University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A gate of the palace facing the sea shore: a vessel with sailors ready for the departure of Alcestes.
Olinthus
alone.
'Tis so—I shall be soon without a rival:
At length Alcestes must forsake these shores:
But yet I tremble at his long delay;
And what if Cleonice should repent!
O! I would never—no—it cannot be:
'Tis but his friends, perhaps, who loth to part,
With many a fond embrace protract his stay.

SCENE II.

Enter Alcestes and Phenicius conversing.
Alc.
My lord, forbear; since 'tis in vain you hope
To keep me longer here.

Olin.
Behold, Alcestes,
The vessel is prepar'd, the sailors wait,
The wind is friendly, and serene the sea.

Phen.
Olinthus, peace— [to Olinthus.]
At least but for awhile
Defer thy parting hence; 'tis not for nought
I ask it—stay—thou never shalt have cause
To wish thou hadst not heard me—till this hour
Thou know'st I've been a friend, a parent to thee.

Olin.
Was then my father wanting to detain him?

[aside.
Alc.
What can I say? The queen's command forbids me
To hearken to thy counsel.

Olin.
'Tis most true;
Alcestes speaks with reason.

Phen.
Canst thou leave me?
Wilt thou depart, and shall Phenicius stay?
I hop'd thou better would'st return my love.

Alc.
My dearest father: such I sure may call thee:
Such hast thou been—O say not I'm ungrateful:
Thou stabb'st me to the heart: I little thought
To see these hapless fruits of all thy cares.
Alas! I hop'd that, bred beneath thy sight,
And treading in thy steps the paths of honour,
I might some day have call'd into thine eyes
The tender tears of pleasure not of grief.
But who can change the purpose of the stars?
Permit me to be gone; departing thus,
I may be less ungrateful to thy love.
Perchance the fellowship of the unhappy
Communicates misfortune. Yet at least,
Since I'm become so hateful to the Gods,
Let them disturb no other days than mine;
Let fortune's angry darts on me be spent,
Nor one be left to pierce thy reverend age.

Phen.
O speak not thus, my son: thou dost not know
The vast importance of a life like thine:
Mine is a burden useless to myself,
Unless it can avail to serve Alcestes.

Alc.
You weep, my lord: I merit not these tears.
Alas! I should not thus prolong your sorrows—
Farewell!—farewell, to both!

[going.
Olin.
Thanks to the Gods!

[aside.
Alc.
[returning.]
To you, my friends, I recommend the care
Of my afflicted queen—O she will need
Your kind support in her distressful state.
Who knows how dear her virtue may have cost!
What anguish may have rent her tender heart,
To find herself forsaken; to despair
Of ever seeing her Alcestes more!
To bear still present in her memory
The happy moments past, each place—O Heaven!
Speak comfort to her grief—my friends, farewell!

[as he is going out, he meets Cleonice.

SCENE III.

Enter Cleonice.
Cleo.
Alcestes, stay.

Alc.
Ye powers!

Olin.
Another bar
To his departure!

[aside.
Alc.
Wherefore, O! my queen,
Come you again to make my pains revive?

Cleo.
Phenicius and Olinthus, for awhile
Retire apart, and leave me with Alcestes.

Olin.
My duty bids me with my friend remain.

Cleo.
Thou may'st return to take thy last farewell.

Olin.
I will obey—but cannot now believe
Alcestes ever will depart.

[aside.]
[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Cleonice, Alcestes, Phenicius.
Phen.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Cleonice, Alcestes.
Cleo.
Alcestes, O! how different is the task
To form resolves and to complete our purpose!
Remote from thee, I deem'd the conquest easy,
And love to glory seem'd to yield the prize:
Yet when I find myself of thee depriv'd,
My heart enfeebled loses all its firmness;
And glory, O ye powers! submits to love.

Alc.
What would'st thou therefore tell me?

Cleo.
That without thee
I cannot live; that since my stars forbid me,
To enjoy at once Alcestes and the crown,
The crown be left, and not Alcestes lost.

Alc.
What dost thou mean?

Cleo.
No longer on these shores
fits us to remain: with thee I'll fly
To breathe in other climes a happier air.

Alc.
Ha! fly with me! but where?—No, Cleonice;
Had I the deeds of ancestors to trace;
O! could I boast of subjects and a throne,
I might perhaps be led to accept the proofs
Thy generous love would give: but all the kingdom
And subjects niggard fate to me affords,
Are some few flocks, and a poor simple cottage.

