The Safety and the Glory of all Greece This Day of such Importance to the Publick And then thy private Grudge shall be my own To single Fight I 'll challenge Agamemnon Let us preserve him for our own Revenge 'T is base to see a Foe oppress'd with odds Make Vengeance sure but let it then be brave Ach. Thou hast o'recome me and my Heart like Wax Melts at thy Tears and can deny thee nothing Go then Patroclus where thy Glory calls And thou alone of all the Greeks be safe What mean my eyes by these unusual drops No Thou must stay Oh! think again Patroclus The good Maenetius when at Pthia lâ—st We parted gave thee weeping to my Charge Take here said he all that my Soul holds dear And safe return him to support my Age. Well have I kept my Word behind my Shield I plac'd thee still my Body was thy Armour Still side by side we fought and never parted My Friend my-dearest Friend why wilt thou leave me Pat. At night I 'll come all glorious back again And fill your Tents with Spoils of slaughter'd Foes The Greeks and Trojans that beheld me fight Beneath your Buckler shelter'd by your Sword And think Patroclus is too weak alone Shall see that I can fight without a Guard Ach. Oh cruel Honour that obliges thee To go and me to stay My Soul till now Ne're felt such strife not when I lost Briseis Then wilt thou go Pat. O melt me not with so much Tenderness My heart that beat but now with Manly Virtue Is soften'd like a Woman's Ach. Go then whilst all thy Courage is upon thee But go attended like Achilles Friend Take all my Troops and put my Armour on Look like Achilles like Achilles fight Be thou victorious perish all the rest Let Agamemnon like a beaten Slave Fly to his Ships and there be burnt or drown'd Let Fire and Sword all other Greeks destroy Till Thou and I alone are left to conquer Troy Exeunt severally The Scene returns to Agamemnon's Pavilion Enter Nestor and Ulysses seeming in discourse with Chruseis Nes. Let but some modest Matron come in view How unregarded and unmarkt she goes O let her pass they cry she 's good for nothing But let some flanting Minx come prancing by All Eyes are on her and all Necks are bow'd Oh how they strive and justle to get nearest Hide hide your Heads ye Gods from Mortal Worship When such as these divide our Adorations Uly. It looks more like a Triumph than a Rape To joyful Tunes the merry Timbrels play While Captive Queens like Minstrels dance and sing Trumpets and Tymbals sound Olympus high The Voice of Victory made a Call to Lust In graceful Order each Battallon's drawn And in the Front our Princes stand in Arms Shining with Gold and nod their stately Plumes Saluting as she passes Armour that's Proo To Swords and Spears and to the Javelins Thrust Gives easy Passage to one Glance of hers Whilst with disdainful State she treads along And looks regardless of such petty Conquest None but their King their General But hark Again the Trumpets This way bends the Sound Sure she approaches Madam will you meet The Show It may be worth your Curiosity Chr. D' ye mock me Greek Am I become your scorn I thank ye Gods though Love is mine no more Yet Vengeance is Ungrateful Man And was I kept with so much Form of Truth To be but left with greater Infamy Forsaken Oh the disgraceful word False Is he false No let him if he dares I 'll stay that he may perish Exit Chruseis Nes. Nay then we are again outwitted Uly. Is 't not in Art to tempt a Woman once To stray from Wickedness Or to beguile her Into good Are then their Stars so strong That they are fated to be mischievous Enter Agamemnon attended Ag. Bid Diomed with his Aetolian Horse Observe 'em from you Hill To live and conquer is the Noblest Fate But the next Glory is a Gallant Death Success O Jove and Victory are thine Fortune is thine my Honour is my own Facing my Doom with my drawn Sword I 'll stand Nor turn my Back upon thy wrathful Bolt Uly. Yet might I advise Ag. Still the same Argument Thou know'st my Answer I am fixt I see my Fate ye Gods and I accept it Life is not worth the Price you ask To live With her I love was my first Wish My next Is to dye with her Uly. But this word more and I have done Ag. Spare thy self the pains Thy words like Winds Against an Oak regardless whistle by The Leaves are troubled but the Root is fix'd I say thou may'st displease but canst not move I am not to be mov'd Uly. Then hear me as an Advocate for Love The Friend of Love For what so sweet in Love As Change If you must love then love Like other men Love like th' Immortal Gods Variety the Luxury of Love Ag. I understand thee not Trust me Ulysses I fear thy Brain is troubled Uly. Thus I unfold the Riddle Briseis Rape I neither counsell'd nor approv'd you know it Much urg'd and much provok'd against your Nature Unwilling to all Violence you did it Make the best use of what is past recall Take her and give Chruseis to the Gods So shall you love and be victorious still Live and enjoy Exchanges like to this Love does allow and practise every hour She 's handsome and a Woman a kind Woman What would you more And what does Love require But beautiful and kind Ag. Far be such wicked Counsellors from Kings How dar'st thou Traytor tempt my honest heart To such vile Purposes When I am false Forsake me all that 's true What! parcel Love Like common Dole by Scraps to every Eye That hungers after Lust shall I do this No. My frank Soul gives largely all at once Nothing by halves True Love has no Reserves Yes my Chruseis I am only thine Only and all The Soul that 's snatch'd by Death Returns no more Nor will her Eyes give back The Heart she keeps in her Eternal Chain Uly. Behold Briseis entring Timely she comes To end this Argument her Eyes will plead More strongly than my Tongue To them I leave it Exit Ulysses Enter Officers and Attendants Then Briseis Agamemnon approaches her bowing respectfully Ag. Forgive me Madam Bri. E're thou speak'st hear me Thy vain Intent I easily divine 'T is Love thou 'dst mention Ag. With needless Fears Bri. Approach me not Perhaps you thought because I lov'd Achilles 'T was possible some other might succeed If once some Man more charming than the rest Has found the way to melt a Womans heart Strait every Fool presumes to be as welcome Ag. Give me but leave Bri. No you shall never have my leave to Love Or did you think because your Empire 's wider In Power and Wealth exceeding my Achilles With higher Offers to corrupt my Faith Though Hearts for Hearts uncertainly prevail Riches
