s g = l*i^ V. _,. xj ^ir> ^/flHAiNiwv*' JRARYO/ ir^ ^ Ju ARYQ^ I 3 ( ) UU g i i ^ a . ^OFCAIIFO% U 4 /^~^% = S ^lOS-ANCElfj^ S g J 1 5? ^ i i i s 1 ( U s - fi I 5; t , \\\E UNIVER5/A $ s I I .\V\EUNIVER% s ^^ ~^ 1 i=*^ s I g 3 I I I 3 i THE WORKS . O F ARTHUR MURPHY, Efq. N SEVEN VOLUMES! VOL. I. ME TABULA SACER VOT1VA PARIES INDICAT UV1DA SUSPENDISSE POTENTI VKSTIMENTA MARIS DEO. HOR. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADEJLL, IN THE STRAND. MDCCLXXXVI. PR 3 fed 5- vj CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Page. THE ORPHAN OF CHINA, a Tragedy - i ZENOBIA, a Tragedy - . - 1 1 1 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, a Tragedy - 213 ALZUMA, a Tragedy - . - 311 PREFACE. IN giving this edition of fuch pieces as I have written in the courfe of feveral years, I hope I may be allowed the liberty of a few preliminary words, even though they relate chiefly to myfelf. It is not my intention to encroach too far upon the reader's patience, much lefs to trouble him with anfwers to the cavils of critics, or vindications of myfelf or my writings. The works here collected (except the tranflations, and a new tragedy in the laft volume) have been all, at different times, before the public. Their fate has been, long ago decided. Nothing, that I now can offer, will extenuate faults, or place the beauties (if any there are) in a more advantageous light. I may, however, be permitted to obferve, that the greateft part of what is here offered to the public was finiihed many years ago. I fet out as an author at a very early period of life, a 3 The VI PREFACE. The Grays-Inn Journal was begun, I may fay, in a frolic : That it was continued, was owing to the reception it met with. A little temporary fuccefs made me fancy that I could write. Since that time, I have often thought, that I was retailing my little flock, when I ought to have en- deavoured to add to it : I was writing, when I ought to have been reading. The reft of the feveral pieces followed in quick fucceflion, and, perhaps, with too much rapidity. Statius 9 as I remember, is the only author of antiquity, who defires to take ihelter under the excufe of quicknefs and difpatch. I may fay with him, Dlu multwnque dubitavi^ fin hos llbellos^ qui fubito calore^ ct quddam fejllnandi vtduptate jftuxerant^ cum Jinguli de Jinu meo proditffent^ congregates Ipje dlmhterern. That writer adds, and indeed feeins to boafl, that feveral of his poems were written in one day, and few in more than two. Being upon the point of publiihing an entire collection of his detached pieces, he begins to fear that the celerity, with which they were written, 2 will P R ,E F A C E. VII will be no longer an excufe, when their novelty is loft. NeceJJe eft multum illis pereat ex wind) cum amlferint^ quamfolam habuerunt, gratiam celerhatls. Though I cannot pre- tend to have felt, while I was writing, the vigour and fpirit of that celebrated poet ; yet now, when my work is over, I may be allowed to fympathize with him in his doubts and fears. The dramatic pieces, here collected together, do not follow one another in order of time, as they were written ; for the information, however, of fuch, as may have that kind of curio- fity, at the end of thefe fheets, the reader will find an arrangement of them in their chronological order. For the defects, that hafte may have occafioned, I have endeavoured, by a care- ful revifal, to make all the atonement in my power. While the pieces lay fcattered abroad, like the Sybil's leaves, it was na- tural that I fliould wifh to fee them in a more correct form. In giving this Edition, I hope that I ihall not be charged with vanity or prefumption. The public, at a 4 v?rious Vlll PREFACE. various times, have given to thefe works fome degree of fan&ion ; and, if I have laid out a portion of my time in an honeft endeavour to render what they approved lefs inexcufable, the attempt, I hope, may be fairly deemed a mark of refpect for thofe, who have done me fo much ho- nour. In the whole Colle6lion there is but one piece, to which a. name of high rank is prefixed. The Public have been my only patrons. With a thorough con- fidence in their juftice, I flood forth upon all occafions ; no party made, no cabal, no intereft to protect me. Though the love of fame was among the instigations, that fet me to work, I can boafr, with pride, that I ufed no little artifices to obtain it. I had no iliare in a Newfpaper, though I know thofe, who thought fuch an ac- quifition a ftep in their road to celebrity. But the praife, which a man gives himfelf, implies that no one elfe comes up to his mark; and the abufe, which he throws out againft others, will avail but little: he, who would eclipfe his rival, has no way of doing it but, by writing better. In V R E F A C E. IX In the ccmrfe of my theatrical career, I beg leave to repeat, that I relied upon the Public, and the Public only. During the whole time I had no reafon to think that I was in favour with the Manager. Were O I inclined to revive the memory of petty difputes, I could ftate the number of im- pediments, that were thrown in my way by Mr. Garrick ; but of that performer I am now willing to remember nothing but his inimitable talents. J regret the lofs of fo great a genius in his art ; and in the idea of the confummate actor my refent- ments are loft. The misfortune of Garrick was, that he never had due confidence in his own talents. His love of fame was un- bounded, but it was tremblingly alive all o'er. He lived in a whifpering gallery, always liftening, and anxious about himfelf. Upon fuch a difpofition they, who lacquied after him, could make what imprefllon they pleafed. A word was fufficient. He took fire at the flighted hint ; and they, who had finifter purpofes to anfwer, faw the avenues, by which they were to ap- proach him. By the arts of fuch men, he, X PREFACE* he, who might always have been at eafe, and by his talents deferved to be fo, was ever involved in little difputes and jea- loufies, that made him unhappy through life. Were I inclined to open wounds, which have long been clofed, I could claim fome merit with the Public, by flaring the dif- ficulties, which I often furmounted, to make my way to their favour. Of the fmall tribe of wits and critics, who never ceafed to nibble at every piece that I of- fered to the ftage, I have but little to fay. The truth is, they gave me no difturbance. I fometimes faw their libels, and I made no reply. The talk were endlefs. Men, who cannot think through a dozen con- neted fentences, can fpin out a paragraph, and if it teem with virulence, they think they have performed wonders. To the degree of credit, whatever it be, that I have acquired with the public, they have been enemies, at leaft, twenty years : but by repeating their efforts, they con- fefs P E E F A C K* XI fefs to this hour, that there is ftill fome- thing to be pulled down. I have fometimes the pleafure of hearing that the piece, which is grofsly abufed in fome morning paper, is applauded at the theatre in the evening. While this continues to be the cafe, have I not reafon to fmile at the in- effedlual efforts of envy, or of malice ? A bad critic is generally a bad man: he is out of humour himfelf, and he wants to communicate his rancour to others. But I have, perhaps, trefpafTed too long, and the fubjecl:, I know, is uninterefting. I ihall only add, that, in this Edition will be found, all that I have written, or would now be anfwerable for, except an E/fay on the Life and Genius of Henry Fielding^ and a tranflation of MarmonteFs Belifarius. Of the political papers, which fell from my pen many years ago, I hope no trace is left. With all the ardour of youth, and the inexperience which belongs to it, I engaged in that field of controverfy; but I was foon taught by Sir Richard Steel to abandon it for ever. In fome part of his his works, that lively and agreeable writer relates a ftory, which determined me to pur- fue that road of ambition no further. Were the book at hand, I ihould give it in his own words. It now muft lofe that grace, with which he could decorate whatever he told. The fubftance is as follows : Two rival na- tions were divided from each other by a wide river. At their joint expencc they threw a bridge over the current, and preferred a communication. In the councils of one of thefe neighbouring ftates, ambition and the rage of conqueft were the leading principles. The plan of an invafion was conceited with the prpfoundefl fecrefy. Their troops were put in motion : by a forced march they poured down on every fide to crofs the river, and take their ad- verfary by furprife, A farmer, who lived at the foot of the bridge, refolved to ferve his country in the moment of danger. To prevent a fadden inroad, he formed the plan of a barricade acrofs the bridge, and lent off an exprefs to the metropolis. Hav- ing called all hands to work, he contrived, with PREFACE Xlll with his carts, his waggons, and imple- ments of huibandry, to fecure the pafs. An army, in the mean time, marched down to the frontier, and the enemy, rinding their defign counteracted, retired without ftriking a blow. The parliament met : addrefles were voted : the commander of the forces received the thanks of both houfes, and the activity of government was painted forth in terms of adulation. A member, however, role in his place, and> after bluntly obferving, that, in the tide of joy, the honeft farmer was forgotten, gave notice of a motion in his favour. The minifter affured the houfe, that he in- tended to take his cafe into confideration. In two days afterwards, he was as good as his word. He brought in a. bill, whereby it was enacted, that the farmer and his fofterity fhould have the fole privilege of BEGGING UPON THE BRIDGE. 1 8th May, j 786, L OF T H SEVERAL PIECES CONTAINED IN THIS EDITION, In order of Time as they were written and afted. 1 HE Apprentice, in 2 A&s, vol. 2 The Orphan of China,|a Tragedy, vol. i - The Upholfterer, in 2 Acts, vol. 2 - The Way to Keep Him, a Comedy, vol. 3 The Defert Ifland, a Dramatic Poem, vol. 3 The Citizen, in 2 Acts, vol. 2 All in the Wrong, a Comedy, vol. 3 The Old Maid, in 2 Afts, vol. 2 - - Alzuma, a Tragedy, vol. i Know your own Mind, a Comedy, vol. 4 No One's Enemy but his Own, 2 Acts, vol. 2 Three Weeks after Marriage, 2 Acts, vol. 2 TJie Choice, in 2 Acts, vol. 4 The School for Guardians, in 3 Acts, vol. 4 Zenobia, a Tragedy, vol. i. - - The Grecian Daughter, vol. i News from Parnaffus, a Prelude, vol. 4 - The Rival Sifters, a Tragedy, vol. 7 Written 1754 AtfeJ 1756 1756 J 759 J/57 1758 1758 1760 1760 1761 1761 1761 1761 1761 1761 *7^3 '773 1764 1777 1764 1764 1764 1764 1764 1764 1766 1767 1767 1768 1769 1772 1776 1776 1783 THE ORPHAN F CHINA, A TRAGEDY, Performed at the THEATRE ROYAL 1 N DRURY-LANE. Nuncia fama ruit, matrifque allabitur aures ; Evolat infelix, et femineo ululatu Scifia comam, muros amens atque agmina curfu Prima petit : non ilia virum, non ilia Pericli, Telorumque memori cselum dehinc queftibus implet. VOL. 1. A Vine. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOHN, Earl of BUTE, GROOM of the STOLE TO HIS Royal Highnefs the Prince of WALES, MY T HE generous concern you were pleafed to expfefs, at the firft reprefentation of the following fcenes, for the anxieties of a young Author, then wholly unknown to your Lordmip, and trembling for his firft attempt towards " the graveft, moralefl, and moft A 2 pro- VI PROLOGUE. By WILLIAM WHITEHEAD, Efq; POET-LAUREAT. Spoken by Mr. HOLLAND. TTNOIJGH. of Greece and Rome : Th' exhaiijhdjlort Of either nation now can charm no more. Ev'n adventitious helps in vain we try : Our triumphs languijh in the public eye ; And grave proceffions, mufically Jlow, Here pafs unheeded, as a Lord Mayor's Jhew* On eagle wings the poet of to-night Soars for frejh virtues to the four ce of light ; To China's eajlern realms : and boldly bears Confucius' morals to Britannia's ears. Accept th' imported boon ; as ecchoing Greece Received from wand' ring chiefs her golden feece j Nor only richer by the fpoils become, Butpraife the advent' rous youth, who brings them home* One dubious characler, we own, he draws, A patriot "zealous in a monarch's caufe ! Nice is the iajk the varying hand to guide, And teach the blending colours to divide ; Inhere, rainbow-like, th" encroaching tints invade Each ot/w's- bounds, and mingle light with /hade. PROLOGUE. vii If then, ajjtduous to obtain You find too far the fulj eft's -zeal extend ^ If undiftinguijh'd loyalty prevails^ Inhere nature Jbrink s y and flrcng affetllon On China's tenets charge the fond mi/lake^ Andfpare his error for his Virtue 's fake ; From nobler motives our allegiance fprings, For Britain knows no Right Divine in Kings : From Freedom's choice that boajled right arofe^ And thro 1 eqch line from Freedom's choice It flows. "Jujlicc^ with Mercy join'd^ the throne maintains ; And in his People's HEARTS OUR MONARCH reigns, DRA- Dramatis Perfonae. TIMURKAN, Emperor of thei A , TT Tartars, } Mr. HAV A RD. ZAMTI, a Mandarine, Mr. GAR RICK. ETAN, educated as his Ton, Mr. MOSSOP. HAMET, a youthful Captive, Mr. HOLLAND. MORAT, a friend of Zamti, Mr. BURTON. OCTAR, a Tartar General, Mr. BRANSBY. MIRVAN, a Chinefe in the-| Tartar's fervice, fecretly a )> Mr. DAVIES. friend of Zamti, ORASMING,-TWO Confpira- r Mr. PACKER. ZIMVENTI, J tors, i Mr. AUSTIN. MANDANE, Zamti's wife, Mrs. YATES, Meflenger, Guards, &c. SCENE, PEKIN, Capital of CHINA, THE ORPHAN of CHINA. ACT the FIRST. Enter ETAN, meeting SELJM. ETAN. OELIM, from whence ? What ftation ? From [^ what poft ? How (lands the fate of China ? Whence that tumult, That mingled burfl of horror and defpair, That rofe to Heav'n, as if the found imported The wreck of Nature ? SELIM, With too fure prefage It fpeaks the fall of China : all who rufh'd With eager hope this morning to yon plains, To learn the earlierr. tidings of their fate, Now back recoil j they pour into the city j Difmay arid horror wild in ev'ry face ! Soon as they reach'd the gates, a peal of groans Burft forth at once ! Then filence deep and vaft Enfued/and forrow without tongue or utt'rance Roams through each ftreet; matrons and hoary fire,s All to their fev'ral habitations prefs, B Era- 2 The ORPHAN of CHINA, Embrace their young ones, and in penlive mood Await their final doom. ETAN. Then Timurkan Has conquer'd, and that burft, that rent the fkies, Was the laft gafp of freedom and of laws, A dying nation's groan ! This dead repofe Deepens the horror of the dreadful fcene. Where, Selim, is my father ? Where is Zamti ? SELIM. On the high rampart near the Eaftern gate But now I left him : from that poft he views The gen'ral panic ; there beholds the ruin, Th' inevitable ruin that furrounds us. Amazement for awhile fupprefs'd his voice ; With folded arms he Hood , then with a figh His lab'rfng bofom heav'd j at length, he cried^ The Tartar has prevail'd, and refignation Is now the only virtue Fate has left us. To bow the neck to the fell Tartar's yoke,, Is that the refignation Heav'n demands ? No; let us fummon all that's left of valor * Oppofe the Tartar's entry, man the works, And arm each hand for freedom : Timurkan Will ihrink and look difmay'd, when he beholds. That we have fpirits here, who ftill can mock His utmoft rage, and on the brink of ruin Snatch the ftil! wav'ring, the unfettled victory Ev'n from the conqu'ror's fword. SELIM, My friend forbear j This tow'ring Ipirit, this impetuous ardor A T R A G E D Y. Can nought avail ; can only heap deftrufbion On thee, on Zamti, and that beft of women, Your wretched mother, the forlorn Mandaiie> Whofe ev'ry fentiment, whofe ev'ry paffion Big with the image of a much-lov'd fon, Still turns to thee j ev'n from her country's And our long line of Kings, to thee fhe turns With the ftrong ardour of maternal love. | 2AA. ETAN. Yes, Selim, yes, her tendernefs of foul, Ever awake, alarm'd, and prone to melt For other's good, regardlefs of herfelf, Starts and turns pale at ev'ry cloud that low'rs ; Sees fancied ills, and each fad moment proves The ftrong viciffitude of hope and fear. Be it thy care, my friend, to fee Mandane ; Afiuage her troubled ipirit : in this hour, This crifis of our fate, let her remain Safe in her lone retreat : I'll round the walls* And leek my father's prefence : in his foul My voice fhall wake the patriot flame^ and rouzd All that is hero in him : Selim, yes ; We'll dare for Liberty, or bravely die. [Exit. SELIM. (alone) Go, gen'rous youth, go feek thy father's prefence ; From him thoul't learn how vain this fwelling tide Of defp'rate valour. Ha ! Mandane comes, And her looks fpeak the horror of the timei Enter MANDANE and MIRVAN. MANDANE. No, never, Mirvan, never urge no more ; 'Tis vain, 'tis ineffectual ; gracious Heav'n ! Will not this palace drench'd in gore ; the crowrt B a Of '$ The ORPHAN of CHINA. Of China's Kings fix'd on the Tartar's bro'w j Will not a tract of twenty years in bondage, Ah ! will not thefe fuffice, without frefh caufe Of bitter anguifh in Mandane's breaft ? MIRVAN. The meafure of our woes has long been full. Our King's dethron'd, our country laid in ruin. Nought elfe is worth a pang. MANDANE, Yes all, we all Muft feel the kindred touch : each day the cries Of widows, orphans, father, fon and brother In vain are fent to Heav'n ; the ruthlefs fury Of thefe barbarians, thefe accurs'd invaders, Burns with increafing fire , the thunder ftill Rolls o'er our heads, engend'ring in its courfe New flame, new vengeance, with collected wrath To burft at once, and bury us in ruin. MIRVAN., And quickly fall it muft : the hand of Heav'n Weighs this great empire down. MANDANE. No tax not Heav'n ! Almighty juftice never bares its arm 'Gainft innocence and truth : 'tis Timurkan, That fell barbarian, that infatiate wafler, May curfes blaft the Tartar ! He 'tis he Has bore down all, and ftill his recking fword, In yonder field of Death, where Corea's troops Made their laft ftand for Liberty and China, Crimfons the land with blood. This battle loft And is there then no hope ? The Tartar comes In ATRAGEDY. 5 In triumph faid'ft thou ? from what quarter, how, Whence came the tidings ? SELIM. From yon lofty tow'r, As my eye (training toward the diftant plain Sent forth an anxious look, thro' clouds of duft The favage bands appear'd -, the weflern fun Gleam'd on their burnifh'd helms ; and ibon a fhout From their glad multitude proclaim'd th' approach Of Timurkan : once more inflam'd with conqueft The tyrant comes, and foon within our walls Uprears his conq'ring banner. MANDANE. Selim, go ; Again look out ; gather the flying news, And let me know each circumftance of ruin. [Exit SELIM, MlRVAN. Better fupprefs thofe unavailing tears, That fruitlefs flood of grief. MANDANE. It will not be ; Ev'n midft the horrors of this difmal hour, When Fate has all transferr'd from loft Cathai, To vile barbarian hands ; yes even now, In thefe black moments of defpair and ruin, This heart revolting from the public caufe, Bleeds from a private fource ; bleeds for the woes That hang o'er Zamti's houle. MIRVAX. Each fun that rifes, Brings 6 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Brings fome new grief, and where our fate will ftdpj Heav'n only knows. MANDANE. Ay, there, there lies the thought At which imagination ftarts appall'd With horror at the fcenc, her bufy workings Have colour' d to my fight ; there lies the thought That wakens all a mother's fears. Protect, Ye pow'rs, proteft my fon ! MlRVAN. Your fon, Mandane ! Have you not check'd his ardor ? with your tearsj Your foft authority, reftrainM the hero From the alarms of war ? MANDANE* Unconfcious man ! Thou little know'ft his danger - 3 but that trlith Muft never pafs thefe lips. MlRVANb I hope Mandane Doubts not my honeft zeal. Full well you know* I bear this tyrant deep and mortal hate ; That under him I lift, and wear this garb In hopes that fome occafion may arrive, When I may ftrike the unexpected blow, And do my country right. MANDANE. Thy loyalty, Thy truth and honour have been ever fpotlefs. Befides the wrongs, the countlefs wrongs, the wounds He gave your injur'd family and name. MIRVAN. A TRAGEDY. MlRVAN. Alas ! thofe wounds muft ftill lie bleeding here, Untented by the hand of Time. Not all His lenient arts, his favours heap'd upon me, Shall cool the burning anguifh of my foul. What he, who flew my father ! dragg'd my filler. Blooming in years, to his detefted bed ! Yes, tyrant, yes, thy unextinguiih'd foe Dwells in this bofom furely then to me Mandane may reveal her griefs MANDANE, No more- My woes muft reft conceaPd- yet fhould the Tartar Learn fr$m the captives of yon vanquilh'd hoft, That China's Orphan breathes the vital air, And to himfelf unknown, within his breaft Unconfcious, bears the gen'rous glowing flame Of all the virtues of his ancient line ; Oh ! fhouid they know that the dear youth furvives* Their fury then would kindle to a blaze Might fpread deftruclion round, and in the ruin My blamelefs fon mult perifh. MIRVAN. Seek not thus To multiply the ills that hover round you, Nor from the ftores of bufy Fancy add New fh^frs to Fortune's quiver. Zamti'js care Averts impending danger from his friends, And o'er the Mandarine his manners pure, And facred function, have difius'd an air Of venerable awe, which ev'n can teach Thefe Northern foes to foften into men. MAN* * The ORPHAN of CHINA. MANDANE. Yes, Mirvan, yes, Religion wears a mien In Zamti's perfon fo feverely mild, That the fierce Scythian refts upon his fpear, And wonders what he feels : fuch is the charm Of heart-felt Virtue , fuch is Nature's force That fpeaks abroad, and in rucfe Northern hearts Can ftamp the image of an awful God ! From that fource fprings fome hope. Wretch that I am ! Hope idly flutters on my trembling tongue, While Melancholy brooding o'er her wrongs, Lays wafle the mind with anguifb. and defpair, What noife is that ? MIRVAN. Compofe this florm of grief j In ev'ry found your fancy hears the Tartar $ 'Tis Zamti this way bends. MANDANE. Celeftial Pow'rs ! W T hat lab'ring fighs heave in his breaft ? what horror Rolls in the patriot's eye? Thou, Mirvan, leave me, Leave me in thofe lov'd arms to meet our fate. [Exit MIRVAN. Enter MANDANE, Zamti ! ZAMTI, Mandane ! MAN*- A TRAGEDY. 9 MANDANE. Ah ! what haft thou feen ? What heard ? fay, quickly tell has Fate decreed The doom of China ? ZAMTI. China is no more; The Eaftern world is loft j the glorious Fabric, For ages that hath flood, the feat of empire, Falls with the Univerfe beneath the ftroke Of favage pow'r , falls from its tow'ring hopes, For ever, ever fallen ! MANDANE. Yet why, ye pow'rs, Why Ihou'd a tyrant train'd to luft and murder, A lawlefs ravager from barren wilds, Where chearful day ne'er dawns, burlow'ringHeaV'a For ever rolls a turbulence of clouds j Whyfhould a monfter thus ufurp the world, And trample fair integrity and truth Beneath his ruffian feet ? ZAMTI. Far hence, Mandane, Thofe happy days, alas ! are fled, when Peace Here nurs'd her blooming olives, and fhed round Her foftering influence in vain the plan Of facredlaws by hoary elders taught, Laws founded on the bafe of public weal, Gave leffons to the world : in vain Confucius Unlock'd his radiant ftores of moral trirJi ; In vain fair Icience, and each tender mufe Beam'd ev'ry elegance on polifn'd life ; Barbarian pow'r prevails ; whate'er the wife, Whate'er the fons of genius could infpire, C All 10 The ORPHAN of C&INA. All that bright art could give, muft fade away, And ev'ry virtue wither at the blafl Of Northern domination. MANDANE. Fatal hour ! More fatal ev'n than that which firft beheld This race accurft within thefe palace walls, Since hope, that balm of wretched minds, is now Irrevocably loft. ZAMTI. Name not the day, Which faw this city fack'd : frefh ftream my eyes, Frelh bleeds my heart, whene'er the fad idea Comes o'er my tortur'd mind. Why, cruel pow'rs, Why in that moment could not Zamti fall ? MANDANE. Thy office, and the fymbol of thy God, Made ev'n the conqueror fufpend his blow, And murmur foft humanity. High Heav'n Protected thee for its own great defigns. ZAMTI. Yes, my Mandane, in that hour of carnage For purpofes yet in the womb of Time I was referv'd : I was ordain'd to fave The royal child, the dear, the precious babe, The laft of all my Kings. Full twenty years I've hid him from the world, and from himfelf, And now I fwear kneel we together here, While in this dreadful paufe our fouls renew Their folemn purpofe. Thou all-gracious Being, Whofe tutelary care hath watch'd the fate Of China's Orphan, who haft taught his fteps The paths of fafet.y, ftill invelop him In A T R A G E D Y. n In fev'n-fold night, till your own hour is come, Till your flow juitice fee the dread occafion To rouze his foul, and bid him walk abroad Vicegerent of your pow'r ; and if thy fervant, Or this his foft aflbciate e'er defeat, By any word or deed, the great defign, Then ftrait may all your horrible difpleafure Be launch'd upon us from your red right arm. And in one ruin dafh us both together The blafted monuments of wrath. MANDANE. That here, Mandane vows ne'er to betray his caufe, Be it enrolled in the records of Heav'n. [Both rife. ZAMTI. And now my heart more lightly beats ; methinks With ftrength redoubled I can meet the fhock Of adverfe fate. MANDANE* And lo ! the trial comes. Etan, why fudden thus * Enter ETAN. ETAN. My honour'd father, And you, my helplefs mother, ah ! where now, Illuflrious wretched pair, where will you fly ? Where fhall your miferies now find a flicker ? ZAMTI. In Virtue : I and this dear faithful woman, We a(k no more. C 2 MAN- ji The ORPHAN of CHINA, MANDANE. Oh ! fay what new event Brings on the work of Fate ? ZAMTI, Say, does the Tartar Return unglutted yet with blood ? ETAN. He does ; Ev'n now his triumph moves within our gates In dread Barbaric pomp : the iron fwarms Of Hyperborean's troop along the ftreets Reeking from {laughter -, while from gazing crowds Of their dire countrymen an uproar wild Of joy ferocious through th' aftonifh'd air Howls like a Northern tempeft. O'er the ranks Proud in fuperior eminence of guilt The tyrant rides fublime j behind his car The refufeof hisfword, a captive train Difplay their honeft fears, and gnalh their teeth With rage and defperation. MANDANE. Cruel Fate ! ETAN. With thefe a youth, diftinguifh'd from the reft, Proceeds in fullen march : heroic fire Glows in his cheek, and from his ardent eye Beams amiable horror. MANDANE, What of this youth ? ZAMTI, ATRAGEDY. 13 ZAMTI. Be not alarm'd, Mandane : what of him ? ETAN. On him all eyes are fixed with eager gaze, As if their fpirits ftruggling to come forth Would ftrain eachvifual nerve; while thro' the crowd A bufy murmur rah ; " If Fame fay right, " Beneath that habit lurks a Prince, the laft t( Of China's race." The murmur fp reads abroad From man to man, and all with one acclaim Pronounce their vengeance on him. MANDANE, Why on him ? Why on that youth ? ZAMTI. (afide) Ye groundlefs terrors hence.- ETAN. And yet, my father, this heroic youth^ Oh ! fhould he be the Prince ZAMTI. Forbear, young man, Nor yield to vain furmife : withdraw thee hence To the religious grove, where oft I walk In penfive folitude : I there will meet thee. [Exit ETAN, Heav'ns ! how each black'ning hour in deeper horror Comes charg'dwith woe ! MANDANE, Can Hamet be their pris'ner ? Thofe i 4 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Thofe eyes upturn'd to Heav'n, alas ! in vain ! Declare your inward conflict. ZAMTI. Lov'd Mandane ! Heed not the workings of a fickly fancy, Wrought on by ev'ry popular report : Thou knowft with Morat I convey'd our fon Far as the Eaftern point of Corea's realm ; There, where no human trace is feen ; no found Aflails the ear, fave when the foaming furge Breaks on the ihelving beach, that there your boy Might mock their bufy fearch, while here the Prince Train'd as your own, eludes fufpicion's eye. What woulft thou, Etan ? Enter ETAN. ETAN. Eagerly without, A rev'rend flranger craves accefs to Zamti. ZAMTI. Give him admittance. My Mandane, leave me ; Retire my love awhile ; I'll come anon, And fortify thy foul with firm refolve, Becoming Zamti's wife. MANDANE. Yes, Zamti's wife STTall never act unworthy of her Lord. Then hence I'll go, and fatisfy each doubt This youthful captive raifes in my heart, Quick panting with its fears. And oh ! ye Pow'rs ! Protect my King, my Hufband, and my Son. [Exit, ZAMTI. A TRAGEDY. * i$ ZAMTI. (alcne) My fpirits rufh tumultuous to my heart. What may this mean ? Enter MORAT. MORAT. ZAMTI. Ha ! through the veil Of age, that mien, thofe features Morat ! MORAT. Yes; Let me orice more embrace thee--- ZAMTI. Good old man ! But wherefore art thou here ? What of my boy ? MlRVAN. Ah ! what indeed ? Ev'n from the ocean's margin, Parch'dwith the fun, and chilPd with midnight damps, O'er hills and rocks, and dreary continents In vain I follow'd. ZAMTI. Why didft let him forth ? MORAT. Think not thy Morat "urg'd him to the deed. His valour was the caufe, and foon as Fame Proclaim'd the Prince alive, the mighty din Of preparation through all Corea's realm Alarm'd his breaft ; indignant of controul 16* The ORPHAN of CHINA. He burft his covert j and now, haplefs youth I Alas ! ev'n now he drags the conqu'rors chain. ZAMTI. Mandane then may ftill embrace her fon. My boy furvives, and ftill may live in freedom, MORAT. Alas ! the meafure of your woes is full. Unconfcious of our frauds, the tyrant thinks The Prince his pris'ner. ZAMTI. Ah ! what fay'ft thou, Morat ? MORAT. Wild through the ftreets the foe calls out on Zamti. Thee they pronounce the author of the fraud, And on your Harriet threaten inftant vengeance. ! ZAMTI. There was but this, but this laft flab to Nature, And here it pierces. Was it not enough To tear my child from his fond mother's arms, Doom'd for his Prince to wander o'er the world ? Alas ! what needed more ? Fond foolifh eyes Stop your unbidden gufh I will not yield j Oh ! what a facrifice muft now be made ? MORAT. But when the truth is known ZAMTI. Too cruel tafk, To conquer Nature while the heart-firings break, MORAT, A TRAGEDY. MORAT. Why heave thofe fighs ? and why that burfl of grief? ZAMTI. My fon his guiltlefs blood I cannot fpeak MORAT. Ha ! wilt thou fhed his blood ? ZAMTI. Thou wretched father ! MoRAt. Oh ! had you known the virtues of your fon, His truth, his courage, his enlighten'd mind ZAMTI, I prithee urge no more Here Nature's voice Speaks in fuch pleadings, fuch reproaches, Morat, Here in my very heart, gives woundings here, Thou canft not know, and only parents feeL MORAT. And wilt thou, cruel in thy tears ZAMTI. Forbear, In pity to a father Oh ! forbear Think of Zamphiri ! MORAT. Ah ! how fares the Prince ? ZAMTI. He fares, my Morat, like a god on earth, D Un- 18 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Unknowing his celeftial origin j Yet quick, intenfe, and burfting into aftion ; His great heart lab'ring with he knows not what Prodigious deeds; deeds, which ere long, fhall rouze, Aftonifh, and alarm the world. MORAT. What mean Thofe myftic founds ? ZAMTI. Revenge, conqueft, and freedom ! The midnight hour fhall call a chofen band Of hidden patriots forth, who, when the foe Sinks down in drunken revelry, fhall pour The gather'd rage of twenty years upon him, And at one blow redeem the Eaftern world. MORAT. By Heav'n, the glorious news ZAMTI. And canft thou think To fave one vulgar life, that Zamti now Will mar the vaft defign ? no, let him bleed, Let my boy bleed In fuch a caufe as ours, I can refign my fon, with tears of joy Refign him, and one complicated pang Shall wrench him from my heart. \Warlike mufic is beard. The conqueror comes ! This is no hour for parlying Morat, hence, And leave me to my fix'd refolve. MORAT. Yet think, Think of fome means to fave your fon ZAM- A TRAGEDY. 19 ZAMTI. No more ; It cannot be : the foul of Timurkan Is bold and ftirring : when occafion calls, He fprings aloft like an expanding fire, And marks his way with ruin. Should I try By any virtuous fraud to fave my Ton, The tyrant claims Zamphiri ; fince he knows The Prince furvives, the thought will make him daring Beyond his former crimes j for joy and riot, Which this day's triumph brings, remorfelefs rage 'And mafiacre fucceed ; and all our hopes Are Wafted for an unimportant boy. \Mufick beard again. MORAT. That nearer found proclaims his dread approach. Yet once more, Zamti, think ZAMTI. Farewell! I'll fend Thofe lhall conduct thee where Orafming lives : There dwell unfeen of all. But, Morat, firit Seek my Mandane. How fhall I fupport Her ftrong impetuofity of grief, When fhe fhall know my fatal purpofe ? Thou Prepare her tender fpirit : foothe her mind, And fave, oh ! fave me from the dreadful conflict. End of the FIRST ACT. D 2 ACT 10 The ORPHAN 6 of CHINA. ACT the SECOND. JLnter MANDANE and MORAT. MANDANE. ! tell me, Morat, tell me of my fon. Is he return'd ? Does he revifit thus His native clime ? And does the Tartar deem him Of royal race defcended ? Whence on him Could that fufpicion glance ? MORAT. This very morn Ere yet the battle join'd, a faithful melTenger, Who through the friendly gloom of night had held His darkling way, and pafs'd the Tartar's camp, Brought me advices from the Corean chief; That foon as Harriet reach'd the tented field, His ftory he explain'd ; the gallant leader With open arms receiv'd him; knew him for yourfon^ Train'd him to arms, and granted his requeft To join the martial train. MANDANE. Oh ! love of glory, Thou fatal foe to a fond mother's peace ! Source of heroic deeds ! how bright thy flame Shines in my boy ! MORAT. Pleafed with his youthful ardour The cautious chief-tain knew the fon of Zamti, In fecret knew him., nor reveal'd he aught That A TRAGEDY. 21 That touch'd his birth ; but ftill the bufy voice Of Fame, increafing as flie goes, thro' all the ranks Babbled abroad each circumftance ; from thee How he was privately convey'd ; fent forth A tender infant to be rear'd in folitude, A ftranger to himfelf. The foldier faw With what a graceful port he mov'd in arms, An early hero ! deem'd him far above The common lot of life ; deem'd him Zamphiri, And all with loyalty, with love beheld him. MANDANE. Oh ! I mufl fee him -, midft the tyrants' ranks I'll feek my fon -, from all his father's virtues He could not derogate j his bofom fraught With gen'rous inflincT:, with each fine incentive That prompts the manly deed, he could not loiter His days inglorious. Yes I will behold him, See him with indignation clank his chains, Perhaps provoke his fate, and in that moment His mother fliall protect him ; in thefe arms Infold him clofe, and ihelter him from Death. MORAT. Yet think, Mandane, with a mother's fondnefs If you too rafhly thus proclaim your fon, Who fliall protect the Prince ? Zamphiri then By thee is mark'd the victim that muft bleed. MANDANE. My fon fliall live : to fave Zamphiri's life Ts it of courfe that I muf: yield my child : THou didft not mean it : give my fon a victim ! Thou art a ftranger to a mother's love ; Know'fl not how Zamti doats upon his boy. His heart will ne'er confent come, let us leek him ; He \vill inftruft thee how a father feels. {Exit. Mo- 22 The ORPHAN of CHINA. MoRAT. Yet flay, Mandane hark !- the Tartar comes [Warlike mufick is heard. I dread the wildnefs of thofe glowing pafilons, That violence of virtue : ftrong affection Has touch'd her foul, and will not know reftraint. {Exit. ^wo large folding doors in the back Jcene are thrown open by the 'Tartars-, TIMURK.AN enters* with his Train. TIMURKAN. Hail to this regal dome, this gorgeous palace ! Where this inventive race have lavifh'd all Their elegance ye gay apartments hail ! Beneath your ftoried roof, where mimic life Glows to the eye, and at the painter's touch A new creation lives along the walls, Once more receive a conqueror, arriv'd From rougher fcenes, where ftern rebellion dar'd Draw forth his phalanx, till this warlike arm Hurl'd defolation on his falling ranks, And now the monfter in yon field of death Lies overwhelm'd in ruin. OCTAR. From this day Beneath the victor's feet the Eaftern world Lies bound in adamantine chains. TIMURKAN. Henceforth Shall Timurkan difplay his conqu'ring banners From Oriental climes to where the Tanais Devolves his icy tribute to the fea. OCTAR. ATRAGEDY. 23 OCTAR. But firft this captive Prince TIMURK.AN. Yes, OcT:ar, firft Zaphimri gluts my rage bring him befofe us For Zamti, he, that falfe, infidious flare, Shall dearly pay the forfeit of his crimes. OCTAR. His guilt 'twere beft to pardon : vers'd in wiles Of fly hypocrify, he wins the love Of the deluded multitude : 'twould feem, Should we inflict the death his frauds deferve, As if we meant deftruction to their faith -, And when the minds of a whole people burn For their religious rites, the fury kindles With rage more dreadful, as the fource is holy. TIMURK.AN. Thy policy is juft : henceforth my art, To maTce tHisTfu^bor^rrace'receive the yoke, Shall be by yielding to their fofter manners, Their vefture, laws, and cuftoms ; thus to blend, And make the whole one undiftinguifh'd people. Lo ! where the boy comes forth ! What fullen paflions Swell in his breaft in vain ! Enter HAMET in chains. TlMURKAN. Thou art the youth, Who flefh'd your fword in many a flaughter'd Tartar, And this day mow'd our battle down. HAMST. 2 4 The ORPHAN of CHINA. HAMET. I am. TlMURKAN* Too well I mark'd thy fteps, and fawthee open A waftefull pafiage thro' th' embattled plain. HAMET. Then be thou witnefs for me, in that hour I never fhimn'd your thickeft war , and if In yonder field, where my poor countrymen In mangled heaps lie many a rood extended, Kind Fate had doom'd me to a noble fall, With this right arm I earn'd it. TlMURKAN. Say, what motive Unflieath'd thy rebel blade, and bade thee feek Thefe wars ? HAMET. The love of honourable deeds, The groans of bleeding China, and the hate Of tyrants. TlMURKAtf. Ha ! take heed ralh youth I fee This leffon has been taught thee. Ocbar, hafte, Summon the Mandarine. Now, tremble Have; Thy motive to thefe wars is fully known. Thou art Zaphimri. HAMET* I Zaphimri ! TIMUR- A TRAGEDY. 25 TlMURKAN. Yes; Thou art Zaphimri! Thou! whom treach'rous guilt Stole from my rage, and fent to diftant wilds, Till years and horrid coimfel fhould mature thee For war and wild commotion. HAMET. I the Prince ! The laft of China's race ! nay, mock not majefty, Nor with the borrow'd robes of facred Kings Drefs up a wretch like me. Were I Zaphimri, Thinkft thou thy trembling eye could bear the fhock Of a much injur'd King ? couldfl thou fuftain it ? Say, couldft thou bear to view a Royal Orphan, Whofe father, mother, brothers, fitters, all, Thy murd'rous arm hath long fmce laid in duft ? Whofe native crown on thy ignoble brow Thou dar'ft dilhonour? Whofe wide wafted country Thy defolating fword hath made a wildernefs ? TlMURKAN. Thou haft been tutor'd.in thy lone retreat By fome fententious pedant j foon thefe vain, Thefe turgid maxims (hall be all fubdued By thy approaching death. HAMET. Let death come on ; Guilt, guilt alone, fhrinks back appall'd j the brave^ And honeft ftill defy his dart ; the wife Calmly can eye his frown, and mifery Invokes his friendly aid to end her woes. The ORPHAN of CHINA. TlMURKAN. Thy woes, prefumptuous boy, with all my fears Shall foon lie buried. Enter ZAMTI, and OCTAR. TlMURKAN. Pious falfe one fay, For well thou know'ft, who is that ftubborn youth ? ZAMTI. His air, his features, and his honed mien Proclaim all fair within j but, mighty Sir, I know him not. TlMURKAN. Reflect, old man, nor dare As thou doft dread my pow'r, to pra<5tife guile Beneath a mafk of facerdotal perfidy. Prieftcraft I think, calls it a pious fraud. ZAMTI. Prieftcraft and facerdotal perfidy To me are yet unknown : religion's garb Here never ferves to confecrate a crime ; We have not yet, thank Heav'n, fo far imbib'd The vices of the North. TlMURKAN, Thou vile importer ! Know that the ilaves, whom this day faw impal'd, Have own'd the horrid truth} have own'd they fought To feat Zaphimri on the throne of China. Thou ftripling, mark my words : dar'ft thou be honeft, And aufwer who thou art ? HAMET. ATRAGEDY. ay HAMET. Dare I be honeft ? I dare : a mind grown up in native honour Dares not be otherwife. If then thy troops Afk from the lightning of whofe blade they fled, Tell 'em 'twas Harriet's. ZAMTI. 