Cleo.
Yet in that cottage shall I feel the peace
Which in a stately palace, far from thee,
My breast must never find. No guards indeed
Will watch me whilst I sleep; but in return
Jealous suspicions never will disturb
My calm unbroken rest: though precious viands,
In costly gold, deck not our homely board,
Yet from the bending boughs my hand shall pluck
The ripen'd fruit, where lurks no deadly juice
To chill my veins with unexpected death.
I'll wander o'er the hills and meads, but still
Alcestes at my side: my feet shall trace
The forest gloom, but still Alcestes with me:
Each sun that sets shall leave me with Alcestes;
And when again he rises in the east
To gild the morn, shall find me still with thee.

Alc.
O! Cleonice most ador'd! amidst
These scenes of happiness, the pleasing dreams
Of one whose soul o'erflows with love's excess,
I read the goodness of thy generous heart:
Yet these, alas! are only vain illusions
Sprung from the warmth of passion—

Cleo.
Vain illusions!
Dost thou believe me then incapable
To quit the throne?

Alc.
And can you think that ever
Alcestes will permit it?—No, my queen,
You should have then conceal'd your virtues more,
And made me less enamour'd of your glory.
Great souls were never form'd to live retir'd
In calm inactive rest. Shall I defraud
All Asia of the long-expected peace,
Which, in the tumults of our troubled state,
Your constancy and wisdom must bestow?
Let us not, Cleonice, lose the fruit
Of all our tears and anguish: thy example
Taught me this pure affection—Yes, my life,
Who would not suffer in so bright a cause?
The story of our loves remotest times
Shall learn, and with our loves our fortitude.
If we're deny'd to lead our days together
In mutual happiness, at least our names
Shall live conjoin'd, and share one common glory.

Cleo.
And wherefore is not here all Asia met,
That, hearing thee, they might excuse the passion
Which once in Cleonice they condemn'd?
But now I falter'd; thou, my dear Alcestes,
Hast strengthen'd my resolves, and from thy words
The virtue they excite receives more charms.
Go then—but first in me behold th' effects
Of fortitude like thine: yes, thou shalt see
How I can imitate thy great example.
Come, let us to the palace; there, Alcestes,
Shalt thou be told the consort I will choose:
Thou shalt be present at the royal nuptials.

Alc.
It must not be—you put my constancy
To too severe a proof.

Cleo.
No—let us try
To emulate each other in our sufferings.

Alc.
O Heaven! thou little know'st what cruel anguish
The constant lover feels, who pines with envy
To see another blest in the possession
Of what himself must never hope to enjoy.

Cleo.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

Alcestes
alone.
What mean these mystic words of Cleonice?
She bids me yield her to another's arms,
Yet tells me that she still consults my peace.
This is to bid me die ere I depart:
But let her be obey'd; for her I'm ready
To suffer every pang the mind can feel;
Nor will I question aught that she commands.

SCENE VII.

Enter Olinthus.
Olin.
Once more thou art alone, and nothing now
Remains that can oppose thy going hence;
Permit Olinthus thus, in pledge of friendship,
To take this last embrace.

Alc.
Thy noble nature
With generous goodness honours my departure,
But know I shall not leave thee yet.

Olin.
What say'st thou?
Speak—wherefore?

Alc.
'Tis the queen's command.

Olin.
Each moment
Thy purpose changes.

Alc.
'Tis my sovereign's will,
And what she wills Alcestes must obey.

Olin.
What next would Cleonice? Does she purpose
To elect thee for our king?

Alc.
To such a height
My hopes aspire not.

Olin.
Would she have thee present
At these new nuptials? O! 'twere most inhuman,
Nor ought you to consent.

Alc.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Olinthus
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

The apartments of Phenicius in the palace.
Phenicius
alone.
How are my thoughts confounded! Cleonice
Enjoins me to return to my apartment,
And bids me here await her high command,
When I, impatient, ask'd her of Alcestes,
Her answer was, “Alcestes yet departs not.”
What can this secret be, which thus the queen
Against her custom has from me conceal'd?
Alas! I fear that all my former cares
Were spent in vain.

SCENE X.

Enter Mithranes.
Mith.
Be comforted, my lord,
The Cretan forces now are near the port;
I from the summit of the palace, view'd
The billows whitening with a thousand prows.

Phen.
Behold, my friend, the aid we long desir'd:
At last to Syria's sons we may reveal
The lawful successor. Find out Alcestes;
Conduct him to me. Of thy trusty friends
Select whate'er thou canst—Yes, dear Mithranes,
I now require the last, the greatest proof
Of thy fidelity.

Mith.
I fly this instant
To execute your will.

Phen.
But hear, Mithranes,
Proceed with caution, and conceal the cause
For which the numerous force—

SCENE XI.

Enter Olinthus.
Olin.
Great news, my father,
I bring.

Phen.
What tidings bring'st thou?

