 | Xerxes |  |
ACT III.
The Scene, The House of Artabanus .Enter Memnon with a Paper.
Mem.
Honesty's a Notion, and only Reigns
Like Womens Chastity in cold Untempted Minds:
It must be so! I ever thought that Villany
Had an ugly Face; but now I view it
In the Flattering Glass of Interest, it seems
No Monster!—Of a fairer form than half starv'd Virtue.
—Yet let me think a little—
Here I am trusted with the Names of several Men,
Who have combin'd to free th'Imprison'd General;
To seize the King, and force him to renew
The War with Greece! Nay, I've subscrib'd my own,
T'assist 'em too, and now am going to inform
The General of it: The Undertaking is but Just;
For Old Mardonius lov'd the King, and lies
In Chains, because he offer'd proof on't: Xerxes
Is unfit to hold the Reins of Empire;
He throws 'em loose, and lets it run to shame,
And Luxury—Why don't I haste to stop him then?
And by the Execution of what I've sworn to act;
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I fail in my Design, (as sure 'tis dangerous)
If I am taken, can my Country save me?
Or if I succeed, am I sure my Country
Will be grateful? They'll say perhaps 'twas Interest
Led me on:
And let me starve, while they partake the Blessing!
They may be base, and probably they will!
Then 'Tis not safe to trust 'em, nor can I
On th'other side be sure of Life, if I delay
This great Discovery:—Why then 'Tis fixt!
I'll take the surest way to find Reward from Xerxes:
And when my Pardon, and Reward are sign'd,
Then let 'em call me Fool, or tell the King
I am a Villain.
[Exit.
Enter Artabanus, Aranthes, &c.
Art.
Never was Cause, my Friends, more chearfully
Embrac'd, never were Hands more fit for Action,
Nor ever greater Glory waiting on success:
'Tis not the Thirst of others Wealth, or Dignities,
Nor Envy of a favour'd Faction, that inflames us,
No Mercenary end: 'Tis Bleeding Honour calls us
To revenge her Wounds; 'tis Xerxes, not the King
That stands accus'd: If Xerxes can relent,
Still let him wear the Crown; if not, the Crown
By us remov'd, can dignify
Another Head for Empire.
Aran.
'Tis not who Reigns, but who Reigns well is King.
Art.
He that neglects the Regal Office,
Should be compell'd to lay it down;
And we who feel the smart of that neglect,
Are only proper Judges, where to place it.
Aran.
Let us but once more see Mardonius Sworded,
We shan't be long to seek a Man, that's fit
To weild a Scepter: I long
To hear how he receives our Undertaking!
Why lingers Memnon thus? may we believe
He's not refus'd Access to him.
Art.
You may, I have unbarr'd the Prison Gates with Gold.
A Servant Whispers Artabanus.
Come Gentlemen, the Night begins to wast,
Our Small Collation waits us: Aranthes,
Pray conduct our Friends, I'll give some Orders
In the House, and follow You.
[Exit. Aran. with the rest.
Enter Tamira in her Night Dress, Weeping.
Art.
What mean these Tears Tamira?
Tam.
O can you love like me, and ask that Question.
Tis true, I counsel'd what you have undertaken,
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I love your Honour more, than both our Lives;
Yet when I run or'e the Frightful Hazards,
The Dangers imminent you meet
To purchase and preserve it, than I could wish
Some Humble Shepherd were my Love,
Whose sole Ambition were a Rosy Chaplet,
Not a Crown.:
Who in some sweet Retreat of blooming Nature,
Naked of Honours, but Enrich'd with love
Might give, and take delight unknown to Crowns,
And drive with undisturb'd Repose,
The melting Hours before us.
Art.
Be witness Heaven, how these words Transport me!
For still thy Fears I know are born of Love,
And Love's of Kin to Honour.—Could'st thou behold
Ev'n in the softest Moment of our Joy,
Our Native Country in Distress, The Bloody Arm
Of Tyranny just rais'd to give the Wound;
And not with Horror throw me from thy Arms
To stop the Blow? Think what a Glorious Tale,
Futurity shall Register of him,
That first stept out to save her!
