 | The Tragedie of Hero and Leander |  |
The Fifth Act.
Enter Leander and Castor. At Abydos.Lean.
Sit at Helm, Master, in my Admiral,
But hope not, to Steer me: Sail thou to Sestos.
I'l swim.
Cast.
You'l meet a Tempest and be lost:
I am in fear, your Ships may be dispers'd
Lean.
Ships thou dost understand, not Men.
Cast.
I know,
That if you Swim this Sea, You'l ne'r make Land.
Lean.
Dar'st thou dispute with me?
Cast.
When you thwart Heaven:
Do y'hear how the tumultuous billows roar,
Threatning to overwhelm you on the Shoar?
Lean.
Thou raisest an imaginary Storm;
I see no danger.
Cast.
I, no hope of safety:
You must not swim in such a boyling Flood.
Lean.
Villain, I'l swim to Hero in thy blood.
Cast.
Do, kill me; and that madness I'l forgive:
But shorten not, the Dayes you have to live.
Lean.
For all those Dayes the Sun shall ever light,
I would not lose the pleasure of this Night.
Cast.
Enjoy it safely, go with us aboard.
Lean.
No; I have writ and I'l not break my Word
Cast.
You writ, but no Storm was discover'd then:
Now only Death and Horrour's within Ken:
O Sir, if you regard not your own life,
Pity your Sister, Brother, and your Wife.
[Castor kneeles.
Lean.
The folly of thy childish Pray'r I scorn;
I, to command the Hellespont was born;
And thou to fear it.
Cast.
For your sake, I fear
This hideous night, in which no Stars appear.
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This dark night Hero's Torch shall be my Star;
The Houres divided, between Peace and War.
Till Two, I'l solace; bring the Fleet at Three:
Celena and Orosis then I'l free.
Cast.
You promise, as if you could calm a storm.
Lean.
That which I promise, Fortune will perform.
Cast.
To Fortune will you trust your self? She's blind.
Lean.
Blind Fortune to blind Love was ever kind.
[Exeunt.
Enter Mentor, and Masæus, At Sestos.
Ment.
Celena is delivered to Theamne,
And she's as cruel as my Love is fair:
Do Piety and Honour bind a Man
To the performance of a rash Ingagement?
Thunder and Lightning.
All my great Actions this one Act defames.
Musæ.
Thunder against such Piety exclaims,
Ment.
I hear it, Friend; and do not you admire,
That I'm not struck, when Heaven shoots midnight-Fire?
Musæ.
No but I wonder, you'l not take the Alar'm,
When to your drowsy Valour, Heav'n cryes, arme:
No, rash Ingagement now lyes in your way;
You're free to fight.
Ment.
But sure to loose the Day.
For though the Sestian Governour be young,
His Garrison's well-disciplin'd, and strong:
By making of a Vain Attempt; all those,
Whom I have taught to Conquer, shall I lose?
First let me perish.
Musæ.
Rather first let's try,
The means to live; at last we can but dye:
With our dark Lanterns, Hero's Tow'r we'l View;
We may discover some blind Avenue,
At which our men may enter: if the Tower
And the fair Priestess once be in our Power,
The Town we'l force; or such Conditions make,
As they'l not stick to give, nor you to take:
They shall present Celena to your arms.
Ment.
Her Name, like thy soft Verse, my Senses charmes;
My Reason's over-rul'd, not to contemne,
The weak proposal of this Stratagem:
For, Lovers hopes vain Expectation feeds,
Like drowning Men, we catch at broken Reeds.
[Exeunt.
37
Hero.
The Torch is out; Blow, till the Turret fall,
Malicious Winds, now I defy you all;
The Torch is out, which we again may light;
But with Leander 'tis eternal night:
Yet there I'l find him.
Nurse.
I must say, he lives;
[Aside.
Or else, I fear, she'l cast her self away:
Have patience, Child, Leander may do well.
Hero.
No, no; he's drown'd; the Thunder rung his Knell.
Nurse.
Too sure:] Why do ye forspeak Leander this?
Thunder hurts him no more, then it hurts us.
Hero.
He's past hurt, and past help, before this time.
