 | The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian. The Second Part |  |
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Act IV.
SCENE The Roman Tents.Enter Titus, Malchus, Antiochus, Tiberius.
Tib.
Now Sir, one more Assault, and we conclude
The torments of the starving multitude.
We to our Squadrons portions divide,
Which like wild Horses to its members ty'd,
Did rend it limb from limb, and left alone
A torn dismembred carkass of a Town.
Mal.
I did the Temple storm, the place to save
From its own Guard, as Cæsar orders gave;
And the vile Slaves to burn my Troops and me,
Gave fire to th'entrance of their Sanctuary,
And in a moment levell'd with the ground
Solomon's Porch, and all the Buildings round.
Ant.
The Town must bow to you within a day,
For Famine sweeps its dirty crowds away;
They who maintain it are not men, but bones,
Shadows of men, and walking Skeletons.
Their looks scare death it self, nor do they need
To fly from wounds, they have no bloud to bleed.
Their flesh if mangled, like chopt Earth appears,
Or cloven Trees torn with the wind and years.
Mal.
My civil Fate did better treats afford,
And with fat juicy Villains fed my Sword;
That I had no great reason for complaints,
I had a noble banquet of cramm'd Saints.
Tit.
To all the Heav'nly Pow'rs I dare appeal,
If I'm in fault for what these wretches feel.
Tib.
Except by mercy lengthning that disease,
Which stubborn cruelty with speed wou'd ease.
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Tit.
The news!
Offic.
The Guardian Angel of the Town,
The Parthian King, is from its succour flown:
He broke from thence, like Thunder from a Cloud,
And tore down all that in his passage stood.
Thence with his followers o're the Mountains fled,
And all the way with slaughter'd Romans spread.
Ant.
Then the proud City's dying pangs are past;
Her mighty Ghost is yielded up at last.
Mal.
The very Soul of all their Souls is fled.
Tib.
Better their Walls had vanish'd in his stead,
Pursue him—
Tit.
No, since for his life he flies,
Let him enjoy what with disgrace he buys.
Now I'le release the wretches from the rack;
Prepare my Legions for a new attaque:
Their Temple save, unless the Slaves appear
Too obstinate, and it shall cost too dear.
Mal.
I am prepar'd:—but e're the Fight begin,
(aside.
I must go gaze on the fair Jewish Queen.
I know I must not hope, but I may dare
To peep in Heav'n, though I must ne're come there.
Ex.
Ant.
I must to the fair Queen before I go,
(aside.
My thirsty Soul does more intemp'rate grow:
That hot Elixir I must hourly tast,
Which I'm assur'd will burn me at the last.
Ex.
Tit.
Now Friend, the hour draws near when wretched I,
The torments of departing Love must try,
And with one stab that fatal wound must give,
Of which I shall be groaning whilst I live.
Tib.
Oh! does your mighty resolution yield!
I thought you had entirely gain'd the Field.
Tit.
Dost think I from my breast so soon can tear
A Love which has so long been growing there?
Throw all that heap of riches out of door
I hardly got, and in a trice be poor?
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But at the last to make this Treasure mine:
I have spoil'd half the world but to be seen
Attir'd in Glories, pleasing to the Queen.
Nay I who shun her Love to gain a Throne,
Desir'd the Empire for her sake alone.
And now I have obtain'd my wish'd success,
And I'm in reach of supreme happiness,
Shall I at last my self and her deceive,
And what I sought for, what I slighted leave?
Tib.
Oh! do these thoughts your Soul once more invade?
All this before you in the ballance weigh'd;
With an impartial finger pois'd the Scale,
And left out nothing might for Love prevail:
But still the Roman Laws, your own Renown
And Glory, weigh'd the other ballance down.
And now—
Tit.
Her Love to all things I prefer,
What is Renown or Empire without her?
Tib.
Grant, Sir, all charms that in her Sex are seen,
Are lodg'd in her, but still she is a Queen.
A Roman courage her great heart contains,
But there's no Roman bloud within her veins.
And not our Tyrants yet so bold have been,
To marry with a Stranger, and a Queen.
This hate to Crowns is all that Rome in chains,
Still of her ancient Liberty retains.
Nay Roman Monsters, whose supreme delight
Was against Reason, Laws, and Gods to fight;
Who Rome and Nature in confusion hurl'd,
And walk'd Antipodes to all the world;
Yet they who durst both burn and plunder Rome,
Once to invade this Law durst ne're presume.
And Sir, shall you the worlds delight do more
Against our Laws then Monsters did before?
Tit.