And if opposing Death should cross the Brave Attempt,
Then shall it farther still be said for thee,
This Man, this honest Man, the Memorable Artabanus,
Beyond his Life, his Country Lov'd,
Yet equal with his Country lov'd Tamira.
Tam.
O shall it then be said Tamira's Fears,
Oppos'd this Glorious Enterprize? Perish
That Wife is so Impatient of her Joys;
That to Indulge her Love at home,
Would turn her Husband's Honour out a starving! No!
Go on my dearest Lord! leave me, and cheer,
Those Gallant Friends have sworn to assist you:
If you return wtih Life, my Love will find
A thousand thousand ways to welcome you—Hark!
What knocking's that? who can it be thus late.
[A loud knocking.
Do you expect more Friends, my Lord?
Pray Heav'n no ill be towards us!
Art.
Be not concern'd, my Love, I guess
'Tis Memnon from the General,—within there!
Hast to the Portal, know first their Business
[Enter a Servant.
Er'e you give admittance, unless it be
To my Lieutenant Memnon: Be calm, my Love.
Tam.
I cannot while this Noise continues!
You shall not stir, my Lord; Heavens! How I tremble!
Art.
Now! who is it?
[Re-enter Servant with the Steward.
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My Lord, your Steward.
Art.
The News!
Stew.
Defend your self, my Lord! Some Danger's towards you.
Going to my Rest, within the outward Lodge,
I heard the thronging tread of Passengers,
Whom from the Window I discover'd
To be the Guards:
They now are Marching round the Orchard Wall,
In Order to beset the House;
I heard 'em say too, as they pass'd along,
Kill none, let 'em be taken all alive.
Art.
Death and Horror! we are betray'd!
Tam.
O Fly, My Lord!
Let me conjure you by the Pangs
Of my distracted Love, fly! fly! er'e yet
A moment can befriend you.
Art.
Impossible! I leave my Friends in danger!
Tam.
Run! hast, and rouze 'em from the Jaws of Ruin.
[To the Serv.
O Fatal Enterprize!
Art.
That we may gain some time to think, lead you
The Servants to the Eastern Gate,
[To the Steward.
Command 'em on their Lives to keep it Barr'd,
'Gainst all would force their Enterance, Gods!
Was ever Noble Action so untimely born;
O Tamira!
Tam.
What Power, what Fate can stop our headlong Ruine?
Some pittying Gods look down, and stretch an Arm,
To keep our Lives and Love unparted!
O that the Earth wou'd open wide, and take us thus,
Thus undivided to the Centre!
[Throwing her Arms on him.
Art.
If we deserve your Rage ye Pow'rs!
Now hurle your Thunder to destroy us:
But strike us closer, not asunder with your Bolts.
O! must we part Tamira!
Curst be the Hell born Slave that durst betray
Our Honest lives: Ill rest betide his Frighted Soul,
Devouring Guilt,
Like the Promethean Vulture knaw his Perjur'd Heart,
And mark him for the Carrion of Mankind.
(Ara. within.)
Ruin'd! betray'd, and lost!
Art.
O my Friends!
Enter Aranthes, and the rest in Disorder.
Aran.
Destraction! Memnon!
Art.
Ha! what of him!
Aran.
He! He! That curst, that Canker'd Slave for fear,
Or base Reward has sold us all: I now
Descry'd him by the Distant light of Torches,
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'Ith Rear to catch us in the shameful Toil!
Art.
O that a curse wou'd kill the Villain!
Aran.
Let's send it then upon our pointed Sword,
Since w'have no hope of safty left,
Here! let us fix our stand, and if the Villain
Dares to Face us, rush all at once to reach his Heart,
And die like Men, Reveng'd upon our Ruin.
Art.
Impossible to 'scape such Numbers: No!
Let's down to th'Postern Gate, and try
To leap the Orchar'd Wall, or now the Darkness of
The Night Befriends us; Mingle with the Guards
That are in search of us, seem Hot as they
In the persuit, and that way take our chance,
To scape 'em Undiscover'd.
(a loud Noise without)
Aran.
A way! they are upon us:
Succeed or not, we know at last to die.
Exit. with the rest.
Art.
I follow you.
(Tamira holds Arta.)
Tam.
My Lord! my Love, I cannot leave you!
O let me part with you, and life together!
Art.
This is no time to part like Lovers,
Nor yet to tell thee half my Fears!