'Tis ; it is my fon My boy my Harriet ! (Afide.) TlMURKAN. Where was thy abode ? HAMET. Far hence remote, in Corea's happy realm j Where the firit beams of day with Orient blufties Tinge the fait wave ; there, on the fea beat fhore A cavern'd rock yielded a lone retreat To virtuous Morat, ZAMTI. Oh ! ill fated youth ! (4fide.) HAMET, The pious hermit in that mofs-growa dwelling Found an afylum from heart piercing woes, From flavery, and that reftlefs din of arms, With which thy fell ambition ihook the world; There too the fage nurtur'd my greener years j With him and contemplation have I walk'd The paths of wifdom ; what the great Confucius Of moral beauty taught -, whate'er the wife, Still wooing knowledge in her fecret haunts, Difclos'd of nature to the fons of men E % My 2$ The ORPHAN of CHINA. My wond'ring mind has heard ; but above all The hermit taught me the moft ufeful fcience, The noble fcience to be brave and good. ZAMTI. Hear him immortal pow'rs '.His ev'ry word Pierces my heart. (Afide) TIMURK.AN. Who faid he was your father \ HAMET. My birth, the pious fage, I know not why, Still wrapp'd in filence ; and when urg'd to fpeak, He only anfwer'd that a time might come, When Hamet fhould not blulh to know his father, TIMURK.AN. Now then declare, haft thou ne'er heard of Zamti ? HAMET. Of Zamti ? oft enraptur'd with his name, My heart has glow'd within me, as I heard The praifes of that venerable man. TIMURKAN. ( 'To ZAMTI.) Thou flave ! Each circumftance arraigns thy guilt. HAMET. Can that be Zamti ? TlMURKAN. Lo ! Behold the traitor ! HAMET. A TRAGEDY. 29 HA MET. Oh ! let me thus adore that rev'rend form, Thus on my knees adore. TlMURKAN. Pernicious flave ! Corifufion has o'erta'en thy fubtle frauds, Thy guilt is manifeft. Now c\vn your King, Or to make vengeance fure, through all the Eaft Each youth (hall die, and carnage thin mankind, Till in the gen'ral wreck your boafted Orphan Shall undiftinguilh'd fall. When treafon lurks Each moment's big with danger. Octar, thou Attend my words, and fee our will obey'd. \falks apart with Oftar, ZAMTI, Now virtuous cruelty reprefs my tears. Ceafe yourfond conflict Nature ! hear me^ Tartar - That youth his air his look unmans me quite. TIMURKAN. This moment, vile diflembler, fpeak. - ZAMTI. That youth I've dealt by him, as ev'ry King would wifh, In a like cafe his faithful fubjefts would. TIMURKAN. Do'ft thou avow it ? triumph, Timurkan, Arid in Zaphimri's grave lie hulh'd my fears, Oclar, this moment lead the victim forth To yonder facred temple : at the tomb, Where the long boafred line of China's Kings Lies 30 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Lies hers'd in death, this very hour fhall fee The yijftim offer'd to our living Lama, For this day's conqueft. Thence a golden train Of radiant years fhall mark my future fway. [Exit. ZAMTI. Flow, flow my tears, and eafe my burfling heart. HAMET. t . Nay, do not weep for me thou good old man. If it will clofe the wounds of bleeding China, That a poor wretch like me muft yield his life, I give it freely. If I am a King, Though fure it cannot be, what greater blefling Can a young Prince enjoy, than to diffufe By one great acl that happinefs on millions, For which his life fhould be a round of care ? Come lead me to my fate, [Exit with Oftar, &c. ZAMTI. (alone) Mandane's air, His mother's dear refemblance rives my foul. Yet let him die : yes, Tartar, wreak thy fury LTpon a helplefs, an inglorious boy. If from his death this groaning empire rife Once more itfelf, refplendent, rich in arts That humanize the world, he pays a debt Due to his King, his Country, and his God, Enter ETAN. ETAN. May I approach my father ? Even now I met the captive youth j the gen'ral voice With A TRAGEDY. 31 With one confent proclaim him China's Orphan, And you, Sir, you have own'd th' important truth. ZAMTI. Come nearer Etan : thou perceiv'fl the toils That now incircle me. ETAN. But wherefore, Sir, Why thus acknowledge him? Why own the Prince, And yield him thus to death ? ZAMTI. Dream not young man To (land fecure, yet blooming into life, While dangers hover round your father's head. The flock once fallen, each Scyon mufl decay. ETAN. Then let me perifh : witnefs for me Heav'n, Could Etan's fall appeafe the tyrant's wrath, A willing victim he would yield his life, And afk no greater boon of Heav'n. ZAMTI. This zeal So fervid in a ftranger's caufc ETAN. A ftranger ! My King a ftranger ! Sir, you never meant it. Perhaps you would explore the fiery feeds Of Etan's temper, ever prompt to blaze At honour's facred name. Perifh the man, Who, when his country calls him to defend The rights of human kind, or bravely die, Who 32 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Who then to glory dead can fhrink aghaft, And hold a council with his abject fears* ZAMTI. Thefe tow'rings of the foul alas ! are vain. I know the Tartar well we muft refign. - ETAN. Oh ! Sir, at your command each honeft hand Will grafp a fword, and midft incircling guards Reach the ulurper's heart; or fhould we fail, Should overwhelming bands obftrucl the deed, We'll greatly dare to die -, better to die With falling liberty, than bafely lead An ignominious life ; Zaphimri loft, Ne'er fhall fair order dawn, but thro' the land Slav'ry fliall clank her chains, and violation Rapine and murder riot at the will Of luft and lawlefs pow'r. ZAMTI. Thou, brave young man, Come to this fond embrace To eafe at once Thy generous fears, The Prince Zaphimri's fafe> Safe in my guardian care. ETAN. This pris'ner, Sir, He is not then the Prince ? ZAMTI. Obfcure by birth, He is no public lofs. ETAK. And yet his youth, And his untimely fate plead ftrongly for him, And A T R A G E D Y. 33 And then methinks perhaps 'tis fancy's error, Methinks he bears a femblance of Mandane. ZAMTI. His words transfix my heart, (dfide) ETAN. And where mean time, Where is the royal heir ? If right I judge, He will not tamely fee a blamelefs youth A victim in his caufe. ZAMTI. Seek not too foon To know the Prince : now I'll difclofe the work, The work of vengeance, which my lab'ring foul Has long been fafhioning. This very hour, Stupendous ruin hovers o'er the heads Of this accurfed race. ETA?;. Ruin ! ZAMTI. I'll tell thec. When Timurkan led forth his favage bands, Unpeopling this great city, I then feiz'd The hour to tamper with a chofen few, Who have refolv'd, when the barbarians lie Buried in fleep and wine, and hotly dream Their havoc o'er again, then, then, my fon, In one collected blow to burft upon 'em, Like their own northern clouds, whofe midnight horror Impending o'er the world, at length breaks forth In the vaunt light'ning's blaze, in ftorms and thunder Thro' all the redning air, till frighted Nature F Start 34 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Start from her couch, and waken to a fcene Of uproar and deftruction. ETAN. Oh ! my father, The glorious enterprize ZAMTI. Mark me, young man. Seek thou my friends Orafming and Zimventi. In the dim holy cloyfter of yon temple Thou'lt find them mufmg -, bid them ne'er abate Their high, heroic ardour ; let them know Whate'er fhall fall on this old mouldring clay, The tyrant never fhall fubdue my mind. MANDANE, within. Oh ! let me... fly, and find the barb'rous man. Where, where is Zamti ? ZAMTI. Ha ! Mandane's voice ! Go leave me, Etan, and obferve my orders. [Exit ETAN. Wild as the winds, the mother all alive In ev'ry heartftring, the forlorn one comes To claim her boy. Enter MANDANE. MANDANE. And can it then be true ? Is rr..irmn nature exil'd from thy bread ? Art tuou indeed fo barb'rous ? ZAMTI. -'d Mandane, Fix ATRAGEDY. 35 Fix not your fcorpions here a bearded fhaft Already drinks my fpirits up. MANDANE. I've feen Thy trufty Morat I have heard it all. ZAMTI. I cannot fpeak to thee MANDANE. Think'ft thou thofe tears, Thofe falfe, thofe cruel tears will choak the voice Of a fond mother's love now flung to madnefs ? Oh ! I will rend the air with lamentations, Root up this hair, and beat this throbbing bread ; Turn all connubial joys to bitternefs, To fell defpair, to anguilh and remorfe, Unlefs my fon 1 ZAMTI. Thou ever faithfull woman, Oh ! leave me to my woes ? MANDANE. Give me my child, Thou worfe than Tartar, give me back my fon. Oh ! give him to a mother's eager arms, And let me (train him to my heart. ZAMTI. Heav'n knows How dear my boy is here : But our firft duty Now claims obfervance : to our country's love All other tender fondneffes muft yield. I was a fubjecl:, ere I was a father. F 2 MAX- 36 The ORPHAN of CHINA. MANDANE. You were a favage bred in Scythian wilds, And. humanizing pity never reach'd Your heart Was it for this. Oh ! thou unkind one ! Was it for this, Oh ! thou inhuman father ! For this you wooed me to your nuptial bed ?__ For this I clafp'd thee in thefe circling arms, And made this breaft your pillow? Cruel fay, Are thefe your vows ? are thefe your fond endearments ? Nay, look upon me , if this wafted form, Thefe faded eyes have turn'd your heart againft me, With grief for you I wither'd in my bloom. ZAMTI. Why thus transfix my heart ? MANDANE. Alas, my fon, Did I then fold thee in thefe matron arms, To fee thee bleed ? Thus doft thou then return ? This could your mother hope, when firft Ihe fent Her infant exile to a diftant clime ? Ah ! could I think thy early love of fame Would urge thee to this peril ? Thus to fall By a ftern father's will ? By thee to die ; From thee inhuman to receive his doom ! Murder'd.by thee ! yet hear me, Zamti, hear me j Thus on my knees I threaten now no more 'Tis Nature's voice that pleads ; Nature alarm'd, Quick, trembling, wild, touch'd to her inmoft feeling, When force would tear her tender young ones from her. ZANTI. Oh! feek not with enfeebling fond ideas To fwell the flood of grief? it is in vain- He mult fubmit to fate. MAN- A TRAGEDY. 37 MANDANE. Barbarian, no ; He fhall not die; rather I prithee, Zamti, Urge not a grief-diftrabed woman ; tremble At the wild fury of a mother's love. ZANTI. I tremble rather at a breach of oaths. But thou break thine , bathe your perfidious hands In this life-blood ; betray the righteous caufe Of all our facred Kings. MANDANE. Our facred Kings ! "What are the fcepter'd rulers of the world ? Form'd of one common clay are they not all, Doom'cl with each fubject, with the meaneft (lave, To drink the cup of human woe ? alike All levell'd by affliction ? Sacred Kings ! 'Tis human policy lets up their claim ; Mine is a mother caufe ; yes, mine the caule Of hufband, wife, and child, thole firil of ties, Superior to your right divine of Kings. ZAXTI. Then go, Mandane, thou once faithfull woman, Dear to this heart in vain ! Forget at once Thofe virtuous lefibns, which I oft have taught thee, In fond credulity, while on each word You hung enainour'd ; go, to Timurkan Reveal the awfull truth ; be thou fpeclatrefs Of murder'd Majefty ; embrace your fon, And let him lead in fhame and fervitude A life ignobly bought. Then let thofe eyes, Thofe faded eyes, which grief for me hath dimm'd, With guilty joy reanimate their luftre, To 38 The ORPHAN of CHINA. To brighten flavery, and beam their fires On the fell Scythian murderer. MANDANE. And is it thus, Thus is Mandane known ? Come, lead me hence, Where I may lay down life to fave rny King, But fave my Harriet too, then, then you'll find A heart beats here as warm and great as thine. ZAMTI. Then make with me one ever- glorious effort, And rank with thofe, who from the firft of time In fame's eternal archives ftand rever'd, For conqu'ring all the deareft ties of nature, To ierve the gen'ral weal. MANDANE. That favage virtue Lofes with me its horrid charms- I've fworn To fave my King, but fhould a mother turn A dire afiaflin ? Madnefs at the thought Shoots through my brain and look ! they feize my child, They lead him forth ; they fix him on the rack ; His father fee forbear his father ftrikes Hold, Zamti, hold ; ah ! fee he dies ; he dies. \_She faints into his arms. ZAMTI. She faints; flic faints; th' impetuous ftorm ofpaflion Shakes her weak frame [Enter an attendant. Quickly, Arface, help, Support her; lend your aid foft! wand'ring life Rekindles in her cheek conducl: her hence Propitious A TRAGEDY. 39 Propitious Heav'n, behold a father's fuff'ringsj Support our frailty; kindle in our fouls A ray of your divine enthufiafm, Such as inflames the patriot's breaft, and lifts Th' impaflion'd mind to that fublime of virtue, That even on the rack it feels the good, Which in a fingle hour it works for millions, And leaves the legacy to times unborn. End of the SECOND ACT. ACT 40 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ACT the THIRD. Scene a Temple: A Tomb in the Middle. Enter MORAT. THIS is the place; thefe the long-winding ifles, The folemn arches, whofe religious awe Attunes the mind to melancholy mufmg, Such as befits freemen reduc'd to bondage. Here Zamti meets his friends ; amid thefe tombs. Where lie the facred manes of our Kings, They pour their orifons j hold converfe here With the illuftrious fhades of murder'd heroes, And meditate a great revenge a groan I- The burft of anguifh from fome care-worn wretch, That forrows o'er his country ha ! 'tis Zamti. [ZAMTI enters, from the tomb. ZAMTI. Who's he that feeks thefe manfions of the dead ? MORAT. The friend of Zamti and of China. ZAMTI. Morat ! Come to my arms, thou brave, thou gen'rous man ! I have been weeping o'er the facred relicks Of a dear murder'd King. Where are our friends? Haft feen Orafming? MORAT. Through thefe vaults of death Lonely he wanders, plung'd in deep defpair. ZAMTI. A T R A G E D Y. 41 ZAMTI. Haft: thou inform'd him ? Haft thou anght reveal'd Touching Zaphimri ? MORAT. There I wait thy will. ZAMTI. Oh ! thou art ever faithful : on thy lips Sits penfive filence, with her hallow'd finger Guarding the pure recefles of the mind. But lo ! they come. [Enter OR AS MING, ZIMVENTI, and others* ZAMTI. Droop ye my gallant friends ? ORASMINC. Oh ! Zamti, all is loft : our dreams of* liberty Are vanifh'd into air. Ev'n Heav'n combin'd With lawlefs might abandons us and virtue. ZAMTI. Can your great fouls thus fhrink within ye ? thus From heroes will you dwindle into flaves ? ZlMVENTI. Oh ! could you give us back the royal Orphan ; Danger would fmile, and death lofe all its terror. ZAMTI. What ? would his prefence fire you ? G ORAS- 42 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ORASMING. Yes, by Heav'n ! This night fhould free us from the Tartar's yoke. ZAMTI. Then mark the care of the all-ruling mind. This youthful captive, whom in chains they hold, Is not Zaphimri. ORASMINO and ZIMVENTI. Not Zaphimri ! ZAMTI. No: Unconfcious of himfelf, and to the world unknown He walks at large among us. ORASMING. Heav'nly pow'rs ! ZAMTI. This night, my friends, this very night to rife Refulgent from the blow that frees us all, From the ufurper's fate ; the firft of men, Deliv'rer of his country. ORASMING. Mighty Gods ! Can this be pofiible ? ZAMTI. It is moft true. This very hour fhall give you China's heir. What ho ! (looking at the tomb) come forth : 'tis Zamti's voice that calls. You A TRAGEDY. 43 You feem transfix'd with wonder; Oh! my friends, Watch all the motions of your rifmg fpirit, Direct your ardour, when anon you hear What fate, long pregnant with the vaft event, Is lab'ring into birth. ETAN comes out of the Tomb. ETAN. Each ftep I move, A deeper horror fits on all the tombs, The fhrines look pale around : each altar fhakes, Confcious of fome important crifis. ZAMTI. Yes; A crifis great indeed is now at hand. Heav'n holds it's golden ballance forth, and weighs Zaphimri's and the Tartar's deftiny, While hov'ring angels tremble round the beam. Haft thou beheld that picture ? Fix'd attention Hath gaz'd on ev'ry part, yet ftill to me It ihadows forth the forms of things unknown, All imag'ry obfcure, and wrapp'd in darknefs. ZAMTI. That darknefs my informing breath fhall clear, As morn difpells the night lo ! here difplay'd This mighty kingdom's fall. Behold that child, That royal infant, the laft facred relique Of China's Kings: fee, where a Mandarine Conveys the babe to his wife's foft'ring breaft, There to be nourifh'd in an humble ftate, While their own fon is fent to climes remote, That Ihould the fell ufnrper e'er fufpect G 2 The 44 The ORPHAN of CHINA. The Prince alive, he for his King might bleed, And mock the murd'rer's rage,. , ETAN. Amazement thrills 'Through all my frame, and my mind big with wonder Feels ev'ry pow'r fufpended. ZAMTI. Rather fay, That ftrong imagination burns within thee. Doft thou not feel a more than common ardour ? ETAN. By Heav'n, fome impulfe never felt before, Some flrange-infpir'd emotion ftirs within me. A thoufand images all rife at once, And o'er-infonn my foul. Oh ! that the hour Of fate were come. This very night I'll fheathe My dagger's point deep in the Tyrant's heart, ZAMTI. Wilt thou ? "By ev'ry pow'r, that now beholds me, By all the mighty dead that round us lie j By all, who this day groan in chains, I will, ZAMTI. And when thou do'ft, tell the devoted Tyrant, It is the Prince that flrikes. ETAN. The Prince's wrongs Shall nerve my arm, and urge the blow for freedom With tenfold vengeance. A T R A G E D Y. 45 ZAMTI. Tell the groaning Tartar, It is Zaphimri 'tis the Prince himfelf. ETAN, What fays my father ? ZAMTI. Thou art China's Orphan j The laft of all our Kings j no longer Etan 4 But now Zaphimri. ZAPHIMRI. Ha! ORASMING, Myfterious hand Of wonder-working Heav'n ! ZAPHIMRI. Can this be true ? A bufy crowd of circumftances rife ; Thy frequent hints obfcure ; thy pious care To train my youth to greatnefs ; lend your aid To my aftonifh'd pow'rs, that feebly bear This unexpected fliock of royalty. ZAMTI. Thou art, thou art my Sov'reign. Oh ! my friends, Morat will tell you all ; each circumftance ; Mean time lo! there, behold there is your King. MORAT, ORASMING, ZIMVENTI, all kneeling. Long live the father of the eaftern world. 4 6 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAMTI. Sole governor of earth ! ZAPHIMRI. All-ruling pow'rs ! Is then a great revenge for all the wrongs Of bleeding China, are the fame and fate Of all pofterity included here Within my bofom? ZAMTI. All ; yes all : the fhades Of your great anceftors now rife before thee, Heroes and demi gods ! aloud they call For the fell Tartar's blood. ZAPHIMRI. Oh ! Zamti, all That can alarm the pow'rs of man, now flirs In this expanding breaft. ZAMTI. Anon to burft "With hideous ruin on the foe. My gallant heroes, .Are our friends flation'd at their pods ? ORASMINO. They are. Kach gate fccur'd ? Ail luic. ZAMTI, A TRAGEDY. 47 ZAMTJ. The fignal fix'd ? ORASMING. It is : will Mirvan join us ? ZAMTI. Doubt him not ; He pants for vengeance ; when the afiault begins, He'll turn his arms upon th* aftonifh'd foe, And add new horrors to the wild commotion. ZAPHIMRI. Now, bloody fpoiler, now thy hour draws nigh, And ere the dawn thy guilty reign fhall end. ZAMTI. How my heart burns within me ! oh ! my friends, Call now to mind the fcene of defolation, Which Timurkan, in one accurfed hour Heap'd on this groaning land. Ev'n now I fee The favage bands o'er purple heaps of (lain Forcing their rapid way : I fee them urge With rage unhallow'd to the facred temple, Where good Ofmingti with his Queen and children Fatigu'd the gods averfe fee where Orphifa Rending the air with agonizing fhrieks Tears her disfhevelPd hair; then with a look Fix'd on her babes, grief choaks it's paflage up, And all the feelings of a mother's breafl Throbbing in one mix'd pang, breathlefs (lie faints Within her Monarch's arms ; adown his cheek In copious ftreams faft flow'd the manly forrow, While cluft'ring round his knees his little offspring In tears all-eloquent, with arms outftretch'd Sue for parental aid, ZA- 48 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAPHIMRI. Go on ; the tale Will fit me for a fcene of horror. ZAMTI. Oh! my Prince, The charge which your great father gave me, ftill Sounds in my ear. Ere yet the foe burft in, " Zamti" faid he, Cf preferve my cradled infant, " Save him from ruffians; train his youth to virtue j " Virtue will rouze him to a great revenge, " Or failing, virtue will ftill make him happy." He could no more ; the cruel fpoiler feiz'd him, And dragg'd my King, my ever honour'd King, The father of his people, bafely dragg'd him By his white rev'rend locks from yonder altar, Here on the blood ftain'd pavement, while the Queen And her dear fondlings, in one mangled heap, Died in each other's arms. ZAPHIMRI. Revenge ! revenge ! With more than lyon's rage I'll fpring upon him, And at one blow relieve the groaning world. Let us this moment carry fword and fire To yon devoted walls, and whelm him down In ruin and difmay. ZAMTI. Zaphimri, no ; By ralhnefs you may mar a noble caufe. To you, my friends, I render up my charge. To you I give your King ! farewell, my Sov'reign. ZAPHIMRI. Zamti, thou gen'rous man !~ -a thoufand feelings Of A TRAGEDY. 45 Of warmeft friendfhip, all the tendencies Of heart-felt gratitude are ftruggling here, And fain would fpeak to thee, my more than father. Farewell fure we ihall meet again ? ZAMTI. We ihall. ZAPHIMRI. Thou heft of friends, farewell. Or-afming, now The nobiefl duty calls let us remember, We are the men, whom from all human kind Our fate hath now feiec"ted> to (land forth Aflertors of the public weal -, to drench our fwords In the oppreflbr's heart ; to do a deed, Which Heav'n intent on its Own holy work Shall paufe with pleafure to behold. [Exit with confpiratorr. ZAMTI (alone) May the Mofl High Pour down his blefTmgs on him, and anon In the dead wafte of night, when awfull juftice . Walks with her crimfon fleel o'er flaughter'd heaps Of groaning Tartars, may he then drrecl: His youthful footfteps through the paths of peril j Oh ! may he guide the horrors of the ftbrm, An angel of your wrath, to point your Vengeance On ev'ry guilty head. There let him flop,--- When you have broken the oppreflbr's rod, Your reign will then be manifeflj mankind will fee That truth and virtue flill deferve your care, \A dead march Is heard. What mean thofe deathfull founds ? again ! they lead My boy to (laughter. Fond, parental feelings ! Tear, tear me piece-meal ! flill you plead in vain. Ye Hofl of Heav'n, look down ; behold me here H 50 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Beleaguer'd thus with ills : I now muft prove Perjur'd to you, or ceafe to be a father. In your own caufe fupport me ; lend me ftrength To triumph o'er that nature which you gave. A dead March : Enter HAMET. OCTAR, Guards, &c. i OCTAR. Here let the viftim fall, and with his blood Walh his forefather's tomb. The hated race Shall here lie cruihed, and from this glorious ra The eaftern world through all her wide domain Shall bend fubmiffiye to the Scythian yoke. HAMET (ftanding near the ^oml.) Where is the tyrant ? I would have him fee, With envy fee th' unconquer'd pow'r of virtue ; How it can calmly bleed, fmile on the rack, And with ftrong pinion foar above his pow'r, To regions of perennial day. OCTAR. The conqueror Shall mark thee well, when at tomorrow's dawn Shall be difplayed, thro* the wide city's round, Thy breathlefs corfe, a fpeclacle of horror. It now befits thee to prepare for death. HAMET. I am prepared : I have no luft or rapine, No murders to repent of; undifmay'd I can behold all judging Heav'n, whcfe hand Still compafiing its wond'rous ends, by means Inextricable to all mortal clue, Hath A TRAGEDY. 5 Hath now inclos'd me in it's awfull maze. Since 'tis by your decree, that thus befet, Th' inexorable angel hovers o'er me, Be your great bidding done. OCTAR. The fabre's edge Thirfts for his blood : difpatch and end his being. Enter MANDANE. MANDANE. Off, fet me free, I muft, I will have way. Me, me, on me convert your rage ; ftrike here, Plunge in this bofom your abhorred fteel, And fpare his precious life. OCTAR. Hence quickly bear, This wild, this frantic woman MANDANE. Never; never j You lhall not force me hence ; here will I cling, Fail to the earth, and rivet here my hands In all the fury of the laft defpair. He is my fon; oh! fpare him, fpare my child. OCTAR. How woman ! yours ! your fon ! MANDANE. Yes, Oclar, mine ; My boy, my Harret ; let me eager love Fly all unbounded to him, clafp him thus, Thus in his mother's arms my child ! my child ! H 2 OCTAR, p The ORPHAN of CHINA. OCTAR. Sufpend the ftroke, ye minifters of death. Till Timurkan hear of this new event. {Exit. MANDANE. Why didft thou dare return ? Oh ! rather why Didft thou fo long defer with ev'ry grace. And every growing virtue thus to raife Your mo.ther's dear delight to rapture ? HAMET. Loft Jn the deep mifts of darkling ignorance, To me my birth's unknown. But fure that look, Thofe tears, thofe fhrieks, that animated grief, Defying danger, all declare th' effeft Of nature's workings in a parent's heart. Then let me pay my filral duty here, Kneel to her native dignity, and pour |n tears of joy the tranfport of a fon, MANDANE. Thou art, thou. art my fon ; thy father's face^ His ev'ry feature blooming in his boy. Oh ! tell me, tell me all , how haft thou liv'd With virtuous Morat ? how did he fupport In dreary folitude thy tender years ? How train thy growing virtue ? quickly tell me, Oh ! tell me all, and charm me with thy tongue, HAMET. Mylierions pow'rs ! have I then liv'd to this^ Thus on the brink of death to find a parent. In virtue firm, majeftic in diflrefs., At A TRAGEDY. 53 At length to feel unutterable blifs In her dear circling arms ? Enter TIMURKAN, OCTAR, &V. TIMURKAN. Where is this wild, This frantic woman, who with headlong grief Sufpends my dread command ? tear them afunder x Send her to fome dark cell to rave and fhriek, And dwell with madnefs j and let inflant death J^eave that rafh youth a headlefs trunk before me. MANDANE. Now by the ever burning lamps, that light Our holy fhrines, by great Confucius altar, By the prime fource of life, and light, and being, This is my child, the bloflbm of my joys. Send for his cruel father ; he, 'tis he Intends a fraud j he, for a flranger's life, Would give his offspring to the cruel ax, And rend a wretched mother's brain with madnefs. Enter ZAMTI. ZAMTI. Sure the fad accents of Mandane's voice Struck on my frighted fenfe. TIMURKAN. Once more, thou traitor ! Who is that ftubborn youth ? ZAMTI. Alas ! what needs This iteration of my griefs r MAN- 54 The ORPHAN of CHINA. MANDANE. Forbear ; Thou marble-hearted father ! 'tis your foR, And wouldft thou fee him bleed ? ZAMTI. On him, on him Let fall your rage. MANDANE. Oh ! my devoted child ! (/he faints) HAMET. Support her Heav'n, fupport her tender frame. Now, tyrant, now I beg to live ; lo ! here I plead for life ; not for the wretched boon To breathe the air, which thy ambition taints, But, oh ! to eafe a mother's woes , for her, For that dear object, let me live for her. TlMURKAN. Spite of their frauds, the truth begins to dawn: In her wild vehemence of grief, I hear The genuine voice of nature. MANDANE. (recovering) Where's my child? Oh ! let me ftrain him to my heart j thy hard, Thy cruel father fhall not tear thee from me. TlMURKAN. Hear me, thou frantic mourner ; dry thofe tears ; Perhaps you ftill may fave your darling fon. MAN- A TRAGEDY. MANDANE. Oh ! quickly give the means. TIMURKAN. Refign your King, Your phantom of a King, and fave your child. HAMET. No, my much honoured mother, never hear The bafe, the dire propofal -, let me rather Exhauft my life blood at each gufhing vein ; Mandane then, then you may well rejoice To find your child $ then you may truly know The bed delight a mother's heart can prove, When her fon dies with glory. TIMURKAN. Curfes blaft The flripling's pride (talks apart with ORar.) ZAMTI. Ye pow'rs, enthron'd above ! You never meant entirely to deftroy This groaning land, when your benignant care Lends us a youth like him. Let me infold That lovely ardor in his father's arms. My brave, my generous boy ! TlMURKAX. Doft thou at length Confefs it, traitor ? ZAMTI. Yes, I boaft it, tyrant j Boaft 56 the ORPHAN of CHINA; Boaft it to thee, to earth, and heav'h I boaftj This, this is Zamti's fon. HAMET. At length the hour, The glorious hour is come, by Morat promis'd, ct When Hamet fhall not blulh to know his father." ZAMTI. Oh ! thou intrepid youth, what bright reward Can your glad lire bellow on fuch defert ? The righteous gods, and your own inward feelings Shall give the fweeteft retritubion. Now, Mandane, now my foul forgives thee all ; Since I have made acquaintance with my boy ; But oh ! I charge thee by a hulband's right-* TlMURKAN. A hulband's right ! a traitor has no rights ; Society difclaims him. Woman hear, And mark my words ; abjure the Mandarine; Renounce all Hymeneal vows; reveal This myftery, and ftill your fon may live, While juftice whirls that traitor to his fate. MANDANE. Thou vile advifer ! what betray my lord, My honour'd hulband ; turn a Scythian wife ; Forget the many years of fond delight, In which my heart ne'er knew decreafmg love, Charm'd with his noble, all-accompliuYd mind ! No, tyrant, no ; with him I'll dare to die ; With him in ruin more fupremely blefl, Than guilt upon a throne triumphant. ZAMTI,' ATRAGEDY. 57 ZAMTI. Now, Inhuman Tartar, I defy thy pow'r. Lo ! here, the father, mother and the fon ! Try all your tortures on us ; here we ftand, Refolv'd to leave a traft of bright renown To mark our being ; refolv'd all to die, The votaries of honour I TIMURKAN* Then, by Heav'n ! Your doom is fix'd. This moment feize the flaves ; Deep in fome balefull dungeon's midnight gloom Let each apart be plung'd, and Etan too- Let him forthwith be found he too fhall fhare His father's fate.- MlRVAN. Be it rriy tafk, dread Sir, To make the rack ingenious in new pains $ Till even cruelty almoft relent At their keen agonizing groans. TIMURKAN. Be that, Mirvan, thy care. By the immortal Lama^ I'll wreft the fecret from them, or once more My rage is up in arms 'gainfl Corea's chief I will unfurl my banners ; his proud cities Shall dread my thunder at their gates, and mourn Their fmoaking ramparts j o'er his verdant plains And peacefull vales I'll drive my rapid carr, And ne'er know reft, ne'er fheathe th'avenging fword, Till their King fall, and treafon is no more. ~ '{Exit. I OCTAR, 58 The ORPHAN of CHINA. OCTAR. Mirvan, bear hence thofe mifcreants to their fate Thou, Zamti, art my charge. ZAMTI. Willing I come. My fon thy father doubts not of thy fortitude. Mandane fummon all thy ftrength ; the gods, Who try thy virtue, may reward it ftill. [Exit with OCTAR. MANDANE. Harriet ! reftor'd and loft again ! [Struggling with the guards. HAMET. Alas! No means to refcue thee ! inhuman villains ! And will you tear me from her ? [He is dragged of. MANDANE. Oh ! my child ! Now then, barbarians, you have feiz'd on all My foul holds dear. What have I now to dread? I gave him being ; in the hour of peril I flew to refcue him ; I could no more. If he muft fall, I'll emulate his virtues j True to the folemn vow I've breathed to Heav'n, True to my Sov'reign ftill ! in honour's caufe The mother from her fon fhall learn to die. End of the THIRD ACT. ACT A TRAGEDY, 59 ACT the FOURTH. Scene a Prifon: HAMET lies fir etched on the Ground in Chains. Enter ZAPHIMRI (in a Tartar drefs) and MIRVAN. MlRVAN. THERE ftretch'd at length on the dank ground he lies, Scorning his fate : your meeting muft be fhort. ZAPHIMRI, It fhall. MIRVAN. And yet I tremble for th' event. ZAPHIMRI. Mil-van, no more : I will hold converfe with him, Tho' death were arm'd againft the interview. [Exit MIRVAN. HAMET, What wouldft thou Tartar ? ZAPHIMRI, Rife, thou gen'rous youth ! No vulgar errand mine. HAMET. (Rifmg) Now fpeak thy pnrpofe. I 2 ZA- The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAPHIMRI. To thefe lone walls, where oft the Scythian ftabber, With murd'rous ftride hath come ; thefe walls that oft Have feen the afTafiin's deeds, I bring a mind Firm, virtuous, upright. Under this vile garb Lo ! here a fon of China HAMET, Yes thy garb Denotes a fon of China, and thofe eyes Roll with no black intent. Say on. ZAPHIMRI. Inflam'd With admiration of heroic deeds, I come to feek acquaintance with the youth a Who for his King would die. HAMET. And does thy heart Applaud the deed ? ZAPHIMRI. It does, by Heav'n, it does. Yes virtuous envy rifes in my foul. Thy ardour charms, and even now I pant To change conditions with thee. HAMET. Then my heart Accepts thy proferr'd friendlhip in a bafe A prone, degen'rate age, when foreign force And foreign manners have o'erwhelm'd us all, And funk our native genius, thou retain'ft A fenfe of ancient worth. But wherefore here, To ATRAGEDY. 61 To this fad manfion, this abode of forrow Com'ft thou to know a wretch that foon muft die ? ZAPHIMRI. Oh, no ; thou fhall not die. By me the King, By me Zaphimri fays. HAMET. Zaphimri fays ! Kind Heav'n ! where is the King ? ZAPHIMRI. His fteps are fafe, Unfeen as is the arrow's path. By me he fays, He knows, he loves, he wonders at thy virtue. By me he fwears, rather than thou fhouldft fall, He will emerge from dark obfcurity, And greatly brave his fate. HAMET, Ha! die for me ! For me, ignoble in the fcale of being, An unimportant wretch ! Whoe'er thou art, I prithee, ftranger, bear my anfwer back. Oh ! tell my Sovereign, that here dwells a heart Above all pain and peril. When I fall, A worm, an infect dies ; but in his life Are wrapp'd the glories of our ancient line, The liberties of China: then let him Live for his people, be it mine to die. ZAPHIMRI. Can I hear this, juft gods ! and not diilblve In tears of gratitude and love. (dfide) HAMET, Why ftreams That 62 The ORPHAN x>f CHINA. That flood of grief? and why that ftifled groan? Thro' the dark mift his forrow calls around him, He feems no common man. Say, gen'rous youth. Who and what art thou ? ZAPHIMRI. Who and what am I ? The verrieft wretch that ever groan'd in anguiih. One loft, abandon'd, plung'd in woe Beyond redemption's aid to tell thee all In one dire word, big with the laft diftrefs, In one accumulated term of horror, Zaphimri ! HAMET. Ha! my King! ZAPHIMRI. That fatal wretch, Exalted into mifery fupreme ! Oh ! I was happy, while good Zamti's fon I walk'd the common tracts of life, and ftrove Humbly to copy my imagin'd fire. But now HAMET. Yes now if thou art he as fure 'Tis wond'rous like, rais'd to a flate, in which A nation's happinefs on thee depends. ZAPHIMRI. A nation's happinefs ! there there I bleed- There are my pangs for me this v/ar began ; For me hath purple (laughter drench'd yon plains; I am the caufe of all I forg'd thofe chains- For Zamti and Mandane too ! by me they fall ; Them A TRAGEDY. 63 Them have I thrown into a dungeon's gloom Thefe are the horrors of Zaphimri's reign ! I am the tyrant ; I afcend the throne, By bafe ingratitude, by the vile means Of felfilh cowardice, that can behold Thee, and thy father, mother, all in chains, All loft, all murder'd, that I thus may rife Inglorious to a throne. HAMET. Alas ! thy fpirit, Thy wild diforder'd fancy picture's forth Ills that are not, or being ills, not worth A moment's paufe. ZAPHIMRI. Not ills ! thou canft not mean it- The angry fates amidft their hoards of malice Had .nought but this ; they meant to render me Peculiarly diftrefs'd. - Tell me, thou gallant youth, A foul like thine knows ev'ry fine emotion, Is there a nerve in which the heart of man Can prove fuch torture, as when thus it meets Unequall'd friendfhip, honour, truth and love, And no return can make ? HAMET. That pow'r will corne. ZAPHIMRI. But when ? when thou art loft ! When Zamti and Mandane are no more ! Oh ! for a dagger's point, to plunge it deep, Deep in this ha ! -deep in the tyrant's heart. HAMET., 64 The ORPHAN of* CHINA* HAMET. There your revenge fhould point alas ! my Sov'reign, Why didft thou venture to this place of danger ? ZAPHIMRI. And canft thou deem me then fo bafe of foul> To dwell fecure in ignominious fafety j With cold infenfibility to wait The lingring hours, with coward patience wait them, Deliberating on mylelf, while ruin Nods overZamti's houfe? No generous youth I'll not think meanly of thee no that thought Is foreign to thy heart* HAMET. Withdraw thee hence ; Nor lightly hazard thus fo dear a life ; Think of thy anceftors. ZAPHIMRI. My anceftors ! What is to me a long defcended line, A race of worthies, legiflators, heroes, Unlefs I bring their virtues too ? No more i This very night I'll burft thofe guilty walls, Rend thofe vile mannacles and give thee freedom. Enter MIRVAN. MlRVAN. The time forbids delay : whilft thou art here, Thy fate's fufpended on each dreadfull moment. ZA- A TRAGEDY. 65 ZAPHIMRI. This garb will cloak me from each jealous eye ; Thou needfl not fear detection. [aflourijh of trumpets. HAMET. Ha ! what means That fudden and wild harmony ? MIRVAN. Ev'n now The conqu'ror and his fell barbaric rout For this day's victory indulge their joy; ZAPHIMRI. Joy foon to end in groans ; for all confpires To forward our defign : a band of heroes Ev'n now are ready ; honourably leagu'd To vindicate their rights. Thy father's care Plann'd and infpir'd the whole. And lo ! the lights That whilom blaz'd to Heav'n, now rarely feen Shed a pale glimmer, and the foe fecure Sinks down in deep debauch, while all awake The genius of the land broods o'er the work Of jultice and revenge* MIRVAN T . The gallant chiefs At their appointed ftation are conven'd j In filent terror all intent they Hand, And wait the fignal in each gale that blows. HAMET. Dream on, deluded Tartar, yes dream oa j K Still 66 The. ORPHAN of CHINA. Still unfufpec"ling plunge in guilty joy, And bury thee in riot. ZAPHIMRI. Ne'er again To wake from that vile trance ; for ere the dawn, Detefted fpoiler, thy hot blood fhall fmoke On the ftain'd marble, and thy limbs abhorr'd I'll fcatter to the dogs of China. MlRVAN. Ha! Break offyour conference : Oc~V,ar this way comes- Beware, my Prince : (enter Offar) Well, O&ar, there's your pris'ner. [pointing to HAMET, OCTAR. Convey him hence to where Mandane's grief Rings thro' the vaulted roof. HAMET. Yes, lead me hence To foften anguifh in a parent's breaft. [Exit with MIR VAN- ZAPHIMRI. What may this mean ? I dread fome lurking mifchief, [Exit. OCTAR. (alone) When tAe boy clings around his mother's heart, Then, in that tender moment, tear him from her, And in he r impotence of grief the truth Will burft it's way. A TRAGEDY. 