University of Virginia Library

ACT IIII.

Scene the first.

Cæsars Tents.
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Mecœnas.
Cæsar,
My offers scornd! Ambassadors abus'd!
Yet he of Pride unjustly is accus'd.

Mec.
Thyreus was ill chose, he long has been
A secret Servant to th'Ægyptian Queen.
What if I went with terms more moderate;
I, who am less Obnoxius to his hate.

Cæs.
This Offer now the danger grows so near,
In a man less known, shou'd take for fear.

Agrip.
His Insolence no longer I defend.

Cæs.
See here the Challenge he thinks fit to send.

[Agrip. reads.
Agrip.
In single Combat let our Fencers fight:
With Armies, Emperors dispute their right.

Cæs.
Like him, I Roman blood would gladly spare,
And to a Combat would contract the War.
My youth, and unfoil'd strength, may Conquest claim
Over this Shadow of a mighty Name:
Now prest with Age, and with Debauches worn,
Th'unequal Combat I not fear, but scorn.

Agrip.
He like an aged Oak in Autumn shows,
From whose dry Arms some Leaves each minute blows;
One King or Ally, still forsake his side,
His Empire ebbs like a declining Tide.
Have patience, Sir, he of himself muk fall,
Who in despair does for the Combat call.

Cæs.
To a brave Death I'll open him the way;
See an Assault be made without delay.
I at my Armies head shall soon appear,
And if he dares, he may engage me there.

Enter Octavia.
Octav.
O Brother! if that name have yet a Pow'r,
And be not lost in that of Emperor:
Pity my sad estate, since I alone
On both sides mourning, can rejoyce on none.
The World divided in their wishes stand;
My self alone stab'd through on every hand.
A Brother here! There must a Husband fall;
On the just Gods I know not how to call!
No chance of War can with my mind comply;
But I must weep at eithers Victory.

Cæs.
If I o'rcome, your Husband I will spare.

Octav.
He will not spare himself, I more than fear,
Shou'd he prevail, th'Egyptian Queen will sway;
Whom you, and I, and he, must all obey.
His am'rous heart must execute her will,
And whom she frowns on, in Obedience kill.
You to Ambition must a Victim bleed,
And from my hated Title to his bed,
Must Cleopatra in my Death be freed;
And haughty Rome acknowledg a vain Queen,
Or be of Civil Arms th'endless Scene.

Cæs.
He doth all terms of Reconcilement slight:
There nothing now remains but that we fight.
He's now a meer soft Purple Asian Prince;
And Rome his Empire has disown'd long since.

Octav.
Ingrateful Rome! but most ingrateful you!
Can you forget whom Cassius overthrew?
Who first to Rome a Parthian triumph show'd,
And the long Pride of that great Empire bow'd?
Who the first Cæsar made, revenged his death,
And fixt that Empire, which he did bequeath,
On you almost unknown: Where they receive,
Base Natures hate; and Love, but where they give.

Cæs.
Go serve th'Ægyptian, learn to dress her head;
Your slighted Love, and your neglected Bed
Can you forget; and fulsomely pursue
The Man with kindness, who despises you?
I shou'd my self scorn fawning Beauty too:
'Tis as absurd, as if the Gods shou'd sue.

Oct.
Wives (like good Subjects, who to Tyrants bow)
To Husbands though unjust, long patience owe:
They were for Freedom made, Obedience We,
Courage their vertue, ours is Chastity.
Reason it self in us must not be bold,
Nor decent Custom be by Wit controul'd.
On our own heads we desperately stray,
And are still happiest, the vulgar way.

Cæs.
Who ever did such Moral Nonsence hear?
My Sister sure is turn'd Philosopher.
But we Antonius Pride will soon pull down;
This hour shall give me his whole lifes renown.
I the long trade of Fame disdain to drive;
But to the Top will at one step arrive.

Octav.
Since then my pray'rs and tears can nothing gain,
In the Foes Camp no longer I'll remain.
The Arms I hate, my presence shall not grace;
Antonius Cause I'll openly embrace.
To Rome I'll go, and all thy acts disown;
Make thy Ambition, and thy Falshood known
To every Roman of the Sword and Gown,
Till th'art more hated far than Cateline,
Then Scilla, Marius, or the Tarquins Line.
Some will for Freedom, some Antonius fight,
And against Thee both parties I'll unite;
Amongst thy Foes I like a Spark will fall,
And to a sudden Flame convert 'em all.

