my new Prince I thus my homage pay Your Reign is short young King Zemp. Traxalla stay 'T is to my hand that he must owe his fate I will revenge at once my love and hate She sets a Dagger to Montezuma's Breast Trax. Strike strike the conquering Enemy is near My Guards are press'd while you detain me here Zemp. Dye then ungrateful dye Amexia's Son Shall never triumph on Acacis Throne Thy death must my unhappy flames remove Now where is thy defence against my love She cuts the Cords and gives him the Dagger Trax. Am I betrayed He draws and thrusts at Montezuma he puts it by and kills him Mont. So may all Rebels dye This end has Treason join'd with Cruelty Zemp. Live thou whom I must love and yet must hate She gave thee Life who knows it brings her fate Mont. Life is a trifle which I wou'd not take But for Orazia's and her Father's sake Now Ynca hate me if thou canst for he Whom thou hast scorn'd will dye or rescue thee As he goes to attacque the Guards with Traxalla's Sword Enter Amexia Garrucca Indians driving some of the other Party before them Gar. He lives ye Gods he lives great Queen see here Your coming joys and your departing fear Amex. Wonder and joy so fast together flow Their haste to pass has made their passage slow Like strugling Waters in a Vessel pent Whose crowding drops choak up the narrow Vent My Son She imbraces him Mont. I am amaz'd it cannot be That fate has such a joy in store for me Amex. Can I not gain belief that this is true Mont. It is my fortune I suspect not you Gar. First ask him if he old Garrucca know Mont. My honoured Father let me fall thus low Gar. Forbear great Prince 't is I must pay to you That adoration as my Sovereign's due For from my humble Race you did not spring You are the Issue of our Murthered King Sent by that Traytor to his blest abode Whom to be made a King he made a God The story is too full of fate to tell Or what strange fortune our lost Queen befel Amex. That sad relation longer time will crave I liv'd obscure he bred you in a Cave But kept the mighty secret from your Ear Lest heat of blood to some strange course shou'd steer Your youth Mont. I owe him all that now I am He taught me first the noble thirst of fame Shew'd me the baseness of unmanly fear Till th' unlick'd Whelp I pluck'd from the rough Bear And made the Ounce and Tyger give me way While from their hungry Jaws I snatch'd the Prey 'T was he that charg'd my young arms first with toils And drest me glorious in my Salvage spoils Gar. You spent in shady Forest all the day And joy'd returning to shew me the Prey To tell the story to describe the place With all the pleasures of the boasted chase Till sit for arms I reav'd you from your sport To train your Youth in the Peruvian Court I left you there and ever since have been The sad attendant of my exil'd Queen Zemp. My fatal Dream comes to my memory That Lion whom I held in bonds was he Amexia was the Dove that broke his Chains What now but Zempoalla's death remains Mont. Pardon fair Princess if I must delay My love a while my gratitude to pay Live Zempoalla free from dangers live For present merits I past crimes forgive Oh might she hope Orazia's Pardon too Orazia I wou'd have none condemn'd for loving you In me her merit much her fault o'er powers She sought my Life but she preserv'd me yours Amex. Taught by my own I pity her estate And wish her penitence but not her fate Ynca I wou'd not be the last to bid her live Kings best revenge their wrongs when they forgive Zemp. I cannot yet forget what I have been Wou'd you give life to her that was a Queen Must you then give and must I take there 's yet One way that 's by refusing to be great You bid me live bid me be wretched too Think think what Pride unthron'd must undergo Look on this youth Amexia look and then Suppose him yours and bid me live again A greater sweetness on these Lips there grows Than breath shut out from a new folded Rose What lovely charms on these cold Cheeks appear Cou'd any one hate death and see it here But thou art gone Mont. O that you wou'd believe Acacis lives in me and cease to grieve Zemp Yes I will cease to grieve and cease to be His Soul stays watching in his wound for me All that cou'd render Life desir'd is gone Orazia has my Love and you my Throne And Death Acacis yet I need not dye You leave me Mistriss of my destiny In spight of Dreams how am I pleas'd to see Heavens truth or falshood shou'd depend on me But I will help the Gods The greatest proof of Courage we can give Is then to dye when we have to power live Kills her self Mont. How fatally that instrument of death Was hid Amex. She has expir'd her latest breath Mont. But there lies one to whom all grief is due Orazia None e'er was so unhappy and so true Mont. Your Pardon Royal Sir Ynca You have my Love Gives him Oraz. Amex. The Gods my Son your happy choice approve Mont. Come my Orazia then and pay with me Leads her to Acacis Some tears to poor Acacis memory So strange a fate for Men the Gods ordain Our clearest Sun shine shou'd be mixt with rain How equally our joys and sorrows move Death's fatal triumphs join'd with those of Love Love Crowns the dead and death Crowns him that lives Each gains the Conquest which the other gives Exeunt omnes EPILOGUE to the INDIAN QUEEN Spoken by Montezuma YOU see what Shifts we are inforc'd to try To help out Wit with some Variety Shows may be found that never yet were seen 'T is hard to find such Wit as ne'er has been You have seen all that this old World cou'd do We therefore try the fortune of the new And hope it is below your aim to hit At untaught Nature with your practis'd Wit Our naked Indians then when Wits appear Wou'd as soon chuse to have the Spaniards here 'T is true y'have marks enough the Plot the Show The Poet's Scenes nay more the Painter's too If all this fail considering the cost 'T is a true Voyage to the Indies lost But if you smile on all then these designs Like the imperfect Treasure of our Minds 'T will pass for currant wheresoe'er they go When to your bounteous hands their stamps they owe FINIS THE VESTAL VIRGIN OR THE Roman Ladies A TRAGEDY Written by the Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD LONDON Printed for Henry Herringman and are to be Sold by R. Bentley J. Tonson F. Saunders and T. Bennet M DC XCII Dramatis Personae Emilius A Roman Senator of great Quality Sertorius One that had been a General
the Vessel to preserve the freight Mut. I 'll shake thy stubborn Spirit while I feed Thy Life with tortures Death shall death exceed Art Life may be less than Life as it does waste But Death cannot be more than death at last Mut. Who 's there Enter one or two Here Take him away and shut him up from light Let him see nothing but Death's Image Night Art Thou canst not reach the light that I shall find A generous Soul is Sun-shine to the mind Mut. Be gone In the least title he that disobeys His own neglect his wretched Life betrays Ex. with Art Manet Mutius In what encrease of Tempests I am tost Like those in storms afraid of any Coast Now every way to me unsafe appears Reason has left the Helm and Love now steers Yet one Trick more I am resolv'd to try Love's Wisdom is compos'd of Treachery Ho Corbuio Enter Corbulo Cor. Your pleasure Sir Mut. Fetch Verginia hither And send Titus to spy abroad And bring what News he can however Let him not stay for I intend at his return To look my self after Sulpitius Cor. I will Sir Exit Mut. This Fellow sits my humour Like Flies he feeds upon the foulest things And to the rugged'st places fastest clings But I forget my Business I must now With all that 's gentle smooth a rugged Brow And tempt her with feign'd Goodness to believe The shape of Vertue still can best deceive Those that in faithless Oceans take their way Sink in the Storms but 't is the Calms betray Enter Corbulo with Verginia She comes Now leave us Corbulo But stay within my call Exit Corbulo Still drown'd in Sorrow sure my Rage appears As just and far more gentle than your Tears You fear the Storms yet make the Tempests rise While you retain soul Weather in your Eyes Vir. Tempests by Show'rs sometimes are laid to peace Mut. And when you weep for me my Storms will cease Ver. To shew my Gratitude I shew my Fears And poorly pay the Debt of Life with Tears Secure me only this that he shall live Or do not blame the Sorrow that you give Mut. Does not feign'd Gratitude true Passion hide But since only by this it can be try'd Here in a sacred Vow my self I tye By me nor by my means he shall not dye Ver. Now you are gentle And as in Tears I paid to him his due Now with dry'd Eyes I 'll pay my thanks to you Mut. Your Gratitude might find a better way And my kind Vow with one as gentle pay 'T is the same Oath which he has took before To avoid ever seeing of him more Ver. If he has swore alas what need I swear A Vow shou'd be as gentle as a Pray'r Mut. Can Pray'rs to all alike so gentle be Since all the World's Devotions disagree None beg the same the Pray'rs of all the best Are little more than Curses for the rest Enter Corbulo How now Cor. Titus is return'd Sir and says there is most noise By Numa's Grove another joyn'd to him To scout on either side might bring you full Intelligence Mut. No I will go my self In the mean time Think gentlest Maid how little I deny Who ever you command must live or dye Ex. with Ver. Corbulo Come back I have a Business that I dare commit Unto no Care but thine Give out that I am gone And with a shew of pity offer Verginia To bring her to the Stranger in the mean time I 'll place my self to over-hear their Passions The Business will