lost Nation peace And take their humble State in its distress To the protection of her conquering Eyes And partly for the great Solemnities These devout Tribes to their dead Kindred pay If their own Laws and Customes they 'l obey Phraar 'T is fit they should chiefly when Princes dye Kings should not sleep without Solemnity Monob. For this some time sh ' as in Jerus'lem staid Mean while the Crowd by frantick Rebels swai'd From their own Governors and Priests revolt And every moment the Queens life assault This Royal Sir you by experience know For to your Sword she does her safety owe. Phraar Rather to yours brave Friend that honour's due I only seek in Fame to Rival you Monob. You 're to your own unjust But now the Queen Who the whole time has rudely treated been Weary'd with Clamours and Devotion too Has thoughts of bidding them and Heav'n adieu Some say to Night she 'll towards the Camp repair And take her leave of Sacrifice and Prayer Howe're she now does her last Offerings make Whilst from their Oracles they Counsel take Phraar Valour 's the only Oracle of War Let 'em ask that and their vain Altars spare But the great Ceremony does conclude When Gods retire poor Mortals may intrude The Gates open and Matthias Sagan and another Priest come out of the Sanctuary Loud Musique plays Phineas John Pharisees enter on one side of the Stage Queen Berenice and Clarona on the other Matthias whispers John and the Pharisees who immediately after go off Phraartes and Monobarus address themselves in dumb shew to Clarona and Berenice The Musique at length ceases and Matthias thus speaks to the Queen Matth. Now Madam we with solemn thanks must own The royal pity to your Nation shown You from the stormy Cloud that hovers o're This Town descend like a relenting Power Into your sacred Guardianship to take A distrest place which Earth and Heaven forsake But oft as when the fatal hour draws nigh of some great Man whom pain compels to dye His strugling powers with scorn their sentence take And ' mongst themselves do a Rebellion make Then on his own distorted Limbs does seize And there chastise weak Natures Cowardise But thinks the while he has with Monsters fought And horrid shapes are in his Fancy wrought So in distracting pangs our Nation lyes As if depriv'd of sence with Miseries Tearing it self and haunted with a Fiend That does to Zeal and Piety pretend And fills their cheated thoughts with Axes Rods Chains Death and all the List of Heathen Gods That every thing is a false God they see And all they do is Zeal and Piety But if the hated Name of Rome they hear Then they in frantique Agonies appear Rending the Air with a fanattick Cry Of Tyrants Rome new Gods Idolatry Phine Yes Madam this is our unhappy state Nay all that Rome adores they so much hate They fly at you ' cause your commanding Eyes Are great Vespasian's Gods and Destinies And if what he adores they can prophane They boast as if they had a Dagon slain Q. Bere Yes I their zeal to my dishonour prove They boldly would prescribe me whom to love I not alone must quit a glorious State And all the Crowns that on my passion wait But the whole power of Love I must repeal To please I know not what fantastique zeal I love and long have lov'd nor count it shame If to the World my passion I proclaim For the renown of him I love may hide A Princess blushes and excuse her pride Monob. Oh! my stab'd heart what killing words I hear What torturing pangs must I in silence bear Aside Phraar Oh! Divine Musique hearken fairest Saint To Clarona When will your Angel-voice my Ears enchant With such a Song might ravish Gods or Kings And make the Crowing Cupids clap their Wings Claro When from all goodness I my thoughts remove Then Heav'n perhaps may punish me with Love Phraar Oh! may you 〈◊〉 to such a height with speed The Gods may in your punishment exceed Be so severe no heart that e're despis'd The sacred power of Love was so chastis'd Q. Bere And now their frenzy at a passion flies In which more than in Arms their safety lies One smile of mine can Caesar more subdue Than the whole Universe in Arms can do Yet is my Life in so much danger here Each hour some barbarous assault I fear Nay coming guarded with a slender train I had on my approach to Town been slain By a fierce Ambush for my Chariot laid Had not my Angel guided to my aid This generous Prince unknown who ever since To Monob. Has still employ'd his Sword in my defence And to the King I grateful must appear Turning to Phraar Whose Sword obliges me with safety here Sag. To King Phraartes's Sword our lives our Town Altars and Temples their protection own Phraar Beauty and Gods to worship men pretend And what they worship they should still defend And they alike in my protection share Because they equally defenceless are Matth. Well Madam since our Crowds thus rude appear We are unworthy of your presence here But now the Feast of Passeover draws nigh The yearly triumph of Divinity When to his Temple all our Tribes repair From every Nation where they scatter'd are To sound his praise and at his Altars wait The old Deliverance to commemorate When our good Angel Egypt's first-born slew And all our Tribes from bondage drew And through retiring Seas a passage made Whilst Kings and Elements our Powers obey'd This Feast we hope you 'll with your presence grace The chief remain of all our Royal Race Q. Beren I gladly would to Heav'n my Tribute pay But great Affairs will not admit my stay Part of my solemn Invitation here Was the due honour I the memory bear Of King Agrippa my dear Brother slain Of our high blood the hope and great remain Whose royal life by fatal honour lost Your State a Friend and me this sorrow cost Monob. Gods how I tremble at the words I hear Aside Little thinks she his Murd'rer stands so near And less that her fair Eyes revenge his blood Ev'n on his heart by whom he was subdu'd Q. Beren When I the Royal Body can obtain From those with whom it Captive does remain Here in some Tomb that does devoutly keep Our Fathers sacred Ashes it shall sleep Mean while in honour of his royal Name To pay my Vows and Offerings here I came And now my publique mourning days expire My own affairs command me to retire But wheresoe're I shall my Progress bend Your Laws and State have an eternal Friend Phraar And wheresoe're I this bright Beauty see to Clarona That place shall more than sacred be to me Matth. My Daughter Sir you too much honour show to Phraar For what your bounty Madam would bestow We pay our thanks but we have all decreed We in Jerusalems defence will bleed We think we War against the Gods
prove to your entreaties rude Call me a Monster of ingratitude Phra. For the too cruel doom to me decreed I know you Nature and Religion plead That both have firmly against love combin'd Nature has made it hateful to your mind Religion has deform'd it into sin But Madam I am all a storm within My Reason cannot hear one word you say My raging love blows all the sound away Matth. Pity such stormy Passions Sir shou'd blow In a brave heart where such great Vertues grow Clar. With love so generous I cou'd comply Did not Religion and my Vows deny Phra. No more to me that Dream Religion name On more substantial Causes lay the blame Say I have something does your hatred move Or that I am not worthy of your love That I 'm a banish'd King and want a Crown And have not yet reveng'd my wrong'd Renown Say this and I will satisfied remain 'Till I my Honour right my Empire gain 'Till Rome nay 'till the Captive world I bring To beg you to have pity on their King Clar. Sir for your love no Beauty upon earth But might adore the Stars that rul'd their birth In you Sir all their longings may be crown'd Do they love Glory here 't is to be found If Valour never was a man so brave If Love here 's all that they can wish to have If Noble Form here they may please their sight With all that is in Nature exquisite Phra. Say all these things and love deny Clar. I at this Price Eternal Glory buy Phra. Eternal Glory Oh! that sounding word Did it the joy of one hour's love afford Or what a minute's pleasing Dream bestows Then you gain'd something for the joys you lose But do not sacrifice me to a sound Where no delight or meaning can be found Matth. Your Royal Soul has only yet perus'd The Book of Nature which is all confus'd Religion shews you more of heavenly good Than ever Nature taught or understood Clar. Or truth or falshood which so e're it be If I believe it it is truth to me Then Sir forgive me if I dare not love I dare not to Religion faithless prove Suppose Sir I had vow'd my self to you Wou'd you be willing I shou'd prove untrue And if I break my Vows with Powers above Consider I may then prove false to Love Phra. Then give to Heav'n the Soul which you have vow'd But let these Beauties be on Love bestow'd Let me enjoy those Hands those Lips those Eyes Which only flesh and blood know how to prize And will not Heaven's estate at all impair And I will be contented with my share Clar. All is Religion's Phra. Do not tell me all Clar. It is too late my Vows Sir to recall Phra. All or not all Heaven's right retain or give Love must have something that he may but live Clar. What Father can be done Matth. I do not know Fain wou'd I pay the mighty debt we owe. Clar. Me from my birth your self to Altars vowed Matth. But by the Law Redemption is allowed Phra. Oh! blessed News some hope is drawing nigh Can I her freedom with my Kingdom buy Matth. Much lower price will do it keep your Crown Heav'n needs it not the world is all his own Clar. I 've vow'd my self Matth. That is as I allow Subjects and Children have no right to vow When Kings or Parents their consent deny A Solemn League is solemn Villany But oh I gave you my consent with joy Matth. Oh! do not now my infant hopes destroy Matth. Alas my Reason no more aid can lend Phra. How long shall I with Shadows here contend I 'm kept a Pris'ner in religious Rules Aside And holy Laws the common Jail of Fools That I cou'd travel to some happy Star Or other worlds remov'd from this so far Where the great Bell Religion is not heard Nor men out of the use of Reason scar'd Where happy Souls enjoy unbroken rests And have not their delights disturb'd by Priests Who dayly tolling of this Bell are found And no man lives out of the frightful sound Matth. I see I 'm thrust on ill deny or grant I must rob Heaven or let you starve for want Men are all cruelty but Heav'n will spare I 'le trust him and religious sufferings bear Take her but know I steal from wealth divine And for your use the Gold of Altars coin Clar. Who gave my being may of me dispose I yield the Gift a Fathers right bestows Phra. Soul summon all thy force thy joy to bear Whilst on this hand eternal love I swear Clar. Now I am wholly at the Kings Commands I kneel and beg most humbly at his