yet if proud Harmatius be not check't He 'l make my Brother smart for this neglect But I who serve at large am no body Must not be lazie in this busie age While the Crown does hover ore my head To sleep or to be idle's to be dead The Empress I am told is very sick And if Eirene should supply her place All my designs will turn to my disgrace Harmatius and Pelagius must both die And then slie Anastatius with the rest Must must be done ere I the Throne ascend I have so many Irons hot at once I know not which to strike nor which may cool But must as they within my reach do fall Boldly resolve to strike and ruin all Exit Longinus Enter the Emperor with Eirene their Servants stand off Eirene How ill your Actions with your Words agree While with such gentleness you flatter me My Brothers Purple from his shoulders torn His Diadem on black Longinus head Is plac'd my Father from the Army call'd And I no doubt have some sinister Doom That our whole Family may at own push Be tumbled down and the great debt cancell'd Is this the redompence the high reward My Valiant Father so well merited When in the head of all his Legions He the late Tyrant slew by your command And put his Scepter in your hand Zeno. You are too violent in these exclaimes And do presume too farr to blow the flames Of my pure love into so great despair As may beget the mischief which you fear All that is past I can as yet recal And make the Ruine on the Advisers fall If your hard heart will now at last consent To be my Partner in the Government Eirene The terror of Longinus bloody deeds My fear and apprehension farr exceeds Now you your Brother your Copartner make Mankind must tremble and the Earth will shake Under the mighty weight of crimes so great As the sole Empire only can compleat My faithful Father and my Brother gone Who then has Caesar to support his Throne Zeno. If this advice be from Eirenes heart Caesar would have no need of more support I know Longinus nature and his rage I know he is the terror of this age I know my life and Empire is his aime And I know how to counter-play his game I therefore took him to me on the Throne Safely to bring him to destruction Your Brother was remov'd on this consult Your Father was call'd home as in disgrace But come He shall Longinus place supply Eirenes frown shall be his Destiny If my fair Saint will let me sacrifice An Hecatomb of sighs to her bright eyes And not turn from me with so strange disdain My life and Empire will unmov'd remain Eirene Great Sir what can your humblest vassal say How can I duty and obedience pay Beyond my prayers to Heav'n for your repose And for the Empress quick recovery Who languishes under an unknown grief In pains beyond relation or belief Weeps Zeno. Madam we must all die and so must she To my great grief if Heaven do so decree Till time these arguments for tears remove I shall no more assault you with my Love Exit Zeno. Enter Anastasius Anast. How got you out of Zeno's nets so soon Eirene I talk'd him into frights to free my self And sent him hence more laden with his cares Than Love I saw his flatteries thrown out In hope to bring his wicked ends about But by you warn'd of our approaching harms I was secur'd from his Infernal charms Anast. Courage gives luster to your Innocence And both shew virtue glorious through the world Madam the Empress does congratulate Your safety as her own and does advise You do avoid occasions for surprise She knows against the Tyrants arts no spell But patience can prevail you are yet safe And if the Army fail not we shall try The Fates decree for a quick destiny Eirene I shall attend the Empress and there shew That I can suffer and dare boldly die If you do not subvert this Tyranny Enter Basiliscus Welcome Brother you wear a cheerful face As if not sensible of your disgrace Basilis To frown for an affront beyond the reach Of my revenge would teach the jealous Foe How to direct and fix a second blow No no Eirene though I wear no purple Yet I may tear the Crown from Zeno's temples Our Father 's on his March he 'l come to Court And take no notice yet of my disgrace But wisely calms the tempest in his brest That he may Zeno and Longinus feast Ere long and then in publick will repeat His last Victory with the Foes retreat That done He will demand my place i' th' State And take what they will offer him too late Anast. Bravely resolv'd But I must not be seen Longinus spies do carry Argus eyes And may soon frustrate your design if I Appear consulting with your Family But if you want my help I shall be near Till when it is not prudence to appear Madam unless you give me your commands He not Act yet but be a looker on Eirene 'T is most unfit that you anticipate The grand design on my command I know My Father wants not skill to execute What he contrives for our security I only pray that no more blood be spilt By him than what will wash off Zeno's guilt Exeunt severally The Third Act. Trumpets afar off Enter Zeno Longinus Sebastianus and Train Sebast. CAesar the noise drawes nigher Zeno. Like armed Troops Sebast. They sound a charge Zeno. What can this alarum mean Sebast. Th' Imperial Standard marches in the Van. Longi A curse upon this Army to revolt now Enter Urbitius Urbit. Caesar Arme. Longi May fatal Armes orewhelme thee Zeno. And why Arme Urbit. The Earth groans under men Longi We 'l make them groan Urbit. Great Harmatius in the front appears Zeno. I am amaz'd what if his Son should meet him The injur'd degraded Basiliscus How will just grief inflame the old mans soul Sure he will storm the City in his rage Longi To stop him we must use some stratagem Zeno. I Brother What! Enter Anastasius Anast. Caesar the Troops approach Zeno. Owl why doest thou screech so Anast. I hear the Trumpets plain Zeno. Peace thou Infernal Screech Owl Anast. Pardon Caesar I meant not to offend Zeno. How shall we divert these Rebels Urbit. Let that be my care I 'le send this Army from the City walls And will as suddenly disband them too Harmatius shall in peace now come to Court And free from jealousie himself insnare Longi By what device Urbit. 'T is not yet ripe nor have we time to talk Let my head be the forfeit if I fail Zeno. Go on if Fortune crown thee with success Half mine is thine thou wilt deserve no less All go off but Anastasius and Urbitius Urbit. A prosp'rous gale attends on our designs Do you not mark how these thick sculs contrive Our work and hasten on their own destruction
