University of Virginia Library

The Fourth ACT.

SCENE I.

Enter Menaphon, Orgillus, Meeting Armena.
Org.
Welcome Armena, what, is the deed done?

Arm.
Speak softly: 'tis.

Org.
How Long?

Arm.
Full half an hour:
Have you perform'd the same by Ithocles.

Men.
At least an hour ago,
The King too is Conceal'd at my Apartment,
And those few Nobles that Attended him,
He has disper'd on severall Occasions:
I'le to him straight, mean while be it your care,
To fix 'em both 'th'posture that I order'd;
The darkness of the Night so well befriends us,
That you with ease may secretly Convey him
To the Queens Lodgings, which when you've perform'd,
I'le bring the King to see the Dreadfull sight,
That Gorgon like will turn him into stone:
[Ex. Men.

Arm.
O Orgillus, where do you mean to lead me?
My heart fore-bodes, this ruinous design
Will by the means of the Almighty powers,
Those Sacred Guardians of the Innocent,
Fall on our heads.

Org.
An Idle fear Armenia.
For 'tis not in the Power of fate it self,
To hinder the design we've so well lay'd;
It is impossible it shou'd be discover'd,
Unless to one another we are false.

Arm.
I hope my Orgillus does not doubt me,
I who for love of thee cou'd thus betray,
A Queen so kind, so Innocent and Good,
Wou'd not at last discover the dear man,
Whom I have forfieted my faith to serve.

Org.
No my best life, thou dearest, kindest Creature;
To doubt thee were a Sin unpardonable,
As much as 'tis impossible to make
A Return kind enough for thy deserts:
But see, my Brother, and the King approach,
Let us retire, and fix the dreadfull Scene.

[Ex. Omn.

SCENE II.

Enter King and Menaphon.
King.
O Menaphon, thou'st set me on the wrack;
What! an Appointment, O my tortur'd Soul,
If that the Center now this very moment,
Labour'd to bring forth Earthquakes, and Hell open'd
Her wide stretch'd Jaws, and let out all her furies,
I'de rather stand the shock, the bruut of all,
Then but to think 'tis true that thou hast told me.

Men.
My Leige, shou'd I not be a desperate mad man,
To tell you this, were I not Certain on't;
By Heav'n I heard the dark Appointment made,
Nay more this very hour saw him go,
To'th Queens Apartment.

King.
O Perfidious Monster.
But hast away, shew me the Scene of Lust,
Let me behold her dallying in his Arms,
That I may shoot with swifter fate upon 'em,
Then the Keen'st Bolt in all the Forge of Heav'n.

Men.
My Leige I will, but yet 'twere requisite
Her Brother were a witness of her shame;
And for the greatest Plague to Ithocles,
Let his Marcelia too be a Spectator.

King.
It shall be so, send speedily away,
And bid 'em meet me in the Queens Apartment.

Men.
Who waits? Nearchus.

Enter Nearchus.
Near.
My Lord.

Men.
Away,
Hast to Marcelia, and to Meleander.
And bid 'em instantly attend the King,
He'le be i'th' Queens Apartment.

King.
Nearchus,
Here take my signet, and release Marcelia,
And bid 'em not to make a moments stay—

[Ex. Near.
Men.
Come Sir, now you shall find how true I love you,
Now you shall see the care of your poor Servant:
With how much pains h'as watcht these brooding Monsters,
And how at last h'as ta'ne 'em in the toil.

King.
Light'ning and Earthquakes, Horrour and despair,
O the high Billows of my Stormy Soul!
If it be so, Mark, mark me Menaphon,
No Lybian Lyons rob'd of her young,
Rowzes her self more fiercely from her Den,
Then I will do to crush this pair of Vipers.
O thou sha't see with what a brave Revenge,
I'le tear the heart from the Adulteress,
And make the blood of the false Scorpion cure me.

Men.
'Twill be but Justice for to wrong a King,
O Heav'n defend me, it is so damn'd a Crime,
That Hell it self before ne're bred a Feind,
Cou'd entertain a thought so infamous:
But Sir, the time draws near, will you away?