Chr. If you 'd be absolute you should have staid Where you were so but here 't is I Command Bri. If here you Reign thank Fortune for your Pow'r That never brought Briseis here till now Chr. Survey me well and as you look grow Humbler Bri. I have survey'd and I confess you fair I like you well but like my self much better Chr. Nature this comfort has to none deni'd That all are Wits and Beauties to themselves Re-enter Ulysses Uly. Thus Agamemnon greets the fair Briseis Brightest of Beauties Hail Welcome as once Chruseis was e're yet the Curse of Heav'n Made her and Ruin one Welcom as Venus Would she abandon Troy to side with Greece Forgotten be this Day all sorrows past For here are endless Joys unmarkt the Sun Now shrowds his Beams for here are brighter Rays Sound Sound our Trumpets and our Timbals Sound Triumph through all our Camp for Victory Not shows a form so Fair. Chr. Thou do'st bely him basely thou bely'st him These Words are thine this Welcome is thy own It is the fate of Kings to be so serv'd Ill Ministers prophaning thus their Names With acts unknown to them Think not to practice Treason and escape Offended Majesty and injur'd Love Shall find thee out and thunder on thy head Traytor they shall Bri. I easily believe his Homage true Nor thank him for 't but take it as my due Chr. Foolish self flatterer how my Agamemnon Will turn to scorn thy sensless Vanity Bri. How I shall triumph to behold thy rage For a lost Love not Conquerors delight In winning Towns and Kingdoms from each other More than we Women to take Lovers Though fancy may be nice and ti'd to one Pride is insatiate and demands a Crowd My Beauty like Achilles fights at all Oh 't is a glorious sight to see the Men Gazing with Eyes that glow with Rapture on us To hear them cry aloud Oh Gods how charming To have a Train attending up and down Watching at every turn to catch a Glance Breathing their Wishes after us in sighs Oh how we triumph and with scornful toss We tread along in State and look Disdain Uly. aside O sympathy of Mind well-suited Pair Happy Achilles happy Briseis two so like So much the same how blest were they to meet How firm and lasting must their Passion be Strong as self-self-love In them 't is nothing else As in a Glass each their own Image sees And loving in each other they enjoy And hug their own Reflection Chru. Proportion thy endeavours to thy strength To such vain things no Grief of heart 's like this To labour to be lik'd to sue for Praise With greedy eyes and still to be deceiv'd Go somewhere else to practise thy Designs Here like a common thing thou 'lt pass along And unregarded scarce attract one Eye Uly. to Briseis Forgive the Anguish of a rival'd Beauty When Ladies rail 't is Envy not Dislike 'T is plain she fears by counselling to go Nor dares to stand the trial with your Eyes Stay and assert your Empire over Man Which Heaven design'd creating you so fair Bris. Wise wise Ulysses I remember well Oft I have seen you in Achilles Tent For nice Discernment and deep Wisdom fam'd Yes she would have me go I see her Cunning But I will stay to get her Lovers from her And then I 'll leave you all to break your hearts I come not like a Conqueror to remain I have a better Countrey of my own But mean to show the Terror of my Eyes To burn consume to ravage and away To the Guards Come show me to this King who waits to dye I long to let the killing Arrow fly To Chruseis Follow and witness to thy own Disgrace I challenge thee to meet me on the place Exit Briseis with the Guard Uly. to Chruseis Judge better now of my Advice Chr. Traytor avoid me from my sight be gone The King shall know thy Malice and revenge it Avoid my sight Glory that bid me go now bids me stay To clear my King that you and all may see Rather than live with her he 'll dye with me The End of the Third Act. ACT IV. SCENE I. Scene changes to the Tents of Achilles Enter Achilles and Patroclus Ach. THE Gods have taken Vengeance from our hands And seem resolv'd to do our Work alone Like sprightly Steeds broke from their Mangers loose That toss in Air their Necks and neigh aloud So march the Trojans from behind their Walls They clash their Armour and they shake their Spears And with loud Cries provoke the Greeks to Battel Pat. Oh Achilles Ach. Why weeps Patroclus in this hour of Joy Vengeance is sure his Foes upon his Foes Shall do Achilles right Rejoice Rejoice O give me Musick found aloud Rejoice Till every Valley ecchoes back Rejoice Let all our Myrmidons be seen to day With Garlands crown'd as at a Feast of Triumph Let Songs of Joy be heard in every Tent And like the Corybantes crush the Ground Each drumming in his hand a Brazen Cymbal Now by the Gods the Myrmidon that weeps Today's a Traytor and shall dye Pat. That Traytor is Patroclus Death 's my choice Rather than live to see my Friends destroy'd Ach. Has then Patroclus any other Friend More lov'd than his Achilles Wouldst thou dye Rather than live to see my Wrongs reveng'd Pat. No by the Gods I 'd dye to bring thee Vengeance Thy Foes are mine But let our Wrath be just Not brutal What Wrongs hast thou receiv'd From any other Greek but Agamemnon And must all perish for the Crimes of one Ach. Perish like dogs I laugh to see 'em bleed Their dying Groans are Musick to my ears My Rage makes no distinction All are Foes That to my Foes are Friends Away Patroclus How canst thou pity them and yet love me Pat. O Gods Let never Rage like this possess Patroclus O hard-hearted cruel Prince Thou surely wer't not of a Goddess born Nor was the good Aeacides thy Sire Sprang from the Sea thou seem'st begot by Storms And thy impenetrable Heart 's a Rock Ach. Take heed Patroclus lest thy ill-tim'd Pity Provoke me too and I forget our Friendship Pat. Forget it do and bury in my Breast Thy bloody Blade I 'll not outlive the day That brings such foul dishonour to my Countrey Think not that I 'll stand by a tame Spectator If Greece must fall then fall Patroclus too I 'll to the Fight Ach. Now by the Gods thou shalt not With my drawn Sword I 'll bar the Passage up And see what Myrmidon dares help the Greeks Pat. That Myrmidon am I. Dishonour brand me If I not go or falling on the Point Of my own Sword give freedom to my Soul That does disdain to live beyond its Honour Ach. Is this thy Love Patroclus Pat. That I do love thee well thou know'st Achilles Command me to cut off a Limb I 'll do 't Let but this Day be past on which depends
