University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

Iphigenia. Euphrosine.
Iph.
Wilt thou betray me?

Euph.
I'll rather dye with you.

Iph.
Disswade me then no more; I am determin'd,
And Fate crys out I must not lose a moment.
Be gone then, fly, and send the unhappy Grecian to me.

Enter Delia.
Del.
Madam, the Queen commands that both the strangers
Without delay be brought into her presence.

Iph.
Unfortunate command that thus prevents me!
I will not be prevented; inspire me thou,
Thou gentle God of Love, for whom I act.
Delia, inform the Queen, that of the Captives
The eldest is the Victim now
Of these most dreadful Altars,
For such, she says, is great Diana's Will.
His Eyes are muffled, and his Arms are pinion'd;
His Temples are with Holy Fillets bound,
Already has the sacred water cleans'd him,
And to the infernal Gods he stands devoted.
The other shall attend her instantly.
Exit Delia.
Euphrosine!
To me convey the eldest of the strangers,
And to the cruel Queen dispatch the other.
And thou, Immortal Love, whose conqu'ring pow'r
Can give the Tender Timerous Virgin force,
Thus to defie the Terrors of the night:
Immortal Love indulge my bold design;
Preserve us, thou preserver of the Universe!

Enter Orestes.
Or.
Here all alone! That pleases me: But why,
Why I can gaze upon her unobserv'd,
And none condemn my weakness.
I have not half an hour to view the light;
And since I've felt the extremity of woe,
'Tis fit I find some pleasure e're I dye:
Death's ghastly Image then I'll chace away
With Love's Transporting Thoughts.
But if those Thoughts once make me fond of Life,
I'll think that I have reason to despair,
And so contented dye.
Coming up to Iph.
It was your pleasure that a dying wretch
Should come and take his leave of you.

Iph.
Stranger, I sent for you to give you notice
That th'Altar is adorn'd, the Steel prepar'd,
And the next moment they expect the Victim.

Or.
The Victim will attend them.
But whose must be the executing arm?

Iph.
Look how it. Trembles at the Dreadful Deed!
Methinks with Horror, Stranger, you survey me.

Or.
No, do but strike with that soft melting look,
And my last breath shall Blessing pour my Soul on thee.
O Look, ill suited to this cursed office,
That nought respires but Blood and horrid Murther.
How long have you possess'd it?

Iph.
Last night the Scythians, threatning horrid Tortures,
Compell'd me to accept of it;
But a more cruel wrack succeeds th'acceptance.
The fear of striking this accursed blow
Has torn my heartin pieces.

Or.
What object makes you start, and turn so pale?

Iph.
Hark! heard you not the Temple doors
Upon their hinges turning!

Or.
No, 'Twas the hollow Breath of the Black North,
That grumbles on the Mountain.

Iph.
My Apprehension every Moment murders me;
Ah Gods! we must make haste, the fatal Time draws nigh.

Or.
Yet something wou'd I whisper to your Soul,
Wou'd you vouchsafe to hear me.

Iph.
Alas 'tis now too late, we must be gone.

Or.
To Death, at your Command, thus readily I run.

[Going towards the Temple.
Iph.
Ah Gods!
You run you know not whither; that's not the way.
Suppose that now some pitying God persuades me
Yet to preserve you from impending Fate.

Or.
And my Friend too!

Iph.
And him too.

Or.
To that propitious God my very self I'll sacrifice.

Iph.
Wou'd you take me the Partner of your Flight?

Or.
The Partner! What a Whirl of Fate is here!
Surprize and Joy distract me.

Iph.
Wou'd you?

Or.
Or may I perish in it unlamented.

Iph.
No more. Near yonder Western Point there lies
A leaky, Tempest-beaten, tatter'd Bark;
In which Four Wretches slumber out the Night,
To fit them for the Labours of the Day;
That we must seize on, and must trust to that.

Or.
Alas, we need not: Near yon Eastern Point
The Stout, the Strong-ribb'd Argosic attends us:
A hundred daring Souls inclos'd in its huge Bulk,
All waiting on my Nod.

Iph.
Were you not wreck'd then?

Or.
Among the Rocks the Vessel rides conceal'd.