67 Enter TIMURKAN, OCTAR. et loom ? OCTAR. Why from the genial banquet Thus will my Sov'reign feek a dungeon's gl< TIMURKAN. A more than midnight gloom involves my foul. What boots the conqu'ring fword, the plume of victory, If flill this coward boy in fecret lives ; If ferpent-like amidft the flow'ry garlands He wreaths his folds, to dafh my promis'd joy, And poifon my delight ? OCTAR, Then at once To end your fears, give Zamti to the fword. His wife, and all, who aid him in his guilt. 'Twill crufh the feeds of dark confpiracy. TIMURKAN. No ; Zamti's death but multiplies my fears. With him the truth lies buried in the x tomb. Haft thou beheld the ftubborn Mandarine ? OCTAR. Unconquer'cl yet by words he ftands. unmov'd. Smiling contempt, as if fome inward joy, Like the fun lab'ring in a night of clouds., Shot forth at intervals a gladfome ray, Bright'ning the face of woe. TIMURKAN. He muft not die : The Have fhall linger out his days in torment. K 2 OCTAR. 68 The ORPHAN of CHINA, OCTAR. Might I advife, Mandane may be won. She ftill, Sir, may be yours : a conqu'ror's fighs Shall waft a thoufand wifhes to her heart. Till female vanity afpire to reach The Eaftern throne. TIMURKAN. No, O<5lar; 'tis not mine To melt in languilhing defire, and try The hopes, the fears, and ihe caprice of love. Enur'd to rougher fcenes, far other arts My mind employ'd : to fling the well-ftor'd quiver Over this manly arm, and wing the dart At the fleet rain-deer fweeping down the vale, Or up the mountain ftraining ev'ry nerve ; To vault the neighing fteed, and urge his courfe Swifter than whirlwinds ; thro' the ranks of war Reeking with gore to drive my charriot wheels ; Thefe are my paffions, this my only fcience. Rais'd from a ibldier to imperial fway, I ftill will reign in terror. Bring that traitor, The hoary prieft before rrie. [Exit TIMURKAN. Now by Heav'n ! Their ftubborn fortitude creels a fence To fhield 'em from my wrath, more pow'rfull far Than their high boafted wall, which long hath flood The fhock of time., of war, of ftorms and thunder, The wonder of the world. What art thou, virtue, That giv'ft thefe joys, my heart hath never known ? Enter ATRAGEDY. 69 Enter ZAMTI in chains. Thy hated fight once mare I brook, to try If yet the fenfe of deeds abhorr'd as thine Has touch'd your foul : while yet the hour permits, Repent thee of thy crimes. ZAMTI. The crime would be To yield to thy unjuft commands. But know A louder voice than thine forbids the deed, The voice of all my Kings ; forth from their tombs Ev'n now they fend a peal of groans to Heav'n, Where all thy murders are long fince gone up; And ftand in dread array againft thee. TIMURKAN. Murders ! Ungratefull Mandarine ! fay, did not I "When civil difcord lighted up her brand, And fcatter'dwide her flames; when fierce contention Twixt Zorohamti and Zaphimri's father Sorely convuls'd the realm, did not I then Lead forth my Tartars from their northern frontier, And bid fair order rife ? ZAMTI. Bid order rife ! Haft thou not fmote us with a hand of wrath? By thee each art has died, and ev'ry fcience Gone out at thy fell blaft. Art thou not come To fack our cities, to fubvert our temples, The temples of our gods, and with the worfhip, The monftrous worlhip of your living Lama Profane our holy fhrin.es ? TIMUR- 70 The ORPHAN of CHINA, TlMURKAN. Refolve my doubts, Nor think wirh groundlefs, with ill-tim'd reproach To talk me from my purpofe. ZAMTI. Tyrant, yes ; Yes, thou haft fmote us with a hand of wrath, Full twenty years haft fmote us ; but at length Will come the hour of Heav'n's juft vifitation, When thou fhalt rue hear me thou man of blood! - ; Yes, thou fhalt rue the day, the day that faw thee Imbrue thofe hands accurft in royal blood Now, tyrant, now yes, tremble at my words, The arm of the Moft High is bar'd againft thee ; And lo ! the hand of fate defcribes thy doom In glaring letters on yon rubied wall ! Each gleam of light is perifh'd out of Heav'n, And darknefs rufhes o'er the face of earth. TlMURKAN. And thinkft thou, flave, with vifionary fears I e'er can Ihrink appall'd ? thou moonftruck feer } No more I'll bear this mockery of words. What, Odar, ho ! (enter Oftar) lead forth that fran- tic woman. Ruin involves ye all this very hour Shall fee your fon impal'd yes, both your fons - Bring Etan too before us OCTAR. Etan, Sir, Is fled for fafety. TlMURKAN. Thou pernicious flave ! (to Zamti) ZAMTI,. A T R A G E D Y. 71 . ZAMTI. The righteous gods protect him from thy rage. [Ex if Oftar. TIMURKAN. Him too thou wouldft withdraw from juftice ? him Thy perfidy would fend to Corea's realm, To brood in fecret o'er fome work of treafon. Enter OCTAR, MANDANE, HAMET, Guards, &c* TIMURKAN. Now then, deluded fair, if fix'd in error You ftill perfiftj the rack iliall have its prey, MANDANE. I tell thee, homicide, my foul is bound By folemn vows, and wouldft thou have me break What angels wafted on their wings to Heav'n ? TIMURKAN. This moment faves your child, or dooms him dead* MANDANE. Goddefs of vengeance, from your realms above Where near the throne of the Mofl High thou fitft, Infpher'd in darknefs, amidft hoards of thunder Serenely dreadfull, till dire human crimes Provoke thee down, now on the whirlwind's wing Defcend, and with your flaming fword, your bolts Red with Allmighty wrath, let loofe your rage, And blaft this vile fe.ducer in his guilt. TIMUR- 72 The ORPHAN of CHINA, TlMURKAN". Then feize her fon, and give him td the rack. MANDANE. No ; by the pow'rs above, by ev'ry tie Of humanizing pity, feize me firft ; Difpatch his mother j end this wretched being. ZAPHIMRI (rujhingfrom among the Guards.) Hold, murd'rers, holdj I charge you, (laves, forbear. ZAMTI. Ha ! China totters on the brink of ruiri. (afide) TlMURKAN. Etan ! thou'rt wellcome to my great revenge ! ZAPHIMRI. I come on matters of importance deep \ Unto thy throne and life. ZAMTI. Heed not an idle boy. TlMURKAN. Proceed, and tell thy purpofe. ZAPHIMRI^ Even now Thy death is plotting. TlMURKAN, Ha ! by whom ? ZA- A TRAGEDY. 73 ZAPHIMRI. Zaphimri U~ ZAMTI. What means my fon ? TIMURKAN. Refign him to my vengeance, . And then our mercy ihall to thee extend. ZAPHIMRI. Think not I come to fave this worthlefs life. Pity Mandane -, fave her tender frame- Pity that youth (kneels) oh ! fave that godlike man. ZAMTI. Wilt thou difhonour me, degrade thyfelf, Thy native dignity, by bafely kneeling r Quit that vile pofture TIMURKAN. To appeafe our wrath, Bring me Zaphimri's head. ZAPHIMRI, Will that fuffice? TlMURKAtt. His blood attones for all. ZAPHIMRI. Then take it, tyrant ; I am Zaphimri , I your mortal foe. L ZAMTI. 74 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAMTI. Angels of light, quick on your rapid wing Dart from your thrones above, and hover round him. MANDANE. Alas ! all's ruin'd China is no more. ZAPHIMRI. Behold me, Tartar; hear the voice of truth; Thus on his knees Zaphimri begs to die. TIMURKAN. Thou early traitor ! by thy guilty father Train'd up in fraud ! wouldft thou deceive me too ? HAMET. He would : all would deceive you : all confpire Againft my claim : all wreil my title from me : The father's art, the mother's fond ambition Upon my ruins to exalt their name, And raife their fon to empire. ZAPHIMRI. Ha! forbear, Raih youth, forbear, nor thus infult your King. Mine is the crown : it's miieries are mine : Mine the worft malice fortune hath in ftore : I claim it all, and will not bear a rival. HAMET. Horror ! believe him not for me the troops From Corea's realm dar'd to approach your walls ; I led them on; I came from climes remote ; The A TRAGEDY. 75 The captives of your fword have own'd they fought To fee me feated on the throne of China. ZAPHIMRI. By Heav'n, he's innocent ; the guilt is mine. Mifguided boy ! I charge thee dare no more Ufurp a Monarch's right ; refign at once My lawfull claim, the honours of my birth ; Give back my name ; I afk it but to die. TIMURKAN. Their wond'rous conflict but involves me deeper In doubt, miftruft, perplexity, and fear. Mifguided fair-one, fay, which is your King ? MANDANE. Behold their virtue, and refpedl: them both, TIMURKAN. Perdition feize her ! Zamti mark my words- This moment, clear each doubt, or keeneft pangs Shall hunt the fecret thro' each trembling nerve. ZAMTI. I have already yielded up my fon ; I gave him to your fword ; and after that, After that conflict, thinkft thou there is aught has left to fear ? TIMURKAN. Yes learn to fear My will, my Sov'reign will, which here is law, And treads upon the neck of (laves. ZAMTI. 76 The ORPHAN of CHINA, / ZAMTI. Thy will ! The law in China : ill inftructed man ! Now learn an awfull truth. Tho' ruffian pow'r May for a while fupprefs all facred order, And trample on the rights of man, the foul Which gave our legiflation life and vigour Shall ftill fubfift, above the tyrant's reach. The fpirit of the laws can never die. TlMURKAN. Here then all parley ends : thy doom is fix'd : This very moment drag 'em from my fight. [The guards Jeize on Zamti* MANDANE. Yes, lead me with him : in his arms to die Mandane goes refign'd. But tyrant know The great important truth is treafur'd here. Thy pow'r can ne'er extort it. Yes, live on In the worft agony of doubt and fear. With us the fecret dies : that joy is ours ; With that we triumph ftill ; with that we bid thee . Fear while we live, and tremble in our fall. [Exit with Zamti and guards. HAMET. No fpare 'em, yet forbear ; here point thy fword, Unfluice thefe veins, but fpare their matchlefs lives. [He is carried off. ZAPHIMRI. I am your victim, by the gods I am. [Kneeling and holding Timurkan. TIMUR- A TRAGEDY. 77 TlMURKAN. Away, vile flave ; go fee them bleed ; behold Jrlow they will writhe io pangs ; pangs doom'd for thee, And au who deal in treachery like thine. [Exit. ZA P H i M R i. (on the ground) Yet hear me ; yet a moment ! barb'rous Scythians ! Wilt thou not open, Earth, and take me down, Down to thy caverns of eternal darknefs ? And fleeps Allmighty juftice ? will it not Awaken all its terrors ? arm yon band Of fecret heroes with avenging thunder ? By Heav'n (rifing) that thought lifts up my kind- ling foul With renovated fire. My glorious friends, Who now convene big with your country's fate, When I am dead, oh ! give me juft revenge , Let me not die inglorious ; make my fall, By fome great act of yet unheard of vengeance, P^efound throughout the world ; that farthefl Scythia May ftand appall'd at the huge diftant roar Of one yaft ruin tumbling on the heads Of this fell tyrant, and his 'hated race. End of tic FOURTH ACT. ACT 78 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ACT the FIFTH. Scene the Palace. Enter ZAMTI and MANDANE, followed by OCTAR, ZAMTI. \T7HY dofl thou lead us to this hated manfion? * V Muft we again behold the tyrant's frown ? Thou know'ft our hearts are fix'd, OCTAR. The war of words We fcorn again to wage. Beneath this roof The rack is now prepar'd, and Timurkan Anon fhall view your pangs, and count each groan Ev'n to the fulleil luxury of vengeance. Guard well that paflage (to the guards within) fee the traitors find No means of flight, while to the conqueror I haften, to receive his laft commands. {Exit. ZAMTI, Thou ever faithfull woman ! MANDANE, Canft thou, Zamti, Still call me faithfull ? by that honour'd name Wilt thou call her, whofe wild maternal love Hath buried all in ruin ? ZAMTI. - A TRAGEDY. 79 ZAMTI. Yes, thou art, Thou art my wife, whofe virtue ev'n in bondage Hath chear'd my foul ; and now thy ev'ry charm Endear'd by danger, kindled by diftrefs TcThigher luftre, all my pafllons beat Unutterable gratitude and love. ~. And muft oh! cruel! muft I fee thee bleed? MANDANE. For me death wears no terror on his brow. Full twenty years hath this afflicted breaft Been fmote with thefe fad hands ; thefe haggard eyes Have feen my country's ruin ; feen my huiband, My fon, my king, all in the Tartar's hands. What then remains for me ? death, only death. ZAMTI. Ah ! can thy tendernefs endure the pangs Inventive cruelty ev'n now prepares ? Muft this lov'd form, this foft perfection bleed ? Thy decent limbs be ftrain'd with cruel cords, To glut a ruffian's rage ? MANDANE* Alas ! this frame, This feeble texture never can fuftain it. But this this I can bear. (Shews a dagger) ZAMTI. Ha! MANDANE. Yes ; this dagger ! Do thou but lodge it in this faithful! brcaft, My heart lhall fpring to meet thee. ZAMTI. 8o The ORPHAN of CHINA; ZAMTI. Oh! MANDANE. Do thou, My honour'd lord, who taughtft me ev'ry virtue/ Afford the friendly, the laft human office, And teach me now to die. ZAMTII It muft not be. Hence let me bear this inftrument of death. ['fakes the dagger* Shall we ufurp the dread prerogative Of life and death, and meafure out the thread Of our own being ? 'tis the coward's a<5t, Who dares not to encounter pain and peril. Be that the practice of th' untutor'd favage j Be it the practice of the gloomy North. MANDANE. Muft we then wait the haughty tyrant's nodj The vaflals of his will ? no, let us rather Nobly break through the barriers of this life, And join the beings of fome other world, Who'll throng around our greatly daring fouls, And hail our flight with wonder and applaufe* ZAMTI. Diftrefs too exquifite ! ye holy pow'rs, If aught below can fuperfede your law, And plead for wretches, who dare felf impell'd Rufh to your awfull prefence j 'tis not then, When the diftemper'd paffions rage; when pride Is flung to madnefs ; when ambition falls From her high fcaffolding-- -oh ! no > if aught Can ATRAGEDY. &i tan juftify the blow, it is when virtue No more can (land at bay; when liberty No longer breathes at large ; 'tis with the groans Of our lov'd country when we dare to die. MANDANE. Then here at once direct the friendly fteel. ZAMTI. Now then prepare thee -ah ! does this become Thy hufband's love ? thus with uplifted blade Can I approach that bofom-blifs, where oft With other looks than thefe, oh ! my Mandane, I've hufh'd my cares within thy fhelt'ring arms ? MANDANE. Alas ! the loves, that bleft our happier days, Have fpread their pinions, never to return, And the pale fates furround us. Zamti, come j Here lay me down in honourable reft ; Come as thou art, all hero to my arms, And free a virtuous wife. ZAMTI. It muft be fo : Now then prepare thee my arm flags and droops Confcious of thee in ev'ry trembling nerve. [Throws down the dagger* By Heav'n, once more I would not raife the point Againft that hoard of fweets, for endlefs years Of univerfai empire.- MANDANE. Ha! they come; The miniiters of vengeance come j and yet, M They 82 The ORPHAN of CHINA. They fhall not long infult us in our woes ; Myfelf will ftill preferve the means of death. [Takes up the dagger. Enter TIMURKAN, OCTAR, and Guards. TIMURKAN. Now then, detefted pair, your hour is come. I hate this dull delay : feize Zamti firft ; Let fludied art with flow confuming pangs Explore the truth, nor let him know relief In his worft agonies, till ev'ry fecret Burft forth in groans, and end my doubts and fears, ZAMTI. Begin your tortures ; end this wretched being ; I care not now how foon. [The guards feize Zamti. MANDANE. Stay, Zamti, flay ; And will you force him thus ? (he is forc'd off) in- human villains ! Oh ! Timurkan, behold me humbled here, Thus lowly on my knees, thus prone to earth, And groveling at your feet. I a(k to die j Grant my requeft ; it will not ftain thy name With weak humanity ; deal ftill in blood ; Oh ! let me perifh in my hufband's arms ; It will be mercy to indulge my pray'r, And murder fhall for once be virtue in thee, TIMURKAN. Behold him firft, behold the hoary traitof Gafping in death, and welt'ring in his gore. Thy turn will follow by thy treach'rous arts The hated Orphan lives. MAN* ATRAGEDY. $3 MANDANE. (Rifwg) And if he lives, May Heav'n proteft him, till the awfull truth In fome dread hour of horror and revenge Shall burft like thunder on thee. If by me Zaphimri lives, then tyrant know thy duty ; Defcend at once from a throne gain'd by murder, And yield ihe crown, refign it to your matter. TIMURKAN. Pernicious traitrefs ! ha ! what wouldft thou Mirvan ? Enter MIRVAN, MIRVAN, Near to the Eaftern gate, a flave reports, As at his watch he flood, the gleam of arms Caft a dim luftre through the night, and ftrait The Heps of men thick founded in his ear, In clofe array they march'd. TIMURKAN, Ha ! lurking treafon ! What ho ! my arms ourfelf will fally fbrth^ MIRVAN. My liege, their fcanty and rafh levied numbers Want not a monarch's fword : with eager zeal Upon the inftant I drew off the guards, That round the palace walls : let Oftar, Sir, Who oft has led them to renown in arms, Let him but head the ranks, his valour foon Shall bring the traitors bound in chains before you. M 2 TlMUR- $4 The ORPHAN of CHINA, TlMURFCAN, Well, be it fo. Oftar, do thou go forth, And give the rebels to the fabre's edge. [Exit Oftar, MANDANE, Why muft I linger thus ? lo ! Mirvan too Leagu'd with the foe a a traitor to his King ! MIRVAN. With fure conviction we have further learn'd The long-contended truth. Etan's their King The traitor Zamti counted but one fon, And him he fent, Mandane knows it all- Far hence to Corea's realm. TlMURKAN. At length thy guilt Glares to the fight : this hour Zaphimri dies. MIRVAN. To Morat's care th' infidious Mandarine With that complottcr in his dark defigns 3 Gave up their boy, while unfufpefted here They fix'd a fafe afylum for their prince. MANDANE. (Looking at Mirvan) When fhall I quit a world, where men like thee Are only fit to dwell ? TIMURKAN, Let Morat ftreight Attend our prefence ; bring the flave before us. Mix- A TRAGEDY. 85 MlRVAN. This hour approves my loyalty and truth. [*& TlMURKAN. Thanks to great Lama, treafon is no more, And their boy-king is found. Yes, traitrefs, now Thou (halt behold the ftripling's forfeit head. Soon as the dawn fhall purple yonder Eaft, Aloft in air all China ihall behold it Parch'd by the fun, and welt'ring to the wind. Enter MIRVAN. TlMURKAN. Well, Mirvan, haft thou brought the treach'rous flave ? MIRVAN. My liege, he comes obedient to your will, Enter ZAPHIMRI, with a Sabre. ZAPHIMRI. Now, bloody Tartar, how then know Zaphimri, TlMURKAN. Accurfed treafon ! to behold thee thus In arms before me, blafts my acking fight. My blood forgets 10 move -, each pow'r dies in me. MANDANE, Yes, monfter, yes ; thy fated hour is come. Defcend, thou tyrant, from a throne ufurp'd, And yield the crown, now yield it to thy mafler. ZA- ?6 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAPHIMRI. Well mayft thou tremble, well may guilt like thine Shrink back difmay'd -, for thus avenging Heav'n In me fends forth his minifter of wrath To deal deftrucliion on thee. TIMURKAN. Coward-flave ! A midnight ruffian, in th' unguarded hour, Secure thou com'ft, thus to aiTault a warrior Thy heart would never dare to meet in arms. ZAPHIMRI. Not meet thee Tartar ! ha ! in me thou fee'fl One, on whofe head unnumber'd wrongs thou'r^ heap'd, Elfe could I fcorn thee thus defencelefs yes, My great revenge could bid thee try each fhape, AiTume each horrid form, come forth array'd In all the terrors of deftructive guilt. But now a dear, a murder'd father calls ; He beckons to the fpot, the facred altar Which thy fell hand imbrued with royal blood. Go, feek the t< mple ; at that dread tribunal Receive thy doom, and expiate thy crimes. TIMURKAN. By Heav'n I'll dare thee Mill j refign it flave, Refign the blade to nobler hands. [Seizes Mirvans Sabre* MANDANE. Oh ! horror ! Bring inihmt help ; let not the fate of China Hang on the ifiiie of a doubtfull combat. ZA, A TRAGEDY. 87 ZAPHIMRI. Now, lawlefs ravager, Zaphimri comes To wreak his juftice on thee. [They fight and Zaphimri drives Timurkan off. MANDANE, Now, juft gods, Sinew his arm, and guide the blow for freedom. MIRVAN. See there, behold, he darts upon his prey. ZAPHIMRI. (Within) Die, bloodhound, die. MIRVAN. The Tartar drops his point. MANDANE, He falls, the viftim falls. ZAPHIMRI. (Within) My father ftrikes ; He gives the blow ; and this, thou fell deftroyer, This for a nation's groans. Enter HAMET. HAMET. Where is Zaphimri ? Direct me to him MANDANE, Harriet ! oh ! my fon ; Once 88 The ORPHAN of CHINA. Once more I clafp thee in thy mother's arms* Lo ! where the monfter quivers on the ground ! Let me feek Zamti with the glorious tidings, And call him back to liberty and joy. [Exit with Mirvatii Enter ZAPHIMRI. ZAPHIMRI. This reeking blade hath drunk the tyrant's blodd* HAMET. China again is free there lies the corfe That breath'd deftruction to the world. ZAPHIMRI* Yes there, Tyrannic guilt, behold thy fatal endj The wages of thy fins. Enter MORAT. HAMET* Qh ! Morat Wellcome, Wellcome to conqueft, freedom and revenge* MORAT. Revenge now ftalks abroad : our valiant leaders True to the deftin'd hour at once broke forth From ev'ry quarter, on th' aftonifh'd foe. ZAPHIMRI. Lo ! Timurkan lies levell'd with the duft, MORAT. A t R A G E D Y. 89 MORAT. OpprefTion's iron rod at length is broke. My King ! my Sov'reign ! [Kneels to Zapbimri ZAPHIMRI. Rife : the time demands Far other cares : where are my gallant friends ? Is the wild tumult o'er, and have they conquer'd ? MORAT. The gates, the ramparts, and the citadel. Each pafs is ours : the unfufpecting foe Hemm'd in on ev'ry fide refills in vain. Octar is falPn : all cover'd o'er with wounds He met his fate, and ftill the flaught'ring fword Invades the city funk in fleep and wine. ZAPHIMRI. Send forth, and let Orafming ftrait proclaim Zaphimri King, my fubjects rights reftor'd. [Exit Morat. Now where is Zamti ? where my more than father? Where is Mandane ? Lead me, lead me to them. Enter MIRVAJJ. ZAPHIMRI. What means that pale defpair ? MlRVAN. Oh ! dire mifchance ! While here I trembled for the great event, The unrelenting (laves, whofe trade is death, N Began 9 o The ORPHAN of CHINA. Began their work ; nor piety, nor age Could touch their felon-hearts; they feiz'd on Zamti And bound him on the wheel ; a prey to villains We found the good, the venerable man Smiling in pangs -, all frantic at the fight Mandane plung'd a poniard in her breaft. With him I liv'd, Ihe cried, with him will die. HAMET. Oh ! Heav'n ! my mother ! fummon ev'ry aid To call her back to life. MlRVAN. In th' arms of death Ev'n now fhe ftruggles. ZAPHIMRI. Fatal rafhnefs. Say, Is Zamti too deftroy'd ? Mm VAN. Life ebbs apace. Releas'd from anguiih, with what ftrength remain'd, He reach'd the couch, where loft Mandane lies, There threw his mangled limbs, there clinging to her He pours his fad lamentings, in a Irrain Might call each pitying angel from the fky To fympathize with human woe. 'The Back-Jcem opens. ZAPHIMRI. And fee, See on that mournfull bier he clafps her ftill ; Still hangs upon each faded feature -, Hill To her deaf ear complains in bitter anguifh. Zamti and Mandane are brought forward on a couch. ZAMTI. A TRAGEDY. 9 t ZAMTI. Yet live, Mandane; thou may'ft ftill be happy I Thou hail not merited an end lik$ this. MANDANE. The hand of death ev'n now is heavy on me. ZAPHIMRI. Are thefe our triumphs ? thefe our promis'd joys ? ZAMTI. The mufick of that voice recalls my foul. Rtfes, and runs to embrace Zaphimri; his ftrengtb fails, and be falls at his feet. My Prince ! my King ! ZAPHIMRI. Support him ; bear him up. MANDANE. Where is my child, my Harriet ? lives he ftill ? HAMET. He lives, but oh ! to fee my mother thus MANDANE. Oh! let me fold thee (rifes) ha ! -it is too much I thank you Heav'n ; thefe are a mocker's joys, And thefe you give to chear me in my paifage. Soft, lay me, lay me down HAMET. Her eyes are fixed j A death like palenefs fpreads o'er ev'ry feature. N 2 -ZA- 92 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAPHIMRI (Raffing ZAMTI. J How fares it Zamti now ? ZAMTI. Oh ! bleft event ! I could not hope fuch tidings ; thee, my King, And Hamet too, I thought you both deftroy'd. My flow remains of life cannot endure Thefe ftrong viciffitudes of grief and joy. And there there lies Mandane lead me to her. Mandane, look upon me ; once again Let me behold the day-light of thy eyes. MANDANE. Alas ! thofe eyes no more muft gaze upon thee j That dear delight is fled ; thee too, my fon, No more I now muft fee theej fnatch'd from death, This day reftor'd, after whole years of abfence I leave thee now; I leave my child for ever The heart-firing breaks oh ! that thought tears it cleaves It drowns me in my tears. ZAMTI. I pray ye lead me Conduct me to her nearer ftill that both- Alas ! I faint fupport me [Faints in their arms. HAMET. Once again Mandane fpeak, and let me hear thy voice MANDANE. Hamet, thy hand forgive forgive my rafhnefs. Could A TRAGEDY. 93 Could I furvive your father? no with him The fcene was clos'd but is the tyrant dead ? HAMET. His debt is paid. MANDANE, Alas ! I follow him I follow thither, where eternal juftice E.xaks the juft, and humbles the oppreflbr. And thee, my fon, I leave thee here in freedom. That joy is mine copy your father's a6Hons You need no more : mankind will blefs thee for it. Remember all his precepts : his example "Will guide thy fteps, and marfhal thee to glory I die refgn'd---and yet and yet its hard, When freedom dawns, and after allmyfufferings Its hard, my child, your mother now fhould thee Zamti where is he ? ZAMTI. (Coming to himfelf) Bend me, bend me forward MANDANE. Alas ! that fight oh ! Zamti Harriet oh ! [Dies. ZAMTI. She's gone, for ever, ever gone, Mandane ! [Sinks down by her, Thus do I fee thee ? cold alas ! death-cold ! Cold is that bread, where virtue from above Fix'd her delighted manfion ; and thofe lips Taat utter'd heav'niy truth pale ! pale ! dead dead ! Pray ye entomb me with her. ZA- 94 The ORPHAN of CHINA. ZAPHIMRI. Take, ye pow'rs, Your throne, your crown ; take all your conquefls back, Zaphimri never can furvive / ZAMTI. I charge thee live A bafe defertion of the public weal Will ill become a King alas ! my fon By that dear tender name if once again , Zamti may call thee this is now the lafl, The only interview we ever fhall have- ZAPHIMRI. And will ye then, inexorable gods Will ye then tear him from my acking heart ? ZAMTI. The moral duties of the private man Are grafted in thy foul. But oh ! remember, The mean immutable of happinefs, Or in the vale of life, or on a throne, Is virtue : each bad aclion of a King Extends beyond his life, and oft renews Its tyranny o'er ages yet unborn. To error mild, fevere to guilt, protect The helplefs innocent ; be truth thy paffion ; Spurn the bafe flatterer, and learn to feel The beft delight of ferving human kind, HAMET. He dies, he dies, the agony is on him ZAMTI. A TRAGEDY. 95 ZAMTI. Life harafs'd out, purfued with barb'rous art Thro' ev'ry trembling joint now fails at once Zaphimri - oh ! farewell I fhall not fee The glories of thy reign my fon my Harriet Thou good young man, farewell Mandane, yes, My foul with pleafure wings her flight, that thus Faithfull in death I leave thefe cold remains Near thy dear honour'd clay. [Dies. ZAPHIMRI. And art thou dead, Thou beft of men ? then muft Zaphimri pine In ever-during grief, fmce thou art loft, Since that firm patriot, whofe parental care Should raife, fliould guide, Ihould animate my virtues, Lies there a breathlefs corfe. HAMET. My liege, forbear ; Live for your people ; madnefs and defpair Belong to woes like mine. ZAPHIMRI. Thy woes, indeed, Are great, thou pious youth; yes I will live To foften thy afflictions , to afluage A nation's grief when fuch a pair expires. Come to my heart -, in thee another Zamti Shall blefs the realm now let me hence to hail My people with the found of peace ; that done, To thefe a gratefull monument fhall rife, With all fepulchral honour -, frequent there We'll 96 The ORPHAN of CHINA, We'll offer incence ; there each weeping mufc Shall grave the tributary verfe ; with tears Embalm their memories, and teach mankind Kowe'er oppreflion (talk the groaning earth, Yet Heav'n, in its own hour, can bring relief, Can blaft the tyrant in his guilty pride, And prove the Orphan's guardian to the laft. E P I- EPILOGUE Spoken by Mrs. Y A T E S. ^HROUGH five long aSfs I've wore my ftgbing face, Confined by critic laws to time and -place : Released at length, I ramble as I pleafe ; Back to dear London whijk o'er land andfeas ; Ladies exciife my drejs ; 'tis true Chineze. And now, no hufband to torment my brain, Ef cap' d from daggers, and from tragic ftrain, Let us enjoy our dear fmall talk again. 1 } I How could this bard fuccefsfull hope to prove ; So many heroes, and not one in love ! Nofuitor here to talk of flames that thrill ; To fay the civil thing " your eyes Jo kill" No ravijher, to force one to one's will. That Timurkan ! an odious, horrid brute / Whom only wars, and blood and horror fuit. If in the guards he fir/I had learn' d his trade, Gam'd at the Tilt-yard, loung'd on the Parade ; At Play and Opera blaz'd an am'rousfpark, Andjhonethe MACCARONI of the Park-, Had he march'd boldly to the Tow' r for fame, And at St. James's felt the tender flame; Think ye, for Zamti I had died a martyr ? The man, in that cafe, would have caught a TARTAR* You've feen their Eaftern virtues, -patriot paj/ions ; But now for fc'rnething of their tafte andfajhions. VOL. I, O "Qbf 9$ EPILOGUE. " Ob! Lord! that's charming" cries my Lady Fidget ,1 " / long to know it ; do the creatures vifit ? " Dear Mrs. Tales, do, tell us well, how is it t" j Firft as to beauty , Jet your hearts at reft ; They've all broad foreheads, and pigs eyes at beft* And then they Icadjuchftrange, fuch formal lives; A litth more. at home than Englijh wives ! Left the poor things Jhould roam, and prove untrue, They all are crippled in the tiny Jhoe. A hcpefullfcheine to keep a wife from madding! We pinch our feet, and yet are ever gadding. Then they've no cards; no routs-, ne'er take their fling-, And pin-money is an unheard of thing. And how d'ye think they write? you'll ne'er divine-, From top to bottom down in one ftraight line. We, ladies, when our flames we cannot /mother, Write letters from one corner down to t'other. One mode there is in which both climes agree -, "> Ifcarce can tell 'mongft friends then let it be -, The creatures love to cheat as well as we. j But blejs my wits ! I've quite forgot the bard ; A civil foul ! by me he fends this card, " PRESENTS RESPECTS" to ev'ry lady here -, " HOPES FOR THE HONOUR" of afingle tear. The critics then will throw their dirt in vain -, Tears from thofe eyes will waft out ev'ry ft ain-, Tour tears true verdure to the laurel give ; Thefcene, that moves your hearts, dcfsrves to live -, All elfe is laboured rant, and fuftian rage ; Each drop, you fall, embalms the poet's page. T O T O M. DE V O L T A I R E. S I R, A LETTER to you from an Englim author may carry with^ it the appearance of correfponding with the enemy, not only as t!,c t\vo nations are at p relent in- volved in a difficult and important war, but alfo becaufe in many of your late writings you feem determined to live in a ftate of hoftility with the Britifh nation. Whenever we come in your way, " we_are_^erocious ; we are inlanders j we are the people whom your country has taught; we faHbehind other nations in point of tafle and elegance of compofition ; the fame caufe that has witheld from us a genius for painting and mufic, has alfo deprived us of the true fpirit of Tmgedy ; and, in fhort, barbarifm, flill prevails among us." Of th'efe high-toned deciftons, as boldly hazarded, as they are feebly fupported, it fhall be my bufmefs to addrefs my fentiments to- you upon fome future occafion. The en- quiry will lead to a wide field of difcuflion : relying upon the great name, eftablifhed by two or three writers of the laft century, writers indeed of great value, and juftly ad- mired throughout Europe, you have aflumcd in favour of France, the prize of dramatic excellence : the claim is roundly aflerted, and mould it hereafter appear to have no foundation in truth, you are fure at lead of proving your- felf a good citizen, though not the beft of critics *. "The national vanity, which has given rife to many reflections upon the theatric genius of the Englifti nation, may be excufabie ; but the fallacy, with which a great deal of mif- reprefentation has been artfully coloured, to aflift your fa- vourite hypothecs, deferves to be minutely examined. The. interefts of the drama and the caufe of truth feem to re- quire it. For the purpofe of the prefent letter it will be fufficient to fay, notv/ithftanding the vein of prejudice, which has difcoloured molt of your fugitive pieces, that there ftill breathes throughout your writings fuch a genera], * Pum patriam laudat, damnat dum poggius hoftaiUj Nee malus eft civis, nee bonus hiftoricus. O 2 loo To M. DE V O L T A I R E. fpirit of humanity and zeal for the honour of the Republic of Letters, that I am inclined to imagine the author of the Englifh Orphan of China (an obfcure iflander) may ftill addrefs you upon terms of amity and literary benevolence. I have attempted a Tragedy upon a fubjecl: that has exercifed your excellent talents : I have dared to try my ftrength in the Bow of ULYSSES ; I hold myfelf therefore, in fome fort accountable to M, De VOLTAIRE for the de- parture I have made from his plan, and the fubftitution of 3 new fable of my own. My firft propenfity to this ftory was occafioned by the remarks of an admirable critic * of our own, upon the ORPHAN OF THE HOUSE OF CHAU, preferved to us by the induftrious and fenfible P. Du HALDE. The Chineze piece, as our learned commentator obferves, amidft great wildnefs and irregularity, has fome traces of re- femblance to the beautiful models of antiquity. In my re- flections upon it, I imagined I faw a blemifh in the manner of faving the Orphan, by the tame refignation of another infant in his place ; efpecially when the fubjccT: afforded a fair opportunity to delineate the ftrugglings of a parent, on fo trying an occafion. It therefore occurred to me, that if a fable could be framed, in which the Father and the two Young Men might be interwoven with probability and perfpicuity, without being embarrafled with all the per- plexities of a riddle, as, you know, is the cafe of the HERAC- Lius of CORNEILLE, rnany fituations might arife, in which fome of the neareft affections of the heart might be awakened : but even then I was too confcious that this muft be executed in its full force, by a genius very different from myfelf. In this ftate of mind, fir, I heard with pleafure that M. De VOLTAIRE had produced at Paris his L'ORPHELIN DE LA CHINFE : I ardently longed for a perufal of the piece, expecting that fuch a writer would certainly feize all the ftriking incidents which might naturally grow out of fo pregnant a ftory, and that he would leave no fource of paf- fion unopened. I was in fome fort, but not wholly difap- pointed : I faw M. De VOLTAIRE rufhing into the midft of things at once ; opening his fubjecl: in an alarming manner ; and, after the narrative relating to GENGISKAN js over, Working up his firft acl like a poet indeed. * Mr. Kurd, in his Commentary upon Horace. Meum To M. D E V O L T A I R E. JGI Mcum qui pe&us inaniter angit Ut Magus. In the beginning of the fccon-d aft, he again touches our affe&ions with a mafter-hand ; but, like a rower who has put forth all his ftrength, and fuddenly flackens his exer- tion, I faw, or imagined I faw, him give way all at once : the great tumult of the paffipns is over ; the intereft wears away; GENGISKAN talks politics; the tendernefs of a mo- ther, flying with all the ftrong impulfes of nature to the relief of her child, is thrown into cold unimpaffioned nar- rative; the role pour Vamoureux muft have its place, and the rough conqueror of a whole people 'becomes Le Chevalier GENGISKAN, as errant a lover as ever fighed in the Thuil- leries at Paris. Your own words, fir, ftrongly expreffive of that manly and fenfible tafte, which diftinguifhes you throughout Europe, occurred to me upon this occafion : *' Quelle place pour la galanterie que le parricide &: 1'in- " certe, qui defolentune famille, & la contagion qui ravage " un pais ? Et quel exemple plus frapant du ridicule de " notre theatre, & du pouvoir de 1'habitude, que Cbrneille " d'un cote, qui fait dire aThefee. " Qrielque ravage afrreux qu'etalc ici la Pefte ; " L'abfence aux vrais amans eft encore plus funefle. f c Et moi, qui, foixante ans apres lui, viens faire parler *' une vicile Jocafte d'un viel amour: & tout cela pour " complaire au gout le plus fade & le plus faux qui rat ?' jamais corrompu la literature." Indeed, fir, GEN T GIS- KAiV, in the very moment of overwhelming a whole nation, ufurping a crown, and maflacring the royal family, except one infant, whom he is in queft of, appeared to me exadtjy like the amorous THESEUS in the midft of a deftrucT:ive plague. " Nunc non erat his locus." Kow would that noble performance, that ChefcTceuvre of your country, the ATHALIE of RACINE, have been defaced by the gallantry of an intrigue, if a tyrant had been introduced under the foft and gentle influence of a tender paffion for the wife of the high-prieft ? orifJoAD, entertaining a fecret afFedlion for ATHALIE, and being afked what orders he would give relating to the delivery of his country, jfhould anfwer, " aucune," none at all. And yet this is the language of a northern cofiqueror, whining for a Mandarine's v/ifo, who had no power of refilling, and having no relation to tne royal family, could not, by an intermarriage, ftrengthcn his intereft in the crown. But to you, who have told us To M. DE V O L T A I R . to the celebrated METASTASIO, as a reproach, that he had frequent tnmsfufions of thought from your writings, " Ah ! Ie cher voleur ! il m'a bien embelli." This talent of*em- beITiIEm^T^3o^o^^ : efeiS~S57 : 1551|V8il myfelf of my read- ing, and to improve my own productions, is all I can pre- tend to ; and this I flatter myfelf I have done, not only by tranfplanting from you, but alfo from many of the writers of antiquity. If the authorities I have above mentioned were not fufficient, I could add another very bright exam- ple, the example of M. De VOLTAIRE, whom I have ofteri tracked, to ufe the fame expreffion again, in the fnow of Bhakcfpear. The fnow of SHAKESPEAR is but a cold ex- preifion j but perhaps it will be more agreeable to you, than a word of greater energy, ftrong enough to convey a full idea of the aftonifhing powers of that great man; for we iflanders have remarked of late, that M. De VOLTAIRE has a particular fatisfaction in defcanting on the faults of that wonderfull genius, the greateft perhaps, that ever exifl- ~ed fince_.tiie_2er-a"0f- HQM-ER. In this treatment of SHAKZ- SPEAR, we obferve, fir, a fpecies of ingratitude ; for in rnany of your plays we perceive you under obligations to that SAVAGE, as you are pleafed to call him, for fome of the ftriking beauties both of your fable and the fentiment. Of what is here advanced, it is not now the time to give the particular inftances. The number of thofe inftances is, however, very confiderable ; infomuch, that an ingenious and excellent perfon tells me, whenever you fpeak, in your avant propos^ in terms degrading of the great Englifh bard, : he always deems it a fure prognoftic that your play is the better for him. If the great fcenes of SHAKESPEAR, fir ; if his boundlefs. view of all nature, the lawn, the wildernefs, the blafted heath, mountains, and craggy rocks, with thunder and lightning on their brows ; if thefe cannot ftrike the ima- gination of Mr. De VOLTAIRE, how can I expect that the ftudied regularity of my little mrubbery fhould afford him any kind of pleafure ? To drop the metaphor, if the fol- lowing tragedy does not appear to .you a MONSTROUS FARCE, it is nil I can reafon.ibly expect. ' BuTwHatever may be "your opinion of it, I mud beg that you will not make it the criterion by which you would decide concern- ing the taftc of the Englifh nation, or the prefent irate of literature among us. What you have humbly faid of your- ielf, in order to do honour to your nation, I can affert with truth/ I To M. DE V O L T A I R E. 105 truth of the author of the Englifh ORPHAN, that he is one of the worft poets now in this country. It is true, indeed, that the play has been received with uncommon applaufe ; that fo elegant a writer as the author of CREUSA and THE ROMAN FATHER was my critic and my friend ; and that a great deal of very particular honour has been done me by many perfons of the firft diftinclion. But, give me leave to fay, they all know the faults of the piece as well as if it had been difcufled by the academy of Belles Lettres. \Ve are a generous nation, fir ; and even the fainteft ap- proaches to merit, always meet here the warmeft encou- ragement. Permit me further to affure you, in cafe you fhould difcover any traces of barbarifm in the ftyle or fable, that if you had been prefent at the reprefentation, you would have feen a theatrical fplendor conducted with a bienfeance unknown to theftene Francoife. The performers of ZAPHIMRI and HAMET, by their interefting manner, would have made you regret that you had not enriched your piece with two characters, to which a colourift, like you, would have given the moft beautiful touches of the pencil, had the idea (truck your fancy ; and, though a weak ftate of health deprived the play of fo fine an adtrefs as Mrs. GIBBER, you would have beheld in MANDANE a figure that would adorn any flage in Europe, and you would have acknowledged that her Acting promifes to equal the elegance of her perfon : moreover, you would have feen a ZAMTI, whofe exquifite powers are capable of adding Pathos and Harmony even to our great SHAKE- SPEAR ; and let me add, fir, that the genius of this per- former has been in MAHOMET, in MEROPE, and ZARA, he chief fupport of your own fcenes upon the Englifli ftage. Upon the whole, I beg you will not imagine that I have written this Tragedy in the fond hope of eclipfing fo cele- brated a writer as M. De VOLTAIRE : I had an humbler motive ; prater amorem quod te imitari aveo. Could I do that in any diftant degree, it would very amply gratify the ambition of, Sir, your real admirer, and moft humble fervant, London, April 36, 1759. The AUTHOR of The ORPHAN of CHINA. VOL. I. P Z E- Z E N O B I A: TRAGEDY. Performed at the THEATRE ROYAL I N DRURY-LANE, ut atrum Corpora combiberet Venenum3 Deliberata morte ferocior. HOR, PROLOGUE: Spoken by Mr. HOLLAND. Q F old, when Greece tn a declining age Of lawlefs pow'r bad felt the barb'rous rage, This was the tyrant's art: He gave a prize To him, who a new pleafure jhould devife. Te tyrants of the Pit,, whofe cold dijda'm Rejefls andnaufeates the repeated Jl rain ; Who call for rarities to quicken fenfe, Say, do you always the reward difpenfe ? Te bards, to whom French wit gives kind relief, Are ye not oft the firft to cry STOP THIEF ! Say, to a brother do you e"re allow One little fprig, one leaf to deck his brow? No-, fierce inveclive Jluns the play -wright y s ears, Wits, Poets corner. Ledgers, Gazetteers ? 