see A Great Man tumble but they must be talking Cass. The Spirit of King Philip in those Arms We saw him wear pass'd groaning through the Court His dreadful Eye-balls rowl'd their horrour upwards He wav'd his Arms and shook his wondrous Head I 've heard that at the crowing of the Cock Lions will roar and Goblings steal away But this Majestick Air stalks stedfast on Spight of the Morn that calls him from the East Nor minds the op'ning of the Iv'ry Door Phil. 'T is certain there was never Day like this Cass. Late as I musing walk't behind the Palace I met a monstrous Child that with his Hands Held to his Face which seem'd all over Eyes A Silver Bowle and wept it full of Blood But having spy'd me like a Cockatrice He glar'd a while then with a shriek so shrill As all the Winds had whistled from his Mouth He dash'd me with the Gore he held and vanished Pol. That which befell me though 't was horrid yet When I consider it appears ridiculous For as I pass'd through a by vacant place I met two Women very old and ugly That wrung their Hands and howl'd and beat their Breasts And cry'd out Poyson when I askt the cause They took me by the Ears and with strange force Held me to Earth then laugh'd and disappear'd Cass. O how I love destruction with a Method Which none discern but those that weave the Plot Like Silk-worms we are hid in our own Weft But we shall burst at last through all the strings And when time calls come forth in a new Form Not Insects to be trod but Dragons wing'd Thess. The Face of all the Court is strangely alter'd There 's not a Persian I can meet but stares As if he were distracted Oxyartes Statira's Unckle openly declaim'd Against the Perjury of Alexander Phil. Others more fearful are remov'd to Susa Dreading Roxana's rage who comes i' th' Rear To Babylon Cass. It glads my rising Soul That we shall see him Rack'd before he dies I know he loves Statira more than Life And on a Crowd of Kings in Triumph born Comes big with expectation to enjoy her But when he hears the Oaths which she has ta'ne Her last adieu made publick to the World Her vow'd divorce how will remorse consume him Prey like the Bird of Hell upon his Liver Pol. To bawk his Longing and delude his Lust Is more than Death 't is Earnest for Damnation Cass. Then comes Roxana who must help our Party I know her jealous bloody and ambitious Sure 't was the likeness of her Heart to mine And Sympathy of Natures caus'd me love her 'T is fixt I must enjoy her and no way So proper as to make her guilty first Pol. To see two Rival Queens of different humours With a variety of Torments vex him Enter Lysima Hephest. Cass. Of that anon but see Lysimachus And the young Favourite sort sort your selves And like to other Mercenary Souls Adore this Mortal God that soon must bleed Lys. Here I will wait the King's approach and stand His utmost anger if he do me wrong Heph. That cannot be from Power so absolute And high as his Lys. Well you and I have done Pol. How the Court thickens Trumpets sound Cass. Nothing to what it will Does he not come To hear a thousand thousand Embassies Which from all Parts to Babylon are brought As if the Parliament of the whole World Had met and he came on a God to give The infinite Assembly glorious audience Enter Clytus Aristander in his Robes with a Wand Arist. Haste Reverend Clytus haste and stop the King Clyt. He is already entred then the Press Of Princes that attend so thick about him Keep all that wou'd approach at certain distance Arist. Though he were hem'd with Deities I 'de speak to him And turn him back from this Highway to Death Clyt. Here place your self within his Trumpets sound Lo the Caldean Priests appear behold The sacred Fire Nearchus and Eumenes With their white Wands and drest in Eastern Robes To sooth the King who loves the Persian mode But see the Master of the World appears Enter Alexander all kneel but Clytus Heph. O Son of Jupiter live for ever Alex. Rise all and thou my second self my Love O my Hephestion raise thee from the Earth Up to my Breast and hide thee in my Heart Art thou grown cold why hang thine Arms at distance Hugg me or else by Heaven thou lov'st me not Heph. Not Love my Lord break not the Heart you fram'd And moulded up to such an Excellence Then stamp'd on it your own Immortal Image Not love the King Such is not Womans love So fond a friendship such a sacred flame As I must doubt to find in Breasts above Alex. Thou dost thou lov'st me Crown of all my Wars Thou dearer to me than my Groves of Lawrel I know thou lov'st thy Alexander more Than Clytus does the King no Tears Hephestion I read thy Passion in thy Manly Eyes And glory in those Planets of my Life Above the Rival Lights that shine in Heaven Lys. I see that Death must wait me yet I 'le on Alex. I 'le tell thee Friend and mark it all ye Princes Though never mortal Man arriv'd to such A height as I yet I wou'd forfeit all Cast all my Purples and my conquer'd Crowns And dye to save this Darling of my Soul Give me thy Hand share all my Scepters while I live and when my hour of Fate is come I leave thee what thou meritest more than I the World Lys. Dread Sir I cast me at your Royal Feet Alex. What my Lysimachus whose Veins are rich With our illustrious Blood my Kinsman rise Is not that Clytus Clyt. Your old faithful Souldier Alex. Come to my hands thus double Arm the King And now methinks I stand like the dread God Who while his Priests and I quaff'd sacred Blood Acknowledg'd me his Son My Lightning thou And thou my mighty Thunder I have seen Thy glittering Sword out-fly Celestial Fire And when I cry'd Be gone and execute I 've seen him run swifter than starting Hinds Nor bent the tender Grass beneath his Feet Swifter than Shadows fleeting o're the Fields Nay even the Winds with all their stock of Wings Have puff'd behind as wanting Breath to reach him Lys. But if your Majesty Clyt. Who would not lose The last dear drop of Blood for such a King Alex. Witness my elder Brothers of the Skie How much I love a Souldier O my Clytus Was it not when we pass'd the Granicus Thou didst preserve me from unequal force It was when Spithridates and Rhesaces Fell both upon me with two dreadful stroaks And clove my temper'd Helmet quite in sunder Then I remember then thou didst me service I think my Thunder split him to the Navel Clyt. To your great self you owe that Victory And sure your Arms did never gain a nobler Alex. By Heaven they never did for well thou
