
They let him scarce enjoy one quiet hour;
But ply him still with Sacrifice so fast,
He's Cloy'd with new, er'e he disgests the last.
These are gay Splendid follies!
Monob.
Something more,
If we own Gods; we must those Gods adore.
Phraar.
'Tis true! And Heaven does in no place appear,
Treated with such Magnificence as here.
Monob.
I like it well.
Phraar.
And I, for I confess
Were I a God I would expect no less.
2
Takes well, and is a useful Art of State,
Which the fond world into subjection brings.
Monob.
Since you dispute a Power supream to Kings,
What Gods may in your Kingdom Worshipt be?
Phraar.
None—Or if any, the Slaves worship me,
Though now a Villain does prophane my Throne;
But his base blood shall soon his guilt attone:
But you, who so devout and grave wou'd seem,
With whom these Powers are in such great esteem,
Who are your heavenly Lords?
Monob.
We prostrate fall
To our own Gods alone; but rev'rence all.
And if we erre 'tis on the safest hand;
All own some Power that does the world Command:
Even mighty Rome bows to Celestial Powers.
Phraar.
She does—but lower to her Emperors.
But (ah! my Friend!) thou hast reviv'd my shame,
My blood is fir'd at that insulting name.
But all her Idols shall my Chains repent,
I'le make her Gods and her less insolent.
Monob.
Since to this place you did your Fortunes guide,
Your envious Stars have seem'd to Change their side:
The glorious things you in short time have done
Have this throng'd City's Admiration wone.
They Idolize your name, and boast with pride,
To their great Race of Kings you are ally'd.
Exalted hopes they on your valour build,
Look to have Prophecies in you fulfill'd.
Phraar.
I small respects shou'd to my Kindred pay,
Did not imperious Love command my stay.
Monob.
The same insulting power confines me here,
And see, Our lovely Goddesses appear.
[Both turn towards the Temple.
Phraar.
Divine Clarona!
Monob.
And the beautious Queen!—
Phraar.
Kneel, to whom Gods might on their Knees be seen.
Ill-manner'd Powers; with a regardless Eye,
Can you behold such beauty prostrate lye?
Monob.
How bright a Vision entertains my Eyes,
[Aside.
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Like one shut out from Heav'n, the glories there
Torment his sight, and add to his despair.
Phraar.
I'le raise 'em up; for I resentments feel,
That Creatures so Divine so long should kneel.
[Proffers to go, and is stopt by Monobarus.
Monob.
Hold! they are now on some uncommon Rite,
To which this Evening they their Gods invite:
Queen Berenice (who not by birth alone,
As their Kings Daughter, claims the Jewish Throne;
But as successour to her Brother slain,
O're many neighbouring Provinces does Reign;
And by her beauty rules both them and Rome!)
Is lately from Vespasions Army come,
In part to tender her lost Nation peace,
And take their humble State in its distress,
To the protection of her conquering Eyes,
And partly for the great Solemnities
These devout Tribes to their dead Kindred pay,
If their own Laws and Customes they'l obey.
Phraar.
'Tis fit they should, chiefly when Princes dye,
Kings should not sleep without Solemnity.
Monob.
For this some time sh' as in Jerus'lem staid;
Mean while the Crowd, by frantick Rebels swai'd,
From their own Governors and Priests revolt,
And every moment the Queens life assault.
This, Royal Sir, you by experience know,
For to your Sword she does her safety owe.
Phraar.
Rather to yours, brave Friend, that honour's due!
I only seek in Fame to Rival you.
Monob.
You're to your own unjust. But now the Queen,
Who the whole time has rudely treated been,
Weary'd with Clamours and Devotion too,
Has thoughts of bidding them and Heav'n adieu:
Some say to Night she'll towards the Camp repair,
And take her leave of Sacrifice and Prayer.
Howe're she now does her last Offerings make,
Whilst from their Oracles they Counsel take.
Phraar.
Valour's the only Oracle of War!
Let 'em ask that, and their vain Altars spare.
4
When Gods retire, poor Mortals may intrude:
The Gates open, and Matthias, Sagan, and another Priest come out of the Sanctuary. Loud Musique plays. Phineas, John, Pharisees enter on one side of the Stage, Queen Berenice and Clarona on the other. Matthias whispers John and the Pharisees, who immediately after go off. Phraartes and Monobarus address themselves in dumb shew to Clarona and Berenice. The Musique at length ceases, and Matthias thus speaks to the Queen.