fidelity Basiliscus you shall go along too Thou shalt lead up this Military dance And with thy Dagger there thy head advance If we can but throw this great Tyrant down Thine shall then be his Scepter and his Crown All go off but Anastasius Castor and Souldiers Anast. Ye noble Sons of Mars this Empires life On whose courage our Countries Liberty And happiness securely does rely 'T is your triumphant troops preserves us all No rewards can equal this your virtue No praises reach the honor you have wone All that my place or credit can procure I freely offer you This gold accept it As a small testimony of my Love Castor pray see it be distributed I wish much happiness and mirth to all Exit Castor and Sould. all Long may brave Anastasius Live and Rule Castor 'T were well if we had such an Emperor Such golden showers are rare in this our age Exeunt Enter Zeno and Urbitius in discourse Urbit. Sir you shall find what I relate most true Zeno. My fear is over now I live again I do imbrace and hug this subtle Plot Let the Rebellious Captains play and dance And let Harmatius lead the Masquerade That crafty wise victorious General Shall play his Master-piece and in it fall I on my Couch will their spectator be To Judge their Revels and pertake their sport Until my Q calls me to act my part Then strike this Dagger through Harmatius heart Let all our guards be ready with their Arms Let the Nobility incompass me And let Longinus his assistance give The Empires safety must not now rely On me alone one pillar cannot bear So strong an Enemy invading it Urbit. In the art of Empire Caesar's the great Master To Rule by Virtue Riches and by Armes Shews that your Counsels move by powerful charms Enter Sebastianus Sebast. Sir Harmatius begs leave to kiss your hand Longinus sayes He 's ready to fall on And that your stout old Guards highly inrag'd Denounce quick ruin to your Enemies Zeno. If all be ord'red let Harmatius come Enter Longinus with the Guards Longi Behold the Souldiers are already Arm'd Zeno. Brother I see your friendship and your faith Your Souldiers now so loyal to their Prince Must not appear until the Dance be done I 'le give the sign then suddenly rush in And carry off Harmatius with the rest Take care the Palace Gates be well secur'd Longi All shall be safe and done as you could wish Zeno. 'T is well now we are so ripe for action In his own stratagem we 'l take the Traitor My anger and revenge shall then flâ—e out To shew the world how dangerous it is Thus to awake the Destiny of Monarchs But now no more with smooth and gent'e looks I must imbrace this Monster here he comes Enter Harmatius and Officers Zeno. I bless Heav'n that Harmatius is return'd By whose Illustrious actions Zeno lives Longi aside How rarely he does act the Hypocrite Zeno. Welcome to Court welcome much more to me After so many Victories obtain'd 'T is time brave Man to dedicate your Sword To Peace and in your Prince's bosome rest Harmat. Great Sir our Eagles with your fortune flew And all our Victories we owe to you Those Neighbours who so boldly did intrude By Zeno's Name and Arms are now subdu'd And Sir your Troops do in their quarters stand Ready to march where Caesar shall command Zeno. Now let our Bosoms and our Hearts imbrace And place this Lawrel on Harmatius head Put on him a Garland Which only He of me has merited Urbit. Were ever crafty Foxes better match'd Longi See Brother where the God of War appears Zeno. Harmatius I reserv'd your place next me They all sit Enter Mars drawn in a Chariot by him the Masquers sleeping Zeno. What sad Solemnity does Mars present Mars I come great Caesar to implore your aid You see how sad and dull my Chariot looks An high oppressing grief has conquer'd Mars I spy'd these Champions on the Thracian fields Whom neither voice nor Trumpet sound could wake I then their Fate of Phaebus did inquire Who said they were by a Circean Charme So bound that by no means they could be wak'd Till they by the best Captains Sword were touch'd Then should they soon unfold the Fates Decree By you the great Commander of the world This Charm can only be dissolv'd your Sword Can only bring these Warriers unto life Zeno. Great Souldier draw your Sword this mighty work Speaks to Harmat. Belongs to you by you these Captains must be freed Harmat. Your pardon Caesar for in your presence My Power determines Only Caesars hand Can free these Captives from their sleepy Charm Mars I 'le equally decide this great contest Harmatius Sword will do 't in Caesar's hand Harmat. Caesar commands Harmatius and his Sword Delivers it to Zeno. Zeno with Harmatius Sword touches the sleeping Captains they wake Zeno. Thus I dissolve the dull Charm Souldiers wake Mars Hark how the Trumpets summon you to Arms Good day to the Heroick Sons of Mars Your dead sleep's over thanks to th' Emperor The sole procurer of your happiness First Capt. Great Emperor while Mars's Planet shines His Progeny shall honor and serve you Mars Now present Caesar with a warlike Dance Mars leading they dance two by two and deliver their Swords to Mars who gives them into the Scene At the end of the Dance they draw their Daggers and deliver them to Mars Then Longinus whispers to Zeno. Longi To Arms The business and the time requires't Zeno. Souldiers to Arms your Emperor 's betray'd First sease Harmatius then his fellow Traitors Load them with Irons till they cannot move Harmat. Caesar will hear me speak ere He condemn Zeno. Caesar a dreadful Name will prove to thee Harmat. I vow by Heav'n that I am innocent Zeno. Take hence the Traitor we do know enough Longi Harmatius plotted to take Zeno's life Harmat. I know no guilt Longi Guilty of the highest Treason Zeno. Urbitius discover what you know Urbit. Oh thou great Ruler of the World who seest The hidden secrets of the Subtlest hearts And wilt revenge the perjuries of men Let Thunder strike me dead if I speak false Harmatius much inrag'd for his disgrace And his Son 's being degraded from the Throne Did by this Martial Dance plot Caesar's death And order'd Basiliscus to strike first Longi Now mighty Souldier plead your Innocence Equivocate and swear you are not guilty Treason 's no Crime in your Heroick heart Harmat. Caesar I now discern this Plot is yours You sent your instrument this fawning Dog Urbitius to dissuade me from revenge In the Noble way I did design it Lest I should spill the blood of Innocents Which by my Sword might fall with Murtherers 'T was he not I that did contrive this Plot By your advice who now condemn me for 't Here here I offer up my naked brest Let out my soul. For my inraged heart Contemns the little time
THE Imperial Tragedy Taken out of a LATIN PLAY And very much Altered By a Gentleman for his own Diversion Who on the Importunity of Friends has consented to have it Published but without his Name because many do censure Plays according to their Opinions of the Author LONDON Printed for Will. Wells and Rob. Scott at the Prince's-Armes in Little Britain M.DC.LXIX The Names ZEno Emperor of Greece Longinus the Emperors Brother Old Basiliscus Ghost of the last Emperor Harmatius Zeno's General Young Basiliscus Harmatius Son Collegue with Zeno. The Patriarck Great Lord. Pelagius Great Lord. Sebastianus Great Lord. Urbitius Great Lord. Anastasius Great Lord. Proclus Great Lord. Phylargus Great Lord. Castor Lieutenant General Captains 10. Souldiers 30. Euphemian an Astrologer Gazeus an Orator Noble Mens Sons 6. Erastus Pelagius Son Mars the God of VVarr Musicians Dancers Spirits The Empress Eirene Daughter to Harmatius Ladies PROLOGUE MEthinks I hear some travel'd Gallant say When he was last at Rome he saw this Play That Zeno there was Acted we confess And hope that here he 'l have as good success But we are pester'd with so many Wits And some like Madmen have such judging fits That this great Tragedy they may condemn Though in a humor they have pardon'd them Who rob the French and Spanish of their Bayes And make a fashion of Translating Playes To own his pattern th' Author 's not asham'd That Model which in Italy was fram'd He has new Moulded for our English Stage Hoping 't will fit the temper of this Age And the learn'd Latin Author not offend For alt'ring what he dares not think to mend