Iph.
What do I hear! nay then, the Gods regard us.
Remove a little further to the Right,
That no one from the Temple may discern you:
Thither I must return, and thence transport
The Image of the Goddess,

Or.
That in my Rapture I had quite forgot.

[Aside.
Iph.
So shall we still be under her Protection,
And shall avoid the fierceness of her Anger.

Or.
Alas! You've nam'd the very fatal Thing
For which we touch'd on this accursed Shore.

Iph.
Then came you here by choice?

Or.
To fetch this fatal Image of the Goddess.

Iph.
What mov'd you to it?

Or.
The Delphick God ordain'd it.

Iph.
Ha!
How every thing I hear gives me new Life,
And makes my Blood run dancing to my Heart!
Six Grecian Virgins, all of Noble Birth,
Within yon Temple wait upon my Call,
Who all wou'd offer up their Lives to serve me:
They tell me of prodigious Apparitions
That have astonish'd them this fatal Night:
Two shall amuse the Queen with the Relation,
While the rest secretly transport the Goddess.
And thou, old Night, the Friend to Love and Stealth,
T'indulge this Stealth to which great Love compels me,
Redouble all thy Shades.
[Aside.
Expect me in a Moment back again;
But on your Life re move not from the place;
Let me be sure to find you here;
So may you find the Happiness you wish for.

Exit Iph.
Or.
Confirm that Wish, ye Heavens!
Heark! Who comes there! A Man! Pray Heav'n a Friend!
What Alteration can a Moment make!
I, who this Minute long'd to lay my Head
Down in the dark and peaceful Grave,
Am now grown fond of miserable Life.
What sudden Vigour Love receives from Hope!
For scarce an Hour is past since the soft God
Lay weak and languishing within my Breast;
Now raging there' he all his Pow'r exerts.
Enter Pilades.
Now Fate beware a Counter-turn!
Who comes here?

Pil.
A Friend

Or.
My Pilades!

Pil.
The same.

Or.
Speak lower.

Pil.
I cannot speak too loud, who bring thee Safety.

Or.
Softly, I say: you know not what you do,
Nor to what Danger you expose us both.

Pil.
The fear of Danger to the Winds deliver.
I bring thee Life, and Health, and Joy, my Friend:
The Scythian Queen has sent all these by me;
Yet on Conditions sent them.
But thou art cold, as if thou fear'dst the Terms.
Know, the Conditions will transport Orestes:
The Queen inclines to make another Choice
Of Victims for the Altar; but declares,
That Custom, which is Scythian Law, requires,
That all those Strangers, whom the Sovereign Rulers
By their Supream Prerogative preserve,
Must become Scythians, by espousing Scythians;
Born so, or grown so here by long continuance:
Or, by attending on those cruel Altars,
Appease the wrathful Goddess.

Or.
Proceed.

Pil.
The Mistress she design'd for me she nam'd:
The Name of yours she omitted; but she added,
That both our Lives and Happiness depended
Upon your swift Compliance.
I, as your Friend, engag'd you shou'd comply.

Or.
Why did you so?

Pil.
Because I found by what she said,
And what she did not say,
Her lovely Self's the Person she designs for thee!

Or.
No matter.
Without my Knowledge, why shou'd you engage?

Pil.
Why?
Because I thought in this impending Danger
You were in Reason bound, for your own sake,
To make my Engagement good.

Or.
For my own sake! I'll perish ere comply.

Pil.
Then, as a Friend, I frankly must inform you,
You stand oblig'd to make it good for mine.

Or.
A meer imaginary? Obligation?

Pil.
Imaginary? Will you force me then
T'upbraid you? What wou'd I have done for you?

Or.
You wou'd have died: and I wou'd bleed for Pilades.

Pil.
Dissembler.

Or.
How!

Pil.
You talk of dying, and refuse me what's so very easie?

Or.
Is then the doing a base thing so easie?

Pil.
Where is the Baseness in espousing her?

Or.
Where is the Justice in espousing one,
Whom I can never love?

Pil.
Come, come, your Friend is the unhappy Person
Whom you cou'd never love.

Or.
And yet you see I bear his bitterest Censures.

Pil.
Why can you never love her?
From whence proceeds the Aversion?

