University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

An Allarm within.
Enter Queen attended.
Queen.
What mean those loud Allarms so near the Town?
One of you hasten to the Western Gate:
You to the Tower that o'erlooks the City,
[Exit one.
Perhaps (for who can read the Hearts of Men)
[Exit one.
Amphialus has this Disturbance bred,
And sow'd sedition in my Soldiers Hearts.
Oh! what hard fate does Princes Lives attend,
Whose Subjects Cause they once did nobly serve
Do never think their Merit meets Reward.
Again a Shout!—Hast and enquire the Cause,
[Exit one.
Ha! the Noise comes forward, I'm still a Queen,
And will forget to fear.—Ha! Geronta.
Enter Geronta.
Say from whence those Martial sounds.

Geront.
Corinth is lost, and we are all Betray'd.

Queen.
By Amphialus, ha! speak.

Geront.
Oh no, Pirotto has betray'd the Fort;
The Man you Name we want to save us;
The Soldiers lowdly for their General call,
That dauntless Man who us'd to lead 'em forth,
And wanting him, their Courage half is lost.

Queen.
What's the Calamity? explain it all;
Why, is Pirotto grown a Traytor now?

Geront.
No he is not grown, 'twas in his Nature bred:
Arbaces too, by whom this Plot was laid,
Is living, and Heads the Arcadian Force.

Queen.
Thou ravest.

Geront.
'Tis truth. Summon the Greatness of your Soul,
And call your firmest Courage to your Aid,
You'll want it all to stand this shock.

Queen.
No; all the World is arm'd against my Life;
My barb'rous Brother too, for whose fain'd Death
I have undone my everlasting Peace.
What Noise is that?

[Stamping within.
Enter Arcanes Mad.
Arcan.
Am I arriv'd at the Immortal Plains?
Yes, yes, I know I am; for there the Goddess
Of Eliziam stands—Here let my Snow White
Palfreies rest—
I have spur'd 'em hard, and they are tired grown.

Geront.
Oh; dread effects of inconsiderate Love.

Queen.
Oh! unhappy Youth.

Ant.
Hark, hark—the Musick of the Spheres resounds.
Ha! unhand me Villains, 'tis for my Queen I Fight,
I'll Crown her Empress of those blessed Shades.
Ha! What Noise was that?

Queen.
Gently bear him hence, and let Physicians
Streight be sent for, to try if Art can calm his Mind.

Arc.
'Tis Arbaces Monster, Ravisher—that to thy Heart.
[Strikes as if he stab'd some body.
Ha! What's this my Queen that I have slain?
Ay, 'tis Zelmane!—Oh Zelmane, see, see Amphialus?
Arms in her Defence, and Vows to kill me for his
Beautious Wife.—Ha! he has struck me with a
Dart of Ice, colder than Rain congeal'd, or Mountain Snow,
Cold, shuddering cold are all my Comforts.

Geront.
Gentle Arcanes, try to rest a while.

Arc.
Rest!—ha, ha, ha, ha—What's that?—for there's no rest
But what Zelmane gives.—Antimora knows it well.
I'll tell thee Friend—there are false Lovers—yes, and
False Husbands too—but I am none of those—How—
Dark it looks—ha! see—Jove has snatch'd my Queen.
But I'll out-soar the Eagles flight, and dash him
Head long down ( throws something up
) I hit him there,
Ha! How he tumbles—
I've wounded Fate by that last mounting Dart,
But Love has shot Zelmane through my Heart.

[Runs off.
Queen.
Had I been just, these ills had never faln;
My Choice misguided my poor Fathers will,
And all these Mischiefs do attend my Folly:
My General Banish'd, and Arcanes Mad,
The only two that could have sav'd my Crown.
Some of you follow, and secure him straight.
Oh, Geronta!—

Geront.
I in my Youth have travell'd half the Globe,
In the Indian World I learnt a Secret;
I have a Receipt for distemper'd Brains,
Which by Experience I've effectual found.

Queen.
Oh! try it then, and may the Powers above
With healing Vertue bless thy ministring Hand.

[Shouts within.
Geront.
Shouts! and joyful ones they seem,
Sure relief is nigh.

Queen.
From whence, or who should bring it to us?
No, I will face this barb'rous Brothers Rage,
And lead my trusty Soldiers on to War,
And force the Traytor from my City Walls;
If the Stars ordain that I shall lose my Crown,
I will not quit the greatness of my Soul;
I'll Amizonian like, my Foes defie,
And Courage shall the want of Skill supply:
To the last Breath of Life defend my own,
And bravely die, or else preserve my Throne.

[Exit.
SCENE Changes.
Enter Pirotto and Soldiers.
Pirott.
Turn, turn, ye Slaves, ye Cowards turn,
Think for whom it is you fight,—Arbaces,
The great Arbaces will reward you all.

Soldiers.
Amphialus, Amphialus.
[Run off hallowing his Name.