Though boldly it be here transformed so That Author cannot his own Issue know Like crafty Beggers when they Children steal Disguise them lest they should their Thefts reveal THE Emperial Tragedy The Scene at Constantinople The First Act. Scene I. Astrea appears in the Clouds with Musick That done the late slain Emperor old Basiliscus his Ghost rises from the Stage with an Imperial Crown on his head Two Tables are set on each the Imperial Ornaments Ghost TO Heav'n to Heav'n Astrea vainly here Thy Musick sounds this is no time nor place For harmony Hence fatal Monuments He overturns both the Tables Of unauspicious Empire Hence ye sad Remembrances of my unprosperous state I broke not through the dark dismal Chaos Of buried Night to view these gaieties This visit I unto my Empire make Where all those various sins and mischiefs raign That fancy ere could frame nay greater too Than bloody Nero durst attempt to do Longinus imitates him and we know Great Tragedies must first be Acted here To raise Longinus to the Diadem I now bring ruine on my Rebels heads In favor of all Monarchs that survive That no such Traitors may ere hope to thrive Let dismal blackness now the Scene obscure And empty Coffins round in order stand The Scene is fill'd with empty Coffins So so this sight doth please me and refresh Mine eyes this is the vsual colour these Th' ornaments which deck this Court when Caesars Take their Crowns Now Zeno favorite of Hell Come fill these vacant lodgings of the Dead Let Racks and Halters Poysons Daggers be Imploy'd to perpetrate thy Tyranny I swear by Acheron that ere the Sun Shall once about the Worlds great circle run The bodies by thy fury slaughter'd shall With equal numbers fill these empty Tombs Now cruel Zeno come and in disguise Thy Fate implore I to the shades return He descends Enter Zeno in disguise Zeno. A Monarch that unjustly gains his Crown May be allow'd to fear his tumbling down 'T is easier to climb a Precipice Than to stand firm when at the top arriv'd Nor can we from a private state discern The dazeling prospects which a Throne presents Till from that height we do the World survay And find more Thorns than Roses in our way Heav'n has decreed that ill got Crowns and fears Should still be link'd together fears from which No walls of brass nor Legions can defend This makes me now so watchful grown from hence My fears do prompt me under this disguise T' inquire my Dome and in this house here lives A learned Priest fam'd for Astrology I will consult his Art For he whom Heav'n Will not favor must try what Hell can do He cals Euphemian at whose Magick voice the Ghosts With all the people of the silent world Do tremble if either gold or favor Can thee move raise up a Genius from Hells Lowest depths a Page of Hecates Who may conduct me through the uncertain tracks And various tumults of my life to come Euphemian Thou demand'st a boon of high concern such The Spirits pass ore the Stage As th' Eastern Monarchs only have obtained Yet say with what indowments wouldst thou have Him stor'd Does Venus sports delight thee here 's The god of Lust This Rapes and Insests and All Gomorrahs horrid sins shall teach thee Wouldst thou with Pride above the starrs be rais'd And trample on the heads of men and Gods This shall with high swoln thoughts thee elevate Wouldst thou into the flaâ—â—s of fury turn And worse than Lions Bears and Tigers rage And make thy Houshold Gods in blood to swim This shall insence thee Here 's Merchandize Of all sorts vendible please thy fancy now Zeno. A greater Monster than all these I crave Thou hast but trivial things yet nam'd all this A youth I did Euphem How what Prodigy art Thou of Nature what Stygian Sister gave Thee birth all this a Youth stay I le appease Thy thirst Th' Infernal Iupiter knows not More Villanies than this can prompt thee to Within the closset of his pregnant brest A thousand dif'rent Arts for horrid deeds And bloody mischiefs dwell 't was he alone That tutor'd Nero and fitted him to be The ruin of his Age 't was He Zeno. Enough Offers to imbrace the Spirit I will adore him as my God! and guide Now since the secret Fates of Mortals are Lays down a piece of gold To thy deep Art reveal'd tell me what doth This Horoscope portend whose native soil Gives him a paper And hour of birth with other perquisites Of Art are here exprest Euphemian shews some wonder at reading the paper What is 't that stops thy speech Euphem Fear to relate what I discern Zeno. Speak or by Heav'n I will thy brains dissect And in them read what thou intend'st to hide Euphem Then look and read thy fortune there He points to a red glass in which is writ in white Letters Zeno. What 's this Zeno reads Burried before his death with in a Tombe He shall vomit out his damn'd soul Oh Heavens Did ere your vengeance such a death contrive What shall I the worlds Chief be thrown alive Into a grave alive and seeing too Oh barbarous Fates I swear by all the Powers below that ere into Hell's Center I descend I will distroy the worlds whole Fabrick and bring the ancient Chaos
raise The swelling waves so high as if he hop'd That liquid Element might quite put out That fires of Heav'n And now this tottering ship Cleft with the fury of these boisterous waves Looks like a prey to the devouring Sea Great storms oppress us force orecomes our Art I sit at Helme and struggle what I can With this fierce Tempest but want strength t' oppose You Caesar while Heav'n blesses you with life Either alone settle the doubtful State Of your distressed Empire and give ease To our long languishing distracted minds Or if you needs must have a helper choose Then a Man whose unreproached courage And known virtue may by his truth and care The ruines of your tottering Crown repair Long. unseen Subtle old Priest I shall provide for you Zeno. What strange Enigma's and what new Riddles Do you tell what storms what Tempest d' ye mean Am I then guilty of so great neglect In Government Let the wide World witness If ever Peace did in this Empire shine More prosperously than now while I command Pelagius Great Sir how can you mention peace when Warr Does in the Bowels of your Empire rage Sir these sad times require an able Man Whose virtue may impartially dispence Justice to all the Innocent protect Punish the Vicious and reward the good Himself a pattern to the Court and Peers Would cherish hopes and banish all our fears The Sun and Stars afford their influence To all but when a bloody Comet raigns What mischief doth it threaten to the World Take heed to whom you trust the Scepter Sir 'T is virtue and not blood Makes Princes great Enter Longinus and with his Dagger assaults Pelagius but is stay'd by Hortensius Longi Pestilent tongue Let my just fury loose That I may send his venom'd soul to Hell Hortensi Sir forbear or you are lost for ever Longi Oh base slander am I a bloody Comet Brother I ask your Justice 'gainst this Man What! do you delay to grant it must I Be silent and so great affronts endure Till I can vent my Vengeance bear it here Exit in rage Pelag. Sir if you do suffer this bold assault Made now on me and for counsels given Permit such insolent affronts to pass Unpunish'd your Sovereign power will vanish When the priviledge of this Board does fall You will in vain your Lords to Council call Zeno. And do you learn grave Sir