Not love thee O ye Powers what heart is that Annib. Hast thou not seen the Beauteous Prisoners Crisp. Ha! What Fausta meanst thou Annib. Fausta and Serena Crisp. Say which of em ' Which Beauty has Inflam'd thee Annib. Which shou'd but the most soft and Artless melter The Languishing Crisp. The killing Beauteous Come Annib. Ha! Crispus thou art Concern'd Crisp. I am to help thee Her Name Annib. Why take it then the Fair Serena Crisp. O She 's the softest sweetest killing Fair By Heaven I am glad I 'm ravisht that 't is She By this Embrace I promise thee success I know her temper well No more but leave me I was upon the Instant when I met thee Going to their Appartment Nay look up And trust thy Friend Annib. Plead then for my Life I beg thee as a God to plead my Cause Thou canst not know o' th' sudden how 't is with me How Great how Mortal and how deep the wound May all the Saints and Powers that pitty Love Inspire thy Brest as if 't were possible That Annibals Soul cou'd actuate thy body So sigh weep languish and for Mercy sue As were I Crispus I my self wou'd do Ex. Annibal Crisp. The Youth is Haughty Martial Hot and Brave Right for the Field unhappy parts for Love Therefore perhaps the Virgin likes him not But thou hast luckier Stars No sooner seen But lik'd Lov'd Marry'd Ha! but where 's the Transport Without thy Fathers knowledge thou wert Marry'd 'T is the first Fault of my unhappy youth Yet 't is a Fault but 't is the fault of Love Had he not lov'd Crispus had not been here Away you Damps and darkning Images Be gone I say Behold she comes to meet me Enter Fausta Lag as I am in this great Race of Love O Fausta Fausta Faust. O my Constantine Crisp. Ha! Faust. A mistake my fear out-went my Love Crisp. My Constantine Thy fear by Heaven 't was Ominous What cause hast thou to fear Faust. Bondage and Death Are not those Reasons for a Virgins fear Crisp. Yes for another Fausta not for thine For Oh! when he has seen and heard like me The Abstracted Charms of all this Beauteous World Expect not death but offers of a Throne Faust. 'T is possible Yet by thy self I swear By dear lov'd thee my Crispus in a Cottage Shall be prefer'd to all the Thrones on Earth Crisp. And thou forgive me Heaven I had almost said To Heaven it self No Fausta that 's the Jar Religion makes this discord in my Soul I find it now Hence come my Starts and fears Even in the height of my expected joys But Time the Saints and Miracles must win thee Faust. No Time no Miracle no Saint but thou Why thou art all the Wonders of the Earth My Saint my hearts Religion and my Heaven With thee I am imbarkt to live or Perish Not only here but in the World hereafter Crisp. Oh Extacy Oh pattern for thy Sex Yet shalt thou Master me by this Subjection Give me thy hand Thy Lip the sweets are Richer The tast Enobled Oh! my ravisht Love Glows with the pointed Charms The Heavens are open'd And I behold thee Crown'd a Saint already But I will hold thee fast lest that the Angels snatch thee Ere we have mingled Souls Faust. Oh not to Night Crisp. Ha! not to night Not on this Lov'd Confession Not when thou hast set my Spirits all on fire Not now enjoy thee Thou mak'st my fears return Far more Extravagant then they were before Lest e're we join an Apoplex shou'd seize me The Palace fall and thousand other Chances That awe th' Imagination of my Love Oh Come Faust. I will and with these longing arms Hold thee till Morn And from that Morn till Evening From Evening to Mid-day From day to Night From Night to Death I 'le clap thee thus for ever Crisp. Let 's haste then while the beckoning Minute smiles Faust. But I must swear thee first Crisp. Take Oath on Oath I swear to obey thee without asking why Faust. Swear thou wilt never leave thy Wedded Fausta What ever dreadful Chance or strange Misfortune Shou'd start to undo me almost to a Crime Crisp. No Crime But want of Love Nor that by Heaven Shall make me hate thee though it bring me Death Oh thou soft Dear if ever I forsake thee At my last hour may I despair of Mercy And may those Saints that knew the wrong I did thee When at Heavens Gate I beg for Entrance answer Remember what thou did'st to Fausta swear Be gone for ever leave this happy Sphere For perjur'd Lovers have no Mansion here Ex. Ambo End 1st Act. The Second Act Scene ROME Enter Arius and Labienus Eubolus Arius WE have done our Work by halfs follow'd by the Scent Trac'd to our Holes Oh I could play the Mad-man Men of our Make so poorly hide a Murder That Dogs can Rake it up Spies Spies by Hell The Course of former Councils was too slow I am proclaim'd a Traitor Heretiok And Poniards must proclaim my Accuser nothing Labie Were it not better to comply Arius Impossible The Genius of the proud imperial Brothers And mine by Nature Mortally oppos'd Hate strongly at first sight which hate improv'd By the late flaw I found in their Religion They hear too how I tainted Infant Julian Yet being made the Emperours Confident In the late Contract all might have been retreiv'd And I at Helm had not his hated Brother Thus interpos'd to my eternal Ruine Poison and Ponyard Eubol. Is it come to that Ari. It is without dispatch we are all undone Oh for a Slave to mould some Malecontent His blood adust and blackned with the blows Of adverse Fortune yet of Soul elate And to be flush'd for Fame or hire To any kind of daring Lab. Why Ari. I would work the Melancholy brave To stab Dalmatius Eubol. Why not Constantine Ari. Because ten Constantines live at least in him The one 's not half so open to Destruction As t'other close and on the Guard to save him He has unravell'd our close Webb of Thought And from the bottom of our dark Design Drawn Treason forth perhaps to hang us all Lab. 'T is justly thought this Lett must be remov'd And who so fit to hew it into pieces As that ambitious brawny Fool Lycinius Ari. Thou hast hit the Man my busie Brain had lost The Emperour dooms him dead by whose Advice Tell me I hear the dull Lycinius cry That e're I fall the Victim of the War I may at once destroy his Life and Name Enter Lycinius Guards But see he comes I bring you News Lycin. Ha! of my Death I read it in thy Face Ari. The Emperour as at first I told your Story Ready Trumpets a March at distance Inclin'd to Mercy but fierce Dalmatius Call Serena Repeal'd the hint of your half granted Pardon And forc'd him to your Death Lycin. By Mars I 'll fight him Ari. 'T is not in your Power You
