University of Virginia Library

The Second Act.

The Scene, a black Room, and in it Longinus in black, and a Musician tuning his Lute at a distance.
Longi.
Was ever Prince subjected by his Slaves?
Like Zeno, by the Patriarck and his crew.
Who think they must be wise, because they'r old:
And valiant, because their tongues are bold.
But if my project take; I shall, ere long,
Teach their grave-heads a little more discretion.
In jealous times, 'tis no ill policy,
To mingle terrors, with the peoples wishes,
That those who hope, may ballance them that fear.
This Room, this habit, with my sullen brow,
Sufficiently do shew, my discontent;
And may beget such rumors in the Town,
They will invite me to accept the Crown.
What strange noise doest thou make? and why so long?

Music.
I tune my strings, Sir, that they may agree.

Longi.
Pox of agreement, discords please me best;
Thy jarring strings, my fancy will erect,
And sute with the confusions, I design.

Music.
Would you to sadness, or to mirth be mov'd?

Longi.
Guess.
[He plays a merry tune.
Hold, if thou would'st not have thy brains beat out.

Music.
Pray Sir tell me, what you would have me play?

Longi.
Doest thou not see my habit, and my looks?
Can thy shril strings turn scorching fire to Ice,
Which in my brest, like flaming Ætna, burns?
Or can they into trees, and stones put life?
As Orpheus did.

Music.
Give me his Harpe, Ile do't.

Longi.
He playes a sad tune: Longinus sits, and keeps time with his head and feet; and then sleeps while he sings.

[Music.]
The SONG.
The Sun, and Starrs, with wholesome Rays,
All poison from the Earth expel:
But when Malignant Comets Raign;
Warr, Plague, and Famine break from Hell.

Enter Fortune blinded, carrying in her hand a wheele of skie colour spotted with gold, to which is fastened on one side a gold Crown, and opposite to it an Ax; to the handle of the wheele is fastened a gold rod, which Fortune pulling by intervals, as she Dances, makes the wheele turn: To her enters a man drest like Longinus, who dances with Fortune, she, letting down her wheele, seems to offer him the Crown, which he catches at; but by a quick turn of the wheele, is presented with the Ax: Then enters another man drest like Anastatius, who dances with them, and as often as he meets the first Man, bows low to him; but at last comes behind, and trips up his heels. Then Fortune presents the Crown to the last Man: and so all dance off severally.
As Longinus sleeps, his Tablets fall from his hand.
Enter Anastatius a Prayer-book in his hand.
Anast.
The Fox walks safely, when the Lion sleeps;
This may some secrets to my view impart:
Horror! my hand is frozen with the touch;
[Takes up the Tablets, and looks in them.
Whoever reads what is now written here,
Will start, and tremble, though he know no fear.
He reads

Euphemians prediction that Zeno
shall be buried alive.

A cruel death, but worse his crimes deserve.
Reads

A character of the Royal Parricide.
He is a great Courtier, his face
deceives his friends, In's Words
he's just, but vile in his Actions.

If Heav'n for this great work, should point at me;
Ile flie to execute their just Decree.
Reads

Those who are suspected, presently must die,
Euphemian the Astrologer went first, the
Orator Gazeus is to follow, Harmatius
next, then Pelagius with Anastatius, and
the rest.

O cruel Monster! what a Sea of blood
Dost thou design to swim through for a Crown?
Reads

Sebastian and Phylargus to be taken
into our Councils.

A pair of Villains, only fit for Hell.
Reads

Anastatius a plain man, neither fear him,
nor trust him, leave him for the last.

This Ile remember, there's your Notes again:
[Lays down the Tablets.
Thus forewarn'd; and by others harms, thus taught;
Not to be active now, would be a fault.
Princes, 'tis you, that rouse my drousie thoughts,
To play a part, in this your bloody game;
That I with safety may your ruins see,
Who, only through contempt, do yet spare me.

Enter Urbitius.
Urbit.
Why do you trust your self within these walls?

Anast.
If I appear not, they will grow jealous.

Urbit.
Does he sleep, or counterfeit? come farther.

Anast.
He sleeps, and we are out of hearing now.

Urbit.
You must be vigilant, and active too:
You want some Arts, which I could wish you learn.