hands My joy my peace my everlasting Crown All which I've humbly at his feet laid down Phra. What means my Queen what is it she wou'd have Clar. What I have sworn to carry to my Grave And must or perish in its just defence I mean my spotless Virgin innocence Phra. Was e're such a request to Lover made Think you that such Commands can be obey'd Clar. Yes or for ever I must wretched prove Phra. Ask not unless you think I do not love Clar. Sir if you do then let your love be seen Phra. It quickly shall I 'le make you such a Queen Clar. You may the happiest that did ever Reign By your restoring Heaven to me again Phra. To night I 'le give it in your Bridal Bed Clar. First round the world let me in Chains be led Phra. These are not sure your thoughts think once again Clar. The resolution I 'le to death retain Phra. Is this my Bridal Song a sweeter sound Should in that heavenly voice methinks be found Altars to your omnipotence I bow From me you force what Armies cou'd not do What you will have no power can retain Fair Saint I give you to your Vows again Sleep on and dream of mighty things above I will not wake you any more with love Matth. Live King Phraartes let Jerusalem ring Clar. All chaste and holy Maids his praises sing All. Long live King Phraartes Phra. But must I all of you to Heaven resign May not this Hand those charming Eyes be mine Clar. I 'le grant the King sure any modest Prayer Phra. Pray give me all of you that Heaven can spare Clar. You shall have all the joys in friendship's store Phra. I 'le be content since I must have no more You shall remain my sacred Maiden Queen A glorious Treasure only to be seen All. Long live King Phraartes Enter Messenger Sagan and Phineas Mess Ah Sir new terrour the whole City fills An Army covers all the Neighbouring Hills A dreadful shadow o're each Valley falls And Roman Eagles hover near our Walls Queen Berenice transported with the sight Prepares her Chariots to be gone to night The raging People rouz'd with these Alarms In wild distractions all betake to Arms. Phra. Friend thou dost glorious tydings to me bring Now there is business worthy of
Winds I 'le go And loose my stormy Squadrons on the Foe And when the mighty Vapour 's spent and done The wasting Roman inundation gone And not a Cloud in all the Heav'ns we see I 'le come a hot and pleasant Calm to thee Ex. ACT IV. SCENE The Roman Tents Enter Titus Malchus Antiochus Tiberius Tib. NOw Sir one more Assault and we conclude The torments of the starving multitude We to our Squadrons portions divide Which like wild Horses to its members ty'd Did rend it limb from limb and left alone A torn dismembred carkass of a Town Mal. I did the Temple storm the place to save From its own Guard as Caesar orders gave And the vile Slaves to burn my Troops and me Gave fire to th'entrance of their Sanctuary And in a moment levell'd with the ground Solomon's Porch and all the Buildings round Ant. The Town must bow to you within a day For Famine sweeps its dirty crowds away They who maintain it are not men but bones Shadows of men and walking Skeletons Their looks scare death it self nor do they need To fly from wounds they have no bloud to bleed Their flesh if mangled like chopt Earth appears Or cloven Trees torn with the wind and years Mal. My civil Fate did better treats afford And with fat juicy Villains fed my Sword That I had no great reason for complaints I had a noble banquet of cramm'd Saints Tit. To all the Heav'nly Pow'rs I dare appeal If I 'm in fault for what these wretches feel Tib. Except by mercy lengthning that disease Which stubborn cruelty with speed wou'd ease An alarm Enter an Officer Tit. The news Offic. The Guardian Angel of the Town The Parthian King is from its succour flown He broke from thence like Thunder from a Cloud And tore down all that in his passage stood Thence with his followers o're the Mountains fled And all the way with slaughter'd Romans spread Ant. Then the proud City's dying pangs are past Her mighty Ghost is yielded up at last Mal. The very Soul of all their Souls is fled Tib. Better their Walls had vanish'd in his stead Pursue him Tit. No since for his life he flies Let him enjoy what with disgrace he buys Now I 'le release the wretches from the rack Prepare my Legions for a new attaque Their Temple save unless the Slaves appear Too obstinate and it shall cost too dear Mal. I am prepar'd but e're the Fight begin aside I must go gaze on the fair Jewish Queen I know I must not hope but I may dare To peep in Heav'n though I must ne're come there Ex. Ant. I must to the fair Queen before I go My thirsty Soul does more intemp'rate grow That hot Elixir I must hourly tast Which I 'm assur'd will burn me at the last Ex. Tit. Now Friend the hour draws near when wretched I The torments of departing Love must try And with one stab that fatal wound must give Of which I shall be groaning whilst I live Tib. Oh! does your mighty resolution yield I thought you had entirely gain'd the Field Tit. Dost think I from my breast so soon can tear A Love which has so long been growing there Throw all that heap of riches out of door I hardly got and in a trice be poor Three years I lov'd and fought on no design But at the last to make this Treasure mine I have spoil'd half the world but to be seen Attir'd in Glories pleasing to the Queen Nay I who shun her Love to gain a Throne Desir'd the Empire for her sake alone And now I have obtain'd my wish'd success And I 'm in reach of supreme happiness Shall I at last my self and her deceive And what I sought for what I slighted leave Tib. Oh! do these thoughts your Soul once more invade All this before you in the ballance weigh'd With an impartial finger pois'd the Scale And left out nothing might for Love prevail But still the Roman Laws your own Renown And Glory weigh'd the other ballance down And now Tit. Her Love to all things I prefer What is Renown or Empire without her Tib. Grant Sir all charms that in her Sex are seen Are lodg'd in her but still she is a Queen A Roman courage her great heart contains But there 's no Roman bloud within her veins And not our Tyrants yet so bold have been To marry with a Stranger and a Queen This hate to Crowns is all that Rome in chains Still of her ancient Liberty retains Nay Roman Monsters whose supreme delight Was against Reason Laws and Gods to fight Who Rome and Nature in confusion hurl'd And walk'd Antipodes to all the world Yet they who durst both burn and plunder Rome Once to invade this Law durst ne're presume And Sir shall you the worlds delight do more Against our Laws then Monsters did before Tit. All this too well I know but must I lose My freedom e're I am at Rome's dispose It will be time enough these thoughts to have When I am chosen her Imperial Slave Till then my heart and person both are free And I am Master of my destiny Tib. Ah Sir against this fatal passion strive And do not Rome of your brave self deprive Shall she lose all the Glory of your Reign Only to ease a Love-sick Ladies pain For Sir were you a God and shou'd presume To ' spouse a Queen you must not govern Rome Her Rank is by your Army too abhorr'd Who hate to see a Queen command their Lord Their hourly discontents I scarce can quell They out of Loyalty would fain Rebell Nay they have all resolv'd the very hour The Town is won to chuse you Emperour But lest the Queen should in your Glory share They firmly have decreed to banish her And the brave Rebels I declare I 'le lead Kneels and flings his Sword at Titus feet If you will guard your passion take my head For I will ne're endure the greatest Throne And bravest man shou'd be by Love undone Tit. Oh rise thou truly Roman spirit rise raises him I have resolv'd on this great Sacrifice But do not know which way I shall begin I cannot speak to the unhappy Queen Tib. Release your spirit from that trifling care I 'le to the Queen th'unpleasing message bear And as the Patient's sight an Artist hides When from the Body he a Limb divides That Nature may not doubly be opprest Then with a curious hand performs the rest So I the fatal deed will gently do And not torment you with an Interview And will so mollifie the parting pain That injur'd Love but little shall complain offers to go Tit. Oh! stay Tiberius make not so much speed I know not if I shall survive the deed With hast I boldly rush on a design Which may at once destroy her life and mine But yet what must be suffer'd we in vain Delay some moments and prolong our pain Go then the sad and killing tidings bear
THE DESTRUCTION OF Jerusalem BY Titus Vespasian In TWO PARTS As it is Acted at the THEATRE ROYAL Written by Mr CROWNE PART the First LONDON Printed for James Magnes and Richard Bentley in Russel-street near the Piazza's and the Post-house in Covent-Garden 1677. TO HER GRACE THE DUTCHESSE OF PORTSMOUTH BEauty Madam has received from Nature a Dominion so pleasing that Men contend not with more ambition for Empire over their own Sex than subjection to Yours Kings have worn Your Sexes Chains with as much pleasure as their Crowns and Conquerours have followed Your Triumphs with as much delight as they have seen their own attended by Kings A Dominion so absolute that all Your Commands are Laws Indeed Princes who are beloved shall be absolute their Subjects will force Arbitrary Power upon 'em Nothing enslaves like Love Force binds our Hands but Love captivates our Hearts How absolute then must Beauty be No man yet ever had the will much less the power to rebell against it They who should seek to depose it would begin a Civil War in their own bosoms and lay waste and ruinate the most delightful Possessions of their minds And lastly so large that it finds Subjects where it finds men Its Empire extends as far as Humane Nature and its Spoils are all that 's excellent in the whole Creation But men claim to be subjects of its Empire as the birth-right of Reason and esteem that too as one of Reason's great advantages Beasts are excluded that Claim cannot be naturalized into that Dominion for want of the ennoblements of Reason Men are exalted to love Beauty by the same faculty which lifts 'em to adore Heaven and there is a kind of Divinity in Beauty which makes Love to be a kind of Religion Beauty is certainly the fairest visible Image of Divinity in the world The Ancients therefore built Temples and Altars to it and ranked it amongst Celestial Powers We Christians have much ado to abstain from that Idolatry however we pay it as high Honours though under other Names That these Madam are the Rights and Possessions of Beauty you cannot but know that they are therefore yours all the World knows but you But Madam wrong your Beauty in your own opinion as much as you please you cannot injure it in others the Sun will shine though you wink and you will be fair whether you regard it or no. And that