University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Scene the Great Curtain.
Enter Delphia and Drusilla.
Del.
Tis done, Drusilla, the great Work is done;
Charinus, Maximinian, Aurelia,
Are all the Persian Monarch's Prisoners;
He has 'em in his Power. Now smile, Drusilla.

Dru.
Where was my Diocles when this was done?

Del.
Why he was with 'em; but his Pow'r was vain,
As vain all the Resistance he could make;
They bore their Prisoners off, and he was left—

Dru.
How, left! Oh do not torture me with Doubt,
But tell me he is safe, and tell me quickly,
Or I shall die with Fear.

Del.
He is (my Girl) in his own Army, safe;
Thou shalt behold him instantly.

Dru.
Lie still, my trembling Heart, since he is well.
But how was this effected?

Del.
I made the Persians lay an Ambush for 'em,
Then drew 'em from the Camp to take the Air,
Attended with a strong and chosen Guard.
I made 'em wander at a Distance from 'em,
And brought 'em where the Persians lay conceal'd,
And put 'em in their power. Then Dioclesian,
Calling aloud for Succour to the Guard,
Soon gave 'em the Alarm, and made 'em fly
With all the Wings of Speed, to rescue 'em;
Which they had quickly done, had I not rais'd
A Mist, which hid the Persians from their Sight,
Guiding 'em till they bore their Prisoners off.
Here comes the Emperor, ready to burst
With Anger and Despair, for this Disgrace:
We'll stand aside, and mark him.
When Niger, and the rest of 'em are gone,
We'll shew our selves.

Enter Dioclesian, Niger, Senators, Guard, and Soldiers.
Dio.
Talk not of Comfort; I have broke my Faith,
And the Gods fight against me.
Could it else have been
In Nature, that a few weak Persians
Could (almost in my Armies sight) have forc'd,
And bore in Triumph off, all that I lov'd,
My Brother and Copartner in the Empire,
The Persian Prisoner, and my lovely Mistris?
(A Jewel which I priz'd above my Life.)
Could this have been, and I want pow'r to rescue 'em,
If the Immortal Gods I have provok'd,
Had not given Spirit to the Undertakers,
And in their bold Design protected 'em?

Nig.
Great Cæsar,
Your Safety does confirm you are their Care;
And that howe're their Practices reach others,
You stand above their Malice.

1 Gu.
Do but lead us on,
With that invincible and undaunted Courage
Which waited bravely on you, when you appear'd
The Son of Conquest; you shall see us force
(Tho' all the Enemies of the East conspire
Against your Undertakings) the proud Persian
Out of his strongest Hold.

Dio.
You give me, Fellow-Soldiers, a new Life;
And tho' (for some great Sin) I am markt out
The Object of Heaven's Hate; tho' Jove stood ready
To dart his threefold Thunder on my Head,
It could not fright me from a fierce Pursuit
Of my Revenge. I will redeem my Friends,
And with my Friends, my Honour, at least fall,
Fall like my self, a Soldier, and a Roman.

Nig.
Now we hear great Dioclesian speak.

Dio.
Draw up your Legions.
And let it be your care (my much lov'd Niger)
To hasten their remove. And fellow Soldiers,
Your love to me, will teach you to indure,
As much as I shall, and I ask no more.

1 Gua.
Die he accurst,
Who thinks of rest, or sleep, before he has
The Persians in his view.

Nig.
We know the Honour,
The Dignity of Rome, and what's above
All can be urg'd; the quiet of your Mind,
Depends upon our haste.

All.
Happiness, and glorious Victory attend great Cæsar.

[Exeunt all but Dioclesian.
Dio.
The chearfulness of my Soldiers, gives assurance
Of good success abroad, if first I make
My Peace at home here; there is something chides me,
And sharply tells me, that my breach of Faith,
To Delphia, and Drusilla, is the ground
Of my misfortunes; she was my better Angel,
And thus I do invoke her. All-knowing Delphia!
Thou more, much more than Woman,
Look on thy Creature.
And as thou twice hast pleas'd to shew thy self
To reprehend my falshood; now vouchsafe
To see my low submission.

[Del. and Drus. shew themselves.
Del.
What's thy will?
False, and ungrateful (and in that deserving
All human sorrows) dar'st thou hope from me,
Relief, or Comfort?