for if you do By all the Furies and the flames of Love By Love which is the hottest burning Hell I 'le set you both on fire to blaze for ever Exit Stat. O Alexander is it possible Good Gods That guilt can shew so lovely yet I pardon Forgive thee all by thy dear life I do Alex. Ha! Pardon saidst thou Pardon me Sys Now all thy Mothers blessings fall about thee My best my most belov'd my own Statira Alex. Is it then true that thou hast pardon'd me And is it giv'n me thus to touch thy hand And fold thy body in my longing arms To gaze upon thy Eyes my happier Stars To tast thy lip and thy dear balmy breath While ev'ry sigh comes forth so fraught with sweets 'T is incense to be offer'd to a God Stat. Yes dear Impostor 't is most true that I Have pardon'd thee and 't is as true that while I stand in view of thee thy eyes will wound Thy tongue will make me wanton as thy wishes And while I feel thy hand my body glows Therefore be quick and take your last adieu These your last sighs and these your parting tears Farewell farewell a long and last farewell Alex. O my Hephestion bear me or I sink Stat. Nay you may take Heav'n how my heart throbs You may you may if yet you think me worthy Take from these trembling lips a parting kiss Alex. No let me starve first why Statira why What is the meaning of all this O Gods I know the cause my working brain divines You 'l say you pardon'd but with this reserve Never to make me blest as I have been To slumber by the side of that false man Nor give a Heav'n of beauty to a Devil Think you not thus speak Madam Sys She is not worthy Son of so much sorrow Speak comfort to him speak my dear Statira I ask thee by those tears Ah canst thou e're Pretend to Love yet with dry eyes behold him Alex. Silence more dreadfull then severest sounds Wou'd she but speak though Death eternal Exile Hung at her lips yet while her tongue pronounces There must be Musick even in my undoing Stat. Still my lov'd Lord I cannot see you thus Nor can I ever yield to share your Bed O I shall find Roxana in your arms And tast her kisses left upon your lips Her curs'd embraces have defil'd your body Nor shall I find the wonted sweetness there But artificial smells and aking odours Alex. Yes obstinate I will Madam you shall You shall in spight of this resistless passion Be serv'd but you must give me leave to think You never lov'd O cou'd I see you thus Hell has not half the tortures that you raise Clyt. Never did passions combat thus before Alex. O I shall burst Unless you give me leave to rave a while Sys Yet e're destruction sweeps us both away Relent and break through all to pity him Alex. Yes I will shake this Cupid from my arms If all the rages of the Earth can fright him Drown him in the deep bowl of Hercules Make the World drunk and then like Aeolus When he gave passage to the struggling winds I 'le strike my Spear into the reeling Globe To let it bloud set Babylon in a blaze And drive this God of flames with more consuming fire Stat. My presence will but force him to extremes Besides 't is death to me to see his pains Yet stand resolv'd never to yield again Permit me to remove Alex. I charge ye stay her For if she pass by all the Hells I feel Your Souls your naked Ghosts shall wait upon her O turn thee Turn thou barb'rous brightness turn Hear my last words and see my utmost pang But first kneel with me all my Souldiers kneel All kneel Yet lower prostrate to the Earth Ah Mother what Will you kneel too Then let the Sun stand still To see himself out-worship'd not a face Be shewn that is not wash'd all o're in tears But weep as if you here beheld me slain Sys Hast thou a heart or art thou Savage turn'd But if this posture cannot move your mercy I never will speak more Alex. O my Statira I swear my Queen I 'le not out-live thy hate My Soul is still as death But one thing more Pardon my last extremities the transports Of a deep wounded breast and all is well Stat. Rise and may Heav'n forgive you all like me Alex. You are too gracious Clytus bear me hence When I am laid in Earth yield her the world There 's something here heaves and is cold as Ice That stops my breath Farewell O Gods for ever Stat. Hold off and let me run into his arms My dearest my all Love my Lord my King You shall not dye if that the soul and body Of thy Statira can restore thy life Give me thy wonted kindness bend me break me With thy embraces Alex. O the killing joy O extasie my heart will burst my breast To leap into thy bosom but by Heav'n This night I will revenge me of thy beauties For the dear rack I have this day endur'd For all the sighs and tears that I have spent I 'le have so many thousand burning Loves So swell thy lips so fill me with thy sweetness Thou shalt not sleep nor close thy wandring Eyes The smiling hours shall all be lov'd away We 'l surfeit all the night and languish all the day Stat. Nor shall Roxana Alex. Let her not be nam'd O Mother how shall I requite your goodness And you my fellow Warriours that cou'd weep For your lost King But I invite you all My equals in the Throne as in the Grave Without distinction to the Riot come To the Kings Banquet Clyt. I beg your Majesty Would leave me out Alex. None none shall be excus'd All Revel out the day 't is my command Gay as the Persian God our self will stand With a Crown'd Goblet in our lifted hand Young Ammon and Statira shall go round While antick Measures beat the burden'd ground And to the vaulted Skies our Clangors sound Exeunt ACT IV. Enter Clytus in his Macedonian habit Hephestion Eumenes Meleager c. in Persian Robes Clyt. AWay I will not wear these Persian Robes Nor ought the King be angry for the reverence I owe my Country sacred are her Customs Which honest Clytus shall preserve to death O let me rot in Macedonian rags Rather then shine in fashions of the East Then for the Adorations he requires Rost my old body in eternal flames Or let him Cage me like Calisthenes Eum. Dear Clytus be perswaded Heph. You know the King Is God-like full of all the richest Virtues That ever Royal heart possess'd yet you Perverse but to one humour will oppose him Clyt. Call you it humour 't is a pregnant one By Mars there 's venom in it burning pride And though my life shou'd follow rather then Bear such a hot ambition in my bowels I 'd rip 'em up to give the poyson
