University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The outside of a magnificent temple dedicated to Bacchus. Between the pillars of the temple is discovered on one side the wood sacred to the Deity, and on the other side the sea coast of Scyros. The piazza is filled with Bacchanals celebrating the festival of the God, to the sound of various instruments. A numerous company of the noble dames of Scyros descending the steps from the temple: with these are seen Deidamia and Achilles, the last in a female habit.
Deid.
[to Ach.]
Didst thou not hear?

Ach.
Princess, I did.

Deid.
Who dares
With sounds profane thus rashly to disturb
The sacred rites of our mysterious orgies?

Ach.
'Tis so; I am not deceiv'd; from yonder seas
The sounding clangour comes, and yet I know not,
Nor can divine the cause—but now methinks
I see two vessels, with extended sails,
Swift making to the shore.

[two ships appear at a distance.
Deid.
[alarmed.]
Ah, me!

Ach.
What fear'st thou?
As yet they're distant far.

Deid.
O! let us fly.

[all fly but Ach. and Deid.
Ach.
And wherefore fly?

Deid.
Hast thou not heard these seas
Are fill'd with impious pirates? Thus were borne
The wretched daughters from their mourning sires,
The kings of Tyre and Argos—Know'st thou not
The recent loss which Sparta has sustain'd?
That Greece indignant claims, but claims in vain
The faithless consort from her Trojan spoiler?
Who knows but these deceitful vessels now
Again may bring—O! Heaven! I sink with terror!

Ach.
Fear not, my love, is not Achilles here?

Deid.
O! hold—

Ach.
And if Achilles—

Deid.
O! forbear;
Some one may hear thee: should'st thou be discover'd,
I am lost myself, and thou to me art lost.
What will my father say, deluded thus?
Thou know'st he thinks in thee he views a maid,
And oft, with smiles, has witness'd to our loves.
But what must chance, (I tremble at the thought)
Should he e'er learn that, veil'd in Pyrrha's name,
I love Achilles?

Ach.
Pardon, Deidamia,
I own your caution just.

SCENE II.

Enter Nearchus.
Near.
[entering.]
Behold the lovers.
And must I ever tremble for your sake? [to them.]

Imprudent pair! a thousand times I've warn'd you,
But warn'd in vain. All eyes observe how still
You shun society, and court the shades.
Your conduct is the theme of every tongue.
Go—seek the king; the palace now is throng'd,
And only you are absent.

Ach.
[not attending.]
Sure that sound
From yonder ships bespeaks them freighted deep
With arms and warriors.

Deid.
[aside to Near.]
Heavens! what martial spirit
Flames in his looks! Each art must be employ'd
To draw him hence.

Near.
[to both.]
And still you linger here.

Ach.
This instant I'll depart: but let me, princess,
Behold those vessels enter first the port.

Deid.
What! shall I leave you thus beset with perils?
But this thou heed'st not—O! I see too well
Thou lov'st not Deidamia: from thy heart
know thou judgest mine, too cruel man!

Ach.
Then let us go: appease thy gentle spirit,
A look of thine subdues me.

Deid.
No, ingrate!
Thou but deceiv'st me, thou art falsehood all.

[Exit. Achilles follows her, then stops at the entrance, and turns again to observe the ships, which are now so near, that on the deck of one of them is distinguished a warrior completely armed.

SCENE III.

Nearchus, Achilles.
Near.
The olive branch that decks those gliding prows
Proclaims them friendly vessels.

Ach.
See, Nearchus,
Observe that warrior clad in shining arms,
Of port majestick.

Near.
—Hence: it ill befits
That thou, a seeming virgin, wrapt in weeds
Of female softness, still should'st linger here
Alone, without defence.

Ach.
But say, Nearchus,
Am I not deem'd thy own? Does not the voice
Of general fame declare thee for my father?
What wonder then a daughter should converse
With him who gave her birth?

Near.
But well thou know'st
Thy stay offends the princess.

Ach.
True, Nearchus.

[looking towards the ships.
Near.
[aside.]
How hard to keep Achilles long conceal'd!

Ach.
O! did yon splendid helmet deck my brows,
Yon falchion grace my side—no more, Nearchus,
I'm weary of disguise—this sex's weeds
Of sloth inglorious—time demands—

Near.
What time?
O! Heaven! remember that this sex's weeds
Have won and still preserv'd the fair-one thine.

