University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Tamerlane, Despina, Ragalzan following.
Rag.
So, so, the works is doing, and my Pupil
Is strong in Argument against himself.
What neither Hate nor Reason could suggest,
Nor Malice hope for, Beauty has supply'd;
What all the Universe could ne'r have shaken,
One Female has subverted: That great Mind,
That thought the World too little, creeps and fawns
Like a well-beaten Spaniel. Now's the time,
Now he lies open, bare from the protection
Of his own Virtues, by the Gods forsaken,
Bound hand and foot by Woman, and deliver'd
To my Correction: But I'le use him gently,
Gently as Bears the Robbers of their Whelps, as Lions
The Men that stick their Javelins in their sides,
As Clowns their Plunderers, Thieves broke loose their Judges,
As Lawyers Clyents, or Electors Ale,
As Brokers Bankrupts, Senates needy Princes,
Trustees a Minor, Priests a sinful Purse,
Mad Dogs their Mates, and Wives their Husbands Whores.

Tam.
Dreams are but Vapors of some Thoughts mislay'd,
Still'd and retorted without Reasons Aid,
Poysons of Quiet by ill mixtures made.

Desp.
Awake I saw and heard his bleeding Ghost,
And of this Barbarous Fact thy Tartars boast:
And didst not thou strive to conceal it most?

Tam.
aside.
Too strong Presumptions make Denyals vain;
Truth is not seen by Judgements prepossest,
No more than Light by Eyes with Rheume opprest:
I'll try what use of Fiction may be made.
Then tell me, Madam, how has Fame traduced me?

Desp.
Fierce Hypocrite, when thou hadst him deny'd
The sight of me, whom he lov'd more than Life,
Or Health, or Fame; tho at thy mercy Cag'd,
A Generous disdain fill'd his brave mind,
He call'd thee wandring Tartar, Conquering Begger,
That Want, not Honor, forc'd thy starveling Soul
To prey abroad, and urge thee to a Fortune
Thou ne'r desir'dst, nor dream'd of: strait his Keeper,
By thy fierce Frowns incourag'd, gave the Prince
A fatal blow.
Who falling down, Is this thy Zeal, he cry'd?
This thy Devotion, Tamerlane? and dy'd.

Tam.
It was my Zeal, and my Devotion too,
If not to Heav'n, or Nature, yet to You:
Fame, the forerunner of your Conquering Eyes,
That wand'ring Tell-tale, made my Heart your Prize.
What Interest or Safety ne'r cou'd woo,
The dawning of your Light forc'd me to do;
What may your Form, full Risen, tempt me to?
Rivals on Earthly Thrones may claim a Station,
But Violence for Heav'n is soft Persuasion:
Beauty belongs to him that Worships best,
Exalts her Deity above the rest,
Tramples on Law, Religion for her sake.

Desp.
Impious wretch! must I thy Crimes partake?
No, Tyrant, 'twas Ambition mov'd the Wheel,
And ground those Reasons, back'd and Edg'd with Steel.

Tam.
Accuse Tyrannic Heav'n, that made you bright,
Accuse those killing Eyes; not my weak Sight.
I did a Crime, without my own consent;
And Justice pardons, where there's no intent:
When Love commands, who dare's be Innocent?
Blame not the Ship that falls foul on another;
But blame the Winds that blow it: Neighborly Streams
Keep in their Destin'd bounds, till Showers from Heav'n
Constrain 'em to invade the Friendly Earth
With as unquestion'd Power
As that which gives it from the highest Cause;
Celestial Visions cancel written Laws.

Desp.
If Man may act what e'r he's mov'd to do,
The same Man is both Judge and Party too:
Bodies and Souls are so in Marriage ty'd,
Their distinct Issues hardly can be try'd;
But well known Body is the surer side.
Inspired thoughts may flow from Heav'n or Hell,
But Æthiop's Bastards will their Fathers tell:
Charge not the Gods with thy Infernal Sins;
Murder and Piety cannot pass for Twins.