Dio.
Penitence can appease
Th'offended Pow'rs; and Sacrifice takes off
Their heavy Augers; thus I tender both.
The Master of great Rome; and in that Lord
Of half the Sun gives heat, and being to,
Thus sues for Mercy. Be but as thou wert,
The Bark, and Pilot of my future Fortunes,
And once more steer my Actions to the Port
Of glorious Honour; then if I fall off,
Or break my Faith again to this sweet Virgin,
Join with those Powers who punish Perjury,
To make me an example, to deter
Others from being false.

Drus.
Upon my Soul,
You may believe him now: he ne're propos'd
Ought but what's Noble to me; he only try'd
How I could bear unkindness. I see truth
Triumphant in his sorrow. Dearest Aunt,
Both credit him, and help him. Sure you can't,
You can't deny us both, when we thus Plead;
Thus, on our Knees, we both implore your Pardon,
Your Favour, and Assistance.

Dio.
How happy had I been, had I ne're lookt,
Beyond this abstract of all Womans goodness!

Del.
Rise both,
I know you are sincere, and I forgive you:
But had you persever'd in your Ingratitude,
I had persu'd you with such dreadful torments,
That Life it self had been a burthen to you.

Dio.
Could you have added to this Affliction?

Del.
Yes, much more: The proud Aureliæ
Should have receiv'd the same Indignities
She had impos'd on the fair Persian Princess:
Which would have gaul'd her haughty Spirit so,
Till Spite, Rage, and Dispair had made her mad,
And kill her self.

Dio.
And I had been the cause of all this woe.

Del.
I'll shew you what a Noble Monument
You would have rais'd to the Memory of this Princess.

She waves her Wand thrice. Soft Musick is heard. Then the Curtain rises, and shews a stately Tomb: Aurelia lying in the midst of it, on a Bed of State.
Del.
What say you now, my Son?
Is my Art to be contemn'd?

Dio.
'Tis wonderful!

Del.
Approach it; view it nearer.

Dio.
Ha! 'tis the real Person of Aurelia!
The liveliness of her Complexion;
The brightness of those all-commanding Eyes
Assure me 'tis no Vision. 'Tis the true,
The real, living Princess.

Del.
You are deceiv'd, it is Illusion all.

Delphia stamps, and it vanishes: behind it is seen a large Cupola, supported by Termes on Pedestals. The Prophetess waves her Wand, the Termes leap from their Pedestalls, the Building falls, and the Termes and Cupola are turn'd into a Dance of Butterflies.
Dio.
Miraculous!

Del.
Come Son, be not dejected;
I know the causes of your discontent;
Know you believe your Fame and Honour suffers
In their Captivity. Hear Dioclesian;
Despise me, punish me for an Impostor,
If Fortune waits not on thy Sword, and Victory,
And glorious Victory attends thy Arms!
If thou redeem'st not all thy Friends, and hast not
Thy mightiest Enemies at thy disposal.

Dio.
Now you revive me.

Del.
Yet remember,
When you are rais'd up to the highest point
Of human Happiness; such as move beyond it,
Must of necessity descend: think on it;
Remember you'r a man, and use those Blessings
The Gods bestow, with moderation.

Dio.
I will.
And when I have attain'd this Happiness,
Even in the height of my exalted Glory;
Something I'll do, something so singular,
All Monarchs shall admire, and but few imitate.

Del.
You shall ne're repent it.

Dio.
Come my Drusilla,
Give me thy Hand, and pray for my success.

[Exeunt
Scene a Forrest.
Enter Niger, Geta, Guard, and Soldiers.
Nig.
How do you like your entrance to the War?
When the whole Body of the Army moves,
Is't not a glorious sight?

Get.
'Tis a fine May-game.
But Eating and Drinking is forbidden in't;
I mean with leasure. We walk on, and feed
Like hungry Boys that haste to School; or as
We carried Fish to the City, dare stay no where
For fear our Ware should stink.

1 Gua.
That's the necessity of our speedy March.

Get.
Sir, I love my ease: I hope a Captain,
(And a Gown'd Captain too, one who has sate
In Furrs upon a Seat of Judicature,
Representing the Emperor) may be dispenc'd with.
I tell you, and do not mock me, when I was Poor,
I could indure like others, Cold, and Hunger;
But since I grew Rich, let my Finger ake,
Or feel but the least pain in my great Toe,
Unless I have a Doctor, my own Doctor too,
That will insure my Life; I think I am gone.

Nig.
Come, fear not, you shall want nothing.

1 Gua.
We'll make you fight, as you were mad.

Get.
Not too much of fighting, Friend;
It is thy Trade, thou art a private Soldier.
We Officers, lay our Places, must be fine,
And strut, and make a noise, get all we can,
But still be careful to preserve our Carcasses.