hand Sculk to your Posts and â—ive in Mists a way Ex. Ari. Lab. Eub. Crisp. Now my Dalmatius now thou hast my Heart And make good use on 't if I ne're see thee more By Heav'n my Friend I have not hid a Point Of that sad Story that must make my Ruine Dalm. Would thou hadst told me half of it before I might have sav'd thee many a Sigh and Tear Pray Heav'n no worse come on 't but 't is no time T' upbraid thee now What wou'dst thou have me do Crisp. Perswade my Father from enjoying her For if that be to night as once he vow'd Thou shalt behold thy Crispus dead to morrow Dalm. And what of Fausta Crisp. I know not what That subtle false one that has thus deceiv'd me And with her charms ensnar'd my innocent Soul But I will hence Dalm. For what Crisp. To execute The Vows I made Dalm. Go then and kill her Crisp. Ha! Dalm. Kill th' Adulteress This incestuous Charmer And have her born in Triumph to thy Father Then tell thy Tragick story like a Man And greatly thus Atone for both your Crimes Crisp. Farewell I 'll find another way to end her Dalm. Tongue kill her go or swear and be forsworn Thou ne're wilt see her more Heav'n That a Man Born to the Empire of the World should dote On such slight stuff as Woman Crisp. See my Father Look thou to Him as I 'll be guard on Her Incest Dishonour To all future Ages Think Think on that and push him from his ruine Ex. Crispus Enter Constantine Sylvester Dalmatius Const. What say the People to the rumour spred Of my new Contract Sylv. All the Christians mourn And sicken in their Souls as if Heav'n warn'd The Earth of some unheard Calamity The Heathens on the other side rejoice And cry a Persecution is at hand Const. No matter to the point Knowst thou the man Whom Fausta Loves Sylv. I told you Sir before I would be dumb for ever on this Theam Const. Yet this implies thou knowst but wilt not show him All know him all all but he that shou'd For Crispus has confess'd Yet hides the name But I 'll find out one Less meriting respect whom Racks shall force Dalm. If you intend your Empires safety Sir Cast Fausta from your Bosom Turn her out Away with her far let her be Exil'd With all her race For Death is in her Beauty Const. My Brother offer this Death in her Beauty Dalm. Violent sudden Death Death to your Health and Ruine to your Glory Const. Perhaps he is the man Her Lover Yes And thus conceals his flame with Covert rage For else what Cause could thus provoke his Passion What is the Publick Interest here concern'd Their murmurings or their joys which with a nod My Power can hush By Heav'n there 's more at bottom And I will find it out Their looks betray e'm Priest Princes all engag'd and for some great one Enter Arius But hold here comes my Man Brother I 've thought And will consider further what you urg'd Against my Wife Dalm. We leave you to Heav'ns care And wish you to beware that waiting Fiend Ex. Dalm. Sylv. Const. So now your business Arius Arius Sir Const. Your business The Coast is clear be your Confession so And speak what all the Court have sworn to hide Arius Sir Labienus gave me your Commands That I shou'd wait Const. Dost thou dally with me Thou knowst the least of thy Enormous Crimes Deserve a lengthen'd death Think on thy Treason Atheism Blasphemies against the Highest Think on the purpos'd murther of my Brother Wrought by thy Charms thou damn'd one after this Let thy affrighted Soul despise my wrath And if she dares be dumb to my demands Arius What must I Answer Const. Give me Truth for Truth Once more then And this warning be thy last Show me the robber of my hearts repose Friend to my Crispus but his Fathers Foe The Conquering Rival of my ravish't Love Arius What has your Son reveal'd Const. He says she 's false but tells me not to whom Swears she 's foresworn And when I see him next I shall know more Arius What if you never see him Const. Why dost thou start a Question so unlikely Arius I cannot think he will betray his Friend He who betrays his friend betrays himself And rather than do that I judge he 'll leave your sight The Empire and his Love for ever Const. Love Arius Ha! His Love What Love To whom Arius Why Love to you What other Love shou'd Crispus entertain He has no Mistress sure Const. Thou seem'st to hint As if he had Mark thy foregoing words He who betrays his friend betrays himself By Heav'n Thou hast set my anxious Soul a' work For when thou saidst he has no Mistress sure Thy meaning was to make me think he had And that this Mistress could be none but Fausta Arius I hope dread Sir you will not wrest my words And Innocent thoughts to any evil purpose Const. What! at your tricks agen Be quick my Traitor And spread at once thy double Heart before me Dost thou not judge my Son his Father's Rival Arius If you would know my Heart indeed I do Const. Why what a Devil wert thou then to deny 't So pittifully play the Hypocrite And scrue that lying Face into a show Of Innocence When nature stampt thee for a Villain Arius Forgive me Sir if I avow 't was fear Not Villany that made me hide my thought Const. All fear but fear of Heav'n betray 's a guilt And guilt is Villany But let thy fear Produce what past betwixt the wicked pair Show me th' Adulteress and Adulterer Where how and when this Incest was Committed Who was the Instrument and Cursed Bawd And damn'd contriver of their horrid joys Arius Oh Heav'n Const. O Hell For there shalt thou be hurl'd And rost in Sulphur if Thou not tell me all Thou who perhaps thy self wer 't the Contriver The Bawd I nam'd and Instrument of their lust Arius Hold Sir And I 'll confess I 've seen your Son Oftner then I have wish'd attend your Fausta And seen him late from her Apartment come I 've heard him praise her long and when the praise Was finish'd sigh that he durst praise no longer At least I thought so but my thought 's no proof Const. No Arius not enough for Crispus Death But there 's enough to turn my Spirit from him To make me loath his form When next we meet From Head to Foot to measure him with my Eye Both as an Object of my scorn and hate Arius That Love has past betwixt 'em is past doubt But for enjoying Const. Knowst thou ought of that Arius Not I by Heav'n Const. Why didst thou start it then Arius Sir to be satisfi'd what you wou'd do Upon the demonstration Const. Both shou'd bleed Both dye as sure as we are living Arius For him 't were sacriledge to think to save him