Matth.
Now, Madam, we with solemn thanks must own,
The royal pity to your Nation shown:
You from the stormy Cloud that hovers o're
This Town, descend like a relenting Power,
Into your sacred Guardianship to take
A distrest place, which Earth and Heaven forsake:
But oft, as when the fatal hour draws nigh
of some great Man, whom pain compels to dye,
His strugling powers with scorn their sentence take,
And 'mongst themselves do a Rebellion make:
Then on his own distorted Limbs does seize,
And there chastise weak Natures Cowardise:
But thinks the while, he has with Monsters fought,
And horrid shapes are in his Fancy wrought;
So in distracting pangs our Nation lyes,
As if depriv'd of sence with Miseries.
Tearing it self, and haunted with a Fiend
That does to Zeal and Piety pretend;
And fills their cheated thoughts with Axes, Rods,
Chains, Death, and all the List of Heathen Gods:
That every thing is a false God they see,
And all they do is Zeal and Piety;
But if the hated Name of Rome they hear,
Then they in frantique Agonies appear:
Rending the Air with a fanattick Cry
Of Tyrants, Rome, new Gods, Idolatry.
Phine.
Yes, Madam, this is our unhappy state;
Nay, all that Rome adores they so much hate,
5
Are great Vespasian's Gods and Destinies:
And if what he adores they can prophane,
They boast as if they had a Dagon slain.
Q. Bere.
Yes, I their zeal to my dishonour prove,
They boldly would prescribe me whom to love:
I not alone must quit a glorious State,
And all the Crowns that on my passion wait;
But the whole power of Love I must repeal,
To please I know not what fantastique zeal.
I love, and long have lov'd; nor count it shame
If to the World my passion I proclaim,
For the renown of him I love, may hide
A Princess blushes, and excuse her pride.
Monob.
Oh! my stab'd heart! what killing words I hear!
What torturing pangs must I in silence bear?
[Aside.
Phraar.
Oh! Divine Musique! hearken fairest Saint!
[To Clarona.
When will your Angel-voice my Ears enchant
With such a Song might ravish Gods or Kings,
And make the Crowing Cupids clap their Wings?
Claro.
When from all goodness I my thoughts remove,
Then Heav'n perhaps may punish me with Love.
Phraar.
Oh! may you ascend to such a height with speed,
The Gods may in your punishment exceed!
Be so severe, no heart that e're despis'd
The sacred power of Love was so chastis'd.
Q. Bere.
And now their frenzy at a passion flies,
In which, more than in Arms, their safety lies:
One smile of mine can Cæsar more subdue,
Than the whole Universe in Arms can do:
Yet is my Life in so much danger here,
Each hour some barbarous assault I fear;
Nay, coming guarded with a slender train,
I had, on my approach to Town, been slain
By a fierce Ambush for my Chariot laid,
Had not my Angel guided to my aid
This generous Prince unknown, who ever since,
[To Monob.
Has still employ'd his Sword in my defence;
And to the King I grateful must appear,
[Turning to Phraar.
Whose Sword obliges me with safety here.
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To King Phraartes's Sword our lives, our Town,
Altars and Temples their protection own!
Phraar.
Beauty and Gods to worship men pretend,
And what they worship they should still defend;
And they alike in my protection share,
Because they equally defenceless are.
Matth.
Well, Madam, since our Crowds thus rude appear,
We are unworthy of your presence here.
But now the Feast of Passeover draws nigh,
The yearly triumph of Divinity;
When to his Temple all our Tribes repair
From every Nation, where they scatter'd are;
To sound his praise, and at his Altars wait,
The old Deliverance to commemorate:
When our good Angel Egypt's first-born slew,
And all our Tribes from bondage drew:
And through retiring Seas a passage made,
Whilst Kings and Elements our Powers obey'd;
This Feast we hope you'll with your presence grace,
The chief remain of all our Royal Race.
Q. Beren.
I gladly would to Heav'n my Tribute pay,
But great Affairs will not admit my stay:
Part of my solemn Invitation here
Was the due honour I the memory bear
Of King Agrippa, my dear Brother slain,
Of our high blood the hope and great remain;
Whose royal life by fatal honour lost,
Your State a Friend, and me this sorrow cost.
Monob.
Gods! how I tremble at the words I hear,
[Aside.