Ach.
'Tis true, but yet—

Near.
Depart.

Ach.
O! let me now
But for a moment view those dazzling arms,
And kindle at the sight.

Near.
[aside.]
What course remains?
[to Ach.]
Yes, stay; indulge thy wish, but know meantime
Thy rival dwells on Deidamia's charms.

Ach.
What say'st thou, ha!

Near.
The prince of Chalcis comes
To Scyros' court, and Lycomedes wills
With him to join his daughter's hand.

Ach.
O! Heavens!

Near.
'Tis true, her heart is thine; but should thy rival
Assail her youth with all the arts of flattery,
Alone and unobserv'd—who knows, Achilles,
He may, perchance, prevail and win her from thee.

Ach.
What mortal dares my wrath excite,
Or hope to win my soul's delight,
While still to guard a lover's right,
I breathe this vital air?
What though the power of beauty's eyes
Has cloth'd these limbs in soft disguise,
My breast a hero's warmth supplies,
I feel Achilles there.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Nearchus
alone.
Great is the task that Thetis has enjoin'd:
I fear each moment may reveal Achilles.
Tis true the force of potent love restrains
His native warmth; but when perchance he hears
The trumpet's sound, or sees a warrior clad
In plate and mail, his genius takes the alarm:
He raves aloud and scorns his feeble dress
Of powerless woman. Should he learn that Troy
Can never fall without his fateful arm;
That now all Greece combin'd require his aid,
What were his feelings then? Forbid it, Heaven,
That any Greek should seek him on this shore—
[looking out.]
O! Gods! am I deceiv'd? Is that Ulysses?
What cause has brought him hither? Not by chance,
He seeks the port of Scyros—What were best?
He knew me once, and knew me at the court
Of aged Peleus, young Achilles' sire.
'Tis true, since then a length of years has pass'd.
At all events I would remain conceal'd,
Nor own myself the same he saw in Greece.
—Ho! stranger! pass no further; first declare
Thy name and lineage: such is here the law,
And such my sovereign's will.

SCENE V.

Enter Ulysses.
Ulys.
The law be reverenc'd:
Behold Ulysses here.

Near.
Ulysses, Heavens!
Forgive, O! generous chief, my hasty speech:
I fly to tell the king these welcome tidings.

[going.
Ulys.
Yet one word more: art thou not here a servant
Of royal Lycomedes?

Near.
Rightly spoken,
I am his servant.

Ulys.
And thy name?

Near.
Nearchus.

Ulys.
What country claims thy birth?

Near.
The town of Corinth.

Ulys.
Why didst thou quit, for this, thy native land?

Near.
I came—O! Heavens!—I tarry here too long;
Forgive me, sir, the king meantime impatient,
Knows not as yet what ships have reach'd the port.

Ulys.
Go then, my friend, dispatch.

Near.
[aside.]
How well I feign'd!
Yet scarcely could escape his wise detection.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

Enter Arcas.
Ulys.
Heaven favours, Arcas, now our great design.

Arc.
Whence springs this hope?

Ulys.
Didst thou not hear our converse?
Thou saw'st who parted from me: know I met him
At Peleus' court, now many years elaps'd.
With me feign'd his country and his name:
But when I question'd him he seem'd confus'd.
No—fame has not deceiv'd us: here disguis'd
In female garb, Achilles lives conceal'd.
Fly, Arcas, and pursue his steps, who late
Amus'd my ear with falsehood: seek to know
His real state; why settled here, and where
He now resides—by whom accompanied;
The slightest hint may guide us.

Arc.
I am gone.

[going.
Ulys.
Yet hear, take heed that not the least surmise
Be given to make it thought we seek Achilles.

Arc.
Such caution to a follower of Ulysses
Were surely needless.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Ulysses
alone.
With a prosperous wind
Thus far our vessel sails. To some, perchance,
This well-tim'd meeting, this confus'd discourse,
Those troubled looks were little; but to those
Who like Ulysses judge they promise much.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

The apartment of Deidamia.
Lycomedes, Deidamia.
Lyc.
But if thou see'st him not, then wherefore think
The prince must prove ungracious in thine eyes?

Deid.
Already have I heard and much, my lord,
Of prince Theagenes.

