University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

A royal park.
Laodice
alone.
How fatal is the pleasure of revenge!
Revenge, that follow'd, ends in deep repentance.
This I too well have prov'd; for Siroes' danger
My breast is torn with horror and remorse.

SCENE II.

Enter Siroes.
Sir.
At length, Laodice, you are reveng'd
And Siroes suffers for a fault of yours.

Laod.
Ah! prince belov'd! such anguish rends my bosom,
I dare not speak.

Sir.
And yet, Laodice,
You fear'd not to accuse me.

Laod.
Blind resentment
For your disdain impell'd a jealous woman
To such detested falsehood: O! forgive,
Forgive the madness of a love like mine,
And let my grief suffice for punishment:
I will disclose the whole, and Cosroes now
Shall know 'twas I—

Sir.
Your ruin, that would follow,
Cannot ensure my safety: were I clear'd
Of love to you, a crime of deeper dye
Is charg'd upon me. Cease, Laodice,
Thy pity may awaken new suspicions
Of our imputed loves.

Laod.
What shall I do
To merit your forgiveness? Tell me, Siroes,
Behold me ready now to atone my guilt.

Sir.
I blot it from my mind, and if you think
That such oblivion merits some return,
Henceforth forget to love me.

Laod.

[Exit.
Sir.
O! that my words could calm Emira's anger,
As now they have appeas'd Laodice.

[going.
Enter Emira.
Em.
Stay, faithless man!

Sir.
And cannot yet my sufferings
Suffice thy cruelty?

Em.
And art thou yet
Contented to betray me?

Sir.
Now perchance
Thou com'st again with cruel taunts to insult
A wretched guiltless prince.

Em.
And thou perchance,
Now seek'st thy father to reveal the secret
That paper had with-held.

Sir.
At least the paper
Offends not thee: the guilt is fix'd on Siroes:
I groan beneath the charge, and yet am silent.

Em.
And I, what did I, when I seem'd to insult
And most reproach thee? Firmly I secur'd
The confidence of Cosroes in my faith,
More for thy safety, than for my revenge.

Sir.
Ah! then, my love, do more for Siroes' sake;
Forgive his father; or at least, if still
You seek revenge, then seek it in this bosom.

Em.
I cannot so confound the son and father:
Cosroes I hate, but thee Emira loves;
I wish but to revenge a parent slain.

Sir.
And I, by nature's law, defend my own;
And justice higher sanctifies the duty
To guard the living than revenge the dead.

Em.
Go then—pursue thy nobler enterprise,
And leave to me my own: but knowst thou well
What both our duties claim? In us, the children
Of foes profess'd, our passion is a crime.
No, we should hate each other: duty bids thee
Reveal my purpose to the ear of Cosroes;
And duty bids me to prevent discovery.
Thou in Emira should'st behold a foe,
Cruel, implacable; in Siroes I
Detest the unworthy offspring of a tyrant:
Then henceforth let us both be deadly foes.

[going.
Sir.
Stay, stay, my life!

Em.
And call'st thou me thy life?
Would'st thou unite the lover with the foe?
At once thou but betray'st, what nature made thee,
A faithless lover and a feeble foe.

Sir.
You wrong me much, my love,—

Em.
Be silent—love
Is lost in hatred—speak to me of rage,
Of vengeance speak, and I with pleasure hear thee.

Sir.
And must I then—

Em.
O! yes, forget Emira.

Sir.
Farewell, Emira, thou wilt have me guilty,
Wilt have me dead—thou shalt be satisfied.
I'll to my father and avow his son
The secret traitor—thus thy cruelty
Shall be at full appeas'd.

[going.
Em.
Hold—go not yet.

Sir.
What wouldst thou have? Leave, leave me to my fate.

Em.
Yet hear—to make thee guilty nought avails
To me or Cosroes.

Sir.
'Tis enough for me
To perish innocent: hear me, Emira,
At length I find I'm more a son than lover;
I can no longer live, and still be silent:
If nothing less can save him from thy fury,
I will disclose the whole.

Em.
Go, traitor, go,
Accuse thyself or me. In spite of thee
Thy purpose I'll prevent: then see who most
Will gain belief.