King.
Yes I will go:
With Light'ning in my eyes, in my heart Vengeance.

Exeunt Omnes.

SCENE. III.

The Scene drawn, discovers Ithocles, and Semanthe A-sleep on a Couch, Arm in Arm.
Enter Menaphon with a Light, followed by the King, Meleander, and Marcelia.
King.
Patience you Gods, hold, hold, my boyling blood.
O 'twere a rare and Exquisite revenge,
To join their Hearts on my Swords point as close,
As their Ingend'ring lips.

Mele.
What do I see!
Vengeance and Horrour, do I wake or dream!
What, Arm in Arm, O I can hold no longer.
Take, take Adult'ress thy just reward—

Draws. Runs to the Queen, and the King stops him.
King.
Hold, hold, I charge you; for that brave Revenge,
Is due to me alone, wake, wake, you Monsters,
That e're I send you to th'infernall shades,
I may a while torture your Souls on Earth,
And let you know what 'tis to wrong a King.

Ithocles wakes, and seeing the Queen by him, starts: And turning round sees the King.
Itho.
Where am I! ha! What dreadfull Vision's this!
If I do wake, some pittying God above,
Be kind, and end my life this very moment.
My Lord the King—

King.
Yes Monster 'tis the same;
Who is come hither to behold a Sight,
Wou'd damn a Saint, and blast a Bassalisk,
To see two brooding Vipers mix their Poisons,
And a Lascivious lewd Adult'ress burn,
With lust far more Tempestuous, Flames far hotter,
Then that great day when the young Chariotier,
Misled the Sun, and set the World on Fire:
O I'm not able to endure the Torture:
My Guards there.
Enter Guards Attendants, and Penthea.
Seize on that Infernal Feind.

Guards seize Ithocles.
Itho.
My Gracious Lord, hear me but speak one moment:

King.
Be gone you slaves, and house him in a Dungeon;
Load him with Irons, lay more weight on him,
Then ought to hang upon his Canker'd Soul,
When he reflects upon his Monst'rous Crime.

Guards force him out.
Mar.
O Eyes, after this Object see no more:
O lead me, lead me from the dismall Scene:
[to Penthea.
Let me no more behold the face of day,
But in a Place fit for so lost a Wretch,
In darkness End my miserable Life.
There from the false deluding Flatt'ring Tongues,
O Faithless men, for ever I'le remain.
And ne're believe that Perjur'd Sex again.

[Exit Mar. weeping led by Penthea.
King.
Who wou'd believe a Guilty wretch like her,
Cou'd take a sleep so sound—
[Semanthe wakes.
But see she wakes,
And seems amaz'd to see her lover gone:
Turn this way wretched thing, and look on me.

[Semanthe runs amazedly to the King.
Sem.
My Lord the King! O take me to your arms,
And sheild me from that lean devouring feind:
O Sr, I've had a dream of so much horrour,
'Twould Certainly have run me to distraction,
Had not the sight of you awak'd my spirits:
But my dear Lord, I little did expect,
T'have had your wish'd for company to night.

King.
Hear, hear you Gods the Cunning of this Syren.
Look down upon the Sex which you have made,
To Curse Mankinde and fill the world with plagues.
O Devill, Devill in thy properest shape,
How canst thou look upon me but with Horrour?

Sem.
Alas! what means my Lord? sure I dream still,
I do beseech you speak not such harsh words,
My tender heart unus'd to these strange sounds,
Struggles within me, as 'twou'd leave its dwelling.

King.
Peace, peace thou Artfull Strumpet, talk no more.

Sem.
What is he Angry?—

[to Mele.
Mele.
Blackest vengeance seize thee.
Where hadst thou Impudence to ask that question?

Sem.
Good Heav'n what unknown Crime have I commited,
To Pull that Curse from Meleanders mouth?

[weeps.
Sem.
My Royall Lord—

[to the King
King.
Damnation Stop thy Speech:
Go take this Viper to your Custody,—
[to Bassanes.
And let her not behold the face of day.

Sem.
May I not know my fault?