Lyc.
And wilt thou judge
By others' eyes? O! rash and unadvis'd!
Go to the royal garden, there expect me,
I'll join thee soon, and with me thither bring
Thy plighted spouse.

Deid.
My plighted spouse?

Lyc.
He comes
Relying on my faith: all is prepar'd.

Deid.
At least, my lord, my father! hear—

Lyc.
No more:
The ambassador from Greece expects an audience.
No more oppose my will: embrace the counsel
A king and father gives.

Deid.
Then, dear my lord,
You counsel, not command me.

Lyc.
When a father
Gives to a daughter counsel, he commands.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

Enter Achilles.
Deid.
And shall I break my faith to him I love!
No—ere another spouse—

Ach.
[entering.]
And may I then
Presume to intrude on Deidamia's presence?
I would not come unwish'd for—ha! alone!
Where is thy plighted lord? I hop'd to find
The prince of Chalcis breathing ardent vows
At Deidamia's feet.

Deid.
And have you heard—

Ach.
All, all is known; but not from thee—O proof!
O wondrous proof of thy unsullied faith!
From me, inhuman, hast thou well conceal'd
This treason to my hopes—from me who lov'd thee
Far more than life; from me, who thus inglorious,
In these vile weeds dishonour'd for thy sake—
—False Deidamia!

Deid.
O! eternal Powers!
Reproach me not; believe me, till this day
I never heard of these detested nuptials:
But now my father urg'd the fatal union;
Trembling I stood, and senseless at the shock,
Felt all my blood congeal'd within my veins.

Ach.
What canst thou now resolve?

Deid.
To hazard all,
But never to forsake thee. Prayers and tears
Shall be employ'd to soften Lycomedes:
Sure he will yield, if nature's voice can bend
A father's heart to save a darling child:
And should he still pursue his cruel purpose,
O! never, never must he hope to shake
My constant faith. Achilles was the first,
The first dear object of my virgin heart,
And my last dying breath shall sigh Achilles.
Yes, thou may'st see me dead, but never see
Thy love betray'd by Deidamia's change.

Ach.
Transporting sounds! How, how shall I repay
Such unexampled goodness?

Deid.
Grant but this:
Preserve, if possible, with greater heed,
Our secret from discovery.

Ach.
What are else
These woman's vestures?

Deid.
But can these avail,
If every action, every look belies them?
Thy free and manly step but ill beseems
The timorous maid; thine eyes too boldly dart
Their wandering glances: every little cause
Excites thy temper's warmth, nor seems thy anger
Such anger as a female bosom breeds.
If but a helm or javelin meet thy sight,
Or let them but be nam'd, thy look is chang'd,
Thy glaring eye-balls flash with living fire,
Pyrrha is lost, and all proclaims Achilles.

Ach.
Hard is the task for nature to reverse
Her first designs.

Deid.
And sure as hard the task
To oppose a father's will. With such a plea
May Deidamia wed the prince of Chalcis?

Ach.
O! never, never! I submit—O! pardon—
Whate'er thou bidd'st Achilles shall obey.

Deid.
But now you promis'd, yet—

Ach.
O! no—this once
I yield to thee: I'll rein my struggling passions,
Nor speak again of war: if I forget
Thy bidding more, to punish my neglect
Fly to my rival's arms, and I forgive thee.

Deid.
Be silent—hark! some stranger is at hand
To catch the unguarded sound.

SCENE X.

Enter Ulysses.
Ach.
[meeting Ulys.]
And who art thou
That rashly hast presum'd to invade these seats
Of sacred privacy? What wouldst thou? Speak.
Speak, or this insolence—

Deid.
Pyrrha! forbear.

Ulys.
[aside.]
What stern demeanour in a female form!

Deid.
[aside to Ach.]
Didst thou not promise—

Ach.
[to her.]
True, my Deidamia:
I stand reprov'd.

Ulys.
Say, are not these the apartments
Of royal Lycomedes?

Deid.
Lycomedes
Resides not here.

Ulys.
If I, a stranger, err'd,
Forgive the intrusion.

[going.
Deid.
Yet vouchsafe a word:
What seek'st thou with the king?

Ulys.
From him the Greeks
Request a warlike aid of ships and men,
All Greece assembling with confederate arms
To avenge the general wrong.

Ach.
[aside.]
How happy those
Who quit the dwellings of enfeebling sloth
To join this host of heroes!