be easie Corb. If 't were hard it were all one to me Mut. Dispatch then my brave Corbulo And send Spurius along with Titus Ex. Corbulo I will search out the Secret of her Heart And find that Passion which she hides with Art May be 't was Charity that fear'd his harm But Charity does seldom shew so warm No no such deep Concerns appear above All taught Affections 't is unlessen'd Love When this Disease of Jealousie can find A way to seize upon a crazy Mind Most things instead of help or giving ease The Humour feed and turn to the Disease Exit Enter Marcellina Hark I listen still for Noise to be my Guide And want yet have too much on every side O Sertorius How I pursue with what uncertainty Yet though I lose my way I follow thee Hurried along upon Love's Wings I move Pursuing Fate and am pursu'd by Love Exit Enter Sulpitius with Hersilia and others Sulp. Be pleas'd to pardon me Madam I was enforced to lead you a by-way Something about we are nearer a place of safety now Her I wou'd not censure but this seems to be A mingle between Force and Courtesie Sulp. Since 't is so hard to gain your clear belief I must be innocent though it gives you Grief Yet for your own sake do not wish to know Time is too hasty and my Tongue too slow Why shou'd his Guilt and Mischief blemish me Yet Silence seems a vertuous Treachery Her Why do you shew such struglings in your Breast Sulp. Nature and Friendship are at a Contest Know then I wou'd you cou'd and I not tell That Tiridates by Sertorius fell You were the Quarrel and for you they strove With equal Courage and with equal Love Till Fortune blinder now than ever prov'd And deny'd Victory to what you lov'd Her Ha Tiridates dead Weeps Sulp. We have no time to talk or to lament Lest we meet Dangers which we shou'd prevent Her Alas my Grief 's the greatest Dangers are Who wou'd flye Death that cannot flye Despair Sul. Sorrow deceives that bids you stay and dye 'T is from Sertorius not from Death you flye Whose Rage had blown it self to such a height It stopp'd not at th' unhappy Princes Fate But presently your Father's Palace blaz'd In circling Flames which his Revenge had rais'd As if 't were just he shou'd the Ruine prove Of his own Hopes that had destroy'd your Love Her Methinks my Love looks mean in Sorrow drest Sure 't wou'd shew greater by Revenge exprest Sulp. Though nothing of your Heart you will resign To me let your Revenge at least be mine Her O Tiridates I have condemn'd my self to dye and grieve Revenge does only my short Life reprieve Enter Sertorius Ha the horrid Monster comes you Pow'rs above Revenge at once Death and an injur'd Love Ser. Have I o'er-took you Villain with your Prize Draws Sul. There 's none is over-took but he that flies Her Defend me now Sulpitius Sert. Ha does Hersilia want such aâ—â— O Heavens her Vertue 's lost or she 's betray'd I will not trisle out my Cause with words Her Let my Revenge and Wrongs assist your Sword Ser. What Riddle 's this she courts his Treachery Then through their Deaths I thus must haste to dye Fights among 'em and kills one Enter Marcellina takes up his Sword and hurts another that is running at Sertorius he turns and she and he fight and Marcellina
provoke When I am dead Orazia may forgive She never must if I dare wish to live Oraz. Hold hold O Montezuma can you be So careless of your self but more of me Though you have brought me to this misery I blush to say I cannot see you die Mont. Can my approaching Fate such pity move The Gods and you at once forgive and love Trax. Fond Fool thus to mispend that little breath I lent thee to prevent not hasten Death Let her thank you she was unfortunate And you thank her for pulling on your fate Prove to each other your own Destinies Draws Enter Zempoalla hastily and sets a Dagger to Orazia's Breast Zemp. Hold hold Traxalla or Orazia dies O is't Orazia's Name that makes you stay 'T is her great Power not mine that you obey Inhumane Wretch dar'st thou the Murtherer be Of him that is not yet Condemn'd by me Trax. The Wretch that gave you all the pow'r you have May venture sure to execute a Slave And quench a flame your fondness would have burn Which may this City into ashes turn The Nation in your guilty Passion lost To me ungrateful to your Country most But this shall be their Offering I their Priest Zemp. The wounds thou giv'st I 'll copy on her Breast Strike and I 'll open here a spring of blood Shall add new Rivers to the crimson flood How his pale looks are fix'd on her 't is so Oh does amazement on your spirit grow What is your publick Love Orazia's grown Cou'dst thou see mine and yet not hide thy own Suppose I shou'd strike first wou'd it not breed Grief in your publick heart to see her bleed Trax. She mocks my passions in her sparkling eyes Death and a close dissembled fury lies I dare not trust her thus If she must die The way to her lov'd Life through mine shall lie He puts her by and steps before Orazia and she runs before Montezuma Zemp. And he that does this Stranger 's fate design Must to his heart a passage force through mine Trax. Can fair Orazia yet no pity have 'T is just she shou'd her own Preserver save Zemp. Can Montezuma so ungrateful prove To her that gave him Life and offers Love Oraz. Can Montezuma live and live to be Just to another and unjust to me You need not be ungrateful can she give A Life to you if you refuse to live Forgive me Passion I had rather see You dead than kind to any thing but me Mont. O my Orazia To what new joys and knowledge am I brought Are deaths hard lessons by a Woman taught How to despise my Fate I always knew But ne'er dâ—rst think at once of death and you Yet since you teach this generous jealousie I dare not wish your Life if I must die How much your Love my Courage does exceed Courage alone would shrink to see you bleed Zemp. Ungrateful Stranger thou shalt please thy Eyes And gaze upon Orazia while she dies I 'll keep my Vow It is some joy to see That my Revenge will prove my Piety Trax. Then both shall die we have too long withstood By private Passions urg'd the publick good Zemp. Sure he dissembles and perhaps may prove My ruine with his new ambitious Love Were but this Stranger kind I 'd cross his Art And give my Empire where I gave my heart Aside Yet thou ungrateful Man Let thy approaching ruine make thee wise Mont. Thee and thy Love and Mischief I despise Zemp. What shall I do some way must yet be try'd What Reasons can she use whom Passions guide Trax. Some black designs are hatching now false Eyes Are quick to see anothers Treacheries Zemp. Rash Stranger thus to pull down thy own fate Mont. You and that Life you offer me I hate Enter Jaylor Zemp. Here Jaylor take what title must he have Slave Slave Am I then Captive to a Slave Why art thou thus unwilling to be free Mont. Death will release me from these Chains and thee Zemp. Here Jaylor take this Monster from my sight And keep him where it may be always night Let none come near him if thou dost expect To pay thy Life the price of the Neglect Mont. I scorn thy Pity and thy Cruelty And shou'd despise a Blessing sent from thee Zemp. Oh horror to my Soul take him away My Rage like dam'd up Streams swell'd by some stay Shall from this opposition get new force And leave the bound of its old easie course Come my Traxalla let us both forgive And in these Wretches Fates begin to live The Altars shall be crown'd with Fun'ral Boughs Peace-offrings pay'd but with unquiet Vows Ex. Zem. Tr. Oraz. How are things ordered that the wicked shou'd Appear more kind and gentle than the good Her Passion seems to make her kinder prove And I seem cruel through excess of Love She loves and wou'd prevent his Death but I That love him better fear he shou'd not die My Jealousie immortal as my Love Wou'd rob my Grave below and me above Of Rest. Ye Gods if I repine forgive You neither let me die in Peace nor live Enter Acacis Taylor and Indians Taylor They are just gone Sir Aca. 'T is well be faithful to my just design And all thy Prince's Fortune shall be thine Exit Acacis Indian This shall to the Empress Exit Indian Oraz. What can this mean 'T was Prince Acacis if I durst believe My sight but Sorrow may like Joy deceive Each object different from it self appears That comes not to the Eyes but through their Tears Enter Acacis bringing in Montezuma Ha! Aca. Here Sir wear this again Now follow me Mont. So very good I dare not think for I may guess amiss None can deceive me while I trust to this Exeunt Omnes Enter Orazia conducted by two Indians with their Swords drawn Montezuma Acacis whispering another Indian Aca. Think what a weight upon thy Faith I lay Ind. I ne'er did more unwillingly obey Aca. First Montezuma take thy liberty Thou gav'st me freedom here I set thee free We 're equal now Madam the danger 's great Of close pursuit to favour your Retreat Permit we two a little while remain Behind while you go softly o'er the Plain Oraz. Why shou'd I go before what 's your intent Where is my Father whither am I sent Aca. Your doubts shall soon be clear'd Conduct heron Exit Orazia So Montezuma we are now alone That which my Honour ow'd thee I have paid As Honour was so Love must be obey'd I set Orazia as thy Captive free But as my Mistress ask her back from thee Mont. Thou hast perform'd what Honour bid thee do But Friendship bars what Honour prompts me to Friends shou'd not fight Aca. If Friendship we profess Let us secure each others happiness One needs must die and he shall happy prove In her Remembrance t'other in her Love My Guards wait near and if I fail they must Give up Orazia or betray their trust Mont.