way Eub. But were reversed by a more Powerful Gale Your Brother and your Son appear'd like Gods And stopt the Madmen in their full Career Ari. At close of day in Dark Cabals they met And in the Morning gave their Final Answer Lycinius who that Night was brought a Captive To grace the Triumph of your first appearance Was first propos'd to share th' Imperial Power Next they demand a general Persecution Of all the Christians and Silvesters head Const. Tell 'em their City shall be Ashes first Have I for this with hazard of my Life So oft Redeem'd em ' from their Tyrants Racks When all their Streets were but one Hideous Grave There Wives and Daughters Ravisht in their View When Age was drain'd of its last Ebbing drop When Babes were snatch'd their Earliest breath to give And dy'd ere knowing what it was to live Trumpets Enter Dalmatius More Treason Arius or do the Slaves Repent My Brother here Still to my Arms and heart Thou Nerve of all my Wars How fares my Friend And my beloved Dalm. Crispus our care is well And the late Tempest which must reach your Ear By Skilful Pilots Rockt into a Calm Believe me Sir your presence gains the Cause Therefore upon the Instant march to Rome Vanquisht Licinius waits to Grace your Triumph Bless me Is 't possible Arius with you Sir Arius the Traitor Const. Have you found him so Dalm. The Subtlest Snake the softest Civil Villain That ever warm'd himself in Princes Bosom Diseases Blasts Plagues Death and Hell are in him Whate're his outside seems This shameless Traitor Was the foul Spring of all these poison'd Waters That late had like to overflow the Empire Yet while his Emissaries Fired the People This Judas on my side appear'd an Angell For after the first Mutiny was quel'd Though he had Sworn to Justifie your Cause He warn'd the Slaves I have his hand to show Next day to make those Impudent demands Ari. Plots on my Innocence as I am a Christian If ere I set my hand to such a Treason May these rot off which thus I hold to Heaven As I am of Priestly Order Dalm. A Devil Ordain'd Sir if I do not prove him Const. I believe you I know him Heretick a Seditious Traitor But yet have Reasons to defer his Ruin Therefore no more at present Arius hence And let me hear no further of these Mischiefs I have pardon'd you be gone you Eubulus and tell the Rebels I come Embattel'd now for my Revenge My Standard and my Banners bear the Cross Tell 'em Lycinius whom once before I took to Grace and Marry'd to my Sister Their new Petition'd Caesar soon shall bleed Silv. Forgive your Enemies Const. But not my Friends Lycinius was my Friend and has betray'd me Therefore I 'le Execute him in their View Away and warn him for the Doom that 's given Ex. Arius Eubulus 'T is not by halfs that we will worship Heaven No my Dalmatius I have made a vow The Romans or their Emperour shall bow They 're Subjects and 't is fit Nay bow they shall Or Caesar in th' attempt their Victim fall Bow to the Man whom Heaven Ordain'd for Sway And in his great Vicegerent learn their Maker to Obey Exeunt Scene II. ROME Constantines Palace Enter Lycinius Labienas Labi The mischief 's Ripe and ready for our wish Confusion to the House of Constantine And Fortune points their Fate For mark the Method The Father sends the Son to see the Prisoner The Son not knowing of his Fathers Contract Appears a God to Fausta's Charming Eyes And Marry'd her Lycin. How came you by the Secret Lab. Arius told me he who Betrothed the Father Weds the Son And stands for ever bound to serve Lycinius Lycin. He 's Voted Heretick among the Christians Labie No matter what they Vote him Sir He 's yours And Foe too all Religion but his Friends Lycin. By Mars he falls the Righter to my purpose I was my self bred up in Blood and Wars Untaught and Scoft at by these Civil Cowards Wherefore I hate Religion Arts and Learning And if I ever Mount the Caesars Throne I 'le Raise another General Persecution Like Nero Bait these Christian Dogs to Death And Build the Temples of the Old Gods again Labie And be a God your Self In the mean time Let your Wives tears prevail upon your Temper Supple your Haughty Spirit bow your Body Low as the Earth before the Emperours Feet Lycin. I had rather dye If he thinks fit to save me 'T is well if not why let him take my Head Labie Yet for the sake of those whom you must Govern Rebate this Martial Fire and hear your Wife Hear what return our long'd for Arius brings Enter Crispus with Annibal But soft the Bridegroom Crispus and his Friend Constantia with impatience waits your coming Constantia who has Power to save your Head Though Caesar with an Oath had Doom'd you Dead Ex. Lycinius Labienus Crispus How Annibal What! out of temper now When Crowns are offer'd and the Caesars Purple What though not born in the immediate way Yet thou art Collaterally Great as I. And if I ever Heir this Spacious Empire By Heaven thou shalt not share but guide engross My hearts best Love and all the World beside Anni Your Heart Ay there you Eccho'd my desires Enrich me there and trowle your empty Globe To those Crown'd Slaves that know no other Greatness But tell me O my Crispus All Mens Joy Tell me and truly from thy Generous Soul Hast thou a Friend whom more thou Lov'st then me Crisp. Not more belov'd more Fonded then my self But more Anni Nay add not to that broken Truth There 's more in that no more then thou had'st Sworn Crisp. Wilt thou not hear me out Anni There needs no more Thou art no Friend that Lov'st another more Nay half so much But now I find that all The former Flatteries of thy Glozing Friendship Were Courtiers promises and Womens Vows But let me know his Name Crisp. Thy Father Annibal my Godlike Friend Dalmatius who before thou could'st Write Man Hugg'd Crispus to his Heart Like Lambs in Peace Together we lay down together rose In War like Lyons Coupled on a side Ere yet thy Infant Arms a Sword could Wield And drove like Herds the Nations from the Field Anni Why then we 're Friends agen more fast then ever Yet since we have happen'd into this disorder To make a Tryal of renew'd affection I 'le put thee to the Test. Crisp. Name the Danger Though Kin to Death my Arm Young-man shall Right thee Anni 'T is death indeed Most certain Death to me Unless thy Softning Charms have power to save me Crisp. Speak this close grief That wrings thee with the Anguish If I am not Eloquent in such a Cause Cut out my Tongue Annib. My life is in the hands Of one that hates me or what wounds me more Of one my Crispus that can never love me Crisp.
