University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

An inner part of the citadel where Arbaces is confined. A view of several prisons. A little door on the right hand that leads up to the palace.
Arbaces
alone.
Ah! why should death so slowly move,
When death is but the end of woe?
To those who happy fortune prove,
Death only can be deem'd a foe.

SCENE II.

Enter Artaxerxes.
Artax.
Arbaces.

Arb.
O ye powers! Whom do I see!
What brings you to these seats of grief and horror?

Artax.
Pity and friendship.

Arb.
Wherefore come you, sir,
To share my wretchedness?

Artax.
I come to save thee.

Arb.
To save me!

Artax.
Linger not—but where yon' way
Leads to a lonely quarter of the palace,
Direct thy hasty steps: fly, swiftly fly,
Far, far remote, and seek some safer realm:
Remember Artaxerxes, love him still,
And live.

Arb.
My king, if you believe me guilty,
Why would you save me? and if innocent,
Then wherefore should I fly?

Artax.
If thou art guilty
I give thee back the life thou gav'st to me;
If thou art innocent, I offer now
The only means by which thou canst escape,
While thou continuest silent—Spare thy friend
The grief of killing thee; appease the tumults
Of this distracted bosom: whether friendship
Has o'er my senses cast her partial veil,
Or that some God protects the innocent,
I have no peace till thou art safe: methinks
I hear a secret voice that bids me weigh
Thy merit and thy fault in equal scales;
And now reminds me that the crime is doubtful,
But certain is the virtue that preserv'd me.

Arb.
Permit me, sir, to die; before the world
I stand condemn'd; your dignity compels you
To see me punish'd; I shall die contented
To think that once I sav'd my friend his life,
And dying now preserve my sovereign's honour.

Artax.
Such sentiments ne'er came from guilty lips:
Belov'd Arbaces, let us not delay:
Enough that for my honour it be rumour'd
Thou wert in private punish'd, that I fear'd
To stain the pomp of this important day,
When Asia first beholds me on the throne.

Arb.
At length your mercy may be known—and then—

Artax.
Arbaces, hence; I beg thee to depart;
And if th' entreaties of thy friend avail not,
Thy king commands it.

Arb.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Artaxerxes
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Artaban followed by the conspirators, Megabyzus.
Artab.
My son, Arbaces! Whither art thou gone?
He surely hears my voice—Arbaces—Heavens!
Where lurks he? While I seek my son, my friends,
The care be yours to keep this pass secure.

[enters betwixt the scenes, on the right hand.
Mega.
And wherefore do we loiter still?
[to the conspirators.
The time
Now calls us forth—But where is Artaban?
Where is Arbaces? Wherefore this inaction?
In such an enterprize is this a season
For cold neglect?—What ho! Lord Artaban.

[enters betwixt the scenes, on the left hand.
Artab.
Unhappy me!
[coming out a different way.
My son, my son is lost!
A deadly coldness freezes at my heart:
I fear, I doubt—yet there perhaps conceal'd,
I yet may find—Ha! Megabyzus here!

[meets Megabyzus.
Mega.
What Artaban!

Artab.
Say, hast thou found my son?

Mega.
Hast thou not seen him then?

Artab.
O Heaven! my doubts
Still more and more increase.

Mega.
Explain yourself;
What has befallen Arbaces?

Artab.
Who, alas!
Can now inform me of him? I'm distracted
Amidst a thousand cares and dread suspicions.
How many fatal images has fear
Rais'd in my tortur'd breast! Who knows his fate!
Who knows if yet he lives?

Mega.
Too soon you drive
Suspicions to extremes; may not Mandane
Or Artaxerxes, urg'd by love or friendship,
Have set the prisoner free? Behold the way
That to the palace leads.

Artab.
But wherefore yet
From me conceal his flight? Ah! Megabyzus,
Arbaces is no more; I know it well,
And each in pity hides it from his father.

Mega.
Avert the omen, Heaven! Yet recollect
Your troubled thoughts; resume your wonted firmness;
Our enterprize demands it all.

Artab.
Alas!
What enterprize can now engross my mind?
I have no enterprize—my son is lost!

