University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

A square in the city of Antioch, magnificently decorated with military trophies, consisting of arms, ensigns, and other spoils of the conquered barbarous nations. An imperial throne on one side. A bridge over the river Orontes, that divides the city.
On the near side of the river appears Adrian borne in triumph on the shields of the Roman soldiers. Aquilius, guards and people. On the further side of the river Pharnaspes and Osrhoes, with a train of Parthians bringing various wild beasts and other gifts as presents to Adrian.
Chorus of Roman Soldiers.
Live, live for us, for empire live!
On fam'd Orontes' banks receive
That laurel which the conquer'd give,
Great Cæsar! thus to grace thy brows.
Hail! father of a happy land!
Hail! leader of a martial band!
The world confess thy saving hand:
In thee our dearest hopes repose.
What wreaths for thee shall Ganges frame,
What nations shall extend thy fame
From clime to clime, 'till Cæsar's name
The earth's remotest region knows!

[while the chorus is singing Adrian descends, and the soldiers, who bore him on their shields, fall into their ranks with the rest.
Aquil.
The Parthian prince Pharnaspes, mighty Cæsar,
Requests an audience of thee.

Adr.
Let him come,
He shall be heard.
[Aquilius goes out, and Adrian having ascended the steps of the throne addresses the soldiers standing.
My friends and fellow-soldiers,
You offer me an empire with your blood
No less than mine sustain'd. I know not well
The right of Adrian to receive alone
The fruits of general toil: but if your love
Brook no refusal, each of you shall find,
(Whate'er my title) Adrian still the same.
Nor deem yourselves my subjects: no, together
We still, as wont, will serve one common cause,
To guard the glories of imperial Rome,
Your private honours and the public weal.

[he sits.
Chorus.
Live, live for us, for empire live!
On fam'd Orontes' banks receive
That laurel which the conquer'd give,
Great Cæsar, thus to grace thy brows.

[while the chorus is singing Pharnaspes and Osrhoes pass the river with all their train, preceded by Aquilius. Pharnaspes and Osrhoes advance: Pharnaspes addresses himself to Cæsar.
Phar.
On this decisive day, when Rome adores
In thee her Cæsar; from that eye, Augustus,
On which depends the fate of many a realm,
Vouchsafe to cast one look on prince Pharnaspes.
But late thy foe; he now at Cæsar's feet
Lays down his enmity, and swears to prove
His loyalty and truth.

Osr.
[aside to Phar.]
There needed not
Such abject, tame submission.

Adr.
Rome is ever
Each nation's common mother, and receives
Within her bosom all that would become
Incorporate with herself: her friends she honours,
The vanquish'd she forgives; with godlike virtue
The oppress'd she raises, and she sinks the proud.

Osr.
[aside.]
O! insolence of power!

Phar.
I come to ask
No unexampled act of Roman virtue
The royal daughter of the Parthian king
Is now a prisoner in your chains.

Adr.
Proceed.

Phar.
Release her from her bonds.

Adr.
[aside.]
O! Heaven!

Phar.
Dry up
Her country's tears; to me restore the maid,
And take these gifts for ransom.

Adr.
Here in Asia
I wage a generous war: I come not, prince,
To barter gold for conquest: think not Adrian,
As is the style of barbarous nations, sells
The liberty of others.

Phar.
Let it then
Be Adrian's gift.

Osr.
[aside.]
What now will Adrian say?

Adr.
First let her father come and claim this gift:
For him I have reserv'd it.

Phar.
Since the day,
The fatal day, when all the Gods combin'd
Fought in the cause of Rome, our monarch's fate
Has still remain'd unknown: in other lands
He wanders now conceal'd, or lives no more.

Adr.
Till Osrhoes' certain destiny be heard,
His daughter be our care.

Phar.
Then since Augustus
Appears so jealous of his fame, resign
That office to her husband.

Adr.
Ha! her husband?
Is Emirena then espous'd?

Phar.
No more
Is wanting but the solemn rite.

Adr.
[aside.]
O! Heavens!
[to him.]
Where is that husband?

