University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A Room of State with a Throne.
Hydarnes. Conspirators. Orbasius. Guards.
1st Con.
The information of those two vile cowards,
Who mingled with us brave and active spirits,
Hath giv'n us death. Let those mean creatures live,
They're fitter for the world.

2d Con.
Lead us to death.

Hyd.
Death is pronounc'd on you, on me, on all.
Would I could take your guilt upon my self,
So to preserve some virtue in the world.
But those informers have deny'd me that;
We all must perish, and fall unreveng'd.
But since I cannot take your crimes upon me;
I'll live, and execute our great design,
And thus revenge your deaths.

1st Con.
Could this be done!

Hyd.
It can.

1st Con.
You flatter us.

Hyd.
I say, I'll do it.
Soon as the King returns to sign our sentence,
Only confirm the words which I shall speak,
And I'll revenge you soon, and soon be with you.

[Talks to them apart.
Orba.
The guilty perish; innocence is freed.
Suspicion has not cast the smallest stain
Upon the virtuous Persian. Those accusers,
Who have condemn'd their fellows, know him not.
Of all the pleasures that a monarch tastes,
Sure mercy is most sweet! 'Tis heav'nly pleasure
To take the galling chains from off the hands
Of injur'd innocence! That privilege
O'er-ballances the cares that load a crown.

SCENE II.

Phraortes seats himself on the Throne. Magi. Orbasius. Araxes. Sophernes. Hydarnes. Guards and Attendants.
Ara.
Make room; The Persian Prince attends his sentence.

Phra.
Most noble Prince, I grieve that you were injur'd.
When foul conspiracy molests a state
The ear of Kings is open to suspicion,
And we grow jealous of our bosom friends,
When calumny would blast a virtuous man,
And justice has made clear his innocence;
It only throws a brighter lustre on him,
And serves to make his virtues more conspicuous.
Approach the throne; and let the King's embrace
Make some attonement for your shameful bonds.
I feel your suff'rings, and my heart grows fonder.
Now bring the pris'ners to receive their sentence.
Justice cries loud for vengeance on your crimes.
Say, have ye ought to plead to ward the blow,
Ere I enroll your names among the dead?

Hyd.
That I design'd to bath these hands in blood,
Even in thy blood, O King, I dare confess,
And glory in th'attempt. I know thy power;
I know that death with all his dreadful, tortures
Stands ready at thy nod. Give then the signal,
For I unmov'd can face the ghastly terror.
How is thy wisdom foil'd! Prepare to follow.
Think not with us our enterprize is lost.
A King shall bleed to pacifie our ghosts.
Come, lead to death. Spend all thy wrath on us.
The raging tyger bites the shaft that wounds him,
And spares the man who threw it. I have done.

Phra.
These are the starts and ravings of despair.
Think'st thou by threats to force me into mercy?

Hyd.
I grow impatient; lead me to my fate.

Phra.
Know you that I have life within my power?

Hyd.
I know the utmost of thy power is death.

Mag.
Ye Gods avert his words, and save the King!

Phra.
What said he? Speak again.

Hyd.
Death is my choice.

Phra.
I will be satisfy'd.

Hyd.
I've said too much.

Phra.
Say more, or torture shall extort it from you.

Hyd.
Let torture do its worst. You dare not try it.

Mag.
If memory can recal the solemn speech,
These were his very words,
A King shall bleed to pacifie our ghosts.
The raging tyger bites the shaft that wounds him,
But spares the man who threw it. Was it thus?

Hyd.
Now let your wisdom fathom this deep secret.
I answer no more questions.

Phra.
Reverend fathers,
What may these words portend? Expound the mystery.

Mag.
Thy sacred life, O King, is still in danger.
While justice pours down vengeance on these wretches,
These mean subservient instruments of mischief,
Their leader scapes, and lives for future crimes.

Hyd.
Go on.

Mag.
The words imply no more.

Hyd.
'Tis well.
All's safe.—I'm ready.—Why is death delay'd?

Phra.
Thus speaks the voice of Mercy from my lips.
Th'irrevocable sentence is not sign'd,
And still there's room for hope. Attend, and live.
By this bright sceptre, by the throne of Media,
By yon great light that rules the rolling year,
If you lay ope the depth of this foul treason,
And point me out that undetected villain,
I swear, to grant you life and liberty.
Speak now, or death shall seal your lips for ever.