Suppose thou conquer'st wou'dst thou wander o'er The South-Sea Sands or the rough Northern Shore That parts thy spacious Kingdom from Peru And leaving Empire hopeless Love pursue Aca. By which of all my actions cou'd you guess Though more your Merit that my Love was less What prize can Empire with Orazia bear Or where Love fills the Breast what room for fear Mont. Let fair Orazia then the Sentence give Else he may die whom she desires to live Aca. Your greater merits bribe her to your side My weaker Title must by Arms be try'd Mont. Oh Tyrant Love how cruel are thy Laws I forfeit Friendship or betray thy Cause That Person whom I wou'd defend from all The World that Person by my hand must fall Aca. Our Lives we to each others Friendships owe But Love calls back what Friendship did bestow Love has its Cruelties but Friendship none And we now sight in Quarrels not our own Fight Enter Orazia Oraz. What noise is this Hold hold what cause cou'd be so great to move This furious hatred Mont. 'T was our surious Love Aca. Love which I hid till I had set you free And bought your pardon with my liberty That done I thought I less unjustly might With Montezuma for Orazia fight He has prevail'd and I must now confess His Fortune greater not my Passion less Yet cannot yield ye till his Sword remove A dying Rival that holds fast his Love Orazia Who ever falls 't is my Protector still And then the crime 's as great to dye as kill Acacis do not hopeless love pursue But live and this soft malady subdue Aca. You bid me live and yet command me dye I am not worth your care fly Madam fly While I fall here unpittied o'er this Plain Free from pursuit the faithless Mountains gain And these I charge as they wou'd have me think their Friendship true Leave me alone to serve and follow you Make haste fair Princess to avoid that fate Which does for your unhappy Father wait Orazia Is he then left to dye and shall he see Himself forsaken e'er his death by me Mont. What wou'd you do Orazia To Prison I 'll return And there in Fetters with my Father mourn Mont. That saves noâ— his but throws your Life away Orazia Duty shall give what nature once must pay Aca. Life is the gift which Heaven and Parents give And duty best preserves it if you live Orazia I shou'd but further from my Fountain fly And like an unfed stream run on and dye Urge me no more and do not grieve to see Your Honour rival'd by my Piety Exit She goes softly off and often looks back Mont. If Honour wou'd not shame wou'd lead the way I 'll back with her Aca. Stay Montezuma stay Thy Rival cannot let thee go alone My love will bear me though my blood is gone As they are going off Enter Zempoalla Traxalla the Indian that went to tell her and the rest and seizes them Zemp. Seize them Aca. Oh Montezuma thou art lost Orazia comes back Mont. No more proud heart thy useless Courage boast Courage thou curse of the unfortunate That canst encounter not resist ill fate Zemp. Acacis bleeds What barbarous hand has wounded thus my Son Mont. 'T was I by my unhappy Sword 't was done Thou bleed'st poor Prince and I am left to grieve My Rival's fall Trax. He bleeds but yet may live Aca. Friendship and love my failing strength renew I dare not dye when I shou'd live for you My death were now my crime as it wou'd be My guilt to live when I have set you free Thus I must still remain unfortunate Your Life and Death are equally my fate Orazia comes back Orazia A noise again alas what do I see Love thou didst once give place to Piety Now Piety let Love triumph awhile Here bind my hands come Montezuma smile At Fortune since thou sufferest for my sake Orazia will her Captive's Chains partake Mont. Now Fate thy worst Zemp. Lead to the Temple straight A Priest and Altar for these Lovers wait They shall be join'd they shall Trax. And I will prove Those joys in Vengeance which I want in Love Aca. I 'll quench your thirst with Blood and will destroy My self and with my self your cruel joy Now Montezuma since Orazia dyes I 'll fall before thee the first Sacrifice My title in her death shall exceed thine As much as in her life thy hopes did mine And when with our mixt blood the Altar's dy'd Then our new Title let the Gods decide Exeunt ACT V. SCENE I. The Scene opens and discovers the Temple of the Sun all of Gold and four Priests in habits of white and red Feathers attending by a bloody Altar as ready for Sacrifice Then Enter the Guards and Zempoalla and Traxalla Ynca Orazia and Montezuma bound as soon as they are plac'd the Priest sings SONG YOU to whom Victory we owe Whose glories rise By Sacrifice And from our fates below Never did yet your Altars shine Feasted with Blood so near divine Princes to whom we bow As they to you Thus you can ravish from a Throne And by their loss of power declare your own Zemp. NOW to inflict those punishments that are Due to the Authors of invasive War Who to deceive the oppressed World like you Invent false quarrels to conceal the true Ynca My quarrel was the same that all the Gods Must have to thee if there be any odds Betwixt those Titles that are bad or good To Crowns descended or usurpt by Blood Swell not with this success 't was not to thee But to this Man the Gods gave Victory Mont. Since I must perish by my own success Think my misfortunes more my Crimes the less And so forgiving make me pleas'd to dye Thus punish'd for this guilty Victory Ynca Death can make Vertue easie I forgive That word wou'd prove too hard were I to live The Honour of a Prince wou'd then deny But in the Grave all our distinctions dye Mont. Forgive me one thing yet to say I love Let it no more your scorn or anger move Since dying in one flame my ashes must Embrace and mingle with Orazia's dust Ynca Name thy bold love no more lest that last breath Which shou'd forgive I stisle with my death Orazia Oh my dear Father Oh why may not I Since you gave Life to me for you now dye Mont. 'T is I that wrought this mischief ought to fall A just and willing sacrifice for all Now Zempoalla be both just and kind And in my fate let me thy mercy find Be grateful then and grant me that esteem That as I live so dead I may redeem Oraz. O do not for her cruel mercy move None shou'd ask pity but from those they love Weeps Ynca Fond Girl to let thy disobedient Eyes Show a concern for him whom I despise Orazia How love and nature may divide a Breast At once by both their Pow'rs severely prest Yet Sir
since love seems less you may forgive I wou'd not have you dye nor have him live Yet if he dies alas what shall I do I cannot dye with him and live with you Mont. How vainly we pursue this generous strife Parting in death more cruel than in life Weep not we both shall have one destiny As in one flame we liv'd in one we 'll dye Trax. Why do we waste in vain these precious hours Each minute of his Life may hazard ours The Nation does not live whilst he enjoys His life it is his safety that destroys He shall fall first and teach the rest to dye Zemp. Hold Who is it that commands ha you or I Your Zeal grows saucy sure you may allow Your Empress freedom first to pay her Vow Trax. She may allow a justice to be done By him that rais'd his Empress to her Throne Zemp. You are too bold Trax. And you too passionate Zemp. Take heed with his you urge not your own fate For all this pity is now due to me Mont. I hate thy offer'd mercy more than thee Trax. Why will not then the fair Orazia give Life to her self and let Traxalla live Mont. Orazia will not live and let me dye She taught me first this cruel jealousie Orazia I joy that you have learn'd it That flame not like immortal love appears Where death can cool its warmth or kill its fears Zemp. What shall I do am I so quite forlorn No help from my own pride nor from his scorn My Rival's death may more effectual prove He that is robb'd of hope may cease to love Here lead these Offerings to their deaths Trax. Let none Obey but he that will pull on his own Zemp. Tempt me not thus false and ingrateful too Trax. Just as ungrateful and as false as you Zemp. 'T is thy false love that fears her destiny Trax. And your false love that fears to have him dye Zemp. Seize the bold Traytor Trax. What a slighted frown Troubles your brow feared nor obeyed by none Come prepare for Sacrifice Enter Acacis weakly Aca. Hold hold such Sacrifices cannot be Devotion 's but a solemn Cruelty How can the Gods delight in humane Blood Think 'em not cruel if you think 'em good In vain we ask that mercy which they want And hope that pity which they hate to grant Zemp. Retire Acacis Preserve thy self for 't is in vain to waste Thy breath for them The fatal Vow is past Aca. To break that Vow is juster than commit A greater Crime by your preserving it Zemp. The Gods themselves their own will best express To like the Vow by giving the Success Aca. If all things by Success are understood Men that make War grow wicked to be good But did you Vow those that were overcome And he that Conquer'd both shou'd share one Doom There 's no excuse for one of these must be Not your Devotion but your Cruelty Trax. To that rash Stranger Sir we nothing owe What he had rais'd he strove to overthrow That duty lost which shou'd our Actions guide Courage proves Guilt when Merits swell to Pride Aca. Dar'st thou who didst thy Prince's Life betray Once name that Duty thou hast thrown away Like thy Injustice to this Stranger shown To tax him with a Guilt that is thy own Can you brave Soldiers suffer him to Dye That gave you Life in giving Victory Look but upon this Stranger see those Hands That brought you Freedom fetter'd up in Bands Not one looks up Lest suddain pitty shou'd their Hearts surprize And steal into their Bosoms through their Eyes Zemp. Why thus in vain are thy weak Spirits prest Restore thy self to thy more needful Rest. Aca. And leave Orazia Zemp. Go you must resign For She must be the Gods not Yours nor Mine Aca. You are my Mother and my Tongue is ty'd So much by Duty that I dare not chide Divine Orazia Can you have so much Mercy to forgive I do not ask it with design to Live But in my Death to have my Torments cease Death is not Death when it can bring no Peace Orazia I both Forgive and Pity Aca. O say no more lest Words less kind destroy What these have rais'd in me of Peace and Joy You said you did both Pity and Forgive You wou'd do neither shou'd Acacis live By Death alone the certain way appears Thus to hope Mercy and deserve your Tears Stabs himself Zemp. O my Acacis What cruel Cause cou'd urge this fatal Deed Weeps He Faints help