better to rule Your opprobrious tongue thus beyond excuse Persons so much above you to traduce Pelag. When such emense deceit gains love and trust 'Bove faith and truth 't is folly to be just Zeno. No Solon nor Arissippus shall here Guide me under the notion of a friend Speak now do you or do you not allow My Brothers due Election to the Crown Pelag. When your Brothers temper shall deserve it He shall have my Vote to sit by Caesar. Fury destroyes and not preserves the Crown Zeno. Is then my power so low and my command So slight that such a Mushrum dares withstand My will He shall now Reign by Hell I swear Though He were worse than all the Devils there If the Senate frown I shall make them know That I who Rule the World will have it so Let them their Laws to private persons teach And bow to us who are above their reach Exit angry All follow him but Patri and Pelag. stay Pelag. So Lions in the Lybian Deserts rage When robb'd of their young Whelps by men Good God! What wild commotions do our passions raise What strange contagion through th' infected world Will this unruly rage now throw abroad What birth of Monsters will each day produce What tumults in affairs appear throughout The Empire while our streets oreflow with blood 'T is not our Laws but fury governs here Nor is the Senate by their conscience sway'd Or if they were they would not be obey'd Ambition Rules and Force doth execute Virtue and Modesty are banish'd hence What a prodigious prospect doth appear To create mischiefs for our future fear Patri I grant that a quick ruine threatens all Gods angry fire imprison'd in the clouds Seems ready to break forth to burn the world And shew what Vengeance is from Heav'n due When stubborn Men their wickedness persue Enter a Messenger Messeng. Fire fire fire help Pelagius help make hast A strong arm'd Troop sent by Longinus Hath fir'd your Country-house and Corn i' th' fields The growing flames approach your neighbour woods And now do threaten their destruction too Pelag. Great Ruler of the World if thou beest pleas'd Let the devouring flames do what they can I value not their rage their power extends But to the spoil of a few fading goods No fire nor storms nor Tyrants threats can reach The treasure I have lock'd up here My brest Contains a wealth garded by such defence That Men nor Devils cannot ravish thence Patri Bravely resolv'd a mind on Virtue fixt No storms can discompose no tempest shake Nor times deface a heart so strong as thine Rul'd by a soul so great and so Divine Exeunt The Scene changes Enter the Princess Eirene with a Letter in her hand In her Chamber Eirene This Note from Anastatius counsels well But how to act it does my skill excel She reads I must not Zeno's love ingage to hope Nor yes give arguments for his dispair A hard task for my youth and innocence To juggle with an old Politician Who on the least suspition of our Love Will Anastatius sudden death contrive And then what will become of me alone My Father absent and my Brother young None to protect me 'gainst a Tyrants will Enter a Servant Serv. Madam the Emperor desires access Eirene I must meet him boldly though much afraid My trembling joynts may shew I am dismayd Enter Zeno. Zeno. Madam this second visit I now make After the repulse you lately gave shews How much my love beyond my reason Rules By which you see your power does mine subdue Who come to offer Homage unto you Eirene Mighty Sir I your humblest Vassal bows Thus low to beg your pardon for my fault If I through ignorance have done amiss Zeno. Rise Eirene 't is I should kneel 't is I Should beg forgiveness for a crime so great I shame to think how farr I did provoke The beauty I admire for had you smil'd On my design or given me hope to gain What I then sought and now as much disdain I had not valued what I then did prize Beyond the moment of that enterprize But now I come as humbly to adore A virtue that I never understood before Eirene Great Sir while you speak thus my soul attends On every syllable let fall my tears I le check my joyes shall dissipate my fears I will for my mistake high Heav'n assault With frequent Prayers to expiate my fault Zeno. Fairest of all your Sex I who command The Eastern world do at your mercy stand Say can you love so that
I have to live I scorn to beg a life that 's thus betray'd Yet blush to be so Childishly destroy'd After such dangers and such Battles won To place so great a Devil on the Throne My Son 't is nobler much to die with me Than to live longer here with Infamy Basilis Living I made your Actions my Examples And boldly now in Death I 'le follow you Harmat. Thou art my Son I see that canst prefer Thy honour 'bove thy life to die with me Who boldly slew one Tyrant in the field And to this Tyrant do disdain to yield Zeno. Lead them all off to Execution Exeunt Prisoners Longi Captain make hast let one Ax serve them all Zeno. That pestilent tongue does much disturb me Longi A few minutes will ease you of that pain Zeno. 'T is well and so am I for now I live Sebastian publish you Harmatius Plot Let some cajole the credulous people Who ever joyn with those that first complain Urbitius take the gold that lies within With that and all your art appease the Souldiers Who for their General 's Death will be inrag'd Bid them be Loyal to the Crown and Me. I will reward their best fidelity Urbit. I shall loose no time to serve my Royal Master Exit Urbit. Zeno. Brother you shall with me ascend the Throne That when I die you then may Rule alone But we must first remove Pelagius Longi That I 'le soon do I have a trick for him He has forsaken Christ and worships Iove There shall be Witnesses to prove it true Though he be no more guilty of 't than you Zeno. But will it look like truth as you propose't Longi Leave that to me it is my great concern Zeno. If your design succeeds the Villain dies Be sure you trust safe Agents and dispatch Longi Oh! the Destruction of my Enemy Shall neither want dispatch nor vigilance Exeunt The Fourth Act. Enter Empress Patriarck Anastasius Urbitius and Doctor Empress I Have already done what does become A wife by such addresses as did shew His safety was indanger'd by his crimes And my concern for him exprest so high That he was startled at the tears I shed And seem'd as if he were admonished Patriarck Madam the zeal and duty you have pay'd Does more inrage than mitigate a man That Warrs with Heav'n 'T is treasure that we want And only you can that supply to win The discontented Army to protect Your life the Empire and our Nation save Ere Zeno all into confusion turn Empress Does our Religion wives impower to force Their Husbands will Though Zeno's sins cry loud Can I his Scepter sway Shall I controul What Heav'n alone to Monarchs doth allow Such a presumption may create in me A greater crime than Zeno can commit Religion bids me to my Fate submit Urbit. Religion binds your Majesty and us To save our selves and our posterity From ravening Woolves that do the world annoy And such as will in time mankind destroy Anast. We do not invite your Majesty To act with us but to impart a Loan Of so much money for the publick good As may stop the effusion of more blood If our designs go higher than to set You free from Death and all from slavery Then let the Evil which your Virtue dreads With all its weight be lay'd upon our heads