 | The Imperial Tragedy |  |
The First Act.
Scene I.
Astrea appears in the Clouds, with Musick: That done, the late slain Emperor, old Basiliscus his Ghost rises from the Stage, with an Imperial Crown on his head.Two Tables are set, on each the Imperial Ornaments.
Ghost.
To Heav'n, to Heav'n Astrea: vainly here
Thy Musick sounds, this is no time, nor place
For harmony! Hence fatal Monuments
[He overturns both the Tables.
Of unauspicious Empire! Hence ye sad
Remembrances of my unprosperous state.
I broke not through the dark dismal Chaos
Of buried Night, to view these gaieties!
This visit I unto my Empire make;
Where all those various sins, and mischiefs raign,
That fancy ere could frame, nay greater too!
Than bloody Nero durst attempt to do.
Longinus imitates him, and we know,
Great Tragedies must first be Acted here,
To raise Longinus to the Diadem!
I now bring ruine on my Rebels heads,
In favor of all Monarchs that survive,
That no such Traitors, may ere hope to thrive!
Let dismal blackness now the Scene obscure,
And empty Coffins round in order stand.
[The Scene is fill'd with empty Coffins.
So, so, this sight doth please me, and refresh
Mine eyes; this is the vsual colour, these
Th'ornaments, which deck this Court, when Cæsars
Take their Crowns. Now Zeno, favorite of Hell,
Come fill these vacant lodgings of the Dead,
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Imploy'd, to perpetrate thy Tyranny.
I swear by Acheron, that ere the Sun
Shall once about the Worlds great circle run,
The bodies, by thy fury slaughter'd, shall
With equal numbers, fill these empty Tombs.
Now cruel Zeno come, and in disguise,
Thy Fate implore. I to the shades return.
[He descends.
Enter Zeno in disguise.
Zeno.
A Monarch, that unjustly gains his Crown,
May be allow'd to fear his tumbling down.
'Tis easier to climb a Precipice,
Than to stand firm, when at the top arriv'd!
Nor can we, from a private state, discern
The dazeling prospects, which a Throne presents!
Till, from that height, we do the World survay,
And find more Thorns than Roses in our way.
Heav'n has decreed, that ill got Crowns, and fears,
Should still be link'd together; fears, from which,
No walls of brass, nor Legions can defend.
This makes me now so watchful grown; from hence,
My fears do prompt me, under this disguise,
T'inquire my Dome; and in this house, here lives
A learned Priest, fam'd for Astrology:
I will consult his Art; For he, whom Heav'n
Will not favor; must try what Hell can do!
He cals]
Euphemian ; at whose Magick voice, the Ghosts,
With all the people of the silent world,
Do tremble! if either gold, or favor
Can thee move! raise up a Genius from Hells
Lowest depths; a Page of Hecates;
Who may conduct me through the uncertain tracks,
And various tumults of my life to come.
Euphemian.
Thou demand'st a boon of high concern! such,
[The Spirits pass ore the Stage.
As th'Eastern Monarchs only have obtained!
Yet say, with what indowments wouldst thou have
Him stor'd? Does Venus sports delight thee? here's
The god of Lust, This Rapes, and Insests, and
All Gomorrahs horrid sins shall teach thee.
Wouldst thou with Pride, above the starrs be rais'd?
And trample on the heads of men, and Gods!
This, shall with high swoln thoughts thee elevate.
Wouldst thou into the flames of fury turn?
And worse than Lions, Bears, and Tigers rage?
And make thy Houshold Gods, in blood to swim!
This shall insence thee. Here's Merchandize
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Zeno.
A greater Monster, than all these, I crave;
Thou hast but trivial things yet nam'd! all this,
A youth I did!
Euphem.
How! what Prodigy art
Thou of Nature? what Stygian Sister gave
Thee birth? all this a Youth! stay, ile appease
Thy thirst. Th'Infernal Jupiter knows not
More Villanies, than this can prompt thee to!
Within the closset of his pregnant brest,
A thousand dif'rent Arts, for horrid deeds,
And bloody mischiefs dwell: 'twas he alone,
That tutor'd Nero, and fitted him to be,
The ruin of his Age, 'twas He!
Zeno.
Enough;
[Offers to imbrace the Spirit.
I will adore him as my God! and guide.
Now since the secret Fates of Mortals are
[Lays down a piece of gold.
