University of Virginia Library

The Fifth Act.

Enter Zeno, Longinus, Sebastian, Urbitius, Proclus, Phylargus, who sit as a Court of Justice: five Youths, and Souldiers stand off.
Zeno.
My Lords, I have appointed you this day
For Judges, in a Cause of high concern;
To assist Heav'n, and justifie our Faith,
Which droops, and staggers, through vile practices
Of wicked men; who in contempt of God,
Do worship Jupiter, here in our Court.
If we let such Impiety escape,
We must expect Heav'ns Judgments on our heads.
Bring forth the guilty pris'ner, to the Bar.
—Sebastian, you shall be our Substitute.

[Zeno gives his place to Sebastian.
[Pelagius is brought in.
Sebast.
If hearts, and faces, ever did agree,
I should quit Pelagius; but I must Judge by proofs.
Come on, young Men, what is't you testifie?

1st. Youth.
I saw him worship Jove, this I depose.

2d. Youth.
He did adore Jupiter in my sight.

3d. Youth.
I swear he did.

4th. Youth.
And so do I swear too.

Pelag.
Is all your proof a company of Boys?

Proclus.
I saw him prostrate before this Image.

Phylar.
Which I attest.

Hortens.
And I.

Longi.
Eight witnesses,
Saw his Idolatry, and prove the Fact.

Zeno.
The Idol had a Letter in't. Read that;
Which, with his other crime, will prove the Treason.

[Proclus reads the Letter aloud.
Proclus
reads.
Harmatius to Pelagius.

To what a sad condition the Empire is reduced, I understand by
yours. What would you know more? Tyrants are at the
Helm: I am almost orewhelm'd with grief: my Family
is utterly disgrac'd: and I my self cannot be safe, but by
the Death of those that thus oppress us. When you hear

the Trumpet sound, you will have a Leader. You know
the rest. In the mean time, look well about you.

Farewel.

Longi.
Thou hater of our God, doest thou hear this?
What sayst thou Villain? Shall the Trumpet sound?
Or shall Longinus Reign? that dreadful Comet!
Alas, what desolations will he make?
Oh thou infection of the Air! is this,
What your grave face did agitate so long?
Is this your ridged superciliousness?
Your Heav'nly looks? O thou dissembling wretch!
At length thy holy Cheats are come to light;
And thou, detected for these crimes, shalt die.

Pelag.
I do believe it has been long design'd;
And 'tis no wonder, when two Tyrants Reign;
Who forge a guilt, and then condemn me for't.
I am accus'd to worship Jupiter;
This ugly Idol, which I trample on.
[He takes it, and treads on it.
My honest, and religious life, declares
My Faith unto one only Deity;
Who, by his Word, did Heav'n and Earth Create.

Sebast.
Heathens have been good men, as well as you.

Pelag.
I do serve Him, who can judge us by our hearts:
That God will manifest my truth, and faith.

Sebast.
How will he do it? by a Miracle!

Pelag.
Yes, by this Image; read, what proof it makes.

[He takes up the Idol, and gives it to Proclus, who reads the Inscription aloud.
Proclus.
This for Longinus, was by Lawsus grav'd.

[Longinus draws at Proclus.
Longi.
What falshood there dost thou pretend to read?

Proclus.
I read, but what th'Ingraver has here writ.

Longi.
Thou liest.

Proclus.
Judge by the Character, I'le sit no more.
[Exit Proclus.

Zeno.
Stay Proclus.

Longi.
Let him go.

Pelag.
Cæsar, the workman ought to be produc'd.

Longi.
Souldier, immediately bring Lawsus hither.

Phylar.
'Tis said, that he was poyson'd yesterday,
But not yet known by whom 'twas done.

Zeno.
By whom, but by Pelagius; can it be?
This subtlety must not our Justice sway:
He hop'd by this to hide his first great crime.
My Lords, what think you? Is Pelagius guilty?

All.
He's guilty of Idolatry, and Treason.

Zeno.
Then take him off; carry him to the Block.

Pelag.
Virtue and Truth are over-reach'd by Fraud:
Longinus will this Treachery applaud;
That when my blood is spilt, he may ascend
The Throne, and put the bloody purple on.
But, Princes, you that laugh men to their graves,
The God you scorn, and daily thus provoke,
Will soon reward you with Eternal flames.