met When next we part 't is never to meet more I am your Murderer by my fatal stay For me the sullen Sun withholds his beams And â—â—oots these Shafts and heads 'em all with Plagues For me the Gods withdraw their wonted aids For me they lead the Trojans to the Field Shall I consent And shall I help the Foes Of Agamemnon I obstruct the means Of his deliverance Will then my Love Do nothing for my Lord who would do all For me No Agamemnon no For me you must not dye nor be disgrac't Live Agamemnon live Be great be glorious While by a voluntary Exile I Appease my cruel Father and his Gods And doom my self to save thy Life and Honour Ulys. Oh unexpected turn O wondrous Virtue Glorious resolution henceforth be styl'd The Saviour of the Greeks Ag. Peace Sycophant nor dare to sooth her phrensie These thoughts are but the vapours of a Mind Disturb'd Reason shall soon dispel the fume And disappoint your curst malicious Joy To Chru. I know thou can'st not mean what thou hast said Yet my Heart pants and every Nerve is shaken Upon my Forehead sits a damp like death My Blood runs cold I feel the Channel freeze Scarce will my trembling Limbs support my Weight But shake like Cowards on a day of Battle Is this well done Chruseis Chru. Your generous Love has show'd the way to mine Fearing to part you firmly chuse your Ruin Fearing your Ruin I consent to part To part of every evil is the worst All other ills you chuse but I chuse that Love prompting you to perish for my sake Prompts me to keep you safe whate'er it cost Empire and Life and Glory are your Victims The Joys of Life and Love it self are mine Nes. Well argu'd still Pray Heaven she be in earnest Ag. Thy Love is grown a wondrous Sophister Such Arguments but ill become thy Faith Can'st thou pretend to love me and yet leave No 't is impossible in love to part With what we love Confess confess the truth And say thou dost not love own own thy Falshood Racant thy Vows or yet resolve to stay Chru. Yes I would stay were I the only threaten'd Were the doom mine and did the Thunder rowl And the blew Lightning shoot alone at me I 'de chuse to dye like thee and not to part In these dear Arms I 'de wait the stroke of Jove And perish pleas'd like thine should be my choice For thee for thee this Ruin is prepar'd Not on my Head but thine the Vengeance falls And for my sake my Presence is the cause Chruseis is the Murderer of Atrides The Cup of Pleasure is the Bowl of Death The Gods have mixt it with the deadliest Poyson Nor dare I give thee more Ag. O give it on There is such pleasure in the killing draught 'T is worth the dying for Chru. Be calm be calm Atrides think agen Consult your reason and be then convinc'd Were your Case mine you would resolve like me You would you would you could not see me perish And know your self the cause Ag. O Chruseis Chru. Is there a proof in love that you would give And shall not I Oh! 't is a cruel proof But it must be 't is past 't is past recal Come back come back Renown that turn'd away Return ye Lawrels to my Monarch's brow Love like a scorching Sun has dry'd ye up And burnt your growth and kist away your sweets But Love is now self banisht for your sakes With his own hand he cuts his root away And leaves you room to spread Ag. O curst estate of Kings O fatal Glory O Victory 's dear-bought Pernicious Greatness What must I loose to purchase the vain breath Of Fools and Sycophants the Voice of fame Oh! what a Jewel must be thrown away To get a bawble what substantial pleasures How many hours of Love and of content Are lost and sacrific'd for sensless trifles All Heroes are but Lunaticks mis-call'd That cheat themselves and part with all that 's precious For Toys and Gew Gawes Chru. The Gods have for themselves alone reserv'd A quiet state Kings are their Stewards here Entrusted with the Conduct of the World And like good careful servants must submit Their single profit to the general well-fare Had Agamemnon been a private Man Some Shepherd or an humble Villager Our Loves had then been happy Ag. Take back your Office Gods Your Royal Thraldom I 'll be your Slave no longer on these terms Here I discharge my-self of Kingly burthen Divest my self of Power and Dignities Of Crowns and Scepters your Imperial Loads Be constant to thy Word Thy Agamemnon Will make himself the thing that thou hast wisht A Shepherd or an humble Villager In some far Cave remote from interruption We 'll love away our lives Not the least Dream Of Glory shall invade our lone Recess These Arms shall be the Circle of my Wishes Thy Eyes the only Lights that I 'll adore Morning and Night I 'll sacrifice to them Be they propitious let them shine upon me I 'll own no other Gods Chru. My Virtue shrinks within the close embrace O let me fly I cannot stand the Combat Another such and we are lost for ever Trumpets within Hark! Hark! the Trumpets sound the Clash of Swords Draws near The Gods have given me notice The slaughter is renew'd and every Man That falls Chruseis is his Murderer Have patience Gods but yet a little while I come I come your will shall be fulfill'd Give me but time to take one last embrace Let me thus rush upon him Once more for my whole life and then come Death Come Madness any thing but Life or sense My dearest dearest Agamemnon Ag. Thus will I clasp thee fast Thus thus for ever In vain In vain thou 'lt struggle to get loose Not Men nor Gods shall cut thee from my Arms I 'll dye but I will never quit my hold Chru. Thus let us kneel Thus lockt in my Embrace Whil'st I implore the Gods with this last Pray'r Oh all ye Powers that unrelenting see These Griefs and have deny'd our loves your mercy Accept the sacrifice that here I make The noblest Love the truest undefil'd With the least stain If ought is due to Virtue Let the reward of what I do be his And let not me out-live this fatal day Depriv'd of Love upon his precious head Double all other blessings Crown his Life With honours equal to his noble mind Let him not pass a day without some triumph Let him not have a Foe in Earth or Heaven Or if he must have Foes make e'm his means Only to come at Glory Please his Nights and Days With something new and every hour be blest That the remembrance of his lost Chruseis May sit more light upon his heart One kiss And then no more Oh Agamemnon 't is the last Farewell for ever His Lips are cold Speechless and Pale And on my bosom droops His Head like a dead weight