Tam.
I urg'd their Power, but now defend their Justice.
Impartial Heav'n, not robbing all the rest,
Cou'd not permit by one to be possest
So great a Joy so long.
Too happy Bajazet's compendious youth,
Which bath'd in Blisses, envy'd by the Gods,
When for one hour of Heav'n in your fair Arms
I'de forfeit all my Right to endless Ages.
But, if you call a Crime what Heav'n commands,
Tho clear'd above, yet I have lost my Cause:
In vain that Prisoner pleads his Innocence,
Who'd rather dye, than anger his Accuser.
Then, if my death can expiate that Act,
That controverted Crime 'twixt Heav'n and you,
Here, take this Sword; Come, pierce this Amorous brest:
Th'Impression made by your fair hand, will be
Softer than down of Swans, than Showers of Roses,
Softer than Rain on Wool, whose patient Fleeces
Take without noise, or murmur, Heavenly Blows;
Softer than gentle Air, that breaths from any Lips, but yours,
Returns of Passion, Sighs and mutual Vows,
Joys and Confessions of Intranced Lovers.

Desp.
I'll keep thee for a greater punishment;
Nor the slow Tortures of just Heaven prevent.

Tam.
Assume Heav'ns power once more, and punish Laws,
Correct the Crime of which you was the Cause:
In you 'tis Justice, and I'll ne'r repine
To Love, to Sin, to Dye, by Power Divine.
Ah, sweet occasion of my Pains!
Cou'd all my Pleasures, all my Gains,
Empire surrendred, but contract
Pardon for one resistless Act:
Cou'd my afflicted Soul but have
One Tear, to sanctifie my Grave;
I'de leave the World, and dying boast
That drop in vain, not Asia lost.

Desp.
Who can believe so false, and fierce a Creature,
Blood-purpled Prince of Hypocrites?

Tam.
She's greater,
Who kills and tramples Mankind at her Feet,
And yet appears so harmless and so sweet.

Desp.
No, Tyrant, live; because I loath thy Offering;
Repent, and wash thy Venom out with Tears:
I wou'd not send the Gods a Present out of season,
An unclean Sacrifice, the worst of all the Herd.
Thy Sorrow seems the truer, 'cause 'tis just,
And Penitence prevails with Powers above:
I can afford my Pity, not my Love.

Tam.
That is to bid me Live, deny me Food,
To cure a bleeding Wound with Cordials, or
A Fainting Fit with Plaisters.
Then Life is given me, but Love deny'd!
A wondrous motive for that daring Deed!
Dy'd Bajazet for this? that I might Reign.
Then I am guilty: take o'r rated Life,
Since Villany is grown so poor and cheap
To take a Bribe for any thing but Love.
Clense not a House on purpose to pull down,
Wash not a Bloody Garment, but to wear it;
Nor let a Sully'd Coyn, that wears the th'Impression of
Your Heav'nly Face, be scour'd and brightned, only
To throw away.
By Mahomet, and by his Master too,
Give me thy Love, and the whole World is thine;
That great share I possess: that lesser, left unconquer'd
To exercise my Arms, inspir'd by thee;
My Fifty Realms, with all the Lives within 'em,
Men, Women, Children, Beasts, and every Inch
Of ground they feed on in that Spacious Pasture,
My Seas with all their Fish, my Air, my Birds, my Clouds;
And if the Sun, and Moon, and Stars receive
Their Aliment from my exhaled Empire,
Then they are mine, and them I'll give thee too:
And thou shall call me Niggard when I've done,
Unless I gain more Crowns to strow thy feet with.

Desp.
Well, I'll consider twice, 'fore I undo thee,
And All the World, by this large Donative:
If you are Real, you may hope for Love.

Tam.
Wy Word on Earth, my Oath's a Law Above.

[Ex. leading her.
The Scene the outside of the Fort. Alarms, and Fighting behind the Scenes.
Enter Zeylan.
Zey.

1. Sold.
Stand, Traytor; yield.

2. Sold.
Deliver.

Zey.
Lives are not sold so cheaply.