knowest And I am prouder to have pass'd that Stream Than that I drove a Million o're the Plain Can none remember Yes I know all must When glory like the dazling Eagle stood Perch'd on my Bever in the Granick Flood When Fortun 's self my Standard trembling bore And the pale Fates stood frighted on the Shore When the Immortals on the Billows rode And I my self appear'd the leading God Arist. But all the honours which your Youth has won Are lost unless you fly from Babylon Haste with your Chiefs to Susa take your way Fly for your life destructive is your stay This Morning having view'd the angry Skie And mark'd the Prodigies that threatn'd high To our bright God I did for succour fly But Oh. Alex. What fears thy Reverend Bosome shake Or dost thou from some Dream of horrour wake If so come grasp me with thy shaking Hand Or fall behind while I the danger stand Arist. To Orosmades Cave I did repair Where I atton'd the dreadful God with Prayer But as I pray'd I heard long groans within And shrieks as of the damn'd that howl for Sin I knew the Omen and I fear'd to stay But prostrate on the trembling Pavement lay When he bodes happiness he answers mild 'T was so of old and the great Image smil'd But now in abrupt Thunder he reply'd Lowd as rent Rocks or roaring Seas he cry'd All Empires Crown Glory of Babylon Whose Head stands wrapt in Clouds must tumble down Alex. If Babylon must fall what is 't to me Or can I help immutable Decree Down then vast Frame with all thy lofty Towers Since 't is so order'd by Almighty Powers Press'd by the Fates unloose your golden Bars 'T is great to fall the envy of the Stars Enter Perdiccas Meleager Mele. O horrrour Perd. Dire Portents Alex. Out with 'em then What are you Ghosts ye empty shapes of Men If so the Mysteries of Hell unfold Be all the Scrowls of Destiny unrowl'd Open the brazen Leaves and let it come Point with a Thunder-bolt your Monarchs doom Perd. As Meleager and my self in Field Your Persian Horse about the Army wheel'd We heard a noise as of a rushing Wind And a thick Storm the Eye of Day did blind A croaking noise resounded through the Air We look'd and saw big Ravens battling there Each Bird of Night appear'd himself a Cloud They met and fought and their Wounds rain'd black Blood Mele. All as for honour did their Lives expose Their Talons clash'd and Beaks gave mighty blows Whilst dreadful sounds did our sear'd sense assail As of small Thunder or huge Scythian Hail Perd. Our Augurs shook when with a horrid groan We thought that all the Clouds had tumbl'd down Souldiers and Chiefs who can the wonder tell Strook to the ground promiseuously fell While the dark Birds each pond'rous as a Shield For fifty Furlongs hid the fatal Field Alex. Be witness for me all ye Powers Divine If ye be angry 't is no fault of mine Therefore let Furles face me with a Band From Hell my Virtue shall not make a stand Though all the Curtains of the Skie be drawn And the Stars wink young Ammon shall go on While my Statira shines I cannot stray Love lifts his Torch to light me on my way And her bright Eyes create another Day Lys. E're you remove be pleas'd dread Sir to hear A Prince ally'd to you by Blood Alex. Speak quickly Lys. For all that I have done for you in War I beg the Princess Parisatis Alex. Ha Is not my word already past Hephestion I know he hates thee but he shall not have her We heard of this before Lysimachus I here command you nourish no design To prejudice my Person in the Man I love and will preferr to all the World Lys. I never fail'd to obey your Majesty Whilst you commanded what was in my power Nor cou'd Hephestion fly more swift to serve When you commanded us to storm a Town Or fetch a Standard from the Enemy But when you charge me not to love the Princess I must confess I disobey you as I wou'd the Gods themselves should they command Alex. You shou'd brave Sir hear me and then be dumb When by my order curst Calisthenes Was as a Traitor doom'd to live in torments Your pity sped him in despight of me Think not I have forgot your insolence No though I pardon'd it yet if again Thou dar'st to cross me with another Crime The Bolts of Fury shall be doubled on thee In the mean time think not of Parisatis For if thou dost by Jupiter Ammon By my own Head and by King Philip's Soul I 'le not respect that Blood of mine thou shar'st But use thee as the vilest Macedonian Lys. I doubted not at first but I shou'd meet Your indignation yet my Soul 's resolv'd And I shall never quit so brave a Prize While I can draw a Bow or lift a Sword Alex. Against my Life ha was it so how now 'T is said that I am rash of hasty humour But I appeal to the Immortal Gods If ever petty poor Provincial Lord Had temper like to mine My Slave whom I Cou'd tread to Clay dares utter bloody threats Clyt. Contain your self dread Sir the noble Prince I see it in his Countenance would dye To justifie his truth but love makes many faults Lys. I meant his Minion there should feel my Arm Love asks his blood nor shall he live to laugh At my destruction Alex. Now be thy own Judge I pardon thee for my old Clytus's sake But if once more thou mention thy rash Love Or dar'st attempt Hephestion's precious Life I 'le pour such storms of indignation on thee Philot as rack Calisthenes disgrace Shall be delight to what thou shalt endure Enter Sysigambis Parisatis Heph. My Lord the Queen comes to congratulate Your safe arrival Alex. O thou best of Women Source of my joy blest Parent of my Love Sys Permit me kneel and give those adorations Which from the Persian Family are due Have you not rais'd us from our ruines high And when no Hand cou'd help nor any Eye Behold us with a Tear your's pittied me You like a God snatch'd us from sorrow's Gulph Fixt us in Thrones above our former state Par. Which when a Soul forgets advanc't so nobly May it be drown'd in deeper misery Alex. To meet me thus was generously done But still there wants to crown my happiness Life of my Empire Treasure of my Soul My dear Statira O that Heavenly Beam Warmth of my Brain and Firer of my Heart Had she but shot to see me had she met me By this time I had been amongst the Gods If any Ecstasie can make a height Or any Rapture hurle us to the Heavens Clyt. Now who shall dare to tell him the Queens Vow Alex. How fares my Love ha neither answer me Ye raise my wonder Darkness overwhelm me If Royal Sysigambis does not weep Trembling and horrour pierce me cold as Ice Is