Pirott.
Curse on that Name, a bar to all my hopes,
This last push has ruin'd my whole Design.
Prince Arbaces the Arcadians led,
Expecting me to joyn him with some force,
Which I had brib'd to aid the mighty Cause,
But at the Sound of curst Amphialus's Name,
As if the Genius of their Country spoke,
And breath'd Immortal Valour in their Souls,
They flock in Numbers to him.
[Shout within.
Ha! another Shout—Fate seems to compass
Me on every side; but if I must fall,
Yet e'er I die, I may some strokes bestow,
And take Companions to the Shades below.

[Exit.
Enter Amphialus meeting several Soldiers.
1st. Officer.
Long live Amphialus, and our General ever.

Amph.
Cease, cease, my Dear and well known trusty Friends,
Least your tumultuous Joy offend my Queen:
Let me embrace you all, for this most timely aid.

2d. Officer.
What gracious Power sent you back, my Lord,
To succour Corinth, and preserve our Lives?

Amph.
Two of the greatest that the World e'er knew,
Love and Duty.
Towards the confines, as I took my way,
Obeying great Zelmane's dread Command,
A Rumour ran, That curst Arbaces liv'd,
And was revolted to the Arcadians,
And of that dire revengeful Duke obtain'd
My Antimora, to betray this Crown.
This News gave Fire to my Love-sick Heart:
And to my Queen, I so much Duty owe,
That I will aid her 'gainst her own Decree,
And, if possible, preserve her Peace intire.
Y ur Arms, my Friends, brings Victory in view;
When we have reduc'd 'em, I'll again retire,
And know no Honour but Obedience still.

1st. Officer.
The powers forbid Sir, nor will we suffer that;
The Hearts of all the Army's yours.

Amph.
I hope no farther than their Duty leads;
For I will ne'er encourage ought beside.
The Enemy remains, as in a Prison shut,
Hemm'd in by our victorious Men.
Each to his Post, and let the Charge begin;
Observe the Orders which I gave you last,
Quarter to none allow, but cut 'em off;
But if Pirotto, or the Scythian Prince
Fall in your way, preserve them two alive;
The honourable Death of War's to great for them.

Officers.
We shall obey you Sir.

[Exunt Officers.
Amph.
Oh! Antimora,
Tho' all success should Crown my conquering Arms,
I ne'er must hope to taste thy wond'rous Charms;
And all the pleasure which this act can bring,
Is to preserve thee from that Barb'rous King.

[Exit.
Scene draws, and discovers Arcanes as waking from sleep, Physicians by him.
Arc.
[waking]
How happy is that Balm to wretches—Sleep,
No Cares perplex them; for their future State,
And fear of Death thus dies in sensless sleep:
Unruly Love is this way lull'd to rest,
And injur'd Honour, when redress is lost,
Is no way salv'd but this—
Your drinking Bravo's, when their Brains boil hot,
Are cool'd, and quietly refresh'd with sleep.
The Hectick Madman, when his Feaver Roars,
And all his Doctors fail to give him ease,
His Malady grows weary at the last;
And sleep, when nothing else can, gives him rest:
'Tis the best Physick for unquiet Minds.

Doctor.
How do you Sir?

Arc.
Ha! Where am I?—Who are these?
My Senses all has been in mighty Motion;
Something confus'd runs o'er my thoughts,
And leads towards Madness.

Doctor.
You have been disorder'd, Sir; but by the Queens
Command, and learn'd Geronta's skill,
I hope your wand'ring Senses are return'd.

Arc.
Oh! Happy Madness—Did my Queen Command?
Her Care is a Blessing above my Senses,
Or any other earthly good beside.
I feel the thinking Faculty return,
And Mighty Love maintains its wonted place.
But oh! I do remember now, the Queen
Is Marry'd to my Brother; What have you done?
These thoughts are worse than Madness—Oh!

Doctor.
Perhaps there may be better News than you expect.
Geronta bid us inform him of your waking

Arc.
Lead me to him—if his all-healing Art
Can bring a Medicine for a Wounded Heart;
If he that Epidemick ill can Cure,
That restless, raging Pain which I endure;
Else Death, or Madness, would more welcome prove
Than Life, when loaded with a hopeless Love.

[Exit.
After the shouts of Victory the Trumpet sounds. Enter Queen, Geronta, Lords, Guards and Attendants.
Queen.
From ruin sav'd, and by Amphialus's Arm;
Sure Fate set down all Glory for that Man,
Not suffering me to live without his Aid:
Beneath the Influence of different Stars
Our Souls were form'd, and the soft Chain of Love
Can ne'er unite them; yet my grateful Mind
Shall lay aside all thoughts of Vengeance now,
And only study to reward his Care.
Where is the General?

Geront.
May it please your Majesty th'Arcadian Duke,
Who now is Prisoner to your conquering Arms,
He has committed to your Princely Care,
And begs that you would such Conditions make
As may for ever bind his Hands to Peace.
Arbaces, far unworthy of his Race,
Was in the Battle slain—Pirotto lives;
But Wounded much, in Bonds attends your Sentence.
Whilst he that caus'd this general Joy to all,
Prepares for wretched Banishment again,
Without presuming to desire your Sight;
Nor aims he at applause in this.