The King! Revenge! and lust! I can no more
But shou'd thy Frighted Virtue call for help
Let this speak for me.
(gives her a Dagger.)
Tam.
By Heav'n it shall, and Home: But do not Venture
To the Orchard: Here in the House below there lies
A Secret Vault, in former Times of some Religious use
And now is only known to me: There I conjure you lye
Conceal'd till safty call you forth: Nor Hell, nor Envy can
Betray you thence, unless I prove Unfaithful.
Art.
O might we never part till then!
Hark! They are Entering! show me!
Exeunt.
After a Noise of the Gates being Broken down, Enter Xerxes, Memnon, Officers and Guards, with Torches.
Xer.
Where! Where's this, Infernal Brood of Traytors;
By Heav'n I'll Crush 'em in the Nest! Away!
Look out! Search every Hole, that Fear can Creep into:
Nor Earth, nor Hell shall Hide 'em from my Vengeance!
Enter at the other Door Cleontes, and Guards Dragging in two of the Conspirators Dead.
Cleo.
Here! This way, show the Bodies to the King!
Great Sir! two of the Conspirators,
This Moment Breath'd their last.
Xer.
Was't not my strict Command to take 'em all alive?
Who was it dar'd to kill 'em?
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My Lord! it was their own Dispair,
For e're we cou'd beset the Orchard,
These two, with several more, who just before Escap'd us,
Made an Attempt to leap the Wall;
We Interposing in the Moment,
Demanded 'em our Prisoners;
At this, they looking round with hopeless Eyes,
To one anothers Breasts their pointed Swords advanc'd,
And rusht at once to an Embrace
Of Friendship and of Death.
Xer.
O spiteful sullen Traytors! Bring in the Torture!
By Heav'n I'll have 'em Rackt to Life again!
Mem.
My Lord, these Wretches are but the Limbs
Of the Conspiracy, it only halts for want of them!
If you would have it husht for ever,
Cut off the Head, their Artabanus!
Xer.
Thou hast inform'd my Rage: Say Slaves,
Among those that fled, saw you Artabanus?
Cleo.
No, my Lord, we rather choose to let them fly,
Than give him time to 'scape, while we pursu'd em.
If with the rest he was, he's still i'th House, my Lord.
Mem.
Then we are secure of him: I left him here;
But see, they've found his Wife,
If he lies yet conceal'd, she must of course
Be privy to the Place.
[Enter Tamira Guarded.
Xer.
Now! Is Artabanus found?
Guard.
My Lord, we've left no place unsearcht
That Jealousy can enter; but can no where find him:
And when we urg'd his Lady to discover him,
She call'd us Fools, and said we askt her Idle Questions.
Xer.
So brave! But this is done in spite to me:
Aside
The Traytress knows I love, and therefore she insults:
Aside
But thus I tear the Passion from my Breast,
Aside
And in its room, take fell Revenge and Hate!
Aside
Bring in the Rack! I'll try if that can make
A Woman speak her Mind.
Mem.
'Tis here, my Lord.
Xer.
See you that, Lady?
Tam.
Yes, and feel it in my Thoughts.
Xer.
What think you of it?
Tam.
That I could bear it, Sir, t'avoid a greater pain.
Xer.
What's that?
Tam.
Disloyalty to my Husband, and my Love.
Xer.
That shall be try'd: Where is your Husband?
Tam.
I have hid him, Sir.
Xer.
Where Traytress?
Tam.
I dare not tell you, Sir; he has commanded me I should not.
Xer.
He then commands thee to the Torture!
If thou wouldst 'scape it, speak! for I will know.
Tam.
You shall! You ask to know
Where I have hid my Husband.
Then I must tell you, Tyrant, in my Heart,
Where you, nor yours can enter to remove him.
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(Aside to Xerxes.)
Put her to the Tryal, Sir! the Rack keeps no Secrets;
Women are so impatient of a little pain,
That only squalling in their Natural Labour,
They'll forswear Mankind.
Xer.
By Heav'n, I'm pleas'd to see her Folly rave,
Thou talk'st as if the Rack were but a sport! Hast thou
Been ever sensible of any pain like this?
Tam.