Mega.
What says my lord? And have you then in vain
Seduc'd the royal guards? Have I in vain
Seduc'd the allegiance of the troops?—Resolve:
This moment Artaxerxes goes to swear
Observance to the laws: the sacred cup
By your command already have I ting'd
With deadly juice: and shall we now so poorly
Lose all our cares and toils?

Artab.
For whom, my friend,
Should I still toil, unless I find Arbaces?
My son was all my joy; to make him great
I first became a traitor; for his sake
Was odious to myself; depriv'd of him,
What further hope remains? I lose the fruit
Of all my crimes.

Mega.
Arbaces, dead or living,
Claims at your hands the empire, or revenge.

Artab.
For that alone I live—Yes, Megabyzus,
Lead, lead me where thou wilt; I trust in thee.

Mega.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Artaban
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

An apartment belonging to Mandane.
Mandane
alone.
Whether too frequent sorrow dulls the sense
Or that our souls partake some inward light
That glances at futurity, I know not:
I cannot mourn Arbaces as I ought:
Yet surely still he lives, for were he dead,
The tidings must have reach'd me; fame is ever
Industrious to disperse the news of woe.

SCENE VII.

Enter Semira.
Sem.
At length thou may'st be comforted, Mandane,
For Heaven now smiles upon thee.

Man.
Has the king
Releas'd Arbaces?

Sem.
Rather say the king
Has slain Arbaces.

Man.
Ha! What dost thou mean?

Sem.
'Tis plain to all; in secret has he fallen
A cruel sacrifice.

Man.
Fallacious hopes!
O fatal day!

Sem.
Behold thou art reveng'd,
Thy rage is sated: would'st thou more? Or seek'st thou
Some other victim? Speak.

Man.
Alas! Semira,
Light evils speak, but mighty griefs are silent.

Sem.
What heart was e'er more cruel found than thine!
There's not an eye unmoisten'd at his death,
Yet thou canst hear his fate without a tear.

Man.
That grief is little which permits our tears.

Sem.
Go, if thou art not yet appeas'd, and glut
With my dear brother's corse thy greedy sight:
Observe his bosom, number o'er his wounds,
Then, with exulting looks—

Man.
Forbear, and leave me.

Sem.
Leave thee!—forbear!—no, while my life remains
Thou shalt behold me ever hovering round thee;
I'll haunt thee still, and make thy days unhappy.

Man.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Semira
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

Arbaces
alone.
Yet here I find her not—O grant, ye powers!
That I may calm my lov'd Mandane's anger,
Once more behold her, and depart in peace.
Perhaps retir'd to some more lone apartment
I may—but whither would my rashness lead me?
O Heaven! Behold she comes! I have no heart
To venture in her sight.

[retires.

SCENE X.

Enter Mandane.
Man.
Let none presume
To break on my retirement.
[to a page, who [having received the order, departs.
Now, my soul,
Thou may'st at liberty indulge thy anguish,
Thy wild despair—Yes, yes, my dear Arbaces,
My savage fury shed thy blood, and now
My own shall flow to appease thee.

[draws a dagger.
Arb.
Hold!

Man.
Ye powers!

[seeing Arbaces, she lets fall the dagger.
Arb.
What inconsiderate rage!

Man.
Arbaces here!
In freedom and alive!

Arb.
A friendly hand
Struck off my chains.

Man.
Fly hence! Be gone! Ah! leave me—
What will be said if here thou art found? Ingrate!
Leave then my fame unsullied.

Arb.
Who can quit
His native land without beholding thee?

Man.
What would'st thou seek from me, perfidious traitor!

Arb.
Ah! princess; speak not thus—I know full well
Thou wear'st a sternness foreign to thy heart.
Did I not hear thee? Yes, my dear Mandane,
Arbaces heard thy love.

Man.
'Tis falsehood all,
Or self-deceit; but grant I've spoken aught,
My lips, betray'd by use, belied my soul.

Arb.
Yet am I still the object of your passion.

Man.
Thou art my detestation.

Arb.
Cruel maid!
Take then this sword, and sate thy utmost rage;
Behold my bosom bare to meet the blow.

Man.
Death would reward, not punish thee.

Arb.
'Tis true:
Forgive me, I have err'd; but with this hand
All shall be heal'd.

[about to stab himself.
Man.
What would'st thou do? Perhaps
Thou think'st thy blood sufficient to appease me:
No, I would have thy death a spectacle
Of public infamy; no mark, no shadow
Of generous courage must adorn thy fall.