Queen.
Haste on your Lives, and stop his Passage streight.
[Exit, an Officer.
I wou'd not be out-done; Thou generous Man,
I have a Conquest great as thine to make,
And leave the Deed as much renown'd in Story.
Fly then with swiftest speed, and bring him here;
Ingratitude shall never stain Zelmane's Name,
Tho' Torment ever in her Heart should dwell.

Enter Amphialus and Pirotto Bound.
Amph.
How shall I approach that Sacred Presence?
Not all my Service, nor my Blood can pay
The great Offence that I've committed here,
In daring to return without your leave.

Queen.
That I forgive Amphialus.

Amph.
Your gracious Majesty is over-kind.

Queen.
But thou curst Traytor, speak, What had I done
To Arm thee in this foul Conspiracy.

[To Pirotto.
Pirotto.
My Fathers wrongs for Vengeance loudly call'd:
I lov'd Arbaces too, and he lov'd Power:
Had we Conquer'd Corinth, I had his Vice roy been;
But my Malicious Stars have crost my Fate.

Queen.
Impious Traytor, let him on Racks expire.

Pir.
That Command, like me, has lost its Power,
For Death this Moment gives my Soul release.

[Dies.
Queen.
Haste, bear him hence, expose his Trayterous Limbs
To publick View, and let my Brother's Memory die.
And now let me Reward my great Preserver here;
The Largest Gifts within my power to give,
You have despis'd, Amphialus; Then make
Your own Demand.

Amph.
Oh! I shall die with Blushing shame, if you
Again repeat that hateful word Despise.
No, I the Person of the Queen revere
With adoration next the Stars above;
I own my self unworthy of such Grace
As you was pleas'd to shower on my Head;
And sure the Hand of Fate was in it.

Queen.
No more, Amphialus, I do forgive it all;
Nay more, our Laws have given back thy Vows,
And left thee as thou wert, my Subject.

Amph.
A Name I shall be ever proud to own;
Nor would I wish to change it.—On my Knees
I thank your wond'rous Goodness. One thing more
I have to ask, which is, That your Majesty
Would be pleas'd to afford your Care to my
Poor distracted Brother?

Geront.
To make this general Joy compleat,
In some few Minutes you shall see him well.

Qu.
He shall have all the indulgence that thy Queen can give.
Hast thou no more to ask?—

Amph.
Oh! my Heart—No more—

Queen.
See how he struggles with his inward Grief,
[to Ger.]
And fears to ask the Princess at my Hand:
See his full Eyes declare his trembling doubt.

Geront.
Judge his respect then by his painful silence,
And let—

Queen.
Hold, and let the act be all my own
Amphialus, tho' your self no Boon will ask,
There is a Present in my power to give,
I dare believe will prove a grateful one.
Come forth thou Fair, thou Beautious, Captive Maid,
Enter Antimora.
And Bless thy Husband with thy Eyes;
Forgive past Rage, and here enjoy thy Love.

[Joyns their Hands.
Amph.
Oh! Great Effect of Gratitude Divine;
First Kneel and Bless the Goddess for the Grant,
Whose Goodness far exceeds a Mortal mind

[Kneels.
Anti.
Oh! may you never know another Care,
But all your Hours be fraught with Downey Peace.

[They rise and embrace.
Queen.
Rise, and may you be
Happy as your Souls can wish.
Forbear your Transports, till you private are,
For yet my Heart is not entirely free.
Now with your Unkle your Conditions make:
When of Arcadia's Throne you are possess'd,
You shall be ever held our dear Ally.

Geront.
Oh! Blest Conclusion of our threatning Jarrs,
And see Arcanes comes to share the Joy.

Enter Arcanes.
Amph.
Oh! Let me embrace my dearest Brother,
And tell him now, Amphialus's Sorrow ends.

[Runs to him and embraces.
Arc.
The Queen and you are reconcil'd.

Amph.
Beyond my hopes, and made me happy here.

[Taking Antimora by the Hand.
Anti.
Yes, yes, Arcanes we are blest at last;
And may the Powers at length Reward thy Truth.

Arc.
The sole Ambition which my Life can know,
Is but to serve and to adore my Queen.

Queen.
Generous Youth.

Geron.
Oh Queen! happy in Victory, and in thy Subjects Love.

Queen.
'Tis hard to race the first Idea out;
But this, Arcanes, I will freely Vow,
If e'er I can retrieve my Wounded Heart,
And make it take a New Impression in,
Thy Wond'rous Merit shall have room to plead.
And now let all prepare for Mirth and Joy,
Such as befits the happy Days Success.
Geronta,
See that Rewards are to my Soldiers dealt;
Let all partake of what their Vallour sav'd.
No anxious guilty Thoughts my Soul attends,
Since I have Justly joyn'd this happy Pair.
Princes should Rule with an Impartial sway,
And always move, when Vertue leads the way;
Biass'd by nothing but the Publick Good,
All private Suits and Passions be withstood:
For he who governs well, does more Command,
Than if all Nations bended to his Hand.
Thus I my Peoples Rights, and Honour will maintain,
And Corinth Date her Glories from a Female Reign.