Zeno.
Stop his railing tongue, we will hear no more.

Longi.
His soul, now struck with fear, trembles at death,
And shakes his tongue, to talk distractedly.
Come, Brother, let us go: the Royal Robes
Are ready, and the Ceremony stays.

Pelag.
Thou art mistaken, miserable wretch:
I despise death, and can laugh thee to scorn,
Who triumph'st in the vanity of hopes,
And dreamst of glories thou shalt never reach:
For thou shalt never be an Emperor.
And Zeno shall unsettle, by my death,
This Empire, which he governs now in Peace.

Longi.
He vomits plagues from Hell, ere he comes thither.

Zeno.
Lead him off to Execution.

Longi.
We loose time.

[Exeunt.
[All go off but Pelagius, and Guards, with an Officer, the Scene opens, and a Scaffold is seen; they lead Pelagius up.
Officer.
Come, Sir, 'tis time you should be on the Scaffold.

Pelag.
'Tis what I wish for; Oh accursed Times!
When Piety, and Truth, are counted Crimes!

Officer.
Dispatch: we have no time for Homilies.

Pelag.
Indeed such time would be mispent on you.

[He puts up a false head, which is cut off.
The Scene is shut, enter an Officer, a Souldier meets him with Pelagius head cover'd.
Officer.
Whither in such haste? What hast thou hid there?

Sould.
I am conducting this head to Council.

Officer.
Do heads consult after they are cut off?

Sould.
Yes, the rest of his Cabal attend him.

Officer.
But where, I pray, does this great Council meet?

Sould.
Zeno has appointed them the high Tower
Upon the Western wall; thence to survey
The Country, which their wisdoms thought to sway.
[Exit. Sould.

Officer.
These are horrid Jests! wickedness so great!
I tremble at, what they do make their mirth.
Each day does some new cruelty produce,
Barbarity makes custom, and excuse.
[Exit Officer.

[Here passes o're the Stage, by two and two, several Mourners, Men and Women sadly weeping; to take up some time, before the next Scene, which else would follow too soon after the last. Pelagius body is carryed, and his son Erastus chief Mourner.
The Funeral gone, Enter Zeno, Longinus, Sebastian, Anastasius, and Urbitius.
The Scene changes, and there appears on poles, upon the Town wall, the Heads of Harmatius, Basiliscus, Pelagius, Gazeus, and the Eight Captains.
Sebast.
Are not those heads well plac'd upon the walls?
Look, what a pompous, dismal shew they make:
Had but Harmatius head a Crown upon't,
It would, now in that posture, aw the World.

Zeno.
This gastly spectacle delights me much.

Longi.
Your eyes are not more highly pleas'd, than mine.

Zeno.
This is a joyful Coronation day.

Longi.
Now these are dumb, who dares deny the Crown,
Which Cæsar on his Brother has bestow'd?

Zeno.
Let them frown now, and threaten us from thence.

Longi.
Do, thunder out your Judgments, and insult;
Defie your Princes, bid them be discreet,
When your great Wisdoms next in Council meet.
Lust, and Ambition relish well, but still
Give me Revenge on all that cross my will.

[Zeno walks proudly on the Stage, looking on the Heads.
Longi.
So walks the Royal Lion, when in's rage
He has chastiz'd his Rebellious Vassals.
Ha! Those heads are not fix'd upon the walls:
Pelagius nodded at me.

Sebast.
'Twas your fancy:
Your Joy does work too much on your success.

Longi.
Thou tel'st me true: My Joyes do swell too much.
My eyes could dwell upon Pelagius head.
For though his blood have satisfi'd my Rage;
It cannot yet my Anger disingage.
So does the valiant Cock triumph, and crow
O're the dead carcass of his conquer'd Foe.

Anast.
aside.
So basest Cowards bragg, and boldly boast;
When Enemies are slain, at others cost.

Zeno.
'Twas of great use, that I consulted Hell;
Which caus'd me make so many Funerals.
Had not my Sword been glutted with their blood,
Where those Heads stand, mine might have stood.
Come in, my Lords, this shall be Holiday,
My Brothers happy Coronation feast;
On which, we'l Revel out the Day, and Night.
Noble Sebastian, you shall be my Guest:
And, Anastasius, you shall fill me Wine,
And be my Ganymede, while this Feast lasts.