Or.
Aversion I have none; for I esteem her:
Nay, I admire her.

Pil.
Marry her then, and Love will soon succeed.

Or.
Urge me no more.

Pil.
For your own sake, as well as mine, I must.

Or.
Have but a little Patience.

Pil.
Were but my Life at Stake, I wou'd have Patience:
But what I value more, much more than Life,
My Love is lost, unless my Friend complies.

Or.
Your Love? What Love?

Pil.
I told you that the Queen declar'd the Name
Of her whom she design'd for me.

Or.
And do you love her?

Pil.
Dearer than Life, or what's more dear, than Peace;
Unless she brings it to this wretched Breast.

Or.
When cou'd you see her?

Pil.
At our Arrival.

Or.
Ha! Where?

Pil.
Just on this very spot.

Or.
Ha! on this Spot! saw whom! Gods, how I tremble!

Pil.
The Priestess, tho' I ne'er approach'd the Altar,
Has with her pointed Weapon reach'd my Heart.

Or.
Damnation! wonderful accursed Accident!
Now Fate prepares her Counter-turn. You amaze me!
Was that a time for Love to make Impressions?

Pil.
The force of Destiny wou'd surely have it so:
And great Apollo's Oracle encourag'd me.
But yet the Thought of your approaching Danger,
At first restrain'd the growing Fire within me:
But when the Queen insur'd your precious Life,
And gave me charming Hope,
She blew it into such a Flame,
I must possess or die.

Or.
How will relentless Heav'n dispose of me!

[Aside.
Pil.
By that dear Love, and all my Hope of Happiness,
Which lies in you, your faithful Friend entreats you.

Or.
I'll hear no more, you know not what you ask.

Pil.
That you would do your Duty, that I ask.

Or.
I am not to be taught my Duty here.

Pil.
Let it appear;
Was ever Man deceiv'd as I have been?

Or.
You deceive your self.

Pil.
Tis one indeed deceives me,
Whom I have long mistaken for my self,
Unjust Orestes!
Is not the Altar Deck'd, the Steel prepar'd
To rip this Breast that has so long receiv'd you,
And cherish'd you more dearly than my Blood
Than my Hearts Blood which I'm about to lose.

Or.
You shall not lose a Drop.

Pil.
Comply then, and prevent it instantly!
What can Orestes with such ease prevent it?
With so much safety too, with so much Honour?
And yet Deliberate? Where is the Friend?
Where is the Celebrated Friend of Pilades?
But see their Priestesses advancing towards us,
Sent doubtlesly t'explore our Resolutions;
Can you Resolve to see this Faithful Breast
Rip'd up before your Eyes.

Or.
Come I'll secure your life!

Pil.
Will you?

Or.
I will by Heaven?

Pil.
And when?

Or.
This very Moment.

Enter two Priestesses cross the Stage, with the Image Delia following them.
Pil.
Then art thou yet my Friend.

Del.
Grecian, the Image is convey'd before
Your Friends will follow strait, prepare t'attend them.

[To Or.
Or.
I am prepar'd (to Pil.)
observe you that Procession?

[Ex. Del.
Pil.
What means that Image, and that nightly Progress?

Or.
Behold it well!
That very fatal Image great Apollo
Ordained us to transport.

Pil.
And whither do these Priestesses remove it?

Or.
Where we without the least delay must follow;
Come, Come along; we must embark this Moment.

Pil.
By Heaven my Head turns round, Is this a Miracle,
Or have you palpably design'd t'abuse me?

Or.
Thou hast heard a wonderous Truth!

Pil.
What God has wrought that wonder?

Or.
Time's wanting now to tell thee.

Pil.
How basely I have censur'd thee!
Canst thou forgive me? 'Tis my last request to thee.

Or.
Come, Thou art still my best, my only Friend.
Come, follow, by the glimmering of the Moon,
I see our friends are coming.

Pil.
Our friends! Astonishment! What friends do you mean?
I'm more and more confounded.

Or.
Come on.

Pil.
Farewel.

Or.
What can my Pilades design? Come on I say.

Pil.
Never.

Or.
Canst thou Desert me?

Pil.
The great design for which I came is executed,
I've done my Duty, and behold you Happy.
Your wretched Friend must never see you more.