All this too well I know, but must I lose
My freedom e're I am at Rome's dispose?
It will be time enough these thoughts to have,
When I am chosen her Imperial Slave:
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And I am Master of my destiny.
Tib.
Ah Sir! against this fatal passion strive,
And do not Rome of your brave self deprive:
Shall she lose all the Glory of your Reign,
Only to ease a Love-sick Ladies pain?
For Sir, were you a God and shou'd presume
To 'spouse a Queen, you must not govern Rome.
Her Rank is by your Army too abhorr'd,
Who hate to see a Queen command their Lord:
Their hourly discontents I scarce can quell,
They out of Loyalty would fain Rebell.
Nay they have all resolv'd the very hour
The Town is won, to chuse you Emperour;
But lest the Queen should in your Glory share,
They firmly have decreed to banish her.
And the brave Rebels I declare I'le lead;
Kneels, and flings his Sword at Titus feet.
If you will guard your passion, take my head,
For I will ne're endure the greatest Throne,
And bravest man, shou'd be by Love undone.
Tit.
Oh rise! thou truly Roman spirit, rise!
(raises him.
I have resolv'd on this great Sacrifice,
But do not know which way I shall begin;
I cannot speak to the unhappy Queen.
Tib.
Release your spirit from that trifling care,
I'le to the Queen th'unpleasing message bear;
And as the Patient's sight an Artist hides,
When from the Body he a Limb divides,
That Nature may not doubly be opprest,
Then with a curious hand performs the rest;
So I the fatal deed will gently do,
And not torment you with an Interview:
And will so mollifie the parting pain,
That injur'd Love but little shall complain.
(offers to go.
Tit.
Oh! stay Tiberius! make not so much speed,
I know not if I shall survive the deed;
With hast I boldly rush on a design,
Which may at once destroy her life and mine.
But yet what must be suffer'd we in vain
Delay some moments, and prolong our pain.
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Excuse my crime, and all my grief declare;
Implore her my retirement to forgive,
Tell her I cannot see her, go,—and live!
And if to reign in my ungratefull breast,
Her rigorous Fate can sweeten in the least,
Tell her that I deserted and alone,
Even an Imperial exile in my Throne,
To my own self more hatefull then to her,
The name of Lover to my Tomb will bear;
That all my life will be in sorrow spent,
And all my Reign a glorious banishment.
Ex.
The Scene changes to the Queens Tent.
Enter Berenice and Monobasus.
Ber.
How Sir! have I under the name of Friend
These many months a Lover entertain'd?
Mon.
Let it not, Madam, your displeasure move,
That I presume t'inform you of my Love:
Till now in humble duty I supprest
The tort'ring secret, till it burnt my breast.
My bosom better cou'd have fire retain'd,
It wou'd have less my scorching vitals pain'd.
Ber.
Suppose your passion great as you express,
What did encourage you to this address?
Durst you once hope you entertain'd should be,
Or find the least encouragement from me?
Mon.
My passion never yet so bold has been;
It were less vain to ask the Gods to sin.
Yet were it possible for you to erre,
Torments and death I wou'd much rather bear,
Then you one moment should unhappy be,
And place your heart on one so low as me.
Ber.
Good Heav'n! then what design cou'd you propose?
Did you this secret for no end disclose?
Mon.
To ease my soul was all I did design.
Ber.
Wou'd it had been in any breast but mine.
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But all past services must crimes esteem;
Against my nature my just debts disown,
Nay I must punish you for what y'ave done.
And oh! good Heav'n! what starts into my thought!
(aside.
I've found what has this change in Titus wrought;
I've been too lavish in this Strangers praise,
That, that did this disorder in him raise.
Sir, you have ruin'd me, have friendship shewn,
To make my fate as wretched as your own:
To save my life you have your Sword employ'd,
And all the comforts of that life destroy'd.
Oblige me this once more for goodness sake,
Your self with speed out of my presence take.
Mon.
What means this storm so sudden and severe?
(aside.
My cruel Fate pursues me every where.
My name can like a Charm, uncalm the Sea,
Where e're I wander, there no peace can be.
Ber.
Will you not please to answer my desire?
Mon.
But one word more, and Madam I retire.
Enter Semandra.
Sem.
Madam, the King—
Ber.
No Visitants admit,
I'm for all Conversation now unfit.
Enter Malchus, followed by Antiochus.
Ant.
Ha! Malchus here!
Mal.
Antiochus so nigh!
Ant.
Ha! Prince Monobasus do I espy?
Mal.
What does the Queen that Traytor entertain,
By whom her Brother was so lately slain?
