University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

A TEMPLE.
Astarbe.
Doraspe knows,—and I am in her power.
Araxes was employ'd; he may suspect me.
One crime supports another—I must on.
I fear them both. How shall I lose my fear?
Their deaths must end it. But they may be honest.
I'll sift them—for my Soul has lost all rest.
But see Doraspe.

SCENE II.

Astarbe
. Doraspe.
Thou sometimes wert known
To miss Devotion's hours. How comes it then
Thou'rt now so soon? hast thou ought that concerns me?
Think'st thou Araxes honest? I have doubts.
I fear the prisoner 'scap'd by his connivance.
Are my commands obey'd?

Dor.
'Tis not yet done.
He could not gain admission to the King.

Ast.
Does he not know a frown of mine can crush him?

Dor.
I know his heart and hand are wholy yours.
He waits the King's commands.

Ast.
Are mine then nothing?
And want I power to justify the deed?
Why was she not dispatch'd? He knew my pleasure.
My pleasure is his duty. 'Twas I rais'd him;
And dares he now dispute what I ordain?
Tell him, I'll have it done; that I command it.
Thou too art false. Then on her self alone
Astarbe shall depend. Away, thou flatterer.
Go hence, and tremble at the Queen's displeasure.
She shall this instant die. For see Phraortes.
Astarbe now has all things at her nod.
Of this day's worship I'll appoint the victim.

SCENE III.

Phraortes. Astarbe. A solemn Procession of Priests.
[The Queen talks apart to Phraortes.
Phra.
Bid them suspend a while the sacrifice,
The Queen requires a private conference
On matters that concern the state. Withdraw.
[Ex. Priests.
Now speak, my Queen; I'm ready to obey.

Ast.
All is not safe. Your state still harbours treason.
Ev'n now I tremble for my Lord the King;
For through the dark the traytor's arrow flies;
And which way will you turn your shield against it?

Phra.
What means my Queen?

Ast.
Cast off all clemency;
So shall your throne stand firm to latest time.

Phra.
And has my danger giv'n Astarbe fear?
Where shall I find reward for so much goodness?
I swear by Jove, and yon wide sapphire Heaven,
Astarbe's will shall fix the King's decree.

Ast.
What shall be done to him, whose lying lips
Mis-lead the King from the strait paths of justice?

Phra.
Media decrees that death shall be his portion.

Ast.
What is ordain'd for him, who (when the King
Entrusts the royal signet in his hands)
Dares contradict the sacred mandate?

Phra.
Death.

Ast.
What shall our laws inflict on that bold miscreant,
Who saves th'offender whom the King condemns?

Phra.
The fatal sentence falls upon his head.

Ast.
Let justice then support the throne of Media,
Let justice then preserve thy sacred life!
All these offences are that captive woman's,
Who with feign'd tears beg'd pity and revenge.
With lying lips she fell before the throne,
She turn'd the King from the strait paths of justice,
The royal seal was trusted in her hands;
Presumptuously she broke the sacred mandate,
She spar'd whom you condemn'd, and with vile treachery
Hath set Sophernes free. So this assassin
Shall kindle new rebellions in your Empire.

Phra.
These flagrant crimes demand immediate death.

Ast.
Let it be so. The King is wise and just.

Phra.
She shall this instant bleed. Audacious woman!

Ast.
Let her endure the shameful pomp of death,
Expose her through the city's publick street,
So shall your people's shouts extol your justice;
So shall you strike your enemies with fear,
And awe them to subjection. Bring her forth;
Here let her bleed, ev'n on this holy ground,
Before the presence; Jove delights in justice,
The righteous sacrifice shall please the Gods.

SCENE IV.

Phraortes. Astarbe. Orbasius. Magi. Attendants.
Phra.
Come from the croud, Orbasius; hear and obey.
Haste to the Prison, and bring forth that woman
(Who freed Sophernes from the hand of power)
To publick justice. She shall bleed before me.
Let her be led a publick spectacle.
Dispatch. Remember that the King expects you.

SCENE V.

Phraortes
. Astarbe. Magi. Attendants.
The shield of Heaven has turn'd Destruction from us;
And Gratitude requires our thanks and praise.
Call up the Priests. Begin the sacred rites.

1st Mag.
Turn all your eyes to yon bright arch of Heaven.

2d Mag.
When Jove in thunder threatens impious men,
May the red lightnings scatter Media's foes,
And lay their cities desolate and waste!

1st Mag.
May the vast globe of inexhausted light,
That rolls its living fires from east to west,
Strow all his paths with fragrant herbs and flowers,
And bless his people with perpetual spring!

2d Mag.
May the bright lamp of night, the silver moon,
And all the starry myriad that attend her,
Guard and defend his midnight couch from dangers!