'Tisfaid, the Tartar, ere he pierce the heart, Injcribes his name upon his poifon'd dart. Thatfcheme's rejected by each fcribblingfpark ; Our Chriftian fyftemftabs you in the dark. And yet the defp'rate author of to-night Dares on the mufes wing another flight -, Once more, a dupe to Fame, forfakes his eafe, And feels th' ambition here again to pleaje. He brings a tale from a far diftant age, Ennobled by the grave hijloric page ! * Zenobias woes have touch'd each poliJJjd flute -, The brightsft eyes of France have mourn 'd her fate. Harmonious Italy her tribute paid, And fung a dirge to her lamented faade. Tet think not that we mean to mock the eye With pilfer* d colours of a foreign dye. Tacitus Apn. Lib. iz. Se. 44, to the end of 51. NOT io8 PROLOGUE. NOT to tranjlate our lard his pen doth dip ; He takes a play, as Britons take a /hip y "They heave her down, with many a flurdy Jlroke, Repair her well, and build with heart of oak. To ev'ry breeze Jet Britain's ftreamers free y NEW-MAN her y and away again to fea. This is our author's aim ; and if his art IVaken to fentiment the feeling heart , If in bisfcenes alternate paj/ion burn, And friendfiipy love y guilt y virtue take their turn*, If innocence opprefs'd lie bleeding here, You'll give 'tis all he ajks one VIRTUOUS TEAR, Dramatis Perfonas. PHARASMANES, RHADAMISTUS, TERIBAZUS, ZOPIRON, TIGRANES, MEGISTUS, Mr. AICKIN. Mr. BARRY. Mr. HOLLAND. Mr. PACKER. Mr. HURST. Mr. HAVARD. Z E N O B I A, Z E L M I R A, Mrs. BARRY. Mrs. W. BARRY. Attendants, Guards, &c. SCENE lies La Pharafmanes' Camp, on the Banks of ths Araxes. Z E N O B I A. ACT the FIRST, ZELMIRA. THRO' the wide camp 'tis awful folitude ! On ev'ry tent, which at the morning's da^vn Rung with the din of arms, deep filence fits Adding new terrors to the dreadful fcene ! My heart dies in me ! hark Iwith hideous roar The turbulent Araxes foams along, And rolls his torrent thro' yon depth of woods ! 'Tis terrible to hear! who's there? Zopiron! My lord, my hufband, help me, lend your aid. Enter ZOPIRON. ZOPIRON. Why didft thou leave thy tent ? why thus afflict: Thy anxious breaft? ere yonder fun lhall vifit The weftern fky, all will be hufh'd to peace. ZELMIRA. The interval is horrid , big with woe, With confternation, peril anddifmay! And oh ! if here, while yet the fate of nations Sufpended hangs upon the doubtful fword, If here the trembling heart thus fhrink with horror, Here in thefe tents, in this unpeopled camp, Oh! think, Zopiron, in yon field of death W'herc ii2 Z E N O B I A. Where numbers foon in purple heaps fhall bleed, What feelings there muft throb in ev'ry bread ? How long, ambition, wilt thou ftalk the earth And thus lay wafte mankind ! ZOPIRON. This day at length The v/arlike king, victorious Pharafmanes Clofes the fcene of war. The Roman bands But ill can cope with the embattled numbers Afia pours forth, a firm undaunted holt ! A nation under arms ! and every bofom To deeds of glory fir'd ! Iberia then ZELMIRA. Perifli Iberia! may the fons of Rome Pour rapid vengeance on her falling ranks, That he, who tramples on the rights of nature, May fee his vaffals over-whelm'd in ruin, May from yon field be led in fullen chains, To grace the triumph of imperial Rome, And from th' aflembled fenate humbly learn The dictates of humanity and juftice ! ZOPIRON T . Thy generous zeal, thy ev'ry fentiment Charms my delighted foul. But thou be cautious, And check the rifing ardor that inflames thee. The tyrant fpares nor fex, nor innocence. ZELMIRA. Indignant of controul, he fpurns each law, Each holy fanction, that retrains the nations, And forms 'twixt man and man the bond of peace. Zo- A TRAGEDY. nj ZOPIRON. This is the tyger's den; with human gore For ever floats the pavement > with the fhrieks Of matrons weeping o'er their flaughter'd fons, The cries of virgins to the brutal arms Of violation dragg'd, with ceafelefs groans Of varied mifery for ever rings The dreary region of his curs'd domain. ZELMIRA. To multiply his crimes, a beauteous captive, Th' afflided Ariana fhe for her, For that fair excellence my bofom bleeds ! She, in the prime of ev'ry blooming grace, When next the glowing hour of riot comes, Shall fall a victim to his bafe defires. ZOPIRON. The bounteous gods may fuccour virtue ftill ! In this day's battle, which perhaps e're now The charging hofts have join'd, fhould Roman valour Prevail o'er Afia'/s numbers ZELMIRA. That event Is all our hope. And lo ! on yonder rampart Trembling with wild anxiety fhe ftands, Invokes each god, and bids her ftraining eye Explore the diitant field. ZOPIRON. Yes, there fhe's fix'd A ftatue of defpair ! That tender bofom Heaves with no common grief: I've mark'd her oft/ And if I read aright, fome mighty caufe Of hoarded anguilh, fome peculiar woe VOL. I. Q^ Preys M4 ZENOBIA, Preys on her mind unfeen! But, ha! behold, She faints ; her fears too pow'rful for her fame Sink that frail beauty drooping to the earth. {Exit hajtily. ZELMIRA. Hafte, fly, Zopiron, fly with inflant fuccour ; Affuage the forrows of that gentle fpirit ! Her flutt'ring fenfe returns; and now this way The virgins lead her. May the avenging gods ! In pity of the woes fuch virtue feels, In pity of the wrongs a world endures, With pow'r refiftlefs arm the Roman legions, That they may hurl in one collected blow AfTur'd deftruftion on the tyrant's head ! Enter ZENOBIA, leaning on two attendants. ZENOBIA. A little onward, ftill a little onward Support my fleps ~ ZELMIRA. How fares it, madam, now? ZENOBIA. My flrength returns ; I thank ye, gen'rous maids, And would I could requite you : fruitlefs thanks Are all a wretch can give. Firft attendant. The gentle office Of mild benevolence our nature prompts ; Your merit too commands : on Ariana We tend with willing, with delighted care, And that delight o'ef pays us for our trouble. ZE- A TRAGEDY. 115 ZENOBIA. Your cares for me denote a heart that feels For others woes. Methinks with ftrength renew'd I could adventure forth again. Second attendant. 'Twere beft . Repofe your wearied fpirits. We will feek Yon rifmg ground, and bring the fwiftefl tidings Of all the mingled tumult. ZENOBIA. Go, my virgins ; Watch well each movement of the marfhalPd field j Each turn of fortune; let me know it allj Each varying circumftance. ZENOBIA, ZELMIRA. ZELMIRA. And will you thus, Be doom'd for ever, Ariana, thus A willing prey to vifionary ills, The felf-confuming votarift of care ? ZENOBIA. Alas ! I'm doom'd to weep ; the wrath of heav'n With inexhaufted vengeance follows ftill, And each day comes with aggravated woes. ZELMIRA. Yet when Iberia's king, when Pharafmanes 3 With all a lover's fondnefs ZE- n6 Z E N O B I A, ZENOBIA. Name him not ! Name not a monfter horrible with blood, The widows, orphans, and the virgin's tears ! ZELMIRA. Yet favage as he is, at fight of thee Each fiercer pafiion foftens into love. To you he bends j the monarch of the eaffc Dejected droops beneath your cold difdain, And all the tyranny of female pride. ZENOBIA. That pride is virtue ; virtue that abhors The tyrant reeking from a brother's murder ! Oh ! Mithridates ! ever honour'd lhade ! Peaceful he reign'd, difpenfmg good around him, In the mild eye of honourable days ! Thro' all her peopled realm Armenia felt His equal fway; the funfet of his pow'r With fainter beams, but undiminilh'd glory, Still fhone ferene, while ev'ry confcious fubjecl: With tears of praife beheld his calm decline, And blefs'd the parting ray ! yet then, Zelmira, Oh! fact accurs'd! yes Pharafmanes then, Detefted perfidy ! nor ties of blood, Nor facred laws, nor the juil gods reflrain him ; In the dead midnight hour the fell affaffin Rufti'd on the (lumber of the virtuous man ; His life blood gufh'dj the venerable king Wak'd, faw a brother arm'd againft his life, Forgave him and expir'd ! ZELMIRA. Yet wherefore open Afrelh the wounds, which time long fmce hath clos'd ? This day confirms his fcepter in his hand. ZE- A T R A G E D Y. 117 ZENOBIA. Confirms his fceptre !~-his! indignant gods, Will no red vengeance from your ilores of wrath Burft down to crulh the tyrant in his guilt ? His fceptre, faidft thou ? urge that word no more i The fceptre of his fon ! the folemn right Of Rhadamiftus ! Mithridates' choice, That cail'd him to his daughter's nuptial bed, Approv'd him lineal heir > confenting nobles, The public will, the fanclion of the laws, All ratified his claim ; yet curs'd ambition, Deaf to a nation's voice, a nation's charter, Nor fatisfied to fill Iberia's throne, Made war, unnatural war, againft a fon, Ufurp'd his crown, and with remorfelefs rage Purfued his life. ZELMIRA. Can Ariana plead For fuch a fon ? means fhe to varnifh o'er The guilt of Rhadamiftus ? ZEJ;OBIA. Guilt, Zelmira! ZELMIRA. Guilt that fhoots horror thro' my aching heart ! Poor loft Zenobia ! ZENOBIA. And do her misfortunes Awaken tender pity in your bread ? ZELMIRA. Ill-fated princefs ! in her vernal bloom By n8 Z E N O B I A, By a falfe hufband murder'd ! from the ftem A Rofe-bud torn, and in fome defert cave Thrown by to moulder into filent duft ! ZENOBIA. You knew not Rhadamiftus ! Pharafmanes Knew not the early virtues of his fon. As yet an infant, in his tend'reft years His father fent him to Armenia's court, That Mithridates' care might form his mind To arts, to wifdom, and to manners worthy Armenia's fceptre, and Zenobia's love. The world delighted faw each dawning virtue, Each namelefs grace to full perfection rifmg ! Oh ! he was all the fondeft maid could wifh, All truth, all honour, tendernefs and love ! Yet from his empire thrown ! with mercilefs fury His father following, (laughter raging round, What could the hero in that dire extreme ? ZELMIRA. Thofe ftrong impafiion'd looks ! fome fatal fecret Works in her heart, and melts her into tears. \_Afide* Driv'n to the margin of Araxes' flood, No means of flight, aghaft he look'd around : Wild throbb'd his bofom with conflicting paffions, And muft I then ? tears gufh'd and choak'd his voice, And muft I leave thee then Zenobia ? muft Thy beauteous form he paus'd, then aim'd a po- niard At his. great heart but oh! I rufh'd upon him, And with thefe arms clofe-wreathing round his neck, With all the vehemence of pray'rs and fhrieks, Implor'd the only boon he then could grant To perifh with him in a fond embrace. The A TRAGEDY. 119. The foe drew near j time prefs'd, no way was left ; He clafp'd me to his heart ; together both, Lock'd in the folds of love, we plung'd at once, And fought a requiem in the roaring flood. ZELMIRA. This wondrous tale, this fudden burfl of pafiion, ZENOBIA. Ha! whither has my frenzy led me ? hark ! That found of triumph! loft, for ever loft ! Ruin'd Armenia ! oh ! devoted race ! Aflourijh of trumpets. Enter TIGRANES, Soldiers, andjome Prifoners. ZENOBIA. Thy looks, Tigranes, indicate thy purpofe ! The armies met, and Pharafmanes conquer'd ; Is it not fo ? TIGRANES. As yet with pent up fury The foldier pants to let deftruftion loofe. With eager fpeed we urg'd our rapid march, To where the Romans tented in the vale With cold delay protract the ling'ring war. At our approach their fcanty numbers form'd Their feeble lines, the future prey of vengeance. ZENOBIA. And wherefore, when thy fword demands its fhare Of havock in that fcene of blood and horror, Wherefore return'ft thou to this lonely camp ? TIGRANES. 120 Z E N O B I A, TIGRANES. With cautious eye as I explor'd the foreft, Which rifes thick near yonder ridge of mountains, And flretches o'er th' interminable plain, I faw thefe captives in the gloomy wood Seeking with iilent march the Roman legions. Here in this camp 'tis Pharafmanes' will They wait their death in mifery of torment. ZENOBIA. Unhappy men ! and muft they ha! that face, That aged mien ! that venerable form ! Immortal pow'rs ! is, it my more than father? Is that Megiilus ? MEGISTUS. Ariana here ! Gods ! could I ever hope to fee her more ? Thou virtuous maid ! thou darling of my age! ZENOBIA. It is it is Megiflus ! once again Thus let me fall and clafp his rev'rend knee, Print the warm kifs of gratitude and love Upon his trembling hand, and pour the tears, The mingled tears of wonder and of joy. MEGISTUS. Rife, Ariana, rife: allmighty gods ! The tide of joy and tranfport pours too faft Along thefe wither'd veins : it is too much For a poor weak old man, worn out with grief And palfied age, it is too much to bear! Oh ! Ariana, daughter of afiliclion, Have I then found thee? do I thus behold thee ! Now I can die content ! Z* A T R A G E D Y. i 2 f ZENOBIA. Thou beft of men! Thefe joys our tears and looks can only fpeak. MEGISTUS. Yet they are cruel joys : myfterious Heav'n ! You bid the ftorm o'ercaft our darkfome ways ; You gild the cloud with gleams of cheering'light ; Then comes a breath from you, and all is vanilh'd! ZENOBIA. Wherefore dejected thus ? MEGISTUS. Alas ! to meet thee But for a moment, and then part for ever ! To add to thy afflictions, wound that bofom Where mild affection, where each virtue dwells* Juft to behold thee, and then clofe my eyes In endlefs night, while you furvey my pangs In the approaching agony of torment. ZENOBIA. Talk not of agony ; 'tis rapture all ! And who has pow'r to tear thee from my heart ? MEGISTUS. Alas ! the charge of vile imputed guilt ZENOBIA. I know thy truth, thy pure exalted mind, Thy fenfe of noble deeds imputed guilt!- Oh ! none will dare haft thou Tigranes i what, VOL. L R What ,22. E N O B I A. What is his crime? blufh, foul traducer, blufli ! Oh ! (to Megtftus) the wide world mult own thy ev'ry virtue. TlGRANES. If in the confcious foreft I beheld Their dark complottings ZENOBIA. Peace, vile fland'rer, peace ! Thou know'il who captivates a monarch's heart* 'Tis I protect him j Ariana does it ! Thou, venerable man ! in my pavillion I'll lodge thee fafe from danger. Oh ! this joy, This beft fupreme delight the gods have fent, In pity for whole years of countlefs woe. [Exit with Megiftus, ZELMIRA, TIGRANES. TlGRANES. With what wild fury her conflicting pafiiona Rife to a ftorm, a tempeft of the foul ! I know the latent caufe : her heart revolts, And leagues in fecret with the Roman arms, ZELMIRA. Beware Tigranes 5 that excefs of joy, Thofe quick, thofe varied pafllons ftrongly fpeak The ftranger has an int'reft in her heart. Befides, thou know'ft o'er Pharafmanes' will She holds fupreme dominion. TIGRANES. True, fhe rules him With boundlefs fway. A T R A G E D T. ZELMIRA. Nay, more to wake thy fears, The youthful prince, the valiant Teribazus In fecret fighs, and feels the ray of beauty Through ev'ry fenfe foft-thrilling to his heart. He too becomes thy foe. TIGRANES. Unguarded man ! Whate'er he loves or hates, with gen'rous warmth, As nature prompts, that dares he to avow, And lets each paflion fland confefs'd to viewj Such too is Ariana; bold and open She kindly gives inftruftions to her foe, To marr her beft defigns. ZELMIRA. Her foe, Tigranes ! That lovely form infhrines the gentleft virtues, Softeft companion, unaffected wifdom, To outward beauty lending higher charms Adorning and adorn'd ! the gen'rous prince, He too, full well thou know'fl him he unite* In the heroic mould of manly firmnefs, Each mild attractive art oh ! furely none Envy the fair renown that's earn'd by virtue. TIGRANES. None Ihould Zelmira ! ha ! thofe warlike notes ! Enter TERIBAZUS. TERIBAZUS. Each weary foldier reft upon his arms, And wait the King's return. Zelmira fay, R 2 In 124 Z E N O B I A, In thefe dark moments of impending horror, How fares thy beauteous friend ? her tender fpirifc But ill fupports the fierce alarms of war. Enter ZENOBIA. ZENOBIA. Where is he ? let me fly ! oh ! Pharafmanes, Methought thofe founds befpoke the King's approach* Oh ! Teribazus, tell me, have the fates This horrible fufpenfe. TERIBAZUS. I came, bright maid, To hufh the wild emotions of thy heart. Devouring (laughter for a while fufpends His ruthlefs rage ; as either hoft advanc'd In dread array, and from the burnilh'd arms Of Afia's ranks redoubled funbeams play'd, Burning with bright diverfities of day, Came. forth an herald from the Roman camp With proferr'd terms : my father deign'd for once To yield to mild perfuafion : in his tent Th' ambafTador of Rome will foon attend him To fheathe the fword, and give the nations peace. ZENOBIA. But oh ! no peace for me, misfortune's heir ! The wretched heir of mifery ! but now A more than father found, yet cruel men Would tear him from me gen'rous, gen'rous prince, Spare an old man, whofe head is white with age, Nor let 'em wound me with the fharpeft pang That ever tortur'd a poor bleeding heart. TERIBAZUS. Arife my fair^ let not a ftorm of grief Thus A TRAGEDY. 125 Thus bend to earth my Ariana's beauties ; Soon ihall they all revive - ZENOBIA. They brought him fetter'd, Bound like a murderer ! Tigranes, he, This is the author of the horrid charge : He threatens inftant death : but oh ! protefb, Protect an innocent, a good old man, Or ftretch me with him on the mournful bier. TERIBAZUS. By Heav'n, whoe'er he is, fmce dear to you, He fhall not fuffer. Quick, dired me to him j My guards fhall fafe inclofe him. ZENOBIA. In my pavillion He waits his doom. TERIBAZUS. Myfelf will bear the tidings Of life, of joy, and liberty reftor'd. And thou artificer of ill, thou falfe, Thou vile defamer ! leave thy treach'rous arts, Nor dare accufe whom Ariana loves, ZENOBIA, ZELMIRA. ZENOBIA. Zelmira, this is happinefs fupreme ! Oh ! to have met with unexampl'd goodnels To owe my all, my very life itfelf, To an unknown but hofpitable hand, And thus enabled by the bounteous gods, To pay the vaft, vait debt ! 'tis ecftacy That n6 Z E N O B I A. That fwells above all bounds, till the fond heart Ache with delight, and thus run o'er in tears. ZELMIRA. "What muft Zelmira think? at firft your tongue Grew lavifh in the praife of Rhadamiftus, With hints obfcure touching your high defcent ; And now this hoary fage is he your father ? My mind is loft in wonder and in doubt. ZENOBIA. Then to difpel thy doubts, and tell at once What deep referve has hid within my heart, I am Zenobia ! I that ill-ftarr'd wretch ! The daughter of a fcepter'd anceftry, And now the (lave of Mithridates' brother I ZELMIRA. Long loft Zenobia, and reftor'd at length ! I am your fubjecl: i oh ! my queen ! my fov'reign ZENOBIA. Thou gen'rous friend ! rife, my Zelmira, rife. That good old man ! oh ! it was he beheld me Borne far away from Rhadamiftus' arms, Juft perifhing, juft loft !-- He dafh'd into the flood, redeem'd me thence, And brought me back to life. My op'ning eyes Juft faw the light, and clos'd again to Ihun it. Each vital pow'r was funk, but he, well fkill'd In potent herbs, recall'd my flutt'ring foul. ZELMIRA. May the propitious gods reward his care. A 1* R A G E D Y. 127 ZENOBIA. With me he fav'd a dear, a precious boy, Then in the womb conceaPd ; he fav'd my child To trace his father's lov'd refemblance to me, The dear, dear offspring of our bridal loves. ZELMIRA. Oh ! blefllngs on him, blefTmgs on his head \ ZENOBIA. Refign'd and patient I fmce dwelt with him, Far in the mazes of a winding wood, Midft hoary mountains, and deep cavern'd rocks* But oh ! the fond idea of my lord Purfued me ftill, or in the cavern'd rock, The mountain's brow, and pendent foreft's gloom. The fun look'd joylefs down ; each lonely night Heard my griefs ecchoing thro' the woodland ihade. My infant Rhadamiftus ! he is loft, He too is wrefted from me ! 'midft the rage And the wide wafte of war, the hell-hound troops Of Pharafmanes fought my lone retreat, And from the violated (hades, from all My foul held dear, the barb'rous ruffians tore me, And never fhall the wretched mother fee Her child again ! ZELMIRA. Heav'n may reftore him ftill ; May ftill reftore your royal hufband too. Who knows but fome protecting god ZENOBIA. No god, No guardian pow'r was prefent. He is loft ! Oh! Rhadamiftus ! oh ! my honour'd lord! No 128 2 E N O B I A, No pitying eye beheld thy decent form ; The rolling flood devour'd thee ! thou haft found A watry grave, and the laft difmal accents That trembled on thy tongue, came bubbling up, And murmur'd loft Zenobia ! ZELMIRA. Yet be calm. The gdds may bring redrefs : even now they give To mifery like thine, the heartfelt joy Of ftiielding injur'd virtue. ZENOBIA. Yes, Zelmira, That pure delight is mine, a ray from Heav'n That bids affliction fmile All gracious pow'rs ! Make me your agent here to fave Megiftus, I'll bear the load of life, bear all its ills Till you fhall bid this fad world-weary fpirit To peaceful regions wing her happy flight, And feek my lord in the dark realms of night ; Seek his dear fhade in ev'ry penfive grove, And bear him all my conftancy and love. End of the FIRST ACT. ACT A T R A G E D Y. 129 ACT the SECOND. TlGRANES. AFalfe accufer deem'd ! artificer of fraud ! Thofe words intemp'rate boy ; thy phrenzy too, Deluded fair ! fhall coft you dear atonement. [Grand warlike mujic. A Military Procejfion : Enter PHARASMANES, &V.. PHARASMANES. At length the fame of Pharafmanes' arms Hath aw'd the nations round : Rome Ihrinks agh,aft With paledifmay, recalls her trembling legions, And deprecates the war. Oh ! what a fcene Of glorious havoc had yon field beheld, If peaceful counfels had not check'd my fury ! Valiant Tigranes, thofe rebellious flaves, Thy care detected, have they fuffer'd death ? TIGRANES. Your pardon, Sir : I would not utter aught Should injure Teribazus. PHARASMANES. Ha ! proceed, And give me all the truth. TIGRANES. By his command His tender nature deem'd it barb'rous rigour, To urge their fentence. VOL. I. S PHA- ZENOBIA, PHARASMANES. Vain afpiring boy ! Tell Teribazus, [Enter ZENOBIA] tell th' unthinking prince, Thefe practices of popular demeanour, Are treafon to his father : let him know Thro' wide Armenia and Iberia's realm My will is fate : the flaves fhall meet their doom. ZENOBIA. Oh ! mighty King, thus bending lowly down> An humble fuppliant ~ PHARASMANES. Ariana here ! Thou beauteous mourner, let no care moleft Thy tender bofom ; rife and bid thy charms Beam forth thy gentleft luftre, to adorn The glories of my triumph. ZENOBIA. Oh ! a wretch like me It beft befits thus groveling on the earth To bathe your feet with tears. PHARASMANES. It mud not be : [He raifes her. By Heav'n renown in arms in vain attends me, If the lov'd graces of thy matchlefs form Are thus deprefs'd and languifh in affliction, Like flow'rs that droop and hang their pining heads Beneath the rigour of relentlefs Ikies. ZENOBIA. If thou would'ft raife me from the depths of woe, For- A T R A G E D Y. 131 Forgive thofe captives, whom thy fatal anger Adjudg'd to death, nor let ill-tim'd refentment Fall on the prince your fon. 'Twas I my tears, My piercing lamentations won his heart To arrefl their doom. PHARASMANES. For traitors to my crown Does Ariana plead ? ZENOBIA. For mild humanity My fuppliant voice is rais'd . I point the means To add new glory to your fame in arms. In nought fo near can men approach the gods As the dear act of giving life to others. In feats of war the glory is divided, To all imparted, to each common man, And fortune too Ihall vindicate her fhare. But of fweet mercy, the vaft, vaft renown Is all your own ; nor officer nor foldier Can claim a part : the praife, the honour'd praife, Adorns the victor, nor is the eccho loft 'Midft fhouts of armies, and the trumpet's found. He conquers even victory itfelf, Than hero more a bleffing to the world ! PHARASMANES. Ha ! wherefore urgent thus ? amidft the band Is there who claims thy foft folicitude ? ZENOBIA. A hoary fage alas ! a more than father, The heft of men, preferver of my being, A blamelefs fhepherd ! rude of fraud and guilt, Innoxious thro' his life oh ! mighty King, Spare an old man, a venerable fire ! S 2 Nought ij2 Z E N O B I A, Nought has your fortune greater than the pow'r To ferve humanity ! fhew that your heart Has the fweet grace, the gen'rous virtue too ! PHARASMANES. My foul relents, and yields to thy entreaty, Thy violence of pray'r : releafe him {freight : My brighteft honours wait him ; honours fit For him who gave thee birth j for him whofe virtue Thy gen'rous foul deems worthy its efleem. ZENOBIA. Our humble ftation feeks nor pomp nor fplendor : We only afk, unenvied and obfcure, To live in blamelefs innocence ; to feek Our calm retreat, embrac'd in depth of woods, And dwell with peace and humble virtue there. PHARASMANES. That cold difdain, which fhuns admiring eyes, Attracts the more, exalting ev'ry charm. No more of humble birth ; thy matchlefs beauty, Like gems, that in the mine conceal their luflre, Was form'd to dignify the eaflern throne. My fceptre, that ftrikes terror to each heart, Grac'd by thy decent hand fhall make each fubjeft Adore thy fofter fway : The glorious sra Of Pharafmanes' love, his date of empire With Ariana lhar'd, henceforth begins, And leads the laughing hours. But firft the florin Of war and wild commotion muft be hufh'd. That mighty care now calls me to my throne, To give the Roman audience ; audience fit To ftrike a citizen of Rome with awe, When he beholds the majelry of Kings. \oing. Enter A T R A G E D Y. 133 Enter TERIBAZUS. TERIBAZUS. Dread Sir, the Roman embafiy approaches. From yonder rampart, that invefts your camp, I heard their horfes hoofs with eager fpeed Beat the refounding foil. PHARASMANES. Let 'em approach. And thou, whofe arrogance but I forbear When Ariana pardons, my refentment Yields to her fmiles, and looks away its rage. As when the crimes of men Jove's wrath demand, And the red thunder quivers in his hand ; The queen of love his vengeance can diiarm With the foft eloquence of every charm ; Controul his paflions with refiftlefs fway, And the impending ftorm fmile to fereneii day. [Exit with bis train. ZENOBIA, TERIBAZUS. And may I then once more, thou bright perfection, May Teribazus once again approach thee, While thus my father, my ambitious father, At fight of thee forgets his cruel nature, And wonders how he feels thy beauty's pow'r ? Oh ! may I but I'm too importunate ; Your looks rebuke me from you, and I fee How hateful I am grown. ZENOBIA. Miftake me not, Nor raihly thus arraign the looks of one, Whofe heart lies bleeding here thy gen'ious worth Is oft the live-long day my fav'rite theme. But 334 Z E N O B I A, But oh ! for me, for wretched Ariana, The god of love Jong fmce hath quench'd his torch, And ev'iy fource of joy lies dead within me. TERIBAZUS. That cold averted look ! but I am us'cl To bear your fcorn ; your fcorn that wounds the deeper, Mafk'd as it is with pity and efteem. Yet love incurable, relentlefs love Burns here a conflant flame ; it rifes ftill, And will to madnefs kindle, fhould I fee That hoard of fweets, that treafury of charms Yield to another, to a barb'rous rival Who perfecutes a fon to his undoing. ZENOBIA. If Ariana's happinefs would wound thee, Thou'lt ne'er have caufe to murmur or repine. Nought can divorce me from the black defpair To which I've long been wedded. TlRIBAZUS. Calm difdain, I grant you, well becomes the tyrant fair Whom Pharafmanes deftines for his throne. But oh ! in pity to this breaking heart, Give me, in mercy give fbme other rival, Whom I may flab, without remorfe may ftab, 'Midlr. his delight, in all his heav'n of blifs, And fpurn him from the joys, that fcorpion-like Shoot anguifh here, here thro' my very foul. ZENOBIA. Alas ! too gen'rons prince, the gods long fmce Between us both fix'd their eternal bar. TERI- A T R A G E D Y. 135 TERIBAZUS. What fay'ft thou Ariana ? ha ! beware, Nor urge me to deflrac~lion love like mine, Fierce, gen'rous, wild, with difappointment wild, May roufe my defp'rate rage to do a deed Will make all nature fhudder. Love defpis'd Not always can refpect the ties of nature ! Driven to extremes the tend'reft pafficn fcorn'd May hate at length the object it adores, And flung to madnefs no ! inhuman fair, You flill muft be, in all viciffitudes, In all the Icenes misfortunt has in {lore, You flill muft be the fov'reign of my foul. But for the favour'd, for the happy rival, By heav'n, whoe'er he be, defpair and phrenzy May ftrike the blow, and dafh him from your arms A facririce to violated love. ZENOBIA. Why thus diflracl yourfelf with vain fulpicions ? You have no rival, whom your rage can murder ; None in the pow'r of fate oh ! Teribazus, The wretched Ariana, long, long fmce My heart fwells o'er I cannot fpeak a duty, A rigorous duty bids me ne'er accept Thy proferr'd love j a duty, which, if known, Would in eternal filence feal thy vows, Turn all thy rage to tears, and, oh ! my prince 1 Bid thee refpedt calamities like mine. [Exit. TfRIBAZUS. Yet Ariana flay, turn, turn and hear me : She's gone, the cruel, unrelenting fr.ir ! And leaves me thus to mifcry of ibul. Z E N O B I A, Enter ZOPIRON. Flamminius, from the Romans is arriv'd, And bears the olive-branch : the King your father Aflembles all his nobles. TERJBAZUS. Say, Zopiron, Does Rome yield up Armenia ? ZOPIRON. Rome is flill The fcourge of lawlefs poVr : a people's rights The confcript fathers have refolv'd to fhield, And to the lineal heir affert the crown. TERIBAZUS. May the ftern god of battles aid their arms, And fight with the deliverers of mankind ! Unnatural father ! that would feize my fcepter, Mine as my brother's heir, and ravifli with it The idol of my foul ! but now no more His tyranny prevails ; to empire rais'd, 'Twill be the pride of my exulting heart, To lay my crown at Ariana's feet. [Exit. ZOPTRON. Unhappy prince ! fhould Pharafmanes know His ardent pafTion for the captive maid, I dread th' event : may Rome's ambaffador, Oh ! ' may he come with concord in his train, And far avert the ills my heart forbodes ! But lo ! Flamminius. Enter A T R A G E D Y. 137 Enter RHADAMISTUS. ZOPIRON. \Velcome to thefe tents The harbinger of peace ! RHADAMISTUS; Does your King know Flamminius waits his leifure ? ZOPIRON. He prepares To hear you, Roman ! RHADAMISTUS. As I tread his camp There is I know riot what of horror Ihodf 5 Thro' all my frame, and difconcerted reafon Sufpends her function. A black train of crimes* Murders, and luft, and rapine, cities fa'dt'd, Nations laid wafte by the deftruftive fword, A thoufand ruthlefs deeds all rife to view, And lhake my inmoft foul, as I approach The author of calamity and ruin. ZoPIROrf. Then from a Roman, from a fon of freedom Let the fell tyrant hear the voice of truth, The ftrong refiftlefs ftrain, which liberty Breathes in her Capitol, till his proud heart Shudder with inward horror at itfelf. RHADAMISTUS. In Pharafmanes' camp that honeft ftile ! VOL. I. T Th? 13 Z E N O B I A, Thy vifage bears the characters of virtue* Wilt thou impart thy name and quality ? ZOPIRON. In me you fee Zopiron ! deem me not A vile abettor of the tyrant's guilt. To me Armenia trufts her facred rights ; Hither her chofen delegate fhe fends me, At the tribunal of Iberia's King, To plead her caufe, an injur'd people's caufe I Oh ! never, never fhall my native land Yield to a vile ufurper. RHADAMISTUS. Rome has heard Thy patriot toil for freedom : Rhadamiftus Has heard thy gen'rous ardor in his caufe, And pants to recompence thy truth and zeal. ZOPIRON. Oh ! name 1 not Rhadamiftus ; now no more The god-like youth fhall blefs Armenia's realm. The fates juft fhew'd him to the wond'ring world,, And then untimely fnatch'd him from our fight J RHADAMISTUS. And didft thou know the prince ? ZOPIRON. My lot fevere Denied that tranfport ; but the voice of fame Endears his memory. RHADAMISTUS. A time may come When you may meet, and both in friendfhip burn. Still Rhadamiftus lives ! A TRAGEDY, 139 ZOPIRON, Said'ft thou Flamminius ! Lives he? RHADAMISTUS. Still he furvives ; from death and peril Sav'd by a miracle ! and now for him Rome claims Armenia. ZOPIRON. Claims Armenia for him ! For Rhadamiilus claims ! and will ye, gods ! Still will ye give him to a nation's pray'rs ? RHADAMISTUS. Alas ! he lives ; heart-broken, defolate, In forrow plung'd, abandon'd to defpair ! ZOPIRON. The righteous gods will vindicate his caufe, His lov'd Zenobia, Mithridates' daughter, That ev'ry excellence, does fhe too live ? Have the indulgent pow'rs watch'd o'er her fate, And fav'd her for her people ? RHADAMISTUS. There, Zopiron, There lies the wound that pierces to his foul, The fharpeft pang, that rends, that cleaves his heart, Oh ! never more fhall lovely loft Zenobia, That angel form, that pattern of all goodnefs, No, never more Ihe's gone, for ever gone ! Thou would'ft not think her barb'rous, cruel huf- band - his own hand the recollected tale Ts Of i 4 e> Z E N O B I A, Of horror fhakes my frame to diflblution ! Oh ! loft Zenobia oh ! \f a ^} s into , ZOPIRON. He faints ; he falls' ! Can Roman ftoicifm thus diflblve In tender pity ? rife, Flamminius, rife ; He ftirs ; he breathes ; and life begins to wander O'er his pale trembling cheek. Refume thy ftrength 4 And like a Roman triumph o'er your tears. RHADAMISTUS. I'll not be forc'd back to a wretched world, No i let me, let me die. ZOPIRON, His eyes rejecT: The cheerful light what can this anguiih mean \ RHADAMISTUS. You do but wafte your pains ; it is in vain ! Away and leave a murd'rer to his woes. ZOPIRON. Why thus accufe thyfelf ? I'll not believe it, Thus let me raife thee from the earth RHADAMISTUS. Alas! (rifing) kefpair weighs heavy on me. ZOPIRON, Still I muft Controul this fudden phrenzy. A T R A G E D Y. 141 RHADAMISTUS. Oh ! Zopiron, Here, here it lies. ZOPIRON. Unburthen all, and eafe Your loaded heart it cannot be j thou never wert A raurd'rer! RHADAMIST.US. Yes ! the horror of the world ! A murd'rous wretch ! the fatal Rhadamiflus! 'Twas Itheie felon hands ! with treach'rous love I clafp'd her in this curs'd embrace -, I bore her In thefe detefted arms, and gave that beauty, That tender form to the devouring waves. Plunge me, ye furies, in your lakes of fire ; Here fix, fix all your vultures in my heart ! And lo ! they rufh upon me (flarts up) fee ! fee there! With racks and wheels they come; they tear me piece-meal ? Tis juft Zenobia !- -I deferve it all r !?// . [Falls upon Zopiron. ZOPIRON. Afilft him guardian pow'rs ! your own high will Guides thefe events ! revive, my prince, revive ! RHADAMISTUS, Why thus recall me to defpair and horror ? To bid me hate the light, deteft myfelf, Traitor to nature, traitor to my love ! And yet, Zopiron,- yet I am not plung'd So far in guilt, but thou may'ft pity me ! Heav'n, I atteft, yes you can witnefs gods ! I meant i 4 2 Z E N O B I A, I meant to perifh with her ; but the fates Denied that comfort ; from her circling arms The torrent bore me far : expiring, fenfelefs, Gafping in death, the overflowing tide Impetuous drove me on th' unwifh'd for ihore. There foon deferted by the mercilefs fcream A band of Romans, as from Syria's frontier They rang'd the country round, defcried me ftretcbrd Pale and inanimate ; with barb'rous pity They lent their aid, and chain'd me to the rack Of inaufpicious life ! ZOPIRON. For wond'rous ends Myfterious Providence has flill referv'd you. To circulate the happinefs of millions, A patriot prince ! RHADAMISTUS. Would they had let me perifh ! What has a wretch like me to do in life, When my Zenobia's loft ? 