Arb.
Ingrate, inhuman! thou shalt have thy wish;
[throws away the dagger.
I'll seek again my prison.

[going.
Man.
Stay, Arbaces!

Arb.
What would'st thou say?

Man.
Alas! I know not what!

Arb.
And hast thou yet some small degree of love
That still detains me here?

Man.
Enquire no further:
Why would'st thou raise my blushes? Save thyself—
No more afflict me.

Arb.
Still thou lov'st Arbaces,
If thus thou art mov'd to pity him.

Man.
O no!
Believe not that 'tis love: but fly and live!

Arb.
Thou bid'st me, dear Mandane, live,
But if thy love thou wilt not give,
My tortur'd heart must break!

Man.
Ye powers! how cruel is my pain!
O let these blushes then explain
The thoughts I dare not speak.

Arb.
Hear me once more.

Man.
Ah no!

Arb.
Thou art, Mandane—

Man.
Light of these desiring eyes!
Leave me, leave me yet in peace!

Both.
Tell me when, relentless skies!
When your fatal rage will cease?
What cannot human life sustain,
If life can bear such cruel pain!

[Exeunt.

SCENE XI.

A magnificent place designed for the coronation of Artaxerxes. A throne on one side, with a sceptre, and crown thereon. An altar kindled in the midst, with an image of the Sun.
Artaxerxes and Artaban, with a numerous attendance; and People.
Artax.
To you, my people, I present myself,
No less your father than your king: be you
My children more than subjects: I'll defend
Your lives, your fame; whatever arms may gain,
Or peace bestow: do you defend my throne:
And let our hearts now make the just exchange
Of loyalty and love: the reins of empire
I'll sway with gentle hand, and guard the laws
Inviolate—this to perform, to all
Religiously I swear.

[an attendant brings the cup.
Artab.
The sacred cup
[gives the cup.
Receive, and bind thy oath with stronger ties—
Complete the rite—and drink thy own destruction.

[aside.
Artax.
“Bright God! by whom the vernal flowers arise;
“By whom the whole creation lives or dies;
“Hear!—if my lips the words of falsehood speak,
“On this devoted head your vengeance take:
“Let my life fade, as now the languid flame
“Fades at the pouring of the sacred stream;
[sheds part of the wine upon the fire.
“And while I drink some secret bane infuse;
“To deadly poison change the wholesome juice.”

[about to drink.

SCENE XII.

Enter Semira.
Sem.
Defend yourself, my lord, the palace wall,
Encompass'd by a faithless throng, resounds
With rebel shouts—and all require thy death.

Artax.
Almighty powers!

[places the cup on the altar.
Artab.
What impious wretch has dar'd
To rise against his king?

Artax.
Alas! too late
I know him now—Arbaces is the traitor.

Sem.
He whom we mourn'd as dead?

Artax.
He lives, the ingrate:
He lives—forgetful of my faith to Xerxes,
Forgetful of my duty to my father,
I set him free, and merit to receive
The punishment which Heaven has destin'd for me:
Yes, I myself have woo'd my own destruction.

Artab.
Why should you fear, my king? For your protection
Your faithful Artaban shall still suffice.

Artax.
Then let us haste to punish—

[going.

SCENE XIII.

Enter Mandane in haste.
Man.
Stay, my brother;
Great news I bring—the tumult is appeas'd.

Artax.
Is't possible? Say, how?

Man.
The rebel crowd,
By Megabyzus led, had reach'd already
The inner palace-yard, when brave Arbaces,
Rouz'd by the maddening clamour, came to aid thee;
What said, what did he not for thy defence?
He painted all the horrors of their crime,
And show'd the praise that waits on loyalty.
He set thy merits and thy fame before them:
On some with threats he wrought, on some with prayers;
Oft chang'd his looks, from placid to severe;
Till each laid down his arms, and Megabyzus,
The impious cause of all, alone remain'd;
But him he conquer'd, slew, and thus reveng'd thee.

Artab.
Rash, inconsiderate son!

[aside.
Artax.
Some friendly power
Inspir'd me to preserve him—Megabyzus
Was author then of every crime committed.

Artab.
Most fortunate delusion!

