University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

An inner garden belonging to the Royal palace of the Kings of Persia. A prospect of the palace. Time, night: moonlight.
Mandane, Arbaces.
Arb.
Farewell!

Man.
Arbaces, stay.

Arb.
Belov'd Mandane!
The dawn is near; should Xerxes ever learn
That 'gainst his harsh command I enter'd here,
It little would avail in my defence
To urge a lover's warmth; nor would the name
Of daughter plead for thee.

Man.
Thy fear is just:
This regal dwelling must for thee be dangerous.
But yet thou may'st remain in Susa's walls;
Since exil'd from the palace, not the city.
Hope is not wholly lost: thou know'st thy father,
The mighty Artaban, directs at will
The heart of Xerxes; that to him 'tis given,
At every hour, to pierce the deep recesses
Of this imperial mansion; that my brother,
My Artaxerxes boasts thee for his friend.
In virtue and in fame you grew together,
All Persia has beheld you partners still
In danger's deeds: each from the other caught
The emulative flame: the troops admire thee,
The people even adore thee, and the kingdom
Expects its surest safety from thy arm:
Amidst such friends how canst thou fail support!

Arb.
Alas! my love, we but deceive ourselves:
Thy brother would in vain attempt to aid me:
He and my father are alike suspected,
When they defend Arbaces: every plea
Is heard with slow belief, when warmly urg'd
By partial friendship, or paternal fondness.
And for the inconstant herd of vulgar friends,
These shrink, when once the monarch's favour fails.
How many that with awe but late beheld me,
Now look on me with scorn! Where then, Mandane,
Where would'st thou have me hope? My dwelling here
Is danger to thyself, and pain to me.
To thee 'tis dangerous, as it adds new matter
To feed suspicion in the breast of Xerxes:
To me 'tis painful to be ever near thee,
Yet be denied to gaze upon thy beauties.
Since then my birth alone has made me guilty,
I'll die, or merit thee—my life! farewell.

[going.
Man.
Inhuman, canst thou leave me thus?

Arb.
Alas!
I am not inhuman: Xerxes is the tyrant:
Thy father is unjust.

Man.
Yet some excuse
Even he might claim when he denied my hand:
Our rank, the world, the distance plac'd between us:
Who knows but all his anger was dissembled?
Perhaps in secret he condemn'd his rigour.

Arb.
He might have yet refus'd to grant my suit
Without contempt: to drive me from him thus,
To treat me like the lowest of the vulgar;
To stile me base, presumptuous—such reproach
I feel, Mandane, at my inmost heart.
What if my ancestors ne'er wore the crown,
At least they have defended it for his:
If in these veins there runs no royal blood,
By saving Artaxerxes I've preserv'd
The blood of Persia's kings. Let Xerxes speak
His own, not boast the merits of his race.
'Tis chance, not virtue to be nobly born:
Did choice direct our births, and only give
Kingdoms to those who best could rule, perhaps
Arbaces had been Xerxes, Xerxes then
Had been Arbaces.

Man.
In Mandane's presence,
With more respect, Arbaces, name her father.

Arb.
But when I suffer such injurious treatment,
When I'm denied to indulge a blameless passion,
'Tis surely little, if I but complain.

Man.
Forgive me: from thy anger I begin
To doubt thy truth: how shall I hope the heart
That hates the father, can esteem the daughter?

Arb.
This hatred proves my passion more, Mandane;
My indignation springs from love to thee;
Because I fear, that, banish'd from thy sight,
I ne'er may see thee more; that this perhaps
Is the last time—O Heaven, thou weep'st!—forbear,
Dry up those tears, my love; too much I'm soften'd
Without thy grief—I here would have thee cruel—
Permit me to depart; now imitate
The sternness of thy father.

[going.
Man.
Stay, and hear me;
I have no heart to see thee leave me thus:
Fain would I go—Farewell!

Arb.
Farewell, Mandane!

Man.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Enter Artaban behind, with his sword drawn and bloody.
Arb.
[to himself.]
O hard command! O fatal separation!
O cruel moment that must thus divide me
From her for whom I breathe, while still I am left
To drag this wretched life.

Artab.
[coming forward.]
My son—Arbaces.

Arb.
My lord!

Artab.
Give me thy sword.

Arb.
'Tis here, my lord.

Artab.
There—take thou mine: fly; hide from every eye
That crimson steel.

Arb.
O Gods! what hapless breast
Pour'd forth this blood?

Artab.
Enquire not now, be gone;
All shall be soon reveal'd.

