University of Virginia Library

The Fourth Act.

Enter Empress, Patriarck, Anastasius, Urbitius, and Doctor.
Empress.
I have already done, what does become
A wife, by such addresses, as did shew
His safety was indanger'd by his crimes;
And my concern for him exprest so high!
That he was startled at the tears I shed,
And seem'd, as if he were admonished.

Patriarck.
Madam, the zeal, and duty you have pay'd,
Does more inrage, than mitigate a man,
That Warrs with Heav'n: 'Tis treasure that we want:
And only you can that supply; to win
The discontented Army, to protect
Your life, the Empire, and our Nation save;
Ere Zeno, all into confusion turn.

Empress.
Does our Religion wives impower to force
Their Husbands will? Though Zeno's sins cry loud,
Can I his Scepter sway? Shall I controul,
What Heav'n alone to Monarchs doth allow?
Such a presumption, may create in me,
A greater crime, than Zeno can commit.
Religion bids me, to my Fate submit.

Urbit.
Religion binds your Majesty, and us,
To save our selves, and our posterity,
From ravening Woolves, that do the world annoy;
And such as will, in time, mankind destroy.

Anast.
We do not invite your Majesty
To act with us; but to impart a Loan
Of so much money, for the publick good,
As may stop the effusion of more blood.
If our designs go higher, than to set
You free from Death, and all from slavery;
Then let the Evil, which your Virtue dreads,
With all its weight, be lay'd upon our heads.

Patriarck.
I am no man of blood, 'tis Piety
To wish, that our great Monarch may,
As Heav'n directs, his Royal Scepter sway.

Empress.
My Lords, what you allege concerning me,
Urges my safety by Impiety.
If Heav'n have, by a Tyrants will, decreed
That I must die; I am content to bleed.

Patriarck.
'Tis a kind of self-slaughter to comply
With Murderers; not Heaven's will so to die.
Now you are warn'd, and may your death prevent;
Your yielding weds his crime, by your consent.

Empress.
I value not my Treasure,, nor my Fate,
Above your lives, and safety of the State,
But doubt the event of what you safety call;
And fear lest Zeno, by my money fall.
Do but secure that doubt, and all I have
Shall be at your command: For I dare trust
Your Honours, that your Actions will be just.
While I, who cannot judge so great affairs,
Will guard my Innocence, with timely prayers.

Doctor.
Madam, you will do well, to fain some pain,
Lest Zeno find his poyson does not work;
And so grow jealous of my subtlety;
Who do perswade him 't works invisibly.

Empress.
'Tis hard to counterfeit to save my life;
It looks so like a crime, to own a lie;
My blushes will discover't though I die.

[Exeunt.
[Urbitius, and Anastasius stay.
Urbit.
'Tis strange how Fortune favors our design!
I carry Zeno's money to the Camp,
And, in your Name, bestow his Donative.
Now say, what Oratory I must use.

Anast.
Go, and be prosp'rous; say Harmatius fell
By the Emperial Brothers treachery;
Who envying his great Actions, instead
Of recompense for all his services,
Destroy'd him, and his Son; and do intend
Speedily to reduce their Legions too,
For the same cause they slew their General.
Incense them all you can, inrage their Spirits,
And by these Arts, invite them to revenge.
Then profer all my fortune, with my life,
To justifie their General and them.

Urbit.
I soon shall have dispatch'd all these commands.
Make hast to be elected by the Army.

Anast.
Go: when Pelagius comes, Ile follow you,
And bring with me, another shower of gold;
To quicken their resolves, and fix them more.
[Exit. Urbit.
Did ever gale blow prosperous like this,
In midst of such great storms, to convey me
Thus to my wish'd Port?—Is this Fortunes work?
Or my own act, begotten in my soul?
Th'effect of that bright spark of living Air;
That sets bold men, to struggle with theie Fate,
And so, do our own Destinies create!
Thus I'le go on, and raise my vulgar earth
Unto the skies: there like the Sun I'le shine,
And Rule the World below. I have been here
Tramp'led upon, by Men as meanly born,
Tyrants, who let none live, but those they scorn.

[Exit.
Enter Castor and Souldiers at one door, Urbitius at the other.
Castor.
Urbitius!

Urbit.
Oh, the plague of Tyranny!

Castor.
Why against Tyranny do you exclaim?

Urbit.
Can Princes thirst for their best servants blood?

Castor.
By Heav'n you rack me: What sad news d'ye bring?