Beauty will have Empire how great may appear by the many and mighty Conquests it makes and in a Nation too where you have such numerous and considerable Rivals for that Dominion some perhaps as powerful as any in the World You like the Goddess of Beauty gain the Golden Ball not from humble Mortals but your fellow Goddesses How clear a Title you have to it I shall not say for I shall not please you by it and I shall displease them Nothing is so hateful to the conquered as to be upbraided with their misfortune But certainly how mean an opinion soever you have Heaven has none of that Workmanship which he takes care to plant such Lights of Glory round about to shew And though Nature might have discovered you to more advantage in a greater Empire and by brighter Lights of Fortune yet it proves how fond she was of that fair Idea which she was not able to conceal They then who admire you shew but their good Manners to Nature and Providence in commending Nature's workmanship and Providence's choice of a Favourite But I fear the many Fair Ones over whom you tryumph will think themselves treated by this Discourse with too much insolence however I am sure they will not grutch you the few Flowers that a poor Poet brings to strew in your way especially when they come from Gardens warm'd by the lustre of your favour and watered by Royal Bounty which you caus'd to be shower'd upon it moved to it by no Friends of mine for I had few by no Merits for I had fewer but only by your own excellent mind How many attractives then have the following Poems to excuse their pressing into your presence They attend you not only as born in general Vassalage to your Beauty but as Creatures that received life from the concurrence of your Favour I am now engaging in another Theme more safe than the former I shall anger neither Sex by expatiating on an Excellence which will contract You no envy Your Patronage of Wit that Province You may enjoy without any trouble from multitudes of Pretenders You need not fear lest the ambitious Great Ones of either Sex invade you in it No Heaven be thanked we live in an Age wherein men are content to want it and to let others possess as much of it as they please We need no Laws to secure us in the possession of that propriety Witty men indeed do often quarrel with one another about it because they know the value of it others think it not worth contending for Against it indeed they often strive and they have reason it treats ' emrudely will have no friendship no acquaintance with them will make no court to 'em will scarcely lend 'em a little sense for common Conversation This carriage I must confess is very provoking especially when to men of Quality They have cause to be angry with it and to revenge themselves of it as they often seek to do by thrusting it out of their own or any favour which might advantage it setting up Fashions Dresses or any thing in the room of it Your Grace then must both know and value the Jewel well which you will take up and wear when it is not only flung into the dirt by others but trod upon And wear it safely you may Wit may dress you in all the lustre it has and never endanger you a blasting from the fascinations of envious and malignant eyes But though by ascribing this praise to You I displease not others I fear I shall Your Grace for by protecting a despised Quality You could not aim at praise Besides praise being one of the vainest pleasures of mankind so excellent a mind cannot nor need not delight in it You may find satisfaction enough at home You need not go abroad for happiness And we who place Your Statues in our Gardens add no glory to You only make our own Walks delighted in by our selves and frequented by others which else would lye neglected by both I fix then Your Grace's Image at this Jewish Temple Gate to render the Building sacred nor can the Jews be angry with so beautiful a Profanation and in guiding them to You they are conducted like their Ancestors to repose and happiness in the most fair and delightful part of the World There I shall leave 'em and retire to the contemplation of it no moderate degree of happiness to one who is with so much devotion MADAM Your Grace's most humble and most obliged Servant JOHN CROWN THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Reader THE world having
life and Crown When Slaves wou'd have depos'd him from the Throne Because some Merchant Jews ' mongst other Wares Had made him change his own Belief for theirs Monob. Service beyond the gratitude of Kings Like Crimes Misfortune on the Subject brings So he the least acknowledgments disdain'd And sought the life of him by whom he Reign'd Thrice I his Armies beat in open Field Making his strugling Fate entirely yield Subjecting Kings that to his aid he drew One in the head of all his Troops I slew Then gave him back his vanquish'd Crown and went By my own doom to willing Banishment Roving the world I hither chanc't to stray And drawing nigh this Town in close of day It was my fate by an old shady wood To see a Chariot with arm'd Troops pursu'd With my own Train to its relief I made And came not much untimely to its aid But for my own repose with too much speed For scarce I had th' assaulted freed But streight a Goddess or a thing more bright With murdering Beauties charg'd my dazl'd sight Phra. And 't was the Queen Monob. It wounds my heart to tell It was the Sister of the King who fell By my curst Sword and she was going then To mourn the death of him whom I had slain Phra. Killing surprize I pity now thy flame And shall no more thy sad Retirements blame Clarona appears above in the Balcony in her Night-dress with a Taper in one hand and a Book in another But ha whence comes this golden dart of light Which on the sudden wounds the breast of night Monob. See some new wonder Sir invites our eyes Shews Clar. Phra. The chief indeed of Jewish Prodigies Young fair and woman and without desire The only Miracle I can admire Monob. She 's at Devotion sure for it is said Thrice in the night she from her downy bed And soft repose does her fair body raise And from her window towards the Temple prays Phra. Nay from above she certainly dropt down And like some Syren in a Tempest thrown From her own Element and place of birth Can relish none of all the Joys on Earth I am all flame at sight of one so fair Mon. I am all shade and wander in despair Phra. She 's giving audience to some Angel now I must disturb 'em for I jealous grow Monob. May your fair Goddess to your Prayers be kind I 'le go relate my sorrows to the wind Exit Phra. Clarona Clar. Ha! who calls Phra. A wretched thing That begs your pity Clar. The great Parthian King What is it creeps into his Royal breast This stormy night and drives away his rest Phra. What shou'd or can disturb my rest but love That bearded Shaft which nothing can remove But you are still engag'd in heav'nly things And have no pity for poor mortal Kings Clar. Alas Sir do you my compassion crave Your glorious Acts my admiration have Phra. And yet not love where admiration's due Clar. Oh yes my love does the whole world pursue With all the blessings of my hourly Prayer And you the noblest part have sure your share Phra. Blessings and Prayers and at a common Feast Where the whole world is an invited Guest Do not crowd me among the sordid rout Where all your Charity is dol'd about But me to Noble Entertainments bring And treat me like a Lover and a King Nor shall the saucy world sit down with me Gods at this Feast shall my Attendants be Clar. Religion is a Feast of true delight To which might I your glorious Soul invite You never wou'd repent your happy state And I with joy wou'd at your Table wait Phra. My relish no Camelions food endures My love I long to entertain with yours Let Souls like Planets be with Vapours fed Invite my senses to the Nuptial bed Clar. I merit not so great a Monarch's Throne But were I worthy I am not my own I am the Child of Sacrifice and Prayer Born when the Womb did totally despair My Soul was kindled at an Altar flame Religion gave instructions for my frame And Nature punctually her Rules obey'd And me exactly for Religion made And from my birth I 've educated been A Maid of Honour to that mighty Queen And now am Heaven's adopted Daughter grown And like some Virgin Heiress of a Throne Guarded and waited on by Spirits fed By Prayer and Contemplation Angels bread Inclos'd from all the world and scarcely dare Mix my devoted breath with common air And in this state I ever must remain And not in thought my Virgin-whiteness stain Phra. Blest news the only glory I design Now you are fit for no embrace but mine And I have long desir'd to mix my blood with some Celestial Daughter of a God Clar. Your mortal Deities Sir may bestow Their Daughters on you yet your Match below The King I hope will these expressions bear But yet if I of his Religion were I in the same condition would remain For I wou'd be of chaste Diana's Train In Woods and Forests breathe untainted air And against love an open War declare And e're your little God shou'd conquer me With Daphne I 'd be turn'd into a Tree Exit Phra. You shou'd not long within your bark remain I wou'd embrace you into life again Enter a Gentleman But ha here 's one with News Gen. Haste Sir and see The stormy Air all fill'd with Prodigy A numerous Army in the Skye appears And every Troop a bloody Banner bears They march along in the Moons timerous light Then dive in air and vanish from our sight Phra. This is some charm'd and visionary Land I scarce can trust the ground on which I stand Their Earth oft trembles and their Buildings groan Built like the Theban Walls of living stone Their Stars grow Comets Clouds arm'd Legions breed Each has more Warriours than the Trojan Steed Wonders not Fishes spawn within their Seas And all the winds that blow breathe Prophecies Nor are their People of a Kind entire But got betwixt Devotion and Desire But let us see if Nature with a grace Can shew her tricks and cheat me to my face Exeunt ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Matthias Phineas Sagan Guard Matth. AN Army in the Air. Sag. I saw it move Phin. And round the Skye Troops of Iron Chariots drove Sag. Through all the Air they scattered Rays so bright As if their prancing Steeds were shod with Light Phin. Straight of the sudden all the Shapes were flown The war-like Imagery was taken down Folded in pitchy Clouds and roll'd with care Into the Wardrobe of the wealthy Air. Sag. The Martial Atoms from their noble form Dissolv'd in Clouds now combat in a Storm Phin. The Air ungovern'd by its Prince the Sun Like factious States to Anarchy does run Wind Thunder Rain and Lightning strive to share Like Rebels all the Provinces o' th Air. See! how the Clouds like angry surges fly And dash the Crystal beaches of the Skye Sag.