To thy deep Art reveal'd: tell me, what doth
This Horoscope portend? whose native soil
[Gives him a paper.
And hour of birth, with other perquisites
Of Art, are here exprest?
[Euphemian shews some wonder at reading the paper.
What is't that stops thy speech?
Euphem.
Fear to relate, what I discern!
Zeno.
Speak, or, by Heav'n, I will thy brains dissect,
And in them read, what thou intend'st to hide!
Euphem.
Then look, and read thy fortune there.
[He points to a red glass in which is writ in white Letters.
Zeno.
What's this?
[Zeno reads]
Buried before his death, with in a Tombe;
He shall vomit out his damn'd soul!
Oh Heavens!
He shall vomit out his damn'd soul!
Did ere your vengeance such a death contrive?
What, shall I; the worlds Chief, be thrown alive
Into a grave! alive, and seeing too!
Oh barbarous Fates! I swear by all the
Powers below, that, ere into Hell's Center
I descend, I will distroy the worlds whole
Fabrick! and bring the ancient Chaos back.
But of this fact, who shall the Author be?
[Euphem. points to the glass.
[Zeno reads]
A creature of the Court, whose words and looks,
Much from his heart do vary.
Much from his heart do vary.
Zeno.
What's his Name?
Euphem.
The Gods do not declare.
Zeno.
How! not declare!
What should be smother'd, that they do reveal,
And what is fit to know, they do conceal,
But thou art sure, thou hast inspected right!
The Stars, and told me true, what they Decree.
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I have, and this is their Decree; time will
Evince the truth, of what I shew.
Zeno.
But prethee tell me, what thy end shall be?
Euphem.
In peace I shall expire.
Zeno.
And me, the worlds Monarch! the Earth alive
Shall swallow;—The Stars are lyars, and so
Art thou; an Iron peace shall thee dissolve,
Deceitful Juggler! take this—
[Stabs him.
Euphem.
O spare me Cæsar!
Help, help! I die.
Zeno.
Go now and tell more lies in Pluto's Court.
To him Enter Longinus in disguise, who draws his Dagger, and assaults Zeno, as he kills Euphemian: they struggle, and talk thus:
Longi.
Hold Villain! Wilt thou murder an Old man?
Zeno.
And a Young one too! that dares oppose me!
Longi.
I dare oppose this wickedness, and thee!
Zeno.
And Ile chastize thee for presuming so!
Longi.
It is beyond the power of thy weak arme.
They hold each others Dagger-hand, and struggle while they speak.
Zeno.
It is Longinus voice!
Longi.
Cæsar!
Zeno.
Brother!
Longi.
Was ever a mistake, like this in us?
[Offers his Dagger and opens his Armes.
Here Cæsar, search the bottom of my heart;
I would have sav'd that man, as there you'l find!
No mischief against Cæsar was design'd.
Zeno.
I do believe't, our Interests are the same;
And this old Wizard did deserve to die,
For daring on his Art; to grow so bold!
To shew, what never was by tongue foretold!
And then the man, and means he still conceal'd,
By which I might escape! if now reveal'd!
Longi.
Did he yet live! you might by wracks extort,
All that he knew of secrets in his Art,
But now, that opportunity is lost.
Zeno.
If Starrs can shew! and He had any skill!
A dismal Fate, must his dire words fulfill.
Longi.
Heaven avert all such mischief from your head.
Zeno.
The day appears, and we must now retire,
I have a Council summon'd, that I may
Depose Harmatius Son, that haughty Boy!
And then place you my Brother on his Throne;
That our united hearts, and powers be one.
5
I'm Cæsars Vassal, and so much his friend!
To serve my Brother, is my highest end.
Exit Zeno.
Manet Longinus.
Longi.
Rise glorious Sun, and with thy brightest Rayes
Crown my blest temples, that the world may see,
How Fates approve of my Impiety!
While the Superstitious fool, gravely wise,
Goes on secure, in his upright designs;
Dreading nothing less, than a surprize,
Such! as, like a fierce whirlewind, will destroy
All, who shall dare oppose it, in its way.
Yet stay, the Council's summon'd, and when met,
Their Wisdoms may comply with Zeno's will,
And so my wish fulfil. In private plac'd,
I shall their votes write down, 'tis fit to know
Who are my Friends, and who my Enemies.
The Boy remov'd; and I set on his Throne:
Half this great Empire then will be my own.