[going.
Sir.
I see, too cruel maid!
My blood is sought and I will shed the stream,
Now sate thy cruel heart with Siroes' death.

[draws his sword.

SCENE III.

Enter Cosroes.
Cos.
[entering sees the sword drawn.]
What dost thou, impious youth?

Em.
[aside.]
O! heavenly Powers!

Cos.
Wretch! hast thou drawn thy sword against my friend?
Can'st thou refute this truth? Tho' none beside
Accuses thee, mine eyes are not deceiv'd;
Say that I charge thee falsely.

Sir.
All is true:
Yes, I am guilty; I betray my father;
I hate my brother, and insult Hydaspes.
Death, death is my desert: you are unjust,
If longer you delay the welcome stroke.
I heed nor Gods nor men, detest myself,
And loath the light of Heaven.

Em.
[aside.]
Ye Powers! defend him.

Cos.
Ho! guards! secure the prince.

[guards enter.
Em.
He meant not, sir,
Offence to me, but blind with sudden passion,
Perchance against himself design'd the weapon.

Cos.
In vain thou seek'st to veil his crime with arts
Of pious falsehood. Wherefore didst thou fly?

Em.
My flight was not from fear.

Sir.
O! cease, no more:
Hydaspes, cease: my greatest foe is he
Who now would save me; death, and death alone
Must end my present torment.

Cos.
Take thy wish?
Thou hast few moments, traitor, more to live.

Em.
What says my king? On Siroes' life prolong'd
Depends your own: he has not yet confess'd
The accomplice of his crime: with him would die
The important secret.

Cos.
True. How much, Hydaspes,
I owe thy love: be ever near me still.

Sir.
So may you run perhaps on certain fate:
Who knows but that Hydaspes may betray you?

Em.
Who, I betray him!

Sir.
Every one may prove
A foe conceal'd; take heed nor trust appearance:
Who can discern the traitor?

Cos.
Peace and leave me.

Sir.

[Exit guarded.

SCENE IV.

Cosroes, Emira.
Em.
[aside.]
The king is thoughtful.

Cos.
[to himself.]
From such numerous proofs
I know my son is guilty—yet those words—

Em.
[aside.]
Perhaps his mind begins to admit suspicions
Suggested thus by Siroes.

Cos.
[to himself.]
Can it be!
Hydaspes to betray me?

Em.
If he once
Suspect my truth, my purpose half is lost.
He heeds me not—We are alone—the time
Now calls upon me—

Cos.
He perhaps that's guilty
Accuses him to make his crime the less,
By partnership of treason.

Em.
Now, Emira,
[draws her sword.
Now slay the victim to thy father's ghost.

SCENE V.

Enter Medarses.
Med.
My lord.

Em.
[aside.]
O! heavenly powers!

Med.
Hydaspes, say
What means that weapon?

Em.
At his foot to lay
The pledge of loyalty: there are who durst
Excite his fear of me. My jealous honour
Admits not doubt—Hydaspes deem'd a traitor!
Yes, Siroes here has touched me—Mighty Gods!
Has touch'd my inmost heart, and till this truth
Be deeply search'd, behold me now disarm'd
And Cosroes' prisoner.

Cos.
O! exalted faith!

Med.
Perchance my brother sought another name
To veil his crime.

Cos.
Hydaspes, to its place
Return thy sword, to wear in my defence.

Em.
Forgive me, when a monarch's life's in danger
A shadow is a substance; from your mind
Be banish'd first the doubt that wrongs Hydaspes,
Then to its place return the unsullied weapon,
Fit guardian for your safety.

Cos.
No, Hydaspes,
Resume thy sword.

Em.
I must not, Sir, obey you.

Cos.
'Tis my command.

Em.
What you command, Hydaspes
No longer dares oppose. But yet permit me
To leave the court, lest new suspicions, rais'd
By envious minds, should taint my innocence.

Cos.
No; 'tis my will Hydaspes should remain
To watch my danger.

Em.
I?

Cos.
Yes, thou Hydaspes.

Em.
Who can to me unsure the faith of numbers
To whom your life is trusted? I must stand
Pledg'd for the truth of each—Had I myself
The sole disposal—

Cos.
'Tis enough—in thee
That power be vested: from the royal guards
Take those approv'd the trustiest: at thy will,
Dispose and change them; and the care be thine
To find the latent traitor.

