University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

A Camp or Pavilion Royal.
Maximin, Charinus, Placidius, Albinus, Valerius, Apollonius, Guards.
Max.
Thus far my Arms have with success been crown'd;
And found no stop, or vanquish'd what they found.
The German Lakes my Legions have o're-past,
With all the bars which Art or Nature cast:
My Foes, in watry Fastnesses inclos'd,
I sought, alone, to their whole War expos'd.
Did first the depth of trembling Marshes sound,
And fix'd my Eagles in unfaithful ground:
By force submitted to the Roman sway
Fierce Nations, and unknowing to obey:
And now, for my reward, ungrateful Rome
For which I fought abroad, rebels at home.

Alb.
Yet 'tis their fear which does this War maintain:
They cannot brook a Martial Monarchs Raign:
Your Valour would their sloth too much accuse;
And therefore, like themselves, they Princes chuse.

Placid.
Two, tame, gown'd Princes, who at ease, debate
In lazy Chairs, the business of the State:
Who reign but while the people they can please,
And only know the little Arts of Peace.

Char.
In fields they dare not fight where Honour calls;
But breathe a faint defiance from their Walls.
The very noise of War their Souls does wound;
They quake, but hearing their own Trumpets sound.

Val.
An easie Summons but for form they wait,
And to your Fame will open wide the gate.

Placid.
I wish our Fame that swift success may find;
But Conquests, Sir, are easily design'd:
However soft within themselves they are,
To you they will be valiant by despair:
For having once been guilty, well they know
To a revengeful Prince they still are so.

Alb.
'Tis true, that, since the Senates succours came,
They grow more bold.

Max.
—That Senate's but a name:
Or they are Pageant Princes which they make:
That pow'r they give away, they would partake.
Two equal pow'rs, two different ways will draw,
While each may check, and give the other Law.
True, they secure propriety and peace;
But are not fit an Empire to increase.
When they should aid their Prince, the Slaves dispute;
And fear success should make him absolute.
They let Foes conquer, to secure the State,
And lend a Sword, whose edge themselves rebate.

Char.
When to increase the Gods you late are gone,
I'le swiftly chuse to dye, or reign alone:
But these half-Kings our courage cannot fright;
The thrifty State will bargain e're they fight:
Give just so much for every Victory;
And rather lose a fight, than over-buy.

Max.
Since all delays are dangerous in War,
Your men, Albinus, for assault prepare:
Crispinus and Menephilus, I hear
Two Consulars, these Aquileians chear;
By whom they may, if we protract the time,
Be taught the courage to defend their crime.

Placid.
Put off th'assault but only for this day;
No loss can come by such a small delay.

Char.
We are not sure to morrow will be ours:
Wars have, like Love, their favourable hours:
Let us use all; for if we lose one day;
That white one, in the crowd, may slip away.

Max.
Fates dark recesses we can never find;
But Fortune at some hours to all is kind;
The lucky have whole days, which still they choose;
Th'unlucky have but hours, and those they lose.

Placid.
I have consulted one, who reads Heav'ns doom,
And sees, as present, things which are to come.
'Tis that Nigrinus, made by your command
A Tribune in the new Panonian Band.
Him have I seen, (on Isters Banks he stood,
Where last we winter'd) bind the head-long flood
In sudden ice; and where most swift it flows,
In chrystal nets, the wond'ring fishes close.
Then, with a moments thaw, the streams inlarge,
And from the Mesh the twinkling Guests discharge.
In a deep vale, or near some ruin'd wall
He would the Ghosts of slaughter'd Souldiers call;
Who, slow, to wounded bodies did repair,
And loth to enter, shiver'd in the air;
These his dread Wand did to short life compel,
And forc'd the Fates of Battels to foretel.

Max.
'Tis wond'rous strange! But, good Placidius, say,
What prophesies Nigrinus of this day?