Little thinks she his Murd'rer stands so near:
And less that her fair Eyes revenge his blood,
Ev'n on his heart by whom he was subdu'd.
Q. Beren.
When I the Royal Body can obtain,
From those with whom it Captive does remain,
Here in some Tomb, that does devoutly keep
Our Fathers sacred Ashes, it shall sleep:
Mean while in honour of his royal Name,
To pay my Vows and Offerings here I came;
And now my publique mourning days expire,
My own affairs command me to retire:
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Your Laws and State have an eternal Friend.
Phraar.
And wheresoe're I this bright Beauty see,
[to Clarona.
That place shall more than sacred be to me.
Matth.
My Daughter, Sir, you too much honour show.
[to Phraar.
For what your bounty, Madam, would bestow,
We pay our thanks, but we have all decreed,
We in Jerusalems defence will bleed.
We think we War against the Gods of Rome,
And all that dye have Crowns of Martyrdome:
But though we Roman Gods and Tyrants hate,
To your Commands we gladly bow our State:
And the small time you stay command as Queen,
With all the state our Kings have treated been.
[Guards for the King and Queen,
Ex. Phraar. Monob. Beren. and Clarona.
Matth.
Now with Heavens praises we the day have clos'd,
Some hours in Counsel might be well dispos'd;
For though we have supprest the Rebels powers,
And close confin'd them in their Vaults and Towers,
'Tis said to Edom they've for aid addrest,
To save poor Saints by Tyranny opprest.
And fifteen thousand Arbiters of State
Are on their March, the bus'ness to debate:
But though we slight these Advocates defence,
We yet may fear our Pris'ners Insolence:
Therefore their angry minds a while to please,
I sent a Train of devout Pharisees,
The only Men the Zealots now adore,
Led too by John our new-made Counsellor,
To ask with mildness, what is their intent?
Phin.
Yes, but I wish you better Men had sent:
For, Sir, in short, your Counsels are betray'd,
John and the Pharisees unite their Aid
To undermine your power; the Pharisees
Their own revengeful humour to appease,
Because of late you wisely, Sir, have checkt
The pride and growth of that usurping Sect.
Sag.
And th'other Traytor by designs like these
To creep in power by unperceiv'd degrees:
For which he does all Villany contemn.
8
To every Art and subtlety he flies,
Them he deludes with Prayers, and us withlies.
The Holy Place he visits every hour,
But 'tis to whisper in the Rebels Tower;
What we consult, where to deceive the Rout,
He is at once both perjur'd and devout:
And does at once both Parties cheat and please,
Out-faces us, out-whines the Pharisees;
Who see his subtle Crafts, yet trust him still,
In love to falshood and his dextrous skill.
Matth.
All these Mysterious Characters I've read,
And seen the lurking Treachery that's hid
In humble fawnings, and in fierce pretence
To each punctilio of obedience.
For I'm assur'd their Treacheries infus'd
Those false surmises, which the Crowd abus'd;
But they shall find I so much Treason hate,
From Foes and Traytors too I'le guard the State:
But they return—
[Enter John and two or three Pharisees.
John.
No hopes or means their furies to disswade?
Phin.
Dissembling Villain, we're by thee betray'd.
John.
I'th'name of injur'd Piety I'd know
On whom you all these foul reproaches throw?
Phin.
On thee, and that false Tribe, who on pretence
Of rigorous Piety and nice Innocence,
Craftily all our Interests devour,
And whine themselves into Esteem and Power;
Casting such Mists before the peoples eyes,
That none but they are thought devout or wise:
Then when they have made the Crowd our pow'r contemn,
We must be silent, or depend on them.
John.
Sir, such has bin my Service to the State,
That I disdain to bring it in debate,
And therefore shall not offer a reply
To such a false injurious Calumny.
But though my wrongs I can with patience bear,
Methinks my zeal's a little mov'd to hear
These good and pious Men reproacht—nay more,
Zeal and Religion wounded on their score.
9
You're bold and know not whom you dis-respect,
Phin.
Yes; pious Sir, 'Tis an Imperious Sect,
Wherewith our Land has swarm'd Three hundred years,
Whose pride in your dividing name appears:
You by the Stile of Pharisees are known;
Proud Separatists who common Saints disown:
And (as if you were of Diviner Birth)
The rest you Stile the people of the Earth.
Sag.