Urbit.
It is too big to utter all at once.

Castor.
Pray let us know it. If we must grief sustain
This expectation, is the greater pain.

Urbit.
Harmatius!

Castor.
How I shake! What of Harmatius?

Urbit.
Is, by the cruel Brothers put to death.

Castor.
Harmatius! the terrour of the East!
Our General slain, for Conquering Cæsar's Foes!
Sure such ingratitude was never known,
To one, that plac'd a Cæsar on his Throne.

Urbit.
'Tis so, he knew no crime, but serving him.

Castor.
How came Harmatius into Zeno's power?

Urbit.
The usual way with Tyrants (trechery.)
Zeno most kindly welcom'd him to Court,
To entertain him there, prepar'd a Masque;
Then Armed men, when Zeno gave the word,
Rush'd in, and put Harmatius to the Sword.

Castor.
Souldiers to Arms, to Arms: with Sword and Fire
We will revenge our General, and hurl
Confusion on the Tyrant Traitor's head.
Beat up the Drums, we'l march immediately.

Urbit.
Castor, restrain revenge till we consult,
For you must know, the Palace is secur'd,
The Guards are doubl'd, and the Town in Arms;
All the Nobility adhere to Cæsar.
You know the great uncertainty of Warr:
And if we should prevail! in storming Towns,
Who can distinguish Friends, from Enemies?

Castor.
Shall Zeno then escape our just revenge?

Urbit.
No, but there's a readier way to do it.
We all know Anastasius, for a Man
of Honor, Virtue, and undaunted Courage,
A Souldier of great Conduct, and much wealth;
If you will swear fidelity to him,
He'l shew us the opportunest time to move:
For by those Murderers he's fear'd, and hated.
He gladly will imbrace Harmatius cause,
With your defense; and pull those Tyrants down.
I to the Army bring this gold from him.
And if Heav'n prosper his, and your resolves,
Thus bravely to revenge Harmatius death;
He will reward your merit, to your wish.

Castor.
We chuse brave Anastasius Emperor.

Souldiers.
We chuse brave Anastasius Emperor.

Castor.
With Anastasius will you live and die?

Souldiers.
To Anastasius we will swear Allegiance.

Urbit.
Farewel brave Sons of Mars, I'le now acquaint
Great Anastasius, our new Emperor,
With your Election, and fidelity.
[Exit. Urbitius.

Castor.
Souldiers, now trail your Colours, and your pikes;
Let our Drums beat, as at a Funeral:
And let the Trumpets, like to Screech Owls, shreek.
Harmatius fall'n, the Wars have lost their pride;
And some must bleed, ere we be satisfi'd.

[Exeunt.
Enter Pelagius.
Pelag.
Why does my mind misgive me, to do well?
What fear is this recals, and pulls me back?
My soul assures me, my intent is good,
As great. Why tremble then? why thus dismaid?
My business is my Countries cause; and I
By Heav'n am chosen to this publick work;
And I will do it boldly, though I die!
Zeno by me shall know his cruelty.
[The Kings Chappel opens.
The Chappel opens. 'Tis a happy Omen:
No time is lost, when we implore Heaven's Aid.
Here I shall take new courage, raise my heart;
And cheerfully resign my self to Death:
To have Longinus glutted with my blood,
I shall not grudge it, for my Countries good.

[He takes a little Crucifix from the Altar in his hand, and kneeling, falls into a Trance.
[Two Angels descend, with a Choire of Angels behind them singing thus.
The Angels ascended; Pelagius continues in his Trance.
Enter to him Longinus and Anastasius.
Anast.
Oh admirable Piety! Look Sir!
How prostrate at the Altar he implores
Heav'n, for a blessing on us all!
Rest has so seas'd upon his troubl'd soul,
He looks as pale as death, and scarce does breath.