This Poniard's thy Fate Dar. My Daughter must bleed Chor. Awake then Statira awake for alas you must dye Ere an hour be past you must breath out your last Dar. And be such another as I Stat. As I Chor. And be such another as I Statira sola Stat. Bless me ye Pow'rs above and guard my Virtue I saw nor was 't a Dream I saw and heard My Royal Parents there I saw 'em stand My eyes beheld their precious Images I heard their Heav'nly voices where O where Fled you so fast Dear shades from my embraces You told me this This hour should be my last And I must bleed Away 't is all Delusion Do not I wait for Alexander's coming None but my loving Lord can enter here And will he kill me hence phantastick shadows And yet me thinks he should not stay thus long Why do I tremble thus if I but stir The motion of my Robes makes my heart leap When will the dear man come that all my doubts May vanish in his breast that I may hold him Fast as my fears can make me hug him close As my fond Soul can wish give all my breath In sighs and kisses swoun dye away with Rapture But hark I hear him noise within Fain I would hide my blushes I hear his tread but dare not go to meet him Enter Roxana with Slaves and a Dagger Rox. At length we have conquer'd this stupendious height These flying Groves whose wonderfull ascent Leads to the Clouds Stat. Then all he Vision 's true retires And I must dye lose my dear Lord for ever That that 's the murder Rox. Shut the Brazen Gate And make it fast with all the massie Bars I know the King will fly to her relief But we have time enough where is my Rival Appear Statira now no more a Queen Roxana calls where is your Majesty Stat. And what is she who with such Tow'ring pride Wou'd awe a Princess that is born above her Rox. I like the Port Imperial Beauty bears It shews thou hast a Spirit fit to fall A Sacrifice to fierce Roxana's wrongs Be sudden then put forth these Royal Breasts Where our false Master has so often languish'd That I may change their milkie Innocence To bloud and die me in a deep Revenge Stat. No barb'rous woman though I durst meet death As boldly as our Lord with a resolve At which thy Coward heart wou'd tremble Yet I disdain to stand the Fate you offer And therefore fearless of thy dreadful threats Walk thus regardless by thee Rox. Ha! so stately This sure will sink you Stat. No Roxana no The blow you give will strike me to the Stars But sink ny murdress in Eternal ruine Rox. Who told you this Stat. A thousand Spirits tell me There 's not a God but whispers in my ear This death will crown me with Immortal Glory To dye so fair so innocent so young Will make me company for Queens above Rox. Preach on Stat. While you the burden of the Earth Fall to the Deep so heavy with thy Guilt That Hell it self must groan at thy reception While foulest Fiends shun thy society And thou shalt walk alone forsaken Fury Rox. Heav'n witness for me I would spare thy life If any thing but Alexander's Love Were in debate come give me back his heart And thou shalt live live Empress of the world Stat. The world is less then Alexander's Love Yet cou'd I give it 't is not in my power This I dare promise if you spare my life Which I disdain to beg he shall speak kindly Rox. Speak is that all Stat. Perhaps at my request And for a gift so noble as my life Bestow a kiss Rox. A kiss no more Stat. O Gods What shall I say to work her to my end Fain I would see him yes a little more Embrace you and for ever be your Friend Rox. Oh the provoking word Your Friend Thou dy'st Your Friend what must I bring you then together Adorn your Bed and see you softly laid By all my pangs and labours of my Love This has thrown off all that was sweet and gentle Therefore Stat. Yet hold thy hand advanc'd in air I see my death is written in thy eyes Therefore wreak all thy lust of Vengeance on me Wash in my bloud and steep thee in my gore Feed like a Vulture tear my bleeding heart But O Roxana that there may appear A glimpse of Justice for thy Cruelty A grain of Goodness for a mass of Evil Give me my Death in Alexander's presence Rox. Not for the Rule of Heav'n are you so cunning What you wou'd have him mourn you as you fall Take your farewell and taste such healing kisses As might call back your Soul No thou shalt fall Now and when Death has seiz'd thy beauteous limbs I 'le have thy body thrown into a Well Buried beneath a heap of Stones for ever Enter a Slave Slav. Madam the King with all his Captains and his Guards Are forcing ope ' the doors he threatens thousand deaths To all that stop his entrance and I believe Your Eunuchs will obey him Rox. Then I must haste stabs her Stat. What is the King so near And shall I dye so tamely thus defenceless O ye good Gods will you not help my weakness Rox. They are far off stabbing her Stat. Alas they are indeed Enter Alexander Cassander Polipercon Guards and Attendants Alex. Oh Harpy thou shalt reign the Queen of Devils Rox. Do strike behold my bosom swells to meet thee 'T is full of thine of veins that run ambition And I can brave whatever Fate you bring Alex. Call our Physicians hast I 'le give an Empire To save her Oh my Soul alas Statira These wounds Oh Gods are these my promis'd joys Stat. My cruel Love my weeping Alexander Enter Physicians Wou'd I had dy'd before you enter'd here For now I ask my heart a hundred questions What must I lose my life my Lord for ever Alex. Ha! Villains are they mortal what retire Raise your dash'd Spirits from the Earth and say Say she shall live and I will make you Kings Give me this one this poor this only life And I will pardon you for all the wounds Which your Arts widen all Diseases Deaths Which your damn'd Drugs throw through the lingring world Rox. Rend not your temper see a general silence Confirms the bloudy pleasure which I sought She dyes Alex. And dar'st thou Monster think to scape Stat. My life is on the wing my Love my Lord Come to my arms and take the last adieu Here let me lie and languish out my Soul Alex. Answer me Father wilt thou take her from me What is the black sad hour at last arriv'd That I must never clasp her body more Never more bask in her Eyes-shine again Nor view the Loves that play'd in those dear beams And shot me with a thousand thousand smiles Stat. Farewell my dear my life my most lov'd Lord I swear by Orosmades 't