1 Gua.
You are mistaken; you must kill for Exercise,
A Dozen or two a Dry.

Get.
Thou talk'st
As thou wert Lousing thy self. However,
I'll have the fear of Heaven before my Eyes,
And do not hurt, I warrant you.

Nig.
Come, march on then;
And humour him for our mirth sake.

1 Gua.
Come Captain; now we are near the Enemy,
You shall have sport I warrant you, and quickly.

Get.
Sport do you call it?
Knocking out one anothers Brains a sport?
Deliver me!

1 Gua.
Here's a brave Soldier!

Nig.
He's one pleases the Emperor with his Folly,
And in that a Wise man, and a Valiant.

1 Gua.
Nay then I honour him.

Nig.
March on I say.

[Exeunt.
A flat Scene of Tents.
Enter Cosroe, Cassana, and Persians. Charinus, Maximinian, Aurelia Prisoners; with Soldiers. A Throne.
Cos.
Now, by the Persian Gods, most truly welcome;
Encompast thus with Tributary Kings
I entertain you. Lead her to my Throne,
And seat her by me. Now, bow all of you,
To do her honour. Oh my best Cassana!
Sister, and Partner of my Life, and Empire,
We'll teach you to forget with present Pleasures,
Your late Captivity. And this proud Roman,
That us'd thee as a slave, and did disdain
A Princely Ransom; shall, if she repine,
Be forc'd by various Tortures, to adore
What she of late contemn'd.

Cas.
All Greatness ever
Attend my Noble Brother. Tho Persia's stil'd
The Nurse of Pomp, and Pride, we'll leave to Rome
Her Native Cruelty: For know Aurelia,
A Roman Princess, and a Cæsar's Sister;
Tho' late like thee, a Captive; I can forget
Thy barbarous usage. And tho' thou to me
(When I was in thy power) didst shew thy self
A most insulting Tyranness; I to thee
Will prove a gentle Mistriss.

Aur.
Oh my Stars!
A Mistriss! can I live and owe that name
To Flesh, and Blood? I was born to command,
Train'd up in Soveraignty; and I in Death
Can quit the name of Slave: she who scorns Life,
May mock Captivity.

Cha.
Rome, will be Rome,
When we are nothing; and her Pow'rs the same
Which you once quak'd at.

Max.
Dioclesian lives;
Hear it and tremble; lives (thou King of Persia)
The Master of his Fortune, and his Honours:
And tho' by Devillish Arts we were surpriz'd,
And made the prey of Magick, and of Theft,
And not won Nobly; we shall be redeem'd,
And by a Roman War. And every wrong
We suffer here, shall be return'd with Interest,
On the insulting Doer.

1 Per.
Sure these Romans, are more than men.

2 Per.
Their great Hearts will not yield;
They cannot bend to any adverse Fate,
Such is their confidence.

Cos.
Then they shall break.
Why, you rebellious Wretches, dare you still
Contend, when the least Breath, or Nod of mine,
Makes you a prey to Vulturs. The vain name
Of Roman Legions, I slight, and scorn.
And for that boasted Bug-bear Dioclesian,
Whose Army now is almost in our view,
(That you presume on) oh were he the Master,
Of Spirit enough to meet me in the Field;
He soon should find that our Immortal Squardrons,
Dare meet his boldest Troops, and scatter 'em
As a high tow'ring Falcon on her stretches
Scatters the fearful Fowl. And by the Sun,
The Moon, the Winds, the Nourishers of Life,
And by this Sword, the Instrument of Death;
Since you submit not humbly to our Mercy,
But yet dare hope for Liberty by force.
If Dioclesian has not the Courage
Bravely to free you with his Sword? all slavery
That Cruelty can find out to make you wretched,
Falls heavy on you.

Max.
If the Sun keeps his Course,
And the Earth bear his Soldiers March, I fear not.

Cha.
Let us have Liberty, or full Revenge.

Aur.
I; Liberty, or Revenge.

[A Trumpet sounds.
Enter a Persian.
Per.
An Officer from the Roman Camp,
Desires admittance to your Majesty.

Cos.
Admit him.
Enter Niger.
Now speak thy Message freely.

Nig.
My great Master.
The Lord of Rome, (in that all power is spoken)
Hoping that thou wilt prove a Noble Enemy,
And, in thy bold Resistance, worth his Conquest;
Defies thee, Cosroe.

Max.
There's Fire in this.

