University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

A Prison.
Hydarnes. Conspirators.
Hyd.
I shall survive but for a little space;
Doubt not my plighted faith, and dye in peace.
What is an hour of life! an hour of torment.
Think then what I shall suffer for your sake,
How I shall long and pant to be among you!
To him who fears not death Revenge is sure,
To him who fears not death Revenge is speedy.
Soon as the chains are struck from off these hands,
I'll dye them purple in the royal blood;
I'll watch all time. The throne shall not secure him,
The solemn temple, ev'n that sacred ground
Shall not protect him from my resolution.
Would it were done; that we might fall together!

1st Con.
May all success attend thy glorious purpose!
Thinking upon thy brave undaunted spirit,
I shall forget my pains, and smile in torture,
Ev'n when the sharpest pang of death is on me.

Hyd.
Ere you are cold my Ghost shall overtake you,
And bring the welcome news.—Impatience racks me.

2d Con.
We thank our bold revenger, and will dye
Like men that well deserv'd so great a chief.

3d Con.
Farewell. And when you lift the dagger for the blow
Think on my friendship.

4th Con.
And on mine,

5th Con.
And mine

1st Con.
Think of us all, and give him death for each.

Hyd.
Farewell, unhappy friends; you're brave and true,
And you entrust one who deserves such friendships.
Your prayers and wishes, shall direct the dagger
Deep in his heart. And when this deed is done
I've done my task of life; and I'll resign it.

SCENE II.

Hydarnes. Conspirators. Araxes. Officers.
Ara.
Time presses on us, and your hour is come.
We must obey our orders. Lead them hence.
Torture and Death expect you.

1st Con.
Well. Lead on.

Ara.
'Tis your last moment.

1st Con.
We're impatient for it.

Ara.
Stay here till my return. To you, my message
[To Hyd.
Is of a sweeter sound. 'Tis life, 'tis freedom.
I'll see them to the scaffold; then discharge you.

SCENE III.

Hydarnes.
What's death to that I feel within! 'Tis nothing.
Tortures but tear the flesh, and crush the bones,
But guilt and horror tear my restless soul,
And ev'ry thought's an arrow in my heart.
Sophernes is condemn'd, and I accus'd him.
For what?—For means to satiate my revenge,
And that's sufficient.—O Revenge, support me!
What, am I grown a coward? Does repentance,
Does vile contrition sink my boasted courage?
Does resolution stagger! Hence, away,
I will not hear thee, dastard, medling conscience!
No. I'll go on, I feel my spirits rise;
My heart grows harder, and I scorn remorse,
That's the poor whining refuge of a Coward.
My friends are now expiring. Hark, their groans
Start me from thought, and summon me to vengeance!
I come, my friends; in that great deed I'll fall.

SCENE IV.

Hydarnes. Araxes.
Ara.
Phraortes sends you life and liberty.
Twelve days are granted you to pass the confines
Of his Domains: to stay beyond that time
Annuls his pardon, and your life is forfeit.
You're now discharg'd. Be grateful for this mercy,
Pray for the peace of Media, and repent.

Hyd.
Media, farewell. With all the wings of speed
I fly thy bounds. Let me forget thy name;
'Twill bring to my remembrance my lost friends.

SCENE V.

Araxes. Sophernes.
Ara.
Come forth, unhappy Prince; excuse my words.
[Unlocks the dungeon.
'Tis with reluctance that I bring the message.
Your death's at hand,

Soph.
Death is the only friend
That I have left; thy message is most welcome.
My friend's at hand; O how long I to meet him!
In him is all my hope, in him my refuge,
He shall disburthen me of all misfortune,
He shall wipe off calamity and sorrow,
And give me peace and everlasting rest.
I thank thee for the news.

Ara.
Such unconcern,
Such steady fortitude amidst afflictions
Was never seen till now.

Soph.
My wife is dead!
And I have no attachment to the world.
What is't to live? And who counts life a blessing?
It is to see Injustice hold the scale,
And weigh with partial hand the deeds of men;
It is to see a race of servile flatterers
Worship the author of all mischief, Gold;
To see Oppression rich, and Virtue starving.
Death only closes this distasteful scene.

Ara.
This scorn of death appears like innocence.