brave and will not scorn me Kill me or let me fight with him again Lys. There take thy Sword and since thou art resolv'd For death thou hast the noblest from my hand Cly. Stay thee Lysimachus Hephestion hold I bar you both my Body interpos'd Now let me see which of you dares to strike By Jove ye've stirr'd the Old Man that rash Arm That first advances moves against the Gods Against the Wrath of Clytus and the Will Of our great King whose Deputy I stand Lys. Well I shall take another time Heph. And I. Cly. 'T is false Another time what time what foolish hour No time shall see a brave Man do amiss And what 's the noble Cause that makes this madness What big Ambition blows this dangerous Fire A Cupids puff is it not Woman's breath By all our triumphs in the heat of Youth When Towns were sack'd and Beauties prostrate lay When my Blood boil'd and Nature work'd me high Clytus ne're bow'd his body to such shame The brave will scorn their Cobweb Arts The Souls Of all that whining smiling coz'ning Sex Weigh not one thought of any Man of War Lys. I must confess our vengeance was ill-tim'd Cly. Death I had rather this right Arm were lost To which I owe my glory than our King Should know your fault what on this famous day Heph. I was to blame Cly. This memorable day When our hot Master that wou'd tire the World Outride the lab'ring Sun and tread the Stars When he inclin'd to rest comes peaceful on Listning to Songs while all his Trumpets sleep And plays with Monarchs whom he us'd to drive Shall we begin disorders make new broils We that have temper learnt shall we awake Hush'd Mars the Lion that had left to roar Lys. 'T is true Old Clytus is an Oracle Put up Hephestion did not Passion blind My Reason I on such occasion too Could thus have urg'd Heph. Why is it then we love Cly. Because unmann'd Why is not Alexander grown Example O that a Face should thus bewitch a Soul And ruine all that 's right and reasonable Talk be my bane yet the Old Man must talk Not so he lov'd when he at Issus fought And join'd in mighty Duel great Darius Whom from his Chariot flaming all with Gems He hurl'd to Earth and crush'd th' imperial Crown Nor cou'd the Gods defend their Images Which with the gawdy Coach lay overturn'd 'T was not the shaft of Love that did the feat Cupid had nothing there to do but now Two Wives he takes two Rival Queens disturb The Court and while each hand do's beauty hold Where is there room for glory Heph. In his heart Cly. Well said You are his favourite and I had forgot Who I was talking to see Sysigambis comes Reading a Letter to your Princess go Now make your claim while I attend the King Exit Enter Sysigambis Parisatis Par. Did you not love my Father Yes I see You did his very name but mention'd brings The Tears howe're unwilling to your Eeys I lov'd him too he would not thus have forc'd My trembling heart which your Commands may break But never bend Sys Forbear thy lost complaints Urge not a suit which I can never grant Behold the Royal Signet of the King Therefore resolve to be Hephestion's Wife Par. No since Lysimachus has won my heart My body shall be Ashes e're anothers Sys For sixty rowling years who ever stood The shock of State so unconcern'd as I This whom I thought to Govern being young Heav'n as a Plague to Power has render'd strong Judge my distresses and my temper prize Who though unfortunate wou'd still be wise Lys. To let you know that misery do's sway Both kneel An humbler Fate than yours see at your Feet The lost Lysimachus O mighty Queen I have but this to beg impartial stand And since Hephestion serves by your permission Disdain not me who ask your Royal leave To cast a throbbing heart before her feet Heph. A blessing like possession of the Princess No Services not Crowns nor all the Blood That circles in our Bodies can deserve Therefore I take all helps much more the Kings And what your Majesty vouchsaf'd to give Your word is past where all my hopes must hang. Lys. There perish too all words want sense in Love But Love and I bring such a perfect Passion So nobly pure 't is worthy of her Eyes Which without blushing she may justly prize Heph. Such arrogance should Alexander Wooe Wou'd lose him all the Conquest he has won Lys. Let not a Conquest once be nam'd by you Who this Dispute must to my mercy own Sys Rise brave Lysimachus Hephestion rise 'T is true Hephestion first declar'd his love And 't is as true I promis'd him my aid Your glorious King turn'd mighty Advocate How noble therefore were the Victory If we could vanquish this disordered Love Heph. 'T will never be Lys. No I will yet love on And hear from Alexander's Mouth in what Hephestion merits more than I. Sys I grieve And fear the boldness which your Love inspires But lest her sight should haste your Enterprize 'T is just I take the Object from your Eyes Exeunt Sys Par. Lys. She 's gone and see the Day as if her look Had kindled it is lost now she is vanished Heph. A sudden gloominess and horrour comes About me Lys. Let 's away to meet the King You know my suit Heph. Yonder Cassander comes He may inform us Lys. No I wou'd avoid him There 's something in that busie Face of his That shocks my Nature Heph. Where and what you please Exeunt Enter Cassander Cass. The Morning rises black the lowring Sun As if the dreadful business he foreknew Drives heavily his sable Chariot on The Face of Day now blushes Scarlet deep As if it fear'd the stroke which I intend Like that of Jupiter Lightning and Thunder The Lords above are angry and talk big Or rather walk the mighty Cirque like Mourners Clad in long Clouds the Robes of thickest Night And seem to groan for Alexander's fall 'T is as Cassander's Soul cou'd wish it were Which whensoe're it flies at lofty mischief Wou'd startle Fate and make all Heav'n concern'd A mad Chaldaean in the dead of Night Came to my Bed-side with a flaming Torch And bellowing o're me like a Spirit damn'd He cry'd Well had it been for Babylon If curs'd Cassander never had been born Enter Thessalus Philip with Letters Thess. My Lord Cassander Cass. Ha! who 's there Phil. Your Friends Cass. Welcome dear Thessalus and Brother Philip Papers with what Contents Phil. From Macedon A trusty slave arriv'd great Antipater Writes that your Mother labour'd with you long Your Birth was slow and slow is all your Life Cass. He writes dispatch the King Craterus comes Who in my room must Govern Macedon Let him not live a day he dies to night And thus my Father but forestalls my purpose Why am I slow then if I