Hyd.
The royal words is giv'n, and I accept it.
The King shall live, and all his foes shall perish.
Danger stands near the throne. How blind is Justice!
The Persian Prince!

Phra.
Sophernes!

Hyd.
He's a traytor.
'Twas he that put the dagger in my hand.
So. Now I have betray'd. O love of life!
Where was my resolution? I'm a coward;
And cowards can endure a life of shame.

Phra.
Sophernes!—Let strong proof confirm your charge,
I must have proof.

Hyd.
Call in my fellow-prisoners.

Soph.
What can set bounds to man's impiety,
And where is virtue safe? Accus'd thus falsely,
With all the strongest circumstance of guilt,
By one I know not! Heav'n has then determin'd
That I must fall. Shall man contest with Jove?
'Tis all in vain. The will of Fate be done.

Hyd.
Those who accus'd us, brib'd with Persian gold,
Conceal'd the author of our enterprize.

SCENE III.

The Aforesaid and Conspirators.
1st Consp.
Would he had been unknown.

Hyd.
The King has trac'd our mischief to the source.
Who was it prompted you to this attempt?
Had ye not views to set a nation free?
And to restore him to his crown and kingdom?

1st Consp.
By him we fell, 'tis just that he fall with us.

2d Consp.
So, now one ruin has involv'd us all.

Phra.
Death is the lot of those that thirst for blood.
Conduct them hence. This hour prepare to suffer.

SCENE IV.

Phraortes
. Magi. Orbasius. Araxes. Sophernes. Hydarnes. Guards and Attendants.
Ungrateful Prince!

Soph.
Since 'tis the will of Heaven
To load me with calamities and shame,
Since the most searching eye cannot discern
The heart of man; O where shall I find justice!
I am a stranger, in adversity,
Bereft of wealth and power, without a friend.

Phra.
Hence, base dissembler. Take him from my presence.
When hypocrites are stript of Virtue's plumes,
Vice then appears most hideous and deform'd.
Back to thy dungeon, to remorse and death.

Soph.
Vain are excuse and solemn protestation;
How shall my words prevail, and truth appear,
When there's a crowd of witnesses against me!
The Guilty perish with remorse and horror,
But innocence ne'er feels the sting of death.
Death is a blessing to adversity;
Anxiety, calamity and sorrow,
And all the daily fretting cares of life
Are shook from off our shoulders; and we rest.

SCENE V.

Phraortes. Magi. Orbasius. Araxes. Hydarnes. Guards and Attendants.
Hyd.
Safety now guards the throne, and Media's happy.

Phra.
I ratifie my word, and give you life,
I give you liberty; but on conditions.
Those I shall send you soon, and then you're free.
O Sun, I thank thee; thy all-seeing eye
Has trac'd the villain through his secret ways,
And now the hand of Justice is upon him.

Ara.
Media rejoice.

All.
May the King live for ever!

Phra.
Proclaim a festival for seven days space;
Let the Court shine in all its pomp and lustre;
Let all our streets resound with shouts of joy;
Let Musick's care-dispelling voice be heard;
The sumptuous banquet and the flowing goblet
Shall warm the cheek, and fill the heart with gladness.
For Media's foes are put to shame and death.
Astarbe shall sit soveraign of the feast,
That Queen of beauty shall direct our pleasures.
I'll to her bower.—I would have no attendance.

SCENE VI.

Araxes. Doraspe.
Dor.
Inform me, what has past?

Ara.
The Queen's conjectures
The King has now confirm'd. The Persian Prince,
That hypocrite is known, and prov'd a traytor,
And leader of that crew of vile assassins.
But see the Queen.—The King is gone to seek her.
Excuse my haste; for Duty calls me hence.

SCENE VII.

Doraspe. Astarbe.
Astar.
'Twas downright arrogance. I saw his scorn.
A Lover reads the thought of every look,
And needs no comment or interpreter.
What woman can forgive that worst of insults?
Not ev'n the most deform'd of all our sex
Can bear contempt. And shall I pardon it?
To pardon it, is to insult myself,
And own that I deserve it. [aside.]
Know you ought
Of what the King in judgment has determin'd?