Olin.
Cleonice
At length has fix'd her choice.

Phen.
And nam'd Alcestes?

Olin.
If thus Alcestes hop'd, he hop'd in vain.

Phen.
What strange, what unexpected stroke is this?

SCENE XII.

Enter Alcestes with two attendants bearing the crown and royal mantle.
Alc.
Low at your feet, permit me—

[kneels.
Phen.
Heavens!—Alcestes,
What can this mean?

Alc.
Thou art our king, Phenicius.

Phen.
Your king!—O rise!

Alc.
The virtuous Cleonice
By me has sent these ensigns of dominion:
She waits till you, my lord, adorn'd with these,
Shall meet her in the temple, there to join
Your hand with hers: you cannot sure reject
The glorious present which Alcestes brings:
I know alike are by Phenicius priz'd
The ambassador, the giver, and the gift.

Phen.
Does not the queen reflect how far unequal
Phenicius' age to hers?

Alc.
The queen reflects
That in another never can she find
More loyal faith, and more consummate wisdom.
Th' exalted fair, by choosing thus, avoids
A thousand evils: she rewards your worth,
Prevents the tongue of calumny, provides
For Syria's welfare, and deludes in many
A fond ambitious hope.

Mith.
And calms in part
The jealous tempest which distress'd Alcestes
May feel within his breast.

Phen.
[aside.]
For this event,
And this alone my soul was unprepar'd.

Olin.
Each is impatient to behold his king:
My father, haste: content your longing friends,
The eager populace, and all Seleucia
Enraptur'd with the choice.

Phen.
Proceed, Olinthus,
Before me to the temple; say that soon
They shall behold their king—with me behind
Remain awhile Mithranes and Alcestes.

Olin.
[aside.]
Let not Alcestes gain the queen or throne,
And I am satisfied.

[Exit.

SCENE XIII.

Phenicius, Mithranes, Alcestes.
Phen.
Propitious powers!
I never hop'd so much from your indulgence;
Most blest event of all my cares and toils!
Alcestes, thou no more must call me father;
No longer by th' endearing name of son,
Must thou be press'd within these aged arms:
These are the last embraces I must give thee.

[embraces him.
Alc.
What crime of mine can forfeit such a blessing?

Phen.
I am your subject—you are Syria's king.

[kneels.
Alc.
O rise!—what hast thou said?

Mith.
Transcendent faith!

Phen.
At length know who you are; in you still breathes
The offspring of Demetrius; you in Alcestes
Survives the undoubted heir of Syria's throne.
I have preserv'd you for this happy day:
If you distrust my truth, believe yourself,
Your princely genius, your exalted soul;
Believe Phenicius who rejects for you
A profferr'd crown: believe these tears of joy
That trickle down my cheek.

Alc.
But wherefore, sir,
Have you so long conceal'd my fortune from me?

Phen.

[Exit with attendants.

SCENE XIV.

Alcestes, Mithranes.
Alc.
Do I then dream or wake?

Mith.
Permit Mithranes,
As the first homage of a faithful subject—

[kneels.
Alc.
My best Mithranes, yet awhile forbear;
Leave me in peace, for still my soul's in doubt.

Mith.
Hence be every thought distrest;
Fairer prospects fill your breast:
Fortune brings a happier hour,
Seize the occasion in your power:
'Tis time at length to breathe from pain.
Through life accustom'd still to bear
The sting of grief, and pining care,
Though lodg'd in port, you yet despair,
And dread the perils of the main.

[Exit.

SCENE XV.

Alcestes
alone.
Can it be possible? Am I Demetrius,
Heir to Seleucia's crown? And have I been
Even to myself till now so little known?
What changes have I seen? In one short day
Behold me here a monarch and a shepherd,
An exile and a husband. Who, Alcestes,
Can yet ensure thee that malicious fortune
May not once more transform thee to a shepherd?

SCENE XVI.

Enter Barsene.
Bar.
Phenicius is our sovereign?

Alc.
Cleonice
Has fix'd on him to fill Seleucia's throne.

Bar.
Alcestes, I compassionate your loss;
But since your hopes to espouse the queen are vain,
No longer I despair to find your heart
Admit Barsene's love.

Alc.
Barsene's love!

Bar.
'Till now respectful I conceal'd my flame:
A throne and queen were rivals far too mighty
For poor Barsene; but at length I see
Phenicius king, and Cleonice wedded;
Your hopes extinct: a more propitious hour
I ne'er could choose to tell you that I love.

Alc.

[Exit.

SCENE XVII.

Barsene
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE XVIII.