(Fights, and is disarm'd.)
Enter Philarmia, Amazon-like disguis'd.
Phil.

Zey.
Yes.

Phil.
Then, Sir, you own this Favor to a Lady,
Whose Interest prevail'd above the Orders of the Emperor
The fair Irene; who commanded me
To seek you out, and save you.

Zey.
That life so spar'd, shall be enjoy'd no longer
Than till she calls it back, and still employ'd
In the most rigorous of her Commands.

Phil.
But, Sir, such Favors come not, but on Terms:
The Princess loves you.

Zey.
It is her Mercy, sure, but not her Love.

Phil.
No, no; she Loves you: and with Justice asks
Your Love, without a Rival.

Zey.
Nor is it fit, that so Divine a Princess
Shou'd be the sharer only of a Heart,
But the intire Possessor.
Alass, my humble Thoughts durst never aim
At such high flights; but if I ever fix 'em,
My Faithful Heart is not to be divided
In worthlass Rags, and made a sport for Winds,
But Consecrated to one Diety:
Love and Religion both admit no more.

Phil.
So, so; he yields: Oh, the perfidious Wretch!
Then shall I bring her back the welcom message
Of your true Love?

Zey.
That's too presumptuous;
But of Gratitude,
Of unrestrain'd Devotion to her Service,
Which neither Death, nor Dangers, shall deter
From Desperate Obedience.

Phil.
Crafty Traytor!
He dares not say he loves her; but 'tis plain.
I'll probe him deeper:
She hears you have a Mistress, call'd Philarmia.

Zey.
I had; but Heav'n alone can tell, if now I have her.

Phil.
And did not she deserve your dearest Thoughts?

Zey.
She was, or is, what nothing can be more.

Phil.
And is this all? False man! Now to the quick.
You must renounce her, or your Life: Be brief.

Zey.
Renounce her! What, shall I renounce the Gods,
Forswear Eternal Joys, and blessed Mansions,
Cut off my hopes from Heav'ns Seraphick Pleasures?
Then, here, resume your mighty Gift again,
My Life has ever been a Slave to Honor;
Shall it not serve a Nobler Master, Love?
Not all the Tortures, Crosses, Scourges, Chains,
Those double Deaths, all the refin'd Inventions
That Witty Malice makes for Misery;
Not all the Thunders, Lightnings, Earthquakes, Floods,
Terrestrial Terrors, or Celestial Fits,
The frowns of angry Heav'n, or Smiles of Beauty,
Shall force me to abjure such glorious hopes,
Or turn Apostate to Divine Philarmia.

Phil.
Then take thy Life, and thy Philarmia too,
[Discovers her self.
Thou justest, dearest Soul.

Zey.
Blest Image! art thou here? Oh, may I trust
My Senses, or thy Word? My dear Deceiver!
Dear, desperate self-destroyer!

Phil.
But thy Preserver.
Why, did not I foresee that I shou'd save thee?
Which is the better Soldier now?

Rey.
Philarmia.
Oh thou art full of Fame; thou may'st retire,
Like a rich lazy General.

Phil.
I'll consider;
But here's no time to pour our Passions out,
The Army's coming this way: I'll go back,
And stop the Soldiers from pursuing thee.
Go seek thy safety in some lonesom Cave;
Then send me word, and I will find thee out:
I'll take my leave of the Victorious World,
To share in thy Distresses.

Zey.
Stay a little:
Oh, stay awhile. Who knows when we shall meet?
The envious World, with its ill-natur'd Tricks,
And Accidental Crosses, may divide us:
The Gods themselves desire not, men shou'd have
Such filling Joys, as thou and I possess;
Lest they should slight eternal Happiness.
Oh, let us part no more! how can I leave thee?

Phil.
Well, well, then I'm content; let me be caught
In conference with thee; let me be slaughter'd,
Let me be torn alive, since Zeylan wills it:
Come let's begin to talk.