labour'd through the Waves to Hero's Tower Whilst on the shore to ravish him she stood From the Embraces of the faithless stood Clar. Are you the King Phra. Exalted by such bliss I am God and you my Paradise Where e're I wander pleasures crowd my way And I with every one a life cou'd stay Oh! I cou'd dwell an Age upon this Hand But shou'd I to those Cheeks or Lips ascend Such numerous delights my senses court To gather all Eternity's too short Clar. What has this change in King Phraartes made Will he my Ears with such discourse invade He who approacht me with so great an awe Priests with less reverence near Altars draw That any thing was sacred did deny On Earth in Nature or in Heaven but I What have I done that has my Honour stain'd And made me now deserve to be profan'd Phra. Can any Temples be profan'd by Prayer Or Altars by the Victims which they bear Clar. By Victims sinful and impure they may And only such you at my Altars lay Phra. You wrong my innocent and spotless love Clar. Convince me of it and from hence remove Him who my ruine did attempt to night I mean your self for ever from my sight Phra. From their Foundations bid me Mountains tear Or hale a fixed Star out of his Sphere Remove the world assoon I could obey As take my self from hence whilst here you stay This is my Heav'n which I with toil attain And shall I now leap down to Earth again My arms for safety I around you spread Throw me from this high happiness I 'm dead Clar. You on a Precipice wou'd safely dwell But you wou'd strive to throw me down to Hell You for my ruine are by Hell design'd And chosen for it out of all Mankind As having all their excellence and more By whom he thousands had subdu'd before The Serpent in your Figure I believe Stole into Paradise and ruin'd Eve With such a pleasing Tongue he spoke his suit And with such Hands bestow'd the fatal Fruit. That to put all his Troops at once to flight I must for ever banish you my sight Phra. Hell and his Troops into destruction go My love of their designs does nothing know My love's intentions generous have been But if for you to love again be sin Be sav'd pursue the Joys you call divine Attain your Heav'n though I despair of mine But pray let me be sav'd a little too The Heav'n I cannot compass let me view Clar. No Sir in pity I deny your Prayer Why shou'd I keep you in a scorching air When I no ease or pleasure can bestow If to a cooler Clime you will not go The Sun whose heat does your Diseases breed Tan your fair Vertues and your Torments feed Thus Sir I will for ever cloud from you This I am bound in Charity to do Phra. Share your compassion and unvail'd remain I am your Enemy and beg for pain Let not so great a Sinner torment want Clar. Beg nothing of me for I 'le nothing grant Phra. What not to see you are those Beauties made To pine and wither in a barren shade Clar. Ask me no more I will no more reply Phra. And will you then one parting view deny Sun rise no more for ever quench thy light For now the world has nothing worth our sight Ex. ACT IV. SCENE I. A Room in the Tower Enter John Eleazar Pharisees c. Eleaz. HOW for these several hours in Council sate John Close in a Tower with Guards at every Gate All their Designs they hide but it is said Some tender Lambs must be to slaughter laid 1 Phar. With blood of Saints he stains the holy Chair He is a Tyrant and Idolater John I fear through frailty he too much inclines And am in doubt some impious thing designs Nay am assur'd Nay since it must be known The horrid Villany's already done Vespasian is our Soveraign Lord declar'd And Crowns of Gold are for his head prepar'd Nay at an hour when all in sleep lay drown'd A Guard in secret brought an Image Crown'd His head a guilded wreath of Laurel wore His face Vespasian's proud resemblance bore 'T is in the Palace hid but they design At his approach it shall in publick shine Stand in the Temple and our Laws defie And all that will not bow to it shall dye Eleaz. Oh horrid horrid well oh stormy Air For Divine Vengeance may'st thou Troops prepare 2. Phar. It is a Plot I plainly understand To murder all the Zealous of the Land John Heav'n knows with grief I stain his Mitred Hairs Who lays me near him as the Robes he wears But in my Soul it did impatience 〈◊〉 To think the Sheep should by the Shepheard bleed To see the Temple by the Priest defil'd Nay more to see the Father kill the Child And if my self unfaithful I proclaim In saving it I 'le glory in my shame Eleaz. Appease your Soul if this can Treason be 'T is holy falshood pious treachery John But yet all falshood has the face of ill 1. Phar. In a good Cause 't is but Religious Skill John Nay to preserve the Choice Ones of the Land I 'd be the Earth on which their Tower should stand For though our Lights by various Names we call Like Jewels still there 's Beauty in us all And though like Brethren ' mongst our selves we fight ' Gainst Foster-Fathers we can all unite Eleaz. No more we 'll have his blood the Tyrant dyes The Priest shall be the Morning Sacrifice 2. Phar. He does the Priestly Diadem defile And we 'll revenge the consecrated Oyl John Nay since your Zeal's inflam'd I 'le lead you on And with my aid my former guilt attone For friendship's sake I did the Cause betray But now I will the heavenly Call obey A Brazen Image stands before my eyes Revenge revenge a Voice within me cries Kill kill these curst Apostates who design To set Hell's Standard ' midst the Camp Divine Spare not a man who in his List is found Who spares a Traytor does Religion wound Eleaz. I 'm thirsty for their blood 1. Phar. And I. 2. Phar. And I. 3. Phar. To eat their flesh were holy gluttony John It were and Heaven no doubt would bless the Meal Such unclean Beasts we might devour with zeal But their foul flesh shall not be so preferr'd In Craws and Paunches it shall be interr'd They have no right to any other Tomb Nor shall defile Jerusalem's sacred Womb. Eleaz. Their Souls renounce the Gardens of the just Nor shall their Bodies here pollute their dust 1. Phar. But when shall we attempt this blessed deed How many Swords what Forces do we need 2. Phar. For they are strong and keep an hourly guard And our poor 〈◊〉 Friends debarr'd From aiding us under their 〈◊〉 lye Besieg'd by all the fury of the Skye John Ask you for aid when you Heav'ns service do We are too strong th' Idolaters too few We have our
Cause our Innocence and Prayer Nay we have Armies mustering in the Air And are to Arms invited from above The Winds are join'd to represent our Love Troops rendezvous'd in Clouds to shew from whence In our distress we may expect defence A fire shone round the Temple to declare Pure Reformation is enkindled there The Brazen Gates untouch'd were seen to move To let us know the Gates of Divine Love Were opening to us if we 'll enter in And now Jerusalem's glory does begin Eleaz. Oh! blessed hour and yet more blessed we Who in this work the Instruments shall be 1. Phar. We are too few the sweet rewards to share 2. Phar. They will be more than humane strength can bear Eleaz. Nay we to farther aid have no pretence But yet our Friends that come for our defence May of our mighty deeds Spectators be John They shall admittance have in Charity Not that in such a Cause their Swords we need A Cause that will reward each drop we bleed Sinners who dye in it may at the price Of a few Traytors heads buy Paradise Has any here Defil'd a Sister or a Father slain A Traytor 's blood will wash away the stain And if to Sinners such Rewards accrew What Joys what Pleasures will be showr'd on you Who are all Saints Omn. All all Eleaz. I am in pain My breast cannot my furious zeal contain John And now my Friends when Providence shall deal Rewards and Blessings to your faithful zeal And you shall make division as you please O' th' hoorded wealth of richest Palaces Oh do not cast a hot and lustful eye Upon the Temple if she naked lye And her bright Gold should on your fingers smile Take heed for that will all the rest defile 1. Phar. Oh doubt us not John Still barring all Constraint For nothing is so sacred as a Saint And in our own defence we may make bold Serving our Master with our Master's Gold One Enter But see the Spye we at the Palace plac'd To watch the Sanhedrim returns in haste Mess O Sirs to Arms a Voice from Heaven calls From foggy Clouds a sleepy Unguent falls And some good Angel round the Palace flyes And with it has annointed all their Eyes But to the Priests does double Portions give That nothing in the Palace seems to live But a few pining Lamps that burn so dim They seem as drousie as the Sanhedrim John 'T is plain Heav'n aids our holy Cause and sends A Spirit to bind their hands and help his Friends 2. Phar. If we with speed these Traytors not destroy Angels will do 't and rob us of the joy 3. Phar. Haste haste let us go fire the Palace straight John No first assist our Friends without the Gate Both shelter and revenge will now be good Eleaz. Yes let them warm themselves with Travtors blood 3. Phar. But