University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A Wood.
Enter Orgillus.
Org.
Where e're I go my Conscience still persues,
And the pale Figure of the dead Armena
Is ever in my view; 'twas not well done,
So ill to gratifie, the woman lov'd me,
Besides, I only fear'd she might discover
What I my self am now inclin'd to do.
The Queen this day must dye a publick death,
'Tis not too late, I yet may save her from it.
[Horns and Huntsmen at a distance.
What noise is that! the ecchoing cries of Huntsmen,
Alas! the hunted Stagg himself, that flies
From all those open Mouths of death behind him,
Is not alarm'd with my pursuing horrors;
He has but a Life, but I a Soul in danger.

Enter Menaphon behind.
Men.
Thus far I've watch'd my Brother, whose sad thoughts,
I fear, bodes Ruin to our great design.
I find his foolish Conscience does perplex him,
And dare not trust my Life in the weak hold
Of Consciencious hands, although a Brothers.
He that would manage Glorious mischief safe,
Shou'd guide his rouling Chariot like the Sun,
And singly hold the mighty Reins alone:
Into his Seat no aiding Partner call,
Lest the misguideing Phaeton hazard all.

Org.
Shou'd I discover it, and save her Life,
And the King's Mercy too shou'd grant me mine,
Where then is Menaphon? What must he dye?
What an ungrateful wretch shou'd I be counted,
To leave my Brother tangled in the snare,
When I my self have pow'r to keep him out.
But yet the violent love that the King bears
To beautiful Semanthe is so great,
That shou'd I tell him all our Villany,
I might with ease make Covenants of safety,
And sign my own and pardon'd Brother's Life.

Menaphon comes forward.
Men.
Brother, with Joy I've heard your troubled Conscience,
And am well pleas'd your thoughts keep pace with mine.
O Brother! Brother! with such dreams of horrour,
Since poor Armena's death, my fancy's plagu'd,
That had not your Remorse of Conscience found you,
I shou'd alone have told it to the King.

Org.
How! My dear generous Brother.

Men.
Yes my Orgillus,
An Orient Beam of Penitence dawns within me,
The Shadows of my once benighted Soul
All vanish'd, and bright day breaks forth in Glory.

Org.
And is kind Heav'n this dear Conversion true?
Is my kind Brother—

Men.
Yes, see here a Prosilite
[Kneels]
To Heaven, Religion, Honor, Piety,
Semanthe, the Innocent Semanthe, dye;
No, I will snatch her from the yawning Precipice,
And fix her righted Fame, and rescu'd Innocence,
On that Immortal Pyramide of Glory,
That the admiring World with up lift Eyes,
And low bent Knees, shall pay their joyful tribute,
At her bless'd Restauration; with my own
Repenting Hand I'll twine, twine a rich Chaplet
Of Flowers, and Roses, and Eternal Sweets,
T'adorn her Sacred Brow.

Org.
O my Just Brother,
Now thou'rt all white again, most lovely fair;
O there's that Rapture in Divine Repentance,
No wonder it unlocks the Gates of Heav'n,
When Oh, there blows a Gale, a fragrant Gale
Of Perfumes from the very Air it flies in.
That sure 'tis all a breath of Parradise:
And shall Semanthe live! come to my Arms,
O nearer to my Breast.

Men.
Yes, to thy Heart—

[Stabs him.]
Org.
Villain, perfidious Villain, thou hast kill'd me.

[Org. falls.]
Men.
Yes, lie there Pitty, my great Plot was found'ring,
And I have stop'd the leak.

Org.
Kis'd and Betray'd!
Embrac'd and Murther'd!

Men.
Yes, Religious Fool.
Thou wert too good for Earth, and I in pitty
Have kindly giv'n thee Heav'n, so sleep Conscience;
And now, wake, wake Revenge agen.

Org.
Oh,

[Groans] Horns and Huntsmen agen.]
Men.
Ha! Company; Curse on this Interruption,
No matter, I am sure I have dispatch'd him,
And his short breath's too weak to hurt me now;
But let me prudently retire unseen:
My Face has danger in't, now dear, dear Vengeance.

[Ex. hastily drawing off Orgillus.]