Anast.
Say of what nature, and by whom be taught?

Urbit.
By me, and thus I will presume to teach.
You must fain Piety, to do this work;
By which, with little hazard, you may gain
Opinion first, and then the Crown obtain.
Honors gate to the subtle, opens wide;
When to the simple, entrance is deny'd.
With smoothed brows, your anger so disguise,
As to imbrace him most, you most despise:
Your eyes with modesty must ever shine;
Your looks most humble, and your words Divine.
Then laugh, when you do greatest malice bear;
And when you dare do most, seem most to fear.
Your craft, like your design, must sore so high,
That no man sees your conquering Eagles flie.

Anast.
Urbitius no, if Innocence, and Truth,
Will not obtain, what I design to do:
Let th'Empire fall, and all to ruine go.

Enter to them Gazeus, and many Children in black.
Anast.
Gazeus, you come happily to help.

Gazeus.
I come sadly to shew a woful sight;
What shall I first present? our private loss,
Or the sick Empires Common safety mourn?

Anast.
The Common safety, is of most concern.

Gazeus.
The heaps of slaughtered carcases, declare,
No man is safe, from Cæsars murdering sword.

Anast.
How long will the slow Deity, suspend
Just thunder, from these men, who will not mend?

Gazeus.
Adjourn your wishes for a while, I come,
Boldly to tell Longinus to his face,
These slaughters cry for vengeance on his head.

Anast.
Where got you this, so brave, undaunted heart?

Gazeus.
Whatever shall become of me, Ile do't.

Anast.
If thou dar'st paint this Monster to the life;
Go on great soul, and be victorious.
See where he sits, alone; his empty house
Shews, that few dare approach him, but his guards.
You need not doubt access: no Woolf denies
Free entrance to the Lamb he will devour.
I wish you well, but doubt ere you return,
Your Orphans may have a new cause to mourn.
I came to visit him, but will retire,
Lest he may think, that you and I conspire.

[Exit with Urbitius.
Gazeus.
Cry Children, fill the Air with your laments.

Children.
Mercy, Prince.

Gazeus.
Louder yet.

Children.
Mercy, Prince.

Longi.
starts.
Is the Earth cleft, that Devils do ascend?
What's the matter with all these black shadows?
Would you speak with me? Do I govern Hell?
You do mistake. I have no power below:
My Throne cannot be yet erected there.
Until Pelagius feel the weight of this,
I have no claim to that Dominion.
Go Devils, go to your eternal night;
Doubt not, when I arrive; Ile do you right.
They stand. Oh strange! my words are not regarded.

Children.
Mercy, Prince.

Longi.
The Whelps bark, hence Monsters, out.

Gazeus.
Here are no Monsters Cæsar, but poor Orphans,
Robb'd of their Parents.

Children.
Mercy, mercy, Cæsar.

Longi.
Silence these dreadful Brats, or cut their throats.
How comes it, that in Mourning they appear?

Gazeus.
Their Fathers are all slain.

Longi.
How! by the Sword?

Gazeus.
Some hang'd, some poyson'd, they had several ends.

Longi.
Did they die justly?

Gazeus.
No, unjustly All.

Longi.
Call you the Sentence of the Law unjust?
Must not the guilty suffer for their crimes?

Gazeus.
If so, then you, great Prince; condemn your self;
For you are guilty of these cruel Murders.

Longi.
Am I a Murderer? dull Sophister;
By all that's called Sacred, I swear thou liest.
This artifice shall destroy the Artist.
Souldiers, bind that wicked Villain Gazeus.

Children.
Mercy, Prince.

Longi.
Flie like a whirlewind, bastards, out Vipers.

Children.
Good Heav'n, revenge our defamation.
[Exeunt Children.