're Pris'ner of War Lycin. Yet I may curse My Tongue is not their Prisoner therefore I 'll curse Bitterly curse Dalmatius curse 'em all Ari. Curse for the loss of Empire and of Life Bitterly curse Why Whores will there out-do you I blush to think the great Lycinius Should e're be brought in such Comparison Would it not seem more worthy your pact Honour To strike than say Strike if I may advise And e're you suffer Lycin. Kill Dalmatius Constantine Crispus Annibal nay all Quite root up all the Imperial Stock at once Ari. This Dagger then be yours the Legacy Of an old Prophetess who dying told me He that had Courage to employ it well And where it ought should make himself the Greatest Trumpet at distance Lycin. It shall be well employ'd and where it ought But hark th' Emperour comes Ari. Rather Dalmatius Perhaps commission'd for your Execution Lycin. Why then I 'll forth and meet him By the Fates If I must fall he shall not live to laugh And in remembrance of this solemn Oath I kiss the ominous Gift thou hast bequeath'd me I 'll treasure it next my Heart where it shall rest Till sheath'd by Vengeance in Dalmatius Brest Exit Ari. Or live or dye thou art contriv'd for Mischief Next I must mend the Heresies I 've broach'd And reconcile my self by some bold Offer With Constantine which while I undertake Be it your Care to spread the old poisonous Doctrine Sow it in all Habits Persons Forms and Places Grow with the Times and cultivate Sedition Enter Serena My fair Devotess but hence as I have order'd And meet me at the Tryal of Lycinius Ex. Labie Eubol. Seren. The Morning 's come and fain I would have rest Who all the Night have wak'd upon my Pillow And made it wet with Tears my solitary Groans That pierc'd Heav'ns Vaults tho Heav'n was deaf the while Deaf to redress have made my Brest so sore That I can sigh no longer Crispus and Fausta Oh you happy Lovers Not so with you the gladsome Minutes past For e're 't was day I left my tedious Bed And listen'd to your Joys Ari. Her Sorrows lull me And I grow good I know not how o' th' sudden Seren. Such soft Expressions flow'd from the charming Crispus As did but aggravate my Passion more Yet hide it O Serena though thou diest Tell it to none but to the midnight Groves The Flocks and Streams and those unhappy Stars Whose merciless Fires thus fated thy undoing Ari. What! not to Arius to thy Confessor To him who has a Priviledge from Heav'n Seren. Oh Arius would I had the Power to hide it But you have heard it all And will perhaps proclaim a Virgins Frailty But Sir I shall not long survive my shame And since 't is known confess it to the World Confess that Passion has dethron'd my Reason That unbelov'd I love the best of Men. And sigh unheard and without Witness mourn And dote to Death without the least Return Ari. 'T is said young Annibal is vow'd your Servant Seren. O Arius mark the malice of our Fates That Prince loves me as Crispus is belov'd And failing in his Suit employ'd his Friend To plead his Cause Oh had it been his own But all my Pray'rs alas are now in vain Ready Trumpets for a Call And wanting Crispus I must wed my Grave Therefore I beg you Sir procure his Picture To entertain my melancholy Thoughts Since him himself I ne're must see again Ari. That and all Helps which Arius can command Seren. I thank you Sir by the blest Saints I do I thank you for this Favour from my Heart But hark they come Crispus and Fausta come Oh Heart why dost thou leap against my Bosom Like a cag'd Bird and beat thy self to Death For an impossible Freedom Ari. Stay to salute ' em Seren. No Arius no I cannot dare not stand 'em But see they come wreath'd in each others Arms And mingling Kisses Has not then the Night Been long enough but you must love by Day Do Fausta do be stifled with the Joy Follow him from thy Chamber to the Grove To Garden haunts and clasp him in the Bowers Thence to your golden Beds again while I Sink to my Grave and there forgotten lye Exit Serena Ari. Crispus to court Serena for his Friend His Picture she shall have it Mischief Hell And if it be thy Will thy Slave obeys Crispus and Annibal that late were Friends Shall strait be foes But hush the Lovers come This Closet hides me to discover more Enter Crispus and Fausta This Closet be my School to learn their Language Fausta Your Fathers Trumpets call you Let 'em call You shall not go Oh are there any Sounds To charm more powerful than your Fausta's Cries Crisp. No not the Tongues of Angels O best Joy Of my abounding Soul What shall I call thee By Heav'n thou art all Heav'n all Paradise Talk not then of going from thee for I 'll stay till Age Has snow'd a hundred Winters on my Head Yet give and take Enjoyments then as now Faust. And oh for thee thou dearest of the World My Souls best Life and my Hearts grasp'd Desire Oh what Return The Mother on her throws After the Rack when hanging o're her Babe With bleeding Joys wild Looks and earning Smiles Loves not her Darling more than I love Crispus Thou shalt not leave me Crispus Crisp. Yes to meet again Our Love 's approv'd by him that gave me Being And then Faust. What then He dooms me to that place Where in his Shrowd the poor Maximian lies Where I shall lye as I had never been Nor think of Crispus more Crisp. Canst thou fear Death While I have Life Faust. Oh do not trust thy Father Trust not the Passions of a Conquerour For in his fatal Look when last he left me Something I saw that bid me fly his Presence Fly to the Verge of Earth and leap the bounds Rather than ever meet his Eyes again Crisp. Thy Father's Fate makes thee mistrust thy own Faust. No Crispus not Mistrust but certain Danger Which like a moulding Promontory hangs Bursting above our Heads and threatens Death Unless we House betimes and scape the fall Crisp. What danger Death What fall Faust. Thy Father Crisp. Ha! Faust. Thy Father Crispus Crisp. Knows not we are marry'd But shall and will I hope forgive my passion Faust. I dream't last night thy Father was in love In love with me my Crispus catch'd us clasp'd And with his Dagger stabb'd us in the fold Crisp. Is 't possible Faust. Most true Crisp. And catch't thee with me Faust. Catch't us in bed Crisp. There Faust. Here. Why dost thou wonder 'T was but a dream Crisp. Yet there is wonder in 't Because by Heav'n I dreamt the very same Is it not strange Faust. If it should happen true Crisp. That would be strange indeed Faust. Therefore let 's fear the worst and Arm against it For oh Why