King.
Perdition seize thee:
Away with her, let me not hear her speak.

Sem.
Have you no pity?

King.
Dogs have you no ears?

Sem.
Stay but one Moment—

[to Bassanes
King.
Better swallow fire.

Sem.
Brother, Plead for me;

Mele.
Sulpher Choak thy voice.
[Exit Meleander

[Exit Semanthe forc'd out by Guards.
King.
O I am all within a burning Etna,
My blood boyles hotter then the Poison'd flesh
Of Hercules Cloath'd in the Centaur's Shirt.

Men.
Had I not seen, I never cou'd have thought,
Semanthe of all womankind was false.

King.
She, 'tis no wonder friend, for by yon Heav'n,
The Sex is all perdition,
When nature shall all blaze and the Poles crack,
Hell Gape, and all its Sulph'rous mines burst out,
'Tis only woman that must light the fire.

Men.
O horrour! what a Tempest have I rais'd?
Dear Sir, no more, Cease this wild rage.

King.
I've done—
[Pauses.
And now will study for a dire revenge.
Rise from thy Scorching Den thou Soul of mischief,
And teach me Torments ne're before invented,
Swell me revenge, till I become a Hill,
High as Olimpus Cloud dividing Top,
That I may fall, and crush 'em to the Center.
O that I cou'd make her an Age in Dying,
And O that her's were like Prometheus heart,
And I'th immortall vulture to Torment it.

Men.
O Royall Sir, upon my knees I beg,
If all the Service that I ever did you,
Can merit but the smallest spark of favour,
Hear me but speak, 'tis true, she ought to Dye,
Her Crime I must confess unpardonable;
But O consider Sir, think on her Sin,
Think on the Anger Heav'n must bear against her:
And shou'd you send her hence loaded with Guilt,
T'wou'd forfeit all her Joys i'th other world;
Therefore most Sacred Sir, I do intreat,
That you wou'd spare her time for a repentance.

King.
Repent! Alas! thou knowst not what thou sayst.
Is't possible a woman e're can Pray!
No friend, the only use they make of Heav'n, is
To be forsworn by't, but my sence turns wild,
And throngs of thoughts are crowding for a passage.
By all my hopes she shan't out-live this night,
Even now I'le bath my hands I'th Stumpets blood:
Farewell my Lord, and e're the morning Dawns,
Thou sha't behold these hands Steep'd in her Gore,
And even her name raz'd from my memory.
From this wild rage, her Death shall free my Soul,
And I forget I had a Queen so foul,
For ever scorn, nay loath all woman-kind.
But oh my former Peace, I ne're shall find.
[Ex. King.

Manet Menaphon.
Men.
So, my designs at last have gain'd their end:
But stay, Armena lives, and she's a Woman,
By Consequence too leakey to keep secrets.
My Brother therefore must dispatch her straight;
By Heav'n to Night, she must not live till morn,
For that frail Sex is so much given to talk,
They are not silent in their very sleeps,
And tho' the secrets they're intrusted with,
Are ev'n the Hinges that their own lives hang on,
Their slippery tongues, are all so giv'n to stir,
That death's the only thing can keep 'em still.
Therefore to make our great Foundation sure,
Her talking Malady by Death we'le cure.

[Exit.

SCENE. IV.

A Prison.
Ithocles discover'd Chain'd, and lying on a Couch.
A Lamp burning by him.
Itho.
To what may I compare this dismal place?
Sure 'tis a grave, A Tomb for living Men,
Or else a Place form'd by Conspirators,
To lay those dark and Damnable designs,
That dare not look upon the open day.
You mighty Rulers of the Heav'ns and Earth,
You Sacred Guardians of poor wretched man,
Do I deserve these Chains, this loathsome Dungeon?
You know my Innocence, you know what spells
Betray'd me to the Embraces of the Queen:
You know the Villany of Menaphon,
(For sure 'twas his most damnable design,
That did Convey me to that fatall place,)
By what curst drugs he shut my senses up,
That when I wak'd I spy'd my own undoing.
Enter Marcelia.
Marcelia here! then sorrow take thy leave,
And nought but Joy inhabit in my breast,
O to my Arms thou Goddess of my days,
Why dost thou thrust me from thee, O my Soul?
Do not thou join too with the Angry powers,
And make my mighty load of misery,
More heavy then before.