'tis true, my friend^ She begg'd to die ; but that pathetic look, Her tears, embraces, and thole ftreaming eyes Still beauteous in diitrefs ! each winning grace. Her ev'ry charm fhould have forbid the deed;. And pleaded for her life ! ZOPIRON. And yet, my prince, When felf-acquitting confcience RHADAMISTUS. Self-condemn'd My foul is rack'd, is tortur'd ! not her child, Her unborn infant, the firft fruit of love, Not ev'n her babe could with the voice of nature Pkac A T R A G E D Y. 143 Plead for itfelf, or for its wretched mother. They perifh'd both, fhe and her little one> And I furvive to tell it. ZOPIRON. * Let not grief O'erwhelm your reafon thus. What, when your father; Your cruel father, reeking from the blood Of Mithridates RHADAMISTUS. Nought but death was left, Yet ev'n that laft, fad refuge was debarr'd me ! E'er fmce I've liv'd in mifery ; my days Were colour'd all with anguifh and defpair ! Long from the Romans I conceal'd my name. At length reveal'd me to a chofen friend ; Journey'd with him to Rome -, and in full fenate Told all the difmal ftory of my woes. The confcript fathers heard, and dropt a tear : Then to quick vengeance fir'd, difpatch'd their le- gions To wage the warj Paulinus leads them on, And now to me commits this embarTy, With fully delegated pow'rs from Rome* ZOPIRON. With one united voice Armenia calls For Mithridates' heir ! convinc'd by rumour That thou ar't loft, the gen'ral cry demands Your brother Teribazus. RHADAMISTUS, He, Zopiron, Is to thefe eyes a ft ranger* Zo- 144 Z E N O B I A* ZOFIRON. Haplefs prince ! . . A cloud of woes lies brooding o'er his head. A fair, a lovely captive rules his heart; Her name is Ariana; and indeed , " - f No wonder fhe attracts his foft regard, And kindles all the vehemence of love. The tyrant eyes her too with fierce, defire^ And ruin nods o'er Teribazus' head. RHADAMISTUS. By Heav'n it (hall not be alas ! I know The pang of lofmg whom the heart adores. I'll yield him up Armenia : what are crowns But toys of vain ambition, when the lov'd/ The dear partaker of my throne is loft ? Enter TIGRANES; ZOPIRON. What would Tigranes? TlGRANES, Pharafmanes calls Flamminius to his prefence. RHADAMISTUS; I attend him ; So tell your King. TIGRANES. Inflant he waits thee Roman. [fxif. RHADAMISTUS. How my heart trembles at the awful meeting ! A T R A G E D Y, 145 ZOPIRON. Then fummon all your ftrength : the lapfe of time From early youth, when Pharafmanes faw you, Affliction's inward ftroke, that Roman garb, All will protect, and cloak you from detection ! RHADAMISTUS. Zopiron yes ; in this important crifisj When violated laws, and injur'd men, When my own wrongs are lab'ring in my heart, The great occafion calls for firmeft vigour. Yes, in this interview I will maintain A Roman's part ; in Pharafmanes' foul I'll wake the furies of detefled guilt, And pour the rapid energy of truth Till ev'n to himfelf his crimes are knowrij And the ufurper tremble on his throne. End of the SECOND ACT, VOL. I, tJ A C t i 4 6 2 E N O B I A, ACT the THIRD. PHARASMANES, on bis Throne: TIGRANES, ZOPIRON* Officers, &c. PHARASMANES. WHERE is this bold republican from Rome 1 This enemy of Kings ? Tigranes, thou feid the plebeian enter. Pharafmanes Vouchfafes him audience.; Enter FLAMMINIUS.- PHARASMANES. Now, flamminius, fay What motive brings you to Afaxes' banks^ To wage this flow, this philofophic war ? RHADAMISTUS. By me, unworthy of th' important charge, By me, unequal to the arduous theme, The confcript fathers here explain their conduit, And juftify the ways of Rome to Kings. PHARASMANES. Roman, thou may r ft declaim with all thy pomp Of gaudy eloquence. RHADAMISTUS. No pow'r of words,- No graceful periods of harmonious fpeech Dwell on my lip : the only art I boait Jts A T R A G E D Y. 147 Js honed truth, unpolifh'd, unadorn'd ! Truth that muft ftrike conviction to your heart, Truth that informs you, to ufurp a crown, For dire ambition to unpeople realms, Are violations of each {acred law, That bid the Roman eagle wing'd with vengeance To the Araxes' margin bend her flight, To tell deftrudion it fhall rage no more. PHARASMANES. And dares Paulinus' foldier, dar'ft thou, Roman, Thus offer vile indignity, and mouthe The language of your forum to a King? RHADAMISTUS. Rome knows, and owns you as Iberia's King ? But not Armenia's. PHARASMANES, RHADAMISTUS, Th' afTembled fenate Acknowledges your vaft renown in arms, And honours the unlhaken fortitude Ev'n of a foe. But, Sir, the fortitude, Whofe brutal rage lays nations defolate, It is the glory of imperial Rome To humble and fubdue; to fix the bounds Of the fell tyrant's pow'r; to trace the circle From which he muft not move : thcfe are the arts, The bright prerogative of Rome j of Rome, The miftrefs of the world, whofe conqu'ring bannerj O'er Alia's realms fo oft have wav'd in triumph, And made^ey'n Kings her liibjects, 14* Z E N O B -I A, PHARASMANES, Ha! !h<5u, l?oafter| RHAPAMISTUS. Made Oriental Kings, fhort by the knee Accept their crown, with tears of joy accept it, And be the Viceroys of a Roman fenate, PHARASMANES, And this to Pharafmanes ? has not yet A train of cpnquefts taught you to revere This good right arm in war ? This arm the Parthians Have felt with fatal overthrow. No fpoil, No trophies won from me have grac'd their triumphs j No friends of mine were harnefs'd to their chariots j No captive chief, like your own mangled Craffus, There roams a fallen ghoft, and calls for vengeance^ For vengeance ftill unpaid, and calls in vain For the fad funeral rites. Would Rome prefume To wreft Armenia from me ? Lo ! my banners From frofty Caucafus to Phafis' banks Wave high in air, and fhadow all the land. Call your embattled legions : or does Rome, All conqu'ring Rome, that miftrefs of the world| poes fhe at length by her ambaffadors Negotiate thus the war? RHADAMISTUS, Rcme, Sir, commands The fabject world, for fhe adores the gods j, And their all-pow'rful aid PHARASMANES. Would'ft thou difpute My lawful claim ? Arm thee with fword and fire. Not with vain fubtleties, and idle maxims. Armenia's A T R A G E D Y. Armenia's crown is mine, deriv'd to me^ Jieir to a brother, anji a fon deceased. RHADAMISTUS. And can a murd'rer, can the midnight ruffiai} Prove himfelf heir, by the afiaflin's ftab ? PHARASMANES, Thou bafe reviler! [Comes forward and draws TICRANES. Moderate your fury 5 [Holding him. It were unjuft ZOPIRON, The character he bears, The laws of nations PHARASMANES. Thou bafe infolent ! Who dar'ft to wound the ear of facred Kings With a black crime, that's horrible to nature I RHADAMISTUS. Yes horrible to nature ! yet the world Has heard it all : thou art the man of blood ! A brother's blood yet fmokes upon thy hand. Not his white age, his venerable looks, Not ev'n his godlike virtues could withhold thee ! Gafli'd o'er with wounds he falls ; he bleeds, he dies, Without a groan he dies ! that is thy work, fhinc^ murd'rer, thine ! PHA* I jo Z E N O B I A, PHARASMANES. No more the hand of Heav'n Shook from the blafted tree the wither'd fruit RHADAMISTUS. Forbear the impious ftrain : it is the flile Ambition fpeaks, when for a crown it ftabs, Then dares, with execrable mock'ry dares, Traduce the governing all-righteous mind, PHARASMANES. He harrows up my foul ! and do'ft thou think A madman's ravings RHADAMISTUS. Since that hour accurft Haft thou not plung'd thee deeper ftill in guilt ? Your fon your blamelefs fon PHARASMANES. His crimes provok'd A father's wrath -, his and Zenobia's crimes ! RHADAMISTUS. She too untimely loft unbidden tears Forbear to ftream, nor quite unman me thus. PHARASMANES. In tears ! By Heav'n, thou woman-hearted flave^ Thofe coward fymptoms have fome latent fpring That lies conceal'd within that treach'rous heart, RHADAMISTUS. They are the tears humanity lets fall When A T R A G E D Y. tt When foft ey'd beauty dies untimely (lain. But to avenge her death, array'djn terror The Roman legions PHARASMANES,* Lead 'em to the charge. Thou quit my camp : if when yon fun defcends Thou linger'ft here, the title of ambafTador Shall nought avail to fave thee from my fury. * RHADAMISTUS. E'er that refign Armenia : till the clofe Of day, I give thee leifure to revolve The vengeance Rome prepares. Thou know'ft With what a pond'rous arm her hardy fons Lift the avenging fpear. Be timely wife, Nor dare provoke your fate. [Exti* PHARASMANES. Roman farewell! Do thou, Tigranes, iflue forth my orders From tent to tent, that each man (land prepar'd For the dead midnight hour. With filent march Then will I pour with ruinous afTault Upon th' aftonifh'd foe, my horfes hoofs Imbrue in blood, and give to-morrow's fun A fpeftacle of horror and deftrucliion, [Pie afcends bis throne^ and the backf Enter ZENOBIA and MEGISTUS* ZENOBIA. Oh ! tell me all Megiflus ; let me hear All that concerns my child, my blooming boy, My little Rhadamiftus is he fafe ? iji Z E N O B I A* Give me the truth ; do not deceive a motKef Who doats upon her babe is my child fafe t MEGISTUS. Nay dry thofe tears -, I cannot bear to fee thee Afflicted thus ; your infant hero's fafe ; You may believe your faithful old Megiftus. ZENOBIA. I do believe thee but excufe my weaknefs- My flutt'ring fears for ever paint him to me By ruffians feiz'd, and as he fees the knife Aim'd at his little throat, in vain imploring For me by name, and begging my afiiftance, While far, far off his miferable mother No aid can give, nor friatch him to her heart; MEGISTUS. I never yet deceiv'd you : by yon Heav'n Your boy ftill lives. When I regain'd my cottage After the toils of many a weary day, I found him there j but griev'd and wond'ring much Where his dear mother was. Megiftus tell rhe, Oh! tell me each particular; his looks; All his apt queftions, his enchanting words , For I could hear of him for ever lovely youth ! His father's image blooming in his boy ! Thro' fev'n revolving years my only comfort ! When from my eyes the fudden forrows gulh'd, How would he look, and alk his wretched mother What meant thofe falling tears ? Alas ! ev'n now I fee him here before me did my child Think his poor mother loft ? ME- A T R A G E D Y. 153 MEGISTUS. At firft he feem'd To pine in thought at your long weary a'ofence, And many a look he caft, that plainly fpoke His little bofom heav'd with various paflions. Still would he feek you in each well known haunt, Each bow'r, each cavern, like the tender Fawn That thro' the woodland feeks its mother loft, Exploring all around with anxious eye, And looking ftiil unutterable grief, Lonely and fad, and flung with keen regret; ZENOBIA, My dear, dear little-one ! MEGISTUS* With foothing tales I labour'd to beguile him from his fbrrowj I promis'd your return ; a gentle fmile Brightened his anxious look ; he figh'd content^ And then I led him to a fafer dwelling Among the Ihepherds of the Syrian vale, Who all have fworn to guard him as their own, And in apt feafon lead him to the Romans. ZENOBIA. Oh ! may thofe Ihepherds know the kindeft influence Of the indulgent Heav'ns ! yet why not flay To guard him ? But I'll not complain : on me Your cares were fix'd oh ! tell me how the gods Watch'd ov'r all thy ways, and brought thee to me ? Where haft thou liv'd thtfe many, many days ? MEGISTUS'. In bitternefs of foul I've liv'd, thy fate Thy terider form deep imag'd in my breaft ! VOL. I, X I rang'4 I 5 4 Z E N O B I A, I rang'd the banks where the Araxes flows, But bring, alas ! no tidings of your lord. Heart-broken, weaned out, I meafur'd back My feeble fteps; but thou wer't ravi.fh'd thence i For thee I travers'd hills and forefts drear ; Thee I invok'd, that ev'ry cavern'd rock, Each vale, each mountain eccho'd with thy name* And here at length you find me, here encompafs'd With all the worft of ills : hence let us fly To the blefs'd Syrian valley, where my child Wins with his early manhood ev'ry heart, And calls for me, and chides this long delay, MEGISTUS. Vain the attempt: one only way is left. Reveal thee to th' ambaflador of Rome. Safe in his train thou may'fl efcape this place, And gain Paulinus' camp. Zenobia known Will meet protection there. ZENOBIA. "The gods infpire The happy counfel ha ! Tigranes comes f Retire MegiftuSj (he goes out) a gay dawn of hope Beams forth at length, and lights up day within me, ZENOBIA, TIGRANESJ TIGRANES- Hail princefs, deftin'd to imperial fway, To grace with beauty Pharafmanes' throne ! By me the impatient King requefts you'll fix The happy nuptial hour, A T R A G E D Y, 155 ZENOBIA, Thou might'fl as well Command me wed the forked lightning's blaze That gilds the florm, and be in love with horror, TIGRANES. Take heed, rafh fair! an eaftern monarch's love, Ardent as his, muft not be made the fport Of tyrant beauty : when a rival dares Oppofe his fov'reign's wilh - ZENOBIA. Does Pharafmanes, Say, does your King permit his fpies of ftate, That curfe of human kind, to breathe their whifperj Jn his deluded ear ? #'$ TIGRANES, Full well 'tis known That Teribazus bids you thus revolt, And draws your heart's allegiance from your King. ZENOBIA. Thou vile accufer ! if the prince's virtues Have touch'd my bofom, what haft thou to urge f What if a former Hymeneal vow Has bound my foul ? what if a father, Sir, A father dear as my heart's purple drops. Enjoin a rigid duty ne'er to fhare Trie throne of Mithridates with a murderer j TIGRANES, Madam, thofe words T 156 Z E N O B I A, ZENOBIA. Thou inftrument of ill ! Who flill ar't ready with a tale fuborn'd, And if thou ar't not perjur'd, dar'ft betray - 3 Away -, and let thy conscience tell the reft. [#& TIGRANES, alone. Vain haughty fair ! thou haft provok'd my rage By wrongs unnumber'd : but for all thofe wrongs Soon fhall inevitable ruin feize thee. Enter RHADAMISTUS, RHADAMISTUS. Perhaps ere this your King's tumultuous paflions Sink to a calm, and reafon takes her turn. Then feek him, Sir, and bear a Roman's mefiage, The terms of peace humanity fuggefts. Tell him Flamminius wifhes to prevent The rage of (laughter, and the ftreams of blood Which elfe fhall deluge yonder crimibn plains. TlGRANES. Already, Roman, his refolve is fix'dL War, horrid war impends. RHADAMISTUS, And yet in pity To human kind, to the unhappy millipns Who foon fhall die, and with their fcatter'd bones. Whiten the plains of Afia, it were beft To fheathe the fword, and join in Rome's alliance, \Yilt thou convey my mellage ? TIGRANE?, A TRAGEDY, 157 TlGRANES, I obey. [Exif. RHADAMISTUS, alone. May forne propitious pow'r infpire his heart, And touch the fprings of human kindnefs in him. Elfe againft whom amidft the charging holts Muft Rhadamiftus' fword be levell'd ? Ha ! Spite of his crimes he is my father ftill. And muft this arm againft the lource of life, Nay more, perhaps againft a brother too, A brother ftill unknown !- he too may die By this unconfcious hand! this hand already Inur'd to murder whom my heart adores ! My brother then may bleed ! and when in death Gafping he lies, and pours his vital ftream, Then in that moment lhall the gen'rous youth Extend his arms, and with a piteous look Tell me, a brother doth forgive his murderer ? Gpds ! you have doom'd me to the blackeft woe, To be a wretch abhorr'd, author of crimes From which my tortur'd breaft revolts with horror! "Who's there ? a youth comes forward now be firm^ Be firm my heart, and guard thy fatal fecret! Enter TERIBAZUS. TERIBAZUS. Illuftrious Roman, if misfortune's fon A wretched, ruin'd, miferable prince May claim attention RHADAMISTUS. Ha !. can this be he ! The graces of his youth, each feeling here, Here at my heartftrings tell me 'tis my brother \ \Afide. TERI- i5 Z E N O B I A, TERIBAZUS. I fee you're mov'd, and I intrude too far. RHADAMISTUS. Purfue your purpofe : warmed friendship for you, Glows in this breail. TERIBAZUS, Tho' Pharafmanes* fury Maintains a fix'd hofiility with Rome, Blend not the fon with all a father's crimes, RHADAMISTUS. Go on I pant to hear- TERIBAZUS, My father's cruelty Each day breaks out in fome new a<5l of horror, Nor lets the fword grow cool from human blood, Firft in his brother's breaft he plung'd it ; then Inflam'd to fiercer rage 'gainft his own fon, Oh ! Rhadamiftus ! thou much injur'd prince ! RHADAMISTUS. And didft thou love that brother ? TERIBAZUS. Gen'rous Roman, He liv'd far hence remote, I ne'er beheld him. But the wide world refounded with his fame. RHADAMISTUS. Hold, hold my tears U-- oh ! they will burft their way At this his virtuous tendernefs and love ! [AJide. A t R A G E D Y. 155 TERIBAZUS. And doft thou weep too Roman ? RHADAMISTUS. From fuch horror, And fo much cruelty my nature fhrinks. Whatever purpofe rolls within thy breaft, Boldly confide it fhall I arrri'd with vengeance Affault the purple tyrant in his camp ? Or wilt thou join my fteps; then in the front Of a brave vet'ran legion head the war, Seek the ufurper 'midft his plumed troops, And thus avenge mankind ? TERIBAZUS. No ; far from me, Far be the guilt of meditating aught Againft the life from whence my being fprung. Let him opprefs me, he's a parent ftill ! = RHADAMISTUS. He rives my heart ! oh i what a lot is mine ! \Ajidt* TERIBAZUS. Not for myfelf I fear ; but oh ! Flamminius, A lovely captive, 'tis for her I tremble j For Arianaj for that fweet perfection j She is her lex's boaft ! her gentle bofom Fraught with each excellence ! her form and feature Touch'd by the hand of elegance ; adorn'd By ev'ry grace, and caft in beauty's mould ! Her Pharafmanes means to ravifh from me. But thou convey her hence -'tis all I alk, RHADAMISTUS. By Heav'n I will do thou too join our flight, Armenia 160 Z E N O B I A, Armenia fliall be l;hme, and that fweet maid Reward thy goodnefs with connubial love, Adorn thy throne, and rriake a nation bleiVd t TERIBAZUS. Make Ariana happy; bear her hence And fave thofe bright unviolated charms . From Pharafmanes' power---when wifh'd for peace Settles a jarring world, Flamminius then, Then will I feek thee. Wilt thou then refign her? RHADAMISTUS. Yes then, as pure as the unfullied fnow That never felt a funbeam ; then I'll give her Back to thy faithful love. TERIBAZUS. Thou gen'rous Roman, In gratitude I bow fhe's here at hand ; A moment .brings her to you : at due diftance I'll watch each avenue, each winding path, That none intrude upon your privacy. [Exit, RHADAMISTUS,' alone. At length I Ve feen my brother ; know how much He differs from his father ! he fhall feek The Roman tents ; I'll there difclofe myfelf ; There will embrace him with a brother's love. Oh ! how the tender traftfport heaves and fwells^ Till thus the fond excels dilFolve in tears ! Enter MEGISTUS, leading ZENOBIA, ZENOBIA. Alas ! my heart forebodes I know not what - A t k A G E D Y, 161 MEGISTUS. JDifpel each doubt ; this is your only refuge. ZENOBIA. Thou gen'rous Roman, if diftrefs like mine 5 If an unhappy Captive may approach thee &HADAMISTUS. To me affliction's voice ye pow'rs of Heav'n ! That air! thofe features ! that remember'd glance ! ZEXOBIA. If thus a fetch's prefence can alarm you* RHADAMISTUS. The mufic of that voice? fuch once fhe look'd f And if I had not plung'd her in the ftreamj I could perfuade myfelf ZENOlJll. Thofe well known accents ! Thofe tender foft regards ! nay mock me riot! I could not hope to fee thee tell me -ar't thou That once a'dor'd ! (faints into Megiftus' arms.) MEGISTUS. Ah ! fee ; her flrcngth forfakes her ; Support her Heav'n ! (catches her in Us arms.) RHADAMISTUS, Ye wohder- working gods ! Is this illufion all ? or does your goodnefs Indeed reitore her ? if I do not dream> t6i fc E N O B I A, If this be true, oh ! let thofe angel-eyes Open to life, to love, and Rhadamiftus. MEGISTUS. \Vhat further miracles doth Heav'n prepare ? ZENOBIA. Forgive my weaknefs the air-painted image Of my lov'd lord and fee ! again it's prefent !- That look that fpeaks the fond impafiion'd foul ! Yes, fuch he was! oh ! ar't thou tell me fay- Ar't thou reftor'd ? and ar't thou Rhadamiftus ? RHADAMISTUS. I have not murder'd her !- benignant gods ! I am not guilty my Zenobia lives ! ZENOBIAc It is my lord oh ! I can hold no longer, But thus delighted fpring to his embrace, Thus wander o'er him with my tears and kifies, And thus, and thus, fpeak my enraptur'd foul. RHADAMISTUS. She lives ! fhe lives ! what kind protecting god, Long loft, and long lamented, gives thee back, Gives me to view thee, and to hear thy voice With joy to ecftacy, with tears to rapture ? This good old man 'twas he preferv'd me for you. TvlEGISTUS. Oh ! day of charms !- oh ! unexpected hour ! I have not liv'd in vain thefe gulhing eyes Have feen their mutual tranfports ! A T R A G E D Y. 163 RHADAMISTUS. Gen'rous friend, Come to my heart, Zenobia's fecond father !- ZENOBIA. Thou art indebted more than thou can'ft pay him , Indebted for our infant babe preferv'd, The blofibm of our joys ! thou can'ft not think How much he looks, and moves, and talks like thee, RHADAMISTUS. Oh ! mighty gods ! it is too much of blifs, Too exquifite to bear ! thefe barb'rous hands Had well nigh murder'd both my wife and child ( Wilt thou forgive me oh ! my beft delight, Wilt thou receive a traitor to your arms ? Wilt thou Zenobia ? ZENOBIA, Will I, gracious Heav'n ? Thou fource of all my comfort ! MEGISTUS, Ha ! beware, Beware my prince ! - but now with hafty ftep I faw Tigranes circling yonder tent. RHADAMISTUS, Th' ambarTador of Rome he feeks, on bus'nefs Of import high I will prevent his fpeed. And muft I then fo foon depart Zenobia ? ZENOBIA, Hence, quickly hence ; anon we'll meet again. 164 Z E N O B I A^ RHADAMISTUS, Yes, we will meet; the gods have giv ? n thee to me, And they will finifh their own holy work. [Exit, MEGISTUS. My pray'rs are heard at length Zenobia ftill Shall be Armenia's queen. ZENOBIA. Oh! good Megiftus, Heav'n has been bounteous, and reftor'd my lord, With him I'll' fly, wrapt in the gloom of night, And thou, Megiftus, thou ftial't join our flight ; Plac'd near his throne thy gen'rous zeal fhall friar?. The bright reward of all thy toil and care ; While I, redeem'd at length from fierce alarms^ Forget my woes in Rhadamiftus/ arms, End of the THIRD ACT, ACT TRAGEDY, 165 ACT the FOURTH, Enter RHADAMISTUS, and TERIBAZUS. TERIBAZUS, ar't a friend indeed, thou gen'rous man ! The beft of friends, to faye fuch innocence, That lovely virgin bloom 1 the pious act Shall to rempteft time tranfmit thy name. Ennobled by humanity and virtue, RHADAMISTUS. Alas ! no praife I merit ; 'tis a deed That lofes virtue's name. TERIBAZUS. Flamminius, no ! Thou fhalt not derogate from worth like thine. But oh ! beware, my friend, and fteel thy heart Againft the fweet illapfe of gentler paffions. To love her were fuch treachery! by Heav'n \ It were a fraud of a more damned hue A fraud to facred friendfhip ! but my foul Rejects the mean fufpicion thou ar't juft, And Ariana Ihall be mine again ! RHADAMISTUS. If when the tumult of the war is pafs'd^ You then perfift to claim her TERIB.AZUS. Then perfift 1 When I do not perfiil, whene'er my heart Forget^ i66 2 E N O B I A, Forgets the fond idea ha ! take heed ; Your colour dies by fits -, and now again It flufhes o'er your cheek : if beauty's pow'r Can waken foft defire, -and fure fuch beauty May warm the bread of 'floic apathy, If thou can'fl love, refign the trail at once. For oh ! to lofe her, to behold thofe charms^ That all-perfection yielded to another, Were the worfl agony, the keenefl flab That ever pierc'd a lover to the foul. The -thought, the very thought inflames to mad- nefs! RHADAMISTUS. (Afide) Not fill the fever of his rnind fubfides, Muil I reveal me ; the difclofure now Would to his phrenzy give a whirlwind's wing, And bury all in ruin let her then, Yes, Teribazus, let the blooming maid Still in this camp, a voluntary captive, Since you will have it fo, fmce weak miftruft Can taint a noble fpirit, let her here Teach that rare beauty to difplay its charms, Its various graces ; bid thofe radiant eyes Dart their quick glances to the tyrant's foul, Inflame his hqt defires, and lialf abfolve them, TERIBAZUS. Madnefs and horror ! no ! hafte, fly, begone, And give her hence fafe conduct : I can trnft To Roman continence ; your Scipio's praife Shall be tlie theme of fame's eternal lip ! RHADAMISTUS. Thou too attend her fteps; watch all her ways 5 Vv'hcn we have reach'd the Roman fanctuary, Then {hall fuch wonders to thy lifl'ning ear, The A T R A G E D Y. 167 The web which fate has wove beware my friend Tigranes comes what would'ft thou Sir ? Enter TIGRANES. TIGRANES. The King Grants you one parley more : ev'n now this way He bends his llepsj remote from all he means To hold a private conf'rence. RHADAMISTUS. Rome's ambafTador Attends his pleafure, [Exit Tigranes. TERIBAZUS. I muft hence, Flamminius. Farewell ! yet e're thou go'ft, I ftill muft crave Another interview farewell ! remember, My love, my life, my all depend on thee. [Exit. RHADAMISTUS. Ah ! lucklefs prince ! how loft in error's maze Blindly he wanders, and love's fweet delufion Infufes it's enchantment through his heart ! But when remov'd from Pharafmanes' pow'r He learns my prior claim, his gen'rous friendfhip Will bound with tranfport at a brother's joys, And with a warmth of fympathy partake 'em. But ha ! my father ! grant me ftrength, ye pow'rs ! To meet the dread encounter. pnftr i68 Z E N O B Aj Enter PHARASMANES, PHARASMANES. Once again E're you depart, if Pharafmanes deign To treat, and thus expoftulate with Rome^ Tis to thy pray'rs I grant it. RHADAMIST'US; Rome had rather Perfuade than conquer : her well-ballanc'd juftice PHARASMANES. No more of Roman juftice : blazon not Virtues you ne'er have praclis'd : with the narnc^ The fpecious name of love for human kind You fanctify th' infatiate rage of conquer^ And when the fword has made a folitude, That you pldclaim a peace. Ev'n now your views Stand manifeft to fight : to thee 'tis known That Rhadamiftus lives ! RHADAMISTUS; How Sir ! can he Does that unhappy prince PHARASMANES. Thou fahe diflembler! Yes in thy heart the fatal fecret's lodg'd ! From certain fugitives I've learn'd it all : In yonder camp, conceal'd from vulgar eyes, To war againft his father Mill he lives ! Why doll thou droop dejected ? ibme thing Beneath that burning blulh. A T R A G E D Y. 169 RHADAMISTUS. That burning blufli Glows on my cheek for thee : I know your fon, And know him unfufceptible of gililt. PHARASMANES. Then, Roman, mark my words : would'ft thou prevent The carnage fate prepares on yonder plains ? Go tell Paulinus I will treat of terms With him, who brings me Rhadamiftus' head; RHADAMISTUS. Your own fon's head ! PHARASMANES. Why doft thoii gaze fo earneft ? Why thofe emotions ftruggling for a vent ? RHADAMISTUS. Amazement checks my voice, and loft in wonder I view the unnatural father; who would bathe His hand in blood, in a fon's blood, a fon Who pants> with ardor pants, on terms of peace To fheathe the fword, and with a filial hand To throw a veil over a father's crimes. PHARASMANES. By Heav'n 'tis falfe : has he riot dar'd to league With my determin'd foes ? ev'n to the fenate, To ev'ry region, where his voice could pierce, Has he not fled with the delufive (lory ? With grief and loud complaints infiam'd the world ? And even now, does not the (tripling come To the Araxes' banks with Rome in arms ? VOL, L Z KHA- l-;o Z E N O B I A, RHADAMISTUS. Tho' urg'd by dire conftraint, yet Heav'n can witnefs His ftrorig reluctance. PHARASMANES. Let the rebel know He never fhall afcend Armenia's throne. RHADAMISTUS, And ffiall deftnjction with her horrid train Stalk o'er the land ? PHARASMANES. Yes , let deftruction loofe : *Tis Pharafmanes' glory. RHADAMISTUS. Can the rage, And the wild tumult of definitive havoo Administer delight ? alas ! the day That deluges the land with human blood, Is that a day of glory ? I, Sir, have travers'd o'er the field of death, Where war had fpent.its rage : had'ft thou beheld That fcene of horror, where unnumber'd wretches In mangled heaps lay welt'ring in their gore ; Where the fond father in the gafp of death Wept for his children; where the lover figh'd For her, whom never more his eyes could view; Where various mifery fent forth its groans ; Had'ft thou beheld that fcene, the touch of nature Had ftirr'd within thee, and the virtuous drop Of pity gufh'd unbidden from thy eye. PHA- A TRAGEDY, 171 PHARASMANES. Enervate flave ! here ends all further parley. Go tell your gen'ral, tell your Roman chiefs, The father claims his fon. Have we not heard How your own Brutus to the lidlor's fword Cundemn'd his children ? and would Rome difpute A King's paternal pow'r ? let 'em yield up The treach'rous boy, or terrible in arms Shall Pharafmanes overwhelm their legions, Mow down their cohorts, and their mangled limbs Give to the vultur's beak. RHADAMISTUS. And yet reflect PHARASMANES, Roman no more. RHADAMISTUS, Unwilling I withdraw ; A father's ftern refolve the fon fliall mourn, And with a pang of nature lhall behold The Roman eagle dart like thunder on thee. PHARASMANES, alone. Av/ay, and leave me flave ! to-morrow's fun Shall fee my great revenge : mean time I give The gentle hours to love and Ariana. What ho ! Tigranes ! Enter TIGRANES, PHARASMANES. Does the flubborn fair Yield to my ardent vows ? 172 Z E N O B I A, TlGRANES. She mocks your paflion, And gives to Teribazus all her fmiles. PHARASMANES. By Heav'n ! ev'n love itfelf fhall be my flave \ Yet love like mine requires her foft confent, And will not riot o'er her plunder'd charms. Quick, bring her father to me. TlGRANES. By your orders At hand Megiftus waits your fov'reign will. PHARASMANES. Bring him before us : wife and prudent age Will plead my caufe, and fecond my defiresj Enter MEGISTUS. MEGISTUS. Dread Sir a blamelefs, a diflrefs'd old man,_ Of guilt unconfcious - PHARASMANES. Whatfoe'er thy guilt, A fmile from Ariana e.xpiates all. MEGISTUS. Believe me, Sir, I never have offended. She was my fole delight; my age's comfort j For her I felt more than a parent's love. feut 'midft the troubles that diffract the land I loft A T R A G E D Y. 173 I loft her ; in defpair, with yearning heart I rang'd the country round in fond purfuit. This is my crime : fure 'tis no crime to love Such blooming innocence ! PHARASMANES. Difpel thy fears. Thy love for Ariana fpeaks thy virtue. That graceful form, that fymmetry of fhape, That bloom, thofe features, thofe love-darting eyes A All, all attract, that there each fond admirer Could ever gaze, enamour'd of her charms^ MEGISTUS. Alas ! whate'er the fymmetry of fhape, Whate'er the grace that revels in her feature, Glows in her bloom, or fparkles in her eye, They all are tranfient beauties, foon to fade, And leave inanimate that decent form. Inward affliction faps the vital frame, Incurable affliction ! fix'd in woe Her eyes for ever motionlefs and dim Gaze on the fancied image of her hufband* PHARASMANES, Her hufband! MEGISTUS. Yes ; a hufband fever'd from her By fatal chance ! him fhe for ever fees With fancy's guihing eye, and feeks him ftiil In fond excuriions of delufive thought. She pines each hour, and ev'n in blooming dies, As drooping rofes, while the worm unfeen Preys on their fragrant fweets, ftill beauteous look, waite their aromatic lives in air. PHA- 174 Z E N O B I A, PHARASMANES. The rofe tranfplanted to n warmer fky Shall raife its languid head, and all be well. MEGISTUS. Her hufband ftill furvives, and far remote Ke wanders jn Armenia's realm. PHARASMANES. No more To call her his : do thou ftreight feek thy daughter, My lovelieft Ariana : in her ear Breathe the mild accents of a father's voice, And reconcile her heart to love and me. MEGISTUS. Your pardon, Sir; it were not fit my voice Should teach her to betray her holy vows, PHARASMANES. When Pharafmanes fpeaks MEGISTUS. My life is his, And when he wills it, 'tis devpted to him. But, Sir, tho' poor, my honour ftill is mine: 'Tis all that Heav'n has giv'n me, and that gift The gods expect I never fliould refign. PHARASMANES. And do'ft thou heTitate ? what, when a crown Invites thy daughter to imperial fplendor? ME-" A TRAGEDY. 175 MEGISTUS. Oh ! not for me fuch fplendor ! I have liv'd My humble days in virtuous poverty. To ten'd my flock, to watch each rifmg flow'r, Each herb, each plant that drinks the morning dew, And lift my praife to the juft gods on high ! Thefe were my habits, thefe my only cares : Thefe hands fuffic'd to anfwer my defires^ And having nought, yet nought was wanting to me. PHARASMANES. Away, thou flave ! I would not quite defpife thee. Or yield your daughter, or my fwifteft vengeance Falls on thy hoary head : a monarch's love Shall feize her trembling to his eager arms, Then fpurn her back a prey to wan defpair, Till bitter anguifh blaft each wither'd charm, And rave in vain for love and empire fcorn'd ! MEGISTUS, alone. Fell monfter go ! inexorable tyrant ! Perhaps I fhould have footh'd his lion rage With feign'd compliance ha ! whyfudden thus Enter ZEN OBI A. ZENOBIA. Th' important hour, Megiftus, now approaches, Lo ! the laft blufhes of departing day But feebly ftreak yon dim horizon's verge. My Rhadamiftus comes to guide my fteps. Thro' devious paths feek thou Zopiron's tent j And thus we lull fufpicion. Mz- r 7 6 Z E N O S 1 Ai MEGISTUS. t obey ; May guardian angels fpread their wings around thee! [Exit. ZENOBIA, alone. Yes, the blefs'd gods, who thro' the maze of fate Have led us once again to meet in life, Will prove the friends of virtue to the laft. Ha !-- -Teribazus comes ! ZENOBIA, TERIBAZUS. TERIBAZUS. And is it giv'n Once more to fee thee here ? do'ft thou avoid me? Do'il thou defpife me in this tender moment When my foul bleeds with anguilh at the thought Of parting with thee ? Ariana ! ZENOBIA. Oh! Unhappy prince ! oh ! fly me ; fhun me ; death And ruin follow : one fhort moment's flay Will rouze your father's rage. TERIBAZUS. My father's rage Already has undone me ah ! in tears ! And do they fall for me ? does that foft figft Heave for the loll, afflicted Teribazus ? ZENOBIA. Yes the tear falls, and the figh heaves for thee; Thy elegance of mind, the various graces That A TRAGEDY. 177 That bloom around thee, and adorn the hero, All plead your caufe, and bid me tremble for thee. And yet, fad recompenfe for all thy friendfhip, To warn thee hence, and bid thee fliun my ways, Is all the gratitude I now can offer* TERIBAZUS, Thus muft we part ? ZENOBIA. A rival is at hand, Here in the camp, an unexpected rivalj Sent by the gods, the idol of my foul ! What fay'ft thou, Ariana ? has andther Ufurp'd thy heart ? unkind, relentlefs maid ! Since firft thy beauty dawn'd upon my fight, How have I lov'd* repented, yet lov'd on ! Ev'n againft you, againfl myfelf I ftruggled : Prefent I fled you, abfent I ador'd ! I fled for refuge to the foreft's gloorrij But in the foreft's gloom thy image met me! The (hades* of night, the luftre of the day, All, all retraced my Ariana's form. Thy form purfued me in the battle's rage, 'Midft ft outs, and all the clangor of the war. It ftole me from myfelf! my lonely tent Re-ecchoes with my groans, and in the ranks The wond'ring foldier hears my voice no more, Vet leare me Teribazus gen'roils youth ! Remembrance oft fhall dwell upon thy praile, But for my love 'tis ail another's claim* VOL, I, i 7 8 Z E N O B I A, Another's claim ! why wilt thou torture thus A fond defpairing wretch ? oh ! not for me Thofe forrows fall ; they are another's tears ; Another claims them from me name this rival, That my fwift fury tell me has Flamminius, Has the bafe Roman broke his promis'd faith ? Will not the barb'rous man afford you Ihelter? ZENOBIA. Why wilt thou force me fpeak? the fate of all, Thine Teribazus, mine, the fate of one, Whom, were he known, thy heart holds ever dear, Is now concern'd: Flamminius claims my love: Long fmce he won my heart. TERIBAZUS. Vindictive gods ! Flamminius claims thy love ! not Caefar's felf Shall dare to wrefl thee from me Ariana ! Thus on my knees, would I could perifh here, That ev'n in death I ftill might gaze upon thee, Till the laft pang divide thee from my heart. Enter RHADAMISTUS. RHADAMISTUS. It was the voice of anguifh and defpair ! Why thus illuftrious prince ---- TERIBAZUS. (Starting up) Thou treachrous Roman ! Who com'fl to violate each facred tie, The laws of honour, and the laws of love ! Who com'ft beneath the mafk of public faith To do a robber's work ! RHA- A T R A G E D Y. 179 RHADAMISTUS. When to your camp I bring a heart that longs to ferve you, Prince, Why this intemp'rate rage ? TERJBAZUS. To do the work Of perfidy and fraud ! but firft by rapine, By violated maids your city grew j And do you come to emulate your fires ? Unwilling to degenerate in vice ! RHADAMISTUS. Miflaken youth ! oh ! if you did but know me ! If you but knew the juftice Rome intends TERIBAZUS. Juftice and Rome ! and dofc thou dare to join Two names fo oppofite r have we not heard Of frugal confuls, and of ftoic chiefs, Who foon forgetting here their Sabine farms, M-ae war a trade, and then return 'd to Rome Rk:i with the plunder of the rifled eaft ? Again fome new Lucullus leads them on, Fir'd with the love of rapine, RHADAMISTUS. Fir'd with zeal To break a nation's chains would'fl thou but hear me It is a friend implores : ZENOBIA. A gen'rous friend ! A a ^ i8o Z E N O B I A, Then liften to him : let thefe ftreaming eyes x Thefe earneft pray'rs, this fupplicating form TERIBAZUS. Leagued with my foe behold her { mighty gods \ Have I deferv'4 it of her ? RHADAMISTUS. Yet be calm ; Yet liften to me Oh ! I could unfold Yet flay j I'll prove myfelf a brother to thee % TERIBAZUS. Roman expect me in the battle's front. Imlant depart, but leave thy prey behind ; Dare not, I charge thee dare not, tempt her hence j, To-morrow's fun fhall fee me cloath'd in terror Purfue thy fleps thro' all the ranks of war, Till my fpear fix thee quiv'ring to the ground. RHADAMISTSUS, ZENOBIA. ZENOBIA. Yet, Rhadamiftus, call him; let him know RHADAMISTUS. Thou lovely trembler ! banifh ev'ry fear, The time now bids us hence ; and lo ! the moon, Streams her mild radiance on the ruftling grove, I will conduct thee ha! Zopiron - Enter ZOPIRON, RHADAMISTUS. Come Thou befl of men., let me once more embrace thee.. A T R A G E D Y. 181 ZOPIRON. Oh! fpeed thee hence 3 each moment's big with death, RHADAMISTUS. Farewell ! farewell ! when I've efcap'd your camp Seek thou my brother j foothe his troubled fpiritj Explain thefe wonders ; tell him Rhadamiftus Efteems and loves, and honours all his virtues. Earewell Zopiron ! in Armenia's court Thy King fhall thank thy goodnefs. My "Zenobia^ Oh ! let me guide thee from this place of danger To life, to love, to liberty and joy. [Exit wifb Zenobia. ZOPIRON. Lo! the Heav'ns fmile with gentleft afpect on themj This calm ferene that ev'ry planet fheds Te light their fteps, this glad astherial miklnefs Is fure the token of incircling gods, That hover anxious o'er the folemn fcene ! Enter PHARASMANES, TIGRANES following, PHARASMAN T ES. |^et Teribazus flreight attend our prefence. TIGRANES. But now with glaring eye and fierce demeanouy- He enter'd yonder tent, PHARASMANES. Bid him approach us. Then do thou round the midnight watch, and fee. Jhat Rome's ambaffador has left my camp. [Exit Tieranes. 182 Z E N O B I A, This war, Zopiron, fhall be foon extinguinYd In Roman blood, and yield Armenia to me. ZOPIRON". Armenia, Sir, flill obflinately mourns Loll Mithridates, father of his people. Her hardy fons with one confenting voice Demand a King from Rome j all leagu'd and fworn Never to crouch beneath the conqu'ror's yoke. PHARASMANES. But when the Roman eagle bites the ground. They'll fhrink aghaft, and own my ibv'reign fway, Enter TERIBAZUS. PHARASMANES. Thou bafe confed'rate with thy father's foes ! TERIBAZUS. The accufation, Sir, if proof fupport it, Gives you my forfeit life, and I refign it, Freely refign it. Deflitute of proof, It is a flab to honour, and the charge Should not be lightly urg'd. PHARASMANES. This arrogance That dictates to a father TERIBAZUS. 