Em.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

Cosroes, Medarses.
Med.
'Tis wondrous, sure, to find such loyalty
In one a stranger born; but yet, my king,
All this suffices not: our destiny
Demands a stronger pledge.

Cos.
Before this day
Declines, thou shalt be partner in my throne:
Then little can one madman's pride prevail
Against the power of two united kings.

Med.
Your love to me will but incense him more:
Already Siroes has seduc'd the people,
And numbers own his cause: seditious threats
Are heard on every hand.—Alas! my lord,
Unless the plant is rooted from the soil,
It still must grow and spread to our annoyance.
A remedy is sure—but harsh to speak—
The head once sever'd, faction in the vulgar
Soon loses all its vigour.

Cos.
Oh! my heart
Recoils from such a deed—

Med.
'Tis true, the thought
Congeals my blood.—No other way remains
To ensure your safety, but to pardon Siroes,
And raise him to the throne.—To him, my father,
I gladly yield the now contested sway,
To wander far an exile from my country,
And ease his fears of me: should this be little,
My vital blood shall gladly flow to appease him:
Strike here, and deem me happy in the wound
That renders peace to him who gave me being.

Cos.
I feel my eyes o'erflow with tenderness:
Ah! dear Medarses, let me hold thee thus,
Close to my heart. Why did not Heaven bestow
Two sons like thee!

Med.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Cosroes
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Apartments, with a view of the royal gardens.
Siroes disarmed. Araxes.
Ar.
He who refuses succour justifies
The rigour of his fate: despair, my prince,
Not virtue makes you thus condemn in me
A zeal that has improv'd the people's favour
In your behalf.

Sir.
The stroke of adverse Fate
Is conquer'd by endurance.

Ar.
Seldom Fortune
Is friend to merit; and she takes offence
That ever man should more confide in virtue
Than in her partial favours.

Sir.
Know, the soul
That warms this bosom would far rather bear
The pangs of suffering innocence than find
Such happiness as follows prosperous guilt.

Ar.
That innocence is little priz'd which meets
The world's reproach.—The vulgar from events
Direct their judgment, and believe those guilty
Whom Fortune has depress'd.

Sir.
Enough for me
To know myself and die with self-applause.

Ar.
Still in despite of this too rigid virtue,
The care be mine to save you from your father,
Unjust and cruel Cosroes: yes, the people,
The squadrons will unite in such a cause.

Sir.
But this is surely treason, not defence.

Ar.
Since you, though innocent, would lose
That aid a friend supplies:
To meet the conflict you refuse,
My valour shall suffice;
And few the treason will accuse
By which a traitor dies.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

Siroes, Medarses.
Med.
Alone, my brother?

Sir.
I have ever with me
The sad society of adverse Fortune.

Med.
Thy happiness is surely now secur'd.
This instant Cosroes will be here: perchance
He comes to give thee comfort.

Sir.
See what comfort
My destiny has sent: instead of Cosroes
Medarses comes.

Med.
Yes, doubtless 'tis thy wish
Without a witness to receive thy father:
So might'st thou practise every soothing art
To varnish o'er thy guilt; but could thy folly
E'er hope Medarses would consent to this?

Sir.
Thou art deceiv'd: as gladly would I speak
When thou art present: he who knows not guilt
Ne'er feels the glow of shame.—In seeing thee,
It only grieves me to reflect our blood
Flow'd from one common spring.

Med.
I ask no virtues
But royalty and empire.

SCENE X.

Enter Cosroes and Emira.
Cos.
[entering.]
Guard, Hydaspes,
The entrance here, and let Laodice
Be near to wait my bidding.

Em.
I obey.

[retires apart.
Cos.
Medarses, leave us.

Med.
Must I leave you, sir?
And should I be accus'd, what friend will then
Defend my innocence?

Cos.
I will defend it.

Sir.
[to Med.]
Remain, if so thou wilt.

Cos.
[to Sir.]
No, I would first
Converse with thee alone.

Med.
And can you, sir,
Intrust yourself with him?

Cos.
Enquire no further:
Leave us, Medarses.

Med.
I obey; but yet—

Cos.
No more, Medarses—go—retire awhile.

