University of Virginia Library

The Fifth ACT.

Scene the Camp.
Enter Zungteus attended, Vangona in Disguise.
Zungteus.
What! do I Live to hear, my Father Dead
By a Gangrene from a Poison'd Arrows head?

Vang.
Call it not Death, when Monarchs leave mankind,
But a Translation t'an Immortal Throne:
All of him that was King in you is left behind,
And all of him that's God, to its proper seat is gon.

Zung.
In Heaven, great Saint, Oblige thy mourning Son;
My Amavanga's Constellation find,
('Tis easy found, for 'tis the brightest there,)
And Represent to her englightned mind
The Torment of a Lover in Despair.
Tell her from me, when her you meet above,
That 'tis my Piety Controles my Love.
Thou badst me quit Love's Race to follow Fame,
And, dread Sir, even in Death thy Pow'r's the same.
Thee gon, I'le pay my Duty to thy Name.
Revenge by a double Ty directs my hand:
Thy Blood, calls louder, now than thy Command.

Enter Palexus and Quitazo, Quitazo kneels to Zungteus.
Palex.
Sir, the Degraded Chiness General
Do's at your Feet an Humble Suppliant fall.

Zung.
Rise Worthy Sir, you are my Friend: Distress
Do's not make Distance greater, or Worth less.
Your deprest Virtue such strong Bonds has ty'd;
Thou can'st not ask that thing shall be deny'd:
T'oblige desert's, my Study and my Pride.

Quit.
That God-like Mercy banisheth Despair:
Now I dare speak, when you are pleas'd to hear:
And Pardon'd Sinners make the Boldest Prayer.
I have a Mistress Sir.—

Zung.
And so had I,
[aside.
—'Till this Curst Hand.—

Quit.
But Fate and Cruelty
Have so Conspir'd.—

Zung.
She's injur'd, is she not?

Quit.
Yes Royal Sir, by one too that has got
Pow'r to perform, what his Wild Rage decrees.

Zung.
And you want Arms to right her Injuries?

Quit.
Your Goodness has with Heav'n this Vertue shar'd,
To know my Wants before my Prayers are hear'd.

Zung.
Call all your own, what e'r Love can implore:
Divide thy Sorrows, and command my Pow'r.
A Nobler Cause cannot my Sword oblige:
Is it a Town or Kingdome you'd besiege?
Say, Sir, Is this fair Sufferer
Immur'd in City-Walls, Tow'rs, Mountains? Speak;
And let my Thunder the Vast Gordian break.

Quit.
Sir, T'express my Gratitude, take this true
Description of a Soul, that bows to you.
I was your Enemy, and should be still,
Had I a King t'obey, or Foes to kill.
But now you're China's Friend; your Sword employ'd
Against that Power, which has a King destroy'd.
My Princess and Love's Sufferings plead alike:
In their Cause at th'Usurpers Heart I'd strike.
A Mistress and a Soveraign's Cause I'd Right:
Under your Banners, I beg leave to Fight.
The Grant of this Request, Great Sir, will be
As kind in you, as it is just in me.
For though my Sword aims at my Countrie's blood,
I make but th'ill Veins bleed, to save the Good.

Zung.
Share halfe my Pow'r, take me your Rival too;
I owe as much of Vengeance there, as you.
Then in Revenge let's try, which shall pay most,
Thou to a King and Love, I to a Fathers Ghost.
Valiant I know you, Just I'm sure you'l prove,
I ne'r doubt Honour, where I meet with Love.

Vang.
Which way soe'r Fame calls your Conqu'ring sword,
Let your poor Slave attend his honour'd Lord:
Be near you when you Fight, with greedy Eye
Grasp your great Conquests, see your Enemies Dy,
Admire your Arm: and though I can't repay
This Grace, I can Adore you more than they,
Who have more Worth to pay the mighty Debt.
The Poor are as Religious as the Great.

Zung.
Yes, kind unknown, thou shal't: but whence proceeds
This Zeal? Is't Love or Envy of my Deeds?
Thou, like my Genius, haunt'st me where I go,
Admirest my Victories, and shar'st 'em too.
Kind Boy, there's something in thy forward Zeal,
Say's thou art more than what thy Looks reveal.
I must find out from whence these Wonders spring,
Draw back the Curtain, and Oblige thy King.