Adventrous Youth, thy Courage was thy Crime,
And hasty Love thy Ruine: a short Stay,
had with thy Navy brought thee safe away:
Didst thou not hear the scoulding billows rage?
With moving Mountains Why wouldst thou ingage?
And rashly, when we might have fix'd our Joy,
For gaining of one Hour thy self destroy?
Why would Heaven suffer this, and slight my Prayers!
How unconcern'd are Gods in Mens Affairs?
Why in the Temple did I pray and fast,
And on the coals Arabian Incense cast?
Serve Venus? I might bow my knee as well
To Proserpine: For Heaven's less kind then Hell.
Nurse.
She'l run distracted?] Child, 'tis sadly strange,
That you, a Priestess should devotion change;
To Profanation: What? can you distrust
The care of Heaven, and think the Gods unjust?
Will they deprive a sweet young Prince of Life,
Because he swims to bed to his own Wife?
No, they love Man more, then he loves himself:
And in this Sea there's neither Rock nor shelf,
Only some troubled Waves; and they'l soon rest,
If you'l but calm the Tempest in your Breast.
Hero.
Nurse, thou hast laid the VVind: VVho would have thought,
Thou hadst been so religious? I am naught,
An impious wretch, for when I was devout,
And pray'd, and sigh'd and pray'd, the Torch went out.
But dost thou think, that I shall ever see
38
Nurse.
Do you now see me?
Do y'see this fair calm Morning?
Hero.
Both inspire
My heart, that was pale ashes, with new fire.
Into his arms I'l fly, with swifter wings,
Then into th'East that blushing Day-light springs—
O Horrour! horrour! Floating by the Shoar:
His Body swims: Leander, speak once more?
Oh, Whither is that mighty Spirit fled?
What Nothings are the bodies of the dead!
See at their pleasure the proud Billows roul:
Those Active Nerves, which did the Sea contro u.
No Heat, no Motion, now that Bosome warms,
Which lately was encompass'd with these arms.
A long, long Farewell to Love's Bitter-sweet;
Death has divorc'd us, yet in death we'l meet.
[She flings her self into the Sea.
Nurse.
She'l drown her self? Some Plank, some lucky Fish
Or Fisher, save her: 'tis too late to Wish.
But hark, our Guards upon the Strand I hear;
They'l silence me if I stand crying here;
Life's sweet, though by young Lovers 'tis despis'd,
By us Old-folks, that know the World, 'tis priz'd.
[Exit.
Enter Mentor, Musæus, and Souldiers.
Ment.
No Use of these dark-Lanterns, the Sun shines;
We see our Follie, Madness 'twere to stay,
For Hero's Tow'r is, like Celena's Heart,
Impregnable.
Musæ.
From both 'tis time You part;
Now when our mighty Lords, the People, write
That you must straight return, and shortly fight
The Persian King, whose Navy will transport,
A dreadful Army, and a glorious Court,
And (to revenge his Vice-Roy whom You slew)
A Gallows, to be set-up here, for You:
So vast a Gallows, as it lades two Ships,
With Iron-Chains ballasted, and Steel-Whips,
Prepar'd for his Greek Slaves; either redeem
Your Country now; or forfeit Your Esteem:
Here stands Celena, fairer Athens there;
Think which of these deserves to be most dear.
39
Love to my Country's Safety must give place,
Before the Sestian Drunkards rise, draw off—
Hold, there's a Postern open.
Musæ.
And the Guards
Are marching in, they see not us, stand close.
Stre.
Who would have thought, he that had stem'd the Tide,
When cross-Winds fought for th'Empire of the Sea,
Leander should be drown'd?
Ment.
Leander Drown'd!
Cast.
This I foretold, and begg'd of him to Sail;
Yet he would swim; and woe on woe, we see
Hero his matchless Wife (who cast her self
Upon his body, from her Tow'r) partakes
His Destiny, drown'd with her dearest Lord.
Musæ.
Hero a Wife? Thorough the Sea and Shade,
To Hero was Leander's Voyage made,
And hers to him, when floating by the Shoar?