Perhaps the Virgin may as greatly die And yield her Beauties to the Fatal stroke Annib. To the Fatal stroke Oh all ye Powers No Sir The fair Serena shall not die While I wear this Dalm. Ha Rebel Traytor How Not at the Emperors Doom Annib. No nor at yours That gave me Sir my being take it again Unless you give me leave to lay it there Where I have plac'd my Love Dalm. The Emperor Decrees thee Cappadocia Wilt thou forfeit The noble Heritage of such Ambition For Infamous Love Annib. Wrong not a Passion That equals your own Virtue For could Caesar Give with a Daughter of his own the World I would prefer my Love in this Condition To all the proffers of his Blood and Empire Dalm. Hence from my sight And till thou break'st this passion See me no more Annib. Then I must never see you For when I cease to Love where I have vow'd I am no more Therefore upon my Knees I beg you to recall this dreadful sentence Repeal my Banishment and give me leave To win the Heart of this unhappy Maid Or bid me die before you Dalm. Rise my Boy Thou Lov'st indeed who canst refuse a Kingdom Enter Arius Lycinius Labienus Eubolus with the Populace But see Lycinius with his followers here Take to the habit of thy former Wars And soften not my Justice by thy sorrows Annib. I have heard Lycinius lately threatned you Therefore your Guardians Eye be watchful o're you Dalm. Fear not I 'm Arm'd against 'em Know Lycinius The Emperor has decreed to shew his Subjects What weary'd Mercy dares resolve to do Cleanthes you the Captain of the Guard Lead to the Forum and in the Peoples view Strike off his Head Lycin. I bear the sentence as becomes my Honour And all the favour which I beg in Death Is to reveal a secret to your Ear Which may import the Emperors life and Yours Dalm. What would you Sir Lycin. My Lord Are you in earnest Or is there room for hope Dalm. Sir be not flatter'd Hope is the fawning Traytor of the mind Which while it cozen 's with a colour'd friendship Robs us of our last Vertue Resolution Lycin. Speak then the force of Resolution Thus. Annib. No Villain Thus. Annibal disarms and offers to Stab him Dalm. Hold Annibal Hold thy Hand An executioner in the best of Causes Is a vile trade for Honourable men Therefore let slaves dispatch him Annib. Rack him First To know who counsel'd him to this damn'd deed Dalm. No To Sylvester let him own his fault And die a Christian I am satisfy'd Lycin. Ha ha A Christian What and fall a Sheep Confess No as he urg'd bring forth the Rack Wire-draw my Limbs Spin all my Nerves like Hairs And work my tortured Flesh as thin as Flame You shall not know a title more then this I was set on to stab Dalmatius And would the Emperor were he in my reach Who were the Gods that prompted thus my Arm You Christian Curs shall never know from me Therefore go learn the Mystery in Hell Thus much I may acquaint you They are living Warm in your Bosoms and I hope will sting you Sting you to Death Plagues Famine Sword and Fire Fire from the Gods on your proud City fall And with that dying Curse I leave you all Ex. Guarded Dalm. His Fate was just now Romans to the Triumph Go forth and meet your Emperor whose mercy Extends her peaceful Wings to all that seek him And is the Darling attribute of his Soul But hark He comes The Saviour of your Empire Bring forth his Statues Crown his Images Meet him with Garlands Songs and Shouts of Triumph But see his entrance is already made And there He comes with Crispus in his Arms. Enter Constantine Crispus c. To the Triumph Const. Dalmatius I must thank thee for the Fate Of that too stubborn troubler of our Reign Sylvester to his Hermitage retires And says the Saints are sad at my delay Tell him e're long and urge him to return The Emperor and the Court shall be Baptiz'd Dalm. Take to your former freedom Mirth and Humor For 't is observ'd you are not as you were Const. Oh Brother Friend In all my hazards try'd This Son shall share the Heart and Empire too Of my lov'd Crispus whom for some few minutes I would discourse alone Dalm. Your wishes on you Peace to your thoughts and Heaven still guide your Councils Exeunt Manent Constantine Crispus Const. Hast thou perform'd thy Embassy my Crispus And seen the Daughter of Maximian Crisp. I have seen Her Sir And seen Her Beauteous Sister Const. How lik'st thou Ha! Are they not charming both Both Beautiful Crisp. They are But why Sir both Const. Because the latter only Catch'd thy praise When Fausta in the Pride of blooming Nature As much transcends her as the Summers Rose The little Beauties of a backward Spring Crisp. 'T is true She is the Elder Const. And the fairer In all comparisons to be prefer'd Not only to her Sister but the World Crisp. Is 't possible Const. That thou should'st be so dull To ask the Question having seen the wonder Crisp. But Sir when I was sent you talk't of Death Const. Death to my self and thee and all mankind Rather then wound a part of my Lov'd Fausta Crisp. Oh Heav'n What said you Do you Love her then Const. Love her my Son In Age I Love her more Then in my Youth I Lov'd the chace of Glory Crisp. And does she know you Love her Const. Know Approves Approving joyn'd and Seal'd the Contract sure Crisp. Death and Despair Approv'd Joyn'd Seal'd Contracted How Seal'd And how Contracted Const. Why our Lips Have Sign'd and Seal'd an Everlasting Love Crisp. What kiss'dher Ha! But I 'm too Credulous All you have said is but to try my temper How much your Son can bear Const. I must confess Thy fears were just had'st thou another Father But as I am I swear what ever Issue I have by Fausta Thou shalt Heir my Power Crisp. Talk not of Power but tell me of your Love Distract me not with these Ambiguous Answers But tell me Swear to save my loss of reason If as you Love you are by Fausta Lov'd Const. That I Love Fausta is as true by Heav'n As I Love thee But whether I am Lov'd With just return is hard indeed to swear Yet as I said before our Hands have joyn'd Our Lips have seal'd and binding Oaths have past Crisp. What Oaths Const. Betrothing Oaths Crisp. Oh All ye Saints Are you contracted too Const. Ay Crispus we 're contracted Weep not my Son I swear by this Embrace Thou shalt not less be Lov'd then heretofore Crisp. Betroth'd Oh Heav'n And have you Sir enjoy'd her Const. No Crispus That 's a Heav'n I have to come Crisp. A Hell All Hell And if not yet enjoy'd Let me conjure you by my Mothers ashes Touch her not for the World Const. What means my Son I have