Longi.
You blockhead, go, and leave me to my thoughts.
[Exit Anast.
The Beast is freely come into my Toyles.
Thou wretched lump of Earth, thou now shalt die.
Pray, weep, sigh, and tire Heav'n with calling on't;
Use all thy Eloquence, here's none to help:
None from my hand can now deliver thee.
[Draws his Dagger.
Thou Instrument of my revenge, so oft
Drench'd in blood of Innocents; thy point.
Must search this Villains heart; and so ease mine.
[He proffers to stab him, but holds.
What trembling seases my undaunted soul?
[He offers again, but stops.
My troubl'd heart does shake, I know not why,
And doubts to do this little, petty sin;
Like Children, who at first, blush to do ill:
But I, that since I suck'd my Mothers milk,
Have fed on Humane blood; to startle now,
And have a Palsie in my hand, is base.
My Enemy shall not escape me so;
He must not live, that would not have me Reign.
[Goes hastily to stab him, and stumbles, and rises quickly.
You Damn'd Infernal powers, strengthen my Arm,
Or you will loose a Proselyte of me:
Assist my force, or else my treachery.
The time, the place, his Trance does prompt me to't:
To testifie my guilt, here's none looks on,
Nor any to excuse his Innocence.
Come, Jupiter, and Act in my design;
[He takes the Image of Jove from his bosome, puts a Letter in the Image.
Thou shalt contest with all the Powers Divine,
To make Pelagius guilty of the Treason
Which dead Harmatius letter, here inclos'd
Will charge upon him. I'le now call Zeno.

[He takes away the Crucifix, and puts the Image in Pelagius hand.
Enter Zeno, Sebastianus, and Anastasius with a Guard, they meet Longinus going out.
Longi.
Cæsar, come this way. Look, my Lords, pray look,
How prostrate he does worship mighty Jove!

Zeno.
Can he adore a rotten Image thus?

Sebast.
Is this the grand design of that grave face?

Anast.
Heav'n! Do I dream, or see this impious man?
Pelagius, Pelagius, wake, and rise.

[Pelagius answers in his Trance.
Pelag.
Mercy, oh mercy on this shaken Empire!
Pitty us; let not thy just Thunder fall.

Zeno.
What, do you so much fear the Thunderer?
Now we see, why our Empire is so plagu'd;
This close Idolater does worship Jove.

Pelag.
Restrain the fury of these cruel Brothers.

Longi.
You hear what prayers he makes, and yet he lives!

Sebast.
Why does he thus long breath infectious Air?

Zeno.
The only happy, and Religious Man!
The pattern of all Piety, and Prudence;
The Idol of the Court; scourge of the Times!
Try, Souldiers, to wake this zealous Saint;
That we may hear some news from Jupiter.

[The Souldiers wake him.
Pelag.
Who disturbs this my blest ecstasie?
—How's this? What horrid treachery is here?
What Villain has bereav'd me of my God,
And put this cursed Idol in my hand?
[Throws it down and kicks it.
Oh! are You here? then my wonder's over.

Zeno.
Thou Heathen, we have now discover'd thee,
Who, under the pretense of greatest zeal,
Adores in private a false Deity.

Pelag.
I hate alike, this wickedness and thee:
Nor at your Plot upon me do I tremble,
Though I am subject to your Tyranny:
My soul's so strongly arm'd with Innocence,
That I can smile, when you do threaten most.

Zeno.
Souldiers, take him into your custody.
This Confidence will not outface your Guilt.
The greatest Malefactors often do,
When their known Crime's discover'd, talk like you.

Pelag.
Lay not rude hands on me, who boldly dare
[The Guard hold him.
Appear, wherever you dare carry me.
All I desire, is but a Legal Trial;
That Heav'n and Earth may judge of my Defence,
And see your Cheat upon my Innocence.
Though I despise to live, I would not die
Under the scandal of such Infamie.

Zeno.
You shall be tri'd by Law, as you desire.

Longin.
What's here?
[Longinus finds the Letter in the Image.
Harmatius to Pelagius.
[Reads.
Treason plotted against Cæsar's Life!
Know'st thou Harmatius his hand? Speak, Traytor.

Pelag.
Thou Traytor, know'st thou thy own Treachery?

Longi.
Sebastian, put Guards upon the Villain;
And let the Souldiers be in Arms all night.
Lead him off.

[Exeunt Soldiers with Pelagius.
Zeno.
This is well.

Longi.
As could be wish'd.

Zeno.
Longinus, you shall Reign, let Envy burst.

Longi.
Unless he suddenly be put to death,
The People may soon rise, and rescue him:
He's their Favourite, and his Faction strong.
Hasten his Trial with what speed you can,
And let his Judges be our choicest Friends.

Zeno.
Your Reason, and your Caution, I approve,
Enter to them Urbitius from the Camp.
Urbitius, how go our Affairs abroad?

Urbit.
Your Gold has charm'd the Souldiers hands, and hearts;
They wish you an eternal happiness:
They have forgot Harmatius, and desire
To spend the Remnant of their Lives in Peace.
Some Troops of their best Horse and Foot, well arm'd,
Are at the Port, and humbly do beg leave
To Exercise before your Majesty,
At your Brother's Feast, and Coronation.