Arb.
O sir! your looks,
All pale and wild, have fill'd me with affright:
I freeze with horror whilst I hear your lips
Give painful utterance to your words—O speak!
Tell me, what can this mean?

Artab.
Thou art reveng'd;
Xerxes is dead, and by this hand.

Arb.
What say'st thou!—
What do I hear?—What is it thou hast done?

Artab.
My dearest son, thy injuries were mine—
For thee I am guilty.

Arb.
Ha! for me you are guilty!
There wanted only this to increase my woes.
And what are now your hopes?

Artab.
My mind revolves
A great design; thou may'st perhaps assume
The reins of sovereignty—depart—my purpose
Demands that I remain.

Arb.
My soul's distracted
In this dread interval!

Artab.
Still dost thou linger?

Arb.
O Heaven!

Artab.
Depart—no more—leave me in peace.

Arb.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Artaban
alone.
Be resolute, my thoughts! the first bold step
Demands a second: to withdraw the hand
When enter'd upon crimes, were to be guilty
Without the hopes to enjoy the fruits of treason.
Drain then the royal blood its utmost drop,
Nor let the empty name of virtue shake me.
Whate'er we judge, even daring guilt sometimes
May claim applause. To combat with ourselves;
To bear unmov'd the pangs of self-remorse;
Amidst surrounding objects of affright
To keep the courage fix'd: these, these are virtues
A glorious crime requires—but see, the prince:
Now to my wiles—What mean these sudden cries!
What tumult's this!

SCENE IV.

Enter Artaxerxes, Megabyzus and Guards.
Artab.
Already risen, sir!
When scarce the day has dawn'd? What means this anger
Which mingles with the grief, that clouds your brow?

Artax.
O dearest Artaban! most welcome to me:
Give me thy counsel, give me aid, revenge;
All, all I ask from thy fidelity.

Artab.
I tremble, Prince, at this confus'd command:
Declare yourself more fully.

Artax.
O ye powers!
My father on his bed there murder'd lies!

Artab.
Say, how!

Artax.
I know not—'midst the shade and silence
Of this unhappy night, some villain wrought
The horrid deed.

Artab.
Insatiate lust of empire!
What piety, what holy bond of nature
Can curb thy impious, thy ungovern'd rage!

Artax.
I understand thee, friend; my faithless brother,
Darius is the guilty.

Artab.
Who but he
By night could penetrate the royal palace?
Who else could find access to Xerxes' bed?
His discontent, his turbulence of temper,
His eagerness to grasp his father's sceptre—
Alas! my lord! I tremble for your life:
For pity's sake take heed—for oft one crime
Is as a step that to another leads:
Revenge your father, and preserve yourself.

Artax.
O! if there's one amongst you present here,
Who feels compassion for a murder'd king;
Who feels abhorrence of the crime, who calls
Himself my friend—now let him fly, to punish
The parricide, the traitor.

Artab.
Guards, to you,
In Artaxerxes speaks a prince, a son;
Or rather say in him your sovereign speaks:
Obey his mandate, punish this offender,
I'll lead you forth and teach you where to strike.
Now Fortune favour my designs.

[aside.
Artax.
Yet stay:
Hear me; revenge like this may more offend
My father than the crime: Is not Darius
The son of Xerxes?

Artab.

[Exit with guards.

SCENE V.

Artaxerxes, Megabyzus.
Artax.
What victim must I slay! O Megabyzus!

Mega.
Remove your doubts: one stroke alone will punish
An impious murderer and secure your reign.

Artax.
But to the world my justice may appear
A thirst of empire—O this thought alone
Will blot the peace of all my future days!
No—no—it must not be: let me be gone
And call the sentence back.

[going.
Mega.
My lord! what would you?
Now is the time to avenge your private wrongs.
Learn to be cruel from your cruel brother,
He oft has taught it you.

Artax.
Yet ought not I
To imitate his crimes: his frequent guilt
Acquits not mine. Is there a fault on earth
But what may plead example? None are guilty,
If to produce example may suffice
To wipe away the stain.

Mega.
But self-defence
Is nature's law: unless you take his life
By him you must be slain.

Artax.
O no—my danger
Shall find the favour of protecting Jove
To save me from a brother's impious rage.

[going.

SCENE VI.

Enter Semira.
Sem.
Prince, whither would you go?

Artax.
Farewell, Semira.

Sem.
You fly me, Artaxerxes; stay and hear me.

Artax.
Permit me to depart; detain me not.