their care With richest Cordials for an hour or more Recover Life Cass. Knowing how much she lov'd I hop'd to turn her all into Medea For when the first gust of her grief was past I enter'd and with breath prepar'd did blow The dying Sparks into a Towring flame Describing the new love he bears Roxana Conceiving not unlikely that the Line Of dead Darius in her Caufe might rise Is any Panthers Lionesses rage So furious any Torrents fall so swift As a wrong'd Womans hate Thus far it helps To give him troubles which perhaps may end him And set the Court in universal uproar But see it rip'ns more than I expected The Scene works up kill him or kill thy self So there be mischief any way 't is well Now change the Vizor every one disperse And with a face of friendship meet the King Exeunt Enter Sysigambis Statira Parisatis Attendants Stat. Give me a Knife a draught of Poyson flames Swell heart break break thou stubborn thing Now by the sacred Fire I 'll not be held Why do you wish me Life yet stifle me For want of Air pray give me leave to walk Sys Is there no reverence to my Person due Darius wou'd have heard me trust not rumour Stat. No he hates He loaths the Beauties which he has enjoy'd O he is false that great that glorious Man Is Tyrant midst of his triumphant spoils Is bravely false to all the Gods forsworn Yet who would think it no it cannot be It cannot What that dear protesting Man He that has warm'd my Feet with thousand sighs Then cool'd 'em with his tears dy'd on my Knees Outwept the Morning with his dewy Eyes And groan'd and swore the wondring Stars away Sys No 't is impossible believe thy Mother That knows him well Stat. Away and let me dye O 't is my fondness and my easie Nature That wou'd excuse him but I know he 's false 'T is now the common talk the news o' th' World False to Statira false to her that lov'd him That lov'd him cruel Victor as he was And took him bath'd all o're in Persian Blood Kiss'd the dear cruel Wounds and wash'd 'em o're And o're in Tears then bound 'em with my Hair Laid him all Night upon my panting Bosome Lull'd like a Child and hush'd him with my Songs Par. If this be true ah who will ever trust A Man again Stat. A Man a Man my Parisatis Thus with thy hand held up thus let me swear thee By the eternal Body of the Sun Whose Body O forgive the Blasphemy I lov'd not half so well as the least part Of my dear precious faithless Alexander For I will tell thee and to warn thee of him Not the Springs Mouth nor Breath of Jesamin Nor Violets Infant sweets nor opening Buds Are half so sweet as Alexander's Breast From every Pore of him a perfume falls He kisses softer than a Southern Wind Curles like a Vine and touches like a God Sys When will thy Spirits rest these transports cease Stat. Will you not give me leave to warn my Sister As I was saying but I told his sweetness Then he will talk good Gods how he will talk Even when the joy he sigh'd for is possest He speaks the kindest words and looks such things Vows with such Passion swears with so much grace That 't is a kind of Heaven to be deluded by him Par. But what was it that you would have me swear Stat. Alas I had forgot let me walk by And weep a while and I shall soon remember Sys Have patience Child and give her liberty Passions like Seas will have their Ebbs and Flows Yet while I see her thus not all the losses We have receiv'd since Alexander's Conquest Can touch my hardn'd Soul her sorrow reigns Too fully there Par. But what if she should kill her self Stat. Roxana then enjoys my perjured Love Roxana clasps my Monarch in her Arms Doats on my Conquerour my dear Lord my King Devours my Lips eats him with hungry Kisses She grasps him all she the curst happy she By Heav'n I cannot bear it 't is too much Rises I 'le dye or rid me of the burning torture I will have remedy I will I will Or go distracted Madness may throw off The mighty Load and drown the flaming Passion Madam draw near with all that are in presence And list'n to the Vow which here I make Sys Take heed my dear Statira and consider What desperate Love enforces you to swear Stat. Pardon me for I have considered well And here I bid adieu to all Mankind Farewel ye Cozners of the easie Sex And thou the greatest falsest Alexander Farewel thou most belov'd thou faithless Dear If I but mention him the Tears will fall Sure there is not a Letter in his Name But is a Charm to melt a Womans Eyes Sys Clear up thy griefs thy King thy Alexander Comes on to Babylon Stat. Why let him come Joy of all Eyes but the forlorn Statira's Sys Wilt thou not see him Stat. By Heav'n I never will That is my Vow my sacred Resolution And when I break it Kneels Sys Ah do not ruine all Stat. May I again be flatter'd and deluded May sudden death and horrid come instead Of what I wish and take me unprepar'd Sys Still kneel and with the same Breath call agen The woful Imprecation thou hast made Stat. No I will publish it through all the Court Then in the Bowers of great Semiramis For ever lock my woes from human view Sys Yet be perswaded Stat. Never urge me more Lest driv'n to rage I should my Life abhor And in your presence put an end to all The fast Calamities that round me fall Par. O angry Heav'n what have the guiltless done And where shall wretched Parisatis run Sys Captives in War our Bodies we resign'd But now made free Love does our Spirits bind Stat. When to my purpos'd loneness I retire Your sight I through the Grates shall oft desire And after Alexander's health enquire And if this Passion cannot be remov'd Ask how my Resolution he approv'd How much he loves how much he is belov'd Then when I hear that all things please him well Thank the good Gods and hide me in my Cell Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. Noise of Trumpets sounding far off The Scene draws and discovers a Battel of Crows or Ravens in the Air an Eagle and a Dragon meet and fight the Eagle drops down with all the rest of the Birds and the Dragon flies away Souldiers walk off shaking their Heads The Conspirators come forward Cass. HE comes the fatal glory of the World The headlong Alexander with a Guard Of thronging Crowns comes on to Babylon Though warn'd in spight of all the Pow'rs above Who by these Prodigies foretell his ruine Pol. Why all this noise because a King must dye Or do's Heav'n fear because he sway'd the Earth His Ghost will war with the high Thunderer Curse on the babling Fates that cannot
