patient hearing honest Marcian And as far as I can see into your Temper I speak my serious Judgment in cold Blood With strictest Consultation on the matter I think this seeming plain and honest Marcian An exquisite and most notorious Traytor Marc. Ha! Traytor Pulch. Yes a most notorious Traytor Marc. Your Grandfather whose Frown could awe the World Would not have call'd me so╌or if he had╌ Pulch. You would have taken it╌But to the Business Was 't not enough Oh Heaven Thou know'st too much At first to own your self an Infidel A bold Contemner even to Blasphemy Of that Religion which we all profess For which your Heart's best Blood can ne'er suffice But you must dare with a seditious Army Thus to conspire against the Emperour I mention not your Impudence to me Taxing the folly of my Government Ev'n to my Face Such an Irreverence As sure no barb'rous Vandal would have urg'd Beside your libelling all the Court as if You had engrost the whole World's honesty And Flatterers Fools Sycophants Knaves Such was your Language did inhabit here Marc. You wrest my honest meaning by the Gods You do and if you thus go on I feel My strugling Spirit will no longer bear it Pulch. I thought the meaning of all rational Men Should still be gather'd out of their Discourse Nor are you so imprudent without thinking To vent such words tho' now you fain would hide it You find the Guilt and bauk the Accusation But think not you shall scape so easily Once more I do confront you as a Traytor And as I am entrusted with full pow'r Divest you in the Name of Theodosius Of all your Offices Commissions Honours Command you leave the Court within three Days Loyal plain-dealing honest Marcian Marc. Gods Gods Pulch. What now ha does the Traytor murmur If in three days mark me 't is I that doom thee Rash inconsiderable Man a Wretch beneath The Torments I cou'd execute upon thee If after three days space thou' rt found in Court Thou dy'st thy head thy head shall pay the forfeit Farewell now rage now rail and curse the Court Saucily dare to abuse the best of Princes And let thy lawless Tongue lash all it can Do like a mad-man rave deplore thy Fortune While Pages laugh at thee Then haste to the Army Grow popular and lead the multitude Preach up thy Wrongs and drive the giddy Beast To kick at Caesar. Nay if thou weep'st I am gone O Julia if I stay I shall weep too Yet 't is but just that I the Heart should see Of him who once must Lord it over me Ex. Pulcheria c. Luc. Why do you droop Sir╌Come no more o' this You are and shall be still our General Say but the Word I 'll fill the Hippodrome With Squadrons that shall make the Emp'ror tremble We 'll fire the Court about his Ears Methinks like Junius Brutus I have watcht An Opportunity and now it comes Few words and I are Friends but noble Marcian If yet thou art not more than General E'er dead of Night say Lucius is a Coward Marc. I charge thee in the name of all the Gods Come back I charm thee by the name of Friend All 's well and I rejoyce I am no General But hush within three days we must be gone And then my Friend farewel to Ceremony We 'll fly to some far distant lonely Village Forget our former state and breed with Slaves Sweat in the Eye of Day and when Night comes With bodies coursely fill'd and vacant Souls Sleep like the laboured Hinds and never think For if I think again I shall go mad Enter Leontine and Athonais c. Therefore no thought But see we are interrupted O Court O Emperor yet let Death threaten I 'll find a time Till then be still my Soul╌ No General now A Member of thy Country But most corrupt therefore to be cut off Loyal plain-dealing honest Marcian A Slave a Traytor O ye Eternal Gods╌ Exeunt Leon. So Athenais now our complement To the young Persian Prince is at an end What then remains but that we take our leave And bid him everlastingly Farewell Athen. My Lord Leon. I say that decency requires We should be gone nor can you stay with Honour Athen. Most true my Lord. Leon. The Court is now at peace The Emperour's Sisters are retir'd for ever And he himself compos'd what hinders then But that we bid adieu to Prince Varanes Athen. Ah Sir why will you break my heart Leon. I would not Thou art the only Comfort of my Age Like an old Tree I stand among the storms Thou art the only limb that I have left me She kneels My dear green branch and how I prize thee Child Heaven only knows why dost thou kneel and weep Athen. Because you are so good and will I hope Forgive my fault who first occasion'd it Leon I charg'd thee to receive and hear the Prince Athen. You did and Oh my Lord I heard too much Too much I fear for my Eternal Quiet Leon. Rise Athenais Credit him who bears More years than thou Varanes ha deceiv'd thee Athen. How do we differ then You judge the Prince Impious and base while I take Heav'n to witness I think him the most Vertuous of men Therefore take heed my Lord how you accuse him Before on make the Tryal Alas Varanes If thou art false there 's no such thing on Earth As solid Goodness or substantial Honour A thousand times My Lord he has sworn to give me And I believe his Oaths his Crown and Empire That day I make him Master of my Heart Leon. That day he 'll make thee Mistress of his power Which carries a foul name among the Vulgar No Athenais let me see thee dead Born a pale Corps and gently laid in Earth So I may say she 's chaste and dy'd a Virgin Rather than view thee with these wounded Eyes Seated upon the Throne of Isdigerdes The blast of Common Tongues the Nobles scorn Thy Father's Curse that is the Prince's Whore Athen. O horrid supposition how I detest it Be witness Heav'n that sees my secret thoughts Have I for this my Lord been taught by you The nicest Justice and severest Vertue To fear no Death to know the end of Life And with a long search discern the highest good No Athenais when the Day beholds thee So scandalously rais'd Pride cast the down The scorn of Honour and the People's prey No cruel Leontine not to redeem That aged Head from the descending Axe Not tho' I saw thy trembling Body rackt Thy wrinckles about thee fill'd with Blood Would I for Empire to the Man I love Be made the object of unlawful Pleasure Leon. O greatly said and by the Blood which warms me Which runs as rich as any Athens holds It would improve the Vertue of the World If every Day a thousand Votaries And thousand Virgins came from far to hear thee Athen. Look down ye pow'rs take notice we obey
