University of Virginia Library

THE THIRD ACT.

The Scene an obscure grove.
Enter Cleopatra and Hermione.
Cleo.
Doe not, my Deare Hermione, admire,
That to this Gloomy Grove I did retire,
Since here I thought I could my Heart Reveal,
While the kind Shade my Blushes did Conceal;
But now I find I'm in as High a Fright,
To tell my Fate in Darkness as in Light:
Shame, like the World when it in Chaos lay,
Knows not distinction betwixt Night and Day;
Ah, judge what are my Troubles, since I fear
Their sad Relation from my self to hear.

Her.
No such Just cause of Grief your Fate can send
As, Madam, at this rate to use your Friend;
'Tis by that Pow'rfull Name I beg again,
That you'l from me no longer hold your Pain,
Perhaps I may the Cause of it remove.

Cleo.
Oh tell me first, have you been e're in Love.

Her.
Why, Madam, doe you ask—

Cleo.
—Because I know
That none can ease my Pain that is not so.

Her.
I was, but Love to Friendship did submit.

Cleo.
Ah 'twas not Love, if ought could Conquer it,
You lov'd not well, or knew his Pow'r but Ill,
That say you were in Love and are not still,
The Name of Love for Love it self you took,
Since Reall Love can never be forsook:
Had yours been True, you might as well have swore
You doe not Live as that you Love no more.

Her.
What you have spoken does, methinks, declare,
You to the Pow'r of Love no stranger are;
But would you thus reproach me if you knew
That what you now condemn I did for you?

Cleo.
Why did you cease to be in Love for me?

Her.
By many Proofs I did so clearly see
That such a Pleasing Sadness conquer'd you,
As I to Love could judge it only due,
And since Your Heart and Mine were still so like,
I fear'd one Arrow both of us did strike.

Cleo.
Ah say not that your Heart resembles Mine,
Since you once Lov'd and could your Love decline,
Nor can I fancy who this Man can be,
Whom you could leave yet think could Conquer me.

Her.
Aretus is—

Cleo.
Aretus did your name?

Her.
And at that word your Face is in a Flame,
What Friendship should have done your Blushes doe,
They are to me more Kind and Just then you,
Why has Hermione been thus abus'd?

Cleo.
May not one blush that's wrongfully accus'd?

Hor.
But my Belief on a sure ground is built,
I see your Love to him, to me your Guilt,
Madam, a Blush, when Love is in the case,
Is in Effect the Conscience of the Face:
Though in this Secret you my Faith did doubt,
Deny it not now I have found it out.

Cleo.
Too much your Friendship I have Wrong'd and Try'd,
My Blushes tell you what my Words deny'd;
Alas I fear I for Aretus prove
That Fatall State the World does call in Love;
Yet doe not, since I did but Hide my Flame,
Condemn my Friendship but Commend my Shame:
Nor blame me if to you I fear'd to show
What of my self I am asham'd to know;
But my, Hermione, since you could see
That Pow'rfull Passion which has Conquer'd me,
Spight of my Care to Cloud it, oh I fear
It may to others as to you appear;
Should that befall me which so much I dread,
Honour and Grief would justly strike me dead.

Her.
That Fear you ought not, Madam, to admit.

Cleo.
How did you then come to discover it?

Her.
That Grief which when retir'd, you still exprest,
Made me Suspect what now you have confest,
For she who Greives while courted by a King,
Shews that such Grief alone from Love can spring;
And when I found you Lov'd, I quickly knew,
Your Love could be but to Aretus due,
Which since you have acknowledg'd, give me leave
To aske why Tryphon's Love you did receave;
Was not Ambiton in your soul too strong?

Cleo.
Doe not at once my Love and Virtue wrong
For if I had Aretus Passion known
I would have valu'd it above a Throne?

Her.
But now tis known, why is it not embrac'd?

Cleo.
Because my word was first to Tryphon past.

Her.
As you my Love, so I your Love must blame,
Since you before your Love prefer your Fame.