Mon.
Oh hatefull sight! does fortune hither bring
My mortal Enemy th'Arabian King?
Ber.
They gaze as if they both this Stranger knew.
Mal.
Now my revenge the Rebel shall pursue,
Whose fortune oft has put me in distress;
Besides I'm jealous here of his success.
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Ber.
Oh Sir! his quality I fain would hear,
For till this hour his name I never knew.
Mal.
Prince Monobasus, who your Brother slew,
Dispers'd my Troops, and wounded me in Fight,
Cause I maintain'd his injur'd Brother's right.
Ant.
What need this great officiousness be shewn?
Mal.
You are his Friend.
Ant.
I do the title own.
Mal.
You did not once this mighty friendship shew.
Ant.
But I love Valour in a Friend or Foe.
Mon.
Do not for me, Sir, discompose your mind,
I only from the King prevention find:
The guilt he makes with so much passion known,
I now was humbly on my knee to own.
Ber.
Oh Heav'ns! and does there stand before my view
My Brothers murderer!
Mon.
It is too true—
Your Brother I unfortunately kill'd.
Ant.
You did, but it was fairly in the Field.
Ber.
Did this ill Spirit me all this while pursue,
And did I entertain his service too?
Now I perceive he hither did retreat,
By subtle ways his mischiefs to compleat;
On all my Brothers Race to wreak his spight.
Wherein could he offend to such a height,
That even his life was a revenge too small,
But I amongst your Enemies must fall?
Mon.
All names most black and odious are my due,
Excepting that of Enemy to you.
Ber.
Cease your feign'd Love, for I your life will have;
Mine but for ends of malice you did save,
And so am unoblig'd; yours all the pleas
Of Justice craves; Guards, on the murd'rer seize.
Ant.
Ah Madam!
Mon.
Do not, Sir, a hindrance be,
The Queen will both oblige her self and me.
Ber.
Yes, you shall dye.—But why do I presume
On lives of others here to pass a doom,
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I have not power to assure my own?
And see,—Tiberius from my Lord is sent,
Enter Tib.
I am assur'd he brings me some complaint:
What it should be, I cannot, dare not guess;
If he be jealous, that does Love express.
But that slight grief were easie to disarm;
No, something else does his great Soul alarm:
What e're it is, vain fear I will repell;
I'm sure from Titus I've deserv'd so well,
That I my innocence may boldly trust,
For if he be unkind, he is unjust.
Tiberius, quickly thy ill news impart,
What does sit heavy on thy Prince's heart?
I know the news is bad I am to hear,
Cause thou art chosen for the messenger.
Tib.
Ah Madam!—
Ber.
Nay I am not now to learn,
How thou hast made my ruine thy concern;
Hast tamper'd with thy Prince's heart, and strove
To sow dissensions, and to blast our Love.
But I forgive thee, since I have thereby
The pleasure had his constancy to try.
Tib.
Madam, what e're I in my life have done,
I am too much a Roman to disown;
That Cæsar's Glory I with care have sought,
Can never by his Friends be judg'd a fault.
But since my Lord did so unhappy prove,
To have his Glory contradict his Love,
That I took part with Glory is most true,
But, Madam, never out of hate to you.
The Roman Laws were made e're I was born,
Nor bear I to your Rank a Native scorn;
I wish Rome paid Crown'd Heads the honour due,
At least from all her Laws exempted you.
But since she'l not reform at my request,
Of her proud humour let us make the best.
Then Madam know, my Lord at last o'recome
By me, by all the Army, Senate, Rome,
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And fearing to involve you in a state
That to you both unfortunate would prove;
Exceeding tender of your gen'rous Love,
And of the happiness of one so dear;
Assur'd your courage the great shock will bear,
Sends to inform you 'tis the will of Fate,
You two for ever now must separate.
Ber.
For ever sep'rate! what does he intend?
Will he to Berenice this message send?
Ant.
Oh Heav'ns!
Mal.
Amazement!
Tib.
Madam, 'tis too true!
But to his noble Love I'le justice do;
All kinds of passions in his Soul arise,
He weeps, laments, adores, and almost dies:
But to what end? his many griefs are vain,
Rome in her Throne no Queen will entertain.
You two must part, and after this one day,
He begs no longer in the Camp you'l stay.
Ber.
Alas! Semandra—
(half weeping.
Sem.
What I long did fear!
Madam, this sad assault with courage bear;
Raise all that's great in you to your defence,
You'l need it in this mighty exigence.
Mon.
Oh Gods! have I this fatal difference made?
Ant.