a Man a╌gain No track behind for Care to find 'em out Nor is it possible╌ Vara. It is it shall I 'll struggle with impossibilities To find my Athenais Not the Walls Of Athens nor of Thebes shall hide her from me I 'll bring the Force of all my Fathers Arms And lay 'em waste but I 'll redeem my Love O Leontine morose old Leontine Thou meer Philosopher O cruel Sage Who for one hasty word one Cholerick doubt Hast turn'd the Scale though in the sacred Balance My Life my Glory and my Empire hung Aranth Most sure my Lord they are retir'd to Athens I will send Post to Night╌ Vara. No no Aranthes Prepare my Chariots for I 'll go in Person I swear 'till now 'till I began to fear Some other might enjoy my Athenais I swear I did not know how much I lov'd her But let 's away I 'll to the Emperour Thou to the hasty management of my business Prepare to day I 'll go to day I 'll find her No more I 'll take my leave of Theodosius And meet thee on the Hippodrome away Let the wild hurry of thy Masters Love Make quick thy apprehension Haste and leave me Exeunt SCENE II. Pulcheria Atticus Leontine Votaries leading Athenais in procession after her Baptism to be confirm'd Atticus Sings O Chrysostom look down and see An Off'ring worthy Heav'n and thee So rich the Victim bright and fair That she on Earth appears a Star Chor. Endosia is the Virgin 's Name And after-times shall sing her Fame Atticus Sings Lead her Votaries lead her in Her holy Birth does now begin 1 Votary In humble Weeds but clean Array Your hours shall sweetly pass away And when the Rites Divine are past To pleasant Gardens you shall haste 2 Votary Where many a flowry Bed we have That Emblem still to each a Grave And when within the Stream we look With Tears we use to swell the Brook But oh when in the liquid Glass Our Heav'n appears we sigh to pass Chor. For Heav'n alone we are design'd And all things bring our Heav'n to mind Athen. O Princes O most worthy of the World Kneels That is submitted by its Emperour To your most wise and providential sway What Greek or Roman Eloquence can paint The Rapture and Devotion of my Soul I am adopted yours you are my Goddess That have new-form'd new-moulded my Conceptions And by the plat-form of a Work Divine New-fram'd new-built me to your own desires Thrown all the Lumber of my Passions out And made my heart a Mansion of perfection Clean as an Anchorite's Grot or Votary's Cell And spotless as the Glories of his steps Whom we far off adore Pulch. Rise Eudosia And let me fold my Christian in my Arms With this dear pledge of an Eternal Love I Seal thee O Eudosia mine for ever Accept blest Charge the Vows of my Affection For by the sacred Friendship that I give thee I think that Heav'n by Miracle did send thee To ease my Cares to help me in my Councils To be my Sister partner in my Bed And equally through my whole Course of Life To be the better part of thy Pulcheria And share my Griefs and Joys Athen. No Madam no Excuse the Cares that this sad Wretch must bring you O rather let me leave the World for ever Or if I must partake your Royal Secrets If you resolve to load me with such Honour Let it be far from Cities far from Courts Where I may fly all human Conversation Where I may never see nor hear nor name Nor think nor dream O Heav'n If possible Of Mankind more Pulch. What now in Tears Eudosia Athen. Far from the guilt of Palaces O send me Drive me O drive me from the Traytor Man So I might 'scape that Monster let me dwell In Lyons haunts or in some Tyger's Den Place me on some steep craggy ruin'd Rock That bellies out just dropping in the Ocean Bury me in the hollow of its Womb Where starving on my cold and flinty Bed I may from far with giddy apprehension See infinite Fathoms down the rumbling deep Yet not ev'n there in that vast whirl of Death Can there be found so terrible a ruin As Man false Man smiling destructive Man Pulch. Then thou hast lov'd Eudosia or my Sister Still nearer to my heart so much the dearer Because our Fates are like and hand in hand Our Fortunes lead us through the Maze of Life I am glad that thou hast lov'd nay lov'd with Danger Since thou hast ' scap'd the ruin╌╌Methinks it lightens The weight of my Calamities that thou In all things else so perfect and Divine Art yet a-kin to my Infirmity And bear'st thy part in Love's melodious ill Love that like bane perfum'd infects the mind That sad delight that Charms all woman-kind Athen. Yes Madam I confess that Love has charm'd me But never shall again No I renounce him Inspire me all the wrongs of abus'd Women All you that have been cozen'd by false Men See what a strict Example I will make But for the Perjuries of one I will revenge ye For all that 's past that 's present and to come Pulch. O thou far more than the most Masculine Vertue Where our Astraea where O drowning brightness Where hast thou been so long Let me again Protest my Admiration and my Love Let me declare aloud while thou art here While such clear Vertue shines within our Circle Vice shall no more appear within the Palace But hide her dazled Eyes and this be call'd The holy Court But lo the Emperour comes Enter Theodosius and Attendants Beauty like thine may drive that Form away That has so long entranc'd his Soul╌My Lord╌ Theod. If yet alas I might but hope to see her But oh forgive me Heav'n this wilder start That thus would reach impossibility No no I never must behold her more As well my Atticus might raise the Dead As Leontine should charm that Form in view Pulch. My Lord I come to give your grief a Cure With purer Flames to draw that cruel Fire That tortur'd you so long╌Behold this Virgin╌ The Daughter of your Tutor Leontine Theo. Ha! Pulch. She is your Sisters Charge and made a Christian And Athenais is Eudosia now Be sure a fairer never grac'd Religion And for her Vertue she transcends Example Theod. O all ye blest above how can this be Am I awake or is this possible Athen. Kneels Pulch. She kneels my Lord will you not go and raise her Theod. Nay do thou raise her for I am rooted here Yet if laborious Love and Melancholy Have not o'recome me and quite turn'd me mad It must be she that naked dazling sweetness The very Figure of that morning Star That dropping Pearls and shedding dewy Beams Fled from the greedy Waves when I approach'd Answer me Leontine am I distracted Or is this true by thee in all encounters I will be rul'd in Temperance and Wildness When Reason clashes with extravagance But