[Trumpets sound.
Zey.
Oh, hark, the Trumpet! Hast thou hence like Lightning:
Why should I make thee loose thy precious Life,
For saving mine? Farewel, Farewel, my Dearest:
If I go with thee, we shall both be slain.

Phil.
Parting, or Death, which is the greater Pain.

[Ex. severally.
Tamerlane, and Despina, sitting upon Thrones.
An Antick Dance, and a SONG.
Greatness , I give thee my my excuse,
For thee I have no leisure;
Nor care what Bus'ness can produce,
For Life's too short for Pleasure:
Count Griefs, Diseases, Lov's disdains,
What need these Artificial Pains?
Nature invites us to a Treat,
And gives us but short time to stay;
While Coxcombs Carve, and Wise Men Eat,
Death, the close Waiter, takes away.
Count Griefs, &c.

Tam.
Now, Madam, I'm in Heav'n, my Soul rides high,
And treads th'unyielding Air: nothing can sink
What you have rais'd so vastly.
Where have I slept all those deluding years,
And dream'd of Joys, but never tasted any
Till this Transporting, Deifying minute?
How have I toil'd, turn'd upside down the World,
Begging Mens Voices to be counted happy,
And at this Fairy Feast have still rose hungry!
Drunk with Ambition, I saw all things double;
But, when I came to tast the Aery Joys,
They fled the feeling. now, my Soul runs over,
I am all Joy, all Plenty, all Abundance.

Desp.
But these imagin'd Joys may come far short
Of expectation, cloy you to repentance;
And then you'l curse th'Inchantress, and the Syren.

Tam.

Desp.
I have, Sir; but you'l think it is too much
To grant: Alass! my humble, worthless Person
Can never merit such a mighty Gift.
What is there in me, that could prompt you to
So kind, so rash a Vow? You only meant
To Conquer, and delude a credulous Woman.

Tam.
By all the Oaths that I have sworn before,
And, if thou urgest, by ten Thousand more,
There's nothing in my power that I'le refuse thee.

Desp.
Then, Sir, deliver up to me your Daughter
Bound in Chains; your dear, and fair Irene.

Tam.
My Daughter, bound in Chains! She is no Thief,
Nor Murderer: what Offence has she committed
Against your Self, or Me? Pray ask again:
Command th'Assyrian, Persian, Grecian Empires,
I have enough besides; I'll make thee Greater
Than Ninus, Cyrus, or than Alexander,
All three united, and yet less than me;
But, having me, thou'rt greater than us all:
The Emperors of the World are but thy Slaves,
When I am thine. But why this vain request?
Take the four Monarchs Lands;
They are Confiscated, and given to me,
For Treason 'gainst their Maker:
But why my Pious, dearest Child?
What is she guilty of, that can deserve
Such Ignominious, fatal reparation?

Desp.
I see, great Monarchs can dispence with Vows;
Such Fetters are not made for boundless Souls,
They struggle through 'em: Farewell, mighty Prince;
Live long, and fortunate, without Despina.

[Exit.
Tam.
Ha! what a change is this? How soon my Joy's
Unravel'd, and my Soul from topmost Stories
Sunk to the bottom of most damn'd Despair;
Wound up so high, to make her fall the greater!
Oh, Senceless, Barbarous, Blindfold, Bestial Wretch!
What have I done? deliver'd up my Daughter
To certain Death. Heav'n, what a Conflict's this!
Not all the Beauties of the Universe
shall make me yield to so abhorr'd an Act.
But I have Vow'd: But 'twas a Lover's Vow,
Whose Perjuries are laugh'd at. No; there is
No jesting with Divinity. But how
Comes Tamerlane reduced to this necessity?
Why, Tamerlane's in Love. A goodly Precedent
For envious Posterity to discant on!
A fine conclusion of a Glorious Life!
Oh Heav'n, the Guide and Prospect of my Actions,
Let thy kind Thunder end the shameful doubt:
Destroy me at this moment; let me tread
No longer these inglorious steps, nor dash
Thy unexampled Favors on the Ground
By such a childish Act. Love, keep thy distance.
But Love now fights under Religion's Banner,
And makes it's Folly Sacred. Death must prevent
This loathed Act, and expiate th'Intent.