Dor.
Sophernes was accus'd.

Astar.
Was he found guilty?

Dor.
Yes, prov'd a traytor.

Astar.
Then I'm satisfy'd.

Dor.
How one affliction crouds upon another,
To punish this ungrateful man!

Astar.
What mean you?

Dor.
It is confirm'd among the captive women
(Who now attend to pass before the presence)
His wife was slain in battle.

Astar.
Would he were dead!
Yet were he dead, would he dye in my thoughts?
Talk to me, speak; leave me not to reflection.
[To Doraspe.
Yet what will talk avail?—I've lost attention.
Were her words soft and soothing as the lyre,
Or strong and sprightly as th'enlivening trumpet,
I could hear nought but conscience. Would he were dead!
You shall not leave me.

Dor.
See the King returns.

SCENE VIII.

Phraortes. Astarbe.
Phra.
Welcome, my Queen; how my heart springs to meet thee!
Each day, each hour thy beauty grows upon me,
Ev'n while I gaze some undiscover'd charm
Opens it self, and wounds my heart anew.
Rejoyce, Astarbe; Media is deliver'd:
The gathering storm that threaten'd desolation
Is over-blown, and all is now serene.
Then let us give our future days to pleasure;
My ev'ry pleasure is compris'd in thee.

Astar.
Be firm in justice, nor give way to mercy,
'Tis the mind's frailty, and the nurse of crimes.
Punish. And root out treason from the land.

Phra.
Sophernes was their chief.

Astar.
Ungrateful villain!

Phra.
How he deceiv'd me!

Astar.
Your too easy nature
Must always harbour mischiefs in your empire.
Does he still live?

Phra.
His death is fix'd and sign'd.

Astar.
Each hour he lives your people doubt your justice.
Would you deter the populace from crimes,
Let punishment be sudden. That's true mercy.

Phra.
He never shall behold another Sun.
But why should cares of state intrude upon us?

Astar.
Why this reproof? In what have I deserv'd it?
All my concern was for the peace of Media,
And for your safety. I have said too much.

Phra.
What has Astarbe ask'd that I refus'd?
Thy beauty has all power. Who waits without?
Go; let the Captives be dismiss'd the palace,
[Speaks at the door.
The King resigns his privilege of choice.
Should the selected beauties of the world
[To Astarbe.
In full temptation stand before my presence,
Still would my heart and eye be fixt on thee.
Thy charms would (like the Sun's all-powerful rays)
Make all those little stars of beauty fade.
Why that dejected look? that thoughtful sigh?
In what have I offended? If to love,
Be to offend; Phraortes is most wretched.

SCENE IX.

Phraortes. Astarbe. Araxes.
Ara.
I spoke the King's commands; when from the crowd
One of the Captives rose, and humbly pray'd
Admission to the throne.

Phra.
I hear no suits.

Ara.
She wish'd to speak a matter of importance.

Phra.
Dismiss them all. Let us retire, my Queen.

Astar.
Araxes, stay.

[Araxes going out.
Phra.
What is Astarbe's pleasure?

Astar.
This matter should be search'd. The fate of Empires
Turns often on the slightest information;
And were my counsell worthy to be heard,
I would admit her.

Phra.
Let her be admitted.

[Exit Araxes.
[Phraortes seats Astarbe on the throne, then places himself by her. The Guards enter, and range themselves on each side.

SCENE X.

Phraortes. Astarbe. Captive. Doraspe. Araxes. Attendants.
Phra.
Arise, fair maid; and let thy suit be heard.

Cap.
The King has done his prostrate servant justice.
[Kneeling.
Thus low I pay my thanks to Heaven and you.

Phra.
Rise from that humble posture, and speak forth.

Cap.
The Persian Prince, to whom we owe our bondage,
[Rises.
'Tis said, is doom'd to death for horrid treachery.

Phra.
He well deserves it. If you fall before me,
To melt me into mercy with your tears,
Woman, your tears are frustrate. Take her hence.

Cap.
I speak for mercy! No. I sue for tortures.
With rapture I could gaze upon his sufferings,
Enjoy his agonies and dying groans,
And then this hand could stab him to the heart.