Cleo.
I should appear unfit for his Esteem
Did I not value more my Word then Him;
And this great Pleasure, to my Act is due,
That which does lose me him, deserves him too;
Ah why did not Aretus let me see,
That Passion which you say he has for me,
Before my Promise was to Tryphon past?

Her.
But why to give it did you make such hast?

Cleo.
I fear'd that he who did my Heart subdue,
Would, my Hermione, have seen it too,
And I his Love for ever would decline,
Rather then he should first discover mine;
Twas fitter since I ow'd it to my Fame,
To suffer Ruine then to merit Shame;

Her.
But e're you did admit the Kings Address,
Aretus looks did so much Flame express,
As sure you could not but his Passion see.

Cleo.
That's not enough, he should have told it me,
But what soe'r his Proofs of Love have been,
By me, Dear Friend, alas they were not seen,
For I so fear'd that I might act amiss
In my own Love that I ne're minded his;
Blushes a Womans Passion may reveal,
But Men their Passion by their Words should tell.

Her.
Could he your Love more Generously seek,
Then to Deserve it and yet Nothing Speak?

Cleo.
Rather what more could he have done amiss,
Then Lose my Love by so Concealing his?
A Love that is at once both Great and Strong,
While it doth Bind the Heart, Sets Free the Tongue;
And lest that mine should make me Faulty prove,
I to my Honour Sacrific'd my Love;
So I did fear, his Merit was so Great,
That asking Nothing he might All Things get.

Her.
How cruell is your Vertue or your Fate.
Which makes your Love produce th'Effects of Hate?

Cleo.
Aretus yet more Cruelty does show,
That durst Love me, yet durst not tell me for.

Her.
You doe him Double Wrong, since his Respect
You first Mistake, then Punish as Neglect;
Such awfull Flames you in his Heart have bred,
As he thinks Silence ought his Love to plead,
He but defers to Speak what he does feel,
Till by his Actions you his Love may tell;
And to declare his Passion does delay,
Only to show it you the Noblest Way.

Cleo.
Fatall Delay, the Fatal'st that could be,
It loses me to him and him to me;
Yet such a High Respect to him I pay,
That on My Self I'l Punish his Delay;
And since my Promise is to Tryphon made,
To Breake it Love it self shall not perswade;
That which for me your Friendship made me doe,
My Honour makes me now Perform for you;
Your Rivall I will never be again.

Her.
I for Aretus did a Love but feign,
That in your Blushes, Madam, I might see
What by your Modesty was hid from me;
Yet had I lov'd, I'd not that Love pursue,
Since you best merit him as he does you;
But how can you so Iust to Honour prove,
And yet resolve to be Unjust to Love?
Ah you much more then he have done amiss,
You prize your Word more then your Flame and his,
And by a Sacred Bond your self you Tye
To him you hate, and him you love you Fly.

Cleo.
I owe him less then I doe owe my Flame,
And fly not from his Love but from my Shame;
She to her Honour too Unjust does prove
Who dares not value it above her Love;
Press me not then to Do what I should Shun,
Rather then be Unjust I'l be Undone:
Those who are lost while Virtue they pursue
In their Destruction find their Comfort too.

(They goe out.
Enter Demetrius and Seleucus.
The Scene Demetrius's Apartment.
Sel.
Those were the Words which did betwixt us did pass,
But I perceive some Sadness in your Face.

Dem.
My Heart and Face doe then but ill agree,
Since nothing could more welcome seem to me.

Sel.
I cannot guess from whence your Joy should rise,
Since Tryphon told me 'twas by your Advice,
That he did offer her to be his Queen,
And, which is more, that you employ'd had been,
To Court her to be Consort to his Throne.

Dem.
All this and more then this I freely owne,
For I not only woo'd her to be Queen,
But her Consent to be it I did winn;
But why at this, Seleucus, do you start?