1st Mag.
May everliving springs supply our fountains,
And wind in fertile rivers through the land!

2d Mag.
Bless him, ye winds, with ever-prosp'rous gales!

1st Mag.
Pour not your wrath in tempests on his people.
Let your sweet breath chase dearth and pestilence,
And cool our summers with eternal health!

SCENE VI.

Phraortes. Astarbe. Magi. Orbasius. Attendants. Cylene as led to execution.
[Orbasius talks apart to the King.
Phra.
Again we must defer the solemn worship.
Bid the procession move towards the Temple.
And let th'offender stand before the presence.

[To Orb.
Astar.
Sophernes has expos'd me to this woman;
And while she lives, I live in fear and shame.
Shall she then triumph in a Queen's disgrace?

[Aside.
Cyl.
Most gracious King, consider my transgression.
[Kneels.
My life is forfeit; justice has condemn'd me.
I broke th'inviolable laws of Media.
Yet let Phraortes with impartial scale
Weigh my offence; he'll find my crime was virtue.
Sure Heaven that trys the heart will pardon me.
And Kings, who imitate the Gods in justice,
Should not forsake them in the paths of mercy.

Phra.
Have not thy lying lips deceiv'd the King?
How shall thy words find faith! They're air, they're nothing!

Cyl.
O be not rash in judgment! Hear me speak.
What mov'd my tongue to practise this deceit?
Was it ambition and the lust of power?
Was it to vex your empire with rebellion?
Was it the meaner views of sordid gain?
Was it to hurt the lowest of your people?
All my offence is faithful love and duty;
Sophernes is my husband, and I sav'd him.

Phra.
Thy husband!

Astar.
Hear her not: woman, away.
Remember you have sworn.

Phra.
Thy husband, say'st thou?

Astar.
Think on your oath, and spurn dissimulation.

Phra.
Am I debarr'd the chief delight of Kings?
Have I the power to punish; not to pardon?
But I have sworn.

Cyl.
If there's no room for mercy
[Rises.
My life is well bestow'd. My death is glorious;
I chose it; and repine not at my fate.

Astar.
Turn from her. Listen not to fraud and guile.

Cyl.
Think not I shudder at th'approach of death,
That the keen sword which glitters in my eyes
Makes my heart fail, and sinks me to despair.
I fear not for my self; for him I fear.
How will he bear my death?—As I could his.

Phra.
Why have I bound the tender hands of mercy?

[Musing.
Astar.
You but delay. The royal oath is sacred.

Cyl.
Well then. Lead on. His punishment is mine.
Live, live, Sophernes, and forget Cylene;
Lest grief destroy thy peace, and make thee wretched.
I'm ready.

Phra.
How shall I pronounce the sentence!

Astar.
For your oath's sake.

Phra.
'Tis granted. Let her dye.
But let me first perform my due devotions,
To beg that mercy which I must refuse.
As soon as I have paid my solemn vows,
I'll make the sign. Then let the blow be given.
See all be ready. Now renew the rites.

SCENE VI.

The Aforehead. Hydarnes disguis'd.
Hyd.
Thus far I'm undiscover'd.—Now's my time.
The King of Media's given into my hands.
And when he leaves his guards to trust the Gods,
Ev'n while he prostrate falls, and lifts his eyes
To the bright God of day, th'all-seeing sun;
This shall dispatch him first, and then Hydarnes.

1st Mag.
Now let the King advance.

Phra.
O glorious Sun!
[Kneeling.
[Hydarnes attempting to stab Phraortes, is stab'd by Sophernes disguis'd, who is seiz'd by the Magi.
What means this consternation in all eyes?
Whence this alarm, and all this wild disorder?
Hah! who lies here thus weltring in his blood,
Gasping for life? what means this horrid murder?
Strike not till I command. [To the Executioner.]
Who did this deed?

1st Mag.
Behold the man. What bounty can reward him?
What shall be done for him who sav'd the King?

Phra.
Say who, and whence thou art?

Soph.
A wretched man
Who comes to take his sentence on him, death.
Sophernes was condemn'd; 'tis he must suffer.
Spare then that pattern of heroic virtue.
The sentence is not hers; I claim my right.
Sophernes stands before you, and demands it.

[Throws off his disguise.
Cyl.
O stay not for the signal. Give the blow.
Save him, ye Gods. Why is the stroke delay'd?
The King has sworn. O may my death preserve him!

Phra.
Suspend her sentence till my further orders.
Who slew this man? what mov'd thee to the murder?
Why hast thou stain'd this holy place with blood?