Phar.
I, my lord, am he.

Adr.
And does she love thee too

Phar.
We lov'd each other
Before we knew 'twas love: we learn'd together
To live and feed our passion: with our years
And ripening sense the flame increas'd: our souls
Became but one. I sigh'd for Emirena,
She for her faithful prince; but then, Augustus,
When blissful Hymen should have made us one,
Relentless Fate! then was she ravish'd from me.

Adr.
[aside.]
What do I suffer?

Phar.
You appear disturb'd.
Perchance my weakness may offend: I know
The sons of Rome are heroes from their birth:
I know that every passion glory breeds not,
With you is deem'd a crime; but vainly, Cæsar,
You seek to find such virtues in Pharnaspes:
I am a Parthian, not a Roman born.

Adr.
[aside.]
O! harsh rebuke! But let us now begin
To exercise dominion o'er ourselves.
[to Phar.]
Hear, prince; the lovely captive shall henceforth
Be mistress of her fate: I'll lead thee to her,
And if, as thou believ'st, she loves thee still,
Then—hold my heart!—then take her and depart.

[Exit, followed by Aquil. and the Roman soldiers.

SCENE II.

Osrhoes, Pharnaspes.
Osr.
Pharnaspes, didst thou comprehend the meaning
Of Cæsar's words? To me they speak a passion
For Emirena, jealousy of thee,
And confidence in her.—Should this be true;
Should she consent to love my deadliest foe,
This vengeful sword before thy sight—but no,
I'll not believe it—she is still my daughter.

Phar.
What says my sovereign? Cæsar is too just,
And she is true—what doubts perplex your peace?

Osr.
Who doubts of ill but rarely is deceiv'd.

Phar.
I fly to seek her—you shall see—

Osr.
Then go—
But tell her not that here I lurk conceal'd
Among thy followers.

Phar.
From your daughter too
Would you be hid?

Osr.
I would, when next we meet,
Thou shalt know all my purpose.

Phar.
Yes, my king,
With her I shall return to glad your sight.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Osrhoes
alone.
First let me from the insulting foe redeem
The precious pledge, that only makes me fear,
Then give my fury way—Yes, haughty Roman!
Tremble at Osrhoes' vengeance. I am conquer'd,
But not depress'd; for know, to thy confusion,
My soul, unchang'd, shall ever war with Adrian.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

An apartment destined for Emirena in the imperial palace.
Aquilius
alone.
Unless invention frame some artifice
To work on Emirena, I am lost.
Yes, generous Cæsar gives her to Pharnaspes.
If he, a lover, can expunge a passion
Which I with care fomented, he'll return
To love Sabina; she, whose image ever
Dwells in my heart. Ah! where is Emirena?
Behold she comes—Now to my wiles.

SCENE V.

Enter Emirena.
Emir.
Aquilius.

Aqu.
Ah! princess, had you seen the rage of Cæsar:
Pharnaspes has requir'd from him your freedom;
Confess'd he lov'd you, and was lov'd again;
And thus has kindled in the emperor's bosom
A thousand jealous pangs. He raves to madness,
And vows, unless you quit your former love,
He to the capitol will drag you, bound
In servile fetters, at his chariot wheels.

Emir.
Is this the hero of your Tiber? This
The boasted idol of imperial Rome?
I have his word I should not be expos'd
A spectacle of triumph. Is it then
With you no shame for heroes to be false?

Aquil.
When love obscures the sense and blinds the reason,
Even heroes, Emirena, change their nature,

Emir.
Shall Emirena then be led in triumph?
O! never, never—Asia too has those
Who dare to die.

Aquil.
No—better means there are
In Emirena's power. Know, Cæsar comes
To offer you Pharnaspes, hoping thus
To read your secret thoughts: beware, nor trust
His seeming friendship: art elude with art.
Receive your prince belov'd with feign'd indifference;
Reject his profferr'd hand: guard every word,
And dress your looks with well-dissembled coldness,
As if your breast no longer own'd the lover.