Sel.
Alas what you have said has pierc'd my Heart,
Yet from my Friend I'l not my self disguise;
The Charming Light of Cleopatra's Eyes
Over my Soule the Victory did win,
But to herself this has a Secret been;
For, my Demetrius, I did judg it fit,
Not Words but Service should discover it;
That High Respect I did resolve was due
To such a Beauty and such a Passion too;
Methinks at this which I have spoke you start,
I think her Beauties too have pierc'd your Heart.

Dem.
How can you think for Tryphon I'd appear,
If I my self had been in Love with her?

Sel.
But why should you such Satisfaction show,
That he declines what you advis'd him to?
Ah sure your Liberty she did surprise,
Since first to Court her you did him advise;
I see what Beauty has made Tryphon doe,
What it has wrought in him it may in you,
And what I said such Change in you did move,
As I have Cause t'impute it to your Love.

Dem.
If any Change does in my Looks appear,
'Tis not, I vow, that Im' in Love with her.

Sel.
Give me then leave there my Address to make.

Dem.
That's what I cannot Give but you may Take.

Sel.
Neither for Tryphon nor your self to woo,
And yet deny me leave to court her too?
I cannot guess what 'tis that you intend.

Dem.
I were unfit to be Seleucus Friend,
Should I act otherwise then now I doe,
For he who to one Friend does prove untrue,
That he may gaine another Friend's Esteem,
Deserves too justly to lose both of them:
Though I am yours above what I can say,
Yet I must be it too in Honours way;
In Friendship every other Tenure's ill,
By that mine has been held and shall be still.

Sel.
Fate ore my hopes another Cloud does send,
I'm Rival'd and by one that is your Friend;
But may you not acquaint me with his Name,
Who is my Fellow Martyr in this Flame?

Dem.
No I'l be just to both, he shall not know
You Rivall him or that he Rivals you;
Yet both thus farr shall be oblieg'd to me,
From Tryphon's Rivallship I'l set you free:
But did he not acquaint you with her Name
Who in his Heart has lighted such a Flame?

Sel.
So vast a Cause of Joy to me it prov'd
That he no longer Cleopatra lov'd,
As I did not remember to inquire
Who this new Passion did in him inspire.

Dem.
By what he said could you not guess at it?

Sel.
Ah! he who Cleopatra's Love could quit,
The Pow'r of Love forever must forswear,
For could he Love, who should he love but her?
Sure this new Love is but a Love of State,
But he for our return too much may waite.

Dem.
I long to know to whom he does Submit,
As much as he that I'l consent to it.

[Exeunt.
Enter Nicanor, Stratonice, Aretus and Irene.
The Scene Nicanor's Pallace.
Ire.
Sir that Demetrius may your Pardon winn,
That he made Tryphon court her for his Queen,
He bad me tell you every way hee'l try
To make that Love, which he gave Life to, Dy,
And hopes himself this night to let you know
He has perform'd what he has promis'd you.

Nic.
I at this Promise so much Joy admit,
As nought can Heighten but his doing it.

Stra.
What e'r Demetrius hopes yet, Sir, I fear
Tryphon will not decline his Love for her.

Nic.
Demetrius Pow'r with him you know is Great.

Stra.
The Pow'r of Beauty, Sir, is Greater yet,
And though th'Usurper were more fierce and strong,
A Family like ours he durst not wrong.

Nic.
Who dares in Royall Blood his hands imbrue,
What is it, after, which he dares not doe?
Nor can he think his leaving her a Crime,
Since 'tis what we so much desire of him.

Stra.
Though 'tis what we most wish yet, Sir, you know
Since none of us will tell him that 'tis so,
'Twill as a Wrong on us to him appear,
And therefore to perform it he will fear,
For though Antiochus's Blood he spilt,
Yet for a Crown he did contract that Guilt,
And by the Wicked nothing can be known
Of too High Price, when 'tis to buy a Throne:
They will Do All, that they in one may Sit,
But Suffer All rather then hazard it.

Nic.
Yet since Demetrius takes of it the care,
I of a good Event would not despair.