Anast.
A very high preferment, as it proves.

Zeno.
And, Urbitius, to morrow you shall be
The Captain of our Guard. This night we'l Revel.
Let not a serious thought divert our hearts
From those high jollities! we have prepar'd.
With Songs, with Masques, with Banquets, and with Wine
This Night in Glory shall the Sun out-shine.

[Exeunt.
[All go off but Anastasius, and Urbitius.
Anast.
Do you prepare the Souldiers for their shew.
Mean while, with richest Wine, I'le fill his Bowl:
Which shall be done so often, and so full,
His soul may swim to Paradise in Wine.
Be sure you get the Troops in readiness.

Urbit.
Where must we attend?

Anast.
Under the Palace wall.
[Exit Anastasius.

Urbit.
So may the Destiny of Tyrants run,
No dangers ere foresee, nor power to shun
The Judgement for their crimes, by Heav'n sent;
Though by the worst, and meanest Instrument.

[The Scene Changes.
[Here the Souldiers appear.
I see the Souldiers are already come.

Sould.
Stand, give the word.

Urbit.
Punishment.

Sould.
On the Wicked.

Urbit.
Welcome brave Souldiers, all is ready now;
This Feasting time, our Post is order'd here:
Here we must fix, till Anastasius come.
Then call to mind, how great Harmatius fell,
And then, send all his Murderers to Hell.
Hark! the Trumpets sound unto the Banquet.
Make ready, and stand close, till I return.

[The Scene Changes.
[He places the Souldiers, then Exit.
Enter Zeno, Longinus, Sebastianus, as at a Banquet, drinking.
Zeno.
Brother, I drink a Kingdom to you here;

Longi.
Long life, and health attend the Emperor.
Here's my Brothers health to you, Sebastian.

Sebast.
Health, and highest happiness to Cæsar.

[Here Bacchus is Drawn in a Chariot by Alexander and Antony.
Sebast.
See, Bacchus triumphs over Conquerors,
And looks as big as if he did disdain
Those Emperors, who now adorn his Train.

Zeno.
Give me a full bowl: This Falernian Wine,
Than drunken Bacchus self, is more Divine.

Longi.
Lets drink, till we become his Captives too,
And draw with Antony, and Alexander.

Zeno.
Fill, Anastasius, let the cups go round:
Thou hast a sober face, so grave and wise,
As if thou did'st our jollities despise,
And mighty Bacchus powerful charms contemn.

Anast.
What Mortal will contend? or who dares try
Great Bacchus force, after this Victory?

Enter the Patriarck.
Patri.
Princes, what mean these tumults in the streets?
Is this a time for Mirth, and Revelling?

Zeno.
Why suffer you this fool to trouble us?
Remove his peevish age, from our contempt.

Longi.
Go, Souldiers, take that doting Coxcomb hence.
Your time will not be long after this Feast.

Zeno.
Stay, give the prating Priest a Bowl of Wine;
And make him one of our Society:
This health, is to your rev'rend baldness:
[Drinks.
Sit down, old fellow, drink it off at once.
Here's none will tell of thy good fellowship.

Patri.
Cæsar will soon repent this mockery.

[Exit.
[Here seven Blackamore Boys, in Turkish or Morisco habits, dance.
Zeno.
Pluto's black Boys have prettily perform'd—

Longi.
These Devils dance like Angels to my eye.

Enter young Basiliscus his Ghost.
Ghost.
Heav'n! and Earth!
Can those that Murder'd us, Revel, and Feast?

Zeno.
What shrill voice is that, which strikes through my ears?

Ghost.
'Tis Basiliscus, come to visit thee.

Zeno.
Thou'rt come to fetch a mouthful of fresh Air;
Draw near, you're very welcome, pretty youth.
Set him a Chair, and fill him a full Bowl,
To cheer his heart, and colour his pale cheeks:
Such handsome Ghosts may prove good Company.

Sebast.
To whom does Cæsar speak? this Wine's too strong.

Basilis.
Cæsar, thy time is short: Prepare to die.