will not the strong Gate despise our pains 'T is clad in Iron and girded round with Chains John Fear not I can the sacred Tools produce Kept in the Tower for the Temple's use And they can force it open in a trice With as much ease as Prayer does Paradise Eleaz. Haste haste the Cocks have thrice alarm'd the dawn And Night's black Chariot as by Whirle-winds drawn Drives on to its last Stage in solemn state Whilst raging Storms on her Retinue wait Now whilst the Tempest rocks the drowsie Town Oh! let the heavenly work with speed be done 2. Phar. Now is the time their Souls like Flocks of Sheep Are kept for Sacrifice in Folds of sleep 1. Phar. The talking Ecchoes can conveigh no noise The busie Tempest all the air employs Enter one with Iron Bars and Tools John See! see the blessed Instruments are come Now Sinners hastens your eternal doom Hell will be crowded with the numerous flight Of unclean Birds we shall unpearch to night To Arms All. To Arms to Arms John But first let 's swear That each shall equally the danger share By Jerusalem All lift up their hands All. By Jerusalem John By the Temple All. By the Temple John By the Altar All. By the Altar John By the most binding Oath which we can swear By Corban the Divine Oblation there All. By Corban John Now let each draw his consecrated Sword Corban's the Oath and Liberty the Word So if I now succeed in this design Aside One more Religious Lye the Mitre's mine Exeunt A noise of breaking Locks and forcing Gates The Scene is drawn and Matthias Sagan Phineas and the whole Sanhedrim are represented sitting asleep Lamps burning and the Guards asleep at the Gate The Ghost of Herod arises Ghost Cries shrieks and groans from a lamenting Crowd Th' air fill'd with wandring Souls the Streets with blood In Seas of Fire the falling Buildings drown'd In Chains of sleep the Priests for slaughter bound Fit pleasure for a Tyrant's Ghost like me Worthy my Pilgrimage from Hell to see Sleep on you damn'd Tormentors of Mankind That humane Souls in aiery Fetters bind And all their little pleasures dearly sell And will not let 'em go in peace to Hell And thou proud Town who stil'st thy self Divine Queen of the world Heav'ns earthly Concubine Who all his favour to thy self hast gain'd Art at th' expence of Miracles maintain'd And fill'st the gazing world with pannick fears Tremble for see within thy Walls appears The brightest Vision of this threatning Night The Ghost of Herod the great Edomite Greatest of all abandon'd Esau's Line Who in thy Throne once Royally did shine Ravish thy Beauty and thy Lord disgrace And took his Mistress to my own embrace And not contented to defile his Bed His Altars rob'd and on his Victims fed Revell'd in blood and did his power despise And in contempt of all his Prophesies Plac'd Esau's Chains of slavery on Thee And soundly scourg'd old Jacob's Treachery Then with mock penitence for all my guilt To my own glory I thy Temple built Now all the Ills in life I could not do La malicious tortur'd Ghost pursue Lash me ye Furies blow th' infernal fire Fill me with rage that I may now inspire My Nation with the Spirit on 't refin'd And pour it scalding into every mind And you gull'd Priests invoke no more Heav'ns aid He has you all into my power betray'd And He go whet the Idumean Swords And nobly banquet the infernal Birds They flock about and heaps of Carrion smell I 'le make to night a Jubilee in Hell Exit The Ghost goes out and noise of clashing of Swords shricking and knocking at the Gate is heard at which they all awake Matth. In what dark Cave has all our Souls been bound Phin. Or in what drousie Labyrinth wandring round Sag. Rather to what infernal Dungeon lead Guarded with Fiends and haunted with the Dead For I have been with droves of Souls pursu'd Chac'd hot and reeking from warm Flesh and Blood Phin. I nothing dream'd but was securely laid As void of sense as e're my Soul was made
a King Matth. Arriv'd e're we are fitted for defence Phin. We have been wrong'd with false Intelligence Sag. Sure all our Scouts have been surpriz'd or slain Matth. Haste lest the Thieves by this advantage gain Shut all the Gates and guard the outward Courts But chiefly watch the Rebels strong resorts Then place our Standard by the Camp Divine And there in Arms let all the People join Phin. Sure they a resolute defence will make Since in the Town our Nation lies at stake Hither our Tribes are from all places come Fear has drove thousands and devotion some Some for the Passeover that 's drawing nigh But thousands only here for refuge flye These Buildings harbour on a various score Two hundred Legions of our Race and more But on what e're intent they here prepare They to their wealth and lives devotion bear Matth. Let 'em all Arm for though the Foe is brave I on no terms a Peace with Rome will have The Cause is Heaven's and let the Power Divine Relinquish me if I his right resign Phra. Father your Foes already have their doom Triumph this moment for the fall of Rome Her slaughter'd Legions feed your Beasts and Fowls Dung Earth with Carcases and Hell with Souls The Chains of all the Captive Kings and States Their Power oppress are fallen at your Gates Hither by Fate is all their Glory hurl'd Stoop and take up the Empire of the World For he who Being to Clarona gave Ought the World's Empire in reward to have Exeunt omnes The EPILOGUE to the First Part. So Heaven be thank'd the Play is at an end The best pretence it has to gain a friend But this designs to draw another on But you may damn 'em now both under one Faults to deserve it every Critick sees And they and we both want no Enemies First all you Wits who for some secret Crime Have taken up a pique against poor Rhime And you at present are no little store And next the Poets Foes and they are more Then all whom Priests and Women Saints displease A small and trifling number next to these If any such can be the pious Jew The frantique part of all our Nation too Fanaticks who 'll be angry with us all For ripping up their base Original Shewing their Sires the Pharisees from whom They and their Cheats by long succession come Whom they 'r so like the diff'rence duly priz'd Fanaticks are but Jews uncircumciz'd These Plays then must have luck to be long liv'd None e're for damning better were contriv'd What made the Poet on Jerus'lem fall A Tale of Sodom wou'd ha' pleas'd you all But he at shew and great Machines might aim Fine Chairs to carry Poetry when lame On Ropes instead of Raptures to relye When the sense creeps to make the Actors flye These Tricks upon our Stage will never hit Our Company is for the old way of Wit Then Actors plaid on Nature's charge alone And only Poets then could be undone But now they lean so heavy on the Age One Blockhead Poet falling breaks a Stage Then Gentlemen for Plays so much distrest Naked of shew by Enemies opprest The Poot begs the aid of all the brave And that he some pretence to it may have First for his Rhime he pardon does implore And promises to ring those Chimes no more Next for Jerus'lem but with patience stay And you shall see it burnt in the next Play And last to take away all sad Complaints These Plays debauch our Women into Saints Forgive it in the Plays and we 'll engage They shall be Saints no where but on the Stage FINIS THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM BY Titus Vespasian The Second Part. As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal By Their MAJESTIES SERVANTS Written by Mr. Crown LONDON Printed for J. Magnes and R. Bentley in Russel-street in Covent-Garden near the Piazza's Anno. Dom. 1677. The Play ended Mrs. Marshal returns and speaks the EPILOGUE in the Character of Queen Berenice HOw is the Gallant British Nation here Nay then in spite of Titus I 'le appear And make this brave Assembly judge my Cause Wou'd you forsake your Loves for fear of Laws You are so brave where Love is in the case Men fear no danger Women no disgrace A Confident is out o' fashion grown Or any Common Friend will serve for one Who Madam pays your eyes their Tribute due 'T is my Lord such a one And is he true Oh! very true and worthy my esteem And Madam had you pretty Miss by him Yes Madam Oh! we lead a pleasant life Lord how we laugh at his poor nauseous Wise I thought you were ador'd by such a one I lov'd him first but that Intrigue is done Why did you part He was a Younger Brother Besides we grew a weary of each other Thus brave are you nor can you well forbear Your Women charming men most gallant are With this small Beauty I might Servants have Now I am free but I your pardon crave I never more will any Friendships make For my unkind unconstant Lovers sake No you in Love as Gauls do in the Field Charge sierce subdue but soon your Conquests yield Never keep long the Beauties which you take But first dismantle 'em then give 'em back Then to all new Intrigues a long farewell But Woman-like though I dissemble well I love to talk of my false Lover oft And if the passions I have sigh'd be soft And such