I'l make all Mankind their sad Fate deplore,
The wildest Savage when my Verse he hears,
Shall once more drown them in a Sea of Tears.
Cast.
Follow the Bearers; whilst their Bodies burn,
We'l take the Brands, and fire this cursed Town.
Ment.
These were Leander's Men, fall in with them;
And friend, when we have Master'd this strong Piece,
I'l fight, first for Celena then for Greece.
[Exeunt
A Bar hung with Blacks.
Enter Tiresias, Aphila, Arcas, and Attendants.
Aphi.
Our Friends are plac'd; Where's the Executioner?
Arcas.
Setting his Razers; here's the Governour,
Pris'ners and Judge.
Enter Samertes, Theamne, Orosis, Celena, and a Guard of Souldiers.
Same.
Bring the Slaves to the Bar,
Theamne take thy place.
Aphi.
Revenge thy selfe.
[Theamne Sits on a Throne
Thea.
This is the Seat where equal Justice Sits,
To doom the Guilty and save Innocents:
All crooked Wayes and Ends this place abhors—
Ha! From the dust, my pious Ancestors.
40
Pris'ners, your Case they'l open, and my Eyes:
Bless'd Spirits, make, O make me Such a Judge,
As You were, without favour, without grudge.
Aphi.
She's mad?
Tire.
No, Love; she's doing of her duty,
Listning to our Fore-fathers.
Aphi.
He's mad too.
Same.
Thou Act'st it, rarely.
[to Theamne, in her ear.
Thea.
Brother, I'l not hear,
My Father, nor my Mother, in this Cause:
The Gods forbid, that I should Sentence give,
But as their Prophets dictate; Pris'ners, live.
Aphi.
I faint; Son, Husband, lead me to my bed.
Same.
Prepare Celena, against my return.
[To Theamne.
Aphi.
Theamne, Thou hast sentenc'd me to dye.
Thea.
I but declar'd that which the Gods decreed.
Tire.
And in their Sentence, we must acquiesce.
Tiresias, and Samertes, lead-out Aphila, followed by Arcas and their Servants.
Thea.
I cannot yet conceive, how this will end,
My Brother loves your Sister, and leaves me,
To court her for him; she's inflexible;
He, violent.
Oros.
Into my Hand, Leander
Will put a Sword, to prevent Violence:
Did you not see the little Skipper-boy?
Thea.
That fell down from the Scaffolds, on your neck?
Oros.
He said, our Sea-men are in Hero's Tower.
Enter Nurse.
The.
This News sounds pleasantly—Nurse? Why so pale?
How does my Mother?
Nurse.
Well; She's well again,
But your poor Sister—
Thea.
What of her?
Nurse.
Dead, dead;
Civilly dead, I mean: for she's a Pris'ner.
Oros.
Aboard our ships?
Nurse.
Your Ships and Men are Pris'ners
To Mentor, he has taken Hero's Tower.
41
Thea.
My Brother, then, would Shine in Steel, not Silks
He looks more like a Bride-groom, then a Souldier;
Celena, Will you please to be his Bride?
Cele.
My nature cannot brook his Insolence.
Thea.
But Love's a Fire that softens proudest Souls.
Same.
Celena, at your feet I cast a heart,
Us'd to command, by Love taught to obey.
Thea.
How Love has humbled him!
Cele.
My first command,
Is, that you give Theamne to Orosis.
Same.
How? Give my Sister to my Enemy?
I will not do't for all which Love calls Pleasure.
Cele.
Then you may take your Heart up, from my feet,
And give that, where you please; for I will never
Love him who hates my Brother.
Same.
Is the Rule
Your VVill or Mine? Yield, or I'l force you to't.
Cele.
How Love has humbled him! My Soul is free,
No Tyranny can over-pow'r the VVill.
Same.
The Pow'r you brave, I'l make you feel, and marry
The Man you scorn; Guard, Bear her to the Priest.
Thea.
Celena is my Pris'ner.
Same.
By what right?
Pris'ners of War Yours? Bear her to the Altar.
Thea.
Forc'd Love, is—
Same.
Sweeter, then Love uncompell'd;
Sweet-meats, that drop into my mouth, I loath:
Enter Mentor, Musæus, and Souldiers.