[Speak angry.
Zeno.
Why angry? thou hast no cause to threaten.
I sent thee from the troubles of this world;
To rowl on Roses, in the Elysian fields:
Where Innocence is treated with delights.
We, who in blood, for Monarchies on Earth,
So fiercely do (by wongs) for right contest,
May well expect to smart, when we expire.
Thy Fathers crimes, and mine, may so contend
For the Supreme Command; when I descend:
But thou, sweet Boy, hast no just cause to frown,
Freed from the Evils that attend this Crown.

Basilis.
Do not my looks yet terrifie thy soul?

Zeno.
Such terrors are remov'd by a full bowl.
[Drinks.
So, now say on, I am prepar'd to hear
The worst thou canst denounce, and scorn to fear.
Give me another Bowl: Thus doubly arm'd,
[Takes a bowl in his hand.
What news from Hell? how fares Harmatius?
Does he command? and govern as he lists?
Shall we be Princes? or his Vassals there?
Speak, Boy, and pledge this health; here's to thy Father
And his thin Subjects. He deserves to be
Prince of Shadows, that let us out-wit him.

[Drinks.
[As he Drinks, Harmatius Ghost appears before him.
Ghost.
Do, do, drink deep, for thou shalt drink no more;
Look here, here! thou Tyrant, look, and tremble.

[Zeno shakes and trembles, rises, and lets fall his Bowl.
Zeno.
Horror!

Longi.
What means this Aguish extasie?

Zeno.
Do you not see him? how he stares, and frowns!

Longi.
Sir, I see nothing: Can your shadow fright you?

Zeno.
Longinus, 'tis a gastly shadow! that!
The voice, that bold Harmatius thunder'd with!

[The Ghosts vanish.
Sebast.
His head's disturb'd with Wine, and now creates
Ideas of those shapes his heart abhors.

Longi.
Come let us drink, and let the Maskque go on.

[Zeno sits again drowsie, while the Satyres dance, the Imperial Crown and Robes are brought in for Longinus Coronation, and placed on a Table.
Anast.
Cæsar now minds me not, and my design
Calls me away to fetch the Army in:
And try if Heav'n approve of my intent,
In Crowning this great work by th'event.
[Exit Anastasius.

[The Satyres dance again: that done, a Souldier comes in haste.
Sould.
Harmatius Souldiers have broke down the Gates,
Your Guards are beaten, and the Palace wone;
Fly, Princes, fly, All is in confusion.

Longi.
Oh desperate! Brother, fly.

Zeno.
No Brother no, 'tis fitter now to Die.

[They draw and go out.
[A Charge sounded.
Enter Anastasius, Castor, Urbitius, Proclus, with Souldiers their Swords drawn.
Anast.
This was a quick, and easie Victory.
Let each man take a sev'ral way to find
The Tyrants: else, our work is but half done.

[Exeunt severally.
Zeno enters beating oft the Guards, and follows them.
Enter Longinus, his Sword drawn and he bloody.
Longi.
The Gates are so secur'd, I cannot pass.
Bold Sebastian is slain in the attempt.
Pelagius, now I find thou wert a Prophet.
I am persu'd and have no way to scape.
What is become of Zeno? I know not.

Anastasius comes in.
Anast.
Turn this way Monster, 'tis the Screech Owl calls;
The Blockhead, you contemn, brings now thy fate.

Longi.
Th'art a brave Enemy, singly thus
To hazard, what thou hast so surely gain'd.

[They fight, Longinus is slain, falls, is carryed off.
Enter Officers, and Souldiers, with Urbitius wounded, and Zeno Prisoner.
Urbit.
The Heav'ns do fight for Anastasius:
Let Anastasius be our Emperor.

All.
Let Anastasius be our Emperor.

Anast.
Castor, to you, for great Harmatius sake,
I do commit that blood shedder, take him,
And when he sleeps convey him to the Vault,
Where all the men he murd'red, are inter'd;
And while he sleeps, there cain him to the ground,
That when he wakes, the terror of his Deeds,
May some remorse beget, and make him pray.

[They carry Zeno out.
Urbit.
Great Prince! when I am dead, remember me;
And know, there be two kinds of Tyranny:
To do injustice, when 'tis understood,
Is the next Tyranny to shedding blood.
I am now paid, for my presumptuous guils;
And find, that Criminals unjustly brought
To Judgment; though by the same arts they rise,
Is not by Heav'n approv'd: and therefore I,
For doing good by evil wayes, must die.
And thus too late I find, None may contend
With Princes, but the God whom they offend.