as may unhappy Beauties please All you forsaken slighted Mistresses In mine to hear your own complainings come 'T is better then to mope alone at home Or in the Rooms where first your hearts were won Or private Lodgings where 〈◊〉 were undone Come all of you but if the half resort Queen Berenice will have a crouded Court Some Books Printed for James Magnes and Richard Bentley in Russel-street in Covent-Garden PLato's Apology of Socrates or Phedo two Dialogues concerning the Immortality of Man's Soul A Natural History of the Passions Moral Essays Translated from the French by the Author of Ars Cogitandi Moral Essays the Second Part. In the Press PLAYS Country Wit Sophonisba Nero. Augustus Caesar Abdelazer Sir Timothy Tandry Madam Fickle All Mistaken English Monsieur Tartuff Andromache Calista Forc'd Marriage The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian Both Parts The Rival Queens or the Death of Alexander the Great In the Press The Fool turn'd Critick In the Press English Novels New Zelinda Count Brion Happy Slave Happy Slave Second Part. French Novels Princess Monferrat L'Heureux Esclave L'Heureux Esclave Second Part. L'Heureux Esclave Third Part. In the Press Rare-en-tout A French Comedy Acted at Whitehall Some Books of Devotion Bishop Andrews Devotions and Manuel for the Sick Thomas à Kempis Dr. Taylor 's Psalter with the Collects and Prayers to each Psalm Collet's Devotions Drexelius of Eternity THE PROLOGUE HOw once again this fair and noble Shew The Poet hopes you will good-natur'd grow He shew'd before his Muse but
Clar. All this with patience I can hear from you Phr. You can hear any thing you should not do But you are deaf to all the loudest sounds Of all my services of all my wounds Though Camp and City both do silence break And there the Dead and here the Living speak All to your hearing cannot force away Clar. I still can bear Phr. And still slight all I say Why with such scorn do you my Love deny Shew me the man on Earth more great then I And let that man the happy Lover be Clar. Greatness not valued is at all by me Phr. What do you value Clar. Nothing in this vain And wretched World Phr. Wou'd I were out on 't then Clar. Where is the heart such kindness wou'd not move Who can resist such merit and such Love Weeps Phr. How do you weep Nay then I have done ill Thus humbly I for pardon to you kneel Kneels Let not my rage a trouble to you prove I do confess I am unfit to Love Love has too violent effect I find On my too rash and most unruly mind Trumpet sounds The Trumpet calls farewell too Lovely Maid To reach thy Heavenly Beauties I have straid Like the Mistaken Fool who wanders round To find the place where Heav'n does touch the ground Whilst thou continu'st still far far above Tallest deserts and most aspiring Love Who highest climbe but reach thee with their Eye No more then those who in the Valleys lie Offers to go Clar. Oh! stay Phr. That charming voice did I not hear Or did my thoughts deceive my credulous Ear Clar. Stay yet a moment with me Phr. Stay with you That I to all Eternity cou'd do Clar. Sit down a while for I have much to say Phr. Such kind commands how gladly I obey Clar. Did I e're think that any should subdue aside My heart to Love and to confess it too Oh Heav'n that thou so kind to me hadst been That I had never King Phraartes seen Phr. Is it for this that I must tarry here Clar. You may have patience Sir till more appear Oh had I never King Phraartes seen My life had been all happy and serene I had not known what shame or guilt had meant Nor had a thought of which I might repent Phr. Have I transplanted any of those foul And thorny weeds out of my desart soul Into your breast let 'em not there remain Return 'em to their Native soyl again Clar. You have a Plant I thought no more cou'd grow In my cold breast then Roses in the Snow A Plant whose name I did abhor before Nor dare I name it lest I speak no more Phr. What Artist can my trembling doubts remove Oh that I durst suppose it to be Love I 'd give my Crown I cou'd my thoughts beguile But with those dawning glimmering hopes a while Clar. What unknown Fates are kept for us above That I shou'd own to any one I Love Phr. What vast oppression of delight is this Hold for I bow beneath the weight of bliss Clar. Alas I think indeed you alter'd grow And bloud out of your wounds begins to flow Phr. Let it flow on But did you say you Love Clar. Suppress this passion it may hurtfull prove Lean on my bosom whilst your wounds I bind Phr. Oh joy oh sweetness oh my ravish'd mind I cannot speak the half that I wou'd say And heark the Trumpet calls me now away Trumpet sounds Clar. Peace murd'ring sound thou shalt not be obey'd You shall not stir the bleeding is not stay'd Do not go from me Phr. Do not go from you If by each blow I gave a King I slew For all their Crowns I wou'd not stir from hence But I must fight my Love in your defence Clar. Can I be safe and you in danger thrown Preserve my life in saving of your own Refresh your self a while with gentle ease And I 'le oppose our cruel Enemies If need require I 'me of a Nation bred Whose softer Sex has oft our Armies led Our Country sav'd and singly have prevail'd When all the courage of our men have fail'd Phr. Sweetest of creatures if there Angels be What Angel is not wishing to be thee Our state not yet so very desp'rate grows That we should throw our Jewels at our Foes Love is thy field for those delightfull harms Thou art all over thee prepar'd with arms Shoot all thy Arrows in one melting kiss And wound me wound me to the death with bliss Our Vows are seal'd and I a God am crown'd kisses her cheek Clar. In a red Sea of blushes I am drown'd Phr. Torrent of sweetness pour on me again Thy overwhelming pleasures Clar. Oh refrain Phr. I cannot cannot Clar. Now you must no more When Heav'n my Country's freedom shall restore And fill the Land with joy it may be then You shall not be the only wretched man Phr. That word alarm does to my courage sound Another Soul does in my breast rebound Above a man I shall this moment fight And will be blest above a God to night For yet e're night no Foe alive shall be To interpose betwixt my joys and me But one kind look and I to Arms repair Clar. Take it and with it my devoutest prayer To Heav'n to guard you Phr. Oh how am I blest Clar. Much less then I am pray at my request Be carefull of your self Phr. That I shall be Cause Love has made me now a part of thee I leave with thee for pledge my soul my heart Clar. Good Angels guide you Ex. Phr. Thou my Angel art She 's mine and now the Gods she did adore And heav'nly thoughts shall never haunt her more Ex. ACT III. SCENE The Roman Tents Enter Berenice and Semandra Ber. OH Heav'ns not see me nor approach me once All Love all pity all respect renounce Amazing change in him this does express Something has ruin'd all my happiness Sem. Oh judge not so severely of your fate Ber. It is too true what less then bitter hate Cou'd make him thus disorder'd from me run Nay seek occasions Berenice to shun I have but once beheld him all this day And then he turn'd his eyes from me away Wou'd not with one my many smiles requite I was so far from yielding him delight That he wou'd look on any thing but me I was the hatefull'st object he could see Sem. The sight appear'd to me exceeding strange I wonder what it is has wrought this change I cannot think it from unkindness flows I rather fear from Rome some Tempest blows Or from the Camp new threatning clouds arise I see the Armies daily Mutinies Against his Love and may I not believe He grieves lest these your Noble mind shou'd grieve Ber. Does he so meanly of my heart esteem Is it a trouble to endure for him Sem. What though it may afford delight to you Shou'd he be pleas'd you suffer for him too May not the best of men afflicted prove She shou'd