Mar.
No perjur'd Man,
I come not here t'upbray'd you with your Crime,
But since the King has given me his permission,
To let me see you; know my Lord I come,
To take my Eternal leave.

Itho.
What means my Love?
I know indeed my death draws on a-pace,
My innocence by Villany's betray'd.
But hoped my Marcelia wou'd have been more kind,
Then ever to suspect my Constancy.

Mar.
Suspect! Alas, 'twas more then bare suspition,
'Twas not the Power of the World cou'd move me,
Had I not seen it, to believe thee false:
But when clasp'd Arm in Arm I did behold thee,
And after that thou durst forswear thy Crime,
It adds the Sin of Perjury to Falsehood,
And makes thee seem a Mon'strous thing indeed.

Itho.
By the Eternal Lamps that light the Skies,
'Twas Villany and damn'd Contrivance all.
The Plot, and Treachery of Menaphon.
The Queen is Innocent as unborn babes,
Tho' fal'n with me in that curs'd Traytors snare.

Mar.
O, Men, Men! who wou'd e're believe your Oaths.
The Moon does not so often change her Course,
As you do Change your loves; I'le hear no more:
Let me but take one look from those dear eyes.
And now, false Sex farewell.

[offers to go.
Itho.
O stay, dear Angell stay;

Mar.
No, my unkind, false Lord, farewell for ever.

Itho.
Stay but one minute, stay mistaken sweetness,
[Kneels
Do not forsake your Loyall prost'rate slave.
Here I take root, and grow into my Grave,
Till I have gain'd belief of my Marcelia.
O, hear me, hear me, for by you bright Heav'n,
My oathes are true, the Gods can witness for me,
They see, they know my heart, my truth, my Soul.

Mar.
O Ithocles, Stop, stop that fatall Eloquence,
Such were the very Sounds that first undid me:
Thou true! no Cruell man, speak it no more.
I will not hear it named, it is a sound
I never can believe from man again:
Wou'd you be so unkinde t'undo me more?
Did I not see you false, saw your imbraces?

Itho.
What shall I say, is there no pittying God,
That will descend a witness of my truth?

Mar.
No there is none, they all have seen thy falsehood,
Farewell, and O that fatall name of love,
I now shall hear no more, Heav'n grant you freedom,
And may you long inherit happiness,
Possess in ev'ry thing your wish, whilst I,
Go seek some Melancholly Cell and Die.—
Ex Mar.

Manet Ithocles.
Itho.
Not hear my Innocence? thou sha't fair murd'ress,
I'le Thunder't in thy Ears till I am dead.
Nay, when thy scorn has layd my bones in dust,
I'le burst my Marble Load, and tell thee Tyrant,
Thou wert the Chiefest cause of my affliction:
Yes, thou sha't hear—
My murmuring Groans, thy murder'd Lover's Groans,
Whiist all thy Glorious Locks, those beauteous Tresses,
On thy Prowd Forehead fix'd with horrour stand,
Erected like the strutting Porcupine,
And the bright fires in those bewitching eyes,
Wane and burn Pale at my approaching Ghost,
And Wish too late for what thy Scorn had lost.
[Exit Ithocles.

SCENE. V.

A Banquet set forth. Two Bowls on the Table. Enter Orgillus.
Org.
I've sent according to my Brothers order,
To bid Armena meet me instantly,
'Tis near the hour I did appoint her coming;
How easy 'tis for man to be a villain;
He that desires to bend his mind to mischief,
Let him but be a fix'd Industrious knave,
And he can never fail of his designs.
I hated Ithocles, conspir'd his fall,
Assisted Menaphon in his designe
Against a Queen virtuous and Innocent:
But why shou'd I conspire Armena's Death?
I cannot guess what Crime she has Committed;
But I have waded into villany,
And to proceed 's less dangerous then retreating,
The deeper Gulph I have plung'd o're, and now
Have but the shallower Brink to ford it through.
Enter a Servant.
How now? your news?