Placid.
In a lone Tent, all hung with black, I saw
Where in a Square he did a Circle draw:
Four Angles, made by that circumference,
Bore holy words inscrib'd, of my stick sence.
When first a hollow wind began to blow,
The Sky grew black, and belli'd down more low,
Around the fields did nimble Lightning play,
Which offer'd us by fits, and snatch'd the day.
'Midst this, was heard the shrill and tender cry
Of well-pleas'd Ghosts, which in the storm did fly;
Danc'd to and fro, and skim'd along the ground,
Till to the Magick Circle they were bound.
They coursing it, while we were fenc'd within,
We saw this dreadful Scene of Fate begin.

Char.
Speak without fear; what did the Vision shew?

Placid.
A Curtain drawn presented to our view,
A Town besieg'd; and on the neighb'ring Plain
Lay heaps of visionary Souldiers slain.
A rising mist obscur'd the gloomy head
Of one; who in Imperial Robes lay dead.
Near this, in Fetters stood a Virgin, crown'd;
Whom many Cupids strove in vain to wound:
A voice to morrow, still to morrow rung:
Another Iö, Iö, Pæan sung.

Char.
Visions and Oracles still doubtful are,
And ne're expounded till th'event of War.
The Gods fore-knowledge on our Swords will wait:
If we sight well, they must fore-show good Fate.

To them a Centurion.
Cent.
A rising dust which troubles all the air,
And this way travels, shows some Army near.

Char.
I hear the sound of Trumpets from afar.

[Exit Albinus.
Max.
It seems the voice of Triumph, not of War.

To them Albinus again.
Alb.
Health and success our Emperour attends:
The Forces marching on the Plain, are friends.
Porphyrius, whom you Ægypts Prætor made,
Is come from Alexandria to your aid.

Max.
It well becomes the conduct and the care
Of one so fam'd and fortunate in War.
You must resign, Placidius, your Command,
To him I promis'd the Prætorian Band.
Your duty in your swift compliance show,
I will provide some other charge for you.

Placid.
May Cæsar's pleasure ever be obey'd
With that submission, which by me is paid.
Now all the Curses envy ever knew,
Or could invent, Porphyrius pursue.

Aside.
Alb.
Placidius does too tamely bear his loss;
[To Charinus.
This new pretender will all pow'r ingross:
All things must now by his direction move;
And you, Sir, must resign your Father's love.

Char.
Yes; every name to his repute must bow;
There grow no Bayes for any other brow.
He blasts my early Honour in the bud,
Like some tall Tree the Monster of the Wood,
O're-shading all which under him would grow,
He sheds his venim on the Plants below.

Alb.
You must some noble action undertake;
Equal with his your own renown to make.

Char.
I am not for a slothful envy born,
I'll do't this day, in the dire Visions scorn.
He comes: We two, like the twin Stars appear;
Never to shine together in one Sphere.

Exit cum Alb.
Enter Porphyrius attended.
Max.
Porphyrius, welcome, welcome as the light
To cheerful Birds; or as to Lovers night.
Welcome as what thou bring'st me, Victory.

Por.
That waits, Sir, on your Arms, and not on me.
You left a Conquest more than half atchiev'd;
And for whose easiness I almost griev'd.
Yours only the Ægyptian Laurels are;
I bring you but the reliques of your War.
The Christian Princess to receive your doom,
Is from her Conquer'd Alexandria come.
Her Mother in another Vessel sent,
A Storm surpriz'd; nor know I the event:
Both from your bounty must receive their state;
Or must on your triumphant Chariot wait.

Max.
From me they can expect no grace, whose minds
An execrable superstition blinds.

Apoll.
The Gods who rais'd you to the Worlds Command,
Require these Victims from your grateful hand.

Por.
To minds resolv'd, the threats of Death are vain;
They run to fires, and there enjoy their pain:
Not Mucius made more hast his hand t'expose
To greedy flames, than their whole bodies those.

Max.
How, to their own destruction, they are blind!
Zeal is the pious madness of the mind.

Por.
They all our fam'd Philosophers defy;
And would our Faith by force of reason try.