[Exeunt Vangona, making a low Obeysance.
SCENE the Second: The PALLACE
A Table and Chaires set out, with Pen, Ink, and Paper.
Enter King of China, and Legozun.
King.
Lycungus King!
Ye High Eternal Pow'rs, if you've Decreed,
My Crown must flourish on a Traytors Head;
Whil'st true forgotten Majesty lies Dead:
If such loud Crimes must Rule the World, lay by
Those sparkling Gems, that do adorne the Sky.
Govern your Heav'n, as you Earth's Empire sway:
No Stars adorne your Night, no Sun the Day.
Spangled with Bloody Comets may the Ayr
All hung with Black, the Garb of Horrour wear.
Your Heav'n, and you more Night, more Darkness need,
To be the fit Spectatours of this Deed.

Leg.
At once your Sword and Scepter he engrost;
By that unhappy Bounty you are lost.
[Shout within.
They only for his Coronation stay;
And in these Shouts do their new Homage pay.

King.
I should not meet my Fate with so much Scorn.
To see my Crown by an Usurper worn;
Could I in Glory set, and dy a King.
But whil'st I hear my Treach'rous Subjects Sing
A Rebel's Triumphs, and with Joy, Applause,
And ecchoing Shouts defend a Traytor's Cause.
The Homage gone, the Name of King retires;
My Majesty before my Life Expires.

Leg.
Hence 'tis your Subjects, do so loud appear;
Some by Reward are led, and some by Fear.
He by such Arts, do's his great Ends pursue;
Acts both the Patron, and the Tyrant too.
Since first he did th'Imperial Title gain,
Eight Chief Taymingian Princes he has Slain.
He call'd a Councel for some strange pretended Cause,
Of Sixteen Thousand Students of our Laws.
Who being met, he to the School set Fire,
And made 'em on one Funeral Pile Expire.
And this was all he for that Deed could say,
Learning should light the World, and so did they.

King.
This Massacre all Chronicle exceeds.

Leg.
This is not half of his Inhumane Deeds.
He, to oblige the Common Multitude,
Confer's all Honours on Ignoble Blood.

King.
There, there I'm lost.
When high Blood floats, and th'advanc'd Rable treads
On Ruin'd Greatness, and their Nobles Heads:
Then Usurpation seems Divine;
And in the Crowds of Proselytes it draws;
Wants neither Prayers, nor Swords, to aid its Cause.
Yet there's one Glorious Guard against all ill,
Will prove you Princes, me a Monarch still.
We'l shew that we have Souls too Great and Proud,
To see a Royal Robe a Trayteur shrowd.
Though this False Rebel has disturb'd our Peace,
Our Swords shall from his Pow'r our Lives Release.
Our Souls together in one Trayn shall fly;
We'l Sally out, and take Eternity.

Leg.
A Nobler Course you cannot undertake,
Than in your Death your Sanctuary make.
Nor can I better speak my Loyalty,
Than when my King Commands t'obey and dy.

King.
But I in Heav'n, shall small Contentment find,
If I my Dearest Treasures leave behind;
My Wives to be the Objects of his Lust.
No Sex should to a Tyrant's Mercy trust.
Go then Legozun, tell 'em my Design:
Tell 'em, I begg they in my Fate would joyn:
But work their Falls, as you would pity mine.
Speak to 'em gently of their Deaths: express
None of the Pain, but all the Happiness.
Talk not of Bleeding in too Harsh a tone:
Invite 'em to take Wounds, but give 'em none.
And when you have the Vanquish'd Field possest,
Say 'tis their dying Soveraign's last Request,
That for his sake, who once that Crown did wear,
In whose bright Glory they once bore a share,
That for his sake they'd Die to meet above,
There to Confirm new Articles of Love.
[Exit Legozun.
I know they're Loyal, and 'tis Just we shou'd,
Who shar'd in Pleasures, now unite in Blood.

Enter a second Prince.
2 Prince.
Oh Sir, prepare your Ears for such a sound,
Would make a Fury startle, and Confound
The fiercest Foe of Heaven; a Doom which Fate,
Trembles to give, as I must to relate.
I come to speak things, which I durst not give
A Name, if I intended to Out-live
The speaking it.

King.
What is this wondrous thing?

2 Prin.
'Tis, Royal Sir, the Murder of a King.
Lycungus in a Fierce and wanton Rage
Will in your Murder his own Hand Engage,
And is already here to see it done.

King.
Is not deposing of a King alone
Enough without the Wading in his Blood?
Men may Renounce Religion, and a God;
But few so Impious to that Fury swell,
To Raze those Temples, where they scorn to Kneel.

2 Prin.
And to appear more Insolent and High,
He calls his Bloody Treason Charity.
To ease you of your Life after your Power,
And Cut the Stalk, now he ha's Cropt the Flower.
At such unknown outragious Blasphemy
I'm all Astonishment.

King.
So am not I.
Where's the surprize? Is Impudence a thing,
To be admir'd in him that Kills a King?
Go on, What said he more?