Cæs.
You wou'd not sure my Love so ill repay.

Octa.
Your Love! your Pride and endless Thirst of sway.
To gain my friends, my Quarrel you pretend,
But universal Empire is your end.
Rome's once great Senate now is but a name;
While some with fear, and some with Bribes you tame.
Men learn at Court what they must there repeat,
And for Concurrence, not for Council meet.
At least all such as think of being great,
They blindly labour at their own ill fate,
And dig up by the roots the tottering State.

Cæs.
Against Antonius Riots they declare,
And I at their Command but wage this War.

Octa.
Dull Long-gown Statesmen you may feel that Sword
Which thus you whet against my injur'd Lord.
When Cæsar wills a Law, for all your rules,
It will be better taught in Camps, than Schools.

Cæs.
Your fears distract you, or you needs must see
Your hopes of happiness depend on me.
'Tis my success must make Antonius find
The dire effect of an unbridled mind.

Oct.
Who ever did an Emperor reform?
Scarce Heav'n it self can that great Task perform.

Cæs.
Heaven chooses me the fittest instrument,
And on that glorious Task I'm wholly bent.

Oct.
Is't thus Mecœnas, you promote the Peace?
But you ne'r meant, and promise but to please.

Mec.
All that I durst, I have already said:
I urg'd him till he thought I was afraid.
But where such Beauty, and such Goodness fail;
What other Intercession can prevail;

Oct.
Mecœnas, I no Complements expect
From one, who does my first Commands neglect.

Mec.
Men that like me have giv'n their Passions vent,
Are never after held indifferent.
Hatred, or Love, pursues the bold attempt;
It meets with a return, or with contempt.
I fear the latter is Mecænas lot.

Oct.
I charge you, never entertain me more
With that false Love which hath so little pow'r.
Your breach of Word, I easily forgive,
I'm free, and am not now oblig'd to live:
Nor will I long, the first attacq survive.

[She weeps.
Mec.
A sound like that, what Lover can indure?
I'll move once more, shou'd I his hate procure.
Ah Sir, your weeping Beautious Sister view;
Then if you can, her Husbands life pursue:
Such softness might an angry God disarm,
And from his hand, the brandisht Thunder charm.

Cæs.
What means Mecœnas softned in her tears?
Another Man he to my eyes appears.
Where is that Soul bids me be Absolute,
And the dissenting World with Swords confute.
Move forwards still, and spread my Conqu'ring Arms,
As far as Cinthia lights, or Phœbus warms.

Mec.
I can no more, you your own Cause must plead;
I wou'd, but can't against my self perswade;
Tho unsuccessful my endeavours were,
It was some Merit to obey so far.

Enter Messenger.
Mess.
The Enemy preventing our attacq,
Does a fierce Sally on our Forces make.
Our formost Troops the warm ingagement shun,
And to Canidius his Old Souldiers run.

Cæs.
Then be your Tent your Prison for a while.
[To Octavia.
Now let us seize the Lyon in our Toil.—

Ex. Onmes.

Scene the Second.

A Wood.
Enter Antonius, Canidius, Photinus, at one door, Agrippa, Thyreus, at the other, Fighting.
Antony.
Turn back Thyreus; 'tis Antonius calls;
The Queen now sees thee flying from our Walls.
Think on that shame, and it must warm thy heart,
And do not from a single Rival start.

Thyr.
A Thought like that, were all Mankind my Foes,
Wou'd send me headlong amongst all their Blows.

Ant.
He dies of Mine that dares to interpose.

Thyr.
Of Mine he is my basest Foe that does.
They fight, Thyr. falls.
Love, thou at last art just, and having made
My Life a Burthen, help'st me to unlade:
If he o'recome, Let Cleopatra know,
She must to Rome in Cæsars triumph go.
So now my promise to the Queen is paid,
The first and last Command I ever had.

Ant.
Then all my Fears were false.

Thyr.
False as my hopes,
Or the short vigor which my Being props.
The Queen was Cruel and thy Sword was Kind.

Ant.
Thou didst attempt her Villain:

Thyr.
Yes, I did,
And with my dying Breath I boast the Deed.

Dies.
Ant.
What words fit to appease her shall I find?
Jealousie for ever from my Soul remove,
Thou magnifying Glass to erring Love;
Thou Viper like, dost thy young Teeth employ,
And wou'dst that Love, which gave the Birth, destroy.