Emir.
And what of me will poor Pharnaspes say?
Alas! thou know'st not how his heart is form'd:
At such unkindness I shall see him fall
A victim at my feet.

Aquil.
Farewell—reflect—
And, if you can, embrace some better counsel.

Emir.
Hear me: at least prevent the prince—

Aquil.
He's here.

Emir.
O! Heavens!

Aquil.
Now summon all your fortitude;
I've trac'd your path to shun the threatening evil.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

Enter Adrian and Pharnaspes.
Emir.
[aside.]
O! Emirena, what a cruel trial
Thy love must here endure.

Adr.
[entering.]
Say, prince, is that
The beauty you adore?

Phar.
O! Heavens! 'tis she
Whose charms are ever lovelier in my sight.

Emir.
[aside.]
How my heart throbs!

Adr.
See, beauteous Emirena,
With whom I am return'd; and well I know
My presence never was more grateful to thee.
Speak, undisguis'd.

Emir.
What stranger, sir, is this?

Phar.
What stranger!

Adr.
Know'st thou not those features?

Emir.
Heaven!
[aside.
I know them not.

[to Adr.
Adr.
And hast thou, Emirena,
Ne'er view'd their likeness?

Emir.
No—I fear to speak;
If I betray my love we both are lost.

[aside.
Adr.
[to Phar.]
Is this the maid who learn'd with thee to love?

Phar.
I'm all amazement! Am I then Pharnaspes?
Alas! where am I?

Emir.
[aside.]
How I sympathize
With all he feels.

Adr.
[to Emir.]
If fear, or doubt of me
Restrain thee, Emirena, know that Adrian
Is not a tyrant o'er another's heart.
Behold thy lover—I restore him to thee;
As well befits his eldership of passion.

Emir.
[aside.]
Be constant still— [to Adr.]
I here refuse the gift.

Phar.
My princess, say, what has Pharnaspes done?
What crime unknown to raise thine anger thus?
Dost thou distrust my truth?

Emir.
No more—no more—

Phar.
Am I not he—

Emir.
[to Phar.]
In pity, O! forbear—
For well my state deserves it.

Phar.
Yet remember—

Emir.
[to Phar.]
Remembrance now is lost—I cannot speak—
My adverse fate engrosses every thought:
Unless thou mean'st to see me sink before thee—
Leave me in peace—away.

Phar.
Leave thee in peace?
Inhuman!—yes—I will obey—but look,
Look once upon this face, there read the heart
Of him—no, cruel, do not look upon me,
If thou would'st wish Pharnaspes to obey thee.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Adrian, Emirena.
Adr.
But whither go'st thou now?

[to Emir. going.
Emir.
To weep alone
My wretched fortune—tears at least are free,
Though all be lost.

Adr.
O! nothing hast thou lost:
I in those beauteous eyes have lost my peace.

Emir.
I hop'd for more respect—a royal mind,
Though stript of empire, still remains unchang'd:
My crown is Fortune's gift: but from itself
My heart derives its greatness.

Adr.
[aside.]
Lovely pride!
[to Emir.]
And what offence has now thy virtue suffer'd
From Adrian's love? From Adrian, who can give
If thou consent, his hand and empire?

Emir.
No,
They're plighted to Sabina.

Adr.
True; I've lov'd her
These twice five years: but must our passions then
Endure for ever? Surely in Sabina
Such constancy resides not: different far
Is Adrian's fortune since. I had not then
Beheld thee, Emirena; I was then
A private man in Rome, and ever near her.
But now I sigh a captive in your chains,
And wear the imperial laurel on my brows;
Sabina distant treads the banks of Tiber,
And I Orontes' shores.

SCENE VIII.

Enter Aquilius.
Aquil.
My lord.

Adr.
What would'st thou?

Aquil.
Sir, from the Latian city is arriv'd—

Adr.
Say, who?

Aquil.
Sabina.

Adr.
Mighty Gods!

Emir.
[aside.]
Blest chance
For my relief.

Adr.
What means her progress hither
Without my summons? Art thou not deceiv'd?