2 Prin.
All this hee'l do,
If your Fear does not Rob him of the Blow.

King.
Nay, now I've heard too Loud a Blasphemy.
Dares he think Fear can make a Monarch Die?
T'assert my Fame, I'le Live, and shew the Effects
Of that high Courage his low Soul suspects.
In Blood he shall my righted Honour read:
I'le brave those Numbers, which protect his Head.
Traytor! I'le sell that Life I cannot save,
And Fighting, Cut my passage to my Grave.
My Orders therefore instantly Recal,
And bid my Queens Live to behold my Fall.

Enter Legozun.
Leg.
Hold Sir, This Vain Reprieve will come too late:
See there the Ruins of your sinking State.

The Scene opens, and is discovered a Number of Murdred Women, some with Daggers in their Breasts, some thrust through with Swords, some strangled, and others Poyson'd; with several other Forms of Death.
King.
Honour forbids, that we on Earth should stay,
When thus a Female Trayn has led the way.
In Death above their Sex they have a Courage shown;
And shall We be less Manly in our own?
No, we will dy: but lest a Traytor's Tongue,
By unjust Stains our Memory may wrong;
This from a King I'le let him understand
I scorn'd, nor fear'd to fall by a Traitor's Hand.
Stabs himself in the Left Arm. Sits down, and writes in the Blood.
In this I'le write the Causes of our Death;
And to Zungteus China's Crown bequeath.
And that his Arm Lycungus may defeat,
That he may safely Rise into my Seat,
T'assist him I'le Conjure the Higher Pow'rs,
And choose the Gods for my Executors,
To see the true Performance of my Will,
And by his Arm my Just Revenge fulfill.

Leg.
Nobly Resolv'd. A Monarch should bestow
His Empire rather on a Forreign Foe,
Than on a Traytor. Treason has more Guilt,
Than all the Blood, that's by Invasion spilt.
Usurpers basely do a Throne Assail:
Invaders win the Crowns Usurpers steal.

King.
This, as my Last Memorial, I will leave,
Which th'abus'd World may fully undeceive:
And shew, on what just score these Strokes are given,
Which thus convey our Enlarg'd Souls to Heaven.
Which of the Gods soe'r thou art, whose Ears
Devoted are to Dying Monarch's Prayers,
They all fall on their Swords.
Grant in my Second Reign I may Enjoy
Such secure Peace, as Treason can't destroy.
And to my Soul such Entertainment shew,
As may express what I have been below.

[Dy Omnes.
Enter Lycungus attended.
Lyc.
By a Voluntary Death my Arm Repell'd!
I but pronounc'd the Doom, and my Breath Kill'd.
See there the Trophies of a Mighty Name:
My Lightning blasted ere my Thunder came.
What's here? his Last Memorial writ in Blood!
His Empire on the Tartar King bestow'd!
A Prety Legacy.
Flings down the Paper.
King, now you are gone to Heaven; were I as you,
I'd be bequeathing Constellations too.
No, King, they who of Crowns Possession give,
To seal those Deeds, must ask their Tenants leave.

Atten.
But in their Deaths their Courage they declare.

Lyc.
So are all Cowards Valiant in Despair.
No; China's Crown has 'till my Reign been worn
By Lazy Kings, with Female Spirits born;
Guarded by Eunuch's, bred in Palaces,
Nurtur'd in Lusts, the Progeny of Peace:
But now's the time, Fate grants the High Command
Of this Great Empire to a Martial Hand.
And to confirm my Interest with Heaven,
The Gods to my Just Cause success have given.
Th'Old Tartar's Dead, and the Proud Boy shall see,
The Father's Fate is the Son's Destiny.

Enter Three Soldiers, forcing in the Chief Villain Lycungus his Confident.
1 Sold.
Sir, I have seiz'd this Villain: From his Hand
Releas'd Quitazo has his Freedom gain'd.
And for Protection to the Tartar fled,
Resolves to lead their Army gainst your Head.

Vil.
All that this Fool would say's, I've took Bribes twice:
He bought his Life, and he out-bid your price.
For Gold 'twas I betray'd him, and for Gold
I have Releas'd him.

Lyc.
Is the Slave so bold,
To Triumph in that Crime his Life must cost?

Vil.
I scorn my Life, because I know 'tis lost.

Lyc.
Kill him.

Vil.
Death I expect, and 'tis my due:
Were your Case mine, I so betray'd by you,
I'd cut your Throat for half so much.
—I know
No Fault, but wanting Wit, t'avoid the blow.

Lyc.
Hence with him, and let out his forfeit Blood.