help some help or he will Bleed His Life and mine away Some Water there Not one stirs from his Place I 'll use my Tears to sprinkle on his Face Aca. Crazia Zemp. Fond Child why do'st thou call upon her name I am thy Mother Aca. No you are my shame That blood is shed that you had title in And with your title may it end your sin Unhappy Prince you may forgive me now Thus bleeding for my Mothers cruel vow Ynca Be not concern'd for me Death 's easier than the changes I have seen I wou'd not live to trust the World again Mont. Into my Eyes sorrow begins to creep When hands are ty'd it is no shame to weep Aca Dear Montezuma I may be still your Friend though I must dye Your Rival in her love Eternity Has room enough for both there 's no desire Where to enjoy is only to admire There we 'll meet Friends when this short storm is past Mont. Why must I tamely wait to perish last Aca Crazia weeps and my parch'd Soul appears Refresh'd by that kind shower of pitying tears Forgive those faults my passion did commit 'T is punish'd with the life that nourish'd it I had no power in this extremity To save your life and less to see you dye My Eyes wou'd ever on this object stay But sinking Nature takes the props away Kind Death 〈…〉 To end with pleasures all my miseries Shuts up your Image in my closing Eyes Dyes Enter a Messenger 1 Mess. To Armes to Armes Trax From whence this sudden fear 1 Mess. Stand to your Guard my Lord the danger 's near From every quarter Crowds of People meet And leaving Houses empty fill the street Ex. Mess. Trax. Fond Queen thy fruitless tears a while defer Rise we must join again Not speak nor stir I hear the Peoples Voice like Winds that roar When they pursue the flying Waves to shore 〈…〉 Enter second Messenger 2 Mess. Prepare to fight my Lord the Banisht Queen With old Garrucca in the streets are seen Trax. We must go meet them e er it be too late Yet Madam rise have you no sence of fate Enter third Messenger 3 Mess. King Montezuma their Lord shouts Proclaim The City rings with their new Sovereign's Name The banish'd Queen declares he is her Son And to his succour all the people run Zempoalla rises Zemp. Can this be true O Love O Fate have I Thus doated on my mortal Enemy Trax. To
y' are in the right Since you were squeamish to forswear her sight I will secure your Eyes without your Vow Ver. Oh Sir by all Mut. Nay no dissembling now Take him away and on his charming sight With burning Irons fear eternal night Cor. How burn out his Eyes Mut. Yes burn out his Eyes Doâ—â— Corbulo demur at Cruelties No more be gone Ver. O hold he bids you stay Mut. He stays to meet his death that dares delay Art Farewel fair Vestal By my Soul's Eyes your Image shall be seen And when 't is dark without I 'll gaze within Ver. O stay I know you will relent you must Need you be cruel when you shou'd be just Preserve your Vow without your Cruelty And do not make your Sin your Piety Exit with Artabaces Mut. Begone I 'll practise what you taught before I 'll shew no pity nor ask yours no more Ver. But you may want pity from those above Mut. Not now since they deny'd it in your Love Ver. They 'll make me pay if you will make me owe. Mut. You are too cunning and the gods too slow Enter Corbulo How now is 't done Cor. No. Mut. Ha! the reason Slave Cor. I think such horrid business was not in our bargain Mut. Pitiful Rascal take that soft reward Strikes him I 'll trust such tender Slaves no more Exit Mutius Cor. Am I thus paid Ver. Alas what does he mean to do Cor. Mischief no doubt Ver. Look on my wrongs or your own injury Revenge on him will prove pity to me Cor. A blow this my reward follow me I will do something but I know not what Ver. The gods wou'd think that I enough had paid Were my Tears measur'd or my Sorrows weigh'd Exeunt Enter Sulpitius with others leading in Hersilla Her Hold or you shall drag me on There 's something in all this like treachery Sertorius now is dead what need we fly Leave me You may be innocent if you obey Sulp. No we have wander'd you may lose your way Her Take heed left I suspect some ill design Sulp. Suspicion will be more your fault than mine Her I fear that I have shar'd his guilt I find Poor Marcellina's Ghost walks in my mind Enter Tiridates Ha! Tiridates false Villain Sulp. Pish 't is his Ghost Here lead her away To the appointed place hold you two stay Her Help Tiridates Exit with Hersilia Tir. Villain look back and see thy Death Sulp. Death is more us'd to obey me than you Dispatch him Fight Tiridates falls 'T is done come for Mutius's House away Exeunt Tir. It will not be Strives to rise I bleed so fast that wither'd Life begins To fade away for want of Nature's Springs And yet I feel no such decay of Love Though Life and Passion from one Fountain move Hersilia Hersilia Swoons Enter Artabaces with his Eyes out and bound Art Where am I now I thought the way to death had been so broad Though I were blind I cou'd not miss the road Death's Lodgings such perpetual darkness have And I seem nothing but a walking Grave Verginia I must never hope to see All Nature's Windows are shut up in me The Sun to me brings an unuseful light About me now I always carry night There 's yet one grief added to all my store Never to see poor Tiridates more Tir. Who 's that names the unfortunate Tiridates Art What noise is this which sadly strikes my Ear A sound like Tiridates Voice I hear Tir. 'T is yet his Voice were not my senses broke I shou'd think too 't were Artabaces spoke Art 'T is Artabaces speaks and seeks about For Tiridates Tir. Why d' you not find me out It is not dark Art Alas 't is dark with me Tir. Here here that I shou'd live once more to see My long-lost Brother 't will scarce shew like death In thy embraces to resign my breath Art O take me in thy arms for mine are ty'd If they were free I have no Eyes to guide Tir. Assist me my weak strength but to unty Those Arms to make my self a place to die Unties him and Artabaces sits down and takes him in his arms Art How dismally we meet like death and night My Arms are now thy strength thy Eyes my sight Tir. What hand or chance shut up those Eyes of thine While I enquire the cause death closes mine Dies Art He sinks Tiridates Brother His pulse is gone 'T is grown a dead low ebb with Lifes warm flood How proper are my tears my Eyes weep blood He 's gones before to rest why must I stay Eyes that are wounds might weep a Life away They drop too slow Life will not at this rate Distil away I 'll seek a quicker fate Starts up Now I have hands they will some death afford I had forgot to ask him for his Sword I 'll grope it out 't is hard I cannot find He creeps up and down for 't on 's knees The means of death Fortune shou'd help the blind O I have it now All steps of Life were going to this home But this does not bring Death but shew 't is come So Motion causes what it can't express 'T is the last Step declares the Weariness One Thought for dear Verginia then Enter Corbulo with Verginia Cor. This way I 'm sure Look where he stands I dare not stay Exit Ver. Heaven reward you Art Who 's there Ver. The horrid Deed is done Look down on him you Pow'rs with Pity too That has no Eyes left to look up to you Art Who 's that which does too late the Gods implore A Musick like that Voice I 've heard before Ver. That I were dumb It is too much that I can speak and see Each Sense is but a sev'ral misery Art It is Verginia guide me where he stand To leave my last Kiss on your sacred Hand She comes to him and gives him her Hand Ver. O do not to despair your Soul resign Your Eyes have been my Guides now see with mine Art 'T is Life not you that I forsake or flye I do but go before you when I dye Ver. Hold hold Give me your Sword 't is fittest for me now I dare not use it and you know not how Art In this condition I can use it best I need no Eyes to guide it to my Breast Enter Mutius and pauses a little Ver. Hold hold Oh Mutius comes Stand behind me Give me your useless Sword for I can see Art Away away those Pow'rs will send Supplies And guide my Sword that took away my Eyes Mut. Fair Cous'ner have I overtook you now With Justice thus I break my slighted Vow Runs at Artabaces he stands still and catches the Hilt of Mutius's Sword as it passes through his Body and kills him Art So I heard him fall I think My Sword feels him now Is he not dead Staggers and falls Ver. Are you not dying too O let me know Art Yes all the while I liv'd I have
been so Time equal steps to Death and Life does give And those that fear to dye must fear to live Death reconciles the World's and Nature's Strife And is a part of Order and of Life Ver. 'T is out of Order without Nature's call Art It were the same if Accident paid all We have no right in Time to come no more Than we had Title to the Time before Ver. Yet to my Life some pity shou'd be shown Verginia's Life though you despise your own Art Reviving Comfort from that Name is sent And though my fainting Life is almost spent It baits upon your Name and then goes on But 't is so tir'd it cannot travel long Sinks Ver. Oh! Starts up a little Art I cou'd have smil'd at loss of Life and Crowns But at the loss of you I dye in Frowns Dyes Ver. Oh do not leave me thus for pity stay A little 'T was but just now he went away I have not since had time to shed a Tear And yet the Distance does the same appear As if h 'ad been a thousand years from me Time takes no measure in Eternity Weeps over him Enter Hersilia with the Fellow that went off with her Clau. This is th' unhappy place and there the wretched Object Now your promis'd pardon Her Go and live honest Exit Oh my Tiridates speak but one word Runs and kneels by him He 's gone for ever has he not left his Sword She rises To help me after Ha! who 's that appears Sees Verginia Like me in Griefs so drown'd in hopeless Tears Ver. Ha! my Sister Hersilia She will prevent my Death Unless I quickly counterfeit some way To deceive her and my own Life betray Her 'T is she Ah poor Verginia Who 's this who in his Blood thus weltring lies Mourn'd like a Lover by thy tender Eyes Ver. 'T was one made me concern'd I know not how But all is past for he is nothing now So we are told we must account the Dead And Tears are wasted when for nothing shed Her Alas you do but think that you have lov'd Just so when Heaven by some trouble mov'd Unto some tender place its Flames designs It seems to burn because the Lightning shines But when 't is gone after its swift retreat It 's left like you without a Flame or Heat Do but look on and see me take my leave Of my dead Love and you must learn to grieve She goes to kneel by her Love Ver. 