Ten thousand times a greater: I have known
The pains of hopeless Love: Nay, after that,
The Agonies of Blushing to Reward
The Man that lov'd me.
Xer.
How feelingly she talks of Love, ev'n in
The Face of Horror: Art thou not afraid of Death?
Tam.
No! This Moment from my Window I beheld
These two unhappy Wretches run into
His Arms, and see! how soon they're quiet! Death!
Alas! He's now my nearest Friend! look here!
I wear him in my Bosom, Sir,
My Husband plac'd him there.
Xer.
Thy Husband! To what end.
Tam.
During his Absence to keep Dishonour from me.
Xer.
O the Inveterate Slave! Memnon, Walk unobserv'd
Behind, and rest the Dagger from her.
[Aside.
Mem.
I shall, my Lord.
[He steals round.
Tam.
That Whisper has a Meaning I am jealous of;
By Heav'n 'tis so! The Villain meets my purpose!
[Observing Mem.
Xer.
Once more! Where is thy Husband?
Confess, and yet preserve thy Life.
Tam.
Thus far I will confess: That I am now indeed
Almost afraid of Death: For it would grate my Soul,
To leave my Husbands Ruin unreveng'd;
(For I dispair again to make him happy)
And that the only wish, that makes me fond of Life.
Forgive me Duty, if I mistake the Breast;
But great Revenge and Love, Instruct me here!
[Stabs Mem.
Xer.
Disarm her! Seize her Slaves!
I'll trust the Tygress loose no more.
Mem.
Furys and Death, she'as reacht my Heart.
[Dyes.
Tam.
So may all Traytors dye! 'Tis done!
The Noble Task, that Love had set me
For the Remains of Life, is nobly ended;
And now I am at leisure for
The Idle Holy day of Death.
Xer.
No sullen Traytress! thou shalt be Years a dying.
Tam.
Let me be Ages, Sir!
Xer.
Begin the Torture!
I'd have my Glory live for ever!
By Heav'n she mocks my Vengeance!
[They bind her.
Now, where are your smiles of Scorn, Lady?
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Here! in my Soul, which thus contemns the Tyrant.
Thinking to bow it down to Baseness.
Alass, my Body now wou'd sink to th'Earth,
With horror of yon Agonizing Tortures;
But that my daring Soul, shoots like a temper'd Spear,
Quite through the falling Trunk, and give it power to stand.
Now satiate thy Rage, strip off my trembling Flesh,
And when thou'st Piece-meal torn these frailer Limbs away,
Still shalt thou leave unmov'd a naked Mind
Erect to Heaven.
Xer.
Away! and drag her to her Fate!
[She is carried off.
My stern Revenge will brook no more defiance.
Cleo.
My Gracious Lord, might your poor Slave advice—
Xer.
Preserve thou thy own Life, and tempt me not,
I tell thee Vengeance takes up all my Soul.
Cleo.
But yet, you see, my Lord, she minds it not!
You are not thus reveng'd!—she mocks the Torture.
Now, Sir, may I Advise—
Xer.
Advise me! What? Not ev'n the damn'd can Groan,
With more variety of Pain—Look there!
Cleo.
I see, my Lord, and plainly see from this,
Were she in your Arms, she'd feell at once,
A greater Pain, and you a sweeter Vengeance.
Methinks she's lovely yet! Her Charms new pointed!
See! How her Snowy Bosom heaves and swells
With Inward Pains, Disdaining to confess 'em.
O Miracle of distressful Beauty!
Xer.
Not yet a Groan! No Sigh! or Tear for Mercy!
Reveal thy Husband yet, and I forego
My Justice!—By yon' Heav'n she's Dumb and dauntless!
See! How she knaws her Lips, and firms her Brow,
With sullen Virtue she supports her Soul,
And bears it with unheaded Resolution!
Cleo.
Stupendious Woman!
Xer.
Forbear a while—
[To the Executioners,
Cleo.
With half this Pain, I've seen a Malefactor
Make the Torturer tremble with his Groans!
Can all this Fortitude be born of Love!
Xer.
If it be—
What Mortal Man can Merit such a Love?
If Love can make her smile in such a raging Pain?
What must he do, when wrapt in real Pleasure?
What Racks of Blissful Joy, what Raptures must she give!