If Zeno keep his word, He will this day
Move my Election; then, Ile make my way.
Exit Longinus.
The Scene shews Zeno set in Council with Basiliscus, Sebastianus, Hortensius, Proclus, Phylargus, Patriarck, Pelagius.
Zeno.
Rise, rise, Basiliscus, and quit that seat:
Learn to pay the reverence that you owe;
Learn to lay by thy misbecoming pride,
Which that Imperial purple cannot hide.
Longi.
Go on as you begin.
[Longinus unseen at a door.
Zeno.
What! do you stop? remove, and stand below.
[Basiliscus rises.
My Lords you see how Empires are expos'd
To change; and by experience you well know
The toil, and care of Government, so great,
In this vast Empire, that my Age requires
Some help to ease the burthen of the Crown:
Such a Collegue, as when Fate shall remove
Me hence, may take the charge of it himself.
Harmatius merits mov'd me to bestow
The Scepter on his Son, but the fond Boy,
Puff'd up with pride, is grown so insolent,
And high; I can no longer suffer Him.
My Lords, when such a Phaeton doth guide
The Chariot of the Sun, what can you expect,
But Conflagrations, and Destruction?
Basilis.
Cæsar, spare my Innocence, though not me.
Zeno.
I do command you not to speak, reply not.
Basilis.
Let my Cause be heard, and Offences prov'd.
Zeno.
Your cause, and you are known sufficiently.
6
No crimes, 'gainst me, have ever been declar'd.
Zeno.
Your arrogance, and pride, declare enough.
Take off his Robes, and Crown, which make him swell
So high! and put that black garment on him.
Learn to pray, and to Heaven lift those hands,
Unfit for Scepters and such great commands.
Longi.
That Scepter, will my hand much better fit,
[Steps in unseen.
Those Robes, and Crown, on me more graceful sit!
[They take off Basiliscus Robes.
Basilis.
Do, take off these golden shackles from my arms,
And set me free from this gay slavery.
'Tis well, I am now eas'd of all my cares;
But Cæsar is not freed, from half his fears:
These glittering glories, are not what they seem,
To the mistaken world; who ne'r discern
How many sorrows with few joys are mixt;
Or what grand troubles to the Crown are fixt.
When Fortune sports her self, with humane things,
Whom she last rais'd, she first to ruine brings.
Cæsar, thou mak'st me happy, 'gainst my will;
But thy designs will raise thee trouble still.
Zeno.
Hold thy pestiferous tongue, and get thee hence.
Basilis.
I obey, and with joy depart from hence,
That I may so much neerer be to Heav'n!
[Exit.
Zeno.
My Lords, I now desire your choice of him,
Whom you judge fittest to be my Collegue:
And if with equal ballance you do weigh
His merits, you'l find no pretence, no claim
So just, as the supprest Longinus hath,
To hold this Scepter, and to wear this Crown;
To ease my Age, and to adorn the Throne.
Horten.
His generous mind, and clearest courage known,
His glories gain'd in Warr, and Triumphs past,
Do speak him worthy of the Empires Rule;
Besides his love to Justice, and his skill,
In the Arts of Peace, will indeer us all.
Sebast.
And that which I of greatest value deem,
His being Brother to the Emperor.
Proclus.
Whom wise Nature has by birth made equal,
I think, with equal honor should be great.
Phylarg.
The noblest blood, grows still more vigorous;
When call'd to highest place, and great commands;
But freezeth in the veins, when not imploy'd,
According to his Nature, and his Birth.
Long.
unseen.
Ile set these friends in golden Characters.
[Writes in his Tablets.
Zeno.
Now Patriarck, we expect your grave thoughts.
Patriarck.
Renown'd Monarch, see how the Christian Ship,
Tos'd to and fro, doth doubtfully yet float
On the vast Ocean, while the Northern wind,
7
The swelling waves so high! as if he hop'd,
That liquid Element might quite put out
The fires of Heav'n. And now this tottering ship
Cleft with the fury of these boisterous waves
Looks like a prey, to the devouring Sea;
Great storms oppress us, force orecomes our Art;
I sit at Helme, and struggle what I can,
With this fierce Tempest, but want strength t'oppose.