'T is Life that must to Griefs their being give And she that learns to grieve must learn to live Goes to Artab Come lend me your Sword that I may find my Heart It keeps me now from you Sure it will smart Tries the Point Yet all 's but Death by Nature Sword or Flame But we find choice in that which is the same And when the Gods our Life seem to deny 'T is kind to let us chuse which way to dye Why d' ye hold your Sword so fast let go Tries to get the Sword This does not like your Love but Courage shew I have been told and do believe it true Love out-lives Death which Courage needs not do Let go Her Stay I had forgot to take my leave of her She rises 'T is just that Nature shou'd some share receive Since she in Death for ever takes her leave Ha poor Girl what art thou doing there Sees Ver. by Artab Do not conceal thy Love nor hide a Tear Ver. Nothing indeed I only look'd to see Why the Dead gave the Living misery I fanci'd Death some Horrour did express It rather seems to promise quietness Her In Sorrows Death's securest payment lies But Youth like thine untouch'd with Miseries As if it hop'd to 'scape and never pay Puts off the Creditor from day to day Ver. In Grief the most ill husbandry's exprest It makes us poor with paying Interest I 've heard some Romans at a chearful Feast Invited Death to come and be a Guest What wond'rous Act can you with Sorrow do Not to be equall'd with a chearful Brow Her You may be one day touch'd with Misery Sorrow will teach you then to think of me Farewel Verginia these for thee I shed All my last Tears are due unto the Dead She goes to Tiridates Ver. O quickly now let go your Sword Unkind Why do you make me stay so long behind Indeed I shall not find which way you went Yet Arrows swiftest fly from Bows most bent Let go thank ye I cou'd afford to pay A thousand thanks but that I cannot stay She gets the Sword My Love 's in haste yet not one Tear shall move I will no more be childish in my love Hersilia Sister She starts up Her Ha Ver. Pray see you have good skill in Grief you say Does any look in all this Face betray Sorrow within Can you the least descry See how I smile and now see how I dye Kills her self Her Thou hast indeed deceived me thy brave Fate I will not poorly praise but imitate In every thing I 'll fall as thou hast dy'd And take my rest by my dead Lover's side Kills her self Enter Emilius with his Followers bringing in Sulpitius Emil. Come Monster shew me the place Of all thy Mischiefs and my Misery Sulp. By all these signs of Death here it shou'd be Emil. Ha Hersilia dead and poor Verginia Where shall my Griefs begin Death like a Frost on a too early Spring Stole on thy Blossoms Monster come and see What heaps of Ruine thou hast rais'd for me Sulp. Ruines for you Trifles there gaze on mine The love Of forty thousand Fathers that can whine Their Sorrows out make but a formal shew Short of a Lover's Grief Let me but go And I will shew you why Emil. Hold keep him fast What wou'dst thou do Sulp. Since all the Mischief's past I might be trusted now I wou'd dye there Between them two Those Lovers lye too near I fancy they enjoy each other For all they are as cold as Cakes of Ice That I might dye but once or kill him twice Emil. One Wish be sure thou shalt obtain for I Endure to live only to see thee dye Sulp. We are at last agreed it seems Come Lend me a Sword then Emil. Monster thou shalt bleed By Justice only Sulp. O I understand you you mean Thrown down from the Tarpeian Rock if you shou'd see My Tumble pray do not leap after me Troth it may spoil your whining Emil. Stop his vile Breath Till the Infection is remov'd by Death Farewel Hersilia and farewel my sweet Verginia I 'll first revenge your Deaths and then I 'll dye So though I take my leave my Eyes are dry Sorrow for such a Loss too mean appears Griefs were a Roman's Shame exprest in Tears The World shall weep for me when ever Fame Does but relate the Vestal-Virgin's Name Just as the last Words were spoke Mr. Lacy enter'd and spoke the EPILOGVE BY your leave Gentlemen After a sad and
truth 't was he that stir'd my Blood And made this Hole to let it out at but As Luck wou'd have it 't was not deep enough I saw his Errour and did rectifie it I thrust my Sword two or three Inches deeper And that laid him to rest Sam. O Heaven protect us Vil. Why now you run on that Mistake again No help can come so quickly as you 'l want it Tac. Thou dost not mean to ravish us dost thou Varlet Vill. Us canst thou be ravish'd old willingness Tac. How do you know Jackanapes Whether I am willing or no you never try'd yet Vill. Nor ever will This she Devil will ravish me Be quiet or I 'll slit your Tongue d'see this He shews a Dagger Sam. O for some help I 'll tear the Villain Em. Peace pray peace let me beg again Good Sir let 's go why do you fright us so You dare not be so wicked as you talk Vill. Pretty their different tempers bring to my enjoyment Variety of Bliss in her Embraces I shall enjoy a Calm and childish Innocence In th' other loftiness of Mind and Spirit As if kind Nature had presented now All that she cou'd produce for me to rifle Emil. Do you not hear me Sir I pray release us You have no cause to keep us Prisoners Yet we will pay a Ransom Vill. Why so you shall before you go Pretty one is't more unjust for you to be my Prisoners Than me to be your Slave Sam. Our Slave Vill. Nay put not on a scornful look I shall not beg your pity Em. But we are willing to beg yours good gentle Sir Sam. Beg not so meanly he dares not injure us Vil. O by no means why that Frown Those Storms shall cast away no Heart of mine I 'll force my way to harbour in your Arms. Sam. What do you mean Vil. I mean to make my self as Fortunate As Man can be in his full-crown'd Wishes I will enjoy you both Tac. Which two d' you mean Vil. Pox on thee wou'dst thou be one Nay wonder not nor bless your selves unless It be in Admiration of my Justice Shew'd to the equal power of your Beauties You may see the Image of it every day 'T is in the labouring Bee that gathers sweetness From every Flower that contends in Beauty Tac. By that Smile he should go near To venture on us all Sam. Monster dar'st thou entertain a Thought of such a Villany Vil. Alas 't is past that I am almost ready for Action Yet for all that you shall be honest Women When I have done Em. For Heavens sake Sir what mean these dark Expressions I hope they include no Evil. Vil. Not any perhaps you may scruple it A little at the first but I 'll allow you Some small time to consider on 't What an excellent Contrivance 't will be You shall have all Love 's stolen and sweetest Joys And yet be honest come prepare Sam. For what Vill. For my embraces Sam. For those of Snakes first Vill. O mine are gentler far Sam. Villain thou Emil. Pray peace and let me beg once more Upon my Knees 'Pray Sir do not affright us I know you cannot mean the thing you threaten You are too wise by our unhappiness To bring on your own ruine Vill. Ha ha why you will not publish your own shame This will not do no if I were sure That death waited for me as soon as I had crown'd My Passion and Revenge I wou'd think it A good bargain to chop a little time for so much satisfaction Sam. Be merciful and kill us Vill. That 's to be cruel to my self but I trifle time A little business calls me be wise and meet My embraces willingly if not know your doom For by those Powers that govern me Love and Revenge I 'll sacrifice both your enjoyments to them So ponder till I return Exit Villerotto Em. Ah Madam what shall we do Sam. Die Emilia Em. When Madam Sam. Presently Em. Alas I tremble at your naming it Sam. Why do you shake you must dye one day Em. I know it by that time I may be willing Old Age or a Disease may make it welcome At least more gentle than it now appears By an approaching violence but Sam. O rather with a juster apprehension Recount the lingering Torments a Sickness Or old Age may bring on a violent Feaver May make the Body a Furnace for the Soul To suffer not to live in or old Age May take away our Reason and the use of Sense and Faculties And rob the Body and Soul both of their Eyes this way A minute's pain assures felicity for ever Em. Which way shou'd we do it Sam. See this I had still about me in all my fears She draws a short Dagger Of being forc'd to be made Wife to Brancadoro Why do you wink the brightness of it shines Most lovely in my Eyes when I but think What service it may do in sending us To a perpetual Peace Em. Can a Soul be carried through a stream of Blood To peace in t'other World is 't not a Sin to destroy Life Sam. 'T is to avoid a greater sin we do it Dare you nay can you live stain'd with this I tremble more to name or think on that Than on the death that will prevent it But I have given you my Opinion And will afford you my Example If you stay behind me you will repent Among those miseries that I am freed from Emil. Oh! do not speak of leaving me behind you To the rude passions of this horrid Villain I know not how to live without you Nor dye but as you teach me Pray blame me not nor take it ill of me Sick Men though they are told and do believe That health is offer'd in a bitter potion Shrink at the taking of it 't is no more in me I know at last I shall chuse death rather than shame Yet I know not how I shall endure to hurt my self I have cryed when I have but cut my Finger Sam. That only was because 't was unexpected Your resolution now for a just cause Will make this welcome and prepare you for it Emil. I fear I shall hardly strike home Then I may suffer all that shame and mischief I would avoid pray therefore grant me one thing Sam. What is 't Em. To kill me first Sam. That were to commit Murder Em. Why have you a better title to your own Life Than unto mine you purchas'd one no more Than you did t'other there is no contract or permission Granted from Heaven that allows the difference Sam. But alas my sweet Emilia I never shall endure to hurt thee Em. Nor your self neither did not that vertue prompt you Which bids me beg it and then the Argument's the same for me Sam. Pretty reason'd but it will be needless To dispute this I know my fair Example In dying first will arm thy feeble hand With double strength to force a passage For thy