speak╌ Leon. 'T is true my Lord this is my Daughter Whom I conceal'd in Persia from all Eyes But yours when chance directed you that way Theo. He says 't is true Why then this heartless Carriage O? were I proof against the Darts of Love And cold to Beauty as the Marble-Lover That lies without a thought upon his Tomb Would not this glorious dawn of Life run through me And waken Death it self ╌Why am I slow then What hinders now but in spight of Rules I burst through all the bands of Death that hold me He kneels And fly with such a hast to that Appearance As bury'd Saints shall make at the last Summons Athen. The Emperour at my Feet O Sir forgive me Drown me not thus with everlasting shame Both Heav'n and Earth must blush at such a view Nor can I bear it longer╌ Leon. My Lord she is unworthy╌ Theo. Ha! what say'st thou Leontine Unworthy O thou Atheist to perfection All that the blooming Earth could send forth fair All that the gawdy Heav'ns could drop down glorious Unworthy say'st thou Wert thou not her Father I swear I would revenge╌But hast and tell me For love like mine will bear no second thought Can all the Honours of the Orient Thus sacrific'd with the most pure Affection With spotless thoughts and languishing desires Obtain O Leontine the Crown at last To thee I speak thy Daughter to my Bride Leon. My Lord the Honour bears such estimation It calls the Blood into my aged Cheeks And quite o'er-whelms my Daughter with Confusion Who with her Body prostrate on the Earth Ought to adore you for the proffer'd Glory Theo. Let me embrace and thank thee O kind Heav'n O Atticus Pulcheria O my Father Was ever change like mine Run through the Streets Who waits there Run and lowd as Fame can speak With Trumpet-sounds proclaim your Emperor's joy And as of old on the great Festival Of her they call the Mother of the Gods Let all work cease at least an Oaken Garland Crown each Plebeian Head Let sprightly Bowls Be doal'd about and the toss'd Cymbals sound Tell 'em their much lamented Theodosius By Miracle is brought from Death to Life His Melancholy's gone and now once more He shall appear at the State 's Helm again Nor fear a Wrack while this bright Star direct us For while she shines no Sands no cowring Rocks Shall lie unseen but I will cut my way Secure as Neptune through the highest stream And to the Port in safety steer the World Athen. Alas my Lord consider my Extraction With all my other Wants╌ Theo. Peace Empress peace No more the Daughter of old Leontine A Christian now and Partner of the East Athen. My Father has dispos'd me you command me What can I answer then but my Obedience Theo. Attend her dear Pulcheria and oh tell her To Morrow if she please I will be happy Ex. Pulch. and Athen. O why so long should I my Joys delay Time imp thy Wings let not thy Minutes stay But to a moment change the tedious day The day 't will be an Age before to Morrow An Age a Death a vast Eternity Where we shall cold and past Enjoyment lie Enter Varanes and Aranthes Vara. O Theodosius Theo. Ha! my Brother here Why dost thou come to make my Bliss run o'er What is there more to wish Fortune can find No flaw in such a glut of happiness To let one Misery in╌O my Varanes Thou that of late didst seem to walk on Clouds Now give a loose let go the slackned Reins Let us drive down the Precipice of Joy As if that all the Winds of Heav'n were for us Vara. My Lord I am glad to find the Gale is turn'd And give you Joy of this auspicious Fortune Plough on your way with all your Streamers out With all your glorious Flags and Streamers ride Triumphant on╌And leave me to the Waves The Sands the Winds the Rocks the sure destruction And ready Gulphs that gape to swallow me Theo. It was thy Hand that drew me from the Grave Who had been dead by this time to Ambition To Crowns to Titles and my slighted Greatness But still as if each work of thine deserv'd The smile of Heav'n╌thy Theodosius met With something dearer than his Diadem With all that 's worth a wish that 's worth a life I met with that which made me leave the world Vara. And I O turn of Chance O cursed Fortune Have lost at once all that could make me happy O ye too partial Powers But now no more The Gods my dear my most lov'd Theodosius Double all those Joys that thou hast met upon thee For sure thou art most worthy worthy more Than Jove in all his Prodigality Can e'er bestow in Blessings on Mankind And oh methinks my Soul is strangely mov'd Takes it the more unkindly of her Stars That thou and I cannot be blest together For I must leave thee Friend this night must leave thee To go in doubtful search of what perhaps I ne'er shall find if so my cruel Fate Has order'd it Why then farewel for ever For I shall never never see thee more Theo. How sensible my tender Soul is grown Of what you utter O my gallant Friend O Brother O Varanes Do not judge By what I speak for Sighs will interrupt me Judge by my Tears judge by these strict Embraces And by my last Resolve Tho' I have met With what in silence I so long ador'd Tho' in the Rapture of protesting Joys I had set down to morrow for my Nuptials And Atticus to Night prepares the Temple Yet my Varanes I will rob my Soul Of all her Health of my Imperial Bride And wander with thee in the search of that On which thy Life depends╌ Vara. If this I suffer Conclude me then begotten of a Hind And bred in Wilds No Theodosius no I charge thee by our Friendship and conjure thee By all the Gods to mention this no more Perhaps dear Friend I shall be sooner here Than you expect or I my self imagine What most I grieve is that I cannot wait To see your Nuptials Yet my Soul is with you And all my Adorations to your Bride Theo. What my Varanes will you be so cruel As not to see my Bride before you go Or are you angry at your Rival's Charms Who has already ravisht half my Heart That once was all your own Vara. You know I am disorder'd My melancholy will not suit her blest Condition Exit Theo. And the Gods know since thou my Athenais Art fled from these sick Eyes all other Women To my pall'd Soul seem like the Ghost of Beauty And haunt my memory with the loss of thee Enter Athenais Theodosius Leading her Theo. Behold my Lord the occasion of my Joy Vara. O ye immortal Gods Aranthes oh Look there and wonder Ha! is 't possible Athen. My Lord the Emperour says you are his Friend He charges me to use my Interest And beg of you