By Heav'n they must be tasted—
Unloose, and seat her by me.
[She is brought in all Bloody.
I'm now a Convert to her Undaunted Virtue.
Thou Glorious Woman, whose Unconquer'd Soul,
In spite of Wrongs, resolves my Rage to pity.
For ever now, thine and thy Husbands Injuries
To me, are Cancell'd and Forgiv'n, My Crown's
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But if thy Husband's Life and Safety can,
Nay, and his Friends too, they are thine,
Thy Goodness has redeem'd 'em.
Tam.
What said you, Sir? You do not flatter me!
[Weeping.
Xer.
Search round my Kingdom for a Wish, 'tis thine.
Or Wealth, or Empire, all too poor a Gift,
For such exalted Virtue!
But ask! O speak! and teach me to be grateful!
Tam.
O my cheer'd Heart! Shall I not ask in vain?
Xer.
Speak, and enjoy thy Wish!
Tam.
Indeed it is an humble one: I ask
Not Wealth or power, I ne're was fond of Dignity.
Nature and Reason ever taught me to believe,
No taste of Life cou'd be, but in the Free,
Th'intire Possession of the Man that lov'd me.
Give me his Life, and him the Life of those
Unhappy Friends, his rashness has engag'd,
And I am more than happy.
Xer.
All this I had resolv'd unask'd;
Can nothing more be giv'n to chear thy Life?
Tam.
A little more, If I might speak!
Xer.
Speaking is to enjoy.
Tam.
Then give us leave, my Husband, Sir,
Our little Infant, and my self, with the Remains
Of our Inheritance, to seek Retirement,
On some remote and unknown Clime,
Where Power and State, may never more
Disturb the Peace of our unmurmuring Love.
Xer.
Draw up a Pardon strait for Artabanus,
And those with him concern'd in this Conspiracy.
Here! Fair one, take this Ring! Give it thy Husband,
Be that thy Triumph, and his Pasport through the World:
Now gently raise, and bear her to the Palace,
And let our own Physicians have the care of her.
Tam.
Alas, my Lord, I want no Art, such words as these
Wo'd heal a Wretch expiring of his Wounds!
O let me kiss your Sacred Feet,
And thank you with my grateful Tears of Joy;
Thus let me weep, and wash your cruel Guilt away,
Till Gods and Men, stand wondering at your Virtue!
Xer.
Rise, Fair Creature! Live, and enjoy the Man that loves thee.
Tam.
Now you indeed have rais'd me, rais'd me, Sir,
From Death to Life, to Love, and to my Husband!
But hast! O lead me to him, e're my Wounds are cold,
That I may fold his Body in these Bleeding Arms,
And print it or'e with Crimson Characters
Of Eternal Faith!
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To call us Cowards, or Inconstant Souls,
Since ev'ry Drop that falls from me
May to our injur'd Sex's Glory prove,
That Racks nor Hell could shake a Woman's Love.
[Exit.
Xer.
Then thou'rt the first that never could be won,
And therefore only fit to feed a Love
Luxurious as my own: Now follow her;
Seize her Husband the Moment she discovers him,
And bear him to the Scaffold.
Cleo.
You gave your Royal Word to spare him, Sir.
Xer.
No, Fool; I gave my Word to find him out!
Justice demanded him, and since the Rack
Produc'd him not, I might with Justice then
Make use of Policy; and now I'm both
Secure of my Revenge and Love!
Cleo.
Then she must not die, Sir!
Xer.
Oh! no! she lives, and shall be lov'd to Ruin!
I've prov'd her Vertue now, and find
It worthy of a Siege: I'll further try
If all the moving Penitence of Love can take her:
If (as I would) she still resist that Pow'r,
The noblest Way to conquer is to storm.
'Tis Opposition gives the Victor Glory!
Oh! what a noble Gust will swell my Soul
When she lies drown'd in Tears, and trembling in my Grasp!
Nay, after my abhorr'd Possession I'll hold her down
With smiling Spite, and talk my Raptures o'er;
In her unwilling Ears I'll pour such Tales
Of Loose Desire, her very Soul shall feel the Rape.
And though—
Her Words may beg I wou'd her Life destroy,
I'll make her Eyes confess that she partakes the Joy.
[Exit.
| Xerxes | |