University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A court yard.
Cosroes, Araxes.
Cos.
Araxes, he must die: enough till now
Has nature pleaded for him in this bosom,

Ar.
Who will ensure you, sir, that, Siroes dead,
The people will not seek to avenge his death?
And that the means employ'd to quell the tumults,
May not increase them?

Cos.
Be it thine, Araxes,
With vigorous secrecy to oppose the plans
Of these seditious; and to them be shewn,
The sever'd head of my degenerate son.
Soon shalt thou see rebellion's current dried
When once the fountain fails.

Ar.
Before we prove
A remedy like this, we may employ
Some other not so dreadful.

Cos.
And what other
Remains untried? Hydaspes and myself
Have toil'd, and toil'd in vain,—this rebel son
Thirsts for my blood, refuses every gift,
And still persists in obstinate concealment.

Ar.
Then must I, O! my liege—

Cos.
Yes, go—Araxes,
His death is needful for me; I pronounce
The fatal sentence—but, O Heaven! I feel
My heart congeal'd, my eyes o'erflow'd with tears,
And shedding Siroes' blood I shed my own.

Ar.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Cosroes
alone.
Before I prov'd the frowns of angry Heaven,
I then was blest in life and blest in empire:
But to preserve them, since my heart must suffer
A punishment so dreadful, life and empire
Are both a burden.

SCENE III.

Enter Laodice.
Laod.
Haste, my king! the palace
Is now encompass'd by a rebel-band
That call for Siroes.

Cos.
They shall have their wish:
They shall—already to a faithful arm
His death is given in charge: perhaps even now
Through many a wound his treacherous soul is fled,
And thus I give him to his friends.

Laod.
O Heaven!
Wretched Laodice!—What have you done?

[to Cos.
Cos.
What have I done? Aveng'd offended majesty,
Aveng'd offended love, thy wrongs and mine.

Laod.
O! you are deceiv'd! Reverse the cruel order,
The prince has never injur'd you in love—
'Twas falsehood, falsehood all.

Cos.
What say'st thou—ha!

Laod.
In vain I strove to win the heart of Siroes,
Till fir'd with rage, to punish his disdain,
I forg'd the tale.

Cos.
Hast thou betray'd me too?

Laod.
Yes, Cosroes, here behold the criminal:
Let me be slain, but let the guiltless live.

Cos.
What, guiltless! he who sought a father's life?
Who kindled in thy breast the flame of love?
He's guilty, guilty of the worst of treason;
Guilty of pleasing thee—and he shall die.

Laod.
To obtain the life of a devoted son,
And from a father, was a gift so mighty
I ought not to have hop'd it.—What avail
These hapless charms, that fail to move your pity?
You never lov'd me, 'twas deception all.

Cos.
Ungrateful maid! I lov'd thee but too well:
I meant to seat thee on the Persian throne;
Nor is this all: within my bosom brood
A thousand cares: I know that thou art false,
And yet, (O! shame to think!) I could confess
That many pangs I feel are caus'd by thee.

Laod.
Then yield, my lord, to my entreaties yield:
O! save the prince, and let my death appease you,
Most happy if my blood—

Cos.
Laodice,
Depart: by seeking thus to save his life,
Thou mak'st his guilt the more—thy suit offends me.

Laod.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Cosroes
alone.
Now let us see how far my fate will urge
Her barbarous rigour: yes, I'll meet it all.

SCENE V.

Enter Emira.
Em.
O sir! release the prince, restore him now
To appease the furious people: threatening loud
On every hand, with undistinguish'd cries
They vent their maddening rage, and in a moment
From shouting multitudes resounds the name
Of Siroes.

Cos.
Is the tumult then so high?

Em.
The lowest of the vulgar now assume
The pride of rebels: in ten thousand hands
Ten thousand falchions flash; and such the frenzy,
That creeping age and timorous childhood fly
With arms and weapons to supply the strong.

Cos.
Resist the tumult yet some moments longer
And I no more shall fear it.

Em.
Say, what mean
My sovereign's words?

Cos.
Already is Araxes
Dispatch'd by my command to slay my son.

Em.
And could'st thou thus resolve—revoke, O Heaven!
The fatal sentence—I myself will go
The harbinger of mercy—give me, sir,
The royal signet.

Cos.
Thou in vain demand'st it:
His death must be my safety.