melancholy Hours But how then Madam in this unsuitable condition how shall I answer the infinite Honours and Obligations Your Grace has laid upon me Your Grace who is the most beautiful Idea of Love and Glory who to that Divine Composition have the noblest and best-natur'd Wit in the World All I can promise Madam and be able to perform is That your Grace shall never see a Play of mine that shall give offence to Modesty and Vertue and what I humbly offer to the World shall be of use at least and I hope deserve imitation which is or ought to be I am sure the Design of all Tragedies and Comedies both Ancient and Modern I should presume to promise my self too some Success in things of this nature if Your Grace in whom the Charms of Beauty Wit and Goodness seem reconcil'd at a leisure Hour would condescend to correct with Your excellent Judgment the Errors of MADAM Your Graces most humble most obedient and devoted Servant NAT. LEE THEODOSIUS OR THE Force of Love ACT I. SCENE I. A stately Temple which represents the Christian Religion as in its first Magnificence Being but lately establisht at Rome and Constantinople The Side Scenes shew the horrid Tortures with which the Roman Tyrants persecuted the Church and the Flat Scene which is the Limit of the Prospect discovers an Altar richly adorn'd before it Constantine suppos'd kneels with Commanders about him gazing at a bloody Cross in the Air which being incompass'd with many Angels offers it self to view with these words distinctly written In hoc signo vinces Instruments are heard and many Attendants The Ministers at Divine Service walk busily up and down till Atticus the Chief of all the Priests and Successor of St. Chrysostom in rich Robes comes forward with the Philosopher Leontine The Waiters in Ranks bowing all the way before him A Chorus heard at distance Prepare prepare the Rites begin Let none unhallow'd enter in The Temple with new Glory shines Adorn the Altars wash the Shrines And purge the place from Sin Attic. O Leontine was ever Morn like this Since the Celestial Incarnation dawn'd I think no Day since that such Glory gave To Christian Altars as this Morning brings Leont Great Successor of holy Chrysostom Who now triumphs above a Saint of Honour Next in degree to those bright Sons of Heav'n Who never fell nor stain'd their Orient Beams What shall I answer How shall I approach you Since my Conversion which your breath inspir'd Attic. To see this Day th' Emperour of the East Leaves all the Pleasures that the Earth can yield That Nature can bestow or Art invent In his Life's spring and bloom of gawdy years To undergo the Penance of a Cloyster Confin'd to narrow Rooms and gloomy Walks Fastings and Exercises of Devotion Which from his Bed at midnight must awake him Methinks O Leontine is something more Than yet Philosophy could ever reach Leont True Atticus you have amaz'd my reason Attic. Yet more to our Religious lasting honour Marina and Flavilla two young Virgins Imperial born cast in the fairest mould That e're the hands of Beauty form'd for Woman The Mirrors of our Court where Chastity And Innocence might copy spotless Lustre To Day with Theodosius leave the World Leont Methinks at such a glorious resignation The Angelick Orders should at once descend In all the Paint and Drapery of Heav'n With charming Voices and with lulling Strings To give full Grace to such Triumphant Zeal Attic. No Leontine I fear there is a fault For when I last confess'd th' Emperour Whether disgust and melancholy Blood From restless Passions urg'd not this Divorce He only answer'd me with Sighs and lushes 'T is sure his Soul is of the tenderest make Therefore I 'll tax him strictly but my Friend Why should give his Character to you Who when his Father sent him into Persia Were by that mighty Monarch then appointed To breed him with his Son the Prince Varanes Leont And what will raise your Admiration is That two such different Tempers should agree You know that Theodosius is compos'd Of all the softness that should make a Woman Judgment almost like fear fore-runs his Actions And he will poise an Injury so long As if he had rather pardon than revenge it But the young Persian Prince quite opposite So Fiery sierce that those who view him nearly May see his haughty Soul still mounting in his Face Yet did I study these so different Tempers Till I at last had form'd a perfect Union As if two Souls did but inform one Body A friendship that may challenge all the World And at the proof be matchless Attic. I long to read This Gallant Prince who as you have inform'd me Comes from his Father's Court to see our Emperour Leon. So he intnded till he came to Athens And at my homely board beheld my Daughter Where as Fate ordered she who never saw The Glories of a Court bred up to Books In Closets like a Sybil. She I say Long since from Persia brought by me to Athens Unskill'd in Charms but those which Nature gave her Wounded this scornful Prince In short he forc'd me To wait him thither with deep protestations That Moment that bereft him of the sight Of Athenais gave him certain Death Enter Varanes and Athenais But see my Daughter honour'd with his presence Vara. 'T is strange O Athenais wondrous all Wondrous the Shrines and wonderful the Altars The Martyrs though but drawn in painted Flames Amaze me with the Image of their suff'rings Saints Canoniz'd that dar'd with Roman Tyrants Hermits that liv'd in Caves and fed with Angels By Orosmades it is wondrous all That bloody Cross in yonder Azure Sky Above the Head of kneeling Constantine Inscrib'd about with Golden Characters Thou shalt o'er-come in this If it be true I say again by Heav'n 't is wond'rous strange Athen. O Prince if thus Imagination stirs you A fancy rais'd from figures in dead Walls How would the Sacred Breath of Atticus Inspire your Breast purge all your dross away And drive this Athenais from your Soul To make a Virgin Room whom yet the Mould Of your rude Fancy cannot comprehend Vara. What says my Fair Drive Athenais from me Start me not into Frenzy lest I rail At all Religion and fall out with Heaven And what is she alas that should supplant thee Were she the Mistress of the World as fair As Winter Stars or Summer setting Suns And thou set by in Nature's plainest Dress With that chaste modest look when first I saw thee The Heiress of a poor Philosopher Recorders ready to flourish I swear by all I wish by all I love Glory and thee I would not lose a thought Nor cast an Eye that way but rush to thee To these lov'd arms and lose my self for ever Athenais Forbear my Lord. Vara. O cruel Athenais Why dost thou put me off who pine to death And thrust me from thee when I would approach