Patriarck I am no man of blood 't is Piety To wish that our great Monarch may As Heav'n directs his Royal Scepter sway Empress My Lords what you allege concerning me Urges my safety by Impiety If Heav'n have by a Tyrants will decreed That I must die I am content to bleed Patriarck 'T is a kind of self-slaughter to comply With Murderers not Heaven's will so to die Now you are warn'd and may your death prevent Your yielding weds his crime by your consent Empress I value not my Treasure nor my Fate Above your lives and safety of the State But doubt the event of what you safety call And fear lest Zeno by my money fall Do but secure that doubt and all I have Shall be at your command For I dare trust Your Honours that your Actions will be just While I who cannot judge so great affairs Will guard my Innocence with timely prayers Doctor Madam you will do well to fain some pain Lest Zeno find his poyson does not work And so grow jealous of my subtlety Who do perswade him 't works invisibly Empress 'T is hard to counterfeit to save my life It looks so like a crime to own a lie My blushes will discover 't though I die Exeunt Urbitius and Anastasius stay Urbit. 'T is strange how Fortune favors our design I carry Zeno's money to the Camp And in your Name bestow his Donative Now say what Oratory I must use Anast. Go and be prosp'rous say Harmatius fell By the Emperial Brothers treachery Who envying his great Actions instead Of recompense for all his services Destroy'd him and his Son and do intend Speedily to reduce their Legions too For the same cause they slew their General Incense them all you can inrage their Spirits And by these Arts invite them to revenge Then profer all my fortune with my life To justifie their General and them Urbit. I soon shall have dispatch'd all these commands Make hast to be elected by the Army Anast. Go when Pelagius comes I le follow you And bring with me another shower of gold To quicken their resolves and fix them more Exit Urbit. Did ever gale blow prosperous like this In midst of such great storms to convey me Thus to my wish'd Port Is this Fortunes work Or my own act begotten in my soul Th' effect of that bright spark of living Air That sets bold men to struggle with theie Fate And so do our own Destinies create Thus I 'le go on and raise my vulgar earth Unto the skies there like the Sun I 'le shine And Rule the World below I have been here Tramp'led upon by Men as meanly born Tyrants who let none live but those they scorn Exit Enter Castor and Souldiers at one door Urbitius at the other Castor Urbitius Urbit. Oh the plague of Tyranny Castor Why against Tyranny do you exclaim Urbit. Can Princes thirst for their best servants blood Castor By Heav'n you rack me What sad news d' ye bring Urbit. It is too big to utter all at once Castor Pray let us know it If we must grief sustain This expectation is the greater pain Urbit. Harmatius Castor How I shake What of Harmatius Urbit. Iâ— by the cruel Brothers put to death Castor Harmatius the terrour of the East Our General slain for Conquering Caesar's Foes Sure such ingratitude was never known To one that plac'd a Caesar on his Throne Urbit. 'T is so he knew no crime but serving him Castor How came Harmatius into Zeno's power Urbit. The usual way with Tyrants trechery Zeno most kindly welcom'd him to Court To entertain him there prepar'd a Masque
you will submit To wear a Crown and on my Throne to sit Eirene You make me start at this relaps and doubt 〈◊〉 â—ome new stratagem you do design My simple innocence to undermine Zeno. By your 〈◊〉 self I swear I have no thoughts For you but what to Heav'n I may avow Suppoâ—â— my Lov'd Empress now sick should die Shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then give me like destiny Eirene Oh 〈◊〉 forbear to speak leave off to think That I 〈◊〉 aspire to that high State When she is subject to so sad a Fate She weeps Zeno. Why these tears Eirene what have I said Eirene Enough t' amaze the world the young Empress Very well last night is now sick to Death And I her Crown may wear Her Throne ascend Thus you would dazle my simplicity With thoughts she dies in complement to me Which is a sin so farr beyond my reach So dismal to my thoughts that I shall try Not to outlive the Empress if she die Exit Zeno. I shall venture that and if I cannot gain Her heart I have a way that will obtain My end and then let little people prate While Monarchs do transcending joyes create Exit Enter Urbitius Urbit. I cannot sleep nor be at peace within Duty and Allegiance bids me revenge Basiliscus blood our late Monarch slain By old Harmatius to make Zeno Reign That his young Son might sit Collegue Inthron'd T' out face that murder by his Father own'd A Treason makes me tremble to relate A treachery their bloods must expiate When Subjects Traitors to their Prince do prove Those Rebels other Subjects may remove As not oblig'd to them because they are Inthron'd rather despise who boldly dare Scepters usurpe and then as Tyrants sway Because they find we basely do obey If Anastatius will be rul'd by me He shall possess th' Imperial Dignity His courage and his conduct cannot fail When wit and virtue leads we must prevail Yet Art and Subtlety should first make way Lest others Debts our selves be forc'd to pay So that if I in shew a Villain seem The good I do my credit will redeem And if by craft I fail in my design My good old Sword this work must then be thine Exit The Second Act. The Scene a black Room and in it Longinus in black and a Musician tuning his Lute at a distance Longi WAs ever Prince subjected by his Slaves Like Zeno by the Patriarck and his crew Who think they must be wise because they 'r old And valiant because their tongues are bold But if my project take I shall ere long Teach their grave-heads a little more discretion In jealous times 't is no ill policy To mingle terrors with the peoples wishes That those who hope may ballance them that fear This Room this habit with my sullen brow Sufficiently do shew my discontent And may beget such rumors in the Town They will invite me to accept the Crown What strange noise doest thou make and why so long Music. I tune my strings Sir that they may agree Longi Pox of agreement discords please me best Thy jarring strings my fancy will erect And sute with the confusions I design Music. Would you to sadness or to mirth be mov'd Longi Guess He plays a merry tune Hold if thou would'st not have thy brains beat out Music. Pray Sir tell me what you would have me play Longi Doest thou not see my habit and my looks Can thy shril strings turn scorching fire to Ice Which in my brest like flaming Aetna burns Or can they into trees and stones put life As Orpheus did Music. Give me his Harpe I le do 't Longi 'T is well reply'd now make thy Lute send forth Sounds dismal as the work I have in hand As black and bloody as my troubled mind That with each touch my heart may simphatize He playes a sad tune Longinus sits and keeps time with his head and feet and then sleeps while he sings The SONG The Sun and Starrs with wholesome Rays All poison from the Earth expel But when Malignant Comets Raign Warr Plague and Famine break from Hell Enter Fortune blinded carrying in her hand a wheele of skie colour spotted with gold to which is fastened on one side a gold Crown and opposite to it an Ax to the