Enter Cæsar and Mecœnas.
Cæs.
Charge you Canidius with your Troops, whil'st I
Against Antonius self my Fortune try.
Here is the utmost bound of thy success,
The Ocean may as soon his limits pass,
As thou this spot of Earth whereon we stand.

Ant.
You speak as you had Thunder in your hand,
The Gods! Heaven! Hell and Fate at your command;
Which if thou hadst I'd not one step retire:
But one by one, their Prodigies wou'd tire.

[Cæsar is beaten back.
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
You must not stay your fortune to pursue,
Agrippa's got between the Town and you;
VVhich Stratagem when Cleopatra found,
She Sally'd out, and is incompast round.
Photinus stays behind to awe the Town,
And keeps those of the pop'lar Faction down.

Ant.
My Queen ingag'd! To her relief lets fly,
Death has more Charms near her, than Victory.
Me in her Cause, the Legions that withstand,
Must fall like Corn, before the Reapers Hand.

Can.
Must we again a Victory forgo;
This Queen was born to be our Overthrow.

Ant.
What is't you mutter? Follow me or dy.

Can.
My Life you'd sooner want behalf than I:
Take it, for 'tis to me an hourly pain,
Follies of Friends are nothing to the slain.
But whil'st I live, methinks you shou'd pursue,
Retiring Foes and Victory in view.

Ant.
I cannot stoop to argue, but Obey;
And till my Queen be safe, let Conquest stay.

Scene the Third.

A Wood.
[He discovers Agrippa's Army, and the Queen taken.
Ant.
By Hercules she's tane! So have I seen the Dove,
Under the Pounce of eager Falcons move:
O! that I were my self the Dart I throw,
For now, all other Motion seems too slow.
[Ant. rescues the Queen, Charges through Agrippa's Army. Agrip. Retreats to the Town.
Augures and Entrails, Boys and Quails you ly!
And I henceforth your Omens will defy.
Call'd by his Name, may such still prosp'rous be,
While thus the Gods give Victory to Me.

[Exeunt.
Enter Photinus as within the Town.
Phot.
They are ingag'd by this: now is the Time,
And all things seem propitious to my Crime.
Let Fools the Fame of Loyalty divide;
Wise men and Gods are on the strongest side.
The Town is wholly left to my Command,
To make 'em rise I need but slack my hand:
They'r prone to Mutiny. Their Queen they hate,
And shew all signs of a distemper'd State.
[They shout.
But hark already they are up and roar,
Like an high Sea that scorns its wonted Shoar.
Enter Iras.
But see fair Iras whose bright form in Tears,
Like Sun-shine mixt with sudden Rain appears.

Iras.
Photinus! Oh the Queen! The Queen is gone,
And we that stay behind are all undone.
The Pallace flames; Memnon and Chilax rage,
And all the Egyptians on their side engage.

Phot.
Fear nothing Madam, never was a time,
When Innocence and Beauty were a Crime:
Each shout you hear, your Greatness does advance:
Nor is this Mutiny, th'effect of Chance.
But my design—
Through Craggy ways we for a while must tread:
But gentle Iras to a Throne they lead:
Ah! Cou'd I make you Kind as well as Great,
Photinus happiness were then compleat.

Iras.
All other Forms I'le study to forget:
And think how much I'm to your Love in Debt:
Antillus is a young gay handsome Man,
Yet to please you, I'le hate him if I can.
He still like you lies squeezing of my hand,
Hangs o're my Neck, and from me will not stand.

Phot.
Ye Gods! She loves and knows not yet disguise!
The happy Name, flasht at her youthful Eyes.

Iras.
The Manly Gown when he did first put on,
He was more gaz'd at than Cæsarion:
But for all that I will not love him tho,
'Tis so long since I have forgot him now . . . .

Phot.
Our Serpents though new born are poysonous still,
And Women ne'r so young have Craft and Guile
She has forgot him! Oh that I cou'd Her!
Too plain, but yet too strong I see the snare.
I got my Rival to Armenia sent,
His Name returns and ruins my content.

Iras.
You seem disturb'd—

Phot.
False and inhumane . . . .

Iras.
What are you mad?
What is it I have done! What have I said?

Phot.
Thou hast for ever rob'd me of my rest.

Iras.
By all my hopes to reign I love you best.

Phot.
Ay there's your love to me.
But that for him how ill you do contain?

Iras.
For whom? I understand you not, be plain.

Phot.
Why for Antillus? Your young Gay Delight.