Soph.
All mortal justice errs. Heav'n knows the heart.
'Tis easy in my circumstance to dye,
For I have no possessions to forgo,
My kingdom is another's. Round my couch
No faithful servants stand with weeping eyes;
No darling children cling around my neck,
And with fond kisses warm my hollow cheek;
No wife, who, (worn, and wearied out with grief)
Faints in my arms. These give the pangs of death;
These make us covet life. But I leave nothing.

Ara.
What manly resolution! I grieve for you.

Soph.
At death's approach the guilty conscience trembles,
But I have not those horrors.—Hark, he knocks.
[Knocking heard.
With what impatient joy I come to meet thee!

Ara.
Farewell, thou most unfortunate of men;
A mind so great, unshaken by distress,
Deserv'd a nobler end. Forgive my duty,
It seems severe, but 'tis the King's command.
The dungeon must confine you.

Soph.
I submit.

[Locks him in the dungeon.

SCENE VI.

Araxes. Captive.
Cap.
This letter will instruct you in your duty.

Ara.
The prisoner shall be given into your hands.

Cap.
And he shall perish by an injur'd woman.
Thus has the King decreed; so shall he suffer
Both for his treason, and my murder'd lord.
To see me arm'd with such just resolution,
My husband's ghost is pleas'd, and smiles upon me.
Phraortes gave this dagger. This shall end him.

Ara.
Within that iron gate he mourns in darkness.
[Gives the Keys.
This will conduct you.—'Tis the King's command,
Soon as the bloody office is perform'd,
That you present your self once more before him.

Cap.
His will shall be obey'd.

Ara.
He's now your charge.

Cap.
And soon my charge shall end.—Leave me to justice.
How will my sight dismay his guilty soul!
Ev'n while that terror preys upon his heart,
I'll hurle him to the deepest shades below.
But I delay; and justice grows impatient.
I'd be alone. You now have done your duty.

SCENE VII.

Captive. Sophernes.
Cap.
Come forth, Sophernes.

[Unlocks the Dungeon.
Soph.
I will meet thee, Death.

Cap.
Draw near.

Soph.
Hark! was it not a woman's voice?
That voice no more is sweet;—Cylene's dead.
Yes. 'Tis the Queen. Here satiate thy revenge,
My bosom heaves, and longs to meet the dagger.
Why is thy hand so slow?

Cap.
Look on this face,
[Lifts up her veil.
Is not thy heart acquainted with these eyes?
And is thy ear a stranger to this voice?
What, not a word!

Soph.
O dear delusion!

[Faints.
Cyl.
Wake.
'Tis thy Cylene calls, thy lost Cylene.
Cannot this bosom warm thee into life?
Cannot this voice recall thy sinking spirits?
Cannot these lips restore thee? O look up;
Thy voice, thy lips, could call me from the dead.
Look up, and give me comfort.

Soph.
'Tis Cylene.
'Tis no delusion. Do I live to see thee?
And must I be torn from thee? cruel thought!
O tyrant Death, now thou hast made me fear thee!

Cyl.
When will misfortunes leave us?

Soph.
Death must end them.
'Twas said you fell in battle; from that time
I lost all pleasure, and desire of life.

Cyl.
In that sad day of our adversity,
When Persia was made captive, every eye
Wept for the fall of my dear Lord Sophernes,
For you they sorrow'd, and forgot their bondage.
I lost my self in heart-consuming grief,
And lest a conqueror's arrogance and pride
Should tempt him to condemn a captive Queen
To his loose hours, industriously I spread
The rumour of my death; and by those means
Have sigh'd away my days obscure, unknown.

Soph.
How gain'd you this access? and why that dagger?

Cyl.
This is no time for talk; consult thy safety.
Catch at the present moment, for the next
May throw us back again into despair.

Soph.
What means, my love? No innocence can stand
Against the voice of perjur'd calumny.

Cyl.
This dagger was design'd to murder thee;
And I am sent upon that bloody errand.
This hand that now is thrown about thy neck
Was to have done the deed. O horrid thought!
Unknown, among a train of captive women,
They brought me to the palace: there I learnt
The tale of thy unhappy sufferings,
And how the King had sign'd the fatal sentence.
I fell before the throne, extoll'd his justice;
Then with feign'd tears, and well-dissembled speech
Charg'd thee with violation of my honour,
And murder of a husband. He was mov'd;
Pleas'd with my bold request he heard my prayer,
And for revenge and justice gave me this.
[Shows the dagger.
But the time flies. I come, my Lord, to save thee.
'Tis by that hope, I live.