If thus he has transgress't not then my vows Not all the Conquests of his blooming Years With my whole Empires Knees and lifted Hands Not the remembrance of his Mothers Tears When on her death-bed she bequeathed his safety To my best Care and Love shall once redeem him Arius What shall be done to him that finds the truth Const. Reward and Honour He shall be my friend Arius I ask no more henceforth I 'm yours To search tho at the Peril of my life The bottom of this business Const. Say and do But send my Wardrobe now to Fausta's side Bear her the Diadem with stile of Empress And say this night I bed Her Arius That will prove her If she refuse You know Sir what to judge Nor would it be amiss to break discourse About your Son and sift her subtle Soul Const. I apprehend thee But as I commanded Away Oh Constantinel Yet e're this search Whatever comes Remember he 's thy Son Son of thy Love and once was next thy Soul But as the best are worst when once corrupted If he has sinn'd at all he has sinn'd to Death The Thought distracts me Heav'n remove this Trouble Or I shall run to my old Gods again But hush awhile I 'll bear my Passion cold I 'll curb it while the Reins of Reason hold But if they break then Nature where 's thy Call Be deaf to Reason Nature Judgment All The Precipice is Fate and if we roul The Fault is theirs that fool'd us with a Soul Exit Scene II. Enter Crispus with a Dagger and Fausta Faust. HOld hold thy hand Crisp. Think not I meant to kill Thee No thou seducer were thy Stains more deep Think not too Despair and Rage cou'd so unman me To hurt a Woman Yet thou shalt hear me Fausta And if the Story of thy Crimes can kill thee I 'll lay thy Wounds wide open to the Air Display the Perjuries of thy bleeding Heart And to thy Incest add at last a Murder Faust. Stab with thy Dagger then but let thy Tongue Destroy no more Crisp. Oh all ye Powers who that had known last Night The Joys which I have known could once have thought it Who that had heard her Vows when on my Breast Weary'd with Oaths and out of Breath with Kisses She panting swore And wish'd Destruction seize her If she were not content so one night more Her ravish'd Soul like that might entertain To live her Miseries and past Life again Faust. By all those Powers you name and by your own I wish so still Crisp. Yet at that very Minute When thus she swore to know she was forsworn Conscious her Faith was plighted to another And who that other pick'd from all Mankind To make her more abhor'd but my own Father Faust. What Load on Load Crisp. Her violated Hands Were plighted fast with his and Kisses past Faust. Hold hold and let my Tears atone my Lord Or sink upon the Earth Crisp. The Center Fausta The Center cannot hide thee from the Horrors Of thy own Conscience which are my Avengers And wheresoe're thou fly'st shall follow thee With inward Hells for the base Wrong thou hast done me Faust. O Crispus never never wilt thou end Crisp. By Heav'n I know thy damnable Design Thou hast this Night contriv'd to ruine Nature To make the Angels sick with such a Crime As equals hers that first betray'd the World Faust. I 'll stop thee with my Kisses Crisp. Off Crocodile Faust. Why use thy Ponyard then Crisp. Nor that nor this I had design'd 't is true to stab my self But second Thoughts instruct me thus to haunt thee Like an eternal Fiend to follow thee To hollow still Damnation in thy Ear And hinder thee from Incest with my Father Oh horrid Thought Faust. Oh horrid Thought indeed Crisp. Why does it not possess thee Thou fair insinuating Snake wouldst thou then guild thy Poison Swear on my Ponyard swear and damn thy self Thou hast not plotted as this Night to twist Thy incestuous Arms about my Father's Neck Faust. Yes I will swear But let me lean my Head Against thy Breast while I recover Breath For I am faint with Groans Crisp. Oh Heart Oh Love She grasps so hard and locks so with her Charms I cannot put her from me Fausta is 't possible Is it then possible Thou canst be good So good at least as being thus gone in Sin To go no further Faust. Let me swear For I will face the Gods in such a Cause And standing on the Guard of Innocence Swear all I 've done was but th' Effect of Love Crisp. Again thou' rt fallen for thou art guilty Fausta Of Impious Treasons and incestuous Love Faust. I am not Crispus Crisp. Ha! not guilty Fausta Then farewel all Faust. Hold hold not guilty to my Crispus Fall not to Rage again and I 'll confess I was compell'd to be contracted to him Not wedded nor possest Crisp. Why didst thou hide thy Contract Faust. Because 't was forc'd by Fear nor did I dare Reveal it to thee e're I had thee sure So much I lov'd thee Crispus Crisp. But what hadst thou decreed to do to night This fatal Night if that the Emperour Had sworn to enjoy thee Faust. Stop him with my Tears Or if they fail'd to dam his Passion thus And sheath this hidden Ponyard in my Heart Crisp. Is 't possible Thou should'st so greatly dare Faust. Yes Crispus Thou shalt see by what 's to come Oh! therefore take me to thy Breast and swear Crisp. Swear first thy self he never shall possess thee Faust. What needs an Oath after possessing Thee Crisp. Yet for the Satisfaction of my Soul And Cement of our everlasting Loves Swear thou wilt never Faust. Never Crispus never By Heav'n and Earth by all that 's great and holy I swear thy Father never shall embrace me Crisp. What never Oh yet closer Never Fausta Faust. By all this Dearness never Crispus never Enter Arius Arius What Faults are gone and past it matters not But you had best beware of what 's to come Haste Sir away See there the Beds prepar'd Scene draws The Diadem and Name of Empress given Your Father 's at my Heels hark you are warn'd Soft Musick I hear him come and wish you Sir away Ex. Arius Crisp. Oh Fausta Faust. Take no Thought Crisp. If he should charm thee Or scare thee to Compliance Faust. That distrust Again by Heav'n I 'll dye before he enters Crisp. Hold thee my Heart my Life my Love my Soul I 'll stay and hazard all but hark he comes I would advise Live if thou canst with Honour If not he 's here fall and I 'll follow thee Ex. Crispus Re-enter Arius with Constantine Const. Ha Arius see'st thou there Ari. Crispus I think Const. Did'st thou not see him Ari. Yes Const. Why dost thou then suppose it but thy Thought Ari. Because I do not like his being here Const. Nor I by Heav'n Withdraw and wait my Call