Apoll.
I beg it, Sir, by all the pow'rs Divine,
That in their right, this Combat may be mine.

Max.
It shall; and fifty Doctors of our Laws,
Be added to you, to maintain the cause.

Enter Berenice the Empress, Valeria Daughter to the Emperour, Erotion.
Placid.
The Empress and your Daughter, Sir, are here,

Por.
What dangers in those charming Eyes appear!
Looking on the Empress.
How my old wounds are open'd at this view!
And in my murd'rers presence bleed anew!

Max.
I did expect your coming to partake
To the Ladies.
The general gladness which my Triumphs make.
You did Porphyrius as a Courtier know,
But as a Conquerour behold him now.

Ber.
You know (I read it in your blushing face)
To Por.
To merit, better than receive a grace:
And I know better silently to own,
Than with vain words to pay your service done.

Por.
Princes, like Gods, reward e're we deserve;
Kneeling to kiss her.
And pay us in permitting us to serve.
Oh might I still grow here, and never move!

(lower.)
Ber.
How dangerous are these extasies of Love!
He shows his passion to a thousand Eyes!
He cannot stir, nor can I bid him rise!
That word my heart refuses to my tongue!

Aside.
Max.
Madam, you let the General kneel too long.

Por.
Too long, as if Eternity were so!

Aside.
Ber.
Rise, good Porphyrius, (since it must be so.)

Aside.
Por.
Like Hermits from a Vision I retire;
rising.
With Eyes too weak to see what I admire.

Aside.
Val.
The Empress knows your worth; but, Sir, there be,
To Porphyrius, who kisses her hand.
Those who can value it as high as she.
And 'tis but just, (since in my Fathers cause,
You fought) your Valour should have my applause.

Placid.
O Jealousie, how art thou Eagle-ey'd!
She loves; and would her Love in praises hide:
How am I bound this Rival to pursue,
Who ravishes my Love and Fortune too!

Aside.
A Dead March within, and Trumpets.
Max.
Somewhat of mournful, sure, my Ears does wound;
Like the hoarse murmurs of a Trumpets sound,
And Drums unbrac'd, with Souldiers broken cryes.
Enter Albinus.
Albinus, Whence proceeds this dismal noise?

Alb.
Too soon you'l know what I want words to tell.

Max.
How fares my Son? Is my Charinus well?
Not answer me! Oh my prophetique fear!

Alb.
How can I speak; or how, Sir, can you hear?
Imagine that which you would most deplore,
And that which I would speak is it, or more.

Max.
Thy mournful message in thy looks I read:
Is he (oh that I live to ask it) dead?

Alb.
Sir—

Max.
Stay; if thou speak'st that word, thou speak'st thy last:
Some God now, if he dares, relate what's past:
Say but he's dead, that God shall mortal be.

Alb.
Then, what I dare not speak, look back and see.

Charinus born in dead by Souldiers.
Max.
See nothing, Eyes, henceforth, but Death and wo,
You've done me the worst office you can do.
Youv'e shown me Destinies prepost'rous crime;
An unripe fate; disclos'd e're Nature's time.

Placid.
Asswage, great Prince, your passion, lest you show
There's somewhat in your Soul which Fate can bow.

Por.
Fortune should by your greatness be controul'd:
Arm your great mind, and let her take no hold.

Max.
To tame Philosophers teach constancy;
There is no farther use of it in me.
Gods (but why name I you!
All that was worth a pray'r to you is gone:)
I ask not back my Vertue, but my Son.

Alb.
His too great thirst of fame his ruine brought.
Though, Sir, beyond humanity he fought.

Placid.
This was my Vision of this fatal day!

Alb.
With a fierce hast he led our Troops the way:
While fiery showrs of Sulphur on him rain'd;
Nor left he till the Battlements he gain'd:
There with a Forest of their Darts he strove;
And stood like Capaneus defying Jove.
With his broad Sword the boldest beating down,
While Fate grew pale lest he should win the Town.
And turn'd the Iron leafs of its dark Book,
To make new dooms; or mend what it mistook.
Till sought by many Deaths, he sunk though late,
And by his fall asserted doubtful Fate.