Soph.
That villain who lies groveling there before thee,
Had rais'd his arm to take thy life, O King;
And as the point descended, in the moment
I lay'd him low; and Heav'n has done me justice.
If favour shall reward me for this deed,
Spare my Cylene, grant her your protection.
I ask not life, for without her 'tis nothing.

Astar.
Where will this end? How are my schemes destroy'd!
Fear chills my heart, and guilt lies heavy on me.
Leave me not, Hell; desert not now thy cause.
I've gone too far. O blind the eyes of justice!
And sink me not in ruin and perdition.

[Aside.
Phra.
Know you this bold Assassin? View him well.

Hyd.
Ay, gaze upon me.

Orba.
Sure I've seen this man.

Soph.
Among the crowd I mark'd this perjur'd wretch,
Who charg'd me with ingratitude and treason.
With fury in his looks, and hasty strides
He stept before me; strait he rais'd his dagger:
In justice to my self and thee, I smote him.

Astar.
Where shall I hide me? how my fears distract me!
Who knows the torment of the guilty wretch,
When accusation stares him in the face?
Then all our spirits sink into despair,
And when we want most strength, then most it fails us.
He speaks, and I'm betray'd. Why err'd the dagger!
To bring confusion, shame and death upon me.
Where shall I fly?—for conscience will detect me,
'Twill faulter on my tongue, and stain my cheek.
O horror! O disgrace!—I fly from shame.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Phraortes. Cylene. Sophernes. Magi. Orbasius. Araxes. Executioner. Attendants.
Soph.
'Twas I that gave thee death.

Hyd.
Thou hast done justice.

Phra.
What sayest thou? speak again.

Hyd.
He has done justice.
I barb'rously accus'd him of my crimes;
That guilt upbraids me; and I ask forgiveness.

[To Soph.
Phra.
Whence art thou?—why this zealous rage against me?

Hyd.
I grieve not that I perish'd by his hand;
But that he disappointed my Revenge
I can't forgive him. Had he stay'd 'till then,
Hydarnes had faln greatly. But that's past.
Still I shall wound thee in the tenderest part.
[To Phraortes.
I faint. O grant me strength to give it utterance!
Draw near, Araxes. Speak, inform the King;
Did not you guide me to the Queen's apartment?
You know why I was call'd. Disclose the secret.

Ara.
What past I know not.

Hyd.
What you fear to own,
I dare reveal. Hear then a dying man.
The Queen, on promise of my life and pardon,
Prevail'd upon me to accuse this Prince;
I knew him not. Yet to pursue thy life,
And gratify revenge, I undertook it.

Phra.
It is impossible. Advance, my Queen,
And let thy presence strike him with confusion.
Come forth, Astarbe. Hah! she's fled, she's guilty!
Haste, bring her back. I will extort confession.
What mov'd her to this perjur'd information?
[Ex. Officers.
Whence sprung this hate and malice to Sophernes?

[To Hydarnes.
Hyd.
Ask her. I speak the truth, and know no further.
Look on me, Tyrant, and observe my features;
Seest thou not here the lines of brave Lysamnes?
He by thy power was led to shameful death,
His son now dyes, and never has reveng'd him.

[Dyes.

SCENE IX.

Phraortes. Astarbe brought in by Officers. Cylene. Sophernes. Magi. Attendants.
Ast.
Bring me before the King.

Phra.
Perfidious woman!
Look on that wretch, who there lyes pale and cold;
Was he not brought in private to your chamber?
Who gave instructions to accuse Sophernes?
Who promis'd life and pardon to Hydarnes?

Ast.
All then is lost. Astarbe is betray'd.
But shall I stoop to lead a life of shame?
No. This shall close a scene of long remorse.

[Stabs her self.
Phra.
Astarbe! hold!

Ast.
Forgive me!

Phra.
Her foul treachery
My soul detests. But love will force a tear.
What mov'd her hatred thus against your life?

Soph.
She was unhappy. Let her be forgot,

Phra.
Draw near, Cylene. May heav'n bless your loves!

[Gives her to Sophernes.
Cyl.
Shall he then live? My heart o'erflows with joy.
Now life is worth accepting, worth desiring,
Worth ev'ry wish, and ev'ry daily prayer.

Phra.
By you the royal vestment shall be worn,
And next the King, all honour shall be paid
To you who sav'd him.

[To Sophernes.
Soph.
What I did was due.
I've only paid a debt of gratitude;
What would your bounty more?—you've giv'n me all.
For in these arms I ev'ry wish possess.

Phra.
Life is a voyage, and we with pain and labour
Must weather many a storm to reach the port.

Soph.
Since 'tis not giv'n to mortals to discern
Their real good and ill; let men learn patience:
Let us the toils of adverse fate sustain,
For through that rugged road our hopes we gain.