Ar. retires What now my Fausta Ha! in Tears my Fair What on thy Wedding Night Why dost thou fly me Am I a Ravisher Howe're reputed Bloody in Fields in Chambers I am gentle As thy own Thoughts Therefore let our Vows be scal'd and then to bed Faust. What said you Sir Const. Why to Bed my Love And hide thy Virgin Fears Thou wilt be bolder there Faust. Alas I dare not Const. Why Faust. I 've sworn my Lord. Const. What and to whom Faust. To Heav'n I 've sworn Howe're contracted that I will not wed you Const. When Faust. Not to night Const. When then Faust. Press me no further For I can only answer with my Tears Const. Speak for I 'll know th' Extremity to night Why then to morrow but by Heav'n no longer For now I 've sworn too Faust. But I vow'd first And swear again to keep that Vow till Death To morrow and to morrow add to those Ten Millions more You never shall embrace me Const. Is 't possible after thy Faith was given Faust. Not given but by a Conquerour compell'd Const. And hast thou rightly scan'd the Conquerour's Rage Ha! Fausta hast thou plac'd thy Fathers Fate Before thy Eyes And thought upon thy own Faust. Just to your purpose I 'm prepar'd for Death Rather than entertain you in my Bed Therefore if you set down t' enjoy me Sir Or doom me dead upon the Earth I beg you To speak your Will And Fausta shall revenge you This Ponyard strait shall act your vow'd Revenge And take her from the World Const. Rise Fausta rise By Heav'n I find 't is vain to strive against thee Take then what more thou valu'st than the World And what in spite of me the Fates ordain thee My Crispus for thy Love Faust. Ah Sir what mean you Const. Why would'st thou strive to hide what Nature shows Dalmatius Arius and Sylvester know it And over-wrought me for my Empires Safety To this great Act to yield thee to my Son Faust. Did Arius too No sure they rather wrought you To yield me to my Grave Const. No. To my Throne Already 't is decreed my Caesar weds thee Not but I own I came to work thee from him But since not Death it self can daunt thy Love Forbid it Heav'n that I should break such Union Haste Arius Call my Son I 'll give him now Now while my Reason lets me see my Dotage How ill such Autumn suits thy Beauties Spring But haste and bring him while the heat is on me For I will have you wedded in my presence And if thy Heart consent to make a Turn As strange as kind this Night he shall enjoy thee Faust. Oh Heav'n instruct my Frailty what to answer Can this be real Sir is 't possible Const. My Council know it and confirm the Order Faust. That I shall wed your Son Const. Why thus repeated Faust. And you approve it Const. Canst thou doubt me still Faust. No. I will own Sir since you approve it Own it to Death I love him more than Life Const. O Fausta Faust. Ha! what now He turns away He blushes Gods I 'm lost betray'd undone Undone for ever Crispus is betray'd The innocent Crispus Const. Guilty guilty Crispus And guilty Fausta Guilty both to death But most my Son who wrought thee to this ruin Faust. O say not so 'T was Fausta wrought your Son And over Lov'd him to his own destruction Therefore as you're powerful be just And let the stroak of Vengeance light on me But Sir for him Const. For him each Syllable Thou plead'st in his behalf but wings his death Faust. By the just Heav'ns And by the Saint that bore you By your Religion Sir I do conjure you Spair spair his Innocence Const. If thou consent That I this night shall wed thee Faust. Wed me Constantine Const. Fausta Why not Art thou enjoy'd already married Speak confess That I may pardon thee Faust. What you know you know You have betray'd me once but shall no more More There 's no more but that I Love your Son And whether he Loves me the Gods can tell I know the natural goodness of your temper How e're transported will not let you kill him Therefore I leave you Const. Stay and tell me when When I may hope Loves Consummation sure Faust. When you behold me Wedded to your Son As you engag'd and past your Royal word When after many rowling years I bring you A race of smiling Boys to bless your Age To play about your Throne and be your Caesars Then may your happiness compleated be Then may your Eyes the Consummation see But never hope for other joys from me Ex. Fausta Const. What Arius help and free me from this plunge Of Love and Nature She Loves She Loves to Death And tho she hides it is belov'd agen Arius What 's your resolve To give her to your Son Const. No Arius first I 'll give her to the Grave Resign my Empire All Arius Then Crispus dies Const. If he has not enjoy'd her he shall live For that I Lov'd him once is full as true As that tho now he has sin'd I cannot hate him But if enjoy'd How shall I find it out I 'll seise and Rack him Arius How Sir Rack your Son Const. By Heav'n 't was well remember'd by a Villain Therefore I swear thou shalt be Rack't thy self Arius Who I my Lord Const. Ay Villain Traitor Thou I 'll Rack the Racker till I find it out For my misgiving Heart says thou know'st more Therefore when next I see thee bring me proof She 's not enjoy'd her vows and vertue clear Do 't or thy Death shall teach succeeding Kings No more by false reports to be abus'd But strait confront th' Accuser with the Accus'd To prove the Treasons urg'd against the Throne Or show the Sycophants that set 'em on So shall the Soveraign pow'r unclouded sway When such Court Devils shun the glorious Ray And drive like Foggs before the rising Day Exeunt End 3d. Act. The Fourth Act Scene 1st Enter Annibal and Serena Annib. THEN you confess you did bespeak the Picture Gods and you own you Love him Love the Traitor Seren. Call him not Traitor Annibal he who spoke The kindest things of you Annib. Wondrous kind Accurst dissembler That could speak for me But acted for himself Seren. Just contrary For when by signs which passion could not hide I let him know my Love he turn'd away Shaking his head as loth to understand me Anger and pitty combating in his Face And with his blushes taught Serena shame Annib Shameless himself and Traitor to my friendship For all I have heard your Love has forg'd to save him Seren. Heav'n knows 't is true Nothing was left unsaid To his own disgrace and your Immortal Honour In the most melting Terms and sweetest words That Heart could think or Friendship could invent Therefore forgo my Lord this fruitless passion And speak for Crispus as he spoke