Push me no pushes I will not go And see who dares make me Vill. Come you must Sir Bra. 'Slid whose Master You or I take heed of my fury Sam. Good Signior Brancadoro help us hear us Vill. To be fool'd again You have not a mind to be cousen'd Once more have you Bra. What 's that to you I will hear ' em 'Slid I will stay and I will not go yet Vill. I 'll betray all if you play the Fool thus Come you must go now Bottolo stays for you Bra. I will not I say Vill. Go go Mir. I 'll follow him and get some help Exit Brancadoro The Friar offers to go out too Vil. Hold Sir you my worthy spiritual Counsellor Stir not nor attempt to come near the door If you do no more but so Within there ho You Rascals how came this Friar in 2 Appear 1. He told us you appointed him when he heard a noise That he should come Vill. Pox on your credulous Coxcombs now remember You hear me say if he offers to come out let me Find him dead Stir not but guard the door He has robb'd our Masters If you fail I 'll cut your throats Exit Villerotto Mir. Yet I am pleas'd that I am brought to die before her Aside That with my last breath Which seldom unsuccessfully Petitions I may at once beg of the fair and wrong'd Emilia Forgiveness and belief yet I wou'd know A little more if it were possible My Passion makes me vainly inquisitive I must do 't yet it is but an idle curiosity To ask for news the minute I must die Sam. What means this Friar does that Habit harbour An Instrument sitted for that vile Monster Mir. Was there not a great noise Ladies Something like Womens Cries Sam. They were our Cries Sir Emil. If you cannot help us to live with Honour Help us to die we had two Weapons Arm us but again he has yet not disarm'd our Minds Mir. Wou'd I knew how wou'd you accept it As a true witness of my sorrow if I die first In the opposing that mischief I know not which way to prevent Em. Ah me we do not ask of you to die But to help death to us Mir. 'T is impossible Sam. Strangle us then Why do you turn away your tread It is a Charity to grant it Mir. Alas I need not say I must deny you will believe it When I let you know you ask it of Miranzo He discovers himself Em. Miranzo Sam. My Brother Mir. Fair Emilia 't is the criminal Miranzo That loves Emilia still Em. O Miranzo I blush to think how you encrease My sense of Dangers while you are mingled with ' em Mir. I see I am to blame in all Conditions To wish your Kindness I but strive to nourish A Sickness that sends Infection to your Peace Em. What must become of us Mir. Thus naked as I am I will defend you And with my Breast I 'll dull his Sword perhaps his Cruelty Em. O do not talk more cruelly Death is gentler Which you may help us to Sam. Ah Brother be not so rash do not deceive your self A thousand Lives lost in our Defence Would not give stop to his lewd Purposes Heaven sure will send some Remedy O Brother O Cialto Mir. Forgive me dearest Sister I had forgot To tell you Cialto lives though this Villain was one Of them that did attempt his Murder Sam. O do not flatter me for I shall grow As much out of love with Death as even now I was with Life Is there no hope Mir. The Villain has appointed them to murder me If I attempt but to go forth Ha Now I think on 't it was the Friar He gave them charge of I am none I 'll try If they will let me out so I may call He takes up his Disguise Some help Em. O take heed Mir. 'T is but attempting But first I 'll set the Friar in the best posture I can Here Sister support my Shape a little To countenance my Design nay no trifling He sets his Habit on his Sister So now to your Prayers within there ho â— How now who are you Mir. A Friend of Villerotto's who left me to Stay a little while for your Assistance Now I am going have the greater Care Of the Friar there he may venture to escape For he has robb'd your Master 1. We warrant you Sir Friar you had not best try to bolt Miranzo goes out and returns back suddenly Mir. I have done ill I dare not venture Them a minute Honour and Reason turn me back Blest Opportunity Rogue He strikes up one of their Heels t'other sights a little and runs out with a noise he gets a Sword from one of them 1. How now what do you mean Sir Help help Mir. So I have something now to frame an Argument For my self with and to Dispute a little Em. Now you may kill us you have got a Sword Mir. Dear Emilia do you believe I know not how Emilia weeps To make a better use of such a Weapon Pray weep not do not unman me now Hark a Noise Enter Villerotto with him that run out and another Vill. Ha Miranzo are you Metamorphosed from a Friar Mir. Do you stare Monster is a Sword bright Metal The Mirrour that can only shew Th' affrighting shapes of thy unheard of Villanies Vill. Alas I have not been afraid a long time I have forgot what ' t is Hark a Noise A Noise within Dispatch him quickly you shall tell no News Sir Ha who is this new Face for Enter Cialto Cia This shall tell thee Villain They offer to fight Mir. Hold Miranzo drives out the two men comes back and parts them Cia Miranzo rob me not of that Revenge Which only can belong to me Hark a noise guard the Passage or we may all be lost A noise still Nay trifle not hark the Noise encreases dispatch Now Sir do you stare to see Cialto Whom you hir'd Rogues to Murder Exit Miranzo Vill. I do not stare nor am I frightned What y' are not dead it seems Sam. O Cialto Cia Ha since thou hast given me cause To view thee with a strict survey my Eyes Are grown clear sighted And find thee not the Villain which thou seem'st But what thou art the base Borazzo Vill. 'T is well we know one another then Cia Excellent Rascal has your hot Revenge Been rak'd up all this while Vill. Cou'dst thou expect less from me whom thou hast disgrac'd And ruin'd by Cashiering me from my Command Cia And what canst thou expect Villain But that Fate thou didst design for me Vill. My Sword says no. Sam. Hold hold I command you hold Cialto Hold Sir I will engage for your Forgiveness Vill. My Forgiveness this is my Indemnity Cia Do not hang upon me unless you mean To have me murder'd in your Arms. Vill. Nay I think I may drive this through your Shield Cia For Heavens sake let me go Sam.
Friend At last continuing still importunate She told me with a Smile 't was not her hate Nor love unto another was the cause She seem'd to be so cruel in these Laws Tir. When I lost my Brother Brave Artabaces whom I cou'd not call More Brother than a Friend for he was all I did not think a Friendship cou'd express It self so great to make his loss the less But thine my dear Sulpitius is above The Rules and Measures of the strictest Love You might have hop'd to see your Brother's joy Sprung from those harsh commands which mine destroy Sulp. My love unto Sertorius is not less I wish his Gratitude his Happiness To pay great Marcellina all Love's scores Whom every Roman but himself adores Why do you droop fie fie do not give way To your encroaching Griefs hope and obey In the mean time during your Banishment In my best Love and Care rest confident I 'll weary her with Pray'rs till I obtain Leave from her Lips to call you back again Ter. My hopes are only rais'd by thy kind Charms O let me always hold thee in my Arms. Embraoo Enter Sertorius Ser. I must go back and tell him 't is impossible Ha twisted Sulp. How my Brother I must say something quickly but what Brother perhaps you wonder Ser. Yes I do Sulp. I mean to see my kindness at this time So great to Tiridates but as a Friend I cou'd not be exempt from pity Sert. What pity does he need Sulp. It seems much more than you In the severe Commands of fair Hersilia He is for over banished no time nor hopes Allow'd to him you are too generous To swell upon his sinking Sert. That I despise Sulp. Pray give me leave at least to shew That pity which a Friend ought to bestow Perhaps the Reasons of a Friend may prove A Balm to cure the Wounds of hopeless Love Goes to Tiridates I cou'd not stay a minute Sir From telling you the happy News Which you may find writ in my Brother's looks The fair and just Hersilia has pronounc'd His Banishment for ever Enter Hersilia and Marcellina Ha Hersilia what new Confusions croud upon me How near my Plots are to discovery I must out-face Fortune and Honesty He steps to Sertorius hastily Brother give not Tiridates the advantage To seem more pleas'd than you in his Obedience I 'll instantly attempt to serve you Goes to Hersilia Madam this unexpected Happiness Adds to the greatness of it Hers. The coolness of the Evening and these Walks Invited out me and my Cousin Not thinking to have met so much good Company As you Prince Tiridates and Sertorius She curtsies to them and they bow and stand still Ha Marcellina a word Speaks aside with Marcellina D' ye not observe what an unusual distance Prince Tiridates and Sertorius keep Marc. I both observe and wonder Hers. Peace let 's be gone We have almost tir'd our selves Sir And were just now returning home Sulp. Permit me Madam to receive the Honour Of waiting on you I have something to acquaint you with Enter Servant Ser. Madam Your Sister the fair Verginia is just now Brought from the Vestals and begs to see you Hers. I long as much to look on her They say she is much alter'd This is strange Marcellina Looks at Tiridates and Sertorius Sulp. I will return presently till then be silent To Sertorius I wait upon you Madam Exeunt Manent Tiridates and Sertorius they stare at one another at last Sertorius speaks Sert. I hope you do not think that I forbore To speak my love and thoughts unto Hersilia Because a Rival did look on Tir. Nor did that hinder me to own my Love Sert. Your hopes upon her Father's friendship move Tir. The greatness of my love is its own aid Sert. Some use of empty Titles might be made There is a noise with Names of Princes brought Yet though her Father is with nothing caught Those that have conquer'd Princes need not show Respect to Titles which they can bestow Tir. Cou'd any Roman Sword find Victory As soon as you can with your Vanity A Prince indeed might tremble then to hear But now he smiles at what you 'd have him fear Sert. O you shall see that I can keep my word And shew no Roman e'er out-talk'd his Sword They draw and fight To this a greater Quarrel yet I joyn Hersilia's Cause they equally are mine Enter Sulpitius runs in and parts them Sulp. Hold hold hear me but speak From what hid Cause does all this Fury break Sert. Love is our Cause which we resolve to trust To our own Swords we 're sure that they are just Tir. 