Deid.
[aside.]
See! already
His placid features change.

Ulys.
Behold a path
Is open'd now to every daring mind
That pants for valiant deeds: the vilest breast
Must catch the kindling sparks.

Ach.
[aside.]
And yet Achilles
Still loiters here!

Deid.
[aside.]
Such converse must not be:
I tremble at the danger— [to Ulys.]
Yonder way
Will lead thy steps to Lycomedes' presence.
Stranger, farewell—Come, Pyrrha, let us hence.

[going.
Ach.
[returning.]
Say, friend, what port receives the Grecian fleet
United for this glorious enterprize?

Deid.
[to Ach.]
Why, Pyrrha, this delay?

Ach.
Behold I follow—
O! tyrant, tyrant love!

[Exit with Deid.

SCENE XI.

Ulysses
alone.
Or fond desire
To find this youth presents in every place
His imag'd form, or Pyrrha is Achilles.
I well remember such were Peleus' features
In manhood's ripening years—that speech, those looks—
It must be so—but yet Ulysses' caution
Will not too soon confide: who knows? Appearance
May still deceive me. Should this prove Achilles,
I will be wary ere I speak: the time,
The place, each circumstance must all be weigh'd.
That pilot rarely ploughs the waves with safety,
Who sounds not first the depth. We yet must pause
Till all is ripe before we strike the blow,
Then make it sure.

SCENE XII.

Enter Arcas.
Arc.
Ulysses.

Ulys.
Arcas here?
How hast thou found admittance in these walls?

Arc.
I saw you enter, and pursu'd your steps.

Ulys.
What hast thou learn'd meantime that may import
Our great design?

Arc.
But little, good my lord;
That to this land since first Nearchus came,
A year is now complete: with him he brings
His only daughter, grac'd above her sex
With more than female gifts: for her the princess,
The royal Deidamia, bears a love,
A wondrous love, beyond a woman's friendship.

Ulys.
How dost thou name this virgin?

Arc.
Pyrrha.

Ulys.
Pyrrha?

Arc.
And for her sake Nearchus holds a place
Among the royal train of Scyros' court.

Ulys.
And think'st thou this is little thou hast learn'd?

Arc.
Why what imports it?

Ulys.
O! my trusty friend,
In one short moment we have travell'd far.
Hear me, and then confess.

SCENE XIII.

Enter Nearchus.
Near.
My lord, delay not;
Even now the king expects you.

Ulys.
Say, which way
Leads to the royal presence?

Near.
Yonder passage
Conducts us to him.

Ulys.
Lead, I follow thee.
[aside to Arc.]
Some other time shall tell thee.

[Exit with Near.

SCENE XIV.

Arcas
alone.
Like Ulysses
What man can pierce the veil of human deeds?
What seems to others dark, to him is light
As Sol's meridian beam: nor art, nor nature
E'er form'd his equal. Where is he, who knows
Like him to mould his looks to every passion,
Yet keep his heart a stranger to them all?
Who can, like him, with soft persuasive speech
Enchain the yielding soul? With every moment
Can change his genius, language, form, and likeness?
Such have I never known; still, day by day
I watch Ulysses, ever at his side,
And every day I find Ulysses new.

[Exit.

SCENE XV.

The gardens belonging to the palace.
Achilles, Deidamia.
Deid.
Achilles, no; I can no longer trust
Thy oft-forgotten promise; should'st thou stay,
I know, in presence of Theagenes,
Thy rage would know no bounds: thy look, thy speech
Might soon discover all. If yet thou lov'st me,
Leave me, in pity leave me.

Ach.
Yet permit me,
Retir'd apart, in silence to behold
The rival of my love.

Deid.
O! Heavens, I tremble
To think what danger waits thee—but he comes.

Ach.
[looking out.]
Is that the man whose rashness has presum'd!
And shall I tamely bear—

Deid.
Is this thy faith?
Already thou forget'st—

Ach.
A hasty impulse—
No more, my love—'tis past, and I am calm.

Deid.
Again thy warmth will speak.

Ach.
O! no, by Heaven!
Forgive me, Deidamia.

[he retires to the back of the stage.

SCENE XVI.

Enter Lycomedes with Theagenes; Achilles behind.
Lyc.
Dearest daughter,
Behold thy husband; thou, Theagenes,
Illustrious prince, behold thy destin'd spouse.