Iras.
May I not name, but I must love him straight?

Phot.
The Works soon done with Wind and Tide they move;
Whom equal Years and Thoughts dispose to love.
And to say truth I stand condemn'd within,
That I did ever an Address begin
To you, whom Beauty and such Youth adorn:
I prest with Age, for Toil, not Pleasure born:
And every way the Object of your Scorn.
Go to Antillus! Fly into his Arms,
And meet with equal heat and equal Charms.
Whilst my ambition I henceforth pursue,
And recompence those Joys I lose in you.

Iras.
He wou'd not have me if I wou'd, I fear,
He's great and may expect a Kingdoms Heir.

Phot.
She fears he wou'd not have her . . . Oh just Heaven!
I to the last extremity am driven.
She'l ask me sure anon to joyn their hands.

Iras.
All thoughts of me your self you have resign'd,
And I may now to whom I please be kind.

Phot.
All thoughts of you! I cou'd resign my breath
With half the pain . . . .

Iras.
Some other Maid you purpose to make Queen,
And I but flatter'd, and abus'd, have been.

Phot.
My Love, a fierce Convulsion did endure,
And in the pain I talkt I know not what;
But rest for ever of that heart secure,
Where too much Love did the short storm create.

Enter a Servant.
Serv.
The Castle is beset, and all have vow'd,
To stain their VVeapons in your treacherous blood.

Phot.
Step in a while: They that will rise must wait,
And at each Throw assist their lab'ring fate.
[Ex. Iras.
Let 'em all enter, no resistance make,
I can die gladly for my Country's sake.
Enter Memnon and Chilax with the Rabble.
What is't my honest Countrymen demand?
You need not ask with weapons in your hand.

Memn.
Thou hast thy Country to a lasting VVar
betray'd—

Chil.
And therefore for thy death prepare.

Phot.
VVho! I! alas I but my Queen obey'd,
And both were of Antonius pow'r afraid.
Like you I wisht an opportunity
VVhen Egypt was from Roman Forces free:
That we might then with Cæsar make our peace.

Chil.
Now Fate presents it, this occasion seize,
In our Queens absence you the Town command;
Egypt requires her Freedom at your hand.

Memn.
The City Gates against Antonius shut,
So thou wilt put thy meaning out of doubt.

Phot.
But then our Queen—

Memn.
She is Antonius Slave,
And merits amongst us nor Throne nor Grave;
This once perform'd, be thou our General,
If not, like a faint Slave unpitied fall—

[Offers to run at him.
Phot.
I'l do unforc't what ever you require,
But now you bind me to my own desire;
I ever thought Antonius Cause unblest,
I did his Riot loath and Loves detest:
So we did all I think: and 'twere unjust,
We shou'd defend, who still abhorr'd his lust.
Let Pimps and Parasites his Battels fight,
Buffoons, and loose Companions of the night,
Male-Bawds, and let that goatish drunken Herd
Which made him odious, die, to make him fear'd.

Memn.
Antonius now (at Rome) despairs of all,
And seeks to crush our Egypt with his fall;
But he shall find that some of us still wake,
Who nothing fear, and all dare undertake.

Chil.
Let's man the Town with all the Force we have,
Keep out Antonius, and our Country save:
Cæsar will hold us Enemies no more,
But call in Friends and Allyes as before.

Memn.
For us the people do in throngs declare,
Tir'd with the danger and the charge of War.

Phot.
I'm brav'd here by Canidius at each turn,
And with revenge and rage like you I burn:
The mighty Charge I greedily accept;
Your Town shall be with Faith and Courage kept.
In your disgrace, believe I had no part,
But honour'd your free Tongue and honest Heart.

Memn.
How we were all mistaken in this man?

Exeunt.

Scene the Fourth.

The Gates being shut.
Enter Antonius, Cleopatra, Canidius, and Attendants.
Anto.
How well my Queen doth this one act reprove
My needless Jealousie, and shew your Love?

Cleop.
Her! whom you not esteem, why wou'd you save?
But thô unjust, Antonius still is brave.

Ant.
I not esteem you! by the Gods I do
As much as Love—

Cleop.
No my Antonius! No!
You think me all that can a Queen disgrace,
Lighter than Woman, and than Man more base.
How cou'd I else forsake you in distress?
Or could Thyreus in a moment please.

Anto.
It was the raging Feaver of my Love,
And strongest Natures, strong Distempers prove:
Forgive it Madam, as my Loves excess.