Criminal But not for Vows forgot Or Hecatombs omitted come these Plagues But for his Priest who 's Daughter 's here detain'd Against his Will Chryses himself is come With his Demands as Legate from high Heaven And holy Chalcas who reads every Page Of secret Fate and knows the Hearts of Gods More Plagues denounces till she be restor'd Ag. Chryses and Chalcas are two Lying Priests Thou the Fomenter of Eternal Broils And this a Plot to vex me Nest. What you have heard Atrides is most true Such is the Will of Heaven But grieve not King He comes not empty handed to demand His Daughter back The Priest a Ransom brings As might content Ag. The Avarice of a Priest Were I old Nestor past the Age of Love I might sell mine I scorn this proffer'd Treasure My Honour 's now concern'd to keep my Love Lest the Malicious World that censures Kings Like common Men should say of Agamemnon That like a sordid Slave he chang'd for Gold All that his Soul held dear Ach. But like a sordid Slave to Lusts as vile You matter not to sacrifice your Fame To brave the Gods with violated Oaths To sell your Faith your Glory and the Lives Of Millions for a Woman Ag. Proud Myrmidon provoke me not too far Upon thy Life no more Ach My Life Who dares attempt it Ag. Ha! Who dares They rise and laying their Hands on their Swords stand in a posture of Drawing Nestor and Ulysses interpose Uly. Take heed Achilles and respect the King Who strike at Kings repeat the Giants crime And strike at Jove Nest. to Ag. You know his temper Cholerick and Fierce Provoke him not Atrides 't is not well You that should shew th' Example of good Order Whom all the Princes and the Kings of Greece Have chosen their Leader For shame command your self Ag. Unconscionable Men Must I of all the Greeks Must I be robb'd of what the Chance of War Has made my Prize I only I debarr'd Of what to every Centinel's allow'd What petty Leader is there in the Camp Whom I disturb When when did I invade Another's Pleasures Nestor Ulysses speak And Thou Achilles Did I ever wrong You of your Rights Or with Lascivious rage Force from your Tents your Captives Princes speak Why then these wrongs to Me Uly. Not we Atrides but th' Immortal Gods Nest. Can Agamemnon that Religious King Who not deny'd his Daughter to the Gods Refuse a Stranger and a Captive Ach. Leave leave him to his Fate and let Troy stand Whom Heaven abandons Men in vain support What harm has Troy done us Nor came we here But for his sake Ungrateful as he is My Troops I 'll lead from this Infectious Air And let him moulder here in Plagues alone Ag. Go when thou wilt in an unlucky hour Thou cam'st And may ill Fate go with thee Lead hence thy Myrmidons to Pthia back And plague some other Country with thy Pride Or back to Lycomede's Daughters whence Ulysses forc'd thee hither to fulfill The musty Prophecies of Doating Priests That Troy without thy aid could not be conquer'd There hide thee in thy Woman's Dress again And with inhospitable Lust debauch Some new Deidamia Ach. Had Mars himself said this Lays his hand on his Sword Ag. Keep in thy Rage We know that thou can'st fight I am thy Witness who have seen thee pierce The Dardan Ranks So would Thersites fight Had he been dipt in Stix Or had Lame Mulciber Wrought him a Coat of Arms not to be pierc'd What Slave with an invulnerable Skin And with impenetrable Armour on Would be a Coward Ach. Thus I reply This Injury's thy last Draws Nestor and Ulysses hold him Ag. Not so Achilles there remains behind A greater yet Where are our Guards Talthybius and Eurybates Nest. Sheath sheath your Sword The King shall make amends Enter Talthybius Eurybates and Guard Uly. You were too fierce and so would you be mov'd Were your belov'd Briseis threatned Ach. Not all his Guards shall save him They hold him he struggles Ag. Hurt not but keep that roaring Lion in And thou Talthybius with our choicest Troops Haste to Achilles Tent and fetch Briseis Kill all that dare resist 't is my Command Exit Talthybius I 'll let thee know by what thy self shalt feel What 't is to part two Lovers Ach. struggling Thou dar'st not do it By the Gods thou dar'st not Ag. Thou turbulent Invader of my Love Be this thy Punishment and learn from hence How to respect Superior Majesty Now let him loose to save To the Guard His Mistress if he can Ach. Love calls me hence e'er I can take thy Life But my next Labour my Revenge shall be Tremble Atrides that my Hands are free Exit Achilles Uly. Oh Gods What Joy to Priam will this bring What Grief to the Achaeans Nest. O Agamemnon this double Violence Ag. I guess your meaning Nestor but intend Nor Love nor Violence to fair Briseis Untouch'd with all respect she shall remain Till I have humbled this Proud Myrmidon But O Chruseis Love Piety and Honour pull at once All several ways Nor know I which to follow O Jove assist me in this doubtful strife And if thou doom'st my Love Condemn my Life Exeunt The End of the First Act. ACT II. SCENE I. The Scene changes to the Tents of Achilles Enter Achilles and Patroclus Pat. FOrgive their Ignorance Ach. Their Ignorance was Cowardice Patroclus I 'll hear no more The faithful Dog flies at the Robbers throat That would break in to force his Master's treasure But Dogs are watchful Servants true to trust Men are the first to prey upon their Lords In danger they forsake us shifting still From side to side as they can mend their bargains Are these are these those daring Myrmidons That threaten Hector with their valiant boasts And could they stand Spectators of my wrongs With Arms a-cross behold my rifled Tent Nor with drawn Swords and lifted Spears rush in To kill the Ravishers Pat. What could such a handful Ach. They should have dy'd if not enough to Conquer Each standing in his Rank with Shield to Shield Have made a Wall and barr'd the Passage up Briseis O Briseis art thou lost And do I live And art thou ravish'd from me And art thou unreveng'd O had'st thou dy'd Had we been sunder'd by the common Course Of Mortal things Necessity and Fate Th' inevitable doom of will-ful Gods Had made these Griefs less painful Had'st thou been false And left me Then I had hated For Falshood is a Cure for strongest Passions Contempt succeeds and to Contempt Aversion But thou wert true our Loves were in the Spring And yet we part A humane Pow'r divides us A Man less worthy than my self has forc'd thee And I must tamely bear it Pat. The Gods are sparing even to those they love And stint their Bounties to the Best of Men A Man and never cross'd would be a God Ach. They should have form'd my Nature