Vil.
This comes of Villains, when they'l needs be good.
Quitazo's Rescue was the first good Deed
I e'r Committed, and Fate has Decreed
It should be th'last. Curse on my Vertue. Well,
Could I my doom this fatal hour Repel,
I'd take more care, and th'angry Fates defy;
For ere being dam'n'd again by Honesty.

[Exit guarded
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
A party of some desperate Tartars led
By Prince Quitazo fighting in their Head,
Advance this way.

Lyc.
Let him come on. Those Empires happy are,
Whose Monarchs dare defend the Crowns they wear.

After a sound of Trumpets, Enter Quitazo and Tartars.
Quit.
Now, Monster, to your Tortur'd Soul recall
Thy proud Ambition, and this Empires fall:
And with these Thoughts to thy remembrance bring
My Ravish'd Mistress, and thy Murder'd King.
Spight of thy Treasons heaven ha's had this care,
To save me for thy Executioner.
Thou from my hand shalt thus much honour'd be,
Both to be Kill'd, and to be Damn'd, by me.

Lyc.
You by your Punishment shall understand,
Kings are not Conquer'd by so mean a hand.

They fight with Quitazo's Party; after a hot dispute, Quitazo is surounded and is taken prisoner.
Lyc.
Pursue the fight, Compleat my Victory:
Quitazo's Veins have Blood enough for me.
Now I'le Requite your kindness as I ought;
See the Disguis'd Alcinda hither brought.

Quit.
Though I am by your Numbers Over-borne,
Yet in your Chains your Pow'r and Pride I scorne.
Mean Coward, I am by Treachery O'rethrown:
You gain'd your Conquest, as you did your Crown.

Lyc.
I never, Sir, receiv'd such Language yet,
But made that Breath his last that Utter'd it.

Quit.
Rebel, My Courage is not taught so ill,
But I dare dy as boldly as you kill.
The only fault I in my death can find
Is, that my Shorten'd Arm leaves thee behind.

Lyc.
Do not Repine at dying without me.
Enter Alcinda guarded.
See there, You shall have better Company.

Quit.
Alcinda!

Lyc.
Yes, this favour shall be given,
To introduce you, when you dy, to Heaven.
I'le be so kind to let her Soul mount first:
With your drawn Swords let her Soft breast be pierc'd;
Then—

Quit.
Savage Infidel, can you believe,
That there are Gods, and such a sentence give?

Lyc.
I will find out a Nobler Death for thee.
Thou with thy Mistress Blood shalt poison'd be.
When you Alcinda's Sentence have dispatch'd,
Of her hot Blood let a full draught be Catch'd;
Then let that Bloody drench (mixt with the worst
Of Poysons) down this Traytor's Throat be forc'd.
Then whil'st the Poyson's Tortures do begin,
And on his burning Entralls feed within,
His flesh without from his rack'd body tear,
And every wound with burning Irons Sear.

Quit.
Search all the Registers of Hell, and find
Ten thousand tortures more, and Crueller:
And Let them all be for my Death design'd
Spare but her life, and let my blood save her.

Lyc.
Fond fool, to Save her life in vain you strive.
Your Treason Murders her.

Quit.
Let her but Live;
I'le call you kind, I'le call you anything;
My Friend, my Patron, nay, and more, my King.

Lyc.
No more, she Dyes.

Quit.
How can I expiate
This Crime, that with my own pull down thy fate?

Alc.
No, should you Dye without me, you would force
Our long-united Souls to a divorse.
When you, my Happiness, on Earth are gone,
'Twould be a Punishment to Live alone:
Accept my Thanks, great Sir, that you've Decreed
Alcinda shall with her Quitazo Bleed:
Make haste then, and be Courteous in the Deed.
Since your Eyes only the rough wounds have seen
Of fighting men in Wars and Battels slain,
My softer Veins may better please your Eye:
A Virgins Blood will be a Novelty.

Lic.
Make hast, the Execution moves too slow.

Quit.
May Heaven Revenge what I want Arms to do:
And when just Fate thy Murder shall decree,
May'st thou meet Executioners like Thee.

Lyc.
Make hast, shew your Allegeance by your Speed.

Quit.
Must I then tamely see my Mistris Bleed?

[Gets loose from the Guards, but is seiz'd again.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
Sir, Your scatter'd Forces fly.
A Party by Quitazo's friendship made,
Have to the Tartar, Pequin's Gates betray'd:
And great Zungteus such Success has found,
That he wants nothing now but being Crown'd.