Phra.
Whence rose this furious spirit of revenge?

Cap.
By brutal violence he slew my husband.
Excuse my tears. Love calls them from my eyes;
With him I lost all joy, all peace and comfort.

Phra.
What mov'd Sophernes to the barbarous deed?

Cap.
My husband was distinguish'd in his armies;
With him I always shar'd the toils of war,
The tedious marches, and the scorching suns,
For Love makes all fatigue seem light and easy.
Sophernes saw me, sigh'd, and spoke his passion.
I spurn'd his offers, and despis'd his suit.
He still persisted, and my virtue strengthen'd:
'Till on a day, inflam'd with loose desire,
He sent my Lord upon some feign'd command;
I in his tent sate waiting his return,
Then suddenly the ravisher rush'd in.

[Weeps.
Phra.
Go on.

Cap.
He seiz'd me, tore me, dragg'd me to his Arms;
In vain I struggled; by resistance weaken'd,
I lost all strength, and so—he spoil'd my Honour.
O shame! O brutal force!

[Weeps.
Phra.
Unhappy woman!
Proceed.

Cap.
Just in the moment of my shame
My husband enter'd. Strait the villain left me,
And desperate by the stings of guilt and terror,
He stabb'd him to the heart.

[Weeps.
Phra.
Most monstrous villain!
His life's a series of the blackest crimes.

Cap.
I in the hurry of the murder fled,
And 'scap'd the tyrant's power. Alone, disguis'd,
I've past away my restless hours in sorrow.
Revenge was all my wish, and all my comfort,
For that I watch'd him through long weary marches,
And Revenge gave me strength and resolution.
Why fell he not by me? His crime requir'd it.
Vengeance o'ertakes him for another guilt,
And I have lost revenge. O may he feel
The pain and horror due to both his crimes.

Phra.
His death is sign'd.

Cap.
That is his due for treachery.

Phra.
What would Revenge have more? Th'offender's blood
Allays its strongest thirst.

Cap.
Most gracious King,
[Kneels.
Hear an unhappy woman's just petition,
And may my prayer find favour and acceptance!
Grant me to see him in his latest gasp;
Let my appearance strike him with confusion,
Let me awake fresh terrors in his conscience,
And bring my murther'd husband to his view.
Entrust the sword of justice in my hand;
The stroke shall then be sure.

Phra.
What fortitude
Lies hid beneath that face of softest feature!
The death of his confederates is sign'd,
And he with privacy this very evening
Shall be dispatch'd in prison. Now you're satisfy'd.

Cap.
O, were that office mine!

Ast.
For such offence
He cannot feel too much; her suit is just.
Then let me intercede in her behalf;
Grant her request. Give her the fatal signet,
Give her the dagger.—Such revenge is virtue.

Phra.
Take this; your boon is granted. Soon my orders
[Gives her his dagger.
Shall send you to revenge a husband's murther.
Let her attend without. Draw near, Araxes.

SCENE XI.

Phraortes. Astarbe. Doraspe. Araxes. Attendants.
[Phraortes talks aside to Araxes.
Ast.
What, sue to her! and when I sued disdain me!
How my disgrace grows on me! Let him perish,
And perish by that woman. My resentment
Kindles and burns to take her charge upon me.
Yet still would he relent, I could forgive him.

Dor.
His wife is dead, on whom his heart was fix'd:
That obstacle's remov'd.

Ast.
And Death hangs o'er him.
That sight perhaps may shake his resolution.
If I could hope, I would delay his sentence.
I dread his death. What is there to be done?
I'll see him ere he dies. O abject thought!
Yes, I will see him, and renew my offers
In his last moments: For whene'er he dies
My mind will ne'er know peace. I will defer it.
I'll sooth the King in his soft hours of love,
When all his strongest purposes are nothing.
When 'tis deferr'd—Would I could cease from thought!

Phra.
Tell her as soon as justice is perform'd,
The King requires her thanks—She's wondrous fair!
You know my will; these are my last commands,
Let punctual care and diligence obey me.

[Ex. Araxes.

SCENE XII.

Phraortes
. Astarbe. Doraspe. Attendants.
[Ex. Doraspe and Attendants.