'Tis the fpirit Of injur'd innocence : if Pharafmanes Sufpccl my truth, fend me where danger calls \ Bid me this moment carry death and (laughter To rage in yonder camp ; yes, then your fon Shall mark his hatred of the Roman name. A TRACED*. PHARASMANES. Haft thou not dar'd to thwart my tend'reft paflion, And to feduce my Ariana's love ? TERIBAZUS. And if this youthful heart, too prone to melt At beauty's ray, receiv'd the gentle flame, *Tis paft; the charm is o'er; no longer now I walk a captive in her haughty triumph ! In vain fhe now may call forth all her graces, Inftruft her eyes to roll with bidden fires, And practice all the wonders of her face. Ambition calls, and lights a nobler iiame Enter TIGRANES. TlGRANES. Th' ambaflador of Rome, and that old traitor The falfe Megiftus PHARASMANES. Speak ; unfold thy purpofe. TIGRANES. Together left the camp, and in their train Bear Ariana with them. TERIBAZUS. Ariana ! Have the flaves dar'd detefted treachery ! Now, now, my father, now approve my zeal. PHARASMANES. Hafte, fly, purfue her ; bring the trait'refs back ! TERI- i8 4 2 E N O B 1 Ai TERIBAZUS, My rapid vengeance jfhall o'ertake their flight ; And bring tlie Roman plund'rer bound in chains: [Exih PHARASMANES. Do thou, Tigranes, with a chofen band Circle yon hilJs, and intercept their march. And thou, Zopiron, fend my fwifteft horfe To range the wood, and fweep along the vale. [Exit Tigranes; ZOPIRON. Ye guardian deities, now lend your aid* PHARASMANES, Has the perfidious, yet ador'd deceiver, Thus has fhe left me ? from a monarch's fmile Fled with a lawlefs ravager from Rome ? Oh ! give me vengeance ; give Flamminius to me^ That he may die in agony unheard of; The trait'refs then, fpite of each winning art 5 -' Spite of her guilt, Die triumphs in my heart; End of the FOURTH ACT; ACT A TRAGEDY. 185 ACT the FIFTH. PHARASMANES. NOT yet return'd ! I'm tortur'd on the rack. By Heav'n to-morrow's dawn diffracting thought ! Ere that the Roman ravager enjoys Her Heav'n of blifs, and riots in delight. My foul's on fire ; this night I'll ftorm his camp, And bury all in ruin. Ha ! what means This new alarm ? [Aflo'urijh of trumpets. -EnteY TERIBAZUS, Soldiers, &c. TERIBAZUS. The treach'rous flave' is taken ! My fpeed outflripp'd him, and this arm that feiz'd Hath w"ell fecur'd the traitor. , , PHARASMANES; Great revenge^ The meafure of thy joys is full f TERIBAZUS. At firft They made a feeble ftand ; but hemm'd around And clofe incircled by the fons of Afia, They faw death threat'ning at each javelin's point, I rufli'd upon Flamminius : much he courted A fecret parley, but my foul diTdain'd All further conf'rence : he and his complotter The bafe Megiftus, with the fair defer ter Remeafure back their fleps, and clank their chains In bitternefs of heart, VOL. I. B b PHA- 186 2 E N O B I A, PHARASMANES. A father's thanks, Shall well requite thee. Lo ! the traitors come. Enter RHADAMISTUS, ZENOBIA, MEGISTUS, in Chains. PHARASMANES. Thou bafe perfidious ! thou Italian plunderer \ RHADAMISTUS. I do not mean to wage a war of words. Repent thee of this iniult. of thefe chains On him who reprefents a people here. PHARASMANES. Anon thou'lt lee how I refpecl that people. My juft revenge lhall tell thee -, on thy head, And thine, Megiftus, fudden vengeance falls. MEGISTUS. Alas ! worn olit with age and mifery t long to lay me in the Ihroud of death. PHARASMANES. I grant thy wifh : what words, fair fugitive>, Can colour thy deceit ? ZENOBIA. The heart refolv'd Wants no excufe, no colouring of words* I found my hufband, flew to his embrace ; This, this is he ! the lord of my defires ; With him content I'll traverfe o'er the world. A T R A G E D Y. 187 PHARASMANES. Do'ft thou avow it too ? ZENOBIA. Do I avow it ? I glory in it.- Tyrant, can'ft thou deem me So poor of foul, fo falfe to honour's caufe As to apologize for being faithful ? TERIBAZUS. I fee Flamminius has already fchool'd her In Roman maxims, RHADAMISTUS, Miferable prince ! I will not anfwer thee : too foon thy heart For this laft feat will bitterly reproach thee ! TERIBAZUS. Away with thy delufive arts : if ever I form alliance with that haughty people, Thofe ravagers of earth, if e'er again I hold communion with thee, may the gods May Pharafmanes, but it cannot be My heart high beating in my country's eaufe, Vows an eternal enmity with Rome, [Exit, RHADAMISTUS. Thee, Pharafmanes, thee my voice addrefTes. Thou know'ft my title to her"j Hymen's rites Long fmce united both ; thtti loofe thefe chains j Tis in the name pf Rome I now demand it, PHARASMANES, Roman, thou know'ft thy title is extinct. V b 2 Cap, i8* Z E N O B I A, Captivity difiblves her former ties, And now the laws of arms have made her mine, ZENOBIA. And are there laws to change the human heart ? To alter the affections of the foul ? Know that my heart is rul'd by other laws, The laws of truth, of honour, and of love. This is my hufband ! fource of all my comfort ! With him I'll live 3 with him will dare to die ! PHARASMANES. By Heav'n fome myftery thou treach'rous fair ! Mark well my words : unfold thy birth and rank 5 My mind uncertain, wanders in conjecture. Who and what art thou ? Vain is ev'ry guefs : Refolve my doubts, or elfe the Roman's doorq This moment is determin'd. ZENOBIA, My refolve, Tyrant, is fix'd to ihare my hufband's fate. That I unfold, that fentiment reveal, To Heav'n and Earth reveal it : for the reft Guefs if you can, determine if you dare. PHARASMANES. Quick, drag Flamminius hence. RHADAMISTUS. Slaves, hold your hands : My character protects rffe here. PHARASMANES. Difpatch, Jnftant difpatch, and feize Megiftus too. [Megiftus is led off. ZENO- A T R A G E D Y. 189 ZENOBIA. Horror ! call back the word ; it fhall not be ; Here will I hold him- barb'rous ruffians hold. Murder ! my life ! my lord ! my hufband ! oh ! [Rhadamiftus is dragg'd off. PHARASMANES. Give him the torture ; let your ke^neft pangs Extort each fecret from him. ZENOBIA, Pharafmanes ! Thus lowly humbled, proftrate in the duft, Wafhing your feet with tears have mercy ! this Will be the blackeft, worft of all your murders. PHARASMANES. There's but one way to mitigate his doom, ZENOBIA. (jive me to know it 5 fpare him ; fpare his life, PHARASMANES. Abjure the flave, and by connubial vows This inftant make thee partner of my throne. ZENOEIA, My faith, my love, my very life is his ; My child is his : oh ! think thou fee'fl my infant "Lifting his little hands PHARASMANES. I'll hear no more : Qr yield this moment, or the traitor dies. [Exit Pharafmanes. ZENO- Z E N O B I A* ZEN OB r A, alone. Inhuman tyrant ! m^dnefs feize my brain- Swallow me earth here fhall thefe defp'fate hand$ Strike on thy flinty bofom j here my voice Pierce to the center, till with pity touch'd Your caverns open wide to hide a wretch From hated men, from mifery like this. Enter TERIBAZUS. Airlifted mourner, raife thee from the earth. ZENOBIA. What voice is that ? I know thee well thou art That fiend accurft, the murd'rous Teribazus ! Yes, thou art welcome ! (rtfing) thou delight'ft blood: I am your willing viftim ; plunge your fword Deep in my heart j I'll thank thee for thee flroke, Since thou haft murder'd all my foul held dear. TERIBAZUS. AfTauge this ftorm of grief, nor blame a lover That doats like me. Could I behold that form Snatqh'd from my arms ? ZENOBIA. You know not what you've done ! Your blamelefs brother TERIBAZUS, How! ZENOBIA. You've murder'd him : Your brother Rhadamiftus ! A T R A G E D Y. 191 TERIBAZUS* Rhadamiftus ! ZENOEIA. By thee he dies \ that is your fplendid deed ! TERIBAZUS. What fay 'ft them ? he my brother urge me not To initant modnefs -is he tell me fay Ar't thou Znobia ? ZSNOBIA. Yes, that fatal wretch ! * TERIBAZUS. If this be fo what have I done, yepow'rs! To merit this extremity of grief? Why did'ft thou hide the awful fecret from me ? ZENOBIA. Could I betray him ? Could I truft your father, Whofe fell ambition, whole relentlefs rage, Has fix'd a price on our devoted heads ? TERIBAZUS. Then fhall this hated being no ! I'll live To fave a brother ftill : he ihall not die. Oh ! let me feek him, throw me at his feet, Implore forgivenefs, and protract his days. [Exit Teribazus. ZENOBIA. It is in vain j he's loft j we both muft perifli. And then my child who then fhall guard his youth? No more thefe eyes Ihall fee him : my fweet boy Will break his heart, and unregarded die. Enter Z E N O B I A* Enter ZOPIRON. ZoPIROtf. All's loft ! all ruin'd ! to the cave of death Ev'n now the guards lead Rhadamiftus forth* ZENOBIA. Thou fee'ft the fad reverfe ! immortal fpiritsi Ye winged virtues, that with pitying eye Watch the afflifted, will ye not infpire In this fad hour, one great, one glorious thought^ Above the vulgar flight of common fouls, To fave at once my hufband and my child ? The infpiration comes ! the bright idea Expands my heart, and fills my glowing foul; ZOPIRON. My gracious queen, let not a blind defpair - ZENOBIA. Talk not, Zopiron, when the god infpires ! The god ! the god ! my heart receives him all ! My lord, my Rhadamiftus ftill Ihall live. [Exiti ZOPIRON; Yet, I conjure thee, hear thy faithful flave. [Follows her ouh Enter RHADAMISTUS and Guards. RHADAMISTUS. Say, whither do you lead me ? does your tyrant- Repent his horrid outrage ? Enter A TRAGEDY. 193 Enter TERIBAZUS. Guards withdraw To a remoter ground. \Exemt Soldiers. RHADAMISTUS, TERIBAZUS. . RHADAMISTUS. Miftaken prince! My heart bleeds for thee. TERIBAZUS* Oh ! too well I know The depth of guilt in which the fates haveplung'd me, I cannot look upon thee RHADAMISTUS. Oh ! my brother, Then let me, ev'n in ruin^ thus embrace thee* TERIBAZUS. Do'ft thou forgive me? could I e'er have thought To fee thee here ? my rafhnefs has undone thee ! RHADAMISTUS. No, thou art innocent : the guilt is mine, The guilt of mean, ungenerous policy, Of felfifh wifdorrij difmgenuous art, That from a friend kept back the fatal fecret, When with the ardor of unbounded confidence, I fhould have rufh'd witlrtranfport to thy arms, Unbofom'd all, and wrapt thee in my heart. TERIBAZUS. Alas ! I've heap'd thefe horrors on thy head. VOL, I. C c JVc t4 2 E N O B I A, I've feal'd thy doom ; that is a brother's gift ; The firft efiay of Teribazus' friendship ! But I am doom'd to be a wretch abhorr'd, Of men and gods abhorr'd ! doom'd like my father To drench thefe murd'rous hands in brother's blood! RHADAMISTUS. Imbitter not the pangs that rive my foul. Where is Zenobia ? Unrelenting pow'rs Was it for this your perfecuting wrath Gave me to meet her, gave that angel-fweetnefs To thefe delighted eyes, thefe eager arms ? TERIBAZUS. I'll give thee freedom ft ill -, by Heav'n I will. RHADAMISTUS. Was flie but giv'n me to afflicl: her more ? To wake in that dear breaft a gleam of joy, A mockery of joy; joy fcarce, ye pow'rs ! Divided by the moment of delight From black defpair, from agony and death ? TERIBAZUS. I will protect her, will reftore her to thee, Or do a deed fhall ftrike mankind with horror ! Not ev'n a father fhall retard my fword ; In his own blood I'll drench it. RHADAMISTUS. Ha! TERIBAZUS. This hand, E're thou (halt .fall a viftim to his fury, Shall A T R A G E D Y. 19; Shall to the heart, th' inhuman heart of him, Who dares RHADAMISTUS. No more of that can I confent, That a brave gen'rous youth, a much lov'd brother, For ev'iy virtue fam'd, fhall thus debafe By an atrocious deed his fair renown, And perpetrate a dark infidious deed ? Oh ! I fliould well deferve the worft of ills j I then fhould juftify a father's cruelty ! TERIBAZUS. He has undone theej has undone us all ! But yet thou fhalt not die j by Heav'n I fwear Yes, take me, horror ! pour into my heart Thy blacked purpofe ; nerve my lifted arm To dafh him headlong from his glitt'ring throne A terrible example to the world. RHADAMISTUS, Forbear, forbear, my brother ; yet reflect j You would ftrike vice with terror : tell me then, Will not the act of rafh impetuous zeal, Will not th' example arm the ruffian's hand ? Thy virtue thus inflames thy gen'rous ardor; But oh ! my brother, let it ne'er be faid That virtue held the bafe affaflin's knife ! TERIBAZUS. Gods ! have I ruin'd fuch unheard of goodnefs ? Swift I'll difpatch a meflage to Paulinus, And call his legions to affault the camp, C c i 196 Z E N O B I A, Enter Ti CRANES, and Guards. TlGRANES. Guards, feize your pris'ner j in a dungeon's gloonq Plunge him fequefter'd from the light of Heav'n, 'Tis Pharafmanes' will, TERIBAZUS. Thou meddling fiend ! I will attend his iteps j will ftill protect him From men like thee. RHADAMISTUS, Should Pharafmanes dare To violate the rights of public law, Rom., is at hand, and will have ample vengeance. [Exit with Teribazus, TlGRANES. My thirft of vengeance fhall be fated firft. Yes, guard him, prince ; it makes thy ruin fure ! Thy Ariana too, while fate is bufy, Shall meet her doom, and leave my road to glory All fmo.oth and level to ambition's wifh, Enter ZOPIRON, ZOPIRON. 'Gainft Rome's ambafTador the King, Tigranes^ Sufpends his fentence till his further orders. The Queen commands it too. TIGRANES. The Queen! what Queen? Zo- A T R A G E D Y. 197 ZOPIRON, The beauteous Ariana ; ROW your fovereign, TlGRANES, Has fhe relented ? is fhe married to him ? ZOPIRON. She is : the fcene with various pafllons burn'd ! Her trefles all unbound, with faded charms, Yet lovely ev'n in forrow, thro' the ranks Eager ihe flew, with fhrieks, with outftretch'd arrps, Invoking ev'ry god ! the wond'ring foldier With ibften'd fmews, bent his fword to earth And gaz'd with mix'd emotions as fhe pafs'd. Prone to the ground at Pharafrpanes' feet She fell : he rais'd her foon, fhe fmil'd confent. To the King's tent fhe prefs'd with eager fpeed. Th' exulting monarch calPd his priefts around And foon with folemn march and feflive fong In his pavillion fought the blooming bride. TIGRANES. This fudden change, Zopiron, this ralh hafte, j like it not. ZOPIRON. Nor I Tigranes : doubt, Sufpicion, fear, and wonder, and miflruft.. Rife in each anxious thought. TIGRANES. But did'ft thou fee The ceremony clos'd ? 198 Z E N O B I A, ZOPIRON. I did : at firft All pale and trembling Ariana flood. Then more collected, with undaunted ftep She to the altar bore the nuptial cup. There reverent bow'd, and " hear ye gods," tc Hear and record the purpofe of my foul." With trembling lips then kifs'd the facred vafe, And as our country's folemn rites require, Drank of the facred bev'rage : from her hand The King receiv'd it, and with eager joy, As to his foul he took the nectar'd draught, With ftedfaft eye fhe view'd him, whilfl a fmile Of fickly joy gleam'd faintly o'er her vifage. TIGRANES. Well, fhe's our Queen, the diadem is hers ! ' ZOPIRON. How long to wear it, Heav'n alone can tell. backjcene draws^ and dif covers the King's pa- uillion, with an altar^ and fire blazing on it; Joft mufick is play'd, and they come forward. PHARASMANES and ZENOBIA, PHARASMANES. At length my Ariana's foft compliance Endears the prefent blifs, and gives an earneft Of joy to brighten a long, train of years. ZENOBIA. Alas ! fond man expiates oft in fancy, Uncon- AtRAGEDY. 199 Uncbnfcious of the fates, and oft in thought Anticipates a blifs he ne'er enjoys. PHARASMANES. Away with gloomy care ; for thou ar't mine, Thou, Ariana ! all our future days Shall fmile with gay, with ever-young defire, And not a cloud o'ercaft the bright ferene. ZENOBIA. And does thy penetrating eye pervade What time has yet in ftore ? PHARASMANES. Why dofl thou afk ? ZENOBIA* I have been us'd to grief: releafe the Roman, And give him hence fafe conduct to his friends j I then fhall be at peace. PHARASMANES* Beware, beware ! Nor rouze again the pangs, that fire a foul, Which fiercely doats like mine. ZENOBIA. Difmifs him hence -, Give him his life ; it was your marriage vow. Grant me one interview, one little hour. In that poor fpace I can crowd all that's left me Of love, and tendernefs, and fond concern, Before we part for ever. PHARASMANES, Fond concern! And $06 Z E N O B I A, And love, and tendernefs ! that look betrays The fecret workings of a heart eftrang'd ! And lhall the man, who dares difpute my love, Shall the Have breathe a moment ? hafte, TigranesV And fee immediate execution on him. \Exit TigraneSi ZENOBIA. Oh ! flay Tigranes - barb'rous man, recall The horrid mandate. PHARASMANES. By immortal love, I fee the Have ftill triumphs in your hear6 ZENOBIA* Oh ! fpare him, fpare him ; by the vital air, By your own promis'd faith [Kneels to him. PHARASMANES. Since lov'd by thee, His doom is doubly feal'd. ZENOBIA* You fhall not fly me : Now tear me, drag me groveling in the duft, Tear off thcfe hands -, tear, tear me piece-meal firft. PHARASMANES. Nay, then fmce force muft do it. [Shakes her off. ZENOBIA. Barb'rous tyrant ! \Sbe lies Jir etch' d on the ground, PHA- A T R A G E D Y. 201 PHARASMANES. I go to fee the minion of your heart Expire in pangs before me. Ha ! what means This more than winter's froft that chills my veins ? ZENOBIA. (Looking up) That groan revives, and calls me back to life ! PHARASMANES. I cannot move each vital function's loft; The purple current of my blood is ftopt ; I freeze j I burn ; oh ! 'tis the flroke of death. [Falls on the ground. ZENOBIA. (Rifing) Yes, tyrant, yes > it is the ftroke of death : And I infiicl: it ; I have done it all. PHARASMANES. Pernicious trait'refs ! thou ! ZENOBIA. My vengeance did it ! Zenobia's vengeance ! 'tis Zenobia ftrikes ! Zenobia executes her juftice on thee ! PHARASMANES. Oh ! dire, accurft event ! ar't thou Zenobia ? ZENOBIA. , Yes, thou fell monfter, know me for Zenobia ! Know the ambaiTador is Rhadamiftus ! Hafte thee, Zopiron, and proclaim him King. \Exit Zopiron. VOL. I. D d RHA- 202 Z E N B I A, PHARASMANES. May curfes light upon thee oh ! I die, And racks and wheels disjoint me. ZENOBIA. Writhe in torment, In fiercer pangs than my dear father knew. But I revenge his death 3 I dafh'd the cup With precious poifon ! (a flounjh of trumpets) ha ! now tyrant wake, And hear thofe founds my Rhadamiflus reigns ! PHARASMANES. What and no help ! it is too late the fates, The fiends furround me ; more than Etna's fires Burn in my veins yet Heav'n no 'tis in vain; I cannot rife my crimes my tenfold crimes They pull, they plunge me down, down headlong oh ! [Dies. ZENOBIA. Shade of my father view your daughter now ! Behold her ftruggling in a righteous caufe ! Behold her conqu'ring in the tyrant's camp ! Behold your murd'rer levell'd in the duft ! A Jecond flounjh of trumpets. RHADAMISTUS. (Within thefcenes) Where is Zenobia? ZENOBIA. Rhadamiftus, here ! Enter A T R A G E D Y. 203 Enter RHADAMISTUS, TERIBAZUS, MEGISTUS, ZOPIRON, &V. RHADAMISTUS. Oh ! let me, let me thus, thus pour my foul, Thus fpeak my joy, thus melt within thy arms. ZENOBIA. My lord ! my life, my Rhadamiftus ! come, Grow to my heart, that bounds and fprings to meet thee. RHADAMISTUS. Once more reviv'd and fnatch'd again from death Thus do I fee thee? thefe are fpeechlefs joys, And tears alone exprefs them. ZENOBIA. Have I fav'd thee ? All-gracious gods ! 'tis rapture in th' extreme ! RHADAMISTUS. My fweet deliverer ! my all of blifs ! ZENOBIA. Oh ! it is joy too exquifite ! and yet Grief will imbitter ecilacy like this ! There lies your father ! RHADAMISTUS. All his crimes Be buried with him ! nature will have way, And o'er his corfe thus (heels the filial tear. TERIBAZUS. Oh ! that my tears could wafh away his flams ! D d 2 ZE- 204 Z E N O B I A, Wilt thou forgive his murderer ? RHADAMISTUS. For thee, Befet with wrongs, anr! iniur'd as thou wer't, In ev'iy region tame fliaii ciap her wm^s, And the recording mule applaud thy virtue. ZENOBIA. If thou forgiv'ft me, I am blefs'd indeed ! Now we ihali part no more Mcgiiius too ! Thou good old man !T let me embrace thee ha ! MEGISTUS. The blood forfakes her chtekj her eyes are fix'd ! ZENOBIA. Support me help me oh ! I die I die. [Falls in Megiftus' arms, RHADAMISTUS. Revive my love ; thy Rhadamiftus thus, Thus calls your flutt'ring fpirit back to life, ZENOBIA. It will not be the toil of life is o'er- My Rhadamiftus- [Sinks down on the ground. RHADAMISTUS. Muft I lofc thee then ? ZENOBIA. Oh ! the'envenom'd cup ! the marriage rites Requir'd A T R A G E D Y. 205 Requir'd that I ihould drink it firft myfelf : There wa. no other way; I did it freely To fave thy life 3 to fave thee for my child. RHADAMISTUS. Is there no antidote to ftop the courfe Of this vile poifon ? ZENOBIA. None it rages now ; It rages thro' my veins ; my eyes grow dim ; They're loft in darknefs -oh ! I cannot fee thcc. Where art thou, Rhadamiftus ? muft I breathe Longer in life, and never fee thee more ! And are my eyes forbid one dear farewell ? Oh ! cruel ilars ! muft they not fix on thee The laft expiring glance ? RHADAMISTUS. Relentlefs pow'rs ! There lies Zenobia ! round that pallid beauty Call your jetherial hoft, each winged virtue, Call ev'ry angel down, bid 'em behold That matchlefs excellence, and then refufe Soft pity if they can ! ZENOBIA. Megiftus, feek my child, And bring him to his father Rhadamiftus, Wilt thou protect him ? My fweet orphan-babe I leave thee too ! oh ! train him up in virtue : Wilt thou be fond of him r a mother's fondnefs My child fhould meet oh ! raife me, Rhadamiftus; Give me thy hand my little infant oh ! [Dies. RHA- 2o6 Z E N O B I A, RHADAMISTUS. Tears, you do well to flop ; your wretched drops Are unavailing at a light like this ! And art thou gone ? ah ! thus defac'd and pale, Thus do I fee thee ? is that ghafcly form All that is left me of thee ? give me daggers, Give me fome inflant means of death, my friends, That I may throw this load of life away, And let our hearts be both 'inurn'd together. TERIBAZUS. Live, live my brother, for your infant fon ; Let him prevail. RHADAMISTUS. Inhuman that thou art! Think you I'll flay imprifon'd here in life, When there behold her how fhe fmiles in death ! When there that form think ye I'll linger here ? Dead, dead Zenobia ! flill I have thee thus ! You ne'er fhall part us this at leafl I'll hold, And cling for ever to thefe pale, pale charms j Here breathe my lafl, and faithfull flill in death, Love fhall unite us in one peaceful grave. TERIBAZUS. Bring ev'ry aid, all medicinal fkill, To give each lenient balm to woes like his. From thee ambition, what misfortunes flow ? To thee what varied ills weak mortals owe ? 'Twas this for years laid defolate the land, And arm'd againfl a fon the father's hand ,- To black defpair poor loll Zenobia drove; The haplefs vidim of difaflrous love ! E P I- EPILOGUE: Written by DAVID GARRICK, Efq ; Spoken by Mrs. ABINGTON. (She peeps thro* the Curtain.) ou all, good folks? In tears for certain, PR only take a PEEP BEHIND THE CURTAIN \ Ton" re all Jo full of tragedy., and Jadnejs ! For me to come among ye, would be madnefs : This is no time for giggling when you've leifure, Call out for me, and I'll attend your pleafure ; Asjoldiers hurry at the beat of drum'. Beat but your hands, that inftant I will come. [She enters upon their clapping. This is Jo good, to call me out Jo foon The COMIC MUSE by me intreats a BOON ; She ttz//V/0r PRITCHARD, herfirft maid of honour, And begg'd of her to take the tajk upon her-, But /he, I'm f life you'll all beforryfor't, Refigns her 'place, and foon retires from court: To bear this lofs, we courtiers make a /hift t When good folks leave us, worfe may have a lift. The COMIC MUSE, whofe ev'ry fmile is grace, 1 And her SAGE SISTER, with her tragic face, Have had a quarrel each has WRIT A CASE *. And on their friends ajfembled now I wait, To give you of THEIR DIFFERENCE A TRUE STATE. MELPOMENE, complains when Jbe appears, For five good afts, in all her pomp of tears, * Alluding to the difpute between the Managers of Covent- Garden Theatre, who, at that time, had printed their CASES. To 208 EPILOGUE. $0 raife your fouls, and with ber raptures wing 'em. Nay wet your handkerchiefs, that you may wring 'em ; Some flippant hujfey, like myfelf comes in ; Crack goes her fan, and with a giggling grin, Hey ! PRESTO PASS Iall topfy turvy fee, And, OH ! OH ! OH ! is chang'd to HE, HE, HE ! We own the fault, but 'tis a fault in vogue, y is theirs, who call and bawl for EPILOGUE ! O! Jhame upon you for the time to come, Know better, and go miferable home. What fays our COMIC GODDESS 1witb reproaches, She \vows her SISTER TRAGEDY encroaches! And f pit e of all her virtue, and ambition, Is known to have an am'rous difpojition : For in FALSE DELICACY wond'rous fly, ~\ Join'd with a certain IRISHMAN Ofje! > She mads you, when you ought to laugh, to cry. j Herjifter's fmiles with tears Jhe try d tofmother, ~\ Rais'd fuch a trc.gi-comic kind of pother, You laugh* d with one eye, while you cry'd with o'ther. J What can be done ? -fad work behind thefcenes ! fhere comic females fcold with tragic queens. Each party different ways the foe a/fails, Thefe foake their daggers, thofe prepare their nails. *fis YOU alone muft calm their dire mijhaps, Or we foall jldl continue pulling caps. What is your will ? / read it in your faces ; ~\ 'fhat all hereafter take their proper places, Shake hands, and kifs and friends, and BURN THEIR [ CASES. THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, TRAGEDY, Performed at the THEATRE ROYAL 1 N DRURY-LANE, Quo non penetrat, aut quid non excogitat pietas, quse in carcere fervandas genetricis novam rationem invenit ? Quid enim tarn inufitatum, quid tarn in- auditum, quam matrem natse uberibus alitam ? Pu- taret aliquis hoc contra rerum naturam faclum, nifi diligere parentes prima naturae lex efTet. VAL. MAXIM, lib. 5. c. 4, VOL, I, E e PROLOGUE: Spoken by Mr. W E S T O N. He peeps in at the Stage Door. f-fIP niufic ! wufic I Have you more to play ? Somewhat I'd offer -flop your cat -gut, pray. Will you permit, and not pronounce me rude, A bookjeller one moment to intrude ? Ny name is Foolfcap : all my troubles paft, Fortune hath given me c.. rare helping caft. T6 all my toils a wife hath put ajlop: A devil firft; but now I keep a /hop. IVLy mafter died, poor man ! he's out of print! His widow, /he had eyes and took my hint. A prey to grief, Jhe could not bear to be, And Jo turn'd over a new leaf with me. I drive a trade ; have authors in my pay. Men of all work) per week, per jheet, per 'day. TRAV'LLERS, who not one foreign country know: .^/PAST'RAL POETS, in the found of Bow. TRANSLATORS, from the Greek they never readi CANTABS and SOPHS, in Covent-Garden bred. HISTORIANS, who can't write; who only take Sciffars and p aft e; cut, vamp; a book tb^y make, I've treated for this play ; can buy it too. If I could learn what you intend to do. If for nine nights you' II bear this tragic fluff - y I have a newfpaper, and there can puff. A nswfpaper does wonders ! none can be In debt, in love, dependent, or quite free^ Ugly or hand/erne, well, or ill in bed, Single or married, or alive or dead, But we give life, death, virtue, vice with eafe \ In /hort a newjpaper does what we pleafe. There jealous authors at each other bark; "I Till Truth leaves not one glimpfe, no, not one/park; \ But lies meet lies, andjoflle in the dark. j E e 2 Our 411 PROLOGUE. Our bard within has often felt the dart Sent from our quiver, levelled at his heart. I've prefs'd him, ere he plays this defy* rate game t To anjwer all, and vindicate his name. But he convinced that all but truth muft die, Leaves to its own mortality the lie. Would any know, while parties -fight 'pell-mell, How he employs his 'pen? his -play will tell. To that he trufts', that hefubmits to you, Aim y d at your tend'reft feelings, moral, new. Thefccnes, he hopes, will draw the heart-felt tear Scenes that come home to ev'ry bojom here. If this will do, I'll run and buy it Jiraight; Stay j let me fee j / think I'd better wait : Tes , I'll liejnug, till you have fix* d it's fate. Dramatis Perfonae. DIONYSIUS, Mr. PALMER. EVANDER, Mr. BARRY. PHILOTAS, Mr. REDDISH. MELANTHON, Mr. AICKIN. PHOCION, Mr. J. AICKIN, ARCAS, Mr. HURST. GREEK HERALD, Mr. PACKER. CALIPPUS, Mr. INCHBALD, GREEK SOLDIER, Mr. DAVIES. OFFICER, Mr. WHEELER. EUPHRASIA, Mrs. BARRY, ERIXENE, Mifs PLATT. Scene, SYRACUSE. THE THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER. ACT the FIRST. YET, Enter MELANTHON, and PHILOTAS* MELANTHON. yet a moment , hear, Philotas, hear me, PHILOTAS, No more; it muft not be. MELANTHON. Obdurate man ; Thus wilt thou fpurn me, when a King diitrefs'd, A good, a virtuous, venerable King, The father of his people, from a throne Which long with ev'ry virtue he adorn'd, Torn by a ruffian, by a tyrant's hand, Groans in captivity ? In his own palace Lives a fequefter'd prifoner ? Oh ! Philotas, If thou haft not renounc'd humanity j Let me behold my fovereign ; once again Admit me to his prefence ; let me fee My royal mafter. PHILOTAS. Urge thy fuit no further; Thy THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER/ Thy words are fruitlefs ; Dionyfius' orders Forbid accefs ; he is our fov'reigh now j 'Tis his to give the law, mine to obey. MELANTHON. Thou can'ft hot mean it : his to give the law ! Detefted fpoiler ! his ! a vile ufurper ! Have we forgot the elder Dionyfius, Surnam'd the Tyrant ? To Sicilia's throne The monfter waded thro' whole feas of blood. Sore groan'd the land beneath his iron rod, Till rous'd at length Evander came from Greece^ Like Freedom's Genius came, and fent the tyrant Stript of the crown, and to his humble rank Once more reduc'd, to roam, for vile fubfiftence^ A wandering fophift thro' the realms of Greece. PHILOTAS. Melanthon, yes -, full clearly I remember The fplendid day, when all rejoicing Sicily Hail'd her deliverer. MELANTHON. Shall the tyrant's fon Deduce a title from the father's guilt ? Philotas, thou wert once the friend of goodnefs j Thou art a Greek -, fair Corinth gave thee birth j I mark'd thy growing youth ; I need not tell, With what art equal fway Evander reign'd, How juft; how upright, generous and good ! From ev'ry region bards and fages came; Whate'er of fcience ancient Egypt ftor'd j All that the Eaft had treafur'd j all that Greece Of moral wifdom taught, and Plato's voice, Was heard in Sicily. Shall Dionyfius Extinguilh ev'ry virtue in the land, Bow A T R A G E D Y. 215 Bow to his yoke the necks of freeborn men, And here perpetuate a tyrant's reign ? PHILOTAS. Whate'er his right, to him in Syracufe All bend the knee ; his the fupreme dominion, And death and torment wait his fovereign nod. MELANTHON. But foon that pow'r fhall ceafe : behold his walls Now clofe encircled by the Grecian bands -, Timoleon leads them on ; indignant Corinth Sends her avenger forth, array'd in terror, To hurl ambition from a throne ufurp'd, And bid all Sicily refume her rights. PHILOTAS. Thou wert a ftatefman once, Melanthon ; now, Grown dim with age, thy eye pervades no more The deep-laid fchemes which Dionyfius plans. Know then, a fleet from Carthage even now Stems the rough billow ; and, ere yonder fun, That now declining feeks the Weftern wave, Shall to the lhades of night refign the world, Thou'lt fee the Punic fails in yonder bay, Whofe waters wafli the walls of Syracufe. MELANTHOX. Art thou a flranger to Timoleon's name ? Intent to plan, and circumfpect to fee All polTible events, he rufhes on Refiftlefs in his courfe ! Your boafted mafter Scarce ftands at bay; each hour the flrong blockade Hems him in ciofer, and ere long thou'it view OppreiTion's iron rod to fragments fhiver'd ! The good Evander then- PHI- 2i6 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, PHILOTAS. Alas, Evander Will ne'er behold the golden time you look for ! MELANTHON. How ! not behold it ! Say, Philotas, fpeak -, Has the fell tyrant, have his felon murderers PHILOTAS. As yet, my friend, Evander lives. MELANTHON. And yet Thy dark half-hinted purpofe lead me to hirq j If thou haft murder'd him PHILOTAS. By Heav'n, he lives. MELANTHON. Then blefs me with one tender interview. Thrice has the fun gone down, fince lail thefe eyes Have feen the good old King ; fay, why is this ? Wherefore debar'd his prefence ? Thee, Philotas, The troops obey, that guard the royal pris'ner > Each avenue to thee is open , thou Can'il grant admittance ; let me, let me fee him, PHILOTAS. Entreat no more ; the foul of Dionyfius Is ever wakeful; rent with all the pangs That wait on confcious guilt. MELANTHON. But when dun night PHI- A TRAGEDY. 217 PHILOTAS. Alas ! it cannot be : but mark my words. Let Greece urge on her general affault. Difpatch fome friend, who may o'er-leap the walls, And tell Timoleon, the good old Evander Has liv'd three days, by Dionyfius' order, Lock'd up from ev'ry fuflenance of nature, And life, now wearied out, almoft expires. MELANTHON. If any fpark of virtue dwell within thee, Lead me, Philotas, lead me to his prifon. PHILOTAS. The tyrant's jealous care hath mov'd him thence. MELANTHON. Ha ! mov'd him, fay 'ft thou ? PHILOTAS. At the midnight hour, Silent convey'd him up the fteep afcent, To where the elder Dionyfius form'd, On the lharp fummit of the pointed rock; Which overhangs the deep, a dungeon drear : Cell within cell, a labyrinth of horror, Deep cavern'd in the cliff, where many a wretch, Unfeen by mortal eye, has groan'd in anguifh. And died obfcure, unpitied, and unknown. MELANTHON. Clandeftine murderer ! Yes, there's the fcene Of horrid mafTacre. Full oft I've walk'd, When all things lay in fleep and darknefs hufh'd. Yes, oft I've walk'd the lonely fullen beach, VOL. I. F f And 2i 8 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, And heard the mournful found of many a corfe Plung'd from the rock into the wave beneath, That murmurs on the Ihore. And means he thus To end a monarch's life ? Oh ! grant my pray'r ; My timely fuccour may protect his days ; The guard is yours PHILOTAS. Forbear; thou plead'ft in vain; And though I feel foft pity throbbing here ; Though each emotion prompts the gen'rous deed, I muft not yield ; it were aflur'd deftru<5tion ; Farewell, difpatch a mefTage to the Greeks ; I'll to my ftation ; now thou know'il the worft, {Exit. MELANTHON. Oh ! loft Evander ! Loft Euphrafia too ! How will her gentle nature bear the fhock Of a dear father, thus in ling'ring pangs A prey to famine, like the verrieft wretch Whom the hard hand of Mifery hath grip'd ! In vain fhe'll rave with impotence of forrow j Perhaps provoke her fate : Greece arms in vain ; All's loft ; Evander dies ! Enter CALIPPUS. CALIPPUS. "Where is the King ? Our troops, that Tallied to attack the foe, Retire difordered j to the eaftern gate The Greeks purfue ; Timoleon rides in blood ! Arm, arm, and meet their fury. MELANTKON, To the citadel Direft A T R A G E D Y. 219 Direct thy footfteps ; Dionyfius there Marfhals a chofen band. CALIPPUS. Do thou call forth Thy hardy veterans; hafte, or all is loft! [Exit. \_Warlike mufic. MELANTHON. Now, ye juft Gods, now look propitious downs Now give the Grecian fabre tenfold edge, And fave a virtuous King ! \Warlike mufic. Enter EUPHRASIA, EuPHRASIA, War on, ye heroes, Ye great afTertors of a monarch's caufe ! Let the wild tempeft rage. Melanthon, ha ! Did'ft thou not hear the vaft tremenduous roar? Down tumbling from it's bafe the eaftern tow'r, Kuril on the tyrant's ranks, and on the plain Lies an extended ruin. MELANTHON. Still new horrors Increafe each hour, and gather round our heads, EUPHRASIA. The glorious tumult lifts my tow'ring foul. Onct more, Melanthon, once again, my father Shall mount Sicilia's throne. MELANTHON, Alas ! that hour F f 5 Would 220 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Would come with joy to ev'ry honeft heart, Would ihed divinelt blefimgs from its wing * But no fuch hour in all the round of time, I fear, the fates averfe will e'er lead on. EuPHRASIA. And ftill, Melanthon, ftill does pale defpair Deprefs thy fpirit ? Lo ! Timolean comes Arm'd with the pow'r of Greece , the brave, t God-like Timoleon ! ardent to redrefs, He guides the war, and gains upon his prey. A little interval fhall fet the victor Within our gates triumphant. MELANTHON. Still my fears Forbode for thee. Would thou hadft left this place, When hence your hufband, the brave Phocion fled, Fled with your infant fon ! EUPHRASIA. In duty fix'd, Here I remain'd, while my brave gen'rous Phocion^ Fled with my child, and from his mother's arms Bore my fweet little one. Full well thou know'fl The pangs I fuffer'd in that trying moment. Did I not weep ? Did I not rave and Ihriek, And by the roots tear my dilhevell'd hair ? Did I not follow to the iea-beat fhore, Refolv'd with him and with my blooming boy To truft the winds and waves ? MELANTHON. Deem not, Euphrafia, I e'er can doubt thy conilancy and love, A TRAGEDY, 321 EtJPHRASIA. Melanthon, how I loved, the Gods who faw Each fecret image that my fancy form'd, The Gods can witnefs how I lov'd my Phocion, And yet I went not with him. Could I do it ? Could I defert my father ? Could I leave The venerable man, who gave me being, A victim here in Syracufe, nor ftay To watch his fate, to vifit his affliction, T.o cheer his priibn hours, and with the tear Of filial virtue bid ev'n bondage fmile ? MELANTHON. The pious aft, whate'er the fates intend. Shall merit heart-felt praife. EUPHRASIA, Yes, Phocion, go, Go with my child, torn from this matron breaft, This breaft that ftill fhould yield it's nurture to him* Fly with my infant to forne happier fhore. If he be fafe, Euphrafia dies content. Till that fad clofe of all, the talk be mine To tend a father with delighted care, To frpooth the pillow of declining age, See him fink gradual into mere decay, On the laft verge of life watch ev'ry look, Explore each fond unutterable wilh, Catch his laft breath, and clofe his eyes in peace, MELANTHON. I would not add to my afflictions ; yet My heart mifgives ; Evander's fatal period Eu-. 222 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, EUPHRASIA. Still is far off; the Gods have fent relief And once again I fhall behold him King. MELANTHON. Alas ! thofe glitt'ring hopes but lend a ray To gild the glouds, that hover o'er your head, Soon to rain forrow down, and plunge you deeper In black defpair, EUPHRASIA. The fpirit-ftirring virtue, That glows within me, ne'er Ihall know defpair. No, I will truft the Gods. Defponding man ! Haft thou not heard with what refiiliefs ardour Timoleon drives the tumult of the war ? Haft thou not heard him thund'ring at our gates ? The tyrant's pent up in his laft retreat -, Anon thou'lt fee his battlements in duft, His walls, his ramparts, and his tow'rs in ruin; Deftruftion pouring in on ev'ry fide, Pride and oppreflion at their utmoft need, And nought to fave him in his hopelefs hour. \Aflourifo of trumpets ^ MELANTHON. Ha ! the fell tyrant comes Beguile his. rage, And o'er your forrows caft a dawn of gladnefs. Enter DIONYSIUS, CALIPPUS, OFFICERS, &V. DIONYSIUS. The vain prefumptuous Greek ! His hopes of con- queft, Like a gay dream, are vanifh'd into air. Proudly A T R A G E D Y. 223 Proudly elate, and flulh'd with eafy triumph O'er vulgar warriors, to the gates of Syracufe He urg'd the war, till Dionyfius' arm Let Daughter loofe, and taught his daftard train To feek their fafety by inglorious flight. EUPHRASIA. O Dionyfius, if diftracting fears Alarm this throbbing bofom, you will pardon A frail and tender fex. Should ruthlefs war Roam through our flreets, and riot here in blood, "Where fhall the loft Euphrafia find a fhelter ? In vain fhe'll kneel, and clafp the lacred altar. let me then, in mercy let me feek The gloomy manfion, where my father dwells ; 1 die content, if in his arms I perifh. DlONYSIUS. . Thou lovely trembler, hufh thy fears to reil. The Greek recoils -, like the impetuous furge That dallies on the rock, there breaks, and foams, And backward rolls into the fea again. All fhall be well in Syracufe : a fleet Appears in view, and brings the chofen fons Of Carthage. From the hill that fronts the main, I faw their canvas fwelling with the wind, While on the purple wave the weftern fun Glanc'd the remains of day. EUPHRASIA. Yet till the fury Of war fubfide, the wild, the horrid interval In fafety let me foothe to dear delight In a lov'd father's prefence : from his fight, For three long days, with fpecious feign'd excufe Your guards debarr'd me. Oh ! while yet he lives, Indulge 224 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Indulge a daughter's love; worn out with age Soon mull he leal his eyes in endlefs night, And with his converfe charm my ear no more. DIONYSIUS. Why thus anticipate misfortune ? Still Evander mocks the injuries of time. Calippus, thou furvey the city round ; Station the centinels, that no furprife Invade the unguarded works, while drowfy night Weighs down the foldier's eye. Afflicted fair, Thy couch invites theei When the tumult's o'er^ Thou'lt fee Evander with redoubled joy. Though now unequal to the cares of empire His age fequefter him, yet honours high Shall gild the ev'ning of his various day. EUPHRASIA. For this benignity accept my thanks. They gufti in tears, and my heart pours it's tribute 1 ; DIONYSIUS. Perdiccas, ere the morn's revolving light Unveil the face of things, do thou difpatch A well-oar'd galley to Hamilcar's fleet j At the north point of yonder promontory Let fome {elected officer inftruct him To moor his ftiips, and ifTue on the land. Then may Timoleon tremble : vengeance then Shall overwhelm his camp, purfue his bands With fatal havock to the ocean's margin, And caft their limbs to glut the vulture's famine In mangled heaps upon the naked fhore. [Exit DionyiiuSi A TRAGEDY. 