[Exit.
An Astrologer, Axalla, Irene, a Captain. Thunder, Lightning, Rainbows inverted, a bloody Arm, Comet, &c.
Iren.
Oh Heav'ns, the dreadful sight! 'Tis Doomsday coming!

Ax.
Ha! Nocturnal Rainbows! Inverted too!
Reflexions answering not the form of Luminous Bodies,
And such a Comet as puts out the Stars!
Cease, you bold peepers into Nature's bowels,
To give the World glossie but fading Reasons:
Nature this day has made a Fool of Art.

Cap.
Methinks the Sky wears a more gaudy Dress
Than her old glistering Garniture of Stars;
There is some mighty Revel sure above Stairs:
Hark how they stamp, as if they were Dancing Jigs!

Ax.
How dare you make such Comments on these Wonders?

Cap.
Faith, Innocence is fearless, as 'tis free;
Tho the Frame crack, the Splinters shall not fright me.
Shou'd the great Gods, that toss these Fiery Orbs
Like Tennis-balls for Heav'nly recreation,
Let slip some weighty Globe through careless Fingers,
Upon this Head; the Accident's prepar'd for.

Ax.
Well said, brave youth, if with respect to Heav'n.
Ha! what means this? A bloody Hand, and Writing!

Cap.
Scriveners in Heav'n! then there's some hopes for Usurers.

Ax.
The hand of Heav'n is drawing some Indentures,
Altering Estates in the poor under-World.
Of all the sights, this does perplex me most.
Pray, Sir, your Judgement: 'Tis an Ancient Hand,
I cannot read.

Astro.
No wonder, Sir; 't has not been us'd
In China these ten Thousand years.

Ax.
Noble tradition!

Astro.
But the Words are these, Kiungsi Honan;
Which is Interpreted, Death, Division.
Some Great Man dyes, and leaves his vast Dominions
To dubious Heirs.

Ax.
Nothing more likely, Sir;
He that grasps more than's Handful, loses all.
A lucky Guess turns to a Prophesie.

Enter Tamerlane.
Tam.
I've urg'd to have my Sentence chang'd in vain,
Told her the Truth; But why shou'd she believe me?
Shou'd the Sun change his Course, men might suspect
The Day-light.
The Pole Star, if unfix'd, absolves the Sailor
From farther Faith. Oh, the vile Rogue Ragalzan!
Ha! what a glorious Night after the Storm!
I think a Comet, and an Arm from Heav'n!
Come, Vengeance, come; 'tis time that thou wert come;
Welcom, dear Comet, welcom bloody Paw:
Cou'd I but reach thee, I'de shake hands with thee.
Why all this noise, and ne'r a flaming Dart
To fix me dead? I thought the Gods durst strike
When they did threaten. Was there ever Mortal
That more abus'd their Favors, study'd Acts
More vile, to rouse up Heavenly Indignation?
By your Immortal Selves; if you neglect
Your Office, I will snatch away Revenge,
The Jewel of your Crown, and put an end
With my own hands to this Inglorious Life.

Ire.
Strange Sights i'th'Air, they say, foretel great Changes:
What, will these Rebels never make an end?
Good Father, stay at home, and tell the stories
Of your great Deeds, to your admiring Friends;
But go to Wars no more: Leave off a winning Gamester.
One day, you take a Town, and make a Governour;
The next, you win a Country, make a King:
These pay some little Chief-rent to their Lord,
Enjoy the rest themselves. You take from some,
And give it back to others. Why might not less
Than all the World serve one Man's turn?

Tam.
How wisely thou dost weigh the Trifles of the World!

Ire.
And now you sigh, the Earth lies heavy on you:
Conquer no more; or let the weighty Ball.
Roll off, as it came on.

Tam.
Oh, my Irene!
'Tis thou dost cause my grief, my dear disturber.