Ser.
Armena Craves admittance.

Org.
Conduct her in—
[Exit Servant.]
Keep back you Checks of Conscience,
You shou'd have stung me e're I had began
This damnable design, 'twould now be base,
To start from what so firmly was resolv'd.
Enter Armena.
She comes the Sacrifice draws toward the Altar,
Come near my love, why does my Angell weep?
Why drops the precious dew from those fair eyes?
Art thou not well? what means that sigh Armena?
If thou didst ever love me, tell the cause.

Arm.
O Orgillus, O cruell bloody man!
To what a Sea of Ruine have you brought me?

Org.
Is't Possible! do you repent your kindness?

Arm.
Oh as you hope for happiness hereafter,
As you wou'd gain Immortal peace of Heav'n,
Be just, and save the Queen, and Ithocles,
Declare to th'King your cursed mint of Forgery,
Lay open all your Plot of bloud and horrour,
And save your own, your Brothers Soul and mine:
For sure Damnation must attend our Crime,
That thus betrays a pair so Innocent.

Org.
How, my Armena! What! betray the secret?
Wou'dst thou then have me Traytor to my Brother.
Betray the man that has walk'd hand in hand,
Assisted me in my Revenge: O horrid!

Arm.
A Traytor to him, no, you'l be's friend,
You free him from Eternal Punishment.
D'ye think that Heav'n, (which is in all things Just,)
Will suffer treachery like ours to scape
The Punishment our Treason has deserv'd?
Upon my knees I beg you, as you hope,
For pleasure here, and happiness hereafter;
Go to the King, tell him your damn'd designe,
His Joy to finde the Queen is Innocent,
Will make him pardon us for our past crimes;
And all the ill we have already done,
Will be for ever Cancell'd and forgot.

Org.
Sit down my love, and tell me: shou'd I now
Go to the King, acknowledge ev'ry fault,
Tell him by what strange execrable means,
We brought those Innocents into our Snare,
D'ye think he wou'd forgive us?

Arm.
Not that only,
But Favour us, esteem us his best freinds,
Commend our happy, bless'd Remorse of Conscience;
Think ev'ry hour of our remaining life
Will be repentance, (as I'me sure it ought,)
To wash the Guilt away that Clogs our Souls.

Org.
Since then Armena 'twas the love of me,
Betray'd thee into our dark Consultation,
I will to thee unfold my nearest Secret;
My Brother and my self had so design'd,
The morrow for Semanthes Execution,
But now to shew my Gratitude and love,
(Together with a sharp remorse of Conscience,)
I'le change my Cruell, and (too) barbr'ous purpose,
Content my self with what's already done,
And rely wholly on the King for mercy.

Arm.
And are you reall?

Org.
As the Powers we serve.

Arm.
I thank you from my Soul my dearest Lord,
You have by this kind grant made me your vassall.

Org.
Armena, A long life to the fair Queen;
May she enjoy her former happiness,
And be as bless'd as thou wilt presently,
When I've reveal'd our story to the King,
For sure 'twill over-joy thee.

[Orgillus drinks.]
Arm.
With more pleasure
I wish her life, then Heirs their Fathers Deaths.
[Armena drinks out of the Poyson'd Bowle.]
But O make hast, lest his wild Jealousy,
Shou'd hurry him to do the fatall deed,
Which ne're can be recall'd.

Org.
It shall not be recall'd, nor sha't thou hinder it.

Arm.
What means my Love?

Org.
Dull thing I'le tell thee:
I did (as now I finde I had some cause,)
Suspect thy mind too wav'ring for a Secret,
Of such great Consequence as ours was:
Therefore thou frail one, with that bowl of poyson,
I've Seal'd thy lips for ever.