Stra.
I fear th'Usurper will his Sute deny.

Nic.
Let's not afflict our selves by Prophesy.

Are.
The Wrath of Heaven must needs that man pursue
Who tyrannizes Men and Beauty too.

Stra.
But though the Punishments from Heaven we know
Are alwayes Just, yet they are often Slow.

Are.
When e'r a Subject does Usurpe a State,
Any Brave Hand has Right to act his Fate:
The Gods make every Man a Judge of him
Who against every Man commits a Crime;
And Heav'n permitted him to act this last
T'invite us to Revenge all that is past;
What more to merit Death could Tryphon do,
Then to offend the Crown and Beauty too?

Nic:
He whom the Gods into the Throne doe call,
Should therefore only by their Justice fall.

Are.
Heaven's Justice Monarchs only should dethrone
But Tyrants they abandon to our own;
The Right they give us we too much abuse,
Hoping they'll Act what we ourselves refuse;
The Pow'rs Divine we injure, while we thus
Remit to them what they have left to us.

Nic.
Yet he's to blame who does to Death pursue
That Man to whom the Name of King is due.

Are.
But him with greater Justice we should blame
Who as his due usurps that Sacred Name;
Since he our lawfull Monarch's Blood has spilt,
Who e'r revenges not contracts the Guilt.

Nic.
If Tryphon by a Private Hand does fall,
That Hand wrongs him as much as he wrong'd all;
Th'Affronts which are on a whole Nation laid,
By that whole Nation ought to be repay'd;
It should not by a Single Hand be done.

Ar.
What's due from All is due from Every one,
And since the Syrians doe decline to Pay
That Righteous Debt, I that am willing may.

Nic.
Doe you their Toughts by Silence understand?

Ar.
Their Silence in this case is their Comand;
Who is it at his Reign does not repine
That to gain Pow'r kill'd all the Royal Line?
Such Usurpation every one does fright.

Nic.
Where none can Claim, Possession is a Right.

Ar.
All have more Right, since he those Crimes has done,
To Tryphon's Life then he has to the Crown:
Fair Cleopatra's Danger calls on us
To free her and revenge Antiochus:
'Twere Sin if longer we the cries withstood
Of Injur'd Beauty and of Guiltless Blood.

Nic.
Suspend this Generous Anger till we know
What in her Cause Demetrius can doe.

Ar.
But if Demetrius, Sir, should not prevail.

Nic.
I then will find a way which shall not fail.

Ar.
May you not, Sir, discover it to me;

Nic.
Not till th'Event of this Design I see,
Then I engage, if he successles prove,
I'l free my Daughter from th'Usurpers Love;
Be pleass'd, Sir, to depend on what I say.

Ar.
What you Command 'tis fit I should Obey.

(They goe out.
Enter Tryphon, Demetrius, and Seleucus.
The Scene Tryphon's Apartment.
Try.
Though many Proofs you gave that you'r my Friend,
Yet this last Proof does all the rest transcend,
For you in this have evidently shown
That you are more my Friend then you'r your own;
Never was any Torment yet above
That in which Friendship does contest with Love;
But what you now have said has cur'd my Pain.

Sel.
When of your Fate you did to me complain,
I told you from Demetrius you would find
A Cure for all th'Affliccions of your Mind.

Try.
You did, I of his Friendship judg'd amiss,
I fear'd twas not what now I find it is;
But yet I cannot say that I am more
His Friend since this then I was heretofore,
My Kindness for you to such Height was grown
As it could not admit Accession.

—[Embracing Demetrius.
Dem.
Ah, Sir, those Words which now were spoke by you
O're pay all I have done or e're can do,
Yet I may say, and not Presumptious be,
Some Reparation, Sir, was due to me,
Since you could doubt I valu'd any thing
Above the Blessing, Sir, to serve my King.