Aquil.
No, hear the tumult of the following people,
Whose shouts proclaim her empress.

Adr.
Heavens!—Aquilius,
Go hence, conduct her to a different part;
Let her not thus surprise me: I would ask
A moment to compose my troubled looks—
Use every artifice—

Aquil.
My lord, she comes.

Adr.
I'm all confus'd!

SCENE IX.

Enter Sabina, attended by matrons and Roman knights.
Sab.
Cæsar, my lord, my husband!
Behold the hour that I have wish'd so long
At last is come, and I once more am near you:
Permit me now to view you crown'd with laurel;
With that victorious laurel, which has cost
My love such frequent sighs.

Adr.
[aside.]
What shall I say?

Sab.
You answer not—

Adr.
I could not hope, Sabina—
Might I—but thy fatigue must now require
A needful rest—Who waits?—Conduct Sabina
To some apartment that befits her rank,
And honour her as me.

Sab.
Must I then leave you?
With you I came to seek repose.

Adr.
Forgive me,
Some weighty cares demand me hence.

Sab.
The time
Has been, Sabina was your first of cares.

Adr.
'Tis true; but empire now must claim from Adrian
A sovereign's duty.

[Exit.

SCENE X.

Sabina, Emirena, Aquilius.
Sab.
Say, what means Augustus?
Aquilius, speak.

Aquil.
The secret lies not deep
To searching eyes. Augustus is a lover,
And yonder stands your rival.

Emir.
Gracious empress,
So Heaven preserve you long for Cæsar, hear
And succour the distress'd—my crown, my husband,
My country and my father, all are lost.

Sab.
[aside.]
The haughty fair derides me.

Emir.
On this hand,
This royal hand permit me thus—

Sab.
Away:
I am not yet become the wife of Cæsar,
Nor art thou wretched as thy words imply;
Since Fortune, leaving still thy wonted beauty,
Has little taken from thee. At thy choice
Thou may'st acquire even more than thou hast lost,
And I perhaps from thee, some future time,
May ask that grace which now thou seek'st of me.

Emir.
My shameful bonds—

Sab.
No more—I would be private.

Emir.
O! Heaven! what sorrows must this breast endure.

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

Sabina, Aquilius.
Aquil.
[aside.]
Now let us prove our fortune.

Sab.
Say, Aquilius,
Does not Sabina's fate excite thy pity?

Aquil.
Yes, I confess Augustus most unjust:
He thinks not that revenge is in your power.
Beauty and virtue both alike are yours,
What heart so cold but these must surely warm:
Before his eyes you should—

Sab.
[haughtily.]
What should Sabina?

Aquil.
Pursue him still with unabated passion,
And make him blush at his inconstancy.
[aside.]
The tempest threats, let us regain the shore.

[Exit.

SCENE XII.

Sabina
alone.
And do I weep? Ah! no—at least my weakness
Shall be conceal'd.—But such a cruel stroke
Bears down my best resolves. To Asia's clime
I came to find my love, and find him false:
I find him with my rival; see him troubled
At my approach. He scarcely deigns to hear me;
He flies my sight—and yet I must not weep:
Alas! a rock would weep at woes like mine.

[Exit.

SCENE XIII.

A view of the imperial palace on fire; the flames breaking out from several parts of the building: some part in ruins. Time, night.
Osrhoes comes from the palace, with a lighted torch in his right hand and a sword drawn in his left. A train of Parthians with lighted torches.
Osr.
Intrepid Parthians! Heaven propitious smiles
Upon our bold attempt: turn yet a moment
And view the ruins of yon hostile palace.
Amidst our loss this shadow of revenge
Is some relief—Behold the bursting fires!
What wreaths of smoke and flame ascend the sky!
O! would to all the Gods, yon walls that now
The Parthian rage destroys, within them held
The senators, the capitol, and Rome!

SCENE XIV.

Enter Pharnaspes.
Phar.
Osrhoes, my king.

Osr.
Pharnaspes, look—behold
The work of Osrhoes' hand!