Sem.
Is this the welcome that thou giv'st to her,
Who sighs but for thy love?

Artax.
If I hear more,
Too much, Semira, I offend my duty.

Sem.
Go then, ingrate! I plainly read thy scorn.

Artax.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Semira, Megabyzus.
Sem.
My fears are great: ere break of day my brother
Departed hence: I met my father arm'd,
Who spoke not to me: Artaxerxes troubled,
Accuses Heaven and leaves me. Megabyzus,
What means all this? Thou know'st—relieve my doubts,
And teach me what to fear.

Mega.
And know'st thou not,
That now fraternal strife divides the court?
Art thou to learn that Xerxes, in his sleep,
Is murder'd by Darius?

Sem.
Heavenly powers!
What do I hear! most wretched Persia!

Mega.
Cease,
Cease vainly to afflict thyself, Semira:
What part hast thou in quarrels of ambition,
In these dissensions of the royal house?
Perhaps you fear that Persia's realms may want
A king to rule—O we shall find too many
To exact our servitude! Then let the brothers
Rage on, and drench with rival blood the throne;
Whoever conquers is to me the same.

Sem.
But in the general troubles of a state,
Each bears a part; and in a faithful subject,
Indifference is a crime. I know a son
Has drench'd his weapon in a father's blood:
I know that Artaxerxes is in danger;
And would'st thou have me yet, a tame spectatress,
Behold the fatal spectacle unmov'd,
As on the tragic scene the mimic sufferings
Of mad Orestes?

Mega.
I perceive the love
Of Artaxerxes, in Semira speaks.
But know that, either victor o'er his brother,
The throne ascending, he'll forget Semira;
Or, if subdued, his rival's policy
Will hunt his life: thus, either way you lose him,
A conqueror or vanquish'd. Would you deign
To hear the dictates of a faithful breast,
Select a lover like yourself in rank.
Reflect that Love delights in equal state:
And should you e'er vouchsafe to attend my counsel,
Remember, fair one, then, who most adores you.

Sem.
Thy counsel, sure, is worthy of thyself;
And to reward it, I'll return this other,
Which better suits than thine—forbear to love me.

Mega.
Impossible to see and not to love thee!

Sem.
And who compels thee then to gaze upon me?
Fly from my presence, and some other seek
More grateful for thy love.

Mega.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Semira
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

The palace.
Mandane
alone.
Where shall I fly, or whither shall I turn!
For pity's sake, who from this fatal palace
Will lead my steps, or give me needful counsel?
Unhappy names of sister, lover, daughter!
In one distressful moment must I lose
My brothers, father, lover—

SCENE X.

Enter Artaxerxes.
Artax.
Ah! Mandane.

Man.
Say, Artaxerxes, does Darius live?
Or hast thou yet begun to incur the guilt
Of thy poor brother's death?

Artax.
Princess, I seek
To save me from the crime: My zeal, O Heaven!
Drew from my hasty lips the cruel order;
Which scarcely given, my soul was seiz'd with horror:
From place to place I run thro' all the palace,
To stop the dire effects, and ask, in vain,
Tidings of Artaban and of Darius.

Man.
See, Artaban is here.

SCENE XI.

Enter Artaban.
Artab.
My lord!

Artax.
My friend!

Artab.
I sought you, sir.

Artax.
And I've pursued thy steps.

Artab.
Perhaps you fear—

Artax.
I fear—

Artab.
Dismiss your fears:
'Tis finish'd—Artaxerxes is my king:
Darius is chastis'd.

Artax.
Immortal powers!

Man.
Unhappy fate!

Artab.
The unwary parricide
Himself expos'd his bosom to the stroke.

Artax.
O Gods!

Artab.
You sigh—we but obey'd the order
Yourself had given.

Artax.
Thou should'st have better read
My secret soul.

Man.
Thou might'st have well foreseen
His horror, his repentance.

Artax.
In a son
Who lost his father, O! thou should'st have pitied
The first emotions of ungovern'd passion.

Artab.
Such pity had been vain. To obey the mandate
So ready were thy guards, that ere I saw them
Attack Darius, I beheld him slain.

Artax.
O villains! never shall they drench unpunish'd
Their impious weapons in a prince's blood.

Artab.
But, sir! 'twas your command that made them bold,
The fatal stroke was yours, and yours alone.

Artax.
'Tis all too true!—I know and own my crime:
Yes, Artaban, 'tis I indeed am guilty.