[Dies.
Anast.
He had good principles, but ill imploy'd:
Though I have partly prosper'd by his Arts,
I do not in my heart approve such frauds.

[They put the Robes and Crown, brought for Longinus, on Anastasius.
Castor.
This Crown, and Robes, will fit our Emperor.

All.
Let Anastasius Rule the Universe.

Anast.
My thanks to Castor, and to all the rest.
Since Heav'n has our Proceedings thus far blest;
'Tis fit we see that wicked man interr'd
Alive, as his own Astrologer foretold:
That Ceremony done, the next will be,
To set the Empress, and Eirene free.

[The Souldiers carry off Zeno drunk, and asleep: Anastasius and the rest follow.
[Exeunt.
[The Empress Chamber is seen, in it the Empress, and Eirene.
Empress.
'Tis strange, we hear no more of this Alarm.

Eirene.
This tumult in the Campe makes Zeno fret,
And stout Longinus tread unsteedy steps.

Empress.
We are now driven to great Exigents:
Yet 'tis much better to die Innocent,
Than live by wicked, and foul practices.
I doubt by condescending to those Lords,
I have done ill, when I did them supply;
Who gave their words, that Zeno should not die.

Eirene.
Madam, could you do better, than to lend
Your treasure, which those Lords distributed
To th'Army, to preserve us and the Empire?
But if that Zeno in his cruelty,
Shall still persist, what would you have them do?

Empress.
I would not save my own life by his death.
I am much readier to die, than he.

Eirene.
Nor can my heart consent to shedding blood,
Though my own life in competition stood;
But when I know that Zeno has design'd
By force to take, what else he cannot gain;
I must prevent, lest he may honor stain:
And hope your Majesty will give me leave,
That I this great Impostor may deceive.
What hope for me, what surety can remain,
After my Father, and my Brother slain?

Empress.
I must confess, when I consider well,
How great Harmatius, and your Brother fell;
The various, stories which each party makes
Of that sad night, look like a dismal guilt
On both sides (yet their blood was justly spilt.)
If Zeno were assur'd of their intent;
He, by their ruins, did his own prevent.

Eirene.
In the first Failer was the crime;
To share the Empire was my Brothers right:
And Zeno, when he did depose the youth,
First taught the Treason, and discourag'd truth.
So that, if we will raise our own Concerns
Upon the fate of those who stand, or fall;
We must take time, to see the end of all.
And then, as Heaven can better judge than we;
Let us observe, and yield to that Decree.

Empress.
Eirene, thou art happy, and art blest
With virtue, and with judgment 'bove the rest
Of our weak Sex; and art, no doubt, the Care
Of Heav'n, which will secure thee from disgrace,
And, for thy sake, preserve this wicked place.

Eirene.
Madam, if I have ought, wherein to boast,
It came from you; and if I be not lost
In this confusion; unto your virtues,
I owe my preservation, and success:
For those, whom you take care of, Heav'n will bless.

Enter to them Anastasius Crown'd, and his Train.
Anast.
Madam, by Zeno's, and Longinus deaths,
This Crown, plac'd by the Army on my head,
[Takes his Crown, and offers it to her.
Is yours, and I, as much your Vassal now,
As heretofore; with these, who ready stand
To obey, what our Empress will command.

Empr.
weeps.
No, Anastasius, all my thoughts of State
Are vanish'd, all involv'd in Zeno's fate;
But if your words do with your hearts agree,
I shall believe this Crown belongs to me.
[She takes the Crown.
And as my gift, this and Eirene take;
Who did refuse, this glory, for my sake:
When Zeno us'd his power, and art to stain
Her honor, which his Empire could not gain.

Anast.
Madam, this mighty gift would weigh me down;
Unless Eirene did support the Crown.

[He receives the Crown and Eirene.
Eirene.
My joys for Anastasius are too great.

Empress.
May you be blest, and happy in your love;
While I to a retired life remove.
I have too much of this World's glory seen;
And too long been a chief Actor in it.

Anast.
Madam, this Crown, and the Imperial Throne,
Is by your gift mine, and is still your own.