the Greeks will have it Chalchas has dreamt Nestor has made a Speech Achilles Frownd And Mighty Agamemnon must obey Has then this Leader of the World in Arms No will no reason of his own Must he Who Governs all by every one be Govern'd Had Paris thus Paris who was no King No General of no Authority Had he for a few threats resign'd his Hellen Troy had been free'd from danger Priam wept Cassander Prophesied and Hector rag'd The People cry'd aloud to give her back The furious Greeks with Fire and Sword demand her Burn burn said he Proud City Illium fall Father Brothers Country perish all But still be Hellen mine My Love be mine Has Paris then more Love than Agamemnon More Courage to look danger in the Face Or I less Charms to make my Lover bold Agamemnon stands silent seeming in great distraction of Thought and looking sometimes steadfastly upon her Nest. Were Agamemnon but a private Man So might he love and to a Woman's arms Resign all other care Thô that be Weakness But for a King who has the charge of Nations Entrusted with the glory of his People Of many Kings confederates in his quarrel The Vengeance of the Gods Chru. Why should the Gods be angry at our Loves I leave no Husband no Pollution bring I am no Hellen. Uly. The Gods are absolute whate'er they will Must be obey'd Nor ought we ask the Cause See how he stands distracted with his Thoughts This way and that way moving in his mind Oh! Let him take the Path that honour leads And veil those Eyes that break his heart with doubts Chru. My Glory is offended at his doubts Nor shall the Man who had my leave to love Forsake me till I please Try all your Arts Plot Plot Ulysses and thou Nestor tempt him With all the strength of pow'rful Eloquence Join Greeks and Heaven Ambition Piety Like Gods tugging at the Chain of Jove I will oppose my Eyes and bring him back Ag. Oh Chruseis Uly. Had Iphigenia been thus obstinate Our Fleet at Aulis might have anchor'd still But she came forth a Victim to the Gods And chearfully obey'd their cruel call Th' assembly wept She only she look'd glad And offer'd to the Knife her willing Throat To save her Father Can a Mistress be Less kind and tender than a Daughter Chru. O that the Gods commanded but my death How gladly would I die To Die and Part Is a less Evil But to Part and Live There there 's the Torment Change ye Gods my doom Take take my Life t' attone your bloody wrath Come lead me to the Altar let me bleed Is there a single drop within these Veins Is there a Limb that I would leave unmangled To give my dearest Agamemnon Joy Agamemnon takes her in his Arms. Ag. Live Live Chruseis Live Immortal Thus And thus Embrac'd and be of Life as sure As it is sure that we will never part Nest. apart to Ulysses This Hellen in our Camp Is worse then her at Troy O why have Women Beauty But as the Syrens Voice To ruine All they meet Uly. to Nestor Let 'em alone to please themselves a while I have a Plot shall sunder 'em when most They think themselves secure Chru. My dear Atrides may I trust your Love Tell me my King whilst thus around thy Neck I throw my Arms and press thee to my Bosom Will you forsake me Ag. Empire and Victory be all forsaken All but Chruseis Yes ye partial Powers To Plagues add Poverty Disgrace and Shame Strip me of all my Dignities and Crowns Not one of all your Curses will be felt Whilst I can keep this Blessing Take Oh! take Your Scepters back and give 'em to my Foes Give me but Life and Love and my Chruseis 'T is all I ask of Heaven Nest. Think of your Oath Atrides how you swore Chru. Yes he has sworn Be witness Heaven and Earth Be witness Sun and Moon and every Star Be witness all ye Gods that he has sworn Is there an hour either of Night or Day Free from some Oath of Everlasting Love Think think on that Atrides Ag. Since perjur'd either way I 'l chuse the best Be broke all Oaths but what I made to thee Nest. Then farewell Troy 'T is better sailing back Than stay consuming here with Plagues Ag. And so we will to Night we will Embark Draw-in your Anchors hoise-up every Sail What is this Town that I should lose one Hour Of smiling Love to win it O Chruseis Thy tender truth has mov'd my Soul so much I will be deaf to every call but thine Be it your care Ulysses to dispose Our Troops to march Uly. I 'll carry no such orders Nor would they pay Obedience if I should They love your Honour better Ag. Our cause of War is Scandalous and Mean The quarrel of a Bully for a Jilt So many valiant Trojans as have dy'd These fertile Fields for nine Years space with slaughter And made the swift Scamander run with blood And Menelaus who in single fight Struck to the ground this Ravisher for dead Has satisfy'd our Vengeance and our Honour Chru. Atrides no. Your Glory must be mine Nor can you thus retreat without disgrace Believe me Prince who lightly weigh their Fame Make but ill Lovers Honour 's the strongest Ty That Chain once broke there 's nothing left to bind It is my Pride that the first Man on Earth Loves me Oh Agamemnon keep that Name Be glorious still Send for my Cruel Father Thy Love may teach thee Eloquence to move him Remember that Chruseis is at stake Nor think it mean to Kneel to Beg to Weep This be your present Task I leave you to it Adding no more but thus and note it well Be constant in this Tryal of thy Love Mine may be next Fate in each other's hand Has plac'd a mighty Trust Be true to thine Thy are be Love And Glory shall be mine Exit Chruseis Ag. By Mars her Father's Spirit mov'd her Tongue And his Prophetick Fury shook her Soul Nest. Right Woman still Then Foulest when most Niceness they pretend They 'l talk of Honour whilst they 'r acting Shame Uly. She brought these Plagues yet Counsels you to stay Can this be Love Ag. Now by the Gods she loves me Peace Blasphemers Conceptions may like Oracles be dark To humane search till by Events explain'd Oh! I have faith for every word she speaks And when I leave her may the Furies seize me Enter Chalcas Chal. Hear Agamemnon all ye Princes hear Thus to the Gods in sacred Synod met Has Jove pronounc'd Let not one God be seen Henceforth to help the Greeks Our self to day Will lead the Trojans on to vengeful Fight Mars whets his Sword and Phoebus keens his Darts And the broad Cyclops forge unerring Bolts Juno and Pallas and the Friends of Greece In vain implore But Chidden stand aloof Nor dare reply Yet e'er the Doom be Seal'd Or writ by Fate irrevocable
