University of Virginia Library

[Scene I.]

The Scene Bactria.
Enter Juliana, Polynice, and Governess.
Jul.
Whoever saw such dreadfull sights as these?
Can nought the Angry Deitys appease?

Poly.
Ah, Noe! their own Great Altars they don't spare,
Nor will they hearken to our wretched prayer.
The Sibill's now fulfill'd. Wee must expire,
And all our world must perish in this fire.
Block'd up by fate wee stand, and can't retire.
Soe shipwrack'd men, when on ye rocks they stand,
With wretched looks they veiw ye distant land,
Seeing their fate come rolling all around,
And that noe place of harbour can bee found,
Curse their ill stars, and with their dropping eyes,
Hasten on their fate, which they now despise.

Jul.
Ill Manner'd Pow'rs! who dare soe soon deface
Such stately Fabricks, doe destroy this place,
Where your own Father Gods have Reign'd.

Poly.
Ah! don't let us at ye great gods repine!
Nor our last breath with murmurings resign.
Who knows but Heav'n at last may pity show?

Jul.
It comes soe late, I care not for it now.
My love is lost. You'le that secured see,
And what worth life will then bee left for mee?

Poly.
I thought such proofs of that I'de giv'n to you
That mee again you'd never think untrue.
Why should this Jealousy return again?
The curse of life, and an eternall pain!
Of all ye plagues with which wee now are curst,
Jealousey! Jealousey is far ye worst!
But oh my Father! Come, let's goe and see
If wee can help him in his Misery.
If not, his fate wee'l all alike partake
Nor in his grave will wee him forsake. [Exeunt.


Enter High Preist in's Robes.
H. P.
All's gon! Undone! noe mercy from above!
The blood of infants torn from their mothers womb
I offer'd uppon ye blackest Altar
(Where I never offer'd yet in vain),
But now noe relenting god appear'd.
For ye soft Musick which came charming down,
And ye still voice of the Answering God,
Came Thunder, usher'd in with Flashes
Which outshin'd ye day, and made ye Morning pale.
Such Prodigys aged Time ne're saw
Nor History ever left recorded.
I had a spirit once would tell mee
What ye Gods above design'd to doe.
I'le try to raise him.

[Hee makes a Circle and goes in ye middle of it. After some muttering ye spirit Ariell descends.
Ar.
What makes you, holy Father, send for mee?

H. P.
To Know ye Intention of ye Gods.

Ar.
Hear then—
For I am commission'd to tell you all.
Your King who once was Heavens Care,
Whom I have guarded in greatest danger,
Who never ask'd for any thing, but had it,—
Nay, such power to him was given
That even us hee did equally command,—
Grew to that height of Pride, to think himself a god,
And dar'd Heaven with all sorts of Crimes,
For which hee now must suffer.
Nothing can stop it. 'Tis too late to Ask.
Therefore submit, and wait ye event.

H. P.
Will his offspring too bee all destroy'd?

Ar.
All but ye Youngest shall this night bee slain,
Who with Phylander shall for ever Reign.
But Hark—I'me called away. [Flys up again.


H. P.
I thank you, Gods! that something will bee left,
That after all these storms you've promis'd peace.
Now to my Cell I will again return
And in deep silence these distractions mourn. [Exit.


Enter Daemolgoron.
Daem.
If ye gods change, I am for ever lost.
Therefore, for fear they should relent
And soften at his Forc'd tears,
I'le act myself what they intended.
Who waits there?
Enter Waiter.
Call ye Captain of ye first Guard? [Exit Waiter.

If I don't kill my Father, I must fall with him,
And if I doe, perhaps I may escape ye blow.
For to destroy him, Heaven is resolv'd.
Therefore, if I put too my helping hand,
'Tis not only in mee self preservation,
But for ought I know the gods may allow on't.
However, I'le run ye Risque.
Enter Cp t of ye Guard.
Come hither!
You see how fair our fortune stands.
Wee're come in veiw of all our hopes.
The weighty buisnes then, which you're to doe,
Is to secure the soldiers to mee,
And if my Father in ye scuffle falls,
To bee sure say hee was murder'd by the Gods.

Capt.
This Business, Sir, I've done unto your hand
And the oath of secrecy to all I've given.
Hast then and lead them on to Victory,
Whilst they are warm, and youthfull heat remains.
Let not this bless'd opportunity bee lost.
What will today, tomorrow may bee crost.

Daem.
When Empire's stak'd, who in his course would stay
For Golden Balls, or wander in his way?
This Night I will bee crown'd, or fall.
Therefore prepare, and with the souldiers wait
At ye Old Pallace, or ye Royall Gate.

Capt.
I will, Sir. [Exeunt.


Enter Phylander.
Phy.
Such a night was never yet beheld
And universal Ruine sure must follow.
Let every King, by this, fair warning take
How hee ye Laws of Justice does forsake.
But oh, my Love! if that ye gods doe safe,
I'me rich enough and ask noe more.
I'le pardon all the indignitys I've suffer'd
Nor murmur at ye want of Common Providence.
With hast I will then to ye Pallace fly
And with my Polynice I'le live or dy. [Exit.


The stage darkens. Ariell descends. It thunders and lightens while hee is descending. Hee waves his wand and speaks.
Ar.
Ascend, ascend, black offspring of the Night
And in full shape appear to human sight.
Severall infernall spirits arise.
Hast, hast away, and at ye Pallace wait.
I'le call my Master, and bee with you streight.

[Hee ascends, and the spirits descend.