Zeno.
Bring you 'um in, to solemnize our Feast:
And they shall be as welcom as they wish.
Urbitius, I have Favors for thee here.
So soon as this Days Solemnity is past,
Thou shalt my Love, and Bounty, amply taste.

[All go off but Longinus.
Longi.
Fortune, thou art my Saint; Thee I adore!
Upon thy Change my Happiness depends.
Awake my Heart, and be not sluggish now:
'Tis Fortune that directs this time to strike
Pelagius down, that he may rise no more,
To question my Election to the Crown.
My brother's slow in this Affair of State;
I would not have his Justice come too late.

[Exit.
Enter Zeno and his Doctor.
Zeno.
How dar'st thou disappoint my hopes thus long?

Doctor.
The ling'ring Poyson was by your command:
You told me it must have some Days to work,
That no suspicion might arise on you.
I could have soon prepar'd a little Dose,
That instantly would have dispatch'd her Life:
But then, Physicians would have plainly seen
Ill Symptomes on the Body of the Queen.

Zeno.
Well, you have set me right. How does it work?

Doctor.
As you and I could wish: She languishes,
Her Vital Parts decay; and, undiscern'd,
Her Soul, within few days, will slide away.

Zeno.
Few days! I cannot stay so long. This night
It must be done; I have great reasons for't.
Therefore prepare your quickest working Dram.
She long enough has linger'd; ease her now,
In pitty, from her pain, which troubles me.
Go, see her dead, or never see me more.

Doctor.
That were a Curse.
[Exit Doctor.

Zeno.
I'm now for my coy Mistris.
What words, what looks, will suit with her sad heart,
And my known guilt? I must now visit her,
Though her great Fathers bloody Ghost stood by,
To threaten Vengeance for my Cruelty.

He goes to her Chamber, and finds her with a Dagger in her Hand: He proffers to kiss her Hand.
Eirene.
Touch me not, Monster: Though I am thy Slave,
Thou shalt not send me sulli'd to my Grave.
Here is my Refuge, this is my Defense,
To guard my Honour from thy Insolence.

Zeno.
What Force, what Insolence appears in me?
If Love encourag'd me to kiss your hand,
Is that a Crime you so much startle at?

Eirene.
My Father, and my Brother, slain by thee;
What can I hope for, at thy bloody hand?

Zeno.
Shall all the Blood, by mad Longinus shed,
Be call'd my Crime? be charg'd upon my head?
Heav'n can attest, how much against my will
Your noble Father, and your Brother fell.

Eirene.
How's this! were not you Author of their Deaths?

Zeno.
Longinus, jealous of my love to you,
Doubted I would your Brother reinthrone;
And, by your Fathers power, would cast him down.
From hence this mischief grew; and that black deed
Will ne're be cancel'd, till Longinus bleed.
And if Eirene please, I'le yet prevent
Longinus, from ascending on the Throne,
And bring him to the Barr; where you shall Judge.

Eirene.
No, Sir, let Heav'n his punishment Decree,
That can best judge his guilt, My miseries
Are grown so great, they'l not permit my eyes
To look upon so foul a Sacrifice.

Zeno.
How then, shall my unspotted heart appear?
How be acquitted, if you be not there?

Eirene.
When his guilt's seen, your innocence will shine;
And if you spare not him; (so near alli'd;)
'Twill undeceive me, and my doubts decide.
But, Sir, the Empress is so very ill,
That I was sent for twice, ere you came in:
I begg your leave, that I may wait on her.
[Exit Eirene.

Zeno.
How glad am I she's gone; her Innocence
Out-witted all my studi'd Eloquence;
And gave no credit to the lie I made.
But yet Longinus may (when he is Crown'd)
Own this black fact, and cleer me of the guilt.
And if this satisfie Eirene's rage,
I may by other arts her heart ingage.
—But stay, Longinus has a subtle head,
To search into the mysteries of State;
And must not rashly be ingag'd this way:
I dare not teach him how to disobey.
My Love, and my designs together grow:
But which to cherish most, is hard to know.
This is a dangerous Amphibious growth:
In stead of gaining, I may loose them both.
Love is the Childe of fansie, and of hope;
Remove the cause, and the effect will cease;
If she deny but once again! She dies:
Better she mine, than I her Sacrifice.
[Exit Zeno.