down If possible attone this Wrath of Heaven Appease the Gods and send Chruseis back The Cause the cursed Cause of all our Plagues Ag. Prophet be dumb I read thy purpose and I know thee well Thy fatal Voice ne'er boded good to me Brib'd by Achilles still with popular lies Devising Prophecies to cross my Will Think not that I forget Seditious Priest 'T was thy curst Tongue pronounc'd my Daughter's Death The Gods are Just and Merciful and Mild Nor made such harsh Demands 'T was Priest-craft all Chal. From Heaven these warnings come O hear me King Be yet advis'd Ag. Not Fate 's more fixt Whate'er the Gods have purpos'd My Purpose is immutable as theirs Nor think me rash or obstinate in this Debated and Deliberate's my resolve Whatever Eloquence can urge or frame I have fore-thought And shall I part with love More precious than my Life to save my Life What Fool would barter Blessings for a Curse And Life without Chruseis is the worst That Fate can find Chal. But Millions are concern'd Ag. And can they better die than for Chruseis The World 's a worthless Sacrifice for her More worth than thousand Worlds Let Chaos come Confusion seize on all whene'er we part Intr'est Ambition Piety Renown Pity and Reason I have weigh'd 'em all But O how light When Love is in the Scale Chal. If Love with every breath can drive it thus No more let Glory lodge in Humane breast Ag. The Gods that with unnumber'd Eyes look down From their high Firmament all stuck with Lights See nothing half so Glorious or so Bright Glory that common Mistress of Mankind Courted by all but by so few possess'd For which so many Rivals hourly fall Early I saw was tempted and enjoy'd But Love has led me to new Realms of Bliss Where Pleasures blossom with Eternal spring Enjoyment's made immortal by desire And Joys flow-in on Joys and Rapture streams All other sweets are visionary bliss Nothing but Love substantial extasie Nest. Oh! That a Face should thus confound our Reason This is meer Wildness Phrenzie Raving Lunaticks talk better Sense If this be Love Why then to Love is to be Mad stark Mad. Chal. Not for thy self for thou seem'st pleas'd with ruine But for the Lives and Honours of all Greece Do I emplore Nestor Ulysses join Entreat him all Weep Princes for your Glories are at stake Weep all ye Soldiers for your Lives condemn'd Melt melt this stubborn King Oh Agamemnon To thee I kneel thus hanging on thy Robe Who never wept or knelt but to the Gods Let Pity and let Piety prevail Behold in me their Representative The Gods of Greece all prostrate at thy Feet To save their Altars that e're Night are doom'd A prey to Trojan rage Uly. Not for my self or that I fear to die Would I avert these Fates Ag. Gods 't is too much why am I hunted thus Let loose my Robe O Love How hard a Fate is thine Obtain'd with Trouble and with Pain preserv'd Never at rest Re-enter Chruseis Haste to my Rescue my Chruseis come O hide me from these Tyrants in thy Arms Thou only bring'st me Peace Chal. She only brings you Ruine Nest. Infamy Uly. Inevitable Fate Chru. I fear'd th' advantage that my absence gave Forgive my doubts that bring me back again By Gods abandon'd and Mankind pursu'd All all are Foes to your Chruse is now Nothing but Love pleads for me Ag. And Love 's enough What argument so strong Absent and Present thou art still the same My Faith 's the same What thô the Hunter flies The strucken Stag bleeds on Th' impression that thou leav'st upon my Soul Lies there so deep so lively and so full That Memory recalls no other Thought But only Love And only Love of thee Chal. Chryses will have a better answer Ag. No other will I give So tell him Prophet O there is wondrous Eloquence in Eyes Let him complain and arm all Heaven against me Yet stay Our self will hear what he demands Fain would I reconcile my Love and Fame Judge me ye Powers I would be justifi'd In all I do But come what will Gods ye may make us Perish but not Part. Give me thy hand Thô the Winds beat and loud the Billows roar Firm stands the Rock Unshaken from the Shoar Against my Love thô Heaven and Earth combine So will I cleave to Thee for Ever thine The End of the Second Act. ACT III. SCENE I. Enter from one side of the Theatre Agamemnon attended From the other Chryses follow'd by Priests Trumpets sounding Ag. ART thou that Holy Man so near the Gods Admitted to their Synods to encline Their hearts to Men to represent our Griefs And move redress for the afflicted World Yet art thy self obdurate to our Prayers Can'st with dry Eyes behold a Monarch weep And preaching Mercy yet thy self have none Chry. Art thou that King renown'd for pious deeds Who from far Argos to the Dardan Coast Ha'st led so many Kings to punish Rapes Yet art thy self a Ravisher Ag. Thy Daughter was a Captive of the War My liberal Stars made me the precious Gift Thy right is lost by Conquest she is mine Chry. Then as a Captive I demand her back Paying her Ransom which by right of War None can refuse Ag. Keep keep thy sordid Pelf The Gleanings of thy Trade by holy Taxes Should that bright God whose Minister thou art Who in his spacious round from Pole to Pole Surveys the hidden Treasures of the deep Then lifting up his prying Eyes to Land Searches the secret bowels of the Earth O should he bid me for my lov'd Chruseis All that his Eye beholds his Beams create In that vast Circle of the girded Globe By Mars it were too little Priest I tell thee She is above all Ransom Chr. Then ransomless restore her Ag. Ungrateful Man are these are these my thanks When by the right of War I might have sold As others did thy Daughter for a Slave A Houshold druge to some far distant Land I kept her for my self to be my Queen To raise her as in Beauty in degree Superiour to all others of her Sex What would thy Pride have more Chr. Consent is free I tell thee King thou shalt not force her from me Ag. Have I us'd force What have I left unsaid What have I left unbid to tempt thy Pride Or glut thy Sacerdotal avarice Will Pow'r and Riches bend thy stubborn Soul Take Argos and Micene all I have Will Pray'rs and Tears prevail Behold me Weep Will Adoration touch thee See me Kneel Thus prostrate at thy Feet as to the Gods Chr. Were Clytemnestra Dead Ag. Were Clytemnestra Dead Her doom is seal'd Yes she shall die she has deserv'd it long Whilst I pursue my Brother's wrongs at Troy My Brother's Fate has caught me Whilst I Besiege a vile Adulterer here Adultery is got to my own Bed Chr. How fatal still to thee and to thy Blood Has Beauty ever