away Vara. My Theodosius still 't is my lov'd Brother And by the Gods we 'll see those times agen Why then has Rumour wrong'd thee that reported Christian Enthusiasm had charm'd thee from us That drawn by Priests and work'd by Melancholy Thou hadst laid the golden Reins of Empire down And sworn thy self a Votary for ever Theo. 'T is almost true and had not you arriv'd The solemn business had by this been ended This I have made the Empress of the East My elder Sister These with me retire Devoted to the Pow'r whom we adore Vara. What Power is that that merits such Oblations I thought the Sun more great and glorious Than any that e're mingled with the Gods Yet even to him my Father never offer'd More than a Hecatomb of Bulls and Horses Now by those golden Beams that glad the World I swear it is too much For one of these But half so bright our God would drive no more He 'd leave the darken'd Globe and in some Cave Injoy such Charms for ever Attic. My Lord forbear Such Language does not suit with our Devotion Nothing prophane must dare to murmur here Nor stain the hallow'd Beauties of the Place Yet thus far we must yield the Emperour Is not enough prepar'd to leave the World Vara. Thus low most Reverend of this sacred place I kneel for Pardon and am half converted By your permission that my Theodosius Return to my Embraces O my Brother Why dost thou droop There will be time enough For Prayer and Fasting and Religious Vows Let us enjoy while yet thou art my own All the Magnificence of Eastern Courts I hate to walk a lazy Life away Let 's run the Race which Fate has set before us And post to the dark Goal Theo. Cruel Destiny Why am not I thus too O my Varanes Why are these costly Dishes set before me Why do these sounds of Pleasure strike my Ears Why are these Joys brought to my sick remembrance Who have no appetite but am to sense From Head to Foot all a dead Palsie o're Vara. Fear not my Friend all shall be well again For I have thousand ways and thousand stories To raise thee up to Pleasure we 'll unlock Our fastest Secrets shed upon each other Our tender'st Cares and quite unbarr those Doors Which shall be shut to all Mankind beside Attic. Silence and Reverence are the Temple 's dues Therefore while we pursue the Sacred Rites Be these observ'd or quit the awful place Imperial Sisters now twin-stars of Heaven Answer the Successor of Chrysostom Without least Reservation answer me By those harmonious Rules I charg'd ye learn Atticus Sings Attic. Canst thou Marina leave the World The World that is Devotion 's bane Where Crowns are tost and Scepters hurld Where Lust and proud Ambition Reign 2 Priest Can you your costly Robes forbear To live with us in poor Attire Can you from Courts to Cells repair To sing at midnight in our Quire 3 Priest Can you forget your golden Beds Where you might sleep beyond the morn On Mats to lay your Royal Heads And have your beauteous Tresses shorn Attic. Can you resolve to fast all Day And weep and groan to be forgiv'n Can you in broken slumbers pray And by affliction merit Heav'n Chor. Say Votaries can this be done While we the Grace Divine implore The World has lost the Battel 's won And sin shall never charm ye more Marina Sings The gate to Bliss does open stand And all my penance is in view The World upon the other hand Crys out O do not bid adieu Yet Sacred Sirs in these extreams Where Pomp and Pride their Glories tell Where Youth and Beauty are the Themes And plead their moving Cause so well If ought that 's vain my thoughts possess Or any Passions govern here But what Divinity may bless O may I never enter there Flavilla Sings What! what can Pomp or Glory do Or what can humane Charms perswade That Mind that has a Heav'n in view How can it be by Earth betray'd No Monarch full of Youth and Fame The Joy of Eyes and Natures Pride Should once my thoughts from Heav'n Reclaim Though now he woo'd me for his Bride Haste then Oh haste and take us in For ever lock Religion's Door Secure us from the Charms of sin And let us see the World no more Attic. Sings Hark! hark behold the Heavenly Choir They cleave the Air in bright Attire And see his Lute each Angel brings And hark Divinely thus he Sings To the Pow'rs Divine all glory be given By Men upon Earth and Angels in Heaven Scene shuts and all the Priests with Marina and Flav. disappear Pulch. For ever gone for ever parted from me O Theodosius till this cruel moment I never knew how tenderly I lov'd 'em But on this everlasting separation Methinks my Soul has left me and my Time Of dissolution points me to the Grave Theo. O my Varanes does not now thy temper Bate something of its fire dost thou not melt In meer Compassion of my Sister's Fate And cool thy self with one relenting thought Vara. Yes my dar'd Soul rouls inward melancholy Which I ne'er felt before now comes upon me And I begin to loath all humane greatness Oh! sigh not then nor thy hard Fate deplore For 't is resolv'd we will be Kings no more We 'll fly all Courts and Love shall be our guide Love that 's more worth than all the World beside Princes are barr'd the liberty to roam The fetter'd mind still languishes at home In golden Bands she treads the thoughtful round Business and Cares eternally abound And when for Air the Goddess would unbind She 's clogg'd with Scepters and to Crowns confin'd Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. Enter Pulcheria Julia Attendants Pulch. THese Packets for the Emperour Honorius Be swift let the Agent haste to Rome╌ I hear my Julia that our General Is from the Goths return'd with Conquest home Jul. He is to day I saw him in the Presence Sharp to the Courtiers as he ever was Because they went not with him to the Wars To you he bows and sues to kiss your Hand Pulch. He shall my dearest Julia oft I have told thee The secret of my Soul It e'er I marry Marcian's my Husband he is a Man my Julia Whom I have study'd long and found him perfect Old Rome at every glance looks through his Eyes And kindles the Beholders Some sharp Atomes Run through his Frame which I could wish were out He sickens at the softness of the Emperour And speaks too freely of our Female Court Then sighs comparing it with what Rome was Enter Marcian and Lucius Pulch. Ha! Who are these that dare prophane this place With more than barb'rous Insolence Marc. At your Feet Behold I cast the scourge of these Offenders And kneel to kiss your Hand Pulch. Put up your Sword And e'er I bid you welcome from the Wars Be sure you clear your Honour of this rudeness Or