my Blessing never hope it Nor ever think of loving her again Crisp. Impossibilities Were you a God And doom'd me thus I could not Sir obey you For I have sworn to love her while I have Life And if I love her I must hope Enjoyment Const. Death then and Curses on thy Disobedience Off Villain Traitor grovel there on Earth What are you Plotters too nay then 't is time To haste his Ruine Ruine is thy doom And wing'd with all my Curses it shall come Ex. with Dalm. Sylvester Crisp. Dalmatius and Sylvester Call him back And I 'll renounce my Love Heav'n 't is too much But hark I hear a Voice cry Crispus come Come to the thoughtless Grave where all is still It shall be so up then and fall a Man Come forth thou Minister of others Fates And be thy Masters now Where art thou Fausta Where is my Love to close my dying Eyes Enter Annibal Annib. Ha Traitor Art thou then prepar'd for Death Crisp. Yes Annibal I will receive it calmly From any Hand but thine What have I done That he should call me Traitor Annib. Guard thy self Or else by Heav'n thou dy'st Crisp. Hold. Is 't possible so quickly Can the desire of Empire lose a Friend My Father I offended but not Thee Execute then the Ruine which he dooms Ungrateful Man I will not make Defence But spread my Arms t' embrace the Death he sends me Annib. What thou deserv'st from him I neither know Nor care resolv'd upon my own Revenge Not but I think the Man who did his Friend So horrible a Wrong as thou hast done Is fit for any Mischief Therefore guard thee Crisp. Never to fight with thee not tho my Father Should grant my Love Therefore I sheath my Sword Annib. Traytor Coward Crisp. Oh Annibal I know I am no Traytor And thou whose Life I have so oft preserv'd Know'st but too well I am no Coward Annib. Draw Draw then or perish By the Gods I 'll kill thee Strikes him with his Sword Be what thou wilt and take this to provoke thee Crisp. Well Annibal 'T is well Thou hast done well Yet thus much Villany am I content to bear No longer oh ungrateful for thy sake Who injur'st me yet will not tell the Cause But for thy noble Father I will spare thee Spare thee thus far so thou resolve to leave me Annib. Not yet Why then another Crisp. But the next Be mine Humanity can bear no further Annib. falls Annib. I have my Death and now my Heart relents Crisp. Cut off my Hand Annib. Crispus thou hast wrong'd me Crisp. Speak how and where Enter Serena Annib. See she comes to tell thee Serena Oh Serena Dies Crisp. Gone for ever Seren. Oh never to return and I alas Who could not love again the wretched Cause Crisp. The Cursed Cause Seren. Call me not Cursed Crispus Who think no Blessing equal to thy Love Crisp. Wert thou a Man by Heav'n such Love I bear thee I think that I should seek thee through the World To give thee Death Seren. Take then the Death you threaten Prepare to suffer by a Virgins hand Crisp. Kill me and I 'll forgive thee Annibal's Death But take this Sword yet reeking with his Blood And thrust it through my Heart Seren. Yet hold Serena What will become of him when thou art slain Kill himself last and that I would prevent Crisp. Why dost thou stay Enter Sylvester Silv. Crispus I come to tell thee Thy Futher will not hear us Seren. Take these Swords Sylvester bear 'em hence Without Reply or Crispus kills himself Away Sylv. Crispus Death I thank thee Heav'n that sent me to preserve him Exit Crisp. Why hast thou thus delay'd my Ruine Seren. To make thy Torments lasting Live that my Ghost and Annibal's may haunt thee Yet when I come believe for all my Threatnings My Soul shall seek thee in a gentle form Court thee to Cells and to the Garden shade And tell thee there what Love with us is made What Fires the Fiends for willfull Murder make And what my Spirit suffers for thy sake But hark I 'm call'd behold the Dead awake They wast me Crispus to the sleepy Shore And I shall never never see thee more Ex. Seren. Crisp. She 's gone and takes the means of Death too from me So what 's the next What have the Fates to add To my past Sufferings Lightning blast me Mountains fall on me gape to the Center Earth To hide me from my friend Enter Dalmatius Dalm. Why my dearest Crispus but alas In vain I urg'd thy Father deaf to all Our prayers remorsless rocky and unmov'd Yet think not but I press'd with all my Love Crisp. Therefore in great requital for thy Love Look there and let thy Blood congeal to Stone Behold thy Annibal butcher'd by this Hand Dalm. Cold cold my Boy Crispus Have I have I But I waste time by such unmanly wailing Take to thy Sword Crisp. Thou seest I 've none but strike Dalm. What could provoke thee to this horrid deed Crisp. His jealousie and Anger of the Heav'ns Jealous I robb'd him of Serena's Love He call'd me Traitor Coward strook me twice Before I drew than ran upon my Sword Dalm. Whatever happen'd I 'm a wretched Father And thou hast robb'd me of an only Child Therefore hereafter we no more are one Where e're I go I 'll ask before I enter If Crispus be not there that I may shun thee Therefore if thou hast any Gratitude For those kind offices which I have done thee Fly these sad Eyes as I will run from thine To moan my Son and howl my life away Ex. Dalmatius Crisp. Sol. And whither thou Thou heap of walking woe Thou that hast pull'd thy Father's Curse upon thee Kill'd thy best friend and ruin'd all that Lov'd thee Where will at last thy Cruel fortune drive thee Hence tear thy Robes And naked fly the World Unmantled to the Weather wander on To some dark wild where Sun-beam never shone Ex. Crispus Scene II. Enter Constantine Arius Fausta Sylvester Faust. COnsider Sir his Youth Const. I have consider'd all But find thy Love so rooted in my heart I must forgo my life or lose my Claim Yet mark how deep thy tears have wrought my temper If thou wilt swear to null my marriage with him By wedding me in publick and this night By making me thy Lord Faust. No Sir 't is impossible yet if you 'll swear To save your Son if I should prove him guiltless I 'll tell you wonders Sir which otherwise Not Racks shall e're compel Const. Forbid it Heav'n I should destroy the guiltless Tho strangers to my blood much less my Son Therefore I swear by Heav'n and all the Saints Prove Crispus innocent he shall not die Faust. Be witnesses Oh Arius and Sylvester What he has sworn Let Crispus strait be call'd And quitted of his Crime Run Arius haste That I may see the Royal friendship made