Em.
O! how chang'd
Art thou from Cosroes! where are now the virtues
That grac'd thee once, companions in the throne?
Ah! what will Persia say, and what the world?
Cosroes till now the idol of his subjects,
And terror of his foes; whose conquering arms,
By wealthy Ganges and the fertile Nile,
The furthest Ind and Æthiop's tawny sons
Admir'd and fear'd? O! think what thou hast lost,
In one dread moment! If thou canst forget
The laws of nature thus, one fatal act
Blots all thy glories—Still, O! still reflect,
Yet, yet recall—

Cos.
But Siroes is a traitor.

Em.
But Siroes is your son, a son that ever
Was worthy you, who from his father's deeds
Has learn'd so well to triumph: yet a child
Cosroes in him avow'd his hope and joy.
Oft have I heard that, when array'd in arms,
You sought the foe, or came victorious home,
His was the parting and returning kiss;
While playful he stretch'd out his little hands
To clasp a father's neck, and fearless smil'd
To see the dazzling helm and nodding plume.

Cos.
How hast thou wak'd remembrance!

Em.
Yet this son
Is doom'd to death, and doom'd, O! Heaven! by whom?
A father's voice.

Cos.
I can resist no longer—

Em.
O! if my service ever claim'd reward,
O! let not Siroes perish. Send me hence
Resolve—a moment more the deadly stroke
May then be past recall.

Cos.
Here, take my signet,
And fly to save him.

Em.
O! transporting sounds.

[going meets Araxes.

SCENE VI.

Enter Araxes.
Em.
Araxes, Heavens!

Cos.
With anguish in his looks—
O! Gods!

Em.
Speak, lives the prince?

Ar.
He lives no longer.

Em.
O! Siroes!

Cos.
O! my son!

Ar.
At once he fell,
And by a single stroke: his generous soul
One moment linger'd on his dying lips
To cry—“Araxes, guard my father's life—”
Then fled for ever.

Cos.
O! support me, Heaven!
Hydaspes, O! I faint!

Em:
Inhuman! thou!
Dost thou lament! and who has murder'd Siroes?
Say, barbarous man! of whom do'st thou complain?
Go, tyrant! go, and from his bosom rend
The heart still panting; sate thy rage with blood,
With filial blood! a spectacle of horror,
The stain of Persia and the world's abhorrence!

Cos.
Is this Hydaspes speaks? has frenzy seiz'd him,
Or does he feign this madness?

Em.
Till this hour
He feign'd indeed, but feign'd till time should serve
To pierce the heart of Cosroes.

Cos.
How has Cosroes
Deserv'd thy hatred?

Em.
Impious! how deserv'd?
Hast thou not murder'd now my plighted lord?
By thee I've lost a father, and by thee
Have liv'd an exile from my rightful throne.
Behold in me thy foe—I am Emira.

Cos.
What do I hear!

Ar.
O! wonderful discovery!

Cos.
Now do I know who 'twas seduc'd my son.

Em.
'Tis true, I tried, but vainly tried to shake
His faith to thee—this learn for my revenge.
And know, perfidious! from Emira's hatred
He watch'd thy safety: know 'twas he who plac'd
That warning paper: know, 'tis he who dies
A guiltless victim; know, that each suspicion,
And charge against this truth was falsehood all.
Go—think, and if thou can'st in peace repose.

Cos.
Araxes, let her be reserv'd in chains
To satiate my resentment.

Ar.
I obey.
[to Em.]
Resign thy sword.

Em.
My hand alone disarms me:
There—take my weapon.
[gives her sword to Arax. who goes out and returns with a guard
[to Cos.]
Be not thou deceiv'd
To hope that threats can terrify Emira.

Cos.
Leave me, ingrate! society like thine
But adds to what I feel.

Em.
Let Cosroes' guilt,
Without my aid, suffice to make him wretched,

[Exit guarded.

SCENE VII.

Cosroes, Araxes.
Cos.
Where am I! cruel, cruel recollection!
Do I yet live?

Ar.
Take comfort, dear my lord:
Think what may now preserve your threaten'd empire;
Think of your own repose.

Cos.

[Exit.
Ar.
Bring back the prisoner.

[Emira brought in by the guards.

SCENE VIII.

Araxes, Emira.
Ar.
Now, benignant stars!
Succeed my great designs. Retire.

[to the guards who go out.
Em.
What would
An impious king's more wicked minister?
Must I prepare for death?

Ar.
No, mighty princess;
Live and preserve yourself for him you love,
Your plighted lord—for know that Siroes lives.

Em.
Is't possible?

Ar.
I gladly from the king
Receiv'd the fatal charge; but 'twas to employ
The means to save him.