to stay at least so long As our Espousals will be solemnizing I told him I was honour'd once to know you But that so slightly as I could not warrant The grant of any thing that I should ask you╌ Vara. O Heaven and Earth O Athenais why VVhy dost thou use me thus Had I the VVorld Thou know'st it should be thine Athen. I know not that╌ But yet to make sure work one half of it Is mine already Sir without your giving My Lord the Prince is obstinate his Glory Scorns to be mov'd by the weak Breath of Woman He is all Heroe bent for higher Game Therefore 't is nobler Sir to let him go If not for him my Lord yet for my self I must intreat the Favour to retire Exit Athen. c. Vara. Death and Despair Confusion Hell and Furies Theo. Heav'n guard thy Health and still preserve thy Vertue VVhat should this mean I fear the Consequence For 't is too plain they know each other well Vara. Undone Aranthes lost undone for ever I see my Doom I read it with broad Eyes As plain as if I saw the Book of Fate Yet I will muster all my Spirits up Digest my Griefs swallow the rising Passions Yes I will stand this Shock of all the Gods VVell as I can and struggle for my Life Theo. You muse my Lord and if you 'll give me leave To judge your thoughts they seem employ'd at present About my Bride I guess you know her too Vara. His Bride O Gods give me a moments Patience I must confess the sight of Athenais VVhere I so little did expect to see her So grac'd and so adorn'd did raise my wonder But what exceeds all admiration is That you should talk of making her your Bride 'T is such a blind effect of monstrous Fortune That tho' I well remember you affirm'd it I cannot yet believe╌ Theo. Then now believe me By all the Pow'rs Divine I will espouse her Vara. Ha! I shall leap the bounds Come come my Lord. By all these Pow'rs you nam'd I say you must not Theo. I say I will and who shall bar my pleasure Yet more I speak the Judgment of my Soul Weigh but with Fortune Merit in the Balance And Athenais loses by the Marriage Vara. Relentless Fates malicious cruel Pow'rs O for what Crime do you thus rack your Creature Sir I must tell you this unkingly meanness Suits the Profession of an Anchorite well But in an Oriental Emperour It gives offence nor can you without Scandal Without the notion of a groveling Spirit Espouse the Daughter of old Leontine Whose utmost Glory is to have been my Tutor Theo. He has so well acquitted that Employment Breeding you up to such a gallant height Of full perfection and imperial greatness That ev'n for this respect if for no other I will esteem him worthy while I live Vara. My Lord you 'll pardon me a little Freedom For I must boldly urge in such a Cause Who-ever slatters you tho' ne'er so near Related to your Blood should be suspected Theo If Friendship would admit a cold Suspicion After what I have heard and seen to day Of all Mankind I should suspect Varanes Vara. He has stung me to the Heart my Groans will choke me Unless my strugling Passion gets a vent Out with it then╌I can no more dissemble╌ Yes yes my Lord since you reduce me to The last necessity I must confess it I must avow my Flame for Athenais I am all Fire my Passion eats me up It grows incorporate with my flesh and Blood My Pangs redouble now they cleave my heart O Athenais O Eudosia╌ oh╌ Though plain as day I see my own destruction Yet to my death and oh let all the Gods Bear Witness I swear I will adore thee Theo. Alas Varanes Which of us two the Heav'ns Have mark'd for death is yet above the Stars But while we live let us preserve our Friendship Sacred and just as we have ever done This only Mean in two such hard Extreams Remains for both To morrow you shall see her With all advantage in her own Apartment Take your own time say all you can to gain her If you can win her lead her into Persia If not consent that I espouse her here Vara. Still worse and worse O Theodosius oh I cannot speak for sighs my death is seal'd By this last sweetness had you been less good I might have hop'd but now my Doom's at hand Go then and take her take her to the Temple The Gods too give you joy O Athenais Why does thy Image mock my Foolish sorrow O Theodosius do not see my Tears Away and leave me leave me to the Grave Theo. Farewel let 's leave the Issue to the Heav'ns I will prepare your way with all that Honour Can urge in your behalf tho' to my Ruine Ex. Theod. Vara. O I could tear my Limbs and eat my Elesh Fool that I was fond proud vain-glorious Fool Damn'd be all Courts and treble damn'd Ambition Blasted be thy remembrance Curses on thee And plagues on plagues fall on those Fools that seek thee Aranth Have comfort Sir╌ Vara. Away and leave me Villain Traytor who wrought me first to my destruction╌ Yet stay and help me help me to curse my pride Help me to wish that I had ne'er been Royal That I had never heard the name of Cyrus That my first Brawl in Court had been my last O that I had been born some happy Swain And never known a life so great so vain Where I extreams might not be forc'd to choose And blest with some mean Wife no Crown could lose Where the dearer Partner of my little state With all her smiling Off-spring at the Gate Blessing my Labours might my coming wait Where in our humble Beds all safe might ly And not in cursed Courts for Glory dy ╌ Exeunt SONG 1. Hail to the Mirtle Shade All hail to the Nymphs of the Fields Kings would not here invade Those pleasures that virtue yields SONG after the Third ACT. Hail to the Myrtle shade all Hail to the Nymphs of the Fields Kings will not her in-vade tho Vir╌tue all free╌dom yields Beauty here opens her arms to soften the languishing mind and Phillis un╌locks her Charms ah Phillis ah why so kind Chorus Beauty here opens her Arms to soften the languishing mind and Beauty here opens her Arms to soften the languishing mind and Phillis un locks her Charms ah Phillis ah why so kind ah Phillis un locks her Charms ah Phillis ah why so kind ah Phil╌lis ah why so kind Phil╌lis ah why so kind Chor. Beauty here opens her Arms To soften the languishing mind And Phillis unlocks her Charms Ah Phillis ah why so kind 2. Phillis thou Soul of Love Thou joy of the Neighb'ring Swains Phillis that Crowns the Grove And Phillis that guilds the Plains Chor. Phillis that ne'er had the skill To paint to patch and be fine Yet Phillis whose Eyes can kill Whom