Vale.
Oh my Dear Brother! whom Heav'n let us see,
And would not longer suffer him to be!

Max.
And didst not thou a Death with Honour chuse,
To Alb.
But impudently liv'st to bring this news?
After his loss how did'st thou dare to breath?
—But thy base Ghost shall follow him in death.
A decimation I will strictly make
Of all who my Charinus did forsake.
And of each Legion each Centurion
Shall dye:—Placidius, see my pleasure done.

Por.
Sir, you will lose by this severity
Your Souldiers hearts.

Max.
—Why, they take Pay to dye.

Por.
Then spare Albinus only.

Max.
—I consent
To leave his life to be his punishment.
Discharg'd from trust; branded with infamy
Let him live on, till he ask leave to dye.

Ber.
Let me petition for him.

Max.
—I have said:
And will not be intreated, but obey'd.
But, Empress, whence does your compassion grow?

Ber.
You need not ask it, since my birth you know.
The Race of Antonin's was nam'd the Good:
I draw my pity from my Royal Blood.

Max.
Still must I be upbraided with your Line?
I know you speak it in contempt of mine.
But your late Brother did not prize me less,
Because I could not boast of Images.
And the Gods own'd me more when they decreed
A Thracian Shepherd should your Line succeed.

Ber.
The Gods! O do not name the pow'rs divine,
They never mingled their Decrees with thine.
My Brother gave me to thee for a Wife,
And for my Dowry thou didst take his life.

Max.
The Gods by many Victories have shown,
That they my merits and his death did own.

Ber.
Yes; they have own'd it; witness this just day;
When they begin thy mischiefs to repay.
See the reward of all thy wicked care,
Before thee thy succession ended there.
Yet but in part my Brothers Ghost is pleas'd:
Restless till all the groaning world be eas'd.
For me; no other happiness I owne
Than to have born no Issue to thy Throne.

Max.
Provoke my rage no farther, lest I be
Reveng'd at once upon the Gods and thee.

Por.
aside.]
What horrid tortures seize my lab'ring mind!
O, only excellent of all thy kind!
To hear thee threatned while I idle stand:
Heav'n! was I born to fear a Tyrants hand?

Max.
to Ber.
Hence from my sight,—thy blood, if thou dost stay,—

Ber.
Tyrant! too well to that thou know'st the way.

(going.)
Por.
Let baser Souls from falling Fortunes flye:
I'le pay my duty to her, though I dye.

Exit leading her.
Max.
What made Porphyrius so officious be?
The action look'd as done in scorn of me.

Val.
It did, indeed, some little freedom show;
But somewhat to his Services you owe.

Max.
Yet, if I thought it his presumption were—

Placid.
Perhaps he did not your displeasure hear.

Max.
My anger was too loud, not to be heard.

Placid.
I'm loth to think he did it not regard.

Max.
How, not regard!

Val.
Placidius, you foment
On too light grounds my Father's discontent.
But when an action does two faces wear,
'Tis Justice to believe what is most fair.
I think, that knowing what respect there rests
For her late Brother in the Souldiers breasts,
He went to serve the Emp'rour: and design'd
Only to calm the tempest in her mind,
Lest some Sedition in the Camp should rise.

Max.
I ever thought him loyal as he's wise.
Since therefore, all the Gods their spight have shown
To rob my Age of a successive Throne;
And you who now remain
The only Issue of my former bed
In Empire cannot by your Sex succeed:
To bind Porphyrius firmly to the State,
I will this day my Cæsar him create:
And, Daughter, I will give him you for Wife.

Val.
O day, the best and happiest of my life!

Placid.
O day, the most accurst I ever knew!

Aside.
Max.
See to my Son perform'd each Funeral due:
Then to the toyls of War we will return;
And make our Enemies our losses mourn.

Exeunt.