Cleop.
Had Cæsar su'd, I had his flame disdain'd;
And cou'd you think another entertain'd?
When the whole World shall to his Fortune yield,
My Heart against your Foe shall keep the Field.

Anto.
On me so thick your obligations fall,
I must subdue that World to pay 'em all,
And make proud Rome acknowledge you her Queen;
Your Glory does demand no less a Scene.

Canid.
'Tis very fine, here's all the Sense he has!
His Legions, Empire, all are in that face!
I do not think he knows he is besieg'd,
But quite undone, talks how he is oblig'd!
Pray, Sir, do you consider where we are,
If we stay long we shall have Cæsar here.

Ant.
Were he in sight I'd not one word forbear
Till I did guiltless to my Queen appear.
Thyreus dying—

Cleop.
Have you kill'd him then—
I shall be hateful to the Race of men.
To Cleopatra it is death to speak:
On him she loves, she a swift War does call,
And those she looks on, by Antonius fall.

Anto.
He clear'd your Vertue with his dying Breath.

Cleop.
You stain'd it in the manner of his death.

Anto.
Lovers like Misers cannot bear the stealth
Of the least trifle from their endless wealth.
I saw him kiss your hand, for that he dy'd:
And shou'd had he Ten Thousand lives beside.
You seem not pleas'd with my revenge enough.

Cleop.
It was too rash, and for his crime too rough.

Anto.
T'attempt the spotless Honor of my Queen,
Is such a Crime, as it is death to mean.

Cleop.
He shou'd have liv'd, if that he lov'd indeed,
My Scorn all other Torments might exceed:
His life had been but one continued pain,
And mine but one long Act of my disdain:
But now all means to clear my self are lost;
You can but think me innocent at most.

Anto.
I from that Viper such an Oyl have wrung,
As heals that Love which he before had stung:
Since from a dying Rival's mouth I hear,
His hope was as ill grounded as my fear:
He call'd you most Ingrateful as he dy'd;
Confess'd his Passion, and accus'd your Pride:
What stronger demonstration can be thought?

Cleop.
Could nothing I might say, the like have wrought?
Then vain is all I've suffer'd, and have done:
My slighted Fame, and my endanger'd Throne,
Can nothing weigh; and 'twas Thyreus grace,
That I was clear'd! Antonius held me base.

Anto.
O say not so! My Love of its own strength
Had overcome that jealousie at length:
To him indeed I owe my speedy Cure.

Cleop.
Are you for ever from relapse secure?

Anto.
I rather will believe all that is strange,
The whole Sex true, than that my Queen can change.

Enter Souldier from the Town.
Sould.
The Town is lost, your Romans kill'd or fled,
And false Photinus does the Traytor head:
Memnon and Chilax in bright Arms appear,
And for Octavius Cæsar all declare

Anto. Canid. appear with their Army under the Walls and find opposition, some that go near are kill'd.
Anto.
Treason before, and Enemies behind;
In such a choice 'twere equal to be blind.
I know not which I shou'd attacque the first;
I'm only sure of all: Delay's the worst.
Storm then the Town with all that we can make
E're Cæsar see, and this advantage take.
Safe at a distance here my Queen must stay,
Charge without.
While we with blood and slaughter force our way.

[They are beat off.
Canid.
It is in vain, these Barb'rous Villains dare
Not hope for the fair Quarter of a War;
And are turn'd desperate.

Anto.
We are alike,
Desperate with them,
When for the whole both Parties strike,
Courage must carry't, Charge them once agen.

[Charge.
[Shout.

Scene the Fifth.

The Gates drawn open.
A shout from the Town. Photinus is attacqued from behind.
Antonius Enters.
Anto.
Spare on your Lives th'unarm'd and meaner sort,
And all who to Our Clemency resort.
This easie entrance to some Friend we owe:
We from within came pouring on the Foe.

Canid.
They are no Traytors till they kill our men,
And then as vanquish't must be spar'd agen.

Anto.
They're Cleopatra's Subjects: let that be
A full Protection in our Victory.

Enter Lucilius with Photinus, Memnon, and Chilax Prisoners.
Lucil.
Health to Antonius, in whose Cause to fight
Is less Lucilius duty than delight.
Take from my hand your treacherous Enemies,
And use 'em as your Safety shall advise.

Memn.
Traitor's a name my Vertue cannot brook;
How cou'd I break a Trust I never took?