Try.
That Error to repair, I'le now employ
Only your help to place me in my Joy;
By such Fair Eyes my Heart has been surpriz'd,
As I adore that Passion I despis'd;
I who till now Loves Votaries did blame,
Find him a God I thought was but a Name:
This Heart which has been bred in War and Blood,
And all Death's Horrors dauntlesly withstood,
Charm'd by Loves Magick trembles with such Fear,
As I her Conquest dare not tell to her;
Which showes that in her Bright Triumphant Eyes
A Fate more to be fear'd, then Dying, lyes;
Your Help, my Dear Demetrius, I must Seek,
To tell her what to her I dare not speak.

Dem.
Whatever you Command I must Obey,
Yet pardon me if I presume to say,
How can she think you to her Eyes submit
If you your self, Sir, will not tell her it?

Try.
Ah in this answer I your Fear perceive,
That I'l repeat that Fault you did forgive;
No, my first Love was but a Love of State,
But this Love is as much my Choice as Fate;
She with so strange a Fire my Breast does fill,
As I to quench it want the Pow'r and Will.

Dem.
Permit me then th'Imployment to decline,
For since her Beauties with such Lustre Shine,
They may wound me, for 'tis a likelier thing
She should subdue a Subject then a King.

Try.
I know the Friendship which you have for me
Against her Eyes your Antidote will be.

Dem.
Yet Vassals, Sir, and Monarchs are alike,
When e're the Dart of Love or Death does strike.

Try.
Let not such Fear your Sacred Friendship blot,
Why should you doubt it when I doubt it not?
But to confirm you, know you oft have seen
Her whom I'd have you court to be my Queen;
And since to her Bright Eyes you did not bow
Ere I ador'd them, you'l not doe it now;
For, my Demetrius, tis her Beauties Right,
That who can Love must Love her at first Sight,
Nor shall I think, if you th'Imployment wave,
You have forgiv'n me as you said you have.

Dem.
Ah then, Sir, 'tis unfit I struggle more,
Tell me that Beauties name which you adore,
And all her Charmes, to serve you, I'l despise,
This Sir I vow.

Try.
Her name is—Stratonice
(Demetrius starts and trembles
Why at that Name Tremble you thus and start?

Dem.
Oh why am I Condemn'd to Act this Part?
Alas how can I to that Beauty goe,
Whose sister you by me have injur'd so?
Who are to one another too so Kind,
As Friendship them does more then Nature bind:
They are alike concern'd in all they do,
And who wrongs one does wrong the other too.

Try.
These Words have almost made my Joys complete
For since their Friendship is so Firm and Great,
I shall, presenting Stratonice my Crown,
Repair what to her Sister I have done,
Who since the Wrong she did by you Endure,
'Tis just she should from You Recieve her Cure.
By this a Trebble Gainer you will be,
For you'l obliege Yourself, and Her and Me.

Dem.
Oh Sir, forgive me if I let you know,
That 'tis your Love not Reason argues so,
For to their Friendship it will give an End,
Should she wed him who has so wrong'd her Friend;
Honour would make her too the Throne despise
To which she by her Sisters Fall must Rise;
That Family to visit I'm unfit,
Having so much affronted one of it.

Try.
I wrong but one while I my Love recall,
But marrying th'other I obliege them All;
That Family will with a Fault dispence,
Whose Reparation does exceed th'Offence;
'Twas Interest my first Addres did move,
But this Address is the Result of Love;
Whatever Fault True Love does make us do,
Must carry with th'Offence the Pardon too:
On this Oblieging Embassy then goe,
And let me to my Friend my Mistress owe;
Lay at her Feet at once my Crown and Heart,
My Joy depends on th'Acting of your Part.
[Demetrius offers to speak.
Then Strive no more, since what I ask you now
Is what you owe My Friendship and Your Vow;
While Stratonice you to my Throne invite,
To Cleopatra my Excuse I'l write.

(Tryphon goes out.
Demetrius stands gazing after him. Seleucus Enters.
Sel.
You in your Looks have so much trouble shown,
As I dare hardly venter you alone;
So great and Moving your Disorders be,
As I partake in Griefs which I but see.