From these in proud contempt your Sect with-draw,
For your Seraphick lives correct the Law:
And your Complexions are so Nice and Fair,
You're sick, if you but tast a sinners Prayer.
But Gentiles with such Nauseous Zeal you fly,
As if the sight of them defil'd your eye:
And thus our Peoples hearts and wealths you steal;
Murder and Rob with Loyalty and Zeal;
And the fond Crowd into Rebellion draw;
Abuse our State, our Altars, and our Law.
Phin.
And thou, false Traytor, dost us all delude,
[To John.
Both us, the Rebels, and the Multitude.
John.
How! I delude!
Phin.
Yes; we have Read the sense
Of all your Fawnings, Pray'rs and Diligence:
Such as false Fiends in active Duty pay
To cheated Souls, on whom they hope to prey.
Most wondrous kind and ready at each call,
Intending to betray and Dam 'em all.
Matth.
Yes; you have not alone your trust betray'd,
But false Constructions on my Councils made,
As if to Rome I would my Country yield,
That by its fall I might my Greatness build:
A Crime I so much scorn—
I would not sell the Stones on which I tread,
For all the Crowns upon Vespasian's head:
And now lest Justice should your Crimes prevent,
You to the Edomites for Aid have sent:
But if they shall press arm'd within the Gate,
I'le treat e'm here, as Enemies to th'State.
And then to shew how I their force despise,
I will the Rebells in their sight Chastise.
10
Ha! are my Arts and Policies descry'd?
[Aside
I must defend what 'tis in vain to hide.
Have I in your assistance wept and pray'd?
And now must all your guilt on me be lay'd?
This I deserve from Providence, 'tis true,
But 'tis ingrateful wickedness in you.
Yet I, Heaven knows, did truth and peace intend,
But means should be as Holy as the end:
But in this Treason I'le no longer share,
I'le to my shame the Mystery declare.
'Tis truth, my Friends, what these bad men have said,
[To the Pharisees.
I'm an Impostor, you are all betray'd:
I promis'd Peace; but you are sold to Rome,
Defend your Altars, Lives, the Romans come.
Dark Compacts with Idolaters are made,
And they are hast'ning to these Tyrants aide.
Who to secure the Power they so much prize,
To all the Roman Gods will Sacrifice.
Matth.
Unheard of Impudence! the Fiends that fly
I'th'Air will shout at this amazing lye.
1 Phar.
'Tis truth! and in the Holy Cause we'll dye.
[All draw.
To Arms! to Arms! Tyrants! Idolatry!
Matth.
Hold, you deluded men! what frantick Rage
Has seiz'd you all? for what would you engage?
2. Phar.
We to our Laws and Altars will be true.
Matth.
And to the Gold about the Altars too.
1. Phar.
That falshood soon shall by our Swords be shewn.
Matth.
You'll guard it from all Rapine but your own.
[An Alarm without.
But Hark! the Citys fill'd with new Alarms!
Close all the Gates.—The news?
[Enter a Levite.
Levit.
To Arms, to Arms!
The Edomites are come! we're all in blood,
Queen Berenice is assaulted by the Crowd,
Who as she past beset her Chariot round,
Where your fair Daughter has receiv'd a Wound.
At which the Parthian King made all give way,
And had his God entreated would not stay;
But with Five hundred followers of his own,
Assisted by his Friend the brave Unknown,
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To the Idumean Troops a Rabble calls,
Crying save us, save Jerusalem, and assist
Your Brethren, 'gainst a proud usurping Priest.
Phin.
The Treason's out! now let's the Traytors seize.
Matth.
These are the Grand Seducers! fall on these.
[Phineas and the Guard chace John and the Pharisees off the Stage.
Matth.
Now, haste to th'Edomites without the Gate,
[To Sagan.
And tell 'em they the impious pleasures wait
Of Thieves, who Rob what they pretend to Guard;
And would their Aid with Sacriledge reward:
If on fair Terms they to depart deny,
Defend the Gates and with your Darts reply.
[Ex. Sagan.
And now I, guarded by the sole defence
Of these blest Robes and my own Innocence,
Will to these Favourites of Heav'n, to know
What new Credentials they have now to show.
For these proud Men their own Commissions Seal,
And place their sole Authority on Zeal.
Matthias goes out, and the Temple Gates are clos'd, and a Guard plac'd
| The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian. Part the First | |