Arm.
Can it be?
Is this then the requitall of my love?
But Oh 'tis now too late for to upbraid thee:
Yet Orgillus, tho' you to me are Cruell,
Be mercifull to'th Queen She's Innocent:
O Save her, save her e're it be too late;
Upon my knees with my last breath I beg, you
Do not persist in that will bring destruction
Even to your long eternity, and blot
Your spotted Soul from the fair Book of Life.

Org.
A fit of Conscience; Pious fool! but Conscience,
Is all our common frailty, when we're dying.
But to be kinder to you at our parting,
Then let you spend your last short breath in vain,
Imploy the little time thou hast to live,
Some other way, and not on talk to me;
I have got by thee all the good I can:
If thou hadst had a farther Power to serve me,
Thou shoud'st have liv'd, but I have gain'd my End,
And now 'tis for my Int'rest thou shou'dst die.

Arm.
You have your wish, I find your words are true,
For Deaths Cold hand has seiz'd upon my heart:
Farewell thou Chief of thy false perjur'd Sex,
And O take heed! for bloud will sure have bloud;
Tho' Cruell as you are, I can forgive you,
And wish that Heav'n wou'd deal so mildly by you;
My death is only what I have deserv'd.
But O beware, let not Semanthe Die,
For hers, will surely be reveng'd at full:
The fatall Drug works strongly in my breast,
I feel, I feel my life decay apace;
You powers forgive me for my Sinfull Crime;
Take me; O take me to your bless'd abode;
Preserve the Queen, let not this black designe,
Reach her dear life, tho' it has lost me mine.

[Dies
Org.
She's gone, now Brother thou'rt secure from fear,
The Secret now's alone between us two;
And if we are not Traytors to our selves,
We must be safe; where shall I now dispose her?
Stay, let me see, under my window runs,
A River, very proper for my purpose:
From thence Immediately I'le cast her in,
And if she's found, ev'ry one will suppose,
She met her Death by accident, or else,
My Brother shall Insinuate to the King,
She was Complotter with the Queen Semanthe,
And Guilt had caus'd her act a desperate deed:
It shall be so, I'le instantly dispatch,
And tell my Brother how I have Succeeded.
Farewell thou loving fool, I pitty thee.
But 'twas not for my safety thou shou'dst live:
For when we once are Conscientious grown,
We cannot keep a Secret tho' our own,

[Exit Carrying off Armena.
The Scene Drawn discovers Semanthe in Prison, In her Night-Gown, Reading, A Lamp burning by her.
Sem.
All's hush'd, and quiet as the peacefull Grave,
The Labourer tyr'd with his dayly toil;
Now takes a sweet repose, but I must wake,
For ever wake, and never know content,
Plac'd in a dismall, dark, and Loathsome Jail,
And cannot guess what Crime I have Committed,
Nor why the Cruell King is Angry,
Were I but sensible of any fault,
I shou'd then think it Justice I were here,
But cou'd I search my life from the beginning,
I cannot think a Guilt deserving this.
Enter to her the King.
Whose there at this late hour? my Lord the King!

King.
Yes, yes Adulteress:
Look on me Monster, look on him thou'st wrong'd,
Behold a King that would have dy'd for 'thee,
And for his faithfull violent Constant love,
Cou'dst thou not make him a more kind return.

Sem.
O Sir; as you wou'd gain Immortall honour
On Earth, and everlasting Joys in Heav'n,
As you wou'd have your Glorious actions fill
The Book of fame, and like ascending Incense,
Perfume the Skies, and treat th'immortall Gods,
Be kind, and let me know how I've offended,
For by the Sacred lights that shine above,
These eyes yet never saw the rising Sun,
But that my Vows and Prayers were sent to Heav'n,
For the dear safety of my Royall Lord;
Therefore I cannot guess what wond'rous fault,
I have Committed to deserve a Dungeon.

King.
O thou bewitching Syren, dar'st thou plead,
An Ignorance to all thy horrid Guilt,
Nay, then thou are a Monster damn'd indeed,
To Plunge in Sin and pretend Innocence
I thought, t'have found thee mourning for thy Crime:
For Sinfull as thou art it was my wish,
Thou might'st before thy Death make peace with Heav'n.