Or.
Why do'st thou talk so?

Pil.
My Life and Happiness are both confin'd,
To this accursed Climate.

Or.
The Priestess of Diana you will follow.

Pil.
Till my last groan sets free my afflicted Soul.

Enter Euphros.
Euph.
Grecian, the Image is convey'd before us,
Prepare to follow.
[to Or.
Yonder the Priestess of Diana comes,
Th'Associate of your flight. I go before,

[Exit.
Pil.
What have I heard? Damnation!
It must be illusion and enchantment all
By all that's good her self, her Lovely self
That slowly advancing seems to give directions
To some who are about her.
And for this reason you refus'd complyance
To what the Queen Demanded?

Or.
This was the very Reason?

Pil.
You Love this Priestess of Diana then?

Or.
Thou art my self, my very self, my Pilades
View thy own Heart and see Orestes there.

Pil.
A long and last farewel.

Or.
Wilt thou betray me?

Pil.
Unkind t'insult thus o'er your dying Friend.

Or.
To die is to Betray me!
Nay dying you Betray both me and her.
She, she is in Distress, and wants your Help,
To free her from this Barbarous clime,
And this more Barbarous Office.
Can you affirm you love, and yet forsake her
In this extream necessity?

Pil.
Can I affirm I Love, and yet behold her
within anothers Arms?

Or.

Pil.
Why? Would you then Resign her?

Or.
Why? Would you then against her will possess her?

Pil.
I'll rather die, Nay, rather be contented
To drag on life deplorably without her,
And be my self a wretch most miserable,
Than render her unhappy.

Or.
'Tis spoken like a true and generous Lover,
Wilt thou not shew thy self a generous Friend,
My Pilades, and judge my Thoughts by thine,
Vast is the watry Plain that we must plough,
E're we discharge our sacred Load at Athens;
And we must labour all the Dismal way
With many Difficulties, mighty Dangers.
Those let thy Love and Virtue make thy Friends,
Attend her, Help her, Save her, court her, gain her,
Incline her Heart, and I'll release my claim.

Pil.
What shall I answer? Love and Shame Distract me;
Must He surpass me thus in Godlike proofs
Of unexampled Faith? He must not, shall not,
Tho' he has surely prepossest her Soul.
I will not make my self so little to my self;
[Aside.
No, I'll live rather greatly miserable,
That with my self I may contented die.
Thou hast o'ercome, Orestes,
And Noble Friendship has prevail'd o'er Love.
But oh my Friend, if on these cursed Altars
I had spilt the Blood that's next my Heart to save thee,
It had been an easier Sacrifice.

Enter Iph.
Or.
No more, she comes.

Iph.
Who's that? The Stranger?

Or.
The same.

Iph.
Is that your Friend?

Or.
It is.

Iph.
Let us away,
Now all our Interruptions are remov'd;
For I pretending Orders from the Queen,
Have from their Posts, remov'd the Neighbouring Sentry's.
But whither? Thro' what Dangers am I running?
Look not my Soul, Oh, look not now before thee!
My Head grows giddy with th'amazing prospect.
Look backward then, survey the dreadful Altar;
I do, I see, I see the Bloody Knife there;
Ah Gods! I feel it, with its cruel point;
It Goads and Stabs me forward, Let's begone;
I can no longer bear the Murdring thought.

As they are going out, they are met by a party of Scythians, bringing back the four Priestesses, and the Image.
Iph.
Ah!

Scyth.
Here, Here are their Accomplices, fall on:

Or.
Hold Savages, O Hold.

Pil.
Forbear, Forbear.

Or.
As for us two, we yield our selves your Captives,
Touch not with Impious Hands her Sacred Limbs.

Scyth.
I had forgot, she is Dianas Priestess,
Keep off your Hands, but guard her with your Eyes.
So;
Be it your Care the Prisoners to confine,
I'll to the Queen Relate their black Design.

[Exit.
Iph.
Ah wretched Men! by cruel God's betray'd.

Pil.
Pity thy self alas too lovely Maid.

Or.
Death soon will put an end to all our woe,
But Oh what pangs art thou to undergoe,
Who art condemn'd to strike th'Inhuman Blow.