University of Virginia Library

ACT. V.

SCENE I.

Hesione sola.

SCENE II.

Enter Ammon to Hesione, as following her.
Ammon.
O, fly not thus in Scorn, thou woundrous Maid!
O, turn!—O, answer me!

Hesione.
No more! away!
And leave me to my Sorrow!

Ammon.
No! I'll on!
And thou shalt hear me! Now's the time to show
Your Piety to Heav'n, and to your Sire;
Virtues for which, of all th' Athenian Daughters,
Hesione has ever most been fam'd.

Hesione.
Oh, Ammon, Ammon! thou hast torn asunder
The truest Pair that ever met in Love!

Ammon.
Blame the just Gods! tell the all-equal Pow'rs
That they have wrong'd thee!

Hesione.
Thou'rt the Injurer!
There's Treachery! Treachery! 'Tis manifest
To all, but him who shou'd discern it most.
My Father is abus'd! His gen'rous Breast
Glows with a thousand great, and glorious Virtues:
Thou know'st it well; for some of them have warm'd thee!
Yet, thro' the single Error of his Soul,
His only Weakness, thou hast found a way
To ruin him and all his Hopes for ever!

Ammon.
I love him, and he knows it: question him;
And he will tell thee, I was won with Art,
To accept the Blessing Heav'n, and he design me.

Hesione.
That he is won by Art is now too plain!
Think on Omphales too! thy injur'd Friend!
Oh, he wou'd talk of thee, and of thy Truth,
Till even I grew Jealous of thy Pow'r,
And fear'd thy growing Empire in his Heart!
How often have I heard your Vows exchang'd,
When thou hast sworn, the Sun it self shou'd fade,
And Nature cease, whenever thou wert false?—
Cease Nature then! and fade ye conscious Beams!
For thou art false! Omphales is betray'd!

Ammon.
If e'er Omphales wore me at his Heart,
My Friendship taught him first to place me there:
And, as an instance of uncommon Faith,
Know, in my dear Regard to this Omphales,
[This no way injur'd; but unhappy Man]
I've labour'd long to hide my mighty Love;
With Pain conceal'd it: even as a Child,
Who fears the chiding of an angry Voice,
I've held my Passion in!

Hesione.
No more of Love!
It loses on thy Tongue.

Ammon.
By Heav'ns, I love!
And thou shall prove it!

[Offering to embrace her, she rejects him.]
Hesione.
Hence! Shall I receive
A foul, and grisly Satyr to that Heart,
Which one, resembling Heav'n, has earn'd with Truth,
Unwearied Patience, and an Age of Love?

Ammon.
O, let me sooth thee to thy Happiness!
I wou'd endeavour to deserve thy Smiles.
We'll live up to the height of fond Delight:
And every Joy that Art, or Nature yields,
Shall wait to catch the Moment of our Wishes.
Sorrow remote shall stand, and gloomy Care
Be known but by its Name. The Persian Queen
Far off shall hear thy State, and envy thee.

Hesione.
Think not to lure me with thy sensual Baits!
Tempt base, and abject Minds!—Thou hast affirm'd
That thou dost love: What canst thou then for Love?
Canst thou endure an Age of fruitless Pain,
And yet another, and still greatly Love?
Tho' Exile, Want, Oppression stood before thee,
Woud'st thou not faint; but still pursue thy Hope?
Say, canst thou this for Love? and can'st thou too,
When Hope is lost, in th' Hour of black Despair,
Give up the World, and for thy Love expire?

Ammon.
I'm none of Plato's Lovers: but a Man!
Who court substantial Joy!—I tell thee, Fair!—

Hesione.
No more: but leave me: I wou'd be retir'd.

Ammon.
Behold! thy Father hastes to joyn our Hands.

Hesione.
I wou'd not meet him thus! It wounds my Heart
To vex his gen'rous Nature. I'll withdraw,
A Moment only, to compose my Thoughts:
Then all resign'd to the dread Will of Fate,
He'll find me at the Altar.

Ammon.
This is kind!
You now appear, indeed, like Zimon's Daughter.

Exit Hesione.

SCENE III.

