University of Virginia Library

SCENE. II.

Draws off, discovers Alcippus rising from the Couch.
Alcip.
I cannot sleep, my soul is now unfurnish'd
Of all that sweetness which allow'd it rest.
—'Tis flown, 'tis flown, for ever from my breast.
And in its room eternal discords dwell,
Such as out-do the black intrigues of Hell—
—Oh my fortune—
[weeps
—What's here—Alass, that which I dare not look on,
And yet, why should I shun that image here,
Which I continually about me beare,
But why, dear Picture, art thou still so gay,
Since she is gone, from whom these charms were borrow'd,
Those eyes that gave this speaking life to thine,
Those lovely eyes are clos'd in endless darkness,
There's not a star in all the face of Heaven,
But now out-shines those Suns.
Suns at noon day dispens'd not kindlier influences:
And thou blest mirrour, that hast of't beheld
That face, which nature never made a fairer,
Thou that so oft her beauties back reflected,
And made her know what wondrous power there lay
In every feature of that lovely face.
But she will smile no more! no more! no more!
—Why, who shall hinder her? Death, cruel death.
—'Twas I that murther'd her—
Thou ly'st—thou durst as well be damn'd as touch her,
She was all sacred, and that impious hand
That had prophanely touch'd her,
Had wither'd from the body.
—I lov'd her—I ador'd her, and could I,
Could I approach her with unhallowed thoughts.
—No, no, I durst not.—
But as devoutest Pilgrims do the shrine,
—If I had don't,
The Gods, who take the part of Innocence,
Had been reveng'd—
—Why did not Thunder strike me in the Action?
Why, if the Gods be just, and I had don't,
Did they not suffer earth to swallow me,
Quick—quick into her bosom—
—But yet I say again it was not I,
—Let me behold this face,
That durst appear in such a Villany.

[He looks in the Glass.
Enter Pisaro and Erminia drest like an Angel with wings.
Pis.
Look, where he is.

Erm.
Alas, I tremble at the sight of him.

Pis.
Fear nothing, Madam, I'le be near you still.

Er.
Pray stay a little longer.

Alcip.
He looks in the Glass, Erminia steals behind him, and looks into it over his shoulder; he is frighted.

Er.
Sit down and hear me—
[in a tone like a spirit, and points to a chair, soft Musick begins to play, which continues all this Scene.
To disobey, thy punishment shall be:
To live in endless torments, but ne're die.

Alcip.
Thou threatnest high, bold Rebel.

He sits within the Scene.
Er.
Alcippus, tell me what you see,
What is't that I appear to be?

Bows.
Alcip.
My blest Erminia, Deifi'd—

Er.
Alcippus, you inform me true,
I am thus Deifi'd by you;
To you I owe this blest abode,
For I am happy as a God;
I only come to tell thee so,
And by that tale to end thy wo;
Know, Mighty Sir, your Joy's begun,
From what last night to me was don;
In vain you rave, in vain you weep,
For what the Gods must ever keep.
In vain you mourn, in vain deplore,
A loss which tears can ne're restore:
The Gods their Mercies will dispence,
In a more glorious Recompence;
A World of Blessings they've in store,
A World of Honors, Vict'ries more;
Thou shalt the Kingdoms Darling be,
And Kings shall Homage pay to thee:
Thy Sword no bounds to Conquest set,
And thy success that Sword shall whet;
Princess thy Chariot-wheels shall grace,
Whilst thou in triumph bring'st home Peace.
This will the Gods, thy King yet more
Will give thee what those Gods adore;
And what they did create for thee;
Alcippus look, for that is she.

Enter the Princess, and goes over the Stage as a spirit, bows a little to Alcippus, and goes off.
Alcip.
The Princess!

[he offers to rise.
Er.
Be still; 'tis she you must possess,
'Tis she must make your happiness;
'Tis she must lead you on to find
Those blessings Heaven has design'd,
'Tis she'le conduct you where you'll prove
The perfect joys of grateful love.
Enter Aminta like Glory, Alcander representing Honour. They pass over, and bow, and go out.
Glory and Honour, wait on her.
Enter two more representing Mars and Pallas, bow and go out.
With Pallas and the God of war,
Fortune and Love which ne're agree.
Enter Olinda like Fortune, a Page like Cupid, bow, and goes out.
So now united bow to thee.
—Be wise, and of their bounties share,
For if Erminia still were here,
Still subject to the toyles of life,
She never could have been thy wife.
Whereby the laws of men and Heaven
Was to anothers bosom given,
—And what injustice thou hast done,
Was only to thy Prince alone,
But he has mercy, can redeem,
Those ills which thou hast done to him.
—But see, they all return again.
All the disguis'd enter again and dance. with Love in the midst, to whom as they dance, they in order make an offer of what they carry, which must be something to represent them by; which Love refuses with Nods, still pointing to Alcippus, the Dance done, they lay them at his feet, or seem to do so, and go out.
What think'st thou of thy destiny,
Is't not agreeable to thee,
Tell me Alcippus is't not brave,
Is it not better then a grave?
Cast off your tears, abandon grief,
And give what you have seen, belief.
Dress all your looks and be as gay,
As Virgins in the month of May,
Deck up that face where sorrow grows,
And let your smiles adorn your brows;
Recall your wonted sweetness home,
And let your eyes all Love become,
For which the Gods have will'd and said.
Thou hast no power to evade
What they decree, none can withstand,
You must obey what they command.

[She goes out, he remains immoveable for a while.
Enter Pisaro
Pis.
How is't man—what speechless?

Alcip.
No—

Pis.
I left thee on the bed, how cam'st thou here?

Alcip.
I know not.

Pis.
Have you slept?

Alcip.
Yes, ever since you left me.
And 'twas a kindness in thee now to wake me,
For sleep had almost flatter'd me to peace,
Which is a vile injustice.
—Ah Pisaro, I had such a dream,
Such a fine flattering dream.

Pis.
How was it pray?

Alcip.
Nay, I will forget it,
I do not merit so much peace of mind,
As the relation of that dream will give me,
Oh 'twas so perfect too,
I hardly can perswade my self I slept,
Dost thou believe there may be apparitions?

Pis.
Doubtless, my Lord, there be.

Alcip.
I never could believe it till this hour,
By Heavens I think I saw them too, Pisaro.

Pis.
'Tis very possible you're not deceiv'd

Alcip.
Erminia's spirit in a glorious form.

Pis.
I do believe you.

Alcip.
Why, is't not strange?

Pis.
It would have been, had I not heard already,
She has this night appear'd to several persons,
In several shapes; the first was to the Prince,
And said so many pretty things for you.
As has perswaded him to pardon you.

Alcip.
Oh Gods, what Fortune's mine?
I do beleeve the Prince is innocent
From all that thou hast said.
—But yet I wish he would dispose his bounties
On those that would return Acknowledgments:
I hate he should oblige me.

Pis.
You are too obstinate, and must submit.

Alcip.
It cannot be, and yet methinks I give
A strange and sudden credit to this spirit,
It beckned me into another room;
I'le follow it, and know its business there.

[aside.
Phi.
Come Sir, I am a kind of Prophet.
And can interpret dreams too.
We'll walk a while, and you should tell me all,
And then I will advise you what to do.

[Exeunt.