You Cæsar, while Heav'n blesses you with life,
Either alone, settle the doubtful State,
Of your distressed Empire, and give ease
To our long languishing, distracted minds;
Or if you needs must have a helper, choose
Then a Man, whose unreproached courage,
And known virtue, may by his truth, and care,
The ruines of your tottering Crown repair.
Long.
unseen.
Subtle old Priest, I shall provide for you.
Zeno.
What strange Enigma's! and what new Riddles
Do you tell? what storms? what Tempests d'ye mean?
Am I then guilty of so great neglect
In Government? Let the wide World witness,
If ever Peace did in this Empire shine,
More prosperously than now, while I command!
Pelagius.
Great Sir, how can you mention peace? when Warr
Does in the Bowels of your Empire rage:
Sir, these sad times require an able Man,
Whose virtue may impartially dispence
Justice to all; the Innocent protect,
Punish the Vicious, and reward the good.
Himself a pattern to the Court; and Peers,
Would cherish, hopes, and banish all our fears.
The Sun, and Stars, afford their influence
To all, but when a bloody Comet raigns,
What mischief, doth it threaten to the World!
Take heed to whom you trust the Scepter Sir;
'Tis virtue, and not blood, Makes Princes great.
Enter Longinus, and with his Dagger assaults Pelagius; but is stay'd by Horrensius.
Longi.
Pestilent tongue!—Let my just fury loose,
That I may send his venom'd soul to Hell.
Hortensi.
Sir, forbear, or you are lost for ever.
Longi.
Oh base slander! am I a bloody Comet?
Brother, I ask your Justice, 'gainst this Man;
—What! do you delay to grant it? must I
Be silent? and so great affronts endure,
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[Exit in rage,
Pelag.
Sir, if you do suffer this bold assault,
Made now on me! and for counsels given,
Permit such insolent affronts, to pass
Unpunish'd; your Sovereign power will vanish;
When the priviledge of this Board does fall,
You will in vain your Lords to Council call.
Zeno.
And do you learn, grave Sir, better to rule
Your opprobrious tongue, (thus beyond excuse!)
Persons so much above you, to traduce.
Pelag.
When such emense deceit! gains love, and trust;
'Bove faith, and truth, 'tis folly to be just.
Zeno.
No Solon, nor Aristippus, shall here
Guide me, under the notion of a friend.
Speak now, do you, or do you not allow
My Brothers due Election to the Crown.
Pelag.
When your Brothers temper shall deserve it,
He shall have my Vote to sit by Cæsar.
Fury destroyes, and not preserves the Crown.
Zeno.
Is then my power so low? and my command
So slight? that such a Mushrum, dares withstand
My will! He shall now Reign; by Hell I swear,
Though He were worse, than all the Devils there.
If the Senate frown, I shall make them know,
That I, who Rule the World, will have it so.
Let them their Laws to private persons teach,
And bow to us, who are above their reach.
Exit, angry. All follow him; but Patri. and Pelag. stay.
Pelag.
So Lions in the Lybian Deserts rage,
When robb'd of their young Whelps by men. Good God!
What wild commotions do our passions raise?
What strange contagion, through th'infected world!
Will this unruly rage, now throw abroad?
What birth of Monsters, will each day produce?
What tumults in affairs appear throughout
The Empire? while our streets oreflow with blood.
'Tis not our Laws, but fury governs here;
Nor is the Senate, by their conscience sway'd,
Or if they were! they would not be obey'd.
Ambition Rules, and Force doth execute;
Virtue, and Modesty, are banish'd hence.
What a prodigious prospect doth appear,
To create mischiefs, for our future fear?
Patri.
I grant, that a quick ruine threatens all:
Gods angry fire, imprison'd in the clouds,
Seems ready to break forth, to burn the world,
And shew, what Vengeance is from Heav'n due,
When stubborn Men their wickedness persue.
9
Messeng.
Fire, fire, fire, help Pelagius help, make hast,
A strong arm'd Troop, sent by Longinus,
Hath fir'd your Country-house, and Corn i'th'fields;
The growing flames approach your neighbour woods,
And now, do threaten their destruction too.
Pelag.
Great Ruler of the World! if thou beest pleas'd,
Let the devouring flames, do what they can;
I value not their rage; their power extends,
But to the spoil, of a few fading goods.
No fire, nor storms, nor Tyrants threats, can reach
The treasure, I have lock'd up here. My brest
Contains a wealth, garded by such defence,
That Men, nor Devils, cannot ravish thence.