been Aeropè first With foulest Incest stain'd thy Father's Bed Thence follow'd Rapin and avenging Wars Murthers at which th' astonish'd Sun went back And turn'd aside and veil'd his head in Clouds Thy Brother was the next and thou the Third Heirs of Adultery From Sire to Son Pollution like Inheritance descends On thy whole Race Nor wilt thou yet be warn'd Curse Curse the Sex hate Women and be Wise. Ag. Chruseis is a Star without a spot With all her Sex's Charms without their faults Though there are Seas that Rocks and Quicksands hide And with impetuous rage toss every Bark Are there not Streams that we may safely trust Though from each Soil spring forth the deadliest Roots Are there not fragrant Flow'rs and wholsom Plants Chr. I came not here to argue but demand Nor am I to be mov'd Ag. Nor I Proud Priest Oh! give me patience Heaven 'T is well 't is well Chruseis is thy Daughter or thy Life Should pay thy Arrogance Hence hence be gone Lest I recal my Mercy If again Thou' rt seen returning to my Camp Thou Diest Neither thy Office nor thy Gods shall save thee Chr. Hear me Apollo With thy silver Bow Shoot these proud Greeks and double all their Plagues And thou O Jove when their Battalions face The Trojan Hosts prepar'd to join the Battel With Lightning and with Thunder singe their Ranks Drive 'em before their Foes Burn Burn their Ships Nor let a Man be seen returning back To tell the News in Argos Ag. Hence Scrietch-Owl My Mortals are a Match for thy best Gods Twice has strong Diomed in single Fight Dipp'd in Immortal Nichor his huge Spear And driven the God of Combat from the Field I dare thy worst insulting Prophet Chr. The Curse of Curses May Domestick broils Never forsake thy House May that Lewd Couple Who now Pollute thy Bed contrive thy Death And perish by the Hands that most have wrong'd thee Next May thy Son Orestes to revenge Thy fate Murther his Mother then run Mad By Furies haunted And as thou hast Robb'd Me of a Daughter so may thine be forc'd Into some Land unknown to serve a Priest I pray the Gods that this may be the Fate Of thee and thine and so I leave thee to it Exit Chryses Ag. Come all these Plagues Yet trust me I am mov'd And somewhat whispers to my Soul Thus it shall be The Prophet's Voice is but the Voice of Fate Thus Perish Agamemnon and his Race My Children too In what have they Offended From Son to Son shall Vengeances descend Guilty and Innocent alike involv'd Can this be Justice Gods Why am I Curst But for my Father's Crimes Thyâ—stes Incest Thy Blasphemies Oh Atreus cry aloud For Judgment still and bloody Expiation Command our Priests do present Sacrifice By Prayers the Gods are mov'd Forward Eurybates Exit Agamemnon and Train Enter Nestor and Ulysses Nes. 'T is better be a Dog than be a Man Instinct of Nature is the only Guide Unerring Vain Light of Reason Ah how frail How hard to be kept in by steadiest bearers Put out by every accidental breath That Passion blows I say again Ulysses What Fool would be a Man who had the Choice Of his own Being The best most perfect Are so allay'd the good so mix'd with bad Like counterfeited Coin of mingled Metal The Noble part 's not currant for the Base Uly. What pity 't is a Man so Brave so Just Bate but this failing this one fault of Love A Man resembling more the Gods than Men Should so be lost Nes. What hinders us to loose The fury of the Soldiers on this Woman Why tear they not this Author of their Woes Piecemeal and hew the Enchantress Limb from Limb Uly. There Nestor there 's the wonder As at Troy When Hellen passes through the crowded streets Who curs'd her out of sight strait bless aloud And cry she 's worth the War Who would not Fight Though sure to Dye to serve such wondrous Beauty So when the Fair Chruseis comes in view Her Beauty reconciles the most enrag'd The Sick who know they perish for her sake Crawl from their Tents to gaze upon her Face And looking on her feel returns of strength Soldiers and Captains throng in Crowds about her And with loud Cries approve their General 's Love And with one Voice consent to their own ruin To lose the sight of her seems what they fear More than the loss of Life or Victory Thus desperate are our ills But we will yet retrieve him If Human Wit or Artifice can find A remedy spite of himself he shall be safe Nes. Vain Boaster of thy Wit O Flatterer Is there in Art a remedy for Love For Love thus obstinate Uly. Nestor there is Himself has furnisht us the Means the Ground Whereon to build 'T is Jealousy shall do 't Th' Arrival of Briseis shall effect it And with this little spark I 'll light a flame Shall purge our Air of all this Love-infection Already have I urg'd our fair destroyer And vext her mind with sharp anxieties I left her pondring doubtful and perplext And see she comes How thoughful Let us retire when this has workt The dose shall be repeated Nes. I guess which way thou driv'st Succeed it Gods 'T is our last throw of Fortune Exeunt Enter Chruseis Artemis and other Women Attendants Chru. Said you so hot and passionate Art Worse Madam worse than I can tell you Chru. And so they parted Art On such ill terms better they 'd never met Chru. Then farewel all my hopes And all ye joys Of Love for ever Ah! farewel Love what is Love state me that question right Let me consider Is it to quench desire To follow Nature roving after Sense This is self-self-love unquiet to possess For its own ease the brutal Love of Beasts 'T is vile 't is shameful I abhor the thought Then what is Love Stay let me think again Is it to fix our Wishes on one Object Pleas'd only when the thing we love is pleas'd Partaking of its sorrows seeking its good Desirous more to give than to receive Willing to part with all with Fortune Life Chusing all Miseries satisfy'd rejoic'd With any Ruin that 's the means of Safety To the Man belov'd Ay this is Love True Love Heroick Love 'T is Generous 't is Divine Say Artemis think'st thou no Woman yet Lov'd thus Art None Madam that I e're heard of Chru. I tell thee then there will be one e're Night Thanks to your kindness Gods But that 's a secret Why why am I pick'd out to be the first The first perhaps and last The Custom is From Man to Man to wander with our wishes Meeting and parting as it seems convenient These are call'd happy these enjoy the Goods Of Life and Fortune all the World 's their own Pleasure 's their Mate their hearts are still at ease But have these Virtue No. Is Virtue then Given to make us wretched Ah! sad Portion