handle of the wheele is fastened a gold rod which Fortune pulling by intervals as she Dances makes the wheele turn To her enters a man drest like Longinus who dances with Fortune she letting down her wheele seems to offer him the Crown which he catches at but by a quick turn of the wheele is presented with the Ax Then enters another man drest like Anastatius who dances with them and as often as he meets the first Man bows low to him but at last comes behind and trips up his heels Then Fortune presents the Crown to the last Man and so all dance off severally As Longinus sleeps his Tablets fall from his hand Enter Anastatius a Prayer-book in his hand Anast. The Fox walks safely when the Lion sleeps This may some secrets to my view impart Horror my hand is frozen with the touch Takes up the Tablets and looks in them Whoever reads what is now written here Will start and tremble though he know no fear He reads Euphemians prediction that Zeno shall be buried alive A cruel death but worse his crimes deserve Reads A character of the Royal Parricide He is a great Courtier his face deceives his friends In 's Words he 's just but vile in his Actions If Heav'n for this great work should point at me He flie to execute their just Decree Reads Those who are suspected presently must die Euphemian the Astrologer went first the Orator Gazeus is to follow Harmaâ—ius next then Pelagius with Anastatius and the rest O cruel Monster what a Sea of blood Dost thou design to swim through for a Crown Reads Sebastian and Phylargus to be taken into our Councils A pair of Villains only fit for Hell Reads Anastatius a plain man neither fear him nor trust him leave him for the last This I le remember there 's your Notes again Lays down the Tablets Thus forewarn'd and by others harms thus taught Not to be active now would be a fault Princes 't is you that rouse my drousie thoughts To play a part in this your bloody game That I with safety may your ruins see Who only through contempt do yet spare me Enter Urbitius Urbit. Why do you trust your self within these walls Anast. If I appear not they will grow jealous Urbit. Does he sleep or counterfeit come farther Anast. He sleeps and we are out of hearing now Urbit. You must be vigilant and active too You want some Arts which I could wish you learn Anast. Say of what nature and by whom be taught Urbit. By me and thus I will presume to teach You must fain Piety to do this work By which with little hazard you may gain Opinion first and then the
Anast. Yes this great work has its success from Heav'n Zeno dreads Harmatius that Son of Mars His Brother an immortal grudge doth bear To grave Pelagius their Fates decreed The Brothers are resolv'd those two shall bleed Will not the Senate and the people love Those who destroy these wicked Emperors And by so bold an Act this Empire free From farther bloodshed and from slavery Urbit. The Destinies design you to do it Anast. I a poor Screech Owl or a Buzard am In the two brave Brothers estimation Yet with the Vulture I may change my vote And learn some tragick tunes in hope to fright Those two inhumane Butchers with my sight Urbit. But tell us how Harmatius must be caught Anast. Briefly thus I 'le find out Basiliscus And in the sordid pickle he is in Send him to his great Father in the Camp Where you and I will be to aggravate The young Mans sufferings which must needs inrage Harmatius to resolve a quick revenge Or by some private stratagem return The Cruel Princes treachery with scorn Look the Colours begin to move this way Hast to congratulate his safe approach And till his Son comes keep him in discourse Exeunt severally Enter Harmatius and Officers Harmat. Souldiers we must not sack this Royal Town It is enough that we have reach'd the walls To carry in these Armes our Laws forbid Let us thank Heav'n for this our safe return After so many Victories obtain'd And not imbroil our Country in a Warr For private wrongs done to my Family Your love to me and courages I know Your very looks have gain'd what I desire My Enemies already are subdu'd None dares oppose the Gates do open stand The City I command and yet not I Victory follows where your Eagles flie Enter Urbitius Urbit. Welcome great General best of Souldiers Our Eastern Empires safety and support May Heav'n propitous be to your intents This Armies glorious Actions and your own By all the East are fear'd as well as known Harmat. My Lord no Courtship Is all quiet here Urbit. No. Our old evils are reviv'd again Th' Imperial Brothers rather Rage than Reign Your Daughters honor 's violently prest Your Son with scorn and insolence thrown out Our great and best men murder'd ev'ry day And to increase this Fatal Tragedy The worthy Empress must by poyson die 'T is in your will and in your power alone To save this Empire from destruction Harmat. I have heard something of these ills you name Enter to them Anastasius and Basiliscus in ill Clothes Harmat. Can this possibly be He Oh my Son Basilis Oh Father They imbrace Harmat. I am amaz'd what alteration 's this How came you in this sad condition Son Anast. Oh the wheel of Fortune Harmat. What dares Fortune against me Anast. What ever horrid Envy dares attempt Harmat. Whence all this sadness whence these meager looks And ragged mournings dark as night it self Anast. 'T is Zeno's work the Brute was then inrag'd Or he would not have sentenc'd him unheard Basilis In a full Council without cause produc'd He did condemn and pronounc'd me guilty Took off my Robes and so degraded me Urbit. Oh Monstrous so inrag'd against a youth Basilis Then banish'd me from Court and bid me wear Poor Clothes much fitter for my quality The grief of this brought me to what you see My wrongs cry loud to you Sir for revenge In which my heart and hand shall active be Harmat. Unhappy Son has Zeno broak his faith And dar'd to throw such high contempts on me Soldiers to Armes to Armes bring fagots in We now will fire the Palace o're his head And make that faithless Monarch perish in 't Ungrateful Zeno to reward me thus What could this tender youth attempt 'gainst thee Anast. It was indeed a barbarous decree So to bereave us of a hopeful Prince Harmat. Though the Tyrant rage thou my Son shalt Reign To Arms while my inraged angers up We 'l bring confusion on false Zeno's head I 'le make the Tyrant know 't was I alone That with this Sword did set him on his Throne And with this Arme come now to pull him down Castor give orders out for an Assault We 'l purge the Castle and the Town with fire Till with the Tyrants blood we quench the flames Leave no remembrance of them but their Names But whither do I headlong cast my self My passion swells beyond all moderate bounds Down down my heart and calmly smother this Affront till I get Zeno in my power That men may see I can subdue my self With the same courage which has conquer'd others Thus stay my fury to preserve my friends Until some way for my revenge be found To separate the rotten from the sound Urbit. We do all know your power upon your self Who can best judge when passion reason rules The tumults in the soul cannot discern High acts of Justice from such mean revenge As great Harmatius ever scorn'd to own If by the force of Armes you do prevail How can your Friends from Enemies be known Shall the just and unjust have the same Fate Shall our Records to after ages tell That your Country by your last Conquest fell And in this noble Cities ruin hide All your past glories and this Nations pride Harmat. You do confirm me and I will consult On my second thoughts which you now advise Urbit. Why should we run the hazard of a fight When our work may be better done by smiles Caesar wants no friends nor guards about him The Palace strong the City too in Arms If you assault they 'l fight you Harmat. For a Tyrant Urbit. Their present fear will soon forget that Name And their concern forgive past injuries When they see our devouring Swords prevail Who knows what then to hope or what to wish Thus we by force compel them to oppose Who else would joyn to throw the Tyrant out Anast. 