Dem.
Alas, I have reciev'd so strange a Blow,
As I endure more Grief then I can show.

Sel.
To my unequall'd Friendship be so just,
As to commit your Secret to my Trust;
To cure those Sorrows under which you Bend,
Imploy the Life and Service of your Friend;
Some Fatall Grief does now your Soul surprize,
Or you are too in Love with Stratonice,
For I perceiv'd, when he pronounc'd her Name,
You trembled and your Face was in a Flame.

Dem.
Admire not at those Sorrows which I show,
Since you their Cause at once both ask and know;
On me what sharper Curse could Fortune bring,
Then make my Rivall be my Friend and King.

Sel.
Under the like Misfortune I did Bow,
And Suffer'd Lately what you Suffer Now;
Since his Inconstancy my Pain has Cur'd,
Be in my Fortune of your own assur'd.

Dem.
Who thinks, does know her Beauties Pow'r but ill,
That who once Lov'd her will not Love her still.

Sel.
Doe not by that Belief your Grief Inflame,
Of Cleopatra's Eyes I thought the same;
His Friendship sure as strong for you will be,
As his Inconstancy has been for me.

Dem.
Have you forgotten what he lately said,
'Twas a State Love he Cleopatra paid.
But o're this Love what can the Conquest get,
Which makes State Interest resign to it?
Than do not think he did your Fear remove
By his Inconstancy but by his Love;
Our Stars on us with different Influence Shine,
What wrought your Cure makes me despair of mine.

Sel.
Part of your Secrets trusted to my Breast,
To serve you, I now beg to know the Rest;
You told me Stratonice had Conquer'd you,
Now let me know if she does Love you too.

Dem.
Ah if I were not in that happy State,
Why should I thus exclaim against my Fate?

Sel.
I cannot See, since you are sure of her,
Why you the King should as a Rivall fear;
Since she does You and Virtue so esteem,
She'l value you more then she'l value him.

Dem.
Her Love to me and Virtue Shine so clear,
As 'twere a Sin her Rivallship to fear;
No 'tis not that from whence my Sorrows rise,
But I, not dreaming he lov'd Stratonice,
Am by a Fatall yet a Solemn Vow
Ingag'd to Court for him my Mistress now;
Should I not doe it I my self Forswear,
And doing it I Wrong my Love and her;
Never Misfortune did so cruel prove,
I must betray my Friend or else my Love;
Seleucus, 'tis a Horrid Choice, when I,
Rather then either choose, would choose to Dy.

Sel.
Your Case is hard, it cannot be deny'd,
Yet Stratonice's Love is on your side;
I against Fortune justlier might repine,
For that Fate you deplore I wish were Mine;
That Cleopatra's Love might be for me,
I would consent he should my Rivall be;
But since the King your Passion never knew,
And since his Friendship is so firm to you,
Hide not from him the Pain that you are in;
Friendship o're Love the Victory may win.

Dem.
Ah if I told him I his Rivall am,
And that his Mistress does approve my Flame,
Alas a much more likely Way 'twil prove,
To Raise his Height then to Suppress his Love;
My Flame must therefore be conceal'd by you,
Rivals in Love and Friends none ever knew.

Sel.
My Truth in Such a Secret doe not fear,
Tell me the Course that you resolve to Steer,
That I in it may usefull be to you.

[Demetrius studies a while.
Dem.
I am resolv'd to Doe what I did Vow,
For were I Guilty of so Mean a Thing
As to be False both to my Freind and King,
And should thereby my End in Love obtain,
The Joy would scarce be equall to the Pain;
Perhaps she will not be to me Severe,
When Sacred Friendship only makes me err,
Methinks it were Injustice to suspect,
When that's the Cause, that shee'll condemn th'Effect,

Sel.
While such an Unexampled Act you do,
She cannot Blame so much as Pitty you.

Dem.
To lose her and Deserve her is more fit,
Then to Posses her and not Merit it.

[They goe out