Med.
[aside.]
My cruel fortune now begins to frown.

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

Cosroes, Siroes. Emira apart.
Cos.
Sit, Siroes, now, and listen while I speak.
[sits.
Behold I come a father or a judge,
Even as thyself would'st choose me. If a father,
Then mark how far my clemency extends;
Or, if a judge, observe how well with thee
I can support the duty.

Sir.
Siroes fears not
The name of judge, and venerates the father.

[sits.
Cos.
May I expect the obedience of a son
To one command? Speak not till I have finish'd—
But hear me with respect.

Sir.
I promise, sir,
Till you permit my speech, to attend in silence.

Em.
[hearing them.]
What would he say?

Cos.
I see, thee, Siroes, guilty
Of many crimes; but let me first recall them
To thy remembrance. I from thee requir'd
An oath that might secure the kingdom's peace,
And this thou didst refuse. I pardon'd thee,
And thou, ungrateful, didst abuse my mercy.
A paper told me that some traitor lurk'd
Amongst my dearest friends; and while my mind
Was labouring with suspense and anxious terror,
I found thee, then conceal'd in my apartment.
What would I more? Medarses has himself
Reveal'd thy crimes—

Sir.
And can you, sir, believe—

Cos.
Observe thy promise, hear me and be silent.

Em.
[to herself]
Unhappy prince!

Cos.
All vent complaints against thee,
Thou hast scoff'd at all decorum in the court;
And from thy insolence is none secure.
Medarses bears thy insults; and thy love
Has rashly dar'd to affront Laodice,
Nay offer threats; and even, before my eyes,
Thou wouldst have slain Hydaspes. Add to these
The people's murmurs rais'd against my peace,
Excited first by thee—

Sir.
Ah! falsehood all!

Cos.
Observe thy promise, hear me and be silent.
Behold me now, provok'd by such excesses,
As if compell'd to sentence thee; and yet
I pardon all, and blot them from remembrance.
Come then, my son, let us again revive
The love of child and parent. Name the traitor,
Or those that share his treason: from the offender
An injur'd father claims no recompense
But penitence sincere and future truth.

Em.
[to herself.]
I see that Siroes now is greatly mov'd:
Alas! should he betray me—

Sir.
O! my lord,
I cannot speak

Cos.
Then hear me,—Dost thou fear
For him that's guilty? Know thy fear is vain,
If thou art he, confession to a father
Absolves the crime and smooths thy path to empire;
But if thou art not he, disclose his name
And freely I forgive him. If thou wilt,
Receive this royal hand, the pledge of pardon.

Em.
[aside.]
Alas! I fear.

Sir.
O! could I surely know
Your justice never would pursue the treason,
I might reveal—

Em.
[interrupting them hastily.]
Does not my lord remember
That now Laodice awaits his leisure?

Sir.
[aside.]
O! Heavens! what means she here?

Cos.
[to Em.]
I know it well:
Ietire Hydaspes.

Em.
I obey my sovereign.
[aside to Sir.]
Perfidious! dare not now betray my secret.

[retires.
Sir.
[aside.]
Cruel Emira!

Cos.
[to Sir.]
Siroes, speak, retrieve
My past affections.—Still, still art thou silent?
Why art thou thus disturb'd?

Sir.
O! Heaven!

Cos.
I see
Thou canst not bear to hear without emotion
Laodice but nam'd. In this, my son,
Thou shalt be happy: I will here prevent
Thy warmest wishes; I confess my weakness;
I love Laodice, (with shame I own it,)
And yet to thee resign her: only speak,
Disclose the hidden snare, secure my peace,
And take her for thy bride.

Sir.
You would not, sir,
Believe your son—

Em.
[interrupting them.]
Laodice impatient
Has press'd to be admitted; and in fear
She might intrude upon your privacy,
I have dismiss'd her hence.

Cos.
And is she gone?

Em.
She is, my king.

Cos.
Go, haste and call her back.

Em.
I go, my lord—Thou wilt not sure betray me?

[aside to Sir.
Sir.
[aside.]
What anguish do I suffer?

Cos.
Speak, my son,
Laodice is thine—What would'st thou more?
I see thee still in doubt.