Em.
Wherefore from the father,
Repentant of the deed, conceal his safety?

Ar.
Because to me it seem'd his pity rose,
As fear subsided: should he now be told
That Siroes lives, his pity might again
Be chang'd to fear: for pity sways no more
When stronger fear prevails: the first is rais'd
By other's pains, the second by our own.

Em.
But where is Siroes?

Ar.
He in chains expects
His speedy death.

Em.
Hast thou not yet ensur'd
The prince's safety?

Ar.
I must first collect
My faithful friends securely to conduct him,
Where now the impatient people wait his presence;
And since the father thinks him dead, with ease
We may complete our purpose.

Em.
Let us hence—
[going.
But ah! Medarses comes.

Ar.
Be not dismay'd,
I will depart: do you awhile remain,
And learn what next the treacherous prince designs:
Fear not—be constant.

Em.
I confide in thee.

[Exit Araxes.

SCENE IX.

Emira, Medarses.
Em.
What cause disturbs you, sir?

Med.
All is in tumult,
And would'st thou have me unconcern'd Hydaspes?

Em.
[aside.]
As yet he knows me not. [to Med.]
Then let us hence
To oppose these daring rebels.

Med.
Other succour
Our danger claims—I hasten now to Siroes.

Em.
And mean'st thou then to free the unworthy author
Of all our evils?

Med.
Think me not so senseless—
I go to take his life.

Em.
I heard that Siroes
Had breath'd his last.

Med.
Ha! dead! by whom, Hydaspes?

Em.
I know not whom, for doubtful and confus'd
To me the rumour came. And thou, Medarses,
Didst thou not hear?

Med.
The tidings never reach'd me.

Em.
Then 'twas some fiction by the people fram'd.

Med.
No matter what: alive or dead, it now
Imports me much that Siroes should be found.

Em.
I go before thee, and whate'er thy purpose,
Hydaspes will perform—I've heard enough.

[aside, Exit.

SCENE X.

Medarses
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

A part of the castle destined for the prison of Siroes.
Siroes
alone.
I'm weary now of suffering, cruel Gods!
Your anger longer: what to me avail
My innocence and virtue? While the loyal
Remain depress'd, the traitor is exalted.
If thus Astræa weighs the deeds of men,
Or chance must rule, or innocence is guilt.

SCENE XII.

Enter Emira.
Em.
[entering.]
Araxes truly spoke, my Siroes lives.

Sir.
Emira! say, how hast thou gain'd admittance
Amidst my rigorous guards?

Em.
This royal signet
Procur'd me entrance.

Sir.
Whence didst thou receive it?

Em.
From Cosroes' self.

Sir.
If to conclude my woes,
My father chooses thee his minister;
For such a death, to die by hands so lov'd,
I pardon all the malice of my fate.

Em.
Then hear and judge Emira—

SCENE XIII.

Enter Medarses.
Med.
[entering.]
Fear not, guards,
The king has sent me.

Em.
O! ye Powers!

Med.
Hydaspes
Already here, and here without thy sword
In my defence?

Em.
But now, upon my entrance,
The guards disarm'd me—Would to Heaven Araxes
Were yet arriv'd!

[aside looking out.
Sir.
And does Medarses come
Again to insult me? On what distant shore
Can Siroes hide him from a faithless brother?

Med.
Peace, or thou diest.

[draws his sword.
Em.
The guilty little suffer
In meeting death they wish: some moments still
Suspend the stroke: reflection then will shew him
Its utmost horrors: I meantime may vent
My hatred in reproaches: well you know
He is my foe, that even within the palace
His sword was drawn against Hydaspes' life.

Sir.
Must I endure all this?

Em.
[aside.]
O! would to Heaven,
Araxes were arriv'd!

[looking out.
Sir.
And can Hydaspes,
Forgetting faith and friendship, join a traitor?

Med.
Peace or thou diest.

Sir.
Kill, kill me, cruel man;
The death were doubly welcome, that remov'd
Such objects now, so painful to my sight.

Med.
Die then—my heart recoils.

[aside.
Em.
[aside.]
Help, mighty Gods!

Med.
[aside.]
I feel, I know not how, some secret horror
Unnerve my arm.

Sir.
Barbarian! why this pause?

Em.
[aside.]
And yet he comes not.

[looking out.
Med.
[aside.]
What unmans me thus?

Em.
[to Med.]
Thy colour changes: to my hand resign
The weapon, and by me shall justice pierce
His treacherous heart. Hydaspes can alone
Exact revenge for those his deeds have wrong'd.