and Power are Baits that never fail He makes most progress in a Woman's Breast Who Proffers highest not who Loves her best These are the insolent remarks of Men With which we know you all arraign our Sex But learn to the confusion of thy hopes I would not change for Mars much less for thee Ag. Think not that I mean Bri. I care not what you mean Thou dar'st not Greek Not for thy life offend Divine Achilles When he withdraws his Arm your Glory sinks Achilles is the Pillar of your Cause The Prop of Greece and Terror of the Trojans And Thou without him Nothing Enter Chruseis Chr. Think not I come to interrupt your Joys Ungrateful King I know I am unwelcome As willingly as thou hast made this Choice So willingly Chruseis do's confirm it Take Take her Traitor Take her to your Arms Falsest of Greeks who are of Men the falsest I quit you of all Vows of all Engagements Give her my Oaths that you repent you made And I repent that ever I received To Briseis Nor triumph thou for were he worth my keeping Thou should'st not have him yet The Gift I make Is of a thing I scorn Bri. I scorn as much to take it Ag. What means Chruseis Chru. Oh Agamemnon hadst thou but been true Hadst thou been constant but a little longer Couldst thou have persever'd but yet one hour My Virtue had prepar'd for Thee for Me Such proofs of Love so passionate and noble Such Scenes of Glory delicate and nice As had amaz'd Mankind But thou hast ruin'd all O squanderer of Fame Thy Honour Mine 'T is lost 'T is gone for ever past recal A perjur'd Lover and forsaken Mistress Is all the name that 's left for both Ag. Who 's perjur'd who forsaken Chru. Seek not to hide what I have heard and seen Nor be so Vain to think thy falshood grieves My only grief is that I ever lov'd To cease to do it is a pleasure to me Hadst thou been true I had been great but wretched But thou art false and what I lose in glory Will be made up in Ease for Falshood cures A generous Love disdains to harbour Traitors My Heart deceiv'd for want of knowing Thee Receiv'd thee in a Robber not a Guest But on discovery thus turns thee out Unworthy to be there Unworthy of good Usage Ag. Have I been false By the immortal Gods Chru. Yes Thou canst swear and swear I know it well But swear not by the Gods whom thou hast mockt Nor yet to me who can believe no more But swear to her for she is yet to learn How well thou canst deceive O what are Men How impiously they play with Perjury Traitor I know the Value of your Oaths Ulysses told me Ag. What has Ulysses told you Chru. What I have seen Ag. Ulysses is a Traitor speak Briseis Be thou my Witness Have I mention'd love Bri. I would not give you leave Chru. Thou art condemn'd thy Witness has condemn'd thee Thou' rt Perjur'd doubly Perjur'd to us both Thou would'st have sworn would she have heard thee swear And now thou would'st recant because she scorns thee Bri. Though I commanded silence to my self And my nice Ear disdain'd to hear thy Love Who bids thee make a secret of thy Passion My scorn were lost were not thy love proclaim'd To Me be silent To the World be loud Begin by telling her I give thee leave Ag. To her alone Chru. I 'll spare thee the confession 'T is a stale story and I know enough Would'st thou then own it Brave me to my face Thou dar'st not No Thou art not yet so harden'd Why dost thou tremble when I look upon thee When thou would'st speak upon thy falt'ring Tongue The Accents dy All Arguments of guilt Thy Colour goes and comes upon thy face And thy young treason blushes to be seen The Murder'd Body at the Murdrer's touch Will bleed afresh nor can Betrayers bear The sight of one betray'd without confusion Thou fear'st me still I read it in thy Eyes And in thy Limbs that scarce support thy Body Oh! that I could look thee dead Ag. My wounded Soul is on its flight Bri. Die quickly then for I 'm in hast to go Die at my feet that I may spurn thee Dead To show my scorn How dar'st thou look When I am by on any Face but mine Chru. Look on look on Gaze till thy Eye-Balls burst And rowling round thy sight from Charm to Charm Survey me all and then repent thy change Gaze till thou' rt mine again 'till falling down Low at my Feet thou do'st expire with shame There is a secret struggle in thy Soul I see thou would'st return but 't is too late For know Atrides thou behold'st thy last He kneels Sink lower lower hide thee under ground Thou' rt odious to my Eyes and I can bear Thy sight no longer Ag. Hear me Chruseis Rises Would either hear both might be satisfy'd Ye both have dream'd and each of ye believes The Visions of her sleep would you but hear Chru. Oh that I ne're had heard nor ever seen 'T is past 't is past Atrides Love 's no more My Heart is harder now than once 't was soft Farewell for ever Yet forgive him Gods Not on his head but on his faithless Sex Revenge the Cause of poor abandon'd Truth Nor let it be by Famine or Disease Nor yet by Thunder nor tempestuous Blast Nor Fire nor Sword nor by consuming Wars Let us Revenge our selves commit to us This mighty Charge No Vengeance like a Woman's Let Falshood punish Falshood Let Deceit And Treachery be only Women's Arts. Henceforth through rowling Ages Let there be Not one Example of a Woman Faithful Let all be Hellens perjur'd Devils all Let every Husband be a noted Cuckold Give 'em not Wives to comfort but to plague Let Love be all a trick and a pretence And every Woman be a bosom Serpent The Gods have granted And methinks I read The Page of Fate and find it first for ever That not a Woman shall be born hereafter But shall deceive some Man Debates arise Dissentions reign Pollution be triumphant And Jealousies and Jars Confound the World Exit Chruseis Bris. My Conquest is complete She flies she flies And has avow'd the triumph of my Eyes So may all thrive who dare my Empire brave Like her despair and be Mankind my Slave How pleas'd will be Achilles when he knows My Beauty has reveng'd him on his Foes I go to tell him nor will be delay'd Stir not to stop me For I 'll look thee dead Exit Briseis Ag. Go where I never may behold thee more Thou Imp of thy Achilles Like a Child I struck and hit my self I rais'd a storm And perish in 't the means of my revenge Has turn'd to my own ruin And the load I cast has weigh'd me after it and sunk me 'T is just ye Gods your Providence has caught My foolish Wrath and my own act