she not well what none none answer me Or is it worse Keep down ye rising Sighs And murmur in the hollow of my Breast Run to my Heart and gather more sad Wind That when the voice of Fate shall call you forth Ye may at one rush from the Seat of Life Blow the Blood out and burst me like a Bladder Heph. I wou'd relate it but my courage fails me Alex. If she be dead That if's impossible And let none here affirm it for his Soul For he that dares but think so damn'd a Lye I 'le have his body straight empal'd before me And glut my Eyes upon his bleeding Entrails Cass. How will this Engine of unruly Passion Roar when we have rain'd him to the Mouth with Poyson Alex. Why stand you all as you were rooted here Like senseless Trees while to the stupid Grove I like a wounded Lion groan my griefs And none will answer what not my Hephestion If thou hast any love for Alexander If ever I oblig'd thee by my care When my quick sight has watch'd thee in the War Or if to see thee bleed I sent forth cryes And like a Mother wash'd thee with my tears If this be true if I deserve thy Love Ease me and tell the cause of my disaster Heph. Your mourning Queen which I had told before Had you been calm has no Disease but Sorrow Which was occasion'd first by jealous Pangs She heard for what can scape a watchful Lover That you at Susa breaking all your Vows Relaps'd and conquer'd by Roxana's Charms Gave up your self devoted to her Arms. Alex. I know that subtle Creature in my Riot My Reason gone seduc'd me to her Bed But when I wak'd I shook the Circe off Though that Enchantress held me by the Arm And wept and gaz'd with all the force of Love Nor griev'd I less for that which I had done Than when at Thais suit enrag'd with Wine I set the fam'd Persepolis on Fire Heph. Your Queen Statira took it so to heart That in the Agony of Love she swore Never to see your Majesty again With dreadful Imprecations she confirm'd Her Oath and I much fear that she will keep it Alex. Ha! did she swear did that sweet Creature swear I 'le not believe it no she is all softness All melting mild and calm as a rock'd Infant Nor can you wake her into cryes by Heaven She is the Child of Love and she was born in smiles Par. I and my weeping Mother heard her swear Sys And with such fierceness she did aggravate The foulness of your fault that I cou'd wish Your Majesty wou'd blot her from your breast Alex. Blot her forget her hurle her from my bosome For ever lose the Star that guilds my Life Guide of my Days and Goddess of my Nights No she shall stay with me in spight of Vows My soul and body both are twisted with her The God of Love empties his golden Quiver Shoots every Grain of her into my heart She is all mine by Heaven I feel her here Panting and warm the dearest O Statira Sys Have patience Son and trust to Heaven and me If my Authority or the remembrance Of dead Darius or her Mothers Soul Can work upon her the again is yours Alex. O Mother help me help your wounded Son And move the Soul of my offended Dear But fly haste e're the sad Procession's made Spend not a thought in a reply Be gone If you wou'd have me live and Parisatis Hang thou about her Knees wash 'em with Tears Nay haste the breath of Gods and eloquence Of Angels go along with you O my heart Exeunt Sys and Par. Lys. Now let your Majesty who feel the Torments And sharpest Pangs of Love encourage mine Alex. Ha. Clyt. Are you a Mad-man is this a time Lys. Yes for I see he cannot be unjust to me Lest something worse befall himself Alex. Why dost thou tempt me thus to thy undoing Death thou should'st have were it not courted so But know to thy confusion that my word Like destiny admits not a reverse Therefore in Chains thou shalt behold the Nuptials Of my Hephestion Guards take him Prisoner Lys. I shall not easily resign my Sword 'Till I have dy'd it in my Rivals blood Fight Alex. I charge you kill him not take him alive The dignity of Kings is now concern'd And I will find a way to tame this Beast Clyt. Kneel for I see the Lightning in his Eyes Lys. I neither hope nor ask a pard'n of him But if he shou'd restore my Sword I wou'd With a new violence run against my Rival Alex. Sure we at last shall conquer this fierce Lion Hence from my sight and bear him to a Dungeon Perdiccas give this Lion to a Lion None speak for him fly stop his Mouth away Clyt. The King 's extremely mov'd Eum. I dare not speak Clyt. This comes of Love and Women 't is all madness Yet were I heated now with Wine I shou'd Be preaching to the King for this rash Fool. Alex. Come hither Clytus and my dear Hephestion Lend me your Arms help for I 'm sick o' th' sudden I fear betwixt Statira's cruel Love And fond Roxana's Arts your King will fall Clyt. Better the Persian Race were all undone Heph. Look up my Lord and bend not thus your Head As you wou'd leave the Empire of the World Which you with toil have won Alex. Wou'd I had not There 's no true joy in such unweildy Fortune Eternal gazers lasting troubles make All find my spots but few my brightness take Stand off and give me air Why was I born a Prince proclaim'd a God Yet have no liberty to look abroad Thus Palaces in prospect barr the Eye Which pleas'd and free wou'd o're the Cottage fly O're flow'ry Lands to the gay distant Skie Farewel then Empire and the Racks of Love By all the Gods I will to wilds remove Stretch'd like a Sylvan God on Grass lye down And quite forget that e're I wore a Crown ACT III. Enter Eumenes Philip Thessalus Perdiccas Lysimachus Guards Eum. FArewell brave Spirit when you come above Commend us to Philotas and the rest Of our great Friends Thes. Perdiccas you are grown In trust be thankfull for your noble Office Perd. As noble as you sentence me I 'd give This Arm that Thessalus were so imploy'd Lys. Cease these untimely jarrs farewell to all Fight for the King as I have done and then You may be worthy of a death like mine Lead on Enter Parisatis Par. Ah my Lysimachus where are you going Whither to be devour'd O barbarous Prince Cou'd you expose your life to the King's rage And yet remember mine was ty'd to yours Lys. The Gods preserve you ever from the ills That threaten me live Madam to enjoy A nobler fortune and forget this wretch I ne're had worth nor is it possible That all the bloud which I shall lose this day Shou'd merit this rich sorrow from your eyes Par.