Ire.
Alas! wherein have I offended you?
Perhaps, my want of Duty was the cause;
But sure I meant it not.
If to rejoyce at all your Victories;
If to fall out, with all that lessen you;
If to dissolve in Tears, when you're not well,
Or have your Peace disturb'd with Martial Cares:
If to fall into Swoons when you'r in danger,
Be not to love you; then I love you not.

[Weeps.
Tam.
Ah, cruel Girl, begon, I cannot bear thee,
For every look from thee strikes Death into me:
How much more happy art thou now, than I!
Short-sighted Innocence! thou hast no Prospect
Of this thy Danger; the sad thought of which
Racks my poor Soul, and cuts me up alive,
And tears my Bowels out before my Face!

Ire.
Good Sir, what moves you to this Fatal sadness?

Tam.
Ah! were it fit that thou shoul'dst know my Sorrows,
Yet Children should not know their Parents Shame.

Ire.
I know your Troubles, and have hear'd your Vow,
And I can satisfie your nicest Scruples:
Heav'n be my Witness, I
Had rather go to death, to give you ease,
Than to th'Embraces of a dear-lov'd Hero,
Whose Wit cou'd charm, whose Valor cou'd secure me,
Whose Beauty cou'd inflame my frozen Brest;
Rather than to my Nuptials with Axalla.
My resignation will be your discharge
To Heav'n, and Earth: Injuries are Rewards
When they are begg'd for.

Tam.
Greater then wou'd be
Thy kindness, and my shame, shou'd I desert thee.

Ire.
But, Sir, consider how the World's Amaz'd,
And Nature's frighted, to see you disorder'd:
Do we not blow up worthless Cottages,
To save contiguous Pallaces, from bold
And disrespectful Flames?
And shall the World want Order, and direction
From your great Soul, if mine can stop its passage
To other Orbs, and make the Earth my Debtor?

Tam.
So young, so wise! Why sure thou art Inspir'd;
Thy Soul's upon the Wing, and sees much farther,
Than the unfledg'd Companions of her years,
Ill Omen of thy Fate: Thy Soul's too ripe
To stay long in the Shell. Oh, now I fear.

Ire.
What if I might have liv'd some harmless years
Of Ignorance, and Youth? Yet if you please
To pluck off this green Fruit (I will not say
Untimely, when you call for't) to content
Some longing Palate,
'Twill not be harsh to me, if not to you.
You gave me Life, and 'tis but to restore it,
To pay a debt which you contracted for me;
Let me be just to Nature, if not you.

Tam.
No more, no more, sweet merciful Redeemer:
Why art thou come, to scrue up my Afflictions?
Oh, every Word from thee, against thy self,
Does wound my Soul, more than ten Thousand Daggers.
Dear, cruel Orator, why dost thou plead
Against the Innocent, to save the Guilty?
He that does spare my life's the worst of Murderers;
And thou deserv'st to dye, by speaking for me:
I cannot bear thy sinful Eloquence;
Let not so sweet an Angel plead for Satan.
Oh, leave me to the Furies: they're my Council.

[Exeunt.
Re-enter Tamerlane, with Axalla.
Tam.
In what condition is the Enemy?

Ax.
Now you speak like your self, a watchful Monarch.

Tam.
May not Prince Zeylan once again surprize us,
Before the general Assault be given?

Ax.
He may; Sir; but I have intrench'd the Army
With greater safety, doubled all the Guards
About your Sacred Person.

Tam.
Wondrous well.
But then give order strait to all the Rounds
To keep a stricter Watch, that whosoever
Dares stir abroad to hight, be shot at without mercy;
And let it be proclaim'd without delays:
Secureness, more than Cowardise, betrays.

[Exit.
Ax.
And yet, pray Heav'n he meditate no mischief
In mighty Souls Passion's not soon supprest:
Like wounded Whales, they struggle till they dye;
By their impatience they increase the smart,
Provoke their Pains, and vex a harmless Dart,
Tossing the mighty Mass till they're on ground,
Their rage more fatal, than the little Wound.

[Exit.