'T is mean to wait for one to be deny'd And to refer that which we may decide Death is the certain Umpire that makes friends With him that dies Hersilia's trouble ends Sert. Stand by and since you wear the double tyes Of Friend and Brother look with equal Eyes Sulp. Must Hersilia thus Be sav'd from trouble by the loss of Fame Your Swords will wound her yet unspotted Name No drop of blood vou shed but will remain Upon her injur'd Innocence a stain She will be equally oblig'd to hate The Victor's life the vanquish'd in his Fate Sert. She 's cruel now if she her hate shou'd show When I am dead 't is more than I shall know Sulp. Suppose she never wou'd your loves requite For what is'â— then you wou'd pretend to fight 'T is vain to strive for Empire that wou'd be Not gain'd but rather lost by Victory Sert. Yet without Conquest she is gain'd by none And only can be overcome by one Both in Hersilia cannot happy prove The Government is Monarchy in love Tir. Sulpitius now your troubles shall have end Left free to serve a Brother or a Friend He that first falls for one of us must dye Leaves you to t'other as his Legacy Sert. All the disputes of love are judg'd by fate And death makes room when life is grown too strait Offers to fight Sulp. Hold hear me a word Sert. Pish. Sulp. Of you I ask it Tiridates stay And let your reason this rash action weigh Tir. Love never waits on Reason but on chance But why shou'd you advise this temperance Bid me be cold and bring the Fever too Hersilia sent the banishment by you Sert. Ha Did my careful Brother bring you such news Tir. Yes and from Hersilia's cruel Lips Sert. I received just such another Message Can you tell Brother which was the Copy and Original Sulp. No. Tir. How Sert. Whence came they then Sulp. From me Sert. And your invention Sulp. Right D' you think Hersilia's lov'd by you alone Had I perceiv'd it easie to be done I wou'd have fool'd you both Why d' you stare D' you wonder that I love or that I dare A vow a Passion which both you proclaim I 'll be as loud as you in Love or Fame Sert. O Monster Sulp. See I am chang'd of your
throw my self into this Danger Her This is strange I mistrust something Sulp. You might if you knew all I know Pray ask no Questions in this place All is unsafe about us Exeunt Enter Sertorius bringing out Marcellina out of the fire Mar. Set down your wretched load for I am grown Your burthen that only wou'd have been my own Had you preserv'd Hersilia you had prov'd Happy to save the person we both lov'd But now you are as much unfortunate To save a wretched thing whom we both hate He stands amaz'd Sert. Forgive the mixture which in me appears Wrong not my joys nor yet condemn my fears Mar. Why do you stay look on those shining Walls And think that from those flames Hersilia calls Sert. O what a wonder does your Friendship prove Forgives ingratitude and urges love I know not what to do Mar. Go go And pay what you to Love and Honour owe. Sert. Then I must stay for there is nothing due From Love or Honour justly but to you Mar. All debts to me to her I thus resign Be gone and think Hersilia's danger 's mine Ser. And leave you thus Mar. If you stay here Your formal gratitude will look like fear Sert. It is my shame to stay my shame to go Yet not my Virtue but yours makes it so If in these flames I meet my death they 'll prove As gentle but more just than those of love Exit as into the House Mar. What shall I do my thoughts are tir'd I find With tedious Journeys up and down my mind Sometimes they lose their way sometimes as slow Like Beasts o'er-loaded heavily they move Prest by the weight of sorrow and of love Enter Artabaces Art So much for this I 'll have no more of these siery trials My hair stinks like new burn'd Tinder See she has kept her word Best Lady Mar. Sir Art ' Slife 't is not she Mar. You seem concern'd at some mistake Art A little Madam it was my good fortune To save a Lady from these flames That I expected here 't was her Commands That sent me back to see what help Her Father and her Sister might have need of Mar. She was not tall Sir Art No Madam her beauty and her stature Shew'd her very young Mar. You are happy Sir to be the fortunate preserver Of so much Innocence and Beauty Art D' you know her Madam or to whom This wretched House did once belong Mar. She was my Cousin Sir and that was once Her Father's Palace you seem a stranger by these questions Art I am Madam and but arriv'd this minute The first thing I almost saw at least took notice of Was this sad Spectacle Mar Is all consum'd Art Every one now is 'scapt or perisht And need no help or else are past it The last I met with was a noble Gentleman Concern'd it seems above the thought of danger For he appear'd careless of cracking beams And uncheck'd flames A sudden noise Without the House call'd him away Mar. O Sertorius which way Sir was the noise Art 'T was on the other side Mar. That way Sertorius went and I must follow Pardon my disturbance Sir yet Reason and Honour check my haste But our unsteady actions cannot be Manag'd by rules of strict Philosophy There is but part belongs unto our care Fortune has right and title to a share Exit Manet Artabaces Art Shou'd Fortune count with me unto this day She 'd find there was a mighty debt to pay The Roman Conquest o'er my Country spread My Brother lost or worse in Triumph led Sure such full Empires have no aim or guide And those that reach 'em do not move but slide Man is too weak to manage with frail sense Such a resemblance of Omnipotence A Storm at Sea threw me on Italy And here I thought to find my death or thee Poor Tiridates how cou'd fortune prove So curst among my woes to mingle love Which way to go I know not nor need care I have been us'd to wander in despair All by uncertain ways pursue their ends And unto every object Reason bends Exit The Scene shuts Enter Emilius and Tiridates and followers Emil. You have sav'd my Life brave Tiridates Wou'd I cou'd pay you with Hersilia That wou'd appear more than a common gratitude Tir. Hersilia is a happiness beyond My hopes and merits Emil. This fire was kindled by some treachery I fear Hersilia is the purchace Of their designs and mischiefs Tir. Let us not now waste time with vain conjectures Hersilia and Verginia may want help While we are talking how they come to need it Emil. 'T is true let us take several ways And meet down by the Tiber hard by Numa's Grove Tir. If I have life I 'll bring it thither Ex. Emil. and followers What did I say how cou'd I talk Of carrying any longer life about me But humane things have such variety Neither the wise nor brave know when to die For neither justly can their deaths intend Till they are sure all hopes have first their end Enter Sertorius Sert. Ha Tiridates He 's it seems no happier yet than I. Stay Sir what news Tir. None that either of us wish Hersilia is for certain forc'd away By unknown Persons Sert. So I have heard Tir. Emilius has took the great Flaminian way Let us divide our selves and when Sert. Stay Tiridates Fortune seems wise in bringing us together She knows not what to do with both of us In the pursuit of Honour she can be Liberal to many in one Victory When Fame 's the Mistress more than one may prove Happy at once but 't is not so in Love Tir. He that blind Fortune will have happy made Let her guide him unto Hersilia's aid Sert. She shall guide me no farther you and I Will not ask her Opinion which shall die Our Swords will tell us all that she can know Her means are quick though she her self be slow Draws Tir. I draw for my defence not my design Draws You urge a wrong both to your Love and mine While your Revenge above your own does prove And force my Honour to exceed my Love Sert. 'T is only Love that does this quarrel breed And so my Love my Honour does exceed Tir. Wou'd Love attempt to ruine its own aid We fight for them by whom she is betray'd Whoe'er o'ercomes his guilty Conquest shews Hersilia nothing to his Valour owes Sert. 'T is true 'T is against her that I my Sword employ And she may want that help which I destroy Forgive me Sir Yet all things that can move As well as I have felt Revenge and Love Unruly heats are with our Essence spread And by craz'd Passion Nature 's cemented Tir. While she has Enemies let us be Friends And now by several ways pursue our ends Sert. Stay I am yet confus'd 't is a hard fate To â—elp to make my self unfortunate Tir. We waste that time which takes too fast a slight And
be so kind As but to tell me if it can be true That I have only lost my Eyes not you Ver. My Eyes shall still be yours when you have none But if you apprehend when yours are gone Some other object may my heart encline I 'll beg him if you will to burn out mine Cor. Come I must stay no longer If you dare Art Yes exquisite Villain I can stare On death in any shape Cor. Then gaze on this 'T will make brave Musick when you hear it hiss Puts his Irons in the water What say you does it sound unpleasantly Ver. What does he mean Cor. I 'll tell you instantly Stay I must fetch another Instrument Exit Corbulo Art His mischief varies only not intent Unless he means a gentle death to give That with my Life my torments may not live Enter Corbuio with a Sword Cor. See how you 're both mistaken Here I bring you fate to give and not to bear Here Sir at once receive this Sword and mine Thus to your Fortunes all my own I join Art I have seen sudden starts to mischief grow But turns to good are usually more slow Cort. What do you wonder at this change in me Needs Courage arm'd admit such Jealousie Follow me quickly while the Coast is clear To stay or wonder wou'd be faults like fear Art Forgive me Corbulo And since thou dost resolve to share in mine My gratitude will make my Fortunes thine O my Verginia My joys like Men in crowds press out so fast They stop by their own numbers and their haste Ver. I fear Disease may this health pursue For sudden Fortune has relapses too Art Banish these fears against the Plagues of Fate A Sword and Courage is a sure Receit Exeunt Enter Sulpitius with Claudius bringing in Hersilia Her Stay what d' you mean or whither shou'd we fly There 's something in all this like treachery Take heed lest I suspect some ill design Sul. Suspition will be more your 〈◊〉 than mine Enter Tiridates Her Ha Tiridates O Villain Tir. Look here false Man and see thy Death pursue Sul Death will as soon be sent from me as you Hold her fast Claudius that she now-may see Whose one her Conquest proves by victory Tir. 