[pointing to the flames.
Phar.
Immortal powers!
Where is thy daughter?

Osr.
Who can tell?—Even now,
There, with her lover, wrapt perchance in flames,
She suffers for the wrongs she heap'd on thee.

Phar.
[going.]
O! Emirena! O! my life!

Osr.
Yet hear me—
What would'st thou seek?

Phar.
To save my love or perish.

[going.
Osr.
O! no—forget, far rather, an ingrate
That has betray'd thee.

Phar.
O! I know her false,
But still my soul adores her.

[enters amidst the flames and ruins of the palace.

SCENE XV.

Osrhoes, Parthians.
Osr.
Perish then,
Unthinking youth, while we, my valiant friends,
Preserve ourselves for greater deeds. Let each
Cast down his torch to earth, and each again
Retire to his concealment.
[the Parthians go out.
—Yet, in spite
Of all my rage I feel myself a father;
I cannot quit this place—Still, still I turn
To yon devoted walls—Let me not listen
To this unmanly weakness.—Ah! even now
Perhaps a dying child invokes my name:
O! that Pharnaspes may arrive to save her!
Could I but learn their fate!—But whither would
My inconsiderate steps? O Gods! look there—
Ha! who comes yonder? See, the tumult thickens,
And all the imperial palace is in motion—
My friend—my daughter—whither shall I turn?
I lose myself and yet preserve not them.
Since, mighty Gods! you've taken all from Osrhoes,
Why have you left him still these feeble passions?

[Exit hastily.

SCENE XVI.

Emirena flying in terror, Pharnaspes enters to her in chains, guarded.
Emir.
Ah! whither shall I fly? Who now will save me?
Could I but learn—O! Heaven! Pharnaspes!

Phar.
Princess!

Emir.
And art thou here a prisoner?

Phar.
Art thou safe?

Emir.
Death comes not to the unhappy—Could thy hand
Kindle these flames?

Phar.
No—but 'tis so believ'd.

Emir.
Believ'd, and why?

Phar.
Because I am a Parthian,
Because I'm lost, abandon'd to despair,
Because amidst these walls I was surpris'd.

Emir.
Say, to what purpose came Pharnaspes hither?

Phar.
To save thee and to die.

Emir.
And hadst thou died
Think'st thou that Emirena would be sav'd?

Phar.
Why dost thou mock me thus? This feign'd compassion
Exceeds thy cruelty.

Emir.
My feign'd compassion!

Phar.
How can I think it true? Far other, princess,
Thy words but late imported.

Emir.
Words, alas!
Might differ—Emirena was the same.

Phar.
What meant thy cold reception?

Emir.
Fear to raise
The jealousy of Adrian.

Phar.
What from him
Could Emirena fear?

Emir.
That shame which waits
The vanquish'd at a haughty Roman's triumph?

Phar.
Did he not nobly offer thee this hand?

Emir.
All artifice to read my secret thoughts.

Phar.
Then am I still—

Emir.
My only hope, my life.

Phar.
And art thou then—

Emir.
Still faithful to Pharnaspes;
And to the tomb will still remain unchang'd,
And after death, if then the dead retain
Of aught in life remembrance, shall thy image
Dwell in my constant soul.

Phar.
No more, my love,
Enough; I here detest my jealous doubts.
Forgive me, Emirena! Cruel stars!
In your despite Pharnaspes shall defy
The rage of tyrants and the pangs of suffering.
My princess loves me—yes, her lips confirm it;
And midst your frowns I shall be happy still.

Emir.
Ah! go not yet.

Phar.
Alas! necessity
Now tears me from thee.

Emir.
Gracious powers! Pharnaspes,
What fate awaits us next?

Phar.
My soul is fearless,
And death itself has only terrors for me,
As I'm forbid, alas! to die beside thee.

[Exit guarded.

SCENE XVII.

Emirena
alone.
If it be true, that from another's grief
We find our own reliev'd, contemplate me,
Ye wretched sufferers, and regain your peace,
In finding all your woes surpass'd by mine.