Patri.
Bravely resolv'd, a mind on Virtue fixt,
No storms can discompose, no tempest shake;
Nor times deface a heart, so strong as thine,
Rul'd by a soul so great, and so Divine!
[Exeunt.
The Scene changes.
Enter the Princess Eirene, with a Letter in her hand.
[In her Chamber.
Eirene.
This Note, from Anastatius, counsels well;
But how to act it, does my skill excel.
[She reads.
I must not Zeno's love ingage to hope,
Nor yet give arguments for his dispair!
A hard task, for my youth, and innocence,
Nor yet give arguments for his dispair!
To juggle with an old Politician.
Who on the least suspition of our Love,
Will Anastatius sudden death contrive.
And then, what will become of me alone?
My Father absent, and my Brother young;
None to protect me, 'gainst a Tyrants will.
Enter a Servant.
Serv.
Madam, the Emperor desires access.
Eirene.
I must meet him boldly, though much afraid,
My trembling joynts, may shew I am dismay'd.
Enter Zeno.
Zeno.
Madam, this second visit I now make,
After the repulse you lately gave; shews,
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By which you see, your power does mine subdue,
Who come to offer Homage unto you.
Eirene.
Mighty Sir! I, your humblest Vassal, bows
Thus low, to beg your pardon for my fault,
If I, through ignorance, have done amiss.
Zeno.
Rise Eirene, 'tis I should kneel, 'tis I,
Should beg forgiveness for a crime so great:
I shame to think, how far I did provoke
The beauty I admire I for, had you smil'd
On my design; or given me hope to gain,
What I then sought, and now as much disdain:
I had not valued, what I then did prize,
Beyond the moment of that enterprize.
But now I come as humbly to adore
A virtue, that I never understood before.
Eirene.
Great Sir, while you speak thus, my soul attends
On every syllable let fall, my tears
Ile check, my joyes shall dissipate my fears.
I will for my mistake high Heav'n assault
With frequent Prayers, to expiate my fault.
Zeno.
Fairest of all your Sex, I who command
The Eastern world, do at your mercy stand:
Say, can you love so, that you will submit,
To wear a Crown, and on my Throne to sit?
Eirene.
You make me start at this relaps, and doubt,
By some new stratagem, you do design,
My simple innocence to undermine.
Zeno.
By your fair self, I swear, I have no thoughts
For you, but what to Heav'n, I may avow.
Suppose my Lov'd Empress, (now sick, should die;)
Shall your frowns then, give me like destiny?
Eirene.
Oh Sir! forbear to speak, leave off to think,
That I will ere aspire to that high State:
When she is subject to so sad a Fate.
[She weeps.
Zeno.
Why these tears Eirene? what have I said?
Eirene.
Enough t'amaze the world! the young Empress
Very well last night, is now sick to Death!
And I her Crown may wear! Her Throne ascend!
Thus you would dazle my simplicity
With thoughts, she dies in complement to me;
Which is a sin, so far beyond my reach,
So dismal to my thoughts; that I shall try,
Not to outlive the Empress, if she die.
[Exit.
Zeno.
I shall venture that, and if I cannot gain
Her heart: I have a way that will obtain
My end; and then let little people prate,
While Monarchs do transcending joyes create.
[Exit.
11
Urbit.
I cannot sleep, nor be at peace within:
Duty, and Allegiance, bids me revenge
Basiliscus blood, our late Monarch, slain
By old Harmatius, to make Zeno Reign;
That his young Son might sit Collegue Inthron'd:
T'out face that murder, by his Father own'd.
A Treason! makes me tremble to relate:
A treachery! their bloods must expiate.
When Subjects Traitors to their Prince do prove,
Those Rebels, other Subjects may remove:
As not oblig'd to them, because they are
Inthron'd; rather despise, who boldly dare,
Scepters usurpe; and then as Tyrants sway,
Because they find, we basely do obey.
If Anastatius will be rul'd by me,
He shall possess th'Imperial Dignity.
His courage, and his conduct, cannot fail,
When wit, and virtue leads, we must prevail.
Yet Art, and Subtlety, should first make way,
Lest others Debts our selves be forc'd to pay.
So that if I in shew a Villain seem;
The good I do, my credit will redeem.
And if, by craft, I fail in my design;
My good old Sword, this work must then be thine.
[Exit.
| The Imperial Tragedy | |