University of Virginia Library

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.