Soph.
That hope is past.
It is impossible. Resentment, power,
And perjury, all work against my life.
O how I fear to dye! for thee, I fear,
To leave thee thus expos'd, a helpless Captive,
In a strange land, and not one friend to chear thee!

Cyl.
I think thou lov'st me.

Soph.
Sure thou long hast known it.

Cyl.
Is there ought that I could deny Sophernes?
No. I have try'd my heart!

Soph.
What mean these doubts?
I never gave you cause.

Cyl.
Then promise, swear,
That you will not refuse me what I ask;
Thus on her knees Cylene begs it of you.

Soph.
Does this appear like love? speak, and 'tis granted.

Cyl.
I thank thee. Thou hast given me all my wishes,
For now thy life is safe; and sav'd by me.
Here, take this veil; this shall secure thy flight,
With this thou shalt deceive the watchful guard.
O blest occasion! fly, my Lord, with speed
I never wish'd to part till now.

Soph.
What, go and leave thee thus! my heart forbids it.
No. Death is all that I am doom'd to suffer;
But thy distress is more.

Cyl.
Dispute it not.
Hast thou not sworn?

Soph.
What never can be done.
Why wilt thou force severer torture on me?
No. Give me death; I chuse the slighter pain.
When I am dead may the just Gods relieve thee.

Cyl.
Was ever love thus obstinately cruel!
Only thy life can save me; think on that.
[Sophernes fixes his eyes on the ground.
Like the deaf rock he stands immoveable.
How my fears grow, and chill my shiv'ring heart!
Has then thy stubbornness resolv'd to kill me?

Soph.
Shall I that was her shield in every danger
Abandon her to the rude hand of power?

Cyl.
Hear me, my Lord; embrace the happy moment;
This is, perhaps, the last that is allow'd us.

Soph.
What! give her my distress!

Cyl.
Look up, and answer.
Have my words lost all int'rest in thy heart?
Hear then my purpose; and I will perform it.
I'll never feel the pang of that sad hour
When thou shalt suffer. No. I'll dye before thee.
How gracious was this Present of the King.
'Tis kind, 'tis merciful, 'twill give me peace,
And show me more compassion than Sophernes.

Soph.
O give me strength, ye Powers, to break my chains,
That I may force the lifted weapon from her!
Spare, spare thy dearer life! I grant thee all.
I will abandon thee to my distresses;
I'll fly this instant; by our loves, I will.
The Gods are kind. O may their mercy save her!

Cyl.
From thy dear hands I take the galling chains.
Lest danger intercept thee, haste, be gone;
And as thou valuest mine, secure thy life.
Thou hadst no hope. Who knows but my offence
May find forgiveness! 'tis a crime of love;
And love's a powerful advocate to mercy!

Soph.
O how I struggle to unloose my heart-strings,
That are so closely knit and twin'd with thine!
Is't possible that we may meet again?
That thought has fill'd my soul with resolution.
Farewell: may Heav'n support thee, and redress us!

SCENE VIII.

Cylene.
Cyl.
O blessed opportunity, I thank thee.
If for this pious act of love I perish,
Let not Sophernes rashly follow me.
Live to revenge me, and the world shall praise thee.
Though all my hours be doom'd to chains and darkness,
The pleasing thought that I have giv'n thee safety,
Will chear me more than liberty and day-light.
Though I'm condemn'd to suffer shameful death,
Ev'n in that hour I shall forget his terrors,
And knowing that preserv'd thee, dye with pleasure,
But hark! what noise was that? New fears alarm me.
Is he detected?—Heaven has more compassion.
Be still, my heart. I go to take his place,
And wait th'event with steady resignation.
[Enters the dungeon.

SCENE IX.

Araxes. Astarbe.
[Cylene in the Dungeon.
Astar.
I bring the royal mandate, read your order.
The sentence of Sophernes is suspended;
I'd question him in private. Guide me to him.

Ara.
He's dead.

Astar.
Sophernes dead! when? how? by whom?

Ara.
The captive woman by whose hand he fell,
Is gone before the King; just now she parted.

Astar.
My guilt, my hate, my love, all war within,
And conscience and distraction will betray me

[Aside.
Ara.
Within that dungeon lyes the breathless body.

Astar.
Name him no more. Begone; I'd be alone.
You know my pleasure.

Ara.
I am all Obedience.

SCENE X.