Gazeus.
Longinus, moderate your fierce passion,
And learn to bridle your resentments more:
Till this Empire be in better order,
Order your own bosome, and you're well.
Why will you leap headlong into Hell!
Why seek out sins? why hunt for wickedness?
The space, 'twixt life and death, is very short;
No wicked man was ever happy long.
The peoples blood, which you have spilt, cries loud:
The Maids, and Widows of the Murthered too,
For vengeance call; take heed how you provoke
Just Heav'n, to hurl quick thunder at your brest,
For your contempt, in daring to contest
Those Laws, which are directed from above,

Longi.
Great Orator! I know your Eloquence:
You can loud Thunder, and fierce Lightning send,
By way of admonition to your friend.
Ile return your kindness, in my own Coin,
Bring a bowl of high colour'd, noble Wine;
The Orator shall drink Ambrosia,
[They bring him a bowl of Wine.
To refresh his spirits, spent in discourse.
Souldier, bring him an easie chair; sit, Sir,
And down with your rich Liquor, down with it.

Gazeus.
Pardon Cæsar.

Longi.
Drink it all off, or I will poure it down.

Gazeus.
Must I drink poyson in a golden cup?
Is this a just reward for Innocence?

Longi.
A just punishment for a prating knave,
That boldly dares defame his Soveraign.
Dost thou stop? drink it off, or with thy blood
Ile fill the bowl; and make thee drink that too.

Gazeus.
Those that trust Tyrants, must perish thus;
I drink Death swimming in this fatal bowl,
Which leads me to sure Liberty and rest.
Thou that defiest Heaven, shalt drink Sulphur;
And be condemn'd unto Eternal flames.

[Drinks.
Longi.
Go now make Speeches unto Lucifer;
Throw the Dog on a dunghil, till he bursts.
[Exeunt all but Longinus.
Enter Zeno to him.
Oh vain hope! I dream't of Crowns and Scepters.

Zeno.
My Brother, why, on this great day, so sad?
How comes your Purple, overcast with black?

Longi.
Black, not to be put off, till drench'd in blood.
Could Pelagius do this? Oh bitter rage!
Cæsars only Brother, and the worlds Light,
Is a mean fellow grown, the jest o'th Court!
Sport of the Age! a prey to Pelagius.
Oh monstrous! Do you see? do you look on?
Approve you this? while I die with anger.

Zeno.
Be pacified, and keep your anger in,
He's ne're secure, that does provoke his Prince.
Doubt not my revenge, for that wound lies deep;
Ile not forget, nor shall my anger sleep.

Longi.
When shall he die? why so slow to punish?

Zeno.
Hatred, allows us time to execute.

Longi.
Let private men hate, Kings should dart their Swords,
And their sharpe Javelins at offenders throw,
The same moment, they presume t'oppose.
Why do you Raign? what means the world's Scepter
In your hand, if still subject unto fear?

Zeno.
Great and numerous, are Pelagius guards,
Virtue, Innocence, profound Eloquence;
In the greatest storms, a Serene temper;
High in the Senates, and the peoples favor:
Rashly to remove this Pillar now,
Will sure disturb, and may destroy your hopes.

Longi.
If he be now so formidable grown,
'Tis time he were dispatch'd, lest he grow on.
But if you do consider well, you'l find
Whom the great men, or people do cry up,
Is not much worthy of our serious thoughts;
For Him, they alwayes in high place ador'd,
When falling, do not one good word afford.
The stately Cedar, strutting on a hill,
Gives pleasure, and delight, to every eye:
But when by storms destroy'd, or else cut down,
We see it trampled on by every Clown.

Zeno.
We will consult again, ere it be long:
Eirene does expect me.
[Exit Zeno.

Longi.
Zeno, like men at leasure, may make Love;
His Empire's settled, and his Crown sticks fast:
And yet if proud Harmatius be not check't,
He'l make my Brother smart for this neglect.
But I, who serve at large, am no body;
Must not be lazie in this busie age:
While the Crown does hover ore my head,
To sleep, or to be idle's to be dead.
The Empress, I am told, is very sick;
And if Eirene should supply her place,
All my designs will turn to my disgrace.
Harmatius and Pelagius must both die.
And then slie Anastatius, with the rest.
Much must be done, ere I the Throne ascend:
I have so many Irons hot at once,
I know not which to strike, nor which may cool;
But must, as they within my reach do fall,
Boldly resolve to strike, and ruin all.
[Exit Longinus.