Sem.
My death! Good Heav'n what means my Royall Lord?
I hope that time is not yet near at hand.

King.
Most sure, why cou'dst thou think I'de be so tame,
After I'de found thee false to let thee live?

Sem.
How false my Lord? in what?

King.
False to my bed.
I need not tell thee, for thou know'st too well,
By Heav'n thou art as light as fleeting ayr:

Sem.
Who's my accuser?

King.
My own eyes beheld thee,
Clasp'd arm in arm with Ithocles.

Sem.
Nay then,
I find I am Betray'd, and you Abus'd.

King.
Betray'd! Good Heav'n! what does the strumpet mean?
Nay then 'tis time to give the fatall blow:
For shou'd I listen longer to her words,
[Aside.
She wou'd persuade me spight of all I saw,
To take her to my Arms and pardon her.
Come thou fair Devil, in thy Prayers reckon,
[to her.
The perfect sum of all thy horrid sins;
There amongst others, pour forth streams of bloud,
For one above the rest, Adul'try, Adul'try, Semanthe,
Such a guilt, as were the Sluces of thy eyes let up,
Tears cou'd not wash it off.
Now turn thy eyes into thy hov'ring Soul,
And do not hope for life, wou'd Angells sing,
A Requiem at my Herse but to dispense
With my Revenge on thee, 'twou'd be in vain:
Prepare to dye.

Sem.
I will, most willingly,
But wou'd fain make my Innocence appear,
Dear Sir, upon my knees I do entreat you
To hear me speak before my Execution:
If I were that strange Monster you wou'd make me,
It were but Justice you shou'd take my life,
But here I swear by the Eternal Powers,
By all my hopes in Heav'n, I am not false,
Believe my tears.

King.
There's nothing of thee reall,
I'de been too happy if thou hadst been true:
The thrifty Heav'ns mingle our Sweets with gall,
Lest being glutted with excess of good,
We shou'd ungratefully forget the giver.

Sem.
O Sir—

King.
Be gone, take those Inchanting eyes away,
There's a bewitching Influence within
Those sparkling Circles, that unmans my Soul:

Sem.
Nay, if these eyes have Pow'r to make you kind,
[kneels.
They shall pursue you wheresoe're you go;
With their soft, humble, pleading, courting tears,
I'le weep 'em blind to quench your raging fires.
Dear Sir, indulge, Improve these sparks of pitty,
Mercy's the Glory of a Deity, subdue
Your wild desires, and that Heroick deed,
Is Nobler then the Conquest of a Kingdom;
But if you stain your hands with Guiltless blood,
Then think what dismall horrours wait on murder,
Woolves, Ravens, screech-Owls then will be your Guests,
And my pale Ghost will haunt your startling Sleeps,
Press your sad thoughts with loads more heavy then
The Pond'rous Marble that Entombs my ashes.

King.
By Heav'n I can no longer bear her sorrows,
Her watry eyes wou'd make a Tyger tame,
One accent of that tongue wou'd Calm the Seas,
Tho' all the Winds strove there at once for Empire
But Ha!
Where am I going? Stay my fleeting Glory,
I had design'd that great, that brave revenge,
As shou'd have fix'd my vast immortal fame,
High as a Monumentall Pyramid,
And hid its Tow'ring Top among the Clouds,
But thou false feind wou'dst shake my great Foundation:
Take thy face hence.

Sem.
O Sir?

King.
I'le hear no more.
Vanish false fire, bright Meteor disappear;
It is not safe for me to tarry here;
My mighty mind wou'd keep its sacred way,
But she strews Flow'rs to lead my Soul astray.
[Ex. King.

Manet Semanthe.
Sem.
Pitty me Heav'n, and view my wretched State,
Let me not undeserv'dly meet my fate,
O Change this frantick humour in the King,
His stragling sense to its first Station bring;
Calm his wild rage, let him his Errour see,
But if your doom decrees that I must dye,
Let when I'm dead my Innocence appear,
My spotless virtue to the World stand fair.
O grant his mourning pitty may but come,
And shed one tear on poor Semanthe's Tomb.

[Exit Weeping.