Lyc.
And had Quitazo in this deed a part?
Thus I'le Revenge my Wrongs upon thy heart.
Thus Traytor—

Enter Zungteus and Soldiers.
Zung.
Traytor, thy own Life defend,
'Tis here my Conquests and thy Crimes I'le end.
What Object's this? shall I the Glory have,
That in thy Death I shall Quitazo save?
Thy Vengeance aim'd too at a womans heart!
Thou, whose Vile hand dares Act so mean a part,
Usurper, know thou hast as little Claim,
T'a Souldier's, as thou hast to a Monarch's name.

Lyc.
My sinking Throne shall be this day rebuilt,
When by my hand I have Chastis'd thy Guilt.
And though my Royalty ha's weakly stood:
I will new Scarlets wear dy'd in thy blood.

They fight, and Lycungus is Kill'd. After several shouts, and Lycungus Party being beat off, the Soldiers Cry, Long live Zungteus Emperour of China.
Zung.
Now I am great indeed: 'tis more Renown,
To save a Friend, than 'tis to win a Crown.

Quit.
Above my Thanks, for my own safety-due,
Zungteus has the Gods his Debtors too.
The greatest Ornament which Heaven ere gave
The World, with mine, this Ladyes Life you save.

Zung.
My Arm in War more Nobly could not shine.
But that hand sav'd his Mistriss, murder'd mine.
[aside.
But I forget: Honour's my Province; say,
How goes the work of this Triumphant day?

Pal.
All your Opposers hopes but weakly stood,
And now are drown'd in their lost Leaders blood.
Joy's only active now: all Arms lady down,
You're absolutely Lord of China's Crown.

Zung.
Enough: so Father, now thou art Obey'd.
I've signaliz'd my Hand, and Crown'd my Head.
I have done all Glory calls Great or Good:
Perform'd thy Funeral Obsequies in Blood.
And now I've all that Greatness, Victory,
And Crowns can give me: Love, I'm fit for thee.
I Fought, Obey'd, and Conquer'd, and surviv'd
My Mistress Murder: and 'twas just I liv'd;
For to have Dyed great Saint less than a King,
Had been to Thee too mean an Offering.
But all Love's wants my Victories compleat:
Thus perfect made, look down from thy bright Seat,
And see a Love ripe for thy Altars grown,
Who for thy Love resigns both Life and Crown.

[Offers to stab himself, is staid by Vangona.
Vang.
Hold your fierce Hand, and your fond Rage lay by;

Zung.
Intruding Boy.

Vang.
No Monarch, Sir, must dy,
When I can buy his Life.

Quit.
Great Sir, forbear.

Vang.
Look, Royal Sir, see your Life's Ransom there.

Enter Amavanga.
Zung.
Ha! has some God turn'd Thief, and stole that Face?
If such you are, and are come here to grace
A Lover's Funeral; You can't Converse
With Mankind in a brighter Form than hers.
No, 'tis her self; no Image I embrace:
There are no Copies of so fair a Face.
My Amavanga!—

Amav.
Yes,—
She whom your hand amongst the Stars had plac'd;
Had not th'High Powers thought Heaven would be disgrac'd
By a Guest so mean; then as my Juster due,
They chang'd my Doom, and let me live for you.

Zung.
To see your Life Restor'd—Oh! let me know,
To what God you this Resurrection ow.

Am.
T'a God that smil'd on Love. When by your Hand I bled,
My Soul Possession kept, though my Sense fled.
My Wounds by care, and your kind Influence cur'd,
I am to Life, to Health, to Love restor'd.

Zung.
My Ravish'd Sense 'twixt Wonder and Delight
Feels too impetuous Joys, and Rays too bright.

Am.
Now Modestly, I may proclaim my Pride,
To say, I have your Love and Honour try'd:
And without blushing own their Conquering Pow'rs:
Accept a Heart by Fate and Justice your's.

Zung.
Nor shall our Loves be Fortunate alone:
Be yours blest too, yours is the Tartar Crown.
[To Quit.
Your Milder Presence will auspicious be,
And Civilize my Rougher Tartary.
And whil'st the Chinans pay Allegeance here:
I'le Teach their softer Natures Arms and War.

Am.
Nor think I lov'd you less, because I held
A Sword against your Life; I was Compell'd,
And Snar'd by Glory to that Fatal Fight:
But not to have wrong'd Love by Honour's Right:
I was Resolv'd, if I had Conquer'd you,
Not t'have Out-liv'd your Fall.

Zung.
To a Love so true
The Chinan Throne pay's Homage at your Feet.
Now for our Nuptial Charms, where I shall meet
A Greater Scene of Bliss, Glories more Gay
Than Triumph, and a Coronation Day.

(Exeunt Omnes.