'T is most just you should have satisfaction Urbit. That we agree But let us make sure work Your Countries rescue and your Sons great wrongs And blood of Innocents for vengeance cry But the way to 't is worthy our consult Harmat. Give me your opinion how I shall proceed Urbit. Dissemble your resentments go to Court As you were wont unarm'd only with ten Of your best Captains You have friends in Court To justifie what ever you attempt Men you can trust of power and credit there Then let your Captains at the Court present A Military Dance who when you stamp May kill the Tyrant then of course you Rule Your Army ready and your Party arm'd Who dares dispute your title to the Crown Something like this may be contriv'd and done Harmat. I shall in part now follow your advice I have it fuller than you yet design Castor let all the Army be refresh'd In the next Villages and there attend The Trumpets sound I will remove to Court Send ten of my best Captains after me Men of try'd courage and
Then Armed men when Zeno gave the word Rush'd in and put Harmatius to the Sword Castor Souldiers to Arms to Arms with Sword and Fire We will revenge our General and hurl Confusion on the Tyrant Traitor's head Beat up the Drums we 'l march immediately Urbit. Castor restrain revenge till we consult For you must know the Palace is secur'd The Guards are doubl'd and the Town in Arms All the Nobility adhere to Caesar. You know the great uncertainty of Warr And if we should prevail in storming Towns Who can distinguish Friends from Enemies Castor Shall Zeno then escape our just revenge Urbit. No but th 〈…〉 a readier way to do it We all know Anastasius for a Man of Honor Virtue and undaunted Courage A Souldier of great Conduct and much wealth If you will swear fidelity to him He 'l shew us the opportunest time to move For by those Murderers he 's fear'd and hated He gladly will imbrace Harmatius cause With your defense and pull those Tyrants down I to the Army bring this gold from him And if Heav'n prosper his and your resolves Thus bravely to revenge Harmatius death He will reward your merit to your wish Castor We chuse brave Anastasius Emperor Souldiers We chuse brave Anastasius Emperor Castor With Anastasius will you live and die Souldiers To Anastasius we will swear Allegiance Urbit. Farewel brave Sons of Mars I 'le now acquaint Great Anastasius our new Emperor With your Election and fidelity Exit Urbitius Castor Souldiers now trail your Colours and your pikes Let our Drums beat as at a Funeral And let the Trumpets like to Screech Owls shreek Harmatius fall'n the Wars have lost their pride And some must bleed ere we be satisfi'd Exeunt Enter Pelagius Pelag. Why does my mind misgive me to do well What fear is this recals and pulls me back My soul assures me my intent is good As great Why tremble then why thus dismaid My business is my Countries cause and I By Heav'n am chosen to this publick work And I will do it boldly though I die Zeno by me shall know his cruelty The Kings Chappel opens The Chappel opens 'T is a happy Omen No time is lost when we implore Heaven's Aid Here I shall take new courage raise my heart And cheerfully resign my self to Death To have Longinus glutted with my blood I shall not grudge it for my Countries good He takes a little Crucifix from the Altar in his hand and kneeling falls into a Trance Two Angels descend with a Choire of Angels behind them singing thus First Angel Great Champion of the Church your prayers are heard And for your head a glorious Crown 's prepar'd Go on fear not the rage of Tyrants words Nor tremble at the sight of naked Swords Second Angel Let not your virtue doubt Heav'n will assist Those minutes that you loose will not be mist. When you shall see the glory where you go You will rejoyce that you were Murder'd so Chorus For now you will as guilty be drawn hence And soon be slain in spight of Innocence Then a Choire of Angels shall to Heav'n bring Your soul and as you do ascend Shall sing Shall sing shall sing shall sing c. The Angels ascended Pelagius continues in his Trance Enter to him Longinus and Anastasius Anast. Oh admirable Piety Look Sir How prostrate at the Altar he implores Heav'n for a blessing on us all Rest has so seas'd upon his troubl'd soul He looks as pale as death and scarce does breath Longi You blockhead go and leave me to my thoughts Exit Anast. The Beast is freely come into my Toyles Thou wretched lump of Earth thou now shalt die Pray weep sigh and tire Heav'n with calling on 't Use all thy Eloquence here 's none to help None from my hand can now deliver thee Draws his Dagger Thou Instrument of my revenge so oft Drench'd in blood of Innocents thy point Must search this Villains heart and so ease mine He proffers to stab him but holds What trembling seases my undaunted soul He offers again but stops My troubl'd heart does shake I know not why And doubts to do this little petty sin Like Children who at first blush to do ill But I that since I suck'd my Mothers milk Have fed on Humane blood to startle now And have a Palsie in my hand is base My Enemy shall not escape me so He must not live that would not have me Reign Goes hastily to stab him and stumbles and rises quickly You Damn'd Infernal powers strengthen my Arm Or you will loose a Proselyte of me Assist my force or else my treachery The time the place his Trance does prompt me to 't To testifie my guilt here 's none looks on Nor any to excuse his Innocence Come Iupiter and Act in my design He takes the Image of Jove from his bosome puts a Letter in the Image Thou shalt contest with all the Powers Divine To make Pelagius guilty of the Treason Which dead Harmatius letter here inclos'd Will charge upon him I 'le now call Zeno. He takes away the Crucifix and puts the Image in Pelagius hand Enter Zeno Sebastianus and Anastasius with a Guard they meet Longinus going out Longi Caesar come this way Look my Lords pray look How prostrate he does worship mighty Iove Zeno. Can he adore a rotten Image thus Sebast. Is this the grand design of that grave face Anast. Heav'n Do I dream or see this impious man Pelagius Pelagius wake and rise Pelagius answers in his Trance Pelag. Mercy oh mercy on this shaken Empire Pitty us let not thy just Thunder fall Zeno. What do you so much fear the Thunderer Now we see why our Empire is so plagu'd This close Idolater does worship Iove Pelag. Restrain the fury of these cruel Brothers Longi You hear what prayers he makes and yet he lives Sebast. Why does he thus long breath infectious Air Zeno. The only happy and Religious Man The pattern of all Piety and Prudence The Idol of the Court scourge of the Times Try Souldiers to wake this zealous Saint That we may hear some news from Iupiter The Souldiers wake him Pelag. Who disturbs this my blest ecstasie How 's this What horrid treachery is here What Villain has bereav'd me of my God And put this cursed Idol in my hand Throws it down and kicks it Oh! are You here then my wonder 's over Zeno. Thou Heathen we have now discover'd thee Who under the presense of greatest zeal Adores in private a false Deity Pelag. I hate alike this wickedness and thee Nor at your Plot upon me do I tremble Though I am subject to your Tyranny My soul 's so strongly arm'd with Innocence That I can smile when you do threaten most Zeno. Souldiers take him into your custody This Confidence will not outface your Guilt The greatest Malefactors often do When their known Crime 's discover'd talk like you Pelag. Lay not rude handson me who boldly dare