2425 EUPHRASIA, MELANTHON. EUPHRASIA. What do I hear ? Melanthon, can it be ? Jf Carthage comes, if her perfidious fons Lift in his caufe, the dawn of freedom's gone. MELANTHON. Woe, bitt'reft woe impends j thou would'ft not think EUPHRASIA. How ! fpeak ! unfold. MELANTHON. My tongue denies it's office. EUPHRASIA. How is my father ? Say, Melanthon MELANTHON. TTp I fear to (hock thee with the tale of horror ! Perhaps he dies this moment. Since Timoleon Firft form'd his lines round this beleaguer'd city, No nutriment has touch'd Evander's lips. In the deep caverns of the rock imprifon'd He pines in bittereft want. EUPHRASIA. To that abode Of woe and horror, that laft ftage of life, Has the fell tyrant mov'd him ? VOL. I. G g ME- 226 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER. MELANTHON. There fequefler'd, Alas ! he foon muft perifh. EUPHRASIA. Well, my heart, Well do your vital drops forget to flow. MELANTHON. Enough his fword has reek'd with public {laughter; Now dark infidious deeds muft thin mankind. EUPHRASIA. Oh ! night, that oft haft heard my piercing fhrieks Difturb thy awful filence ; oft has heard Each ftroke thefe hands in frantic forrow gave From this fad bread refounding, now no more I mean to vent complaints ; I mean not now \Vith bufy mem'ry to retrace the wrongs The tyrant heap'd on our devoted race. I bear it all -, with calmeft patience bear it : Refign'd and wretched, deiperate and loft. MELANTHON. Defpair, alas ! is all the fad refource Our fate allows us now. EUPHRASIA. Yet why defpair ? Is that the tribute to a father due ? Blood is his due, Melanthon ; yes, the blood, The vile, black blood, that fills the tyrant's veins, Would graceful look upon my dagger's point. Come, vengeance, come, fhake off this feeble fex, Sinew my arm, and guide it to his heart, And A TRAGEDY. 227 And thou, O filial piety, that rul'ft My woman's breafb, turn to vindictive rage ; AfTume the port of juftice ; fhew mankind Tyrannic guilt hath never dar'd in Syracufe, Beyond the reach of virtue. MELANTHON. Yet beware ; Controul this frenzy that bears down your reafon. Surrounded by his guards, the tyrant mocks Your utmoft fury -, moderate your zeal, Nor let him hear thefe tranfports of the foul, Thefe wild upbraidings. EUPHRASIA. Shall Euphrafia's voice Be huih'd to filence, when a father dies ? Shall not the moniler hear his deeds accurft ? Shall he not tremble, when a daughter comes, Wild with her griefs, and terrible with wrongs, Fierce in defpair, all nature in her caufe Alarm'd and rouz'd with horror ? Yes, Melanthon, The man of blood fhall hear me ; yes, my voice Shall mount aloft upon the whirlwind's wing, Pierce yon blue vault, and at the throne of Heav'n Call down red vengeance on the murd'rer's head. Melanthon come -, my wrongs will lend me force j The weaknefs of my lex is gone ; this arm Feels tenfold ftrength ; this arm fliail do a deed For heav'n and earth, for men and gods to wonder at 1 This arm fhall vindicate a father's caufe. End of the FIRST ACT. G g 2 ACT t28 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, ACT the SECOND. A wild romantic Scene amidft overhanging Rocks j Cavern on one Side. ARC AS, with a Spear in his Hand. TH E gloom of night fits heavy on the world ; And o'er the folemn fcene fuch ftillnefs reigns, As 'twere a paufe of nature ; on the beach No murmuring billow breaks j the Grecian tents Lie funk in fleep ; no gleaming fires are feen ; All Syracufe is hufti'd ; no ftir abroad, Save ever and anon the dafhing oar, That beats the fullen wave. And hark ! Was that The groan of anguifh from Evander's cell, Piercing the midnight gloom ? It is the found Of buftling prows, that cleave the briny deep. Perhaps at this dead hour Hamilcar's fleet Rides in the bay. Enter PHILOTAS, from the Cavern. PHILOTAS. What ho ! brave Areas ! h6 ! ARCAS. Why thus defert thy couch ? PHILOTAS. Methought the found Of diftant uproar chas'd affrighted fleep. A T R A G E D Y. 229 ARCAS. At intervals the oar's refounding ftroke Comes ecchoing from the main. Save that report, A death-like filence through the wide expanfe Broods o'er the dreary coaft. PHILOTAS. Do thou retire, And feek repoie ; the duty of thy watch Is now perform'd ; I take thy port. ARCAS. How fares Your royal pris'ner ? PHILOTAS. Areas, fhall I own A fecret weaknefs ? My heart inward melts To fee that fuffering virtue. On the earth, The cold, damp earth, the royal victim lies ; And while pale famine drinks his vital fpirit, He welcomes death, and fmiles himfelf to reft. Oh ! would I could relieve him ! Thou withdraw; Thy wearied nature claims repofe ; and now The watch is mine. ARCAS. May no alarm difturb thee. [Exit. PHILOTAS. Some dread event is lab'ring into birth. At clofe of day the fallen fky held forth Unerring fignals. With di'faftrous glare The moon's full orb rofe crimfon'd o'er with blood ; And 230 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, And lo ! athwart the gloom a falling liar Trails a long trad of fire ! What daring flep Sounds on the flinty rock ? Stand there ; what ho ! Speak, ere thou dar'ft advance. Unfold thy purpofe : Who and what art thou ? Enter EUPHRASIA, with a Lanthorn In her Hand. EUPHRASIA. Mine no hoftile ftep ; I bring no valour to alarm thy fears : It is a friend approaches. PHILOTAS. Ha ! what mean Thofe plaintive notes ? EUPHRASIA. Here is no ambufli'd Greek, No warrior to furprize thee on the watch. An humble fuppliant comes Alas my flrength Exhaufted quite forfakes this weary frame. PHILOTAS. What voice thus piercing thro' the gloom of night- What art thou ? what thy errand? quickly fay What wretch, with what intent, at this dead hour- Wherefore alarm'it thou thus our peaceful watch ? EUPHRASIA. Let no miuruft affright thee Lo ! a wretch, The verier! wretch that ever groan'd in anguifli, Comes here to grovel on the earth before thee, To tell her fad, fad tale, implore thy aid, For lure the pow'r is thine, thou canft relieve My bleeding heart, an.! fo'fcsn all my woes. PHI- A T R A G E D Y. 231 \ PHILOTAS. Ha ! fure thofe accents (takes the light from her. EUPHRASIA. Deign to liften to me. PHILOTAS. Euphrafia ! EUPHRASIA. Yes ; the loft, undone Enphrafia ; Supreme in wretchednefs -, to th' inmoft fenfe, Here in the qirickeft fibre of the heart, Wounded, transftVd, and tortur'd to detraction. PHILOTAS. Why, princefs, thus anticipate the dawn ? Still fleep and filence wrap the weary world ; The ftars in mid career ufurp the pole ; The Grecian bands, the winds, the waves are hufh'dj All things are mute around us ; all but you Reft in oblivious (lumber from their cares. EUPHRASIA. Yes, all ; all reft : the very murd'rer deeps $ Guilt is at reft : I only wake to miicry. PHILOTAS. How didft thou gain the fummit of the rock ? EUPHRASIA. Give me my father ; here you hold him fetter'd; Oh! give him to me; in the fond puriuit All pain and peril vanilh j love and duty Infpir'd the thought -, defpair itfclf gave courage j I climb'd 3 3 2 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, I climb'd the hard afcent ; with painful toil Surmounted craggy cliffs, and pointed rocks j What will not miiery attempt ?--- If ever The touch of nature throbb'd within your breaH> Admit me to Evander j in thefe caves . I know he pines in want j let me convey Some charitable fuccour to a father. PHILOTAS. Alas ! Euphrafia, would I dare comply. EuPHRASIA. It will be virtue in thee. Thou, like me, Wert born in Greece: Oh! by our common parent- Nay flay j thou fhalt not fly ; Philotas flay; You have a father too ; think were his lot Hard as Evander's, if by felon hands Chain'd to the earth, with flow confuming pangs He felt fharp want, and with an afking eye Implor'd relief, yet cruel men deny'd it, Would'ft thou not burfl thro' adamantine gates, Thro' walls and rocks, to fave him? Think, Philotas, Of thy own aged fire, and pity mine. Think of the agonies a daughter feels, When thus a parent wants the common food, The bounteous hand of nature meant for all. PHILOTAS. 'Twere beft withdraw thee, princefs; thy afliftancc Evander wants not ; it is fruitlefs all j Thy tears, thy wild entreaties, are in vain. EUPHRASIA. Ha!- thou haft murder'd him ; he is no more; I underiiand thee ; butchers, you have fhed The precious drops of life ; yet, e'en in death, Let me behold him 5 let a daughter clofe With A TRAGEDY. 233 With duteous hand a father's beamlefs eyes ; Print her laft ki/Tes on his honour'd hand, And lay him decent in the fhroud of death. PHILOTAS. Alas ! this frantic grief can nought avail. Retire, and feek the couch of balmy fleep, In this dead hour, this feafon of repofe. EUPHRASIA. And doft thou then, inhuman that thou aft ! Advife a wretch like me to know repofe ? This is my laft abode : thefe caves, thefe rocks, Shall ring for ever with Euphrafia's Wrongs j All Sicily fhall hear me -, yonder deep Shall eccho back an injur'd daughter's caufe; Here will I dwell, and rave, and fhriek, and give Thefe fcatter'd locks to all the paiTmg winds j Call on Evander loft ; and, pouring curfes, And cruel gods, and cruel ftars invoking, Stand on the cliff in madnefs and defpair. PHILOTAS. Yet calm this violence ; reflect, Euphrafia, With what fevere enforcement Dionyfius Exacts obedience to his dread command. If here thou'rt found EUPHRASIA. Here is Euphrafia's manfion, (falls on the ground.) Her fix'd eternal home j inhuman favages, Here ftretch me with a father's murder'd corfe ; Then heap your rocks, your mountains on my head j It will be kindnefs in you ; I .(hall reft Intomb'd within a parent's arms. VOL! I. H h PHI* 234 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, PHILOTAS. By Heav'n, My heart in pity bleeds. EUPHRASIA. Talk' ft thou of pity ? Yield to the* gen'rous inftincT: ; grant my pray'r ; Let my eyes view him, gaze their laft upon him, And fhew you have fome fenfe of human woe.. PHILOTAS. Her vehemence of grief o'erpow'rs me quite. My honeft heart condemns the barb'rous deed, And if I dare EUPHRASIA. And if you dare ! Is that The voice of manhood ? Honeft, if you dare ! 'Tis the flave's virtue ! 'tis the utmoft limit Of the bafe coward's honour. Not a wretch, There's not a villain^ not a tool of pow'r, But, filence intereft, extinguilh fear, And he will prove benevolent to man. The gen'rous heart does more -, will dare to all That honour prompts. How doft thou dare to murder ? RefpecT: the gods, and know no other fear. PHILOTAS. No other fear afTails this warlike breaft. I pity your misfortunes i yes, by Heav'n, My heart bleeds for you. Gods ! you've touch'd my foul ! The gen'rous impulfe'is not giv'n in vain. I feel thee Nature, and 1 dare obey. Oh! A T R A G E D Y. 235 Oh! thou haft conquer'd. Go, Euphrafia, go Behold thy father. EUPHRASIA. Raife me, raife me up ; I'll bathe thy hand with tears, thou gen'rous man ! PHILOTAS. Yet mark my words ; if aught of nourifhment Thou would'ft convey, my partners of the watch Will ne'er confent. EUPHRASIA. I will obferve your orders : On any terms, oh ! let me, let me fee him. PHILOTAS. Yon lamp will guide thee thro' the cavern'd way. EUPHRASIA. My heart runs o'er in thanks j the pious act Timoleon lhall reward ; the bounteous gods, And thy own virtue lhall reward the deed. (Goes into the cave. PHILOTAS. Prevailing, pow'rful virtue ! Thou fubdueft The ftubborn heart, and mould'fl it to thy purpofe. Would I could fave them ! But tho' not for me The glorious pow'r to fhelter innocence, Yet for a moment to affuage its woes, Is the beft fympathy, the pureft joy Nature intended for the heart of man, When thus ihe gave the focial gen'rous tear. [Exit. H h 2 Scene 236 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Scene the Infide of the Cavern. Enter ARCAS and EUPHRASIA, ARCAS. No 3 on my life I dare not. EUPHRASIA. But a fmall, A wretched pittance ; one poor cordial drop To renovate exhaufted drooping age. I afk no more. ARCAS. Not the fmalleft ftore Of fcanty nourifhment muft pafs thefe walls. Our lives were forfeit elfe : a moment's parley Is all I grant; in yonder cave he lies. EVANDER (within the cell.) Oh ! flruggling nature ! let thy conflict end. Oh ! give me, give me reft. EUPHRASIA. My father's voice ! It pierces here ! it cleaves my very heart* I ihall expire, and never fee him more. ARCAS, Repofe thee, princefs, here, (draws a couch) here reft thy limbs, Till the returning blood fhall lend thee firmnefs. EUPHRASIA. The caves, the rocks, re-echo to his groans ! And is there no relief? AR- A T R A G E P Y, 237 ARCAS. All I can grant, You fhall command. I will unbar the dungeon, Unloofe the chain that binds him to the rock, And leave your interview without reftraint. [Opens a cell in the back Scene. EUPHRASIA. Hold, hold my heart ! Oh ! how fhall I fuftam The agonizing fcene ? (rifes.) I muft behold him ; Nature, that drives me on, will lend me force. Is that my father ? ARCAS. Take your laft farewell. His vigour feems not yet exhaufted quite. You muft be brief, or ruin will enfue. [Exit. EVANDER. (Raifing himfelf.) Oh ! when fhalll get free? Thefe ling'ring pangs- EUPHRASIA. Behold ye pow'rs, that fpectacle of woe ! EVANDER. Difpatch me, pitying gods, and fave my child ! I burn, I burn ; alas ! no place of reft : [Rifes and comes out. A little air j once more a breath of air 3 Alas ! I faint 3 I die. EUPHRASIA. Heart-piercing fight ! Let me fupport you. Sir. EVAN- 238 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, EVANDER. Oh ! lend your arm. Whoe'er thou art, I thank thee : that kind breeze Comes gently o'er my fenfes - lead me forward : And is there left one charitable hand To reach it's fuccour to a wretch like me ? EUPHRASIA. Well may 'ft thou afk it. Oh ! my breaking heart I The hand of death is on him. EVANDER. Still a little, A little onward to the air conduct me ; 'Tis well; I thank thee; thou art kind and good, And much I wonder at this gen'rous pity. EUPHRASIA. Do thou not know me, Sir ? EVANDER. Methinks I know That voice : art thou alas ! my eyes are dim ! Each objecl: fwims before me No, in truth I do not know thee. EUPHRASIA. Not your own Euphrafia ? EVANDER. Art thou my daughter ? EUPHRASIA. Oh ! my honour'd Sire ! EVAN- A T R A G E D Y. 239 EVANDER. My daughter, my Euphrafia ? come to clofe A father's eyes ! Giv'n to my laft embrace ! Gods ! do I hold her once again ? Your mercies Are without number. \Falls on the couch. This excefs of blifs O'erpow'rs ; it kills ; Euphrafia could I hope it ? I die content Art thou indeed my daughter ? Thou art ; my hand is moiflen'd with thy tears : I pray you do not weep thou art my child : I thank you gods ! in my laft dying moments You have not left me I would pour my praife; But oh ! your goodnefs overcomes me quite ! You read my heart -, you fee what pafles there. EUPHRASIA. Alas he faints ; the guihing tide of tranfport Bears down each feeble fenfe : reftore him Heav'n ! EVANDER. All, my Euphrafia, all will foon be well. Pafs but a moment, and this bufy globe, Its thrones, its empires, and its buftling millions, Will feem a fpeck in the great void of fpace. Yet while I flay, thou darling of my age ! Nay dry thofe tears. EUPHRASIA. I will my father. EVANDER. Where, I fear to afk it, where is virtuous Phocion ? EUPHRASIA. Fled from the tyrant's pow'r. * 4 o THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, EVANDER. And left thee here Expos'd and helplefs ? EUPHRASIA. He is all truth and honour : He fled to fave my child. EVANTDER. My young Evander ! Your boy is fafe Euphrafia ? Oh ! my heart ! Alas ! quite gone ; worn out with mifery i Oh ! weak, decay'd old man ! EUPHRASIA. Inhuman wretches ! Will none relieve his want ? A drop of water Might fave his life , and ev'n that's deny'd him. EVANDER. Thefe ftrong emotions Oh ! that eager air- It is too much afilft me ; bear me hence i And lay me down in peace. EUPHRASIA. His eyes are fix'd ! And thofe pale quiv'ring lips ! He clafps my hand : What, no afllftance ! Monfters will you thus Let him expire in thefe weak feeble arms ? Enter PHILOTAS. PHILOTAS. Thofe wild, thofe piercing Ihrieks will give th' alarm. Eu-. A t R A G E D Y. 241 EUPHRASIA. ISUpport him ] bear him hence -, 'tis all I afk. EVANDER. (As he is carried off.) Death ! where art thou ? Death, thou dread of guiltj Thou wifh of innocence3 affliction's friend, Tir'd Nature calls thee ; come, in mercy come, And lay me pillow'd in eternal reft. My child where art thou ? give me j reach thy hand, Why doft thou weep ? My eyes are dry Alas ! Quite parch'd, my lips quite parch'd, they cleave together* EUPHRASIA. Now judge, ye Pow'rs, in the whole round of time, If e'er you view'd a fcene of woe like this. [Exeunt* Enter ARC AS. ARCAS. The grey of morn breaks thro' yon eaftern clouds. 'Twere time this interview Ihould end : the hour Now warns Euphrafia hence : what man could dare, 1 have indulg'dPhilotas ! ha ! the cell Left void ! Evandcr gone IWhat may this mean? Philotas, fpeak. Enter PHILOTAS. PHILOTAS. Oh ! vile, detefted lot Here to obey the favage tyrant's will, And murder virtue, that can thus behgld VOL. I. I i It's 242 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, It's executioner, and fmile upon him. That piteous fight ! ARC AS. She muft withdraw Philotas ; Delay undoes us both. The reftlefs main Glows with the blufh of day. Timoleon's fleet, That pafs'd the night in bufy preparation, Makes from the fhore. On the high craggy point Of yonder jutting eminence I mark'd Their haughty ftreamers curling to the wind. Fie feeks Hamilcar's fleet. The briny deep Shall foon be dy'd with blood. The fierce alarm Will rouze our (lumb'ring troops. The time re- quires Without or further paufe, or vain excufe, That fhe depart this moment. PHILOTAS. Areas, yes; My voice Ihall warn her of th' approaching danger. {Exit. ARCAS. Would fl}e had ne'er adventur'd to our guard. I dread th' event ; and hark ! the wind conveys In clearer found the uproar of the main. The fates prepare new havock j on th' event Depends the fate of empire. Wherefore thus Delays Euphrafia ? Ha ! what means, Philotas, That fudden hafte, that pale diforder'd look ? Enter PHILOTAS. PHILOTAS. C ! I can hold no mere ; at fuch a fight Ev'n A T R A G E D Y. -43 Ev'n the hard heart of tyranny would melt To infant foftnefs. Areas, go, behold The pious fraud of charity and love; Behold that unexampled goodnels > fee Th' expedient fharp neceflity has taught her j Thy heart will burn, will melt, will yearn to view, A child like her. ARCAS. Ha ! Say what myftery Wakes thefe emotions ? PHILOTAS. Wonder-working virtue ! The father fofter'd at his daughter's bread ! O ! filial piety !--- The milk defign'd For her own offspring, on the parent's lip Allays the parching fever. ARCAS. That device Has flie then form'd, eluding all our care, To minifler relief? PHILOTAS. On the bare earth Evander lies ; and as his languid pow'rs Imbibe with eager thirft the kind refrefhment, And his looks ipeak unutterable thanks, Euphrafia views him with the tend'reft glance, Ev'n as a mother doating on her child ; And, ever and anon, amidfl the fmiles Of pure delight, of exquifite fenfation, A filent tear fteals down ; the tear of virtue, That fweetens grief to rapture. All her laws Inverted quite, great Nature triumphs (till. I i 2 AR- THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, ARCAS. The tale unmans my foul. PHILOTAS. Ye tyrants hear it, And learn, that, while your cruelty prepares Unheard of torture, virtue can keep pace With your worft efforts, and can try new modes To bid men grow enamour'd of her charms. ARCAS. Philotas, for Euphrafia, in her caufe I now can hazard all. Let us preferve Her father for her. PHILOTAS. Oh ! her lovely daring Tranfcends all praife. By Heav'n he fhall not die, ARCAS. And yet we muft be wary ; I'll go forth, And firft explore each avenue around, Left the fix'd fentinel obftruct your purpofe. PHILOTAS. I thank thee, Areas ; we will act like men Who feel for other's woes She leads him forth, And tremblingly fupports his drooping age. [Goes to affift him. Enter A TRAGEDY. 245 Enter EUPHRASIA, and EVANDZR. EVANDER. Euphrafia, oh ! my child ! returning life Glows here about my heart. Conduct me forward: At the laft gafp preferv'd ! Ha ! dawning light I Let me behold ; in faith I fee thee now 5 I do indeed : the father fees his child, EUPHRASIA. I have reliev'd him Oh! the joy's too great; 'Tis fpeechlefs rapture ! EVANDER. Bleffings, bleflings on thee ! EUPHRASIA. My father ftill fhall live. Alas ! Philotas, Could I abandon that white hoary head, That venerably form ? Abandon him To perifh here in mifery and famine ? PHILOTAS. Thy tears, thou miracle of goodnefs ! Have triumph'd o'er me ; thefe round gufriing drops Atteft you/conqueft. Take him, take your father; Convey him hence ; I do releafe him to you. EVANDER. What faid Philotas ! Do 1 fondly dream ? Indeed my fenfes are imperfect ; yet Methought I heard him ! Did he fay releafe me ? PHI- fl4 6 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, PHILOTAS. Thou art my King, and now no more my pris'ner; Go with your daughter, with that wond'rous pattern Of filial piety to after times. Yes, princefs, lead him forth ; I'll point the path, "Whole foft declivity will guide your ileps To the deep vale, which thefe o'rhanging rocks Encompafs round. You may convey him thence To fome fafe flicker. Yet a moment's paufe j I mult conceal your flight from ev'ry eye. Yes, I will fave 'em Oh ! returning virtue ! How big with joy one moment in thy fervice ! That wretched pair ! I'll perifh in their caufe. [Exit. EuPHRASIA, EVANDER. EVANDER. Whither, oh ! whither fhall Evander go ? I'm at the goal of life; if in die race Honour has follow'd with no ling'ring flep, But there fits fmiling with her laurel'd wreath, To crown my brow, there would I fain make halt, And not inglorious lay me down to reft. EUPHRASIA. And will you then refufe, when thus the Gods Afford a refuge to thee ? EVANDER. Oh! my child, There is no refuge for me. EUPHRASIA. Pardon, Sir : Eupnrafia's care has form'd a fafe retreat ; There A T R A G E D Y. 247 There may'ft them dwell ; it will not long be wanted. Soon fhall Timoleon, with refiitlefs force, Burft yon devoted walls. EVANDER. Timoleon ! EUPHRASIA. Yes, The brave Timoleon, with the pow'r of Greece; Another day fhall make the city his. EVANDER. Timoleon come to vindicate my rights ! Oh ! thou fhalt reign in Sicily ! my child Shall grace her father's throne. Indulgent Heav'n! Pour down your bleffmgs on this beft of daughters; To her and Phocion give Evander's crown ; Let them, oh ! let them both in virtue wear it. And in due time tranfmit it to their boy ! Enter PHILOTAS. PHILOTAS. All things are apt ; the drowfy fentinel Lies hufh'd in deep; I'll marfhal thee the way Down the fleep rock. EUPHRASIA. Oh ! Let us quickly hence. EVANDER. The blood but loiters in thefe frozen veins. Do you, whofe youthful fpirit glows wich life, Do you go forth, and kave this mould'ring corpfe. To 44* THE GRECIAN To me had Heav'n decree'd a longer It ne'er had fuffer'd a fell monfter's reign, Nor let me fee the carnage of my people. Farewell, Euphrafia ; in one lov'd embrace To thefe remains pay the laft obfequies^ And leave me here to fink to filent duft, EUPHRASIA* And will you then, on feif-deftru6lion bent, Reject my pray'r, nor truil your fate with me ? EVANDER. Truft thee ! Euphrafia ? Truft in thee my child ? Though life's a burden I could well lay down, Yet I will prize it, fmce beftow'd by thee. Oh ! thou art good ; thy virtue foars a flight For the wide world to wonder at ; in thee, Hear it all nature, future ages hear it, The father finds a parent in his child. End of the SECOND ACT, ACT A T R A G E D Y. 249 ACT the THIRD. Scene a Rimpart near the Harbour Enter MELANTHON and PHI LOTAS. MELANTHON. J\ND lives he ftill? PHILOTAS. He does ; and kindly aliment Renews the fprings of life. MELANTHON. And doth he know The glorious work the deilinies prepare ? PHILOTAS. He is inform'd of all. MELANTHON. That Greek Timoleon Comes his deliverer, and the fell ufurper Pants in the laft extreme ? . PHILOTAS. The glorious tidings Have reach'd his ear. MELANTHON. Lead on, propitious Pow'rs ! VOL. I. K k Your 550 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Your great defign ; fecond the Grecian arms, And whelm the fons of Carthage in the deep. PHILOTAS. This hour decides their doom , and lo ! Euphrafia Stands on the jutting rock, that rock, where oft Whole days fhe fat in penfive forrow fix'd, And fwell'd with ftreaming tears the reftlefs deep, There, now with other fentiments elate, She views Timoleon with victorious prow Glide thro' the waves, and fees the featter'd navy Of Carthage fly before him. MELANTHONV Bleft event 1 Evander, if thou mock'ft me not, fhall live Once more to fee the juftice of the Gods. But wilt thou ftill protect my royal matter ? Wilt thou admit me to his wifh'd-for prefence ? PHILOTAS. Let it fuffice that no afiiflin's aim Can now afTault him : I mu-ft hence, Melanthon j I now muft mingle with the tyrant's train, And, with a fembjance of obfequious duty, Delude fufpicion's eye : My friend, farewell. MELANTHON. If he deceive me not with fpecious hopes, I ihall behold the fov'reign, in whofe fervice Thefe temples felt the iron cafque of war, And thefe white hairs have filver'd o'er my head. Enter EUPHRASIA.. EUPHRASIA. See there; behold 'emj lo ! the fierce encounter ; A TRAGEDY. 251 He rufhes on j the ocean flames around With the bright flafti of arms j the echoing hills Rebellow to the roar. MELANTHON. The Gods are with us, And victory is ours. EUPHRASIA. High on the ftern The Grecian leaders (land : they flem the furge ; Launch'd from their arm the miflive lightnings fly, And the Barbaric fleet is wrapt in fire. And lo ! yon bark, down in the roaring gulph ; And there, more, more are periihing Behold ! They plunge for ever loft. MELANTHON. So perifh all, Who from yon continent unfurl their fails, To fliake the freedom of this fea-girt ifle ! EUPHRASIA. Did I not fay, Mclanthon, did I not Prefage the glories of Timoleon's triumph ! Where now are Afric's fons ? The vanquiuYd tyrant Shall look aghaft j his heart fhall fhrink appall'd, And dread his malefactions ! Worfe than famine, Defpair fhall faften on him ! Enter DIONYSIUS, CALIPPUS, &f, DIONYSIUS. Bafe deferters ! Curfe on their Punic faith ! Did they once dare To grapple with the Greek ? Ere yet the main Was ting'd with blood, they turn'd their Ihips averfe. K k 2 May 152 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, May ftorms and tempefts follow in their rear, And dafh their fleet upon the Lybian fhore ! Enter CALIPPUS. CALIPPUS. My liege, Timoleon where the harbour opens Has ftorm'd the forts, and ev'n now his Meet Purfues its courfe, and fleers athwart the bay. DIONYSIUS. Ruin impends ; and yet, if fall it muft, I bear a mind to meet it, undifmay'd, Unconquer'd ev'n by Fate. CALIPPUS. Through ev'ry ftreet Defpair and terror fly. A panic fpreads From man to man, and fuperftition fees Jove arm'd with thunder, and the Gods againft us. DIONYSIUS. With facred rites their wrath mult be appeas'd. Let inftant victims at the altar bleed ; Let incenfe roll its fragrant clouds to Heav'n, And pious matrons, and the virgin train, In flow proceflion to the temple bear The image of their Gods. EUPHRASIA. Ha ! Does the tyrant Dare with unhallow'd ftep, with crimes and guilt, Approach the facred fane ? Alas ! my father, WHere now thy fanctuary ? What place fhall hide Thy perfecuted virtue.? (Afide.) DIONY- A T R A G E D Y. 253 DlONYSIUS. Thou, Euphrafia, Lead forth the pious band. This very moment IfTue our orders, EUPHRASIA. With confenting heart Euphrafia goes to waft her pray'rs to Heav'n. [Exit. DlONYSIUS. The folemn facrifice, the virgin throng, \V ill gain the popular belief, and kindle In the fierce foldiery religious rage. Away, my friends, prepare the facred rites. [Exit CALJPPUS, &?r, Philotas, thou draw near : how fares yourprifoner? Has he yet breath'd his laft ? PHILOTAS. Life ebbs apace ; To-morrow's fun fees him a breathlefs corfe, DlONYSIUS. Curfe on his ling'ring pangs ! Sicilia's crown No more fhall deck his brow; and if the fand Still loiter in the glafs, thy hand, my friend, May fhake it thence. PHILOTAS. It fhall, dread Sir ; that taflc Leave to thy faithful fervant. DlONYSIUS. Oh! Philotas, Thou little know'ft the cares, the pangs of empire. The ermin'd pride, the purple that adorns A con- 554 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, A conqueror's breaft, but ferves, my friend, to hide A heart that's torn, that's mangled with remorle. Each object round me wakens horrid doubts; The flatt'ring train, the fentinel that guards me, The Have that waits, all give fome new alarm, And from the means of fafety dangers rife. Ev'n victory itfelf plants anguifh here, And round my laurels the fell ferpent twines. PHILOTAS. Would Dionyfius abdicate his crown. And fue for terms of peace ? DIONYSIUS. Fetefted thought ! No, though ambition teem with countlefs ills, It ftill has charms of pow'r to fire the foul. Tho' horrors multiply around my head, 1 will oppofe them all. The pomp of facrifice But now ordain'd, is mockery to Heav'n. 'Tis vain, 'tis fruitlefs ; then let daring guilt Be my infpirer, and confummate all. 'Where are thofe Greeks, the captives of my fword* Whofe defp'rate valour rufh'd within our walls, Fought near our perfon, and the pointed lance Aim'd at my breafl ? PHILOTAS. In chains they wait their doom. DIONYSIUS. Give me to fee 'em ; bring the flaves before me. PHILOTAS. What, ho ! Melanthon, this way lead your prifoners. Enter A T R A G E D Y; , with Greek Officers and Soldiers. DIONYSIUS. Aflafilns and not warriors ! do ye come, When the wide range of battle claims your fwonl, Thus do you come againft a fmgle life To wage the war ? Did not our buckler ring With all your darts in one collected volley Shower'd on my head ? Did not your fwords at once Point at my breaft, and thirft for regal blood ? GREEK OFFICER. We fought thy life. I am by birth a Greek. An open foe in arms I meant to flay The foe of human kind. With rival ardour We took the field; one voice, one mind, one heart j All leagu'd, all covenanted : in yon camp Spirits there are who aim, like us, at glory. Whene'er you fally forth, whene'er the Greeks Shall fcale your walls, prepare thee to encounter A like afTault. By me the youth of Greece Thus notify the war they mean to wage. DIONYSIUS. Thus then I warn them of my great revenge. Whoe'er in battle fhall become our pris'ner, Jin torment meets his doom. GREEK OFFICER. Then wilt thou fee How vile the body to a mind that pants For genuine glory. Twice three hundred Greeks Have fworn, like us, to hunt thee through the ranks; Ours the firfl lot -, we've fail'd ; on yonder plain Appear in arms, the faithful band will meet thee. 256 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, DlONYSIUS. Vile flave, no more. Melanthon drag 'em hence? To die in mifery. Impal'd alive The winds fhall parch them on the craggy cliff. Selected from the reft let one depart A meflenger to Greece, to tell the fate Her chofen fons, her firft adventurers met. [Exit. MELANTHON. Unhappy men ! how fhall my care protect Your forfeit lives ? Philotas, thou conduct them To the deep dungeon's gloom. In that recefs, Midft the wild tumult of eventful war, We may ward off the blow. My friends, farewell : That officer will guide your fteps. [All follow PHILOTAS, except PHOCION. PHOCION. Difguis'd Thus in a foldier's garb he knows me not. Melanthon ! MELANTHON. Ha ! Thofe accents ! Phocion here ? PHOCION. Yes, Phocion here ! Speak, quickly tell me, fay How fares Euphrafia ? MELANTHON. Ha ! beware ; Philotas, Conduct thofe pris'ners hence ; this foldier here Shall bear the tidings to Timoleon's camp. PHO- A T R A G E D Y. 257 PHOCION. Oh ! fatisfy my doubts j how fares Euphrafia ? MELANTHON. Euphrafia lives, and fills the anxious moments With ev'ry virtue. Wherefore venture hither ? Why with ralh valour penetrate our gates ? PHOCIOM. Could I refrain ? Oh ! could I tamely wait Th' event of ling'ring war ? With patience count The lazy-pacing hours, while here in Syracufe The tyrant keeps all that my heart holds dear ? Tor her dear fake, all danger finks before me ; For her I burft the barriers of the gate, Where the deep cavern'd rock affords a pafiage* A hundred chofen Greeks purfu'd my fleps, We forc'd an entrance , the devoted guard Fell victims to our rage ; but in that moment Down from the walls fuperior numbers came. The tyrant led them on. We rufh'd upon him, If we could reach his heart, to end the war. But Heav'n thought otherwife. Melanthon, fay, I fear to afk it, lives Evander itill ? MELANTHON** Alas, he lives imprifon'd in the rock. Thou muft withdraw thee hence ; regain once more Timoleon's camp; alarm his flumb'ring rage; Aflail the walls ; thou with thy phalanx feek The fubterraneous path j that way at night The Greeks may enter, and let in deftruction To the great work of vengeance. VOL. I. L 1 PHO- 258 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, PHOCION. Would'fl thou have me Bafely retreat, while my Euphrafia trembles Here on the ridge of peril ? She perhaps May fall unknown, unpitied, undiftinguifh'd Amidft the gen'ral carnage. Shall I leave her To add that beauty to the purple heap ? No j I will feek her in thefe walls accurft, Ev'n in the tyrant's palace ; fave that life, My only fource of joy, that life, whofe lofs Would make all Greece complotter ia a murder,. And damn a righteous caufe.. MELANTHON* Yet hear the voice Of fober age. Should Dionyfius' fpies Detect thee here, ruin involves us all : 'Twere beft retire, and feek Timoleon's tents j, Tell him,, difmay and terror fill the city; Ev'n now in Syracufe the tyrant's will Ordains with pomp oblations to the Gods. His deadly hand ftill hot with recent blood, The monfter dares approach the lacred altar : Thy voice may route Timoleon to th' affault,. And bid him ftorm the works. PHOCION. By Heav'n I will ; My breath fhall wake his rage ; this very night, When fleep fits heavy on the flumb'ring city, Then Greece unfheaths her fword, and great revenge Shall llalk with death and horror o'er the ranks Of flaughter'd troops, a facrifice to freedom! But; firft let me behold Euphrafia. ME- A T R A G E D Y. 259 MELANTHON. Hufh Thy pent-up valour : to a fecret haunt I'll guide thy fleps : there dwell, and in apt time I'll bring Euphraiia to thy longing arms. PHOCION- Wilt thou ? MELANTHON. By Heav'n I will ; another aft Of defperate fury might endanger all. The tyrant's bufy guards are polled round \ Jn filence follow -, thou fhalt fee Euphrafia, PHOCION, Oh 1 lead me to her ; that exalted virtue With firmer nerve fhall bid me grafp the javelin, Shall bidmyfwordwithmorethanlightning's fwiftnefs Blaze in the front of war, and glut its rage With blow repeated in the tyrant's veins. [Exeunt. Scene a Temple, with a Monument in the Middle. Enter EUPHRASIA, ERIXENE, and other Female Attendants. EUPHRASIA. This way, my virgins, this way bend your fteps. Lo ! the fad fepulchre where, hears'd in death, The pale remains of my dear mother lie. There, while the victims at yon altar bleed, And with your pray'rs the vaulted roof refounds, LI 2 There THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, There let me pay the tribute of a tear, A weeping pilgrim o'er Eudocia's afhes. ERIXENE. Forbear, Euphrafia, to renew your forrows, EUPHRASIA. My tears have dry'd their fource ; then let me hero Pay this fad vifit to the honour'd clay That moulders in the tomb. Thefe facred viand$ I'll burn an off'ring to a parent's lhade, And fprinkle with this wine the hallow'd mould. That duty paid, I will return, my virgins. [She goes into tbe tomb, ERIXENE. Look down, propitious pow'rs ! behold that virtue^ And heal the pangs that defolate her foul. Enter PHILOTAS, PHILOTAS. Mourn, mourn, ye virgins ; rend your fcatter'd gar^ ments ; Some dread calamity hangs o'er our heads. In vain the tyrant would appeafe with facrifice Th' impending wrath of ill-requited Heav'n. 111 omens hover o'er us : at the altar The victim dropt, ere the divining feer Had gor'd his knife. The brazen ftatues tremble, And from the marble, drops of blood diftill. ERIXENE, Now, ye juft Gods, if vengeance you prepare, Now find the guilty head. PHI- A TRAGEDY. 6t PHILOTAS. Amidil the throng A matron labours with th' infpiring God j She 1' arcs, fhe raves, and with no mortal found Proclaims around, " Where Phoebus am I borne ? (l I fee their glittering fpears -, I fee them charge $ (< Bellona wades in blood , that mangled body, " Deform'd with wounds and welt'ring in its gore, < I know it well , Oh ! clofe the dreadful fcene j * { Relieye me Phoebus, I have feen too much/' ElUXENE. Alas ! I tremble for Evander's fate : Avert the omen, Gods, and guard his life. Enter EUPHRASIA from the ^Tomb. EUPHRASIA. Virgins, I thank you Oh ! more lightly now My heart expands -, the pious act is done, And I have paid my tribute to a parent. Ah ! wherefore does the tyrant bend his way ? PHILOTAS. He flies the altar ; leaves th' unfinifhM rites. No God there imiles propitious on his caufe. Fate lifts the awful balance ; weighs his life, The lives of numbers, in the trembling fcale. EUPHRASIA. Defpair and horror mark his haggard looks, His wild, diforder'd ilep He rulhes forth ; Some new alarm demands him !