Sir.
I never lov'd
Laodice—and yet I must not speak.

Cos.
[rising.]
Perfidious! now too plain I read thy purpose,
To live a traitor and a traitor die.
What could'st thou further ask? I seal thy pardon,
Invite thee to my throne, and to thy arms
Resign a maid, the object of my love;
Yet all will not suffice. My death, my blood,
I know thou long hast sought. Unworthy son!
Indulge thy wish: behold me here before thee,
Unguarded and alone—Inhuman! now,
Disarm me now, and plunge the weapon here.

[points to his breast.
Em.
[interposing.]
What cause excites such anger in my king?
I must not leave you thus without defence?
Behold me here.

Cos.
Go, bring Laodice.

[Exit Emira.

SCENE XII.

Cosroes, Siroes.
Sir.
My lord, if e'er I lov'd Loadice,
May Heaven in justice—

Cos.
Do not tempt the Gods
Again with perjuries.

SCENE XIII.

Enter Laodice, and Emira.
Laod.
I come, my lord,
Obedient to your summons.

Cos.

[Exit.

SCENE XIV.

Siroes, Emira, Laodice.
Sir.
[to himself.]
On what shall I resolve?

Em.
Ye happy lovers,
Hydaspes joys to see your fortune smile.
O! what has future time in store for Persia
From such an union; should the rising offspring
Reflect the mother's charms and father's virtues?

Sir.
[to himself.]
And does she mock me too?

Laod.
May favouring Heaven
Improve the gladsome omen! Silent still?
He seems irresolute and lost in thought.

Em.
[to Sir.]
Speak, for 'twere madness longer to dissemble.

Sir.
O! Heavens!—Away and leave me.

Em.
Well thou know'st
The king has charg'd thee in Hydaspes' presence
To choose a prison or Laodice.

Laod.
On what wilt thou resolve?

Sir.
I leave Hydaspes
To fix my choice: his will shall be my law.
Meantime I go, amidst my chains, to expect
What fate determines next.

Em.
I know not, prince—

Sir.

[Exit.

SCENE XV.

Emira, Laodice.
Em.
[aside.]
How shall I now address Laodice?

Laod.
Hydaspes, on the sentence of thy lips
My happiness and Persia's fate depend.

Em.
It seems that unconstrain'd Laodice
Would give herself in marriage ties to Siroes.

Laod.
That were indeed a bliss.

Em.
You love him then?

Laod.
My fondest thoughts are his.

Em.
And do you hope
His hand will ever—

Laod.
Yes, by thee I hope
To see it given to mine.

Em.
Your hopes are vain.

Laod.
And wherefore, say?

Em.
Shall I disclose my secret?

Laod.
With freedom speak.

Em.
I am myself a lover;
Forgive my boldness—I adore your beauties.

Laod.
Mine, mine, Hydaspes?

Em.
Yours, Laodice?
Ah! who unmov'd could view those locks of gold,
Those roseate cheeks, and lips of coral hue,
That ivory breast, and those soft-beaming eyes?
Ah! should you doubt what flame consumes my heart
Look in this face and read my passion there.

Laod.
And silent yet till now—

Em.
Till now respect
Restrain'd my tongue.

Laod.
Then mark me well, Hydaspes,
I never can return thy love.

Em.
O! Heaven!
Too cruel fair.

Laod.
If it be true thou lov'st me,
Be friend to my affections; give to me,
With virtue that becomes thy noble nature,
The prince belov'd.

Em.
You claim too much from virtue.

Laod.
Siroes is lost.

Em.
Heaven guards the innocent.

Laod.
If hope to thee should feign thou hast my pity,
Know hope deceives thee

Em.
Can you be so cruel?

Laod.
My cruelty was taught me by Hydaspes.

Em.
O! give me patience, Heaven!

Load.
Yes, while I live,
I'll hate thee still, nor shalt thou e'er have cause
To scoff at my misfortunes.

Em.
Yet one comfort
At least remains—both share the pangs of love.

Laod.
When safe in port my vessel rides,
You drive me back to stormy tides,
And sink me in the main.
But love may give you soon to know
An equal share of equal woe,
Such woe as I sustain.

[Exit.

SCENE XVI.

Emira
alone.

[Exit.