vent Mel. Was not that Jupiter whom we adore A man but for his more then human acts Advanc'd to Heav'n and worshipt for its Lord Heph. By all his Thunder and his Sov'raign Power I 'le not believe the Earth yet ever felt An arm like Alexanders not that God You nam'd though riding in a Car of fire And drawn by flying Horses wing'd with Lightning Cou'd in a space more short do greater deeds Drive all the Nations and lay wast the World Clyt. There 's not a man of War amongst you all That loves the King like me yet I 'le not flatter Nor sooth his vanity 't is blamable And when the wine works Clytus thoughts will out Heph. Then go not to the Banquet Clyt. I was call'd My Minion was I not as well as you I 'le go my Friends in this old Habit thus And laugh and drink the King's health heartily And while you blushing bow your heads to earth And hide'em in the dust I 'le stand upright Strait as a Spear the Pillar of my Country And be by so much nearer to the Gods But see the King and all the Court appear Enter Alexander Sysigambis Statira Parisatis c. Par. Spare him O spare Lysimachus his life I know you will Kings shou'd delight in mercy Alex. Shield me Statira shield me from her sorrow Par. O save him save him e're it be too late Speak the kind word before the gaping Lyon Swallow him up let not your Souldier perish But for one rashness which despair did cause I 'le follow thus for ever on my knees And make your way so slippery with tears You shall not pass Sister do you conjure him Alex. O Mother take her take her from me kneels Her watry eyes assault my very Soul They shake my best resolve Stat. Did not I break Through all for you nay now my Lord you must Sys Nor wou'd I make my Son so bold a prayer Had I not first consulted for his Honour Alex. Honour what Honour has not Statira said it Were I the King of the blue Firmament And the bold Titans shou'd again make War Though my resistless Arrows were made ready By all the Gods she shou'd arrest my hand Fly then ev'n thou his Rival so belov'd Fly with old Clytus snatch him from the jaws Of the devouring Beast bring him adorn'd To the Kings Banquet fit for loads of Honour Exeunt Heph. Eum. Par. Stat. O my lov'd Lord let me embrace your knees I am not worthy of this mighty passion You are too good for Goddesses themselves No woman not the Sex is worth a grain Of this illustrious life of my dear Master Why are you so Divine to cause such fondness That my heart leaps and beats and fain wou'd out To make a dance of Joy about your feet Alex. Excellent woman no 't is impossible To say how much I love thee Ha! again Such Extasies life cannot carry long The day comes on so fast and beamy joy Darts with such fierceness on me night will follo A pale Crown'd head flew lately glaring by me With two dead hands which threw a Chrystal Globe From high that shatter'd in a thousand pieces But I will lose these boding Dreams in wine Then warm and blushing for my Queens embraces Bear me with all my heat to thy lov'd bosom Stat. Go my best Love and chear your drooping Spirits Laugh with your Friends and talk your grief away While in the Bow'r of great Semiramis I dress your Bed with all the sweets of Nature And crown it as the Altar of my Love Where I will lay me down and softly mourn But never close my eyes till your return Ex. Stat. Sysig Alex. Is she not more then mortal man can wish Diana's Soul cast in the flesh of Venus By Jove 't is ominous our parting is Her face look'd pale too as she turn'd away And when I wrung her by the Rosie fingers Methought the strings of my great heart did crack What should it mean Forward Laomedon Roxana meets him with Cassand Polip Phil. and Thess. Why Madam gaze you thus Rox. For a last look she holds his hand And that the memory of Roxana's wrongs May be for ever printed in your mind Alex. O Madam you must let me pass Rox. I will But I have sworn that you shall hear me speak And mark me well for Fate is in my breath Love on the Mistress you adore to death Still hope but I fruition will destroy Languish for pleasures you shall ne're enjoy Still may Statira's Image draw your sight Like those deluding Fires that walk at night Lead you through fragrant Grots and flowrie Groves And charm you through deep Grass with sleeping Loves That when your fancy to its height does rise The light you lov'd may vanish from your eyes Darkness Despair and Death your wandring Soul surprize Alex. Away lead Meleager to the Banquet Ex. cum suis. Rox. So unconcern'd O I cou'd tear my flesh Or him or you nay all the world to pieces Cas. Still keep this Spirit up preserve it still Lose not a grain for such Majestick Atomes First made the world and must preserve its greatness Rox. I know I am whatever thou canst say My Soul is pent and has not elbow room 'T is swell'd with this last slight beyond all bounds O that it had a space might answer to Its infinite desire where I might stand And hurl the Sphears about like sportive Balls Cas. We are your Slaves admirers of your fury Command Cassander to obey your pleasure And I will on swift as my nimble Eye Scales Heav'n when I am angry with the Fates No Age nor Sex nor dignity of bloud No tyes of Law or Nature not the life Imperial though guarded with the Gods Shall bar Cassander's vengeance he shall dye Rox. Ha! shall he dye shall I consent to kill him To see him clasp'd in the cold arms of death Whom I with such an eagerness have lov'd Do I not bear his Image in my womb Which while I meditate and roul revenge Starts in my body like a fatal pulse And strikes compassion through my bleeding bowels Pol. These scruples which your Love wou'd raise might pass Were not the Empire of the world consider'd How will the glorious Infant in your womb When time shall teach his tongue be bound to curse you If now you strike not for his Coronation Cas. If Alexander lives you cannot reign Nor shall your Child old Sysigambis head Will not be idle sure destruction waits Both you and yours let not your anger cool But give the word say Alexander bleeds Draw dry the veins of all the Persian Race And hurl a ruine o're the East 't is done Pol. Behold the Instruments of this great work Phil. Behold your forward Slave Thes. I 'le execute Rox. And when this ruine is accomplish'd where Shall curst Roxana fly with this dear load Where shall she find a refuge from the arms Of all the Successors of this great man No