VVhy stare you? Rogues, Carry her to the Temple;
The Joyes of Marriage shall torment her Pride.
Ment.
Disarm that barb'rous youth, I'l tame his fury:
Sestos, with such a Governour, should fall:
But conquer'd Sestians know, that I resolve,
To change your Governour, not Government.
I took up Arms now, only to release,
Or to revenge Celena: yet if she
Should have been Sentenc'd to have lost her life;
I doubted nothing sadder then her death.
42
A Marriage to be made, against her Will.
VVhen Draco penn'd our sanguinary Laws;
To punish such, he did insert no Clause,
Crimes of this nature not being understood:
I'l take his Paper and write this in blood,
Thea.
Great Mentor, pardon him.
Ment.
VVill fair Theamne,
For my Inconstancy give me a Pardon?
Thea.
'Tis seal'd; this Prince and I, are, Man and VVife;
My noble Usage, when I was his Slave,
VVhen he was Mine, made him Theamne's Lord.
Enter Tiresias, Aphila, Arcas, and Attendants.
Tire.
Not for our selves—
[Tiresias, and Aphila, kneels to Mentor.
Aphi.
For our Son's life we kneel.
Ment.
You, that petition for a life to me;
Must first grant me a Suit.
Tire. and Aphi.
Command your servants.
Ment.
Accept of this Prince, for your Son-in-Law.
Tire.
Is Mentor pleas'd, that he shall have Theamne?
Ment.
I am.
Aphi.
Daughter, Is he your choice?
Thea.
Yes Madam.
Aphi.
Then we'l not cross thee; for too late, we find
The crossing of thy Sister, was her death.
Tire.
If we had left her to dispose her self;
The Hellespont, so nam'd for drowning Helle,
Hero's fate had not made more infamous.
Ment.
I come now to Love's Infamy, Samertes,
For whom his Friends, more then for Hero, mourn:
Tiresias, I oblige you, for three years,
To banish this rash youth, 'twil cool his rage:
And Forein Schools will make him Understand,
That Love's gain'd by Obedience, not Command.
Cele.
Wisdom and Valour adorn Mentor's Mind;
VVhy, to his Form, was Nature so unkind?
Ment.
The Garrison (of Sestos, that Guards Europe)
From their old Governour shall take the VVord;
[The Sestians shout.
So, Friend, farewel: I'l steer my course for Athens.
My Fleet there reinforc'd; I'l sail to Fight
The Persian Navy.
43
If great Mentor please,
I'l serve my Country in the Persian VVar.
Ment.
Aboard me, You shall fight.
Tire.
Extend that Favour
To sad Samertes, that with his own blood,
(Or th'Enemies) he may wash-out his stain,
Ment.
To my Friend I must not deny this Suit.
Same.
Then on the Persian I'l discharge my Fury.
Ment.
Lastly ('tis more then you will say to me)
Celena (twice my Pris'ner) you are Free.
Cele.
Victorious Mentor, Freedom make me more,
Your Captive now, than Bondage did before:
I yield my Heart a Pris'ner to your Merit;
And that's no lessning to the greatest Spirit.
Ment.
I stand amaz'd, at my own Happiness,
To see my Love crown'd with this bless'd success.
Musæ.
The Stars give Bliss, or Bane, to all beneath;
Last night Mars quarter'd in the House of Death:
This Morning, Venus, from his arms releast,
Invites us to her Temple and her Feast.
Arcas.
Joy to the Brides and Bridegrooms.
[All kiss the Brides, and Bride-Groome's hands.
Oros.
Dear Theamne,
My Soveraign at Abydos you shall reign.
Tire.
At Sestos, the drown'd Lovers' carv'd by Art
That rivals Nature, shall For ever stand
In breathing Marble.
Ment.
Friend, though few, love Poets
As I do, yet all must confess, no Art
But theirs gives Nature Immortality;
Our Statues, like our selves, old-age decayes;
Time cannot ruine what Musæus builds;
He to the VVorld a Poem will present
For Hero and Leander's MONUMENT.
| The Tragedie of Hero and Leander | |