Med.
There, use it in my stead.

[gives the sword to Em.
Sir.
[to Em.]
And am I then
So hateful to thee?

Em.
[to Sir.]
Now, thou false-one, see
What hope for thy escape—Defend thyself,
My dearest Siroes!—this shall guard thy life.

[delivers him the sword.
Med.
What hast thou done, Hydaspes? Wilt thou thus
Betray me, him who trusts his all to thee?

Em.
No! thou art deceiv'd; no longer I'm Hydaspes—
Behold in me Emira.

Sir.
Ha! what means
Emira now?

Med.
Ah! traitors! at my voice
The guards shall seize on both.

Sir.
Peace or thou diest.

[threatens him.

SCENE XIV.

Enter Araxes, and Guards.
Ar.
Haste, Siroes, haste.

Med.
Defend thy lord, Araxes.

Ar.
Araxes comes but in defence of Siroes.

Med.
Perfidious traitor!

Arax.
[to Sir.]
All Selucia yields
To your command; then let us not delay,
But with your presence cheer your faithful friends.
The passage now is free; and these I leave
For your protection: come and learn, my prince,
What I till now have wrought for your deliverance.

[Exit. Guards remain.

SCENE XV.

Siroes, Emira, Medarses, Guards.
Med.
O! Heavens! all, all forsake me!

Em.
Let us go,
My dearest Siroes, nor neglect the good
By favouring fortune given: pursue my steps,
Behold the path that leads you to the throne.

Sir.
Is it then true, thou treasure of my soul,
That thou no longer now art Siroes' foe?
What torture did I feel to think thee false?

Em.
And couldst thou ever doubt Emira's truth?

Sir.
Forgive me, best belov'd, but Siroes lives
A wretch so hateful now to every star;
What else might seem impossible, if leagu'd
Against my peace, I can believe it all.

Em.

[Exit.

SCENE XVI.

Siroes, Medarses, Guards.
Med.
O! Siroes, I confess the rightful fate
From which, in me, you have preserv'd a traitor;
And more, believe me, I detest the guilt
Than fear the punishment. Ascend the throne.
But first, as here I stand without defence,
Cut short this wretched being.

Sir.

[Exit.

SCENE XVI.

Medarses
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE XVII.

A great square in Seleucia; a view of the royal palace, with magnificent preparations for the coronation of Medarses, which are afterwards used for the coronation of Siroes. At the opening of the scene a skirmish appears between the insurgents and royal guards: the last are defeated and driven off.
Cosroes and Emira with drawn swords: Cosroes defending himself against some of the conspirators; he falls.
Cos.
I am not conquer'd yet.

Em.
Forbear, my friends,
This stroke is mine.

[advancing on Cosroes.

SCENE XVIII.

Enter Siroes, his sword drawn.
Sir.
[interposing.]
Emira, hold! what dost thou?
Fear not, my father, Siroes is your guard.

Em.
O! cruel fate!

[aside.
Cos.
And dost thou live, my son!

Sir.
I live, and live to die in your defence.

Cos.
And who preserv'd thy life.

SCENE XIX.

Enter Araxes and people.
Ar.
[entering.]
'Twas I preserv'd him.
I wish'd to free the prince, yet keep my truth
Unshaken to my king: your faithful people
Require no more. If Cosroes should refuse
To absolve me for the past, the power is his
To punish my deceit.

Cos.
O! fair deceit!

SCENE LAST.

Enter Medarses, and Laodice.
Med.
My father.

Laod.
O! my king.

Med.
[kneels.]
Behold Medarses
Now sues for pardon, or for punishment.

Laod.
I too am guilty, and submissive bend
Before my judge: 'twas I that chiefly rais'd
This cruel tempest.

Cos.
Siroes is the offended.

Sir.
Siroes forgets the offenders and the offence;
And thou, Emira, calm at length thy anger.
Ah! think how ill the name of foe unites
With her, the object of my soul's affection:
Dismiss thy love, or think no more of vengeance.

Em.
I can resist no longer: such example
Of godlike virtue from my breast removes
All former hatred.

Cos.
[to Em.]
Henceforth let the throne
With you for ever prove the seat of peace:
Siroes shall be your spouse.

Em., Sir.
O! happy day!

Cos.
Persia, behold your king: from me the crown
Shall pass to Siroes' head. I gladly here
Resign the charge; and he whose earliest years
Were spent for you, shall better now sustain,
With vigorous youth, the burden of dominion.

Chorus.