University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Royal Bed-Chamber.
The Scene opens and shows the King asleep on's Couch; Murder (personated) rises from the stage, with three Furies on one side and three Fiends on the other, all of 'em menacing him: at last Murder steps towards him and speaks.
Mur.
I was in fashion once, and bore more sway
I'th' Reigns of Nero and Caligula.
As th' Christian Faith increas'd, I took my flight;
My blood-shot Eyes being dazled at it's light.
In the old World I little had to do,
Until kind Spain imploy'd me in the New.
There did I triumph over millions slain;
Murder was then the Cath'lick Soveraign!
I for sometime there made my Empire good,
'Till almost famisht thence for want of blood.
In France I then did new imployment gain;
A brave imployment in thy Brother's Reign!
When forty thousand in one night were slain.
Fool'd by Repentance now thou layest me by!
—But know—
Furies and Fiends will not be fool'd, as I.

Then the Furies and Fiends dance about the King in menacing postures; but suddenly shew a fear at the appearance of his Guardian-Angel, that flyes down with a flaming Sword, and interposes 'twixt the King and them.
Angel.
I come fro'th' Fountain of Eternal light,
Whose gloomy'st ray is something more than bright.
Order'd by Fate (which is the will of Heaven)
This Royal-charge here, to my care is given
[Points at th' King.
I am his Sentinel; yet truely boast
My self a Leader in the Starry Hoast.
For willingly we leave our blest abodes,
To yield attendance on these earthly Gods.
Avaunt you Sons of Night! Down to your Hell,
[They descend.
Where onely fit Companions for you dwell,
Such aëry Phantoms, that possess with fear
The souls of common dreamers, come not here.
Those thin Inhabitants o'th' brain must fly
Before the peircing vertue of mine Eye.
Thus will I guard him from all kinds of fear—
[Waving his Sword o'r him.
Yet tremble now my self at what comes there

Vengeance (personated) descends in a bright Cloud; his Arm stript, holding a bloody Sword. Looking fiercely, about his Lip bloody, steps to the King and interposes his Sword, the Angel offers defence..
Veng.
In vain thou striv'st to hinder my design;
For my Commission is more large than thine.
To that great Pow'r I my obedience owe,
At whose command Stars fall and Angels bow.
Thy Guard was helpful once, but now too late:
[Puts th' Angel by.
In vain! in vain! There is no fence for fate
Legions of Angels cannot bring him aid;
My Name is Vengeance and I must be paid.

[Strikes the King with his Sword.
The Angel first flies up, then Vengeance ascends in the Chariot, and the Scene closes.