'T is brave thy Courage seems from Justice sent To make thee stay and meet thy punishment Sul. Is there a better or worse Cause in Love Where all their Titles by their 〈◊〉 prove Love's Thrones by Conquest only are made good Like Empire where there is no claim in Blood Enter Mutius Mut. How 's this Sulpitius stay thy Sword for thine Must ne'er engage without the help of mine Sul Stay Mutius do not so injurious be As to deprive my Love of Victory Look on that Sun whose power 's not less great Since she as well disposes life and heat Rob me not of my hopes while she stands by Love hovering seems to wait a Victory Tir. Not all your Swords can so successful prove Though they may reach my Life they can't her love Mut. Dispatch him Sir I have much more to say Though your Love does mine will not brook delay Sulp. Thine Mutius then Love has pow'r I see Her Sulpitius hold or be my Enemy Beyond the pow'r of Mercy to forgive Mut. Come come we trisle Sir he must not live Ha! Enter Artabaces with Verginia and Corbulo Art Whate'er this soul Play means Justice does guide Where Mutius is my Sword to t'other side Sir you seem to want What Mist does rise Or has not Corbulo put out my Eyes And I gaze on my Brother as I use to do Within my Mind Pray speak Sir Who are you Tir. Your happy Brother dear Artabaces And still the same in all things but my â—oy Fortune seems now grown weary to destroy Mut Ha! my Pris'ner by that treacherous Slave set free Art Why do you stare Mut. O it seems you can see Look there Sulpitius nothing less divine Than that cou'd charm a Heart so rough as mine These are our Rivals too just Fortune draws Our Swords together in an equal Cause Art Now know sierce Mutius though no Cause can be So great as Love to make an Enemyâ— Yet to raise up thy Horrour to a height Armenia's Prince is sent to bring thy Fate Now thou shalt see where Conquest be thy due And without numbers what thy Sword can do Her Sulpitius hold obey me yet at last And I 'll forgive all thy Offences past Sulp. While I am arm'd I never use to pray And Love commands me now not to obey Tir. We trifle Time Art Corbulo that charge is thine Cor. Kind Fate provides another Sword for mine Art Now idle Fortune modestly stand by And let just Love dispose of Victory They sight Mutius falls and Sulpitius stands staggering Tir. Now Sulpitius to whom's Hersilia due Sul. Wou'd she were so to any one but you Use your Advantage to the Unfortunate Honour is cruel that denies a Fate Must I fall thus and in Hersilia's sight I stand to talk that cannot go to fight Falls Tir. Sulpitius live As thou wert once my Friend my Friend still prove Sulp. That Life thou giv'st is Death unto my Love Hersilia now I beg your Cruelty I want no help to live but some to dye Art Brave Man I pity his ungentle Fate I wou'd have none that love Unfortunate Come Tiridates How trembling after Victory we go To pay Devotions which to Love we owe Fortune at last seems kind in her Designs To bring our Victory before our Shrines Tir. Ah Brother I am still unfortunate Not less by Honour now than once by Fate Art What 's this Tir. Fairest Hersilia can you pity me Not for your own but Honour's Cruelty I must not speak of Love yet though her â—yes Bind up my Tongue I thus may use my Eyes Art Fair Vestal Though Fortune now at last seems kind to me Without you smile 't is useless Victory Ver. My joys must always wait on your Success Since they take being from your Happiness I beg now to return from whence I came And there while I attend the sacred Flame My true Concerns for you shall never cease And pray for yours while I enjoy my peace Art Will you forsake me now and be less kind Than you once promis'd if I had been blind I had been happier then by Mistries Now I lose you that had but lost my Eyes Ver. Then you did need my help now you are free Does Love exceed the use of Charity Art Yet let not Charity your Love exceed But grant me Alms as long as I have need Ver. Alas the World is full of Storms I find I wou'd return for shelter to my mind Come dear Hersilia which way must we go Ah me why do you look upon me so At once I weep and tremble too my Tears Spring without Grief and without cause my Fears Enter Sertorius and Marcellina Sert. Look Marcellina see what Heaven bestows As a full Recompence of all
Brawls Caldroon I have Employment for you Exeunt Lerma Maria and Caldroon Med. And for that piece of Night-work too I take it Alca. Pray peace my Lord Med. Let me go I will but ask him A civil Question Alca. What is 't Med. Whether great Men and Fathers too Are not the best and closest Bawds Alca. Fye fye consider who they are Med. 'T is that consider'd doubles every wrong Had I been sindg'd with Lightning I had stood With all my Wrongs hush'd as unwindy Night But to be scorch'd thus by a Candles Snuff A thing that only blazes in expiring And which must dye in its own noisomness Makes my Impatience swell above the Banks Of common temper Alca. You must restrain this Fury whose effect Turns to your own destruction Enter the King with a few Med. What 's this Alca. The King Med. I will speak Alca. Take heed good my Lord. King Which way went Lerma Med. Headlong Sir and 't will be dangerous To follow him King What 's this Med. I was your Souldier once Sir And had Commission to destroy your Enemies And I have done it with my Sword as boldly As I will now attempt it with my Tongue And 't is against a greater Enemy Than ever Fortune brought me to oppose In all your Battels King What Enemy is this Med. So great a one that he 's now become More Terrour to your Souldiers than those Armies They always met with Noble hopes of Conquest Here Victory is lost already for Lerma Has took you Captive King 'T is boldness and not duty to question Prince's Favours Med. But not to beg 'em Sir no more than 't is To pray that Heav'n wou'd turn a Vengeance from us Threatning in Lerma's power Do not forget Great Sir the last Desires your Father made And force him to call louder from his Grave Turn mighty Sir your Looks the other way And see your widow'd People want their King Drooping like Days unlook'd on by the Sun Your Councel wither'd more with Care than Age Grown as much Strangers to your great Affairs As unto Lerma's pleasure Alca. Excellent 't is nobly honest King Must Prince's Favours then be limited Or judg'd by common Breaths 'T is restless Envy that urges Mutinies Shelter'd under duty Exit Med. So the Lesson is learn'd perfect Oh Impudence to make the Majesty of Kings The Pawn of all their Villanies Alca. Brave Lord though I grieve to see you prest Thus into needless dangers yet I must Joy that our Country can yet boast such worth Med. O my Lord so wretched are we growing I tremble to out-live our Happiness Those that wou'd always live among Diseases Ventures not more for Life than I for Death Alca. Nay my brave Lord You shall see all your Friends dare share With equal Courage the worst Fate For wisely to go back is now too late My Jealousies are just lend me your aid And we may dive into the heart of all Med. And into his that wrought these Mischiefs too In greater privacy I 'll utter more Let us be firm and like a mighty Weight Sinking our selves press others to their Fate Exount SCENE II. Enter the King and Maria with two Papers King It is a thing of great Concern Maria And I should have the Opinion of my Councel Mar. Your Councel Sir are you their Sovereign Or wou'd you be a Slave to their Opinions King But if Mar. If what Dull Majesty is this the loudest Tune Of a King's powerful Breath If 's and but 's The timorous Language of the meanest people That are to give account of their low Actions Unto Authority Princes Determinations Shou'd be as free as they design their Power Not shaken with the Aguish touch of Doubts What Tracts leave the great Ocean Or who questions Why it is calm or rages Who shall chide The Sun that warms one portion of the World More than another When you are absolute In Love or Power then I 'll beg again King Stay I have resign'd my Reason to My Love give me the Warrants Now think Maria The King signs them Whether you have not ask'd too much Of one you love so little Mar. Have you done it Sir King You see I have Mra. Do you not repent it Sir Nor hate me as an Instrument Of pressing you to Acts unworthy of you King Oh Maria 't is hard for me to hate As 't is for you to love Mar. But have I not amaz'd you Sir In pressing you so hastily unto an Act Of such Importance King A little Mar. Thus low I beg your pardon And by this measure see to what dangers Princes expose themselves and Crowns By too much trust and kindness King How 's this Have you then acted what you thought amiss Mar. I have Sir by necessity not choice My Father's violence had took another way More fatal had I not gain'd from you These Governments as he designs to send Away the Marquess of Alcara and Count Bruchero King Ha! Mar. Now have I set before you Sir a Mirrour That truly shows How fatal 't is for Princes To shine on any with contracted kindness King Whither must all this tend Mar. For he that does engross your Beams Robs others of your Light and is a Cloud That hangs upon your brightness breeding Ill weather to all the World beâ—â—des while he seems To make you practise power unlimited Just then you have the least obeying his King Excellent Woman Mar. From henceforth Sir be every body's King And then you are your self lend equal ears To what all say and like a skilful Chymist Draw the quick spirit off from every Counsel And from your wise breast breath it as your own King Oh Maria you set foundations for my Love upon my reason now Mar. One thing more I have to beg And then my Father's Life only excepted It is the last I 'll ask these Warrants Sir I will deliver to my Father but in the mean time Those Lords shall have private directions A little to defer their preparations If you dare trust me Sir it is your safety I study now pardon my foolish fears Your danger only nam'd calls forth my tears King Oh do not waste the treasure of your eyes For such a life that you so much despise While I more justly disobey in this To dare be careless of the thing you wish Mar. Can you my heart for want of friendship blame That for your safety have expos'd my fame Love to your glories shou'd his flames resign As fires their Light when the bright Sun does shine King If Thrones be Seats for Cares in a King's Breast Love has a Title sure among the rest My love as a fair Vertue I proclaim When it grows foul I will conceal my shame Mar. Ah 't is some ease to love to be confest But 't is a torment when it is supprest King Do's cruelty a sign of kindness prove Mar. It is the greatest to deny the Love King Both cannot suffer in