Enter Zimon. to Ammon.
Zimon.
How stands the Maid? Did she not leave thee now?

Ammon.
She did; and promises Obedience:
She'll meet us in the holy Place.

Zimon.
'Tis well!—
This Day will be a Day of publick Joy.
An Hecatombe must bleed, and Gods and Men
Shall banquet in these Walls! I've now dispers'd
My several Invitations all around.
And, in return for Heav'ns peculiar Grace,
This Day I yearly mean to solemnize.

Ammon.
Thou'rt ever Grateful!

Zimon.
Ammon, I am Just;
And glory that I am!

Ammon.
And pitying too:
For when you broke the Will of Heav'n to her,
Preferr'd my Vows, and bid her Heart be mine,
How did you struggle to resist her Sorrows?
I saw you labour with a Father's Love,
While Duty, and Compassion softly strove,
And wag'd a tender War within your Breast.

Zimon.
Yet you observ'd how I inforc'd it too?
How resolutely just I was?

Ammon.
I did.

Zimon.
There's not a Soul o'er whom my Power extends,
Shall dare to spurn at Heaven!

Ammon.
Yet the Path
Which leads to Heaven's Will, is sometimes rough,
And difficult to tread.

Zimon.
'Tis true, her Task
Might in another tire Obedience out;
But I have train'd her up to Piety!—
O Ammon, slight not a fond Father's Praise!
But, trust me, she will answer all thy Hope.
Approach her not like one made proud by Power,
Demanding Love in Frowns; but gently steal
The Maid's Affection: Tenderness, and Smiles
May win her to the hardest Parts of Duty.

SCENE IV.

Enter Tryphon, to Zimon, and Ammon.
Tryphon.
O Zimon, Zimon! now thou art indeed,
The last of wretched Men!

Ammon.
What's this?

Zimon.
The Cause?
Declare it! I'm prepar'd for all Events!

Tryphon
Thy Daughter—

Zimon, Ammon.
Hah!

Tryphon.
The rash Hesione,
As now the Priests prepar'd the holy Place,
With an impatient Fury in her Looks
Approach'd the Altar, where upon her Knees
Thrice she invok'd Omphales, and the Gods;
Then drinking deep of that most deadly Bane
Against whose Force no Antidote prevails,
Ye Pow'rs, she cry'd, behold my Vow discharg'd!

Zimon.
Forbid it, Heav'n!

Tryphon.
She raves, now calls on Death!
Now on Omphales!

Ammon.
Then no Life for me!
My Hopes are lost!

Zimon.
Oh, impious Violence!

Ammon.
I promis'd this good Sword to ease my Heart
When'er I knew Despair! I've breath'd thus long
But in the Expectation of to-day.
Let Cowards live in Pain! I'm not so brave!

Zimon.
E'en in Contempt of Heaven's Clemency
To cast her Being off!

Ammon.
Nay, think not Heav'n—

Tryphon.
Where tends thy Rage?

[Apart to Ammon.
Ammon.
Away! thou canst no more!

Tryphon.
Hear me! This Disappointment hurts thy Brain!

Zimon.
Where have I err'd, that Heaven in its Wrath
Shou'd cast this Weight upon my weary Age?

Ammon.
Live? to become the Figure of Decay?
[Breaking from Tryphon.
To stalk, like a repining, meagre Ghost,
About th' Athenian Streets? Feeding the Pride,
And Insolence of Fortune's pamper'd Fools?
Rather Obscurity, and endless Sleep!
A Sleep which Fate's severest Storms defyes!
Against whose pow'rful Charm the thousand Tongues
Of Scorn, Reproach, and Envy hiss in vain!

Zimon.
Nor let me murmur yet! The Gods far off
Beheld this Storm, and suffer'd it to fall!

Tryphon.
Is this the Resolution of a Man?
[Apart to Ammon.
Insects, the Creatures of a Summer's Heat,
Who live but in the Bounty of the Sun,
And in the Season of Inclemency,
Seek Death in Holes, make such an End as this!

Ammon.
I'll treat thee as a sordid Instrument,
Made for some base Design, which, being us'd,
With Loathing, and Contempt is cast away.