A stately temple dedicated to the Sun: an altar, an image of the Sun in the middle, and a throne on one side.
Cleonice attended, Phenicius accompanied by two nobles, bearing the royal mantle, crown and sceptre.
Phen.
Believe me, I deceive you not, Alcestes
Is rightful heir of Syria; and to him
Belong these royal ensigns.

Cleo.
In his looks
Methought I trac'd a soul above the vulgar,
That spoke a kingly race.

Phen.
I know my care
To cherish thus a foe was criminal:
But yet the merits of so dear a foe,
And my refusal to accept a crown,
At once must plead excuse, and seal my pardon.

Cleo.
What strange events has fate this day produc'd!
When I believ'd myself of peace depriv'd—

Phen.
Demetrius comes.

[They advance to meet Alcestes.

SCENE XIX.

Enter Alcestes, Mithranes and Guards.
Alc.
And have I found at length
This first, this happy time when I may see thee,
Nor fear that thou wilt blush to own our passion.
Of all the blessings royalty may yield,
This is the greatest that Alcestes ever
Can find upon the throne.

Cleo.
Let us, my lord,
Exchange our fortune: you are now the king,
And I the subject; every doubt that late
Your breast divided, passes now to mine.
Demetrius, go—behold the regal seat
Your ancestors have press'd—even with that pleasure
I once would have bestow'd it on Alcestes,
I now restore it to him. May you long
Possess it happier far than I have done.
E'er since I knew it, barren has it prov'd
Of all content to me, and only now
I lose it, do I find it gives me joy.

Mith.
Exalted virtue!

Alc.
I will mount the throne,
But 'tis your hand shall guide me; and this hand
Reward my truth.

Cleo.
So grateful a command
Takes from my heart the merit of obedience.

[they approach the altar, and join hands.
Phen.
O! how excess of transport fills my soul!

Alc., Cleo.
Hail! powerful God! indulgent prove,
And shine propitious on our love!

Alc.
Like me a lover have you been,
And on the turfy shore,
Where fam'd Thessalia's stream is seen,
A shepherd's likeness wore.

Cleo.
My constant faith was taught by you;
Whose breast unchang'd remains;
And to your laurel ever true,
Its ancient flame retains.

Alc., Cleo.
Hail! powerful God! indulgent prove,
And shine propitious on our love!

Phen.
Heaven thunders to the left.

SCENE XX.

Enter Barsene.
Bar.
O queen! Seleucia
Is all in tumult.

Cleo.
Wherefore?

Bar.
Know the envoy
Is now arriv'd from Crete, and with him brings
A hundred ships.

Cleo.
'Tis well, he shall be heard.

Bar.
But rash Olinthus, whose impatient pride
Can never brook Alcestes on the throne,
Has join'd the ambassador, and 'midst the people
Proclaims aloud Phenicius has deceiv'd them,
Declares that he can prove his saying just,
And that to him is known the true Demetrius.

Cleo.
Alas! Phenicius.

Phen.
Banish every fear,
And with security ascend the throne:
It shall be seen on which side falsehood lies.

SCENE LAST.

Enter Olinthus with a paper sealed in his hand, and the Cretan Ambassador, with a train of Greeks.
Olin.
Stay your rash steps, forbear.
[to Cleonice and Alcestes, as they advance towards the throne.
No longer Heaven
Permits deceit to flourish. In this paper
Will be reveal'd the heir of dead Demetrius:
This paper written by our king Demetrius
Before his death, while in the land of Crete
He liv'd an exile: with the royal signet
Behold it seal'd: this Cretan saw him sign it;
[points to the ambassador.
He brings it hither by the state's decree,
And with him brings the united force of Crete,
To assert the honours of the royal blood.

Cleo.
O heavenly powers!

Phen.
Olinthus, read the secret.

Olin.
Alcestes now must end his towering pride.
[opens the paper and reads.
“People of Syria, learn that 'midst you lives
“My son conceal'd; a future day will come
“To make him known: if by no other token
“He stand discover'd, know in feign'd Alcestes
“Phenicius educates his youth.
Demetrius.”

Cleo.
My life returns.

Phen.
Olinthus, thy confusion
Phenicius well foresaw.

Olin.
I am all amazement!

Mith.
How is his rashness damp'd!

[aside.
Olin.
My lord, in you
I own my sovereign, and repent my folly.

[to Alcestes.
Alc.
Olinthus, I remember nothing now
But that thou art the son of my Phenicius.

Phen.
Permit me once to view you on the throne;
My vows are then complete.

Alc.
Whate'er I have
Is but the gift of your fidelity;
This from Alcestes' lips the world shall learn.

Phen.
And from your virtues shall the world be taught,
That in one heart may love and glory reign.

[Alcestes and Cleonice ascend the throne.
Chorus.