you the loss of so much Love repay Ex. Ber. Again in secret sorrow from me part Oh my distraction oh my tortur'd heart What can the sense of these disorders be Sem. I must confess they are too dark for me Ber. Fate to our mutual Love no good designs Whatever he pretends his heart declines Love treats not thus the person that 's belov'd Common compassion wou'd have kinder prov'd Sem. My counsel can afford but small relief But do not too much listen to your grief An alarm Enter a Centurion followed by Romans Sem. Souldier the news Cent. The Parthian King is here That name 's enough to shew what danger 's near I cannot talk there 's bus'ness to be done Ex. Ber. My Lord in danger Sem. Whither do you run Ber. To dye with him Sem. Oh fear not Heav'n will save Were all his Legions slain a man so brave An alarm the Centurion returns with Monobasus Ber. Centurion the success relate with speed Cent. My Lord is from the Parthian Monarch freed By this brave Stranger 's aid who to defend His glorious Enemy oppos'd his Friend Ber. Prince my resentments I want words to tell This deed does all past services excell Sure you have some command from my good Fate My Friends and me with diligence to wait All your deserts I will to Caesar own And for reward procure some vacant Crown If I have int'rest still but l 'm affraid I rather need an Intercessor's aid Ex. Mon. Oh Heav'ns what pleasing sweetness does she wast Intirely lost to my disorder'd tast I little pleasure in that kindness take Which she bestows but for another's sake Now heart but hold till I my passions speak And then with sorrow and confusion break Ex. Scene a Street Enter Mathias and Guard pursued by John Eleazar and the Pharisees John in his Pontifical Vestments Joh. Seize 'em alive prophane and wicked men Phar. seize Mat. c Now Heav'n to justice brings you once agen And vengeance surely long enough has staid Behold the desolations you have made Look in the Streets and see each corner fill'd With carkasses of Saints your sins have kill'd Listen to ev'ry house and hear the groans Of many starving dying Holy ones Who cry not oh the Famine oh the Pest But oh th' Apostates oh the Romish Priest For your Idolatries in Plagues we lye Yet for these sins no doubt you grutch to dye Yet you the Romans can with rage pursue Alas not Romans ruine us but you They 'r but your Instruments your guilt affords Force to their Arms and edges to their Swords Had you good nature you wou'd wish to dye To free the Nation from the misery Not of the Plague the Famine or the Foes But of your impious selves our greatest woes Mat. Cou'd height of impious boldness Saintship give Thou surely wert the greatest Saint alive Of that vile kind of Saints thy followers are Thou sure art excellent without compare For thou hast taken all degrees in sin Didst first in little villanies begin With whisp'ring murmurings dissemblings lies So didst to Murder and to Treason rise And now at length the crawling Snake is grown A Royal Basilisk and has a Crown Horrid when we are plagu'd such various ways Is it a season to be acting Plays Here in a house of horror death and woe To mock Religion with Theatrick shew And must you too the holiest things abuse For sport no subject but Religion chuse 1 Pha. Sport dost thou call it thou wilt find I fear The Saints are all in serious earnest here 2 Pha. And mean to stone thee if that be a jest Of such a fatal pleasure make thy best Joh. No wicked man we act this weighty part With all the saddest deepest thoughts of heart I know I walk upon the brink of Laws Near both to sin and to perdition's jaws And had not I a strong impulse within And mighty call without that I shou'd sin My angry conscience wou'd my soul condemn In wearing of this Holy Diadem 1 Pha. But you are sav'd from all these pious fears Joh. I am anointed by the Brethrens tears Call'd by the groaning of the suffering Cause And voice of providence more loud then Laws By strong impulses knocking ev'ry hour I cou'd not rest till I assum'd the Power Where e're I went methoughts a voice wou'd cry John John take up the fallen dignity That if there any usurpation be The Priesthood's guilty of usurping me I sought not Pow'r but Pow'r did me invade But thou vile man shouldst not the Saints upbraid Our dangers thou shouldst rather weep to see Expos'd to things so scandalous by thee Mat. Was ever heard of impudence like this Elea. Hale him to Judgment Mat. To eternal bliss To an abode which blest enough wou'd be From men so impious only to be free Enter a Pharisee running 3 Pha. Be gone be gone the Pagan King is nigh Return'd out of the Field with Victory Joh. Curse on that Infidel the Priest he 'l save Elea. Why shou'd a Heathen such successes have Enter Phraartes and Guard who beat John c. off the Stage Mathias pursues After an alarm Phra. and Mat. return Phr. Why Father do you thus expose your age To Rebels treachery and Roman rage Can your Gray-hairs by you forgotten be Or does it shame you to be sav'd by me Mat. It does that you should bleed for us each day Who Sir for you can nothing do but pray Phr. Good man I am rewarded far above All I can merit in your Daughters Love Mat. Ex. Several with baskets of provision There I have brought rich plunder for the Crowd Not to supply their treasures but their bloud To their repast the hungry rabble call Go scatter life throw souls among 'em all Ex. with provisions A shout Phra. Ex Scene a Chamber Enter Clarona weeping a Book in her hand sets her self in a Chair Clar. Oh my devotion I shall let thee go For deadly deadly sick with Love I grow No sight of him but does my strength decay And yet I cannot keep my eyes away To these clear Springs of life no more I go looks on the Book Cause they my souls decaying beauty shew Enter Phraartes who starts to see her weeping Phr. In tears what villany has fortune done To my best Soul whilst I to Arms was gone What have I spy'd now I the cause divine I see a Book that is no friend o' mine And does that trash still please your sickly mind Love has not wrought a thorough cure I find Clar. You with Religion still will be severe You wou'd think much shou'd I as harsh appear To your friend Love Phr. Wou'd it not pity breed To see thee climbing Mountains for a Weed Chain'd like Prometheus rather to the brow Of barren Rocks for ever clad in Snow And there Religion gnawing of thee still Who wou'd not the devouring Vulture kill Clar. How poor Cymmerians to the Sun unknown Think ev'ry Land all darkness like their
to worlds of Glory go Leaving all joys for ever out of sight Which gave my Soul in th' other state delight Where is the Queen my promise I forget For I must see perhaps retain her yet Tib. Great Sir as I have been inform'd displeas'd You stay'd so long she has her rage appeas'd And all her sorrow chang'd into disdain Lamenting most she did so much complain She now for ever has renounc'd your sight And is preparing for a speedy flight Ant. Not far from hence her Train and Chariots stay Mal. And see she 's vail'd and coming Sir this way Enter Berenice and Semandra Tit. Ah Madam whither Ber. Trouble me no more Tit. I but one word one look from you implore Ber. Pray Sir retire Tit. Whence does this change arise Ber. Why talk you Sir with one you so despise You have attain'd the Empire you desire To the applauses of your Troops retire The Musick which did so delight your ears And ravish you whilst I lay drown'd in tears Let 'em once more their cruel joy repeat Though wherein I have ever given so great Offence to all your Troops I cannot tell Except it was in Loving you too well Tit. Oh Madam do you mind a foolish croud Ber. They speak their Emp'rours sense too plain and loud And whom you slight they surely may contemn Go Sir you have attain'd the Diadem So long desir'd and sought observant be To all your Laws and be not seen with me I 'm going now your orders to obey And shall not long afflict you with my stay Tit. Oh! to my Love you great injustice do Do I prefer th' Imperial Throne to you Ber. Why else to banishment must I be sent Tit. Oh! Gods and see you not my great constraint By what strong maxims I am captive led What Pikes and Javelins guard th' Imperial Bed And it were yet more baseness to submit And for the sake of Love the Empire quit That were a folly nothing cou'd redeem For Love to lose your Love and your esteem You wou'd look back and blush to see your Chains Drag after you the wretched small remains Of a poor Emperour despis'd forlorn Whom you in Honour wou'd be forc'd to scorn Ber. These are great maxims Sir it is confest Too stately for a womans narrow breast Poor Love is lost in mens capacious minds In ours it fills up all the room it finds I cannot tell what Glories you pursue I 'd quit the Empire of the World for you Tit. And Madam what for you wou'd I refuse But poorly Empire and Renown to lose Were all those just pretences to forsake I to so brave a heart as yours can make So giving Fame for Love should forfeit both For Madam say wou'd not your Spirit loath An abject Prince who should such meanness shew He poorly should for Love to Exile go Yet this inglorious Exile I must chuse Or Throne Life Glory You and all must lose Ber. No you shall lose no Glory for my sake I nothing from you but my self will take With too much flame I love Vespasian still To let him bear for me the least of ill So great a Love for you my heart contains I 'd go to Rome with you a Slave in Chains But think it hard you should my Love requite With driving me for ever from your sight Tit. Must my misfortunes still my crimes be thought Oh! Gods in what distractions am I brought Ber. You of your own distractions can complain But mine though greater I lament in vain Say all your grief is more then a pretence You have Renown your loss to recompence And by your own free choice your self undo But I am into Exile sent by you Despis'd forlorn disgrac'd inglorious made Nothing in my obscure and mournfull shade To comfort me for all the wrongs I bear But death whose aid I will not long deferr Offers to go out in passion but is stopt by Titus Tit. What do you threat me with strive not in vain You shall not stir whilst these sad thoughts remain