The Guard hold him Appear wherever you dare carry me All I desire is but a Legal Trial That Heav'n and Earth may judge of my Defence And see your Cheat upon my Innocence Though I despise to live I would not die Under the scandal of such Infamie Zeno. You shall be tri'd by Law as you desire Longin What 's here Longinus finds the Letter in the Image Reads Harmatius to Pelagius Treason plotted against Caesar's Life Know'st thou Harmatius his hand Speak Traytor Pelag. Thou Traytor know'st thou thy own Treachery Longi Sebastian put Guards upon the Villain And let the Souldiers be in Arms all night Lead him off Exeunt Soldiers with Pelagius Zeno. This is well Longi As could be wish'd Zeno. Longinus you shall Reign let Envy burst Longi Unless he suddenly be put to death The People may soon rise and rescue him He 's their Favourite and his Faction strong Hasten his Trial with what speed you can And let his Judges be our choicest Friends Zeno. Your Reason and your Caution I approve Enter to them Urbitius from the Camp Urbitius how go our Affairs abroad Urbit. Your Gold has charm'd the Souldiers hands and hearts They wish you an eternal happiness They have forgot Harmatius and desire To spend the Remnant of their Lives in Peace Some Troops of their best Horse and Foot well arm'd Are at the Port and humbly do beg leave To Exercise before your Majesty At your Brother's Feast and Coronation Zeno. Bring you 'um in to solemnize our Feast And they shall be as welcom as they wish Urbitius I have Favors for thee here So soon as this Days Solemnity is past Thou shalt my Love and Bounty amply taste All go off but Longinus Longi Fortune thou art my Saint Thee I adore Upon thy Change my Happiness depends Awake my Heart and be not sluggish now 'T is Fortune that directs this time to strike Pelagius down that he may rise no more To question my Election to the Crown My Brother 's slow in this Affair of State I would not have his Justice come too late Exit Enter Zeno and his Doctor Zeno. How dar'st thou disappoint my hopes thus long Doctor The ling'ring Poyson was by your command You told me it must have some Days to work That no suspicion might arise on you I could have soon prepar'd a little Dose That instantly would have dispatch'd her Life But then Physicians would have plainly seen Ill Symptomes on the Body of the Queen Zeno. Well you have set me right How does it work Doctor As you and I could wish She languishes Her Vital Parts decay and undiscern'd Her Soul within few days will slide away Zeno. Few days I cannot stay so long This night It must be done I have great reasons for 't Therefore prepare your quickest working Dram. She â—ong enough has linger'd ease her now In pitty from her pain which troubles me Go see her dead or never see me more Doctor That were a Curse Exit Doctor Zeno. I 'm now for my coy Mistris What words what looks will suit with her sad heart And my known guilt I must now visit her Though her great Fathers bloody Ghost stood by To threaten Vengeance for my Cruelty He goes to her Chamber and finds her with a Dagger in her Hand He proffers to kiss her Hand Eirene Touch me not Monster Though I am thy Slave Thou shalt not send me sulli'd to my Grave Here is my Refuge this is my Defense To guard my Honour from thy Insolence Zeno. What Force what Insolence appears in me If Love encourag'd me to kiss your hand Is that a Crime you so much startle at Eirene My Father and my Brother slain by thee What can I hope for at thy bloody hand Zeno. Shall all the Blood by mad Longinus shed Be call'd my Crime be charg'd upon my head Heav'n can attest how much against my will Your noble Father and your Brother fell Eirene How this were not you Author of their Deaths Zeno. Longinus jealous of my love to you Doubted I would your Brother reinthrone And by your Fathers power would cast him down From hence this mischief grew and that black deed Will ne're be cancel'd till Longinus bleed And if Eirene please I 'le yet prevent Longinus from ascending on the Throne And bring him to the Barr where you shall Judge Eirene No Sir let Heav'n his punishment Decree That can best judge his guilt My miseries Are grown so great they 'l not permit my eyes To look upon so soul a Sacrifice Zeno. How then shall my unspotted heart appear How be acquitted if you be not there Eirene When his guilt 's seen your innocence will shine And if you spare not him so near alli'd 'T will undeceive me and my doubts decide But Sir the Empress is so very ill That I was sent for twice ere you came in I begg your leave that I may wait on her Exit Eirene Zeno. How glad am I she 's gone her Innocence Out-witted all my studi'd Eloquence And gave no credit to the lie I made But yet Longinus may when he is Crown'd Own this black fact and cleer me of the guilt And if this satisfie Eirene's rage I may by other arts her heart ingage But stay Longinus has a subtle head To search into the mysteries of State And must not rashly be ingag'd this way I dare not teach him how to disobey My Love and my designs together grow But which to cherish most is hard to know This is a dangerous Amphibious growth In stead of gaining I may loose them both Love is the Childe of fansie and of hope Remove the cause and the effect will cease If she deny but once again She dies Better she mine than I her Sacrifice Exit Zeno. The Fifth Act. Enter Zeno Longinus Sebastian Urbitius Proclus Phylargus who sit as a Court of Iustice five Youths and Souldiers stand off Zeno. MY Lords I have appointed you this day For Judges in a Cause of high concern To assist Heav'n and justice of our Faith Which droops and staggers through vile practices Of wicked men who in contempt of God Do worship Iupiter here in our Court If we let such Impiety escape We must expect Heav'ns Judgments on our heads Bring forth the guilty pris'ner to the Bar. Sebastian you shall be our Substitute Zeno gives his place to Sebastian Pelagius is brought in Sebast. If hearts and faces ever did agree I should quit Pelagius but I must Judge by proofs Come on young Men what is 't you testifie 1st Youth I saw him worship Iove this I depose 2d Youth He did adore Iupiter in my sight 3d. Youth I swear he did 4th Youth And so do I swear too Pelag. Is all your proof a company of Boys Proclus I saw him prostrate before this Image Phylar Which I attest Hortens And I. Longi Eight witnesses Saw his Idolatry and prove the Fact Zeno. The Idol had a Letter in 't