Enter the Emperor, with Eirene: their Servants stand off.
Eirene.
How ill your Actions with your Words agree;
While with such gentleness you flatter me?
My Brothers Purple from his shoulders torn,
His Diadem on black Longinus head
Is plac'd; my Father from the Army call'd;
And I no doubt have some sinister Doom:
That our whole Family, may at own push
Be tumbled down, and the great debt cancell'd.
—Is this the redompence, the high reward,
My Valiant Father so well merited:
When in the head of all his Legions,
He the late Tyrant slew, by your command,
And put his Scepter in your hand?

Zeno.
You are too violent, in these exclaimes,
And do presume too farr, to blow the flames
Of my pure love, into so great despair;
As may beget the mischief which you fear.
All that is past, I can as yet recal,
And make the Ruine, on the Advisers fall;
If your hard heart, will now at last consent,
To be my Partner in the Government.

Eirene.
The terror of Longinus bloody deeds,
My fear, and apprehension farr exceeds.
Now you your Brother, your Copartner make;
Mankind must tremble, and the Earth will shake,
Under the mighty weight of crimes so great;
As the sole Empire only can compleat.
My faithful Father, and my Brother gone;
Who then has Cæsar to support his Throne?

Zeno.
If this advice be from Eirenes heart;
Cæsar would have no need of more support.
I know Longinus nature, and his rage,
I know he is the terror of this age;
I know my life, and Empire is his aime;
And I know how to counter-play his game:
I therefore took him to me, on the Throne,
Safely to bring him to destruction.
Your Brother was remov'd, on this consult,
Your Father was call'd home, as in disgrace.
But come, He shall Longinus place supply;
Eirenes frown, shall be his Destiny.
If my fair Saint will let me sacrifice
An Hecatomb of sighs, to her bright eyes,
And not turn from me, with so strange disdain;
My life, and Empire, will unmov'd remain.

Eirene.
Great Sir! what can your humblest vassal say?
How can I duty, and obedience pay,
Beyond my prayers to Heav'n, for your repose,
And for the Empress quick recovery?
Who languishes under an unknown grief,
In pains beyond relation, or belief.

[Weeps.
Zeno.
Madam, we must all die, and so must she,
To my great grief, (if Heaven do so decree.)
Till time these arguments for tears remove,
I shall no more assault you, with my Love.
[Exit Zeno.

Enter Anastatius.
Anast.
How got you out of Zeno's nets so soon?

Eirene.
I talk'd him into frights, to free my self,
And sent him hence more laden with his cares,
Than Love; I saw his flatteries thrown out,
In hope to bring his wicked ends about.
But by you warn'd, of our approaching harms,
I was secur'd, from his Infernal charms.

Anast.
Courage, gives luster to your Innocence;
And both shew virtue glorious through the world.
Madam, the Empress does congratulate
Your safety, as her own; and does advise,
You do avoid occasions for surprise:
She knows, against the Tyrants arts, no spell,
But patience, can prevail; you are yet safe:
And if the Army fail not, we shall try
The Fates decree, for a quick destiny.

Eirene.
I shall attend the Empress, and there shew,
That I can suffer, and dare boldly die;
If you do not subvert this Tyranny.
Enter Basiliscus.
Welcome Brother, you wear a cheerful face,
As if not sensible of your disgrace.

Basilis.
To frown for an affront, beyond the reach
Of my revenge; would teach the jealous Foe,
How to direct, and fix a second blow.
No, no, Eirene, though I wear no purple,
Yet I may tear the Crown from Zeno's temples.
Our Father's on his March, he'l come to Court,
And take no notice yet, of my disgrace,
But wisely calms the tempest in his brest,
That he may Zeno, and Longinus feast
Ere long; and then in publick, will repeat
His last Victory, with the Foes retreat:
That done, He will demand my place i'th'State,
And take, what they will offer him too late.

Anast.
Bravely resolv'd. But I must not be seen.
Longinus spies do carry Argus eyes;
And may soon frustrate your design, if I
Appear consulting with your Family:
But, if you want my help, I shall be near,
Till when, it is not prudence to appear.
Madam, unless you give me your commands,
Ile not Act yet, but be a looker on.

Eirene.
'Tis most unfit that you anticipate
The grand design, on my command; I know
My Father wants not skill to execute,
What he contrives for our security.
I only pray, that no more blood be spilt
By him, than what will wash off Zeno's guilt.

[Exeunt severally.