former Brutus for the Crime Of Sextus drive old Tarquin from his Kingdom And shall this Prince too by permitting others To act their wicked Wills and lawless Pleasures Ravish from the Empire its dear Health Well-being Happiness and ancient Glory Go on in this dishonourable rest Shall he I say dream on while the starv'd Troops Lie cold and waking in the Winter Camp And like pin'd Birds for want of sustenance Feed on the Haws and Berries of the Fields O temper temper me ye gracious Gods Give to my Hand forbearance to my Heart Its constant Loyalty I would but shake him Rouze him a little from this death of Honour And shew him what he should be Theo. You accuse me As if I were some Monster most unheard of First as the Ruin of the Army then Of taking your Commission But by Heav'n I swear O Marcian this I never did Nor ere intended it Nor say I this To alter thy stern usage for with what Thou hast said and done and brought to my remembrance I grow already weary of my life Marc. My Lord I take your word you do not know The wounds which rage within your Country's Bowels The horrid usage of the suff'ring Soldier But why will not our Theodosius know If you intrust the Government to others That act these Crimes who but your selfs to blame Be witness ye Gods of my plain dealing Of Marcian's honesty how-e'er degraded I thank you for my banishment but alas My loss is little to what soon will follow Reflect but on your self and your own Joys Let not this Lethargy for ever hold you 'T was rumour'd through the City that you lov'd That your Espousals should be solemniz'd When on a sudden here you send your Orders That this bright Favourite the lov'd Eudosia Should lose her Head Theo O Heav'n and Earth What say'st thou That I have seal'd the death of my Eudosia Marc. 'T is your own Hand and Signet Yet I swear Tho' you have giv'n to Female hands your sway And therefore I as well as the whole Army For ever ought to curse all Woman-kind Yet when the Virgin came as she was doom'd And on the Scaffold for that purpose rais'd Without the walls appear'd before the Army Theo. What on a Scaffold ha before the Army Marc. How quickly was the Tide of Fury turn'd To soft Compassion and relenting Tears But when the Axe Sever'd the brightest Beauty of the Earth From that fair Body had you heard the groan Which like a peal of distant Thunder ran Through all the armed Host you would have thought By the immediate Darkness that fell round us Whole Nature was concern'd at such a Suff'ring And all the Gods were angry Theo. O Pulcheria Cruel ambitious Sister this must be Thy doing O support me noble Marcian Now now 's the time if thou dar'st strike behold I offer thee my Breast with my last Breath I 'll thank thee too if now thou draw'st my Blood Were I to live thy Councel shall direct me But 't is too late╌ He swoons Marc. He faints what hoa there Lucius Enter Lucius My Lord the Emperour Eudosia lives She 's here or will be in a minute moment Quick as a thought she calls you to the Temple O Lucius help╌I have gone too far but see He breaths again╌ Eudosia has awak'd him Theo. Did you not name Eudosia Marc. Yes she lives I did but feign the story of her Death To find how near you plac'd her to your Heart And may the Gods rain all their Plagues upon me If ever I rebuke you thus again Yet 't is most certain that you sign'd her death Not knowing what the wise Pulcberia offer'd Who left it in my Hand to startle you But by my Life and Fame I did not think It would have toucht your Life O pardon me Dear Prince my Lord my Emp'rour Royal Master Droop not because I utter'd some rash words And was a mad Man╌by th' immortal Gods I love you as my Soul what e'er I said My thoughts were otherwise believe these Tears Which do not use to flow all shall be well I swear that there are Seeds in that sweet Temper To attone for all the Crimes in this bad Age. Theo. I thank thee first for my Eudosia's Life What but my Love could have call'd back that Life Which thou hast made me hate But oh methought 'T was hard dear Marcian very hard from thee From him I ever reverenc'd as my Father To hear so harsh a Message╌but no more We are Friends Thy hand Nay if thou wilt not rise And let me told my Arms about thy Neck I 'll not believe thy Love In this forgive me First let me wed Eudosia and we 'll out We will my General and make amends For all that 's past Glory and Arms ye call And Marcian leads me on╌ Marc. Let her not rest then Espouse her straight I 'll strike you at a heat May this great humour get large growth within you And be encourag'd by the emboldning Gods O what a sight will this be to the Soldier To see me bring you drest in shining Armour To head the shouting Squadrons╌O ye Gods Methinks I hear the echoing Cries of Joy The sound of Trumpets and the beat of Drums I see each starving Soldier bound from Earth As is some God by Miracle had rais'd him And with beholding you grow fat again Nothing but gazing Eyes and opening Mouths Cheeks red with Joy and lifted Hands about you Some wiping the glad Tears that trickle down With broken Io's and with sobbing Raptures Crying to Arms He 's come our Emp'rour's come To win the World Why is not this far better Than lolling in a Lady's lap and sleeping Fasting or praying Come come you shall be merry And for Eudosia she is yours already Marcian has said it Sir she shall be yours Theo. O Marcian oh my Brother Father all Thou best of Friends most faithful Counsellor I 'll find a Match for thee too e'er I rest To make thee love me For when thou art with me I 'm strong and well but when thou art gone I am nothing Enter Athenais meeting Theodosius Theo. Alas Eudosia tell me what to say For my full Heart can scarce bring forth a word Of that which I have sworn to see perform'd Athen. I am perfectly obedient to your pleasure Theo. Well then I come to tell thee that Varanes Of all mankind is nearest to my Heart I love him dear Eudosia and to prove That Love on trial all my Blood 's too little Ev'n thee if I were sure to die this moment As Heav'n alone can tell how far my Fate Is off O thou my Soul 's most tender Joy With my last Breath I would bequeath him thee Athen. Then you are pleas'd my Lord to yield me to him Theo. No my Eudosia no I will not yield thee While I have Life for Worlds I will not yield thee Yet thus far I am engag'd to let thee know He loves