Zimon.
Yet 'tis a Parent's Duty to receive
Her last, sad Words, and close her Eyes in Death!

[Going off, is detain'd by Ammon.
Ammon.
Patron! I owe thee for some Favours past—
Beware of this thy evil Counsellor!
Woud'st thou believe, that hoary, reverend Man,
Who smiles like Innocence, and talks of Heav'n,
Thy Action's Guide, the Partner of thy Heart
Has wrong'd thee? been the Author of these Ills?
Suffer'd a Bribe? and trifled with the Gods,
To rob thee of thy Daughter, and thy Fortunes?
In Combination too with that same Orphan
Whom thou hast cherish'd from his Infancy?
I say, woud'st thou believe it?

Zimon.
Hah!—believe it!

Tryphon.
Madness! the Rage of disappointed Love!

Ammon.
Credit a Man, devoted to Despair!
A Man, who builds not on to Morrow's Hopes!
But hates the Light, and longs to be no more!

Zimon.
Tryphon, if it be sound thou hast practis'd on me!
If of their Hopes thou hast wrong'd this faithful Pair!
'Twere better—nay, by Heav'ns thou shalt be prov'd!
[Threatning him.
If thou return'st, like Gold from out the Fire,
Purg'd and refin'd, and brighten'd from the Tryal
I meet thee thus! and take thee to my Heart—
[Embracing him.
This, if thou'rt Faithful found: if otherwise,
No Torture can be equal to thy Crime!—
I've heard, indeed, that Artifice, and Fraud
Have lurk'd beneath the Vail of Sanctity!

Tryphon.
In Hope of Mercy I confess it all!

[Kneeling.
Zimon.
Mercy!—Ye Gods! if in such Shapes as these,
So near your sacred Altars we're betray'd,
Where is't that Man is safe?

Ammon.
In Death alone!

Zimon.
Within! Secure him strait!

[Enter Attendants who seize Tryphon and carry him off.

SCENE V.

Manent Zimon, and Ammon.
Ammon.
Come, joyn with me,
To curse Mankind, and leave the savage Race!
A poor Man lives not here without Contempt!
They stare upon the Monster! point him out!
And hunt him, like Infection, from the Herd!
Their very Mercy tastes of Cruelty!
In Pride they grant, and spurn the humble Wretch
Who feeds upon their Bounty!

Zimon.
Thankless Man!
[A Trumpet
What may this mean?—a Herald from the State.

Ammon.
Then, lo! I prophesy!—prepare for War!
Arm for the Persian!—after Ammon's Death
Tell it with wonder, that a Prophet once
Spoke Truth in Greece!

SCENE VI.

Enter a Herald, to Zimon, and Ammon.
Zimon.
Hail, sacred Messenger!
What from the Senate? can I serve the State?
I've liv'd for Greece, and now for Greece wou'd dye!
Be brief with me!

Herald.
Let mighty Zimon know,
Athens once more invites him to the Field.
The Persians have forgot thy Victories,
And rise again, to fall before thy Sword.
This will inform you—

[Delivering a Paper.
Ammon.
Now, ye equal Powers!
Pour down your Vengeance on th' Athenian Pride!
May Persian Rage devour their guilty Land,
And kill the Name of Athens!

Herald.
Athens greets thee—
[Proceeding with Zimon
The Senators of Athens are thy Friends:
And, as a Proof of the good Will they bear thee,
Have sent thee here a Grecian Enemy;
A young and riotous Nobleman of Athens.

Zimon.
Hah!

Herald.
Who, with others his Associates,
All in the Fever of their youthful Blood,
Was seiz'd in Combination even now
To have forc'd thy House, and spoil'd thee of thy Daughter.

Zimon.
Oh, my Hesione!—

Herald.
The Senate waves
The Course of Justice, and delivers up
Th' Offender to thy Sentence—bring him forth!

Omphales
within.
Unhand me! by the Gods, I'm basely wrong'd!

SCENE VII.

Enter Omphales (struggling with the Guards) to Zimon, Ammon, and the Herald.
Zimon.
Release him!