Artab.
Guilty! of what? Of acting noble justice,
Of vengeance due to Xerxes? Be compos'd,
And think that by an impious brother's death,
A parricide is punish'd.

SCENE XII.

Enter Semira.
Sem.
Artaxerxes,
Appease thy troubled thoughts.

Artax.
What means Semira,
That thus she greets us with the looks of joy?

Sem.
Darius is not guilty of the crime
Of Xerxes' death.

Man.
Ye powers! What do I hear!

Artax.
How know'st thou this?

Sem.
'Tis certain that the assassin
Even now was seiz'd; for lurking near the walls
That compass round the gardens of the palace,
Thy soldiers made him prisoner: every token
Declar'd his guilt; the place, his flight, his looks
Of terror, speech confus'd, his sword unsheath'd,
Still reeking with the blood.

Artax.
But say—his name?

Sem.
Each one conceals it; when I ask'd, they hung
Their heads in silence.

Man.
Should it prove Arbaces.
[aside.

Artab.
My son is taken.
[aside.

Artax.
What a wretch am I!
Must Artaxerxes then ascend the throne,
Stain'd with a murder'd brother's guiltless blood,
Abhorr'd by Persia, hated by the world!

Sem.
Is then Darius dead?

Artax.
He's dead, Semira;
The barbarous sentence issued from these lips;
O! while I live I shall no more have peace:
The cries of my remorse will sound for ever
Within my tortur'd bosom: I shall view
A father's and a brother's angry shade
Distract my days, and terrify my dreams!
In every place will vengeful furies rise,
In dread remembrance of a brother's murder,
And shake before my eyes the sable torch
Kindled in Phlegethon's infernal stream.

Man.
Too mighty are thy sorrows, Artaxerxes;
Since all must here acquit thee of a crime,
In which thy heart, unconscious, ne'er concurr'd.

Sem.
Let your resentment find a nobler object,
And with the assassin's death, before the world,
Assert your justice.

Artax.
Where's the impious wretch?
Conduct him to me.

Artab.
I myself will go
To hasten his arrival hither.

[going.
Artax.
Stay:
O Artaban, Semira and Mandane!
Let none in pity leave me; help me now:
Yes,I would now have near me all my friends.
Where, Artaban, where is my dear Arbaces?
Is this the friendship that from early years
To me he vow'd? Does he alone forsake me?

Man.
And know'st thou not he was forbid the palace,
To punish him for too presumptuous love?

Artax.
Let him return; I here revoke the sentence.

SCENE XIII.

Enter Megabyzus, with Arbaces disarmed and guarded.
Mega.
Arbaces is the criminal.

Artax.
Ye powers!

Mega.
See in those looks the marks of conscious guilt.

[pointing to Arb.
Artax.
My friend!

Artab.
My son!

Sem.
My brother!

Man.
My Arbaces!

Artax.
And does Arbaces thus return before me?
And could thy soul conceive so black a crime?

Arb.
I am innocent.

Man.
O grant it, gracious Heaven!

Artax.
If thou art innocent, defend thyself;
Remove our doubts, clear up each mark of guilt,
And let thy innocence to all appear.

Arb.
I am not guilty—this is my defence.

Artab.
Grant he may still be silent!

[aside.
Man.
Yet thy anger
Against my father—

Arb.
O! 'twas just.

Artax.
Thy flight—

Arb.
'Tis true, I fled.

Man.
Thy silence—

Arb.
Fate demands it.

Artax.
Thy looks confus'd—

Arb.
They suit my present state.

Man.
Thy sword besmear'd with blood—

Arb.
'Tis true; my hand
That weapon bore.

Artax.
And yet thou art not guilty?

Man.
Thou didst not kill him?

Arb.
I am innocent.

Artax.
Arbaces, still appearances condemn thee.

Arb.
I own it—yet appearance is fallacious.

Artax.
Speaks not Semira?

Sem.
O! I am all confusion!

Artax.
Why speaks not Artaban?

Artab.
O Gods! I am lost
In vainly seeking some pretence to save him.

Artax.
Relentless powers! what now remains for me!
And must I punish in my dearest friend
My most inveterate foe? Cruel Arbaces!
Say, wherefore didst thou give me once such proofs
Of faith and truth? Were then thy gentle manners,
That outward semblance of a steady virtue,
The specious covering of a guilty soul?
Could I but blot that hour from my remembrance,
What time you rais'd me, where oppress'd I fell
Encompass'd round with foes, and bravely shed
With generous zeal your blood to ransom mine;
That while I now revenge a parent's death,
I might not seem ungrateful to a friend.