[aside.
Artax.
Where is now
My lov'd Arbaces? Find and bring him hither.

SCENE LAST.
Enter Arbaces.
Arb.
Behold, my lord, Arbaces at your feet.

Artax.
Come to my breast again: forgive me, friend,
That e'er I doubted thee: thy innocence
Is now most clear. O give me then the power
To recompense thee; from the people's mind
Chace every dark suspicion; tell us why
That crimson steel was in thy hand; what meant
Thy flight, thy silence, all that spoke thee guilty?

Arb.
O sir! if aught from you I have deserv'd,
Permit me to be silent still—my lips
Are guiltless of a lie—believe his faith
Who once preserv'd thy life—I am innocent.

Artax.
Swear it at least, and let the solemn rite
Confirm thy truth: behold the ready cup,
And as the custom of our Persia claims,
Call down the God to witness.

Arb.
I am ready.

[takes the cup.
Man.
Behold my lov'd Arbaces freed from danger.

[aside.
Artab.
Where am I? Should he swear, my son is poison'd.

[aside.
Arb.
“Bright God! by whom the vernal flowers arise,
“By whom the whole creation lives or dies.”

Artab.
O me unhappy!

[aside.
Arb.
“If I falsehood speak,
“This wholesome beverage—”

[about to drink.
Artab.
Hold! the cup is poison'd.

Artax.
What do I hear?

Arb.
O Gods!

Artax.
And why till now
Didst thou conceal it from me?

Artab.
'Twas for thee
I had prepar'd it.

Artax.
What could urge thy rage?

Artab.
Dissimulation can no more avail:
Paternal love already has betray'd me.
I was the murderer of Xerxes; all
The royal blood I sought to shed: 'tis I
Am guilty, not Arbaces: to his hand,
I, to conceal it, gave the bloody weapon.
His looks proclaim'd his horror for my crime;
His silence the compassion of a son.
O! had not virtue wrought so strong in him,
Or love in me, I had fulfill'd my purpose,
And had depriv'd thee now of life and empire.

Artax.
Perfidious wretch! my father hast thou murder'd,
And made me guilty of Darius' death!
To what excesses has thy impious thirst
Of greatness led thee!—Traitor, thou shalt die.

Artab.
At least we'll die together.

[draws his sword, Artaxerxes does the same.
Arb.
Heavens!

Artab.
My friends,
[to the rebels.
Heed not his threats, the feeble last remains
Of desperation—let the tyrant die.

[the guards, seduced by Artaban, prepare to attack Artaxerxes.
Arb.
What would'st thou do, my father?

Artab.
Bravely perish.

Arb.
Lay by thy sword, or here I drink my death.

Artab.
What say'st thou, ha!

Arb.
O, if you kill my friend,
My Artaxerxes, I can live no longer.

Artab.
Let me complete what I've begun.

[going to attack Artaxerxes.
Arb.
Take heed,
Or here I drink.

[about to drink.
Artab.
Hold then, ungrateful son!
And dost thou wish to see thy father die,
Because too well he lov'd thee? Yes, ingrate,
Yes, thou hast conquer'd—there—behold my sword.

[throws away his sword, and the rebel guards fly.
Man.
Faith unexampled!

Sem.
Treachery unequall'd!

Artax.
Pursue the rebels, and let Artaban
Be led to instant death.

Arb.
O Heaven!—yet stay;
Have pity, sir.

Artax.
Hope not for mercy for him,
His crime's too great: yet think not I confound
The innocent and guilty; thou Arbaces
Shalt wed Mandane, and the fair Semira
With me divide the throne; but for that traitor
No pardon can be granted.

Arb.
Take my life,
I ask it not, if by my truth to you,
If, by preserving you, I kill my father!

Artax.
O virtue that excites our admiration!

Arb.
I do not ask your mercy for myself;
Be rigorous still—but change his death for mine.
Hear him, who once preserv'd you, at your feet
[kneels.
Now kneeling beg to suffer for a father.
Thus, thus appease your justice, shed my blood,
And, shedding mine, the blood of Artaban.

Artax.
O rise—no more—dry up those generous tears,
Who can resist thee? Artaban shall live,
But let him live at least in mournful exile.
Thus far thy sovereign grants thy pious suit;
The virtuous son preserves the guilty father.

CHORUS.