Anto.
Armes 'gainst your Lawful Queen are still unjust,
A Subject born betrays a Native trust.
But thou Photinus beyond Villains base,
Whom with her Trust and Friendship she did grace,
Whom Birth and Fortune both had laid so low,
To raise thee up again she scarce knew how;
Only rash Favour, whose extravagance
Seems yet a blinder Power than that of Chance,
Remain'd thy Friend—

Phot.
I do confess, my Queen
From nothing made me all that I have been;
And much I to Antonius favour owe,
Whom then should I depend on but you two?

Anto.
We two! whom thou didst shut the Town against,
And to whom now thou but repentance feign'st.

Phot.
From this seditious Rout what cou'd I gain?
I might not hope in Cleopatra's reign:
Weigh then my Int'rest, by that Scale you'l find
My Crime, though great, lay never in my mind:
I shou'd have dy'd, I know, I wish I had,
Rather than seem'd to have my Trust betray'd:
I shou'd have chose their Dagger, scorn'd their side;
It had been past, and I had nobly dy'd.

Chil.
O that thou hadst! I would have driv'n it home,
Till forth with the broad point thy Soul had come.

Phot.
Death I have often met in open field,
With my Sword sent, repell'd him with my Shield:
Surpriz'd, defenceless! I confess I shook,
And cou'd not in cold blood his visage brook
'Twas all my Crime! you Romans only can
Serenely and unshaken, put off man.

Cæsar.
We might have known that Party needs must fall,
Who to his own fear, owe their General.

Phot.
Kill me! alas! I do not ask to live!
Shou'd you, I never cou'd my self forgive,
Death to my fear is due, why shou'd I plead?
I was no Traytor, I was worse, afraid:
Love, Faith, and Zeal, if Resolution fail,
No more than the faint Glow-worm's Fire avail.
All that I now repent, is that with shame
I lose that Life, I might have lost with Fame.

Anto.
How cam'st thou to appear in open Arms,
For thy black Soul has Treachery such Charms?

Phot.
Had I not been their General I had dy'd,
Death turn'd the Scale, and so I took their side.
Besides, I for your Service thought it best,
I shou'd with them maintain my Interest;
That at some time unlook't for you might see
The good intent of seeming Treachery.
What greater Blessing can your Arms attend,
Than t'have your Foes, commanded by your Friend?
I early of Lucilius project knew,
And from the neighb'ring parts my Arms withdrew,
That he a Body might of Romans form,
The great exploit securely to perform.

Anto.
'Tis possible thou mayst be honest! yet 'twere strange,
Men still were doubted, who but seem to change.
But say! how came this Tumult to begin?

Phot.
The people long have discontented been,
Curst me aloud, and murmur'd at the Queen;
That to your side so firmly we adher'd,
And to their Common Peace your Cause preferr'd;
They said they wou'd not be the Victor's prey;
But whom they must at last, betimes obey:
And ruine all who stop't 'em in their way.

Anto.
Where were the Souldiers?

Phot.
When she sally'd forth—
None stay'd, who lov'd the Queen or Martial Worth;
But all the Discontents remain'd behind,
And had effected what they long design'd,
Had not those Pow'rs that Treachery prevent,
To your relief the brave Lucilius sent:
He in the Town a Band of Romans got,
And overthrew the Rebels and their Plot.

Anto.
You then are none of 'em—

Phot.
I was by force:
But Lucrece ne're cou'd hate vile Tarquin worse,
Than I these Forcers of my Loyalty—
[Points to the Lords.
And like her too (since not believ'd) I'l dye.

Memn.
You durst not dye by an Egyptian Sword:
What is't this sudden Courage does afford?

Phot.
I was no Villain thought, but now I hate
My Life, and cou'd rush gladly on my fate;
And you repent—

Chil.
That e're we trusted thee—
Slave! more uncertain than a Winters Sea.

Anto.
I will believe Death shook thy Loyalty,
And all thou didst was Fear, not Treachery:
Photinus rise! thy frailty I forgive.
[Rises.
And if thou can'st or dar'st thus branded, live;
But never more a weighty Charge receive.

Phot.
I wou'd live gladly to redeem my Crime;
'Tis all the benefit I ask of Time.

Anto.
But you Fierce Lords that dare your Soveraign blame,
And would depose, or govern in Her name,
Shall find what 'tis to play with Royalty;
And fall like Phaeton from the borrow'd Skie.

Chil.
We scorn thy Mercy, and our Country love,
And gladly from her dying Cries remove.