Arb.
Let not the guiltless lose your former love,
If ever I deserv'd, I still deserve it.

Artab.
Presumptuous! canst thou claim without a blush
The affections of thy prince? Perfidious son!
Thy father's shame, thy father's punishment.

Arb.
Art thou, my father, too conspir'd against me?

Artab.
What wouldst thou have from me? Shall I partake
Thy guilt by parlying with thee? No, my lord,
[to Artaxerxes.
Prove, prove thy justice; I myself solicit
His speedy sentence; plead not in his favour
That Artaban's his father—O forget
My loyal truth, forget the blood which oft
In danger's field I lavish'd for my country,
And mingle his with what I've shed before.

Artax.
O wondrous faith!

Artab.
Resolve—and if you still
Retain some kindness for him, now forget it.

Artax.
I will resolve—but hard must prove the trial!
Ah! cease awhile, your counsel cease;
One moment let me breathe in peace:
In vain my reason would resolve;
In vain, alas! I now revolve
The thoughts that in my bosom spring:
This way and that my heart they rend;
At once I'm lover, judge, and friend,
And criminal, and king!

[Exit.

SCENE XIV.

Mandane, Semira, Artaban, Arbaces, Megabyzus, Guards.
Arb.
Wretched Arbaces! must thou then endure,
Though innocent, the bitter sting of insult?

Mega.
What strange event is this?

Sem.
Alas! I fear
More evils yet.

[aside.
Man.
My peace is lost for ever!

[aside.
Artab.
I tremble while I feign.

[aside.
Arb.
Alas! my father,
Thou dost not look upon me—I could bear,
Without repining, all accusers else;
But O! that thou should'st rise against Arbaces,
That he, who gave me life, should seek my death,
The thought, with horror, chills me: sure a father
May feel some pity for his suffering son.

Artab.
Thou art no more my son, no more
This heart a kindred feeling knows;
The heart thou vainly dost implore,
No pity to a traitor owes.
'Tis guilt that makes thee thus distrest,
And fills with woe thy parent's breast.

[Exit.

SCENE XV.

Mandane, Semira, Arbaces, Megabyzus, Guards.
Arb.
By what offence of mine, too cruel powers!
Have I incurr'd your wrath? Yet let Semira
At least vouchsafe to hear and pity me.

Sem.
Let but thy innocence appear,
Thy words with transport shall I hear,
And all Semira's soul is thine:
But while thou bear'st a traitor's name,
Thou must not even my pity claim;
In thy defence I dare not join.

[Exit.

SCENE XVI.

Mandane, Arbaces, Megabyzus, Guards.
Arb.
And is there none will take this wretched life?
Ah! Megabyzus, if thy pity ever—

Mega.
Speak not to me.

Arb.
Ah! Princess!

Man.
Hence, and leave me.

Arb.
Hear me, my friend.

Mega.
I shall not hear a traitor.

[Exit.

SCENE XVII.

Mandane, Arbaces, Guards.
Arb.
At least, Mandane, listen for a moment.

Man.
Think not I'll listen to a traitor's voice.

Arb.
My life, my soul!

Man.
And dar'st thou, wretch, presume
To call me thus? To offer me that hand
Which slew my father!

Arb.
O! I slew him not.

Man.
Who was the assassin? Speak.

Arb.
Alas! I cannot:
My lips—

Man.
Thy lips are false.

Arb.
My heart—

Man.
Thy heart
Is true to vice, because it feels not horror
For such a crime committed.

Arb.
I am still—

Man.
Thou art a traitor.

Arb.
I am innocent.

Man.
Ha! innocent!

Arb.
I swear it.

Man.
Faithless wretch!

Arb.
What pangs I suffer for a cruel father!
[aside.
Didst thou but know, my life!—

Man.
Too well I know
Thy hate of Xerxes.

Arb.
Still thou canst not tell—

Man.
I heard thy threats.

Arb.
And yet thou art deceiv'd.

Man.
O yes, perfidious! I was then deceiv'd,
And then alone, when I believ'd and lov'd thee.

Arb.
Then now—

Man.
I hate thee—

Arb.
And thou art—

Man.
Thy foe.

Arb.
Thou seek'st—

Man.
I seek thy death.

Arb.
Thy first affection—

Man.
'Tis all to hatred chang'd.

Arb.
And wilt thou not
Believe Arbaces?

Man.

[Exit.

SCENE XVIII.

Arbaces, Guards.
Arb.

[Exit guarded.