thee Athenais more than ever He languishes despairs and dies like me And I have past my word that he shall see thee Athen. Ah Sir what have you done against your self And me Why have you past your fatal word Why will you trust me who am now afraid To trust my self Why do you leave me naked To an assault who had made proof my Vertue With this sure Guard never to see him more For oh with trembling Agonies I speak it I cannot see a Prince whom once I lov'd Bath'd in his Grief and gasping at my Feet In all the violent Trances of Despair Without a sorrow that perhaps may end me Theo. O ye severer Pow'rs too cruel Fate Did ever Love tread such a maze before Yet Athenais still I trust thy Vertue But if thy bleeding Heart cannot refrain Give give thy self away yet still remember That moment Theodosius is no more ╌ Ex. Theo. with Attic. Pulc Leon. Athen. Now glory now if ever thou didst work In Woman's Mind assist me╌Oh my Heart Why dost thou throb as if thou wer 't a breaking Down down I say think on thy Injuries Thy wrongs thy wrongs 'T is well my Eyes are dry And all within my Bosom now is still Enter Varanes leaning on Aranthes Ha! is this he or is 't Varanes Ghost He looks as if he had bespoke his Grave Trembling and pale I must not dare to view him For oh I feel his melancholy here And fear I shall too soon partake his sickness Vara. Thus to the angry Gods offending Mortals Made sensible by some severe Affliction How all their Crimes are registred in Heav'n In that nice Court how no rash word escapes But ev'n extravagant Thoughts are all set down Thus the poor penitents with Fear approach The Reverend Shrines and thus for Mercy bow Kneels Thus melting too they wash the hallowed Earth And groan to be forgiven╌ O Empress O Eudosia such you are now These are your Titles and I must not dare Ever to call you Athenais more Athen. Rise rise my Lord let me intreat you rise I will not hear you in that humble Posture Rise or I must withdraw╌The World will blush For you and me should it behold a Prince Sprung from Immortal Cyrus on his Knees Before the Daughter of a poor Philosopher Vara. 'T is just you righteous Gods my Doom is just Nor will I strive to deprecate her Anger If possible I 'll aggravate my Crimes That she may rage till she has broke my heart For all I now desire and let the Gods Those cruel Gods that joyn to my undoing Be Witnesses to this unnatural Wish Is to fall dead without a Wound before her Athen. O ye known sounds But I must steel my Soul Methinks these Robes my Delia are too heavy Vara. Not worth a word a look nor one regard Is then the Nature of my Fault so hainous That when I come to take my eternal leave You 'll not vouchsafe to view me This is scorn Which the fair Soul of gentle Athenais Wou'd ne'er have harbour'd╌ O for the sake of him whom you ere-long Shall hold as fast as now your Wishes form him Give me a patient hearing for however I talk of Death and seem to loath my Life I would deliberate with my Fate a while With snatching Glances eye thee to the last Pause o'er a loss like that of Athenais And parley with my ruine Athen. Speak my Lord To hear you is the Emperor's Command And for that Cause I readily obey Vara. The Emperour the Emperour's Command And for that Cause she readily obeys I thank you Madam that on any terms You condescend to hear me╌ Know then Eudosia Ah rather let me call thee By the lov'd Name of Athenais still That Name that I so often have invok'd And which was once auspicious to my Vows So oft at Midnight sigh'd amongst the Groves The Rivers murmur and the Echo's burden Which every Bird could sing and Wind did bear By that dear Name I make this Protestation By all that 's good on Earth or blest in Heav'n I swear I love thee more far more than ever With conscious Blushes too Here help me Gods Help me to tell her tho' to my Confusion And everlasting Shame yet I must tell her I lay the Persian Crown before her Feet Athen. My Lord I thank you and to express those thanks As nobly as you offer 'em I return The gift you make nor will I now upbraid you With the Example of the Emp'rour Not but I know 't is that that draws you on Thus to descend beneath your Majesty And swell the Daughter of a poor Philosopher With hopes of being great Vara. Ah Madam ah you wrong me by the Gods I had repented e'er I knew the Emp'rour╌ Athen. You find perhaps too late that Athenais However slighted for her Birth and Fortune Has something in her Person and her Vertue Worth the Regard of Emperours themselves And to return the Complement you gave My Father Leontine that poor Philosopher Whose utmost Glory is to have been your Tutor I here protest by Vertue and by Glory I swear by Heav'n and all the Pow'rs Divine The abandon'd Daughter of that poor old Man Shall ne'er be seated on the Throne of Cyrus Vara. O Death to all my Hopes what hast thou sworn To turn me wild Ah cursed Throne of Cyrus Would thou hadst been o'erturn'd and laid in Dust His Crown too Thunder-struck My Father all The Persian Race like poor Darius ruin'd Blotted and swept for ever from the World When first Ambition blasted thy Remembrance╌ Athen. O Heav'n I had forgot the base Affront Offer'd by this proud Man a Wrong so great It is remov'd beyond all hope of Mercy He had design'd to bribe my Father's Vertue And by unlawful means╌ Fly from my sight left I become a Fury╌ And break those Rules of Temperance I propos'd Fly fly Varanes fly this sacred place Where Vertue and Religion are profess'd This City will not harbour Insidels Traytors to Chastity licentious Princes Be gone I say thou canst not here be safe Fly to Imperial Libertines abroad In foreign Courts thou 'lt find a thousand Beauties That will comply for Gold for Gold they 'll weep For Gold be fond as Athenais was And charm thee still as if they lov'd indeed Thou 'lt find enough Companions too for Riot Luxuriant all and Royal as thy self Tho' thy loud Vices should resound to Heav'n Art thou not gone yet Vara. No I am charm'd to hear you O from my Soul I do confess my self The very blot of Honour I am more black Than thou in all thy Heat of just Revenge With all thy glorious Eloquence canst make me Athen. Away Varanes Vara. Yes Madam I am going╌ Nay by the Gods I do not ask thee pardon Nor while I live will I implore thy mercy But when I am dead if as thou dost return With happy Theodosius from the Temple If as thou go'st in Triumph through the