[All go off.
The Scene is chang'd into a dismal Vault, set round with Coffins, in each a dead corps; in the remote part, a small Lamp burning: in the front, next the Stage, is Zeno sleeping his leggs chain'd to the ground: at one corner on the outside a Guard stands. Zeno wakes.
Zeno.
Is't not yet day? This night seems very long:
That little Lamp does give so faint a Light,
I cannot well distinguish what I see.
Longinus, Proclus, do none give attendance?
Is Cæsar, by his Servants, no more fear'd?
Ha! where am I? in Fetters, and alone;
Either I Dream, or I do dimly see
A dismal Vault, surrounded with dead Corps.
Euphemian, thy Prediction is too true.
Would I had stab'd my self, when I slew thee.
This is the Tomb, he fatally foretold,
I should alive be buried in. Horror
Dazels my eyes, or else, among the dead,
I see Longinus in that next Coffin:
He's buried too, but not alive, like me.
How I came hither, is beyond my guess.
What, ho! who guards this prison of the Dead?

1 Sould.
They need no guards, we only wait on you.

Zeno.
Then give me drink, to quench my raging thirst.

2 Sould.
So we may keep you company in chains.

Zeno.
By whose command do you starve me to death?

1 Sould.
By th'Emperors command, He sent you hither.

Zeno.
What, have you any Emperor but Zeno?

2 Sould.
Yes, Anastasius Reigns, you are in your grave.

Zeno.
Can these Changes be since yesterday?
And by him, I least fear'd, of all mankind.
—When died my Empress?

1 Sould.
Sir, she is very well.

Zeno.
The Doctor said, she would die yesterday.

2 Sould.
No, Cæsar, no; you were out-witted there:
To her the Doctor was more merciful.

Zeno.
And in these changes, what's Eirene's fate?

1 Sould.
She Reigns with Anastasius.

Zeno.
Curse on Curse
Light on them both; Does he injoy Eirene?
To be despis'd, and laugh'd at in my Grave
Is worse than Death: and to be thus Dethron'd,
Tortures me more, than Hell it self can do.
—Were not you, Souldiers, of my Guard?

2 Sould.
We were.

Zeno.
I'le make you Princes, if you'l let me out?

1 Sould.
We dare not trust your Promise, nor your Power:
We remember how you serv'd Harmatius,
And his young Son, who set you on the Throne.

Zeno.
You reproach me justly, I was misled:
Longinus has destroy'd himself and me.
Good Souldiers, be so kind to Murder me.

2 Sould.
We shall then forfeit our Allegeance;

Zeno.
How durst you break the Oath you made to me?

1 Sould.
So long as you were Emperor, we were Loyal.

Zeno.
If Heav'n and Hell would let me Reign again,
I would not govern, as I did before
With Childish mercy, to spare any Man.
Princes, whose Pleasure is their Law,
Must let none live, who dares dispute their Will.
Had Anastasius, and Urbitius died,
Castor, and Proclus, had not now Rebell'd:
Had the old Patriarck, and Eirene bled,
I had Reign'd long, and not been thus destroy'd
By those, whom I, through love, and pitty spar'd.

2 Sould.
You should consider, where you are going.

Zeno.
Canst thou direct me, whither I must go?

1 Sould.
Sir, I can wish, that you would try to pray.

Zeno.
For what?

2 Sould.
Your soul,

Zeno.
My soul! prithee what is that?

2 Sould.
'Tis not our Trade to Preach.

Zeno.
Nor mine to Pray.
Heav'ns gate is shut 'gainst all that I can say.
—You will not kill me then? nor let me out?

1 Sould.
No, we dare not.

Zeno.
To fall from all the Glories of the Earth
Is sad; but to be buried quick, to starve,
And in this horrid Vault to linger on;
Here to indure the terrors, which my Crimes
Do now present to my affrighted Soul,
Is Hell it self, or worse than Hell can be.
Oh! that the world might sink with its own weight!
Death, where art thou? I will stay no longer,
But boldly charge thee, and out-face thee thus.

[Zeno thrusts his Mantle into his mouth, and choaks himself,
Enter the first Ghost, drest as at first.
Ghost.
So, so; now my Prediction is fulfil'd,
And all those Monarch killers, are now kild.
I shall descend in Peace, and there remain;
Unless you wish to see me here again,
[Turns to the Pit.
To shew the World, how Vengeance does persue
Those, who their hands in Princes blood imbrew.