Astarbe. Cylene in the dungeon.
Astar.
Who shall appease this tempest of my soul?
'Tis done. He's dead: now it will rage for ever!
Yet why? Hence, conscience. All I did was justice.
Am I the cause? I proffer'd life and love.
The murder was not mine. Why then this horror?
Could a Queen bear such insolence and scorn?
Was I not injur'd? shall I not resent?
He well deserv'd his fate. Ungrateful man!
The bloody spectacle shall please revenge,
And fix eternal hatred in my heart.
[Cylene comes forth.
Hah! speak: what art?—
It moves! it comes! where shall I hide me from it?
Nature shrinks back, and shivers at the sight.

[Hides her face.
Cyl.
See at your feet a poor unhappy captive.
[Kneeling.
O may the Queen be gracious to her servant!

Astar.
Araxes said that he had let you forth,
And by command you went before the King.
Why has he thus deceiv'd me?

Cyl.
Turn not away,
Bestow one look of pity on a wretch
Who lifts her eyes to you for grace and pardon.

Astar.
Pardon! for what? you did it by command.
Is it a crime t'obey the voice of justice?
And did not thy own wrongs demand his blood?
What has detain'd thee in that horrid place?
Was it to hear him in the pangs of death,
And taste the pleasure of his dying groan?
Stretch forth thy hands. Where are the crimson stains?
Where lies the reeking sword? Is he yet cold?
'Twas bravely done.—Go, haste, before the Throne;
Phraortes shall reward thee for this service.

Cyl.
When I shall stand before that awful presence,
How shall I stem the torrent of his wrath!
Then let the Queen instill soft mercy in him,
And intercede to spare a wretched wife.

Astar.
Make known thy crime.

Cyl.
All my offence is love.
Sophernes is my husband.

Astar.
Hast thou kill'd him?

Cyl.
No. I dar'd disobey. My love has sav'd him.
With lying speeches I deceiv'd the King,
Accus'd Sophernes of imagin'd crimes,
And thus have giv'n him life. My veil conceal'd him,
And brought him forth from death. This is my guilt.
If e'er your heart has felt the tender passion,
You will forgive this just, this pious fraud.
Who would not do the same for him she loves?
Consult thy heart; and Pity will plead for me.

Astar.
How dar'd you contradict the King's command?

Cyl.
No power on earth commands the heart but Love,
[Rises.
And I obey'd my heart.

Astar.
Thy life is forfeit.
Dar'st thou avow thy crime?

Cyl.
I glory in it.
If 'tis a crime when innocence is wrong'd
To snatch it from the rage of credulous Power;
If 'tis a crime to succour the distrest;
If 'tis a crime to relieve injur'd virtue;
If 'tis a crime to be a faithful wife;
Those crimes are mine. For I have sav'd my husband.

Astar.
Is this an answer turn'd to move compassion!
Such insolence is only match'd in him.
Thine is the most consummate pitch of treason.
Who gave thee power? Are traytors at thy mercy?
Let not hope flatter thee. Nor prayers nor tears
Shall turn away the sword of justice from thee.
Rash woman, know, thy life shall pay his ransom.

Cyl.
Alas! my life is of too little price;
Such as it is, I freely give it for him.
May safety guard his days, and watch his nights!
[Kneeling.
May ev'ry sun rise happier than the last,
'Till he shall reascend his native throne!
Then think upon Cylene. Heaven shall aid thee
To punish Media for thy murder'd wife.

Astar.
Araxes. Seize this bold presumptuous woman.
Your charge beneath her veil is fled from justice,
And she dares own the crime. I fear your duty
Will be suspected. Lead her to the dungeon.
There wait thy fate.

Cyl.
Ye Gods, preserve Sophernes.

[She is lock'd into the dungeon.

SCENE XI.

Astarbe. Araxes.
Astar.
If I had power, this instant she should die.

Ara.
I fear the King will soften into mercy.

Astar.
Why that suspicion?

Ara.
While she spoke before him,
I saw the King with the most fond attention
Hang on her words, and as she spoke he languish'd,
And ev'ry look he gave was love or pity.

Astar.
She shall not live an hour. Lest with each moment
His passion strengthen, and my power diminish.
Did beauty strike all hearts as well as eyes,
For me the rival world would be in arms;
Beauty's admir'd and prais'd, not always lov'd.
Some eyes are dazled with too strong a lustre,
That gaze with pleasure on a fainter object;
This homely captive then may steal his heart,
And bring disgrace upon me. I'll prevent her.
This hour I'll see her bleed, and thus remove
At once the rival of my throne and love.