Nig.
And to encourage thee to meet him bravely,
And tug for Empire, dares thee to the Field,
With this assurance; if thy Sword can win him;
Or force his Legions with thy Barbed Horse,
But to forsake their Ground: That not alone
Wing'd Victory shall perch upon thy Tent;
But all the Provinces, and Kingdoms held
By Roman Garrisons in this Eastern World,
Shall be delivered up, and he himself,
Acknowledge thee his Sovereign. In return
Of this large offer, he asks only this;
That till the doubtful Dye of War determine
Who has most Power and should command the other,
Thou treat thy Noble Prisoners like their Births,
And not their present Fortunes: and to bring 'em
Guarded into thy Tent; with thy best force,
Thy ablest men of War, and thou thy self
Sworn to make good the Places. And if he fail
(Spight of all opposition thou canst make)
In his own Person to cut out his way,
And bring 'em safely off, the Day is thine;
And he, like these, thy Prisoner.

Cos.
Tho' I receive this
But as a Roman boast; yet I embrace it,
And love the sender: Tell him I will bring
My Prisoners to the Field, and without odds
Against his single Force, alone defend 'em;
Or else, with equal Numbers: Tell him this.
I'll give the Signal instantly. Courage brave Princes,
And let Posterity Record, that we
[Ex. Nig.
This memorable Day restor'd to Persia,
That Empire of the World, Great Phillip's Son
Ravisht from us, and Greece gave up to Rome.
And this our comfort be, we cannot fall
Ingloriously, since we contend for all.

[Exeunt.
Enter Geta, and two of the Guard.
Get.
A curse upon your Trade! if 'ere I catch
These Rogues in Rome, I'll swear the Peace against 'em.
Run for a Surgeon quickly, or I faint.

1 Gua.
Bear up man; 'tis but a scratch.

Get.
A Cut cross the Coxcomb,
Is but a scratch with you—Pox o' your occupation;
Your scurvy, scuffling Trade. I was told before
My Face was bad enough; but now I look
Like Bloody-bone, and Raw-head, to fright Children;
I am for no use else.

2 Gua.
Thou shalt fright men.

1 Gua.
Behold how terrible you look, see your Face
In the Pummel of my Sword.

Get.
I die! I am gone! oh my sweet Phisnomy!

Enter Three or Four Persians.
2 Gua.
They come: now fight, or die indeed.

Get.
I will scape this way.
I cannot hold my Sword; what would you have
A maim'd man do?

1 Gua.
Nay, then I have a Goad to prick you forward, Ox.

2 Gua.
Fight like a Man, or die like a Dog.

Get.
Shall I, like Cæsar, fall
Among my Friends? No Mercy? Et tu Brute?
You shall not have the Honour of my Death;
I'll first fall by the Enemy.

[He beats off the Persians.
1 Gua.
Oh brave! brave Geta! he plays the Devil now.

Enter Niger. Alarm.
Nig.
Make up for Honour:
The Persians shrink, the Passage is laid open;
Great Dioclesian, like a second Mars,
Performs more than a Man; his Shield stuck full
Of Persian Darts, which now are his Defence
Against his Enemies Swords, still leads the Way.
[Alarm's continued.
Of all the Persian Forces, one strong Squadron
In which their King in his own Person fights,
Stands firm, and yet unrouted; break thro' that,
The Day, and all is ours.

All.
Victory, Victory.

[Exeunt shouting. Then a Retreat.
Scene Part of a Wood: Beyond it large Tents; in the middle a Royal Pavilion; through it is seen the Prospect of a Camp at a great distance.
While the Song is singing, Enter in a Triumphal manner, Singers and Dancers, Roman Officers, Dioclesian Crown'd with Laurel, Charinus, Aurelia, Maximinian, Niger, Geta, Guard. Then Cosroe, Cassana, Persian Princes, Prisoners, guarded by Roman Soldiers. Delphia and Drusilla at a distance.
SONG.
Sound , Fame, thy Brazen Trumpet sound;
Stands in the Centre of the Universe,
And call the listning World around,
While we, in Tuneful Sounds rehearse,
In Artful Numbers, and well-chosen Verse,
Great Dioclesian's Story.
Let all rehearse,
In lofty Verse,
Great Dioclesian's Glory.
Sound his Renown,
Advance his Crown
Above all Monarchs that e're blest the Earth.
Oh sacred Fame,
Embalm his Name,
With Honour here, and Glory after Death.
All sing his Story,
Raise, raise his Glory
Above all Monarchs that e're blest the Earth.
Oh sacred Fame,
Embalm his Name,
With Honour here, and Glory after Death.