All this is falshood, and the Queen's betray'd.
Mal.
Now some small pleasure in despair I take.
(aside.
Ber.
And can Vespasian Berenice forsake?
Are these his oaths and vows?
Ant.
It cannot be;
Tiberius, the Queen is wrong'd by thee.
Yib.
She is not, Sir.
Ant.
She is; and wert thou where,
I durst presume thy falshood should appear.
Mal.
Did I think that, your labour I wou'd save.
Tib.
Kings, when you please you shall occasion have.
Mon.
Ah Sir! I beg let your contention cease;
(to Ant.
To me the injur'd Queens revenge release.
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After his Sentence be allow'd to pray,
I beg the glorious office on my knees,
And after doom me to what death you please.
Ber.
How! do you think my Honour I'le refer
For Justice to my Brother's murderer?
To his great Ghost too much offence I give,
Since by your aid I am content to live.
To too much guilt already I'm betray'd;
Your life shou'd now be offer'd to his shade:
But lest if I your guilty bloud should spill,
The world should think I pay my debts but ill,
All your past deeds I with your life requite,
But never more appear within my sight.
Mon.
Then to the Town I will my self convey,
Sorrow shou'd in the shades of sorrow stay:
The Gods have there all kinds of deaths in store,
Shortly I shall afflict the world no more.
Ex.
Ber.
For you who these great mysteries reveal,
(to Tib.
I from your message to your Lord appeal;
Against his faith I nothing will believe,
Till I this sentence from his mouth receive:
And if it proves not as thy self hast said,
Tiberius, know I will demand thy head.
Tib.
Agreed!—mean while I will my Lord prepare
For your approach, and straight attend you there.
Ex.
She offers to go, and is stay'd by Sem.
Sem.
Hold, Madam, will y'in this disorder go?
Some little pains upon your self bestow;
Stay till your Beauty has regain'd its grace,
Your Hair and Vail let me in order place.
Ber.
No, no, Semandra, let thy Queen alone,
Titus shall quickly see what he has done;
The aid of these poor trifles I despise:
If my too constant heart, my weeping eyes,
My grief!—my grief!—my death no pity gain!
What can these slighted ornaments obtain?
(goes out weeping.
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The Queens resentment adds to my despair.
Ex.
Ant.
I'le bury all my troubled thoughts in War.
Ex.
Scene Titus his Tent.
Enter Titus and Tiberius.
Tit.
Great Gods! how I this hastning combate fear?
My guilty Soul wants courage to appear.
Her absence once I not an hour could bear,
Now for her sight with terrour I prepare.
Tib.
Sir, place strong Guards about your heart one hour;
This storm repuls'd, you are a Conquerour.
Tit.
Poor Vict'ry injur'd beauty to subdue!
What more could an untam'd Barbarian do?
Sees her coming.
She comes! Great Genii of me and Rome,
Help me in this one Field to overcome;
If you regard the honour of the Throne,
Trust not my Glory with my self alone.
Ber.
So Sir, and is your fainting passion tir'd?
Have you at length my parting hence desir'd?
Tit.
Ah Madam! do not a poor Prince oppress;
The Gods who gave me all the happiness
Of your past Loves, think I too blest have been,
And now to moderate my joys begin.
Glory they in the room of Love bestow,
By splendid steps to ruine I must go:
Be doom'd to Empire, to a Throne confin'd;
Have pow'r, but lose the freedom of my mind:
Great as a God, as solitary too;
Ador'd, but banish'd from the sight of you:
For, Madam, I with sorrow must declare,
We for eternal parting must prepare.
Ber.
Oh cruel man! do you these words express
Now you have rais'd my Love to such excess?
Did I for this permit my eyes each day,
On you to gaze my liberty away?
Advance my flame to an immod'rate height,
Hating all bounds in what I took delight?
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And even exchange my very soul for Love?
And will you now unjust to me become,
For a poor servile flattery of Rome?
Tit.
Glory's unjust, which never can repay
With all it gives, the half it takes away.
Ber.
Is this a time the secret to impart?
Why all this while have you not warn'd my heart?
Can you deny that your own Laws you knew?
Nay did not often I object 'em too?
And in Loves pleasing way with caution tread,
Fearing it to some precipice would lead.
But you with oaths entic'd me to Love on;
I Lov'd, and Lov'd, till all my heart was gon.
Why nam'd you not the haughty Laws of Rome,
When I might have return'd unwounded home?
And been contented in as high degree
To part with you, as you do now from me.
Tit.
Oh! do not make my charge too weighty grow!
I under too much guilt already bow.