[To the Guards.
Omphales.
Where's the Wretch whose treach'rous Heart
The warmest Friendship, and the strongest Vows
Cou'd not secure from Falshood? he who shar'd
My Heart, and Fortunes, yet seduc'd me forth,
That in my Absence he might steal away
My only valued Treasure?

Ammon.
Such a Wretch
Shou'd Ammon be!—if Vengeance is thy Thirst,
Come on! and meet an Opposite, whose Hopes
Are not in Victory!—

[Draws.
Omphales.
So desperate?
Then thus—and so I pay thy Perjuries!

[Wrests his Sword from one of the Guards.
[They fight: Ammon is driven off.

SCENE VIII.

Omphales returns instantly to Zimon and the Herald.
Zimon.
Oh, name her not! if thou hast Pow'r, forget her!

Omphales.
And art thou then still deaf to all our Pray'rs?

Zimon.
Alas, Omphales! wretched, injur'd Youth!
Had Zimon known, what now too late he mourns,
As soon he wou'd have shun'd his Foe in War!
Or pierc'd the dearest Corner of his Heart!
As soon have trampled on the Laws of Heav'n,
As e'er have torn thee from Hesione!
Pleas'd, I had crown'd your long, and faithful Loves,
Fondly each Day beheld your Joys increase,
Deceiving so th' Infirmities of Age,
'Till the late Hour of Fate!

Omphales.
What may this mean?

Zimon.
Demand no more!

Omphales.
Heav'n, guard Hesione!

Zimon.
Hah!—turn thee there!—Oh, ye immortal Pow'rs!

Omphales.
Alas! then it is plain! the Cause is plain!
And Harmony itself is now untun'd!

SCENE IX.

Enter Hesione distracted to Zimon, Omphales, and the Herald.
Hesione.
Hark!—'twas the midnight Raven!—

Omphales.
Guard her, Heav'n!

Hesione.
Dost thou not hear it?—hence, Ill-boader, hence!—
—Nay, tell me not! there's Treach'ry! Treach'ry!
—What?—Ammon?—out! I'll hear no more of that!
—Soft! soft!—the Hour is almost come!—'tis dark!
Heav'n sees me not! I'll steal him from the Gods!

Omphales.
Hesione—!

[Taking her by the Hand, and looking affectionately on her.
Hesione.
Away!—I'll to my Love!—
Villainy! rank Villainy!—nay, 'twill out!—
—Sure I shall meet him soon.

Omphales.
Behold him here
Omphales here!—

Hesione.
When shall I die indeed?

Omphales.
Live, and be happy long within these Arms—

[Embracing her.
Hesione.
Omphales—

[Recovering.
Omphales.
'Tis Omphales speaks to thee!—

Hesione.
Far off, methinks, I hear the Charmer's Voice!
—'Tis he! Omphales self!

Omphales.
Now shall I grow
Wild in my Turn, and mad with Extasy!
The Gods at length reward our faithful Loves!

Hesione.
Alas, Omphales—'tis too powerful!—
There is no Room for Hope!

Omphales.
No more of this!
Enough of Sorrow we've already known!
Long Joy succeeds!

Hesione.
Oh, think no more of Joy!

Omphales.
What means my Love?

Hesione.
Oh!—I am cold to Death!—
Your Presence chears me yet—if you survive,
And in an happy Maid forget a true one,
May she adore you with a Love like mine!

Omphales.
Alas! again she raves!—

Zimon.
Wou'd it were so!—

Hesione.
My solemn Vow, Omphales!—it is past!
—I've ta'en the fatal Draught.

Omphales.
What do I hear?—
Ye Pow'rs, defend my Soul from instant Madness!

Hesione.
If I have been in haste—when we shall meet
In endless Peace—you surely may forgive—I
I can no more—

[Dies.
Zimon.
Oh, fatal Constancy!

Omphales.
I was a Partner in that solemn Vow!
[Recovering from his Astonishment.
—And thus I share it!

[Falls on his Sword by her.
Zimon.
Send me Patience, Heav'n!—

Omphales.
Ev'n Death is here inviting!—be it thus
With our Remains—One Urn will hold our Ashes—

[Dies.
Zimon.
[To the Herald.

[Exeunt omnes.