Ach.
[behind.]
Still, still, my soul, repress thy swelling rage.

Theag.
Whoe'er, O princess, hears what Fame relates
Of Deidamia's charms, may deem she flatters;
But when he sees you thus, will think her tongue
Has paid but scanty praise. Lo! I subdu'd,
Your happy prisoner, yield my freedom here,
And give my life in dowery with my love.

Ach.
[aside.]
Unheard of insolence!

[looking disdainfully at Theag. advancing nearer.
Deid.
[to Theag.]
My merits, prince,
Have ne'er aspir'd so high; nor should you now
So far extol them.
[sees Ach. near Theag.
Pyrrha! hence! what mean'st thou?

Ach.
I speak not, princess.

[retires again.
Deid.
[aside.]
O! what terror shakes
My every sense!

Theag.
[to Lyc. observing Ach.]
What virgin-fair is that
Of lofty mien?

Lyc.
That virgin is your rival.

Deid.
[aside.]
I sink with apprehension.

Ach.
[aside.]
Ah! too surely
He pierces my disguise.

Lyc.
[to Theag.]
Her name is Pyrrha,
Sole partner now of Deidamia's love;
Nor yet the world, from east to western Ind,
E'er saw so constant, or so fond a pair.

Deid.
[aside.]
He speaks in sportive vein, but little thinks
How well he paints two faithful lovers' vows.

Lyc.
What thinks my daughter of the noble consort
Her father's care provides?

Deid.
Alas! my lord,
My inexperience knows not yet to prize—
But if I durst—

Lyc.
Thou blushest, Deidamia,
I read thy heart, and seek to know no further.

[Exit.

SCENE XVII.

Deidamia, Theagenes; Achilles behind.
Ach.
[aside.]
O! that I now could free these coward limbs
From hated female weeds, the weeds of shame!

Theag.
Permit me, fairest princess, thus before you
To paint the warmth that glows within my breast,
To tell you all—

Deid.
O! speak no more of Love—
I must not hear—In me behold his foe.

[Exit Deid. Achilles following, stops at the entrance.

SCENE XVIII.

Theagenes, Achilles.
Theag.
[to himself.]
Almighty powers! Does Deidamia thus
Receive my vows? In what have I offended?
And wherefore then—let me pursue her steps.

[going.
Ach.
[meeting him.]
Forbear—say whither would'st thou go?

Theag.
I go
To Deidamia: let me once again
Renew my suit.

Ach.
[resolutely.]
It is not now permitted.

Theag.
Who shall forbid me?

Ach.
I.

Theag.
Dost thou forbid me?

Ach.
Yes, I forbid thee, prince, and know yet more,
That when I speak, I never speak in vain.

[going slowly.
Theag.
[aside.]
The nymphs of Scyros sure are wondrous strange:
Strange in their speech, in their demeanour strange.
And yet there's something in this haughty maid
That pleases while she threatens— [to Ach.]
Hear me, fair-one,
Declare what cause—

Ach.
No more—let this suffice.

[going.
Theag.
And can you think your words alone will strike
A terror here: that you alone have power
To shake the purpose of Theagenes?

Ach.
[sternly.]
Such power is mine—believe and tremble.

Theag.
[aside.]
Heavens!
That fierceness kindles here a new commotion.

[Achilles going meets Deid. at the entrance.
Deid.
False to my hopes!—And art thou yet content
To fail in every claim of love and honour?

Ach.
Alas! 'tis true—I own my warmth betray'd me.

[Deid. leaves him.
Theag.
Hear, beauteous nymph! I will obey your mandate;
But, in return, indulge my sole request:
Give me to know what this resentment means,
And why on me are bent your angry eyes—
And, ah! that sigh—that look—you seem confus'd—
Whence is this change? O! speak.—Why are you silent?

Ach.

[Exit.

SCENE XIX.

Theagenes
alone.
Where am I? Sure I dream! In such a face
Anger itself can please—perchance she loves me,
And hence forbids me to pursue a rival.
And can it be? So soon to yield to love;
So soon to feel the pangs of jealous passion!
Such words of menace from a virgin lip;
Such bold deportment from the sex that ever
Is bred in timid softness? Wondrous all!
I know not how; she pains, and yet she charms me.

[Exit.