This shall not be the Tragical event Of parting stay unless 't is your intent I should at farewell some revenge afford And at your feet fall dead upon my Sword If ever you would kind to me appear If ever Titus to the Queen was dear As to my life any regard you bear Do not part from me in this sad despair Ber. I can deny you nothing I will still Live and be wretched since it is your will I hope though I to Exile must remove I am not wholly banish'd from your Love The Laws of Rome do not their Emp'rour bind At once to chace me from his sight and mind And 't is no fundamental rule of State Of a poor Queen the memory to hate Tit. I hate your memory Oh most unkind Why with these words do you afflict my mind The thought of you is all the joy Heav'n knows I in my glorious banishment propose Since the first hour my heart to Love did bow It never felt such tenderness as now Witness these tears weeps Ber. Oh Sir these are not due An Emp'rour weep and must I pity you Shew me less Love that I may part with ease Tit. Oh! Gods who thought of these extremities Ber. Who could have thought a Love so chast as mine So great so pure so void of all design Should so unfortunate to me have prov'd Wou'd I had never seen or never Lov'd She pauses to weep and then proceeds Well Sir your sorrow kindly I resent So kindly that I 'le go to banishment Since till I 'm gone unhappy you must be I will make room for your felicity Let Pow'r Vespasian to her self enjoy I will not enviously by stay destroy So great advancement of th ' Imperial Throne Better one Queen then the whole World undone And for your future peace I will provide Some Cave this troubler of the world shall hide Where I till death will Love you as before But never interrupt your Glory more Ex. Tit. Oh! I am lost Tib. Now the great Combate's done All danger 's over and the day 's your own Altars and Temples now Tit. Oh! I despise Those flatt'ring pomps and splendid mockeries Where I am worshipt like a Pow'r Divine And yet all hearts are free to Love but mine My self I 'le longer on the wrack retain And at her Chariot see her once again Then gaze till wide and spacious Seas of Air Drown the last view and then for death prepare I mean that tedious death which men wou'd faign Guild with the specious title of a Reign Prepare to march by the approach of day I hate in this abandon'd place to stay Where I am hourly with the thoughts pursu'd Of the Queens tears and my ingratitude Ex. FINIS
My Royal Brother's dead and I 'm a King I sent 'em back and gave my Crown away And here to dye with you on purpose stay For I less Glory judge it and judge true To govern Kingdoms then to dye with you Phr. Gallant young King let me your welcom give To our high Rank much honour we receive Which I am sorry we so soon shou'd lose But since to share my destiny you chuse I will not seek to do your Glory wrong No you shall dye with me then come along Our Persons Fames and Glories we will bear To live and reign we know not how nor whâ— In better company we cannot go We dare the utmost of our Fortunes know Plunge into deeps and never be perplext Be Kings this moment and be nothing next Ex. The Scene the Temple burning fill'd with Jews lamenting Om. Oh! our Temple our Temple 1. Jerusalem's lost that Heav'n shou'd this permit This Queen of Nations now in dust must sit Enter John and Eleazar He. What shall we do the fire does raging grow And streams of people to the Romans flow Joh. I 've Prophets hir'd who shall deliv'rance cry And death to all that to the Romans fly Enter two Prophets 1 Pro. Lift up your heads ye people for this hour Salvation comes from Heav'n the seat of Pow'r 2 Pro. Salvation comes a flaming Sword she bears Woe for partakers with Idolaters Enter a Pharisee Phar. Hast hast deliv'rance on our Swords does wait The Roman Tyrant at the Golden Gate In person with a Legion of his Guard With Fire encompass'd is from flight debarr'd Joh. Fall on and lest the Pagan shou'd retire Set the North Chambers of the Priest on fire Exeunt An Alarm Enter Titus Tiberius Malchus and Antiochus Tib. Gods at what rash design does Caesar aim To plunge himself thus deep in bloud and flame Tit. Oh save this building Mal. Sir all hopes are past The mounted flame does keep his seat too fast Ant. Besides the Dogs do their own Temple burn These fiery Spears against our breasts to turn An Alarm Enter an Officer Offic. Hast hast Sir succours to your Legions bring They fall in crouds before the Parthian King On yonder burning Mount which all commands He like another flaming Mountain stands And fights and kills with rage so much above All that is Man the Romans think him Jove Some cry for mercy some by terrour fall By fear by fire and him they perish all Tit. That triple League no longer shall succeed The King the mighty Chief of it with speed Shall be undeify'd by my own hands While I ascend with the Praetorian Bands Tiberius King Antiochus and you The Rebels in the upper Tow'r subdue Rebellion there has long my Pow'r defy'd But I will wound him now on ev'ry side Cut off that Hydra's head all at a blow That no more new ones in the stead may grow Ex. After an Alarm within Enter Malchus and Tiberius meeting Mal. To Caesar hast with all the speed you can The Parthian King is something more then Man At least he is in League with Pow'rs Divine For Heav'n and Earth in his assistance joyn Voices are heard and Visions seen i th' Air Thunder and Lightning to his aid repair Tib. Strange things you tell and which does yet encrease My wonder more the strange and sudden Peace Is made between the Parthian King and Gods 'T is not long since they were at mortal odds Exeunt The Scene is drawn and Phraartes Monobasus and their followers are seen defending a high rockie Mount The Romans oft attempt to Scale it but are beaten down by great Stones flung on their heads Titus Tiberius Malchus Antiochus come to their assistance Scale the Mount and after some opposition ascend and take it After a sight upon the Mount the Scene closes A shout of Triumph The Scene changes to the Town Enter Titus Tiberius Malchus Antiochus Tit. This loud and open flattery forbear This publick impudence I hate to wear A Robe of Glory which is not my own And tread on ashes which I ought to Crown Tib. The Parthian Monarch's valour all must own But that does add the more to your Renown Whose greater valour conquer'd so much odds The King the Fire the Thunder and the Gods Tit. Vainglorious falshood still and flatt'ry all He fell by Gods by Gods alone cou'd fall At first the Gods against the Romans fought As they the Glory to destroy him sought For whom the whole World's Empire was too small Who was too great by mortal hands to fall Tib. I 'm sure the Visions help'd him while they stay'd Tit. They did but he contemning of their aid Enrag'd they intermedled with his Fame Chasing us sunk in Ambuscades of flame The Gods had laid to save their Favorite Rome Yet scarce durst stay to execute their doom But flung the burning Temple on his head Then straight for shelter to their Heav'n they fled Thus down alive into the shades he fell And stead of dying he invaded Hell Tib. Caesar this vast Revenue of Renown May give away and not impair his own Your Eagles now Great Sir their wings have spread O're all the Town and struck Rebellion dead See mighty Sir beneath your feet in Chains The torn dissected Monster 's last remains This bloudy villain Hunger this surprise pointing to John and Eleazar Drove from strong Vaults that might all force despise Ant. With these some thousand Captives Sir are torn From their Retreats your Triumph to adorn The noble Jews in Battel chose to fall And bravely with their Country perish'd all Tib. Of all the slain the numbers to compute The numb'ring Art of Rules is destitute The Earth cannot suffice the dead for Graves Nor Iron Mines yield Chains enough for Slaves Tit. These Slaves shall satisfie me for this guilt And for the bloud of all their Nation spilt Conduct 'em hence and Guard 'em to their doom They shall be publick spectacles in Rome First wait on my Triumphal Chariot there Then in a spacious Amphitheatre I 'le for this Triumph build be all enclos'd And to wild Beasts in open view expos'd Tib. Now Sir that none of their surviving Race As some will from your clemency find grace In after ages may their fancies please With hopes from double-meaning Prophesies The plainest sense of 'em we will display And in their ears fulfill 'em all to day Besides the heaps wherewith their Scrouls abound On an old Tow'r we an Inscription found Where it was writ One day in Jewish Land A man shall rise who shall the World command These foolish Slaves apply'd the Gods intent To their base Nation which to you was meant On you Sir it shall be fulfill'd this hour You are proclaim'd that mighty Emperour A shout Om. Long live Titus Vespasian Emperour of Rome Tit. My thanks to all my Troops I 'le gratefull prove For all their Valour Loyalty and Love Oh! now I have receiv'd the fatal blow And must from Love