Part with content! the Gods can tell what stings,
What tort'ring pangs this parting moment brings.
The other crime I must with shame confess,
And I have no excuse but Loves excess;
I did not soon enough these thoughts produce,
My self I then took pleasure to seduce:
My dazled eyes were blinded with delight,
And Pow'r and Empire were not then in sight.
I all those cares did from my breast remove,
And would hear nothing but the charms of Love.
Ber.
False man! that Pow'r and Empire which you name,
You swore you sought but to protect your flame:
And now your Stars have flatter'd you, must I
For the reward of all my kindness die?
Oh Titus! Titus!—think what 'tis you do—
Must Berenice be slain, and slain by you?
Tit.
'Tis true, the guilt I'le to my self assume,
And not accuse the Army, Senate, Rome.
It is my Glory governs me alone,
Else I by Arms could place you in the Throne.
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And that I cannot live exil'd from you:
But let me dye, 'tis Glory I decree,
I'le live in an immortal memory;
Succeeding ages shall my virtues own,
Adore my ashes, and my Statues crown,
Whilst to the world I've an example set,
No Stoick shall attempt to imitate.
Ber.
Oh unkind Prince! your desir'd Fame enjoy!
To gain it too, inglorious ways employ:
Leave a renown'd example when you dye,
But leave another of inconstancy.
I'le strive no more, I did but stay to hear
(What did to me impossible appear)
The mouth which swore me Love this sentence speak,
And all past oaths in my own presence break.
Nay infidelity with pride proclaim,
And boast on falshood to erect a Fame;
That immortality shall thence begin,
Great deed to ruine an unhappy Queen.
When I am dead, the praise of it assume,
Let your crown'd Statues triumph o're my Tomb;
The conquest must immortal Glory gain,
A Queen for loving you, by falshood slain.
Tit.
Oh! how you tear me!
Ber.
Yes, I may believe
You much for her whom you have ruin'd grieve.
Oh wretched me!—why shou'd the best of men,
flings her self down in a Chair.
Whose noble nature does the friendship gain
Of his worst Enemies,—Heav'n not so mild,
Who the delight of all the world is stil'd,
Of cruelty and falshood make his boast,
Practis'd to wretched me, who Love him most?
This, Heav'n! is just from thee; I for his Love,
To my Religion did unfaithfull prove,
Contemn thy Laws, and for his sake dismiss
All hope or right in future Paradise:
And he in fear of Laws, his Faith denies,
And from my Love to future Glory flies;
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To live in Brass, and breath in airy praise.
Tit.
You break my heart.
Ber.
Farewell, oh cruel Prince!
What you have done, few moments shall evince.
I will not croud your way to Glory long,
Nor will I crave Heav'ns vengeance for my wrong.
I wou'd not have him arm in my relief;
Heav'n cou'd I help it shou'd not see my grief:
No, I'le seek vengeance from another place;
I know your Soul, though cruel, cannot chace
Out of your troubled thoughts with so much ease,
My present grief, and all past kindnesses;
But when my bloud you on the floor shall see,
Each drop a Dagger to your heart shall be.
Ex.
Tit.
Oh! let me follow her, she's gone to dye.
Tib.
That does not need; her Women, Sir, are nigh,
And they will turn those thoughts out of her breast.
Tit.
I'm a Barbarian, I my self detest;
Nero in cruelty I have outdone.
Tib.
Dismiss your sorrow, Sir, the day's your own:
Pore not on wounds which at the present bleed,
But think of Glories which shall soon succeed.
Tit.
Curst be the Fate such Victories bestows;
Why shou'd proud Rome be suffer'd to impose
On Princes such ungratefull things as these?
She shall not part, let Rome say what she please.
Tib.
Oh Sir!—
Tit.
Ye Gods! I know not what I say!
Tib.
Come Sir, pursue the Triumphs of the day:
Spur on your swift success, this rebel Town
Subdu'd, and then you perfect your Renown.
Tit.
Talk not to me of fond Renown, the rude
Inconstant blast of the base multitude:
Their breaths, nor Souls can satisfaction make,
For half the joys I part with for their sake.
I'le not so dear for sordid flatt'ry give;
Without Renown or Empire I can live,
But not without the Queen; she, only she,
Fame, Empire, Glory, all things is to me.
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And say, my Love she spite of Rome shall find.
Ex.
Tib.
These are the strugglings of departing Love;
Th'ill Genius in a tempest does remove:
I'le let the storm consume it self, and then
He'l soon the mild Vespasian be again.
Ex.
| The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian. The Second Part | |