Dio.
I am rewarded in the Victory;
Your Freedom is ten thousand Triumphs to me.
You (Sir) share in my Glories, and Aurelia,
Unkind Aurelia, still commands the Victor.
Nephew, remember by whose Gift you are free,
For I can only pity you. Nor be thou forgot,
My first poor Bond-man, Geta; I am glad
Thou art turn'd a Fighter.

Get.
'Twas against my will; but now I am content with it.

Cha.
Oh Romans! Countrymen!
You never can bestow Honour enough
Upon your Emperor: Think on new Titles,
Transcending all Example.

Nig.
We will have
His Statue of pure Gold set in the Capitol;
And he that bows not to it as a God,
Forfeits his Head.

Max.
I shall burst with Envy;
And yet these Honours, which conferr'd on me,
Would raise me to the Clouds, never move him.

Dio.
Suppose this done, yet still I am a Man;
And all these Glories you would heap upon me,
Cannot defend me from a shaking Fever,
Or bribe the all-destroying Dart of Death,
To spare me one short Moment.
Shall I praise Fortune? or build my Happiness
On her uncertain Favour, that yet was never
Constant to any Man? Should my Reason fail,
(As Flattery oft corrupts it) here's an Example,
To shew how far her Smiles are to be trusted.
The Rising Sun, this Morning, saw this Man
The Persian Monarch, and those Subjects proud
Who had the Honour to salute his Garment:
And yet, e're his Diurnal Progress ends,
He is the Scorn of Fortune: But you'll say,
That she forsook him for his Cowardise,
But never leaves the Bold. Now by my Hopes
Of Peace and Quiet here, I never met
A braver Enemy. To shew how much I honour him,
Great Sir, you are free, your Sister, all are free;
Enjoy your Empire, Ransomless return.

Cos.
To see this Vertue,
Is more to me than Empire; and to be
O'recome by you, a glorious Victory.

Max.
Now, in the Devil's Name, what means he next?

Dio.
I know that Glory
Is like Alcides Shirt, if 'tis kept on
Till Pride has mixt it with our Blood; nor can we
Part with it at our pleasure. Pull it off,
It brings along with it both Flesh and Sinews,
And leaves us living Monsters.

Max.
Would it were
My turn to put it on, I'd hazard that.

Dio.
No, I'll not be forc'd
Out of this glorious Castle; uncompell'd
I will surrender it. Let it suffice,
I have toucht the Height of Humane Happiness,
And fix here my Non ultra. Hitherto
I have liv'd a Servant to ambitious Thoughts,
And fading Glories; my Remains of Life
I dedicate to Vertue; and to keep
My Faith untainted, farewel Pride and Pomp,
All Circumstance of glorious Majesty,
Farewel for ever.

Max.
What follows now?

Dio.
Nephew, I have noted,
That you have long, with envious Eyes, lookt on
My flourishing Fortune; you shall have possession
Of my Felicity; I deliver up
My Empire, and this Gem, which once I priz'd
Above it. Here Maximinian, take her, and take all:
I know she's not averse to it.

Aur.
I gave my self by a solemn Vow to you, Sir;
Dispose of me as you please.

Dio.
Then you are his.
Noble Charinus, have we your Consent?

Cha.
I am so amaz'd, I know not what to say.
Great Sir, dispose of me, of all.

Dio.
You are too gracious; your Approbation
Is all I beg; the Soldiers Love I doubt not.
His Valour, Gentlemen, will deserve your Favours,
Which let my prayers further. Now all is yours:
But I have been too liberal, and given that
I must entreat for now.

Max.
How! Was I flatter'd with imagin'd Greatness?
Am I become your Sport?

Dio.
Mistake me not; 'tis only the poor Grange,
The Patrimony which my Father left me,
'Tis only that I sue for.

Max.
'Tis yours, Sir, all the pleasant Valley round it;
All shall be yours, and we'll attend you thither.

Dio.
No, Maximinian, no;
I have taken leave of Pomp an Ceremony.
In Rome seek Honour and Renown; I'll study
To find Content elsewhere. Dissuade me not;
My Resolution's fixt: And now Drusilla,
Being as poor as when I vow'd to make thee
My Wife, if since thy Love has felt no change,
I am ready to perform it.

Dru.
I still lov'd
Your Person, not your Fortunes: In a Cottage,
Being yours, I am an Empress.

Del.
And I'll make the Change most happy.

Dio.
Let me entreat
Charinus, Maximinian, and Aurelia,
To see my Vow perform'd. You but attend
My Glories to their Urn. Now Maximinian,
O're-run the World; Let me my self subdue:
Give me Content, and take all Honour, You.

[Exeunt.