- Ev'n now He iffues at yon portal ! -Lo ! fee there, The fuppliant crowd difperfes -, wild with fear, Diftrnction r>6 2 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Diflraftion in each look, the wretched throng Pours thro' the brazen gates- Do you retire, Retire Philotas ; let me here remain, And give the moments of fufpended fate To pious worlhip and to filial love. PHILOTAS. Alas ! I fear to yield: awhile I'll leave thec, And at the temple's entrance wait thy coming. EuPHRASIA. Now then, Euphrafia, now thou may'ft indulge The pureil ecftacy of foul. Come forth, Thou man of woe, thou man of ev'ry virtue. Enter EVANDER from the Monument* EVANDER. And does the grave thus caft me up again With a fond father's love to view thee ? Thus To mingle rapture in a daughter's arms ? EUPHRASIA. How fares my father now? EVANDER. Thy aid, Euphrafia, Has giv'n new life. Thou from this vital ftream Deriv'ft thy being; with unheard-of duty Thou haft repaid it to thy native fource. EUPHRASIA. Sprung from Evander, if a little portion Of all his goodnefs dwell within my heart, Thou wilt not wonder. EVAN- A T R A G E D Y. 263 EVANDER. Joy and wonder rife In mix'd emotions ! Though departing hence, After the ftorms of a tempeftuous life, Tho' I was entering the wifh'd-for port, Where all is peace, all blifs, and endlefs joy, Yet here contented I can linger flill To view thy goodnefs, and applaud thy deeds, Thou author of my life ! Did ever parent Thus call his child before ? My heart's too full, My old fond heart runs o'er ; it akes with joy. EUPHRASIA. Alas, too much you over-rate your daughter ; Nature and duty call'd me Oh ! my father, How didfl thou bear thy long, long fuff'rings I How Endure their barb'rous rage ? EVANDER. My foes but did To this old frame, what Nature's hand muft do. In the worft hour of pain, a voice 1H11 whifper ? ti me, * f Rouze thee, Evander; felf-acquitting confcience " Declares thee blamelefs, and th?gods behold thee/* I was but going hence by mere dec^/ 7'o that futurity which Plato taught, Where the immortal fpirit views the planets Roll round the mighty year, and wrapt in blifs Adores th' ideas of th' eternal mind. Thither, oh ! thither was Evander going,, But thou recall'il me -, thou ! EUPHRASIA. Timoleon too Invites thee back to life.. EVAN- 64 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER EVANDER. And does he ftill Urge on the fiege ? EUPHRASIA. His adlive genius comes To fcourge a guilty race. The Punic fleet; Half loft is fwallov/d by the roaring fea. The fhatter'd refufe feek the Lybian Iriore^ To bear the news of their defeat to Carthage* EVANDER. Thefe are thy wonders Heaven ! Abroad thy fpirit Moves o'er the deep, and mighty fleets are vanifh'd* EUPHRASIA. Ha ! hark !- what noife is that ! It comes this way. Some bufy footftep beats the hallow'd pavement. Oh ! Sir, retire Ye Pow'rs ! Philotas ! ha ! Enter PHILOTAS. PHILOTAS. For thee, Euphrafia, Dionyfius calls. Some new fufpicion goads him. At yon gate I ftopt Calippus, as with eager hafte He bent this way to feek thee. Oh !. my Sovereign, My King, my injur'd mailer, will you pardon The wrongs I've done thee ? (kneels to Evander.^) EVANDER. Virtue fuch as thine, From the fierce trial of tyrannic pow'r, Shines forth with added iuftre. PHI- A T R A G E D Y. 265 PHILOTAS. Oh ! forgive My ardent zeal j there is no time to wafte. You mud withdraw j truft to your faithful friends. Pafs but another day, and Dionyfius Falls from a throne ufurp'd. EVANDER. But ere he pays The forfeit of his crimes, what flreams of blood Shall flow in torrents round ! Methinks I might Prevent this wafte of nature I'll go forth, And to my people fhew their rightful King. EUPHRASIA. Banifti that thought ; forbear ; the rafli attempt Were fatal to our hopes j opprefs'd, difmay'd, The people look aghaft, and wan with fear None will eipoufe your caufe. EVANDER. Yes all will dare To act like men; their King, I gave myfelf To a whole people. I made no referve j My life was their's j each drop about my heart Pledg'd to the public caufe ; devoted to it j That was my compact ; is the fubjeft's lefs ? If they are all debas'd, and willing flaves, The young but breathing to grow grey in bondage, And the old finking to ignoble graves, Of fuch a race no matter who is King. And yet I will not think it j no ! my people Are brave and gen'rous ; I will truft their valour. EUPHRASIA. Yet ftay ; yet be advis'd. VOL, I, Mm PHI- 266 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, PHILOTAS. As yet my liege, No plan is fix'd, and no concerted meafure. The fates are bufy : wait the vaft event. Trufl to my truth and honour. Witnefs, Gods, Here in the temple of Olympian Jove Philotas fwears EVANDER. Forbear : the man like thee, Who feels the beft emotions of the heart, Truth, reafon, juftice, honour's fine excitements, Acts by thofe laws, and wants no other fanction. EUPHRASIA. Again, th' alarm approaches ; fure deftruftion To thee, to all will follow :---hark ! a found Comes hollow murmuring thro' the vaulted ifle. It gains upon the ear. Withdraw, my father j All's loft if thou art feen. PHILOTAS. And lo ! Calippus Darts with the light'ning's fpeed acrofs the ifle. EVANDER. Thou at the Senate-houfe convene my friends. Melanthon, Dion, and their brave aflbciates, Will fhew that liberty has leaders ftill. Anon I'll meet 'em there : my child farewell j Thou fhalt direct me now. EUPHRASIA. Too cruel fate ! The tomb is all the manfion I can give j My mother's tomb ! [Evander enters tie tomb. PHI- A T R A G E D Y. 267 PHILOTAS. You muft be brief; th' alarm Each moment nearer comes. In ev'ry found Deftruction threatens. Ha ! by Heaven this way Calippus comes Let me retard his fpeed. [Exit. EUPHRASIA coming forward. How my diffracted heart throbs wild with fear ? What brings Calippus ? wherefore ? fave me Heaven ! Enter CALIPPUS. CALIPPUS. This fullen mufmg in thefe drear abodes Alarms fufpicion : the King knows thy plottings, Thy rooted hatred to the ftate and him. His fov'reign will commands thee to repair This moment to his prefence. EUPHRASJA. Ha ! what means The tyrant ? I obey (Exit Calippus.) and, oh! ye Pow'rs, Ye miniflers of Heaven, defend my father ; Support his drooping age ; and when anon Avenging juftice fhakes her crimfon fteel, Oh ! be the grave at leaft a place of reft , That from his covert in the hour of peace Forth he may come to blefs a willing people, And be your own juft image here on earth. End of the THIRD ACT. M m 2 ACT 268 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, ACT the F O U R T H. Enter MELANTHON and PHILOTAS. MELANTHON. no more ; pernicious, vile difiembler ! PHILOTAS. Wherefore this frantic rage ? MELANTHON. Thou can'fl not varnifh With thy perfidious arts a crime like this. I climb'd the rugged cliff; but, oh ! thou traitor, Where is Evander ? Thro' each dungeon's gloom I fought the good old King : the guilt is thine i May vengeance wait thee for it. PHILOTAS. Still, Melanthon, Let prudence guide thee. MELANTHON. Thou haft plung'd thee down Far as the loweft depth of hell-born crimes ; Thou haft out-gone all regifters of guilt ; Beyond all fable haft thou fmn'd, Philotas. PHILOTAS. By Heav'n thou wrong'ft me: did'ft thou know, old man ---- ME- A T R A G E D Y. 269 MELANTHON. Could not his rev'rend age, could not his virtue, His woes unnumber'd, foften thee to pity? Thou haft deftroy'd my King. PHILOTAS. Yet wilt thou hear me ? Your King ftill lives. MELANTHON. Thou vile deceiver ! - Lives ! But where ? Away ; no more. I charge thee, leave me. PHILOTAS. We have remov'd him to a fure afylum. MELANTHON. Remov'd ! Thou traitor ! what dark privacy Why move him thence ? The vile aflaflln's ftab Has clos'd his days calm unrelenting villain ! I know it all. PHILOTAS. By ev'ry pow'r above Evander lives j in fafety lives. Laft night, When in his dark embrace fleep wrapt the world, Euphrafia came, a fpeftacle of woe j Dar'd to approach our guard, and with her tears, With vehemence of grief, Ihe touch'd my heart. I gave her father to her. MELANTHON. How, Philotas! If thou do'lt not deceive me PHI- THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, PHILOTAS. No, by Heaven ! By ev'ry pow'r above But hark ! thofe notes Speak Dionyfms near : anon, my friend, Til tell thee each particular ; thy King Mean while is fafe but lo ! the tyrant comes ; With guilt like his I muft equivocate, And teach ev'n truth and honour to diffemble. Enter DIONYSIUS, CALIPPUS, &c. DIONYSIUS. Away each vain alarm -, the fun goes down. Nor yet Timoleon iflues from his fleet. There let him linger on the wave-worn beach ; Here the vain Greek fhall find another Troy, A more than Hector here. Tho' Carthage fly, Ourfelf, ftill Dionyfius here remains. And means the Greek to treat of terms of peace ? By Heav'n, this panting bofom hop'd to meet His boafted phalanx on the embattled plain. And doth he now, on peaceful councils bent, Difpatch his herald ? Let the flave approach. Enter the HERALD. DIONYSIUS. Now fpeak thy purpofe ; what doth Greece impart ? HERALD. Timoleon, Sir, whofe great renown in arms Is equall'd only by the fofter virtues Of mild humanity that fway his heart, Sends me his delegate to offer terms, On which ev'n foes may well accord ; on which The A T R A G E D Y. 271 The fierceft nature, though it fpurn at juftice, May fympathize with his. DlONYSIUS. Unfold thy my fiery; Thou fhalt be heard. HERALD. The gen'rous leader fees, With pity fees, the wild definitive havock Of ruthlefs war; he hath furvey'd around The heaps of (lain that cover yonder field, And touch'd with gen'rous fenfe of human woe, Weeps o'er his victories. DlONYSIUS. Your leader weeps ! Then let the author of thofe ills thou fpeak'fl of, Let the ambitious factor of deftruction, Timely retreat, and clofe the fcene of blood. Why doth affrighted peace behold his flandard Uprear'd in Sicily ? and wherefore here The iron ranks of war, from which the fhepherd Retires appall'd, and leaves the blafled hopes Of half the year, while clofer to her breaft The mother clafps her infant ? HERALD. 'Tis not mine To plead Timoleon's caufe ; not mine the office To juftify the ftrong, the righteous motives That urge him to the war : the only fcope My deputation aims at, is to fix An interval of peace, a paufe of horror, That they, whofe bodies on the naked fliore Lie weltering in their blood, from either hoft May 272 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, May meet the laft fad rites to nature due, And decent lie in honourable graves. DIONYSIUS. Go tell your leader, his pretexts are vain. Let him, with thofe that live, embark for Greece, And leave our peaceful plains ; the mangled limbs Of thofe he murder'd, from my tender care Shall meet due obfequies. HERALD. The hero, Sir, Wages no war with thofe, who bravely die* 'Tis for the dead I fupplicate j for them We fue for peace j and to the living too Timoleon would extend it, but the groans Of a whole people have unfheath'd his fword. A fmgle day will pay the funeral rites. To-morrow's fun may fee both armies meet Without hoflility, and all in honour ; You to interr the troops, who bravely fell ; We, on our part, to give an humble fod To thole, who gain'd a footing on the ifle, And by their death have conquer'd. DIONYSIUS. Be it fo ; I grant thy fuit : foon as to-morrow's dawn Illume the world, the rage of wafting war In vain lhall thirft for blood : but mark my words $ If the next orient fun behold you here, That hour fhall fee me terrible in arms Deluge yon plain, and let deftruction loofe. Thou know'ft my laft refolve, and now farewell. Some careful officer conduct him forth. [Exit Herald. By Heav'n the Greek hath offered to my fword An A TRAGEDY. 273 An eafy prey j a facrifice to glut My great revenge. Calippus let each foldier 9This night refign his wearied limbs to reft, That ere the dawn, with renovated ftrength, On the unguarded, unfufpedling foe, Difarm'd, and bent on fuperflitious rites, Fr6m every quarter we may rufh undaunted. Give the invaders to the deathful fteel, And by one carnage bury all in ruin. My valiant friends hafte to your feveral poftsj And let this night a calm unruffled fpirit Lie hufh'd in deep : away, my friends, difperfe* Philotas, waits Euphrafia as we order'd ? PHILOTAS. She's here at hand. DIONYSIUS. Admit her to our prefence. Rage and defpair, a thoufand warring pafiions, All rife by turns, and piece-meal rend my heart. Yet ev'ry means, all meafures muft be tried, To fweep the Grecian fpoiler from the landj And fix the crown unfhaken on my brow. Enter EUPHRASIA. EUPHRASIA. What fudden caufe requires Euphrafia's prefence? DIONYSIUS. Approach, fair mourner, and difpel thy fears. Thy grief, thy tender duty to thy father, Has touch'd me nearly. In his lone retreat Refpect, attendance, ev'ry lenient care VOL. I. N n To &74 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, To foothe affliction, and extend his life, Evander has commanded. EUPHRASIA. Vile difiembler ! Detefted homicide ! (Afide)hn& has thy heart Felt for the wretched ? DIONYSIUS. Urgencies of ftate Abridg'd his liberty; but to his perfon All honour hath been paid. EUPHRASIA. The righteous Gods Have mark'd thy ways, and will in time repay Juft retribution. DlONYSIUS. If to fee your father, if here to meet him in a fond embrace, Will calm thy breaft, and dry thofe beauteous tears, A moment more fhall bring him to your prefence. EUPHRASIA. Ha ! lead him hither ! Sir, to move him now> Aged, infirm, worn out with toil and years No, let me feek him rather -If foft pity Has touch'd your heart, oh ! fend me, fend me to him. DlONYSIUS. Controul this wild alarm ; with prudent care Philotas fhall conduct him , here I grant The tender interview. A T R A G E D Y. 575 EuPHRASIA. Difaftrous fate ! Ruin impends ! This will difcover all; I'll perifh firftj provoke his utmoft rage. (Afide) Tho' much I languifh to behold my father, Yet now it were not fit the fun goes down \ Night falls apace ; foon as returning day DIONYSIUS. This night, this very hour, you both muft meet. Together you may ferve the ftate and me. Thou fee'ft the havock of wide wafting war j And more, full well you know, are ftill to bleed, Thou may'ft prevent their fate. EUPHRASIA. Oh! give the means, And I will bjefs thee for it, DIONYSIUS, From a Greek, Torments have wrung the truth. Thy hufband, Pho- cion EUPHRASIA, Oh ! fay, fpeak of my Phocion, DIONYSIUS, He; 'tis he Hath kindled up this war ; with treacherous arts Inflam'd the ftates of Greece, and now the traitor Comes with a foreign aid to wrefl my crown. EUPHRASIA. And does my Phocion fnare Timoleon's glory ? N n 2 DiQ- a 7 6 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, DlONYSIUS. With him inverts our walls, and bids rebellion Ere<5t her ftandard here. EUPHRASIA. Oh ! blefs him Gods ! Where'er my hero treads the paths of war, Lift on his fide ; againft the hoftile javelin Uprear his mighty buckler ; to his fword Lend the fierce whirlwind's rage, that he may comp With wreaths of triumph, and with conqueft crown'd. And his Euphrafia fpring with rapture to him. Melt in his arms, and a whole nation's voice Applaud my hero with a love like mine ! DlONYSIUS, Ungrateful fair ! Has not our fovereign wilj On thy defcendants fix'd Sicilia's crown ? Have I not vow'd protection to your boy ? EUPHRASIA. prom thee the crown ! From thee ! Euphrafia's chil- dren Shall on a nobler bails found their rights, On their own virtue, and a people's choice, DlONYSIUS. Mifguided woman ! EUPHRASIA. Afk of thee protection ! The father's valour fhall protect his boy, DlONYSIUS. Rufh not on fure definition -, ere to late Accept A TRAGEDY. 177 Accept our proffer'd grace. The terms arc thefe ; Inftant fend forth a meflage to your hufband ; Bid him draw off his Greeks ! unmoor his fleet, And meafure back his way. Full well he knows You and your father are my hoftages j And for his treafon both may anfwer, EUPHRASIA. Think'ft thou then So meanly of my Phocion ? Doft thou deem him Poorly wound up to a mere fit of valour, To melt away in a weak woman's tear ? Oh ! thou deft little know him ; know'ft but little Of his exalted foul. With gen'rous ardour Still will he urge the great, the glorious plan, And gain the ever honour'd bright reward, Which fame intwines around the patriot's brow, An4 bids for ever flouriiri on his tomb, For nations free'd and tyrants laid in duft. DlONYSIUS. By Heav'n, this night Eyander breathes his laH. EUPHRASIA. Better for him to fmk at once to reft, Than linger thus beneath the gripe of famine, In a vile dungeon fcoop'd with barb'rous fkilj Deep in the flinty rock ; a monument Of that fell malice and that black fuipicion That mark'd your father's reign ; a dungeon drear Prepar'd for innocence ! Vice liv'd fecure, ^t flourifh'd, triumph'd, grateful to his heart ; 'Twas virtue only could give umbrage ; then, In that black period, to be great and good Was a ftate crime j the pow'rs of genius then We* 3 cpnflruclive treafon. Pio- 27 S THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, DlONYSIUS. Ha! beware, Nor with vile calumny provoke my rage. EUPHRASIA. Whate'er was laudable, whate'er was worthy, Sunk under foul oppreffion ; freeborn men Were torn in private from their houfehold gods, Shut from the light of Heaven in cavern'd cells* Chain'd to the grunfel edge, and left to pine In bitternefs of foul ; while in the vaulted roof The tyrant fat, and through a fecret channel Collected ev'ry found j heard each complaint Of martyr'd virtue ; kept a regifter Of fighs and groans by cruelty extorted ; Noted the honeft language of the heart ; Then on the victims wreak'd his murd'rous rage, For yielding to the feelings of their nature, DlONYSIUS. Obdurate woman ! obflinate in ill! Here ends all parley. Now your father's doom Is fix'd j irrevocably fix'd. EUPHRASIA. Thy doom, perhaps. May firft be rix'd , the doom that ever waits The fell oppreffor, from a throne ufurp'd HurPd headlong down. Think of thy father's fate! At Corinth Dionyfius ! DlONYSIUS. Ha ! this night Evander dies ; and'thou, detefted fair ! Thou fhalt behold him, while inventive cruelty Purfues his wearied life through every nerve. I fcorn A TRAGEDY. 279 I fcorn all dull delay. This very nigKt Shall fate my great revenge. [Exit* EUPHRASIA. This night perhaps Shall whelm thee down, no more to blaft creation. My father, who inhabit'fl with the dead, Now let me feek thee in the lonely tomb, And tremble there with anxious hope and fear* [Exit. Scene the Infide of tbe Temple. Enter PHOCION and MELANTHON, PHOCION. Each ftep I move, a grateful terror fhakes My frame to difTolution. MELANTHON. Summon all Thy wonted firmnefs ; in that dreary vault A living King is number'd with the dead. I'll take my poft, near where the pillar'd ifie Supports the central dome, that no alarm Surprize you in the pious act. \Extt. PHOCION. If here They both are found ; if in Evander's anus Euphrafia meets my fearch, the fates atone For all my fuff'rings, all afflictions pafl. Yes I will feek them -ha ! the gaping tomb Invites my Heps -now be propitious Heaven ! [He enters tbs Enter THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER. Enter EUPHRASIA. All hail ye caves of horror ! In this gloom Divine content can dwell, the heartfelt tear, Which, as it falls, a father's trembling hand V/ili catch, and wipe the forrows from my eye. Thou Pow'r fupreme ! whole all-pervading mind Guides this great frame of things > who now behold'fl me, Who in that cave of death art full as perfect As in the gorgeous palace, now, while night Broods o'er the world, I'll to thy facred ihrine, And fupplicate thy mercies to my father. Who's there ? ---- Evander ? ---- Anfwer ---- tell me * fpeak ---- Enter PHOCION from the What voice is that ?=-- -Melanthon I EUPHRASIA* Ha ! thofe founds ! Speak of Evander ; tell me that he lives, Or loft Euphrafia dies. PHOCION\ Heart-lwelling tranlport ! Art thou Euphrafia ? 'tis thy Phocion, love $ Thy hufband comes. EUPHRASIA. Support me ; reach thy hand. PHOCION. Once more I clalp her in this fond embrace ! Eu- A TRAGEDY, a*i EUPHRASIA. What miracle has brought thee to me ? PHOCION. Love Infpir'd my heart, and guided all my ways* EUPHRASIA. Oh ! thou dear Wanderer ! But wherefore here ? Why in this place of woe ? my tender little one* Say is he fafe ? oh ? fatisfy a mother; Speak of my child, or I go wild at once* Tell me his fate, and tell me all thy owm PHOCION; Your boy is fafe, Euphrafia; lives to reign In Sicily; Timoleon's gen'rous care Protects him in.his camp; difpel thy fears; The Gods once more will give him to thy arms* EUPHRASIA. My father lives fepulchred ere his time, Here in Eudocia's tomb i let me conduct thefc* PHOCION. I came this moment thence. EUPHRASIA, And faw Evander ? PHOCION. Alas ! I found him not. VOL, L Op . Eu- a&2 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, EUPHRASIA. Not found him there ? And have they then Have the fell murderers Oh ! [faints away. PHOCION. I've been too rafh j revive, my love, revive ; Thy Phocion calls ; the Gods will guard Evander, And fave him to reward thy matchlefs virtue. Enter EVANDER and MELANTHON. EVANDER. Lead me, Melanthon, guide my aged fteps ; Where is he ? Let me fee him. PHOCION. My Euphrafia ; Thy father lives ; thou venerable man ! Behold ! 1 cannot fly to thy embrace. EUPHRASIA. Thefe agonies muft end me ; ah ! my father ! Again I have him ; gracious Pow'rs ! again I clafp his hand, and bathe it with my tears. EVANDER. Euphrafia ! Phocion too ! Yes, both are here j Oh ! let me thus, thus {train you to my heart. PHOCION. Protected by a daughter's tender care, By my Euphrafia fav'd ! That fweet reflection Exalts the blifs to rapture. A T R A G E D Y. 283 EuPHRASIA. Why my father, Why thus adventure forth ? The ftrong alarm O'erwhelm'd my Ipirits. EVANDER, I went forth, my child, When all was dark, and awful filence round, To throw me proftrate at the altar's foot, And crave the care of Heav'n for thee and thine, JMelanthon there Enter PHILOTAS. EUPHRASIA, Philotas ! ha ! what means . PHILOTAS. Inevitable ruin hovers o'er you : The tyrant's fury mounts into a blaze ; Unfated yet with blood, he calls aloud For thee, Evander j thee his rage hath order'd This moment to his prefence. EVANDER, Lead me to him : His prefence hath no terror for Evandc EUPHRASIA, Horror ! It muft not be, PHILOTAS. No ; never, never : I'll perilh rather. But the time demands O o 2 Our 284 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Our utmoft vigour ; with the light'ning's fpeed Decifive, rapid. With the fcorpion ftings Of confcience lafh'd, defpair and horror feize him, And guilt but ferves to goad his tortur'd mind To blacker crimes. His policy has granted A day's fufpenfe from arms ; yet even now His troops prepare, in the dead midnight hour, With bafe furprife, to ftorm Timoleon's camp, EVANDER. And doth he grant a falfe infidious truce, To turn the hour of peace to blood and horror ? EUPHRASIA. I know the monfter well : when fpecious feeming Becalms his looks, the rankling heart within Teems with deftruCtion. Like our own mount./Etna, When the deep fnows inveft his hoary head, And a whole winter gathers on his brow, Looking tranquility ; tv'n then beneath The fuel'd entrails fummon all their rage, Till the affrighted Ihepherd round him fees The fudden ruin, the vulcano's burft, Mountains hurl'd up in air, and moulten rocks, And all the land with delegation cover'd. MELANTHON. Now, Phocion, now, on thee our hope depends. Fly to Timoleon ; I can grant a pafsport : Rouze him to vengeance ; on the tyrant turn His own infidious arts, or all is loft. PHOCION. Evander thou, and thou, my beft Euphrafia, oth foall attend my flight, ME- A T R A G E D Y. MELANTHON T , It were in vain ; Th' attempt would hazard all. EUPHRASIA. Together here We will remain, fafe in the cave of death ; And wait our freedom from thy conqu'ring arm. EVANDER. Oh ! would the Gods roll back the ftream of time, And give this arm the fmew that it boafted At Tauromenium, when its force refiftlefs Mow'd down the ranks of war -, I then might guide The battle's rage, and, ere Evander die, Add Hill another laurel to my brow. EUPHRASIA. Enough of laurelPd victory your fword Hath reap'd in earlier days. EVANDER. And fliall my fword, When the great caufe of liberty invites, Remain inactive, unperforming quite ? Youth, fecond youth rekindles in my veins : Tho' worn with age, this arm will know its office; Will fhew that victory has not forgot Acquaintance with this hand. Aad yet O fhame ! It wiU not be : the momentary bUze Sinks, and expires : I have furviv'd it all ; Surviv'd my reign, my people and myfelf. EUPHRASIA. Fly, Phocion, fly; Melanthon will conduct thee. ME- 286 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, MELANTHOW. And when th' affault begins, my faithful cohorts Shall form their ranV s around this facred dome. PHOCION. And my poor captive friends, my brave companions Taken in battle, wilt thou guard their lives ? MELANTHON. Truft to my care : no danger fhall aflail them. PHOCION. By Heav'n, the glorious expectation fwells This panting bofom ! Yes, Euphrafia, yes $ Awhile I leave you to the care of Heaven. Fell Dionyfius tremble -, ere the dawn Timoleon thunders at your gates ; the rage, The pent-up rage of twenty thoufand Greeks, Shall burfl at once ; and the tumultuous roar Alarm th' aftoniih'd world. The brazen gates Afunder lhall be reijt ; the tow'rs, the ramparts, Shall yield to Grecian valour , death and rage Thro' the wide city's round lhall wade in gore, And guilty men awake to gafp their laft. Melanthon, come. EVANDER. Yet, ere thou go'ft, young man, Attend my words : tho' guilt may oft provoke, As now it does, juft vengeance on it's head, In mercy punilh it. The rage of ilaughter Can add no trophy to the viftor's triumph j Bid him not fhtd unneceffary blood. Conqueft is proud, inexorable, fierce ; It is humanity enobles all. So thinks Evander, and fo tell Timoleon. PHO- A T R A G E D Y. 287 PHOCION. Farewell; the midnight hour fhall give you free- dom. [Exit with Melanthon and Philotas. EUPHRASIA. Ye guardian Deities, watch all his ways. EVANDER. Come, my Euphrafia, in this interval Together we will feek the facred altar, And thank the God, whofe prefence fills the dome, For the belt gift his bounty could beftow, The virtue he has giv'n thee j there we'll pour Our hearts in praiie, in tears of adoration, For all the wond'rous goodnefs lavifh'd on us. i End of the FOURTH ACT. ACT 18S THE GRECIAN ACT the FIFTH. Enter DIONYSIUS and CALIPPUS. DIONYSIUS. ERE the day clos'd, while yet the bufy eye Might view their camp, their ftations and their guards, Their preparations for approaching night, Did'ft thou then mark the rciotions of the Greeks ? CALIPPUS. From the watch-tour I faw them : all things fpoke A foe fecure, and difcipline relax'd. Their arms thrown idly by, the foldiers ftray'd To one another's tents -, their fteeds no more Stood near at hand caparifon'd for war ; And from the lines numbers pour'd out, to fee The fpot where the befieg'd had fallied forth, And the fierce battle rag'd ; to view the flain That lie in heaps upon the crimfon beach. There the fond brother, the afflicted father, And the friend fought fome veftige of the face Of him who dy'd in battle \ night came on ; Some (lowly gain'd their tents : difpers'd around Whole parties loiter'd, touch'd with deep regret) War, and its train of duties, all forgot. DIONYSIUS* Their folly gives them to my fword: are all IVIv orders 5 filled ? i neir rojiy gives My orders iffued r CALIPPUS. All. DlONY- A TRAGEDY.. 289 DlONYSIUS. The troops retir'd To gain recruited vigour from repofe ? CALIPPUS. The city round lies hufh'd in deep. DIONYSIUS. Anon Let each brave officer, of chofen valour, Forfake his couch, and with delib'rate fpirit, Meet at the citadel. An hour at fur'theft - Before the dawn, 'tis fix'd to ftorm their camp j And whelm their men, their arms, and iteeds and tents, In one prodigious ruin, Hafte, Calippus, Fly to thy poft, and bid Euphrafia enter. [Exit CALIPPUS. Evander dies this night : Euphrafia too Shall be difpos'd of. Curfe on Phocion's fraud, That from my pow'r withdrew their infant boy. In him the feed of future Kings were crufh'd, And the whole hated line at once extinguifli'd. Enter EUPHRASIA. DIONYSIUS. Once more approach and hear me ; 'tis not now A time to wafte in the vain war of words. A crifis big with horror is at hand. I meant to fpare the ft ream of blood, that foon Shall deluge yonder plains. My fair propofals Thy haughty fpirit has with fcorn rejected. And now, by Heav'n, here in thy very fight, Evander breathes his laft. VOL. I. P p Eu. 290 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, EUPHRASIA. The truce you've granted Sufpends the rage of war : mean time fend forth The orators of peace with olive crown'd. Timoleon, good and jull, and ever willing To conquer rather by perfuafive truth, Than by devouring Daughter, will agree In friendly parley to affert his rights, And compromife the war. DIONYSIUS. And muft I fue For terms of peace ? To an invader fue ? Since you, the fiend of Syracufe and Greece, Since you thus urge me on to defp'rate daring, Your father firfl of him I'll be affur'd Your father meets his fate. EUPHRASIA. If yet there's wanting A crime to fill the meafure of thy guilt, Add that black murder to the dreadful lift; With that complete the horrors of thy reign. DIONYSIUS. Woman, beware : Philotas is at hand, And to our prefence leads Evander. All Thy dark complottings, and thy treach'rous arts, Have prov'd abortive. EUPHRASIA. Ha !- What new event ? And is Philotas falfe ? Has he betray'd him ? DlONY-^ A T R A G E D Y. 291 DlONYSIUS. Evander's doom is feal'd What ho ! Philotas ; Now fhak thou fee him die in pangs before thee. Enter PHILOTAS. EUPHRASIA. How my heart finks within me ! DlONYSIUS. Where's your pris'ner ? PHILOTA-S. Evander is no more. DlONYSIUS. Ha ! Death has robb'd me Of half my great revenge. PHILOTAS. Worn out with anguifh I faw life ebb apace. With ftudied art We gave each cordial drop, alas ! in vain ; He heav'd a figh -, invok'd his daughter's name, Smil'd and DlONYSIUS. Bring me his hoary head. PHILOTAS. You'll pardon, Sir, my over-hafty zeal. I gave the body to the foaming furge Down the ftet-p rock defpis'd. P p 2 DlONY- 192 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, DlONYSIUS. Now rave and fhriek, And rend your fcatter'd hair. No more Evander Shall fway Sicilia's fceptre. EUPHRASIA. Mighty Gods ! The hardened heart, the man elate with pride View with companion ! To the bad extend Some portion of your mercy j crimes and blood Have made their fouls a feat of defolation, Of woe, defpair and horror ! Turn to them An eye of pity : whom your bounty form'd To truth, to goodnefs, and to gen'rous deeds, On them no more from your bright flores of blifs You need difpenle : their virtue will fupport them. DlONYSIUS. Now then thou feel'fl my vengeance. EUPHRASIA. Glory in it ; Exult and triumph. Thy worft fliaft is fpqd. Yet flill th' unconquer'd mind with fcorn can view thee; With the calm funfhine of the breaft can fee Thy pow'r unequal to fubdue the foul, Which Virtue form'd, and which the Gods protect, DlONYSIUS. Philotas, bear her hence ; fhe fhall not live ; This moment bear her hence; you know the reftj Go, fee our will obey'd j that done, with all A warrior's fpeed attend me at t^ie citadel ; There meet the heroes, whom this night fhall lead To A TRAGEDY. 293 To freedom, victory, to glorious havock, And the deftrudtion of the Grecian name. [Exit. EUPHRASIA. Accept my thanks, Philotas , generous man ! Thefe tears atteft th' emotions of my heart. But oh ! fliould Greece defer PHILOTAS. Difpel thy fears j Phocion will bring relief , or fhould the tyrant AiTault their camp, he'll meet a marfhalFd foe. Let me conduct thee to the filent tomb. EUPHRASIA. Ah ! there Evander, naked and difarm'd, Defencelcfs quite, may meet fome ruffian ftroke. PHILOTAS. Lo ! here a weapon ; bear this dagger to him. In the drear monument fliould hoftile fteps Dare to approach him, they muft enter iingly ; This guards the paflage ; man by man they die. There may'ft thou dwell amidft the wild commotion, EUPHRASIA. Ye pitying Gods, protect my father there ! [Exeunt. Scene the CITADEL. CALIPPUS and federal OFFICERS. FIRST OFFICER. What new event thus fummons us together ? CA- 494 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, CALIPPUS. Tis great occafion calls j Timoleon's ardor Comes rufhing on j his works rife high in air, Advance each day, and tow'r above our walls. One brave exploit may free us Lo ! the King. Enter DIONYSIUS. DlONYSJUS. Ye brave affbciates, who fo oft have Ihar'd Our toil and danger in the field of glory, My fellow-warriors, what no god could promife, Fortune hath giv'n us. In his dark embrace Lo ! ileep envelops the whole Grecian camp, Againft a foe, the outcafts of their country, Freebooters roving in purfuit of prey, Succefs by war, or covert ftratagem Alike is glorious. Then, my gallant friends, What need of words ? The gen'rous call of freedom, Your wives, your children, your invaded rights, All that can fleel the patriot bread with valour, Expands and rouzes in the fwelling heart. Follow th' impulfive ardour; follow me, Your King, your leader; in the friendly gloom Of nie;ht afiault their camp ; your country's love, And fame eternal, fhall attend the men "Who march'd through blood and horror, to redeem From the invader's pow'r their native land. CALIPPUS. Lead to the onfet ; Greece lhall find we bear Hearts prodigal of blood, when honour calls, Refolv'd to conquer or to die in freedom. DIONYSIUS. Thus I've refolv'd : when the declining moon Hsth A T R A G E D Y. ip Hath veil'd her orb, our filent march begins. The order thus : Calippus, thou lead forth Iberia's fonswith the Numidian bands, And line the fhore. Perdiccas, be it thine To march thy cohorts to the mountain's foot, Where the wood fkirts the valley ; there make halt Till brave Amyntor ftretch along the vale. Ourfelf, with the embodied cavalry Clad in their mail'd cuirafs, will circle round To where their camp extends its furthefr. line ; Unnumber'd torches there fhall blaze at once, The fignal of the charge ; then, oh ! my friends, On every fide let the wild uproar loofe, Bid maflacre and carnage flalk around, Unfparing, unrelenting; drench your fwords In hoflile blood, and riot in deftruction. Enter an OFFICER, DlONYSIUS. Ha! fpeak] unfold thy purpofe. t OFFICER. Inftant arm ; To arms, my Liege ; the foe breaks in upon us ; The iubterraneous path is theirs ; that way Their band invades the city funk in deep. DlONYSIUS. Treafon's at work ; detefted, treach'rous villains ! Is this their promis'd truce ? Away, my friends, Rouze all the war ; fly to your fev'ral potts, And inftant bring all Syracufe in arms. [Exeunt. Warlike mufick. Enter 296 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Enter MELANTHON. CALIPPUS. Melanthon, now colled your faithful bands, MELANTHON. Do thou purfue the King ; attend his fteps : Timoleon lords it in the captive city. [Exit CALIPPUS. Enter PHILOTAS. MELANTHON. Philotas, vengeance has begun its work. PHILOTAS. The Gods have fent relief , difmay, and terror, And wild amaze, and death in ev'ry lhape, Fill the affrighted city. MELANTHON. Tyrant, now Th' inevitable hour of fate is come. Philotas, round the dome that holds Evander We will arrange our men j there fix our poft, And guard that fpot, till, like fome God, Timoleon Still the wild uproar, and bid flaughter ceafe. [Exeunt. Enter DIONYSTUS. Why fleep the coward flaves ? All things confpire ; The Gods are leagu'd ; I fee them raze my tow'rs -, My walls and bulwarks fall, and Neptune's trident From its foundation heaves the folid rock. Pallas directs the ftorm ; her gorgon ihield Glares A T R A G E D Y. 297 Glares in my view, and from the fleet fhe calls Her Greeks enrag'd.---In arms I'll meet 'em all. What, ho ! my guards \ arife, or wake no more. Enter CALIPPUS. CALIPPUS. This way, my liege ; our friends, a valiant band, Afiemble here. DIONYSIUS. Give me to meet the Greek. Our only fafety lies in brave defpair. [Exeunt. Scene the Infide of the 'Tempts. A Monument in the Middle. EUPHRASIA, ERIXENE, and Female Attendants* EUPHRASIA. Which way, Erixene, which way, my virgins, Shall we direct our fteps ? What facred altar Clafp on our knees ? ERIXENE. Alas ! the horrid tumult Spreads the deftruction wide. On ev'ry fide The victor's fhouts, the groans of murder'd wretches. In wild confufion rife. Once more defcend Eudocia's tomb > there thou may'it find a fhelter. EUPHRASIA. Anon, Erixene, I mean to vifit, Perhaps for the laft time, a mother's urn. This dagger there, this inftrurnent of death, VOL. I. Q^q Should 298 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, Should Fortune profper the fell, tyrant's arms, This dagger then may free me from his pow'r, And. that drear vault intomb us all in peace. [Puts up the dagger. Hark ! how the uproar fwells ! Alas what numbers In Dionyfius' caufe fliall yield their throats To the deftruftive fword !--- Aloft I climb'd The temple's vaulted roof; the fcene beneath Is horrible to fight ; the domes and palaces Blaze to the fky j and where the flames forbear, The Greeks enrag'd brandilh the gleaming fword. From the high roofs, to fhun the raging fire, Wretches precipitate their fall. But oh ! No paufe, no mercy ; to the edge o'th' fword They give their bodies ; butcher'd, galh'd with wounds They die in mangled heaps, and with their limbs Cover the fanguine pavement. ERIXENE. Hark! EUPHRASIA. The Din Of arms with clearer found advances. Hark ! That fudden burft ! Again ! They rufh upon us ! The portal opens ; lo ! fee there ; behold ! \Var, horrid war invades the facred fane ; No altar gives a fanctuary now. \JVarlike mujlc. Enter DIONYSIUS and CALIPVS, with feveral Soldiers. DIONYSIUS. Here will I mock their fiege ; here Hand at bay, And brave 'em to the laft. CA~ A T R A G E D Y. 299 CALIPPUS. Our weary foes Defift from the purfuit. DlONYSIUS. Tho' all betray me, Tho' ev'ry God confpire, I will not yield. If I muft fall, the temple's pond'rous'roof, The manfion of the Gods combin'd againft me Shall firft be crulh'd, and lie in ruin with me. Euphrafia here ! Detefted, treach'rous woman ! For my revenge preferv'd ! By Heav'n 'tis well ; Vengeance awaits thy guilt, and this good fword Thus fends thee to atone the bleeding vi Aims This night has maflacred. CALIPPUS. (Holding Dionyfius's arm) My liege forbear ; Her life preferv'd may plead your caufe with Greece, And mitigate your fate. DIONYSIUS. Prefumptuons (lave ! My rage is up in arms ; by Heav'n fhe dies. Enter EVANDER from the Tomb. EVANDER. Horror! forbear! Thou murd'rer hold thy hand ! The Gods behold thee, horrible afiafiin ! Reftrain the blow , it were a ftab to Heav'n j All nature fhudders at it ! \Vill no friend Arm in a caufe like this a father's hand ? Strike at this bofom rather. Lo ! Evander Proftrate a" i groveling on the earth before thee j . He 300 THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER, He begs to die ; exhauft the fcanty drops That lag about his heart ; but fpare my child. DIONYSIUS. Evander ! Do my eyes once more behold him ? May the fiends feize Philolas ! Treach'rous flave ! 'Tis well thou liv'ft j thy death were poor revenge From any hand but mine. [O/ers to Jlrike. EUPHRASIA. No, tyrant, no j (Rujhing before Evander. J have provok'd your vengeance; through this bofom Open a paffage j firft on me, on me Exhauft your fury j ev'ry Pow'r above Connu*rv Difclos'd the wonders of it's All but Don Carlos : with a lover's fpeed This way he bends his fteps. My fwifteft zeal Could fcarce outftrip him. ORELLAN/.. Leave me virgins, leave me. Ezmont I thank thy care, [they go out.] Now fum- mon all Thy calmeft patience, and thy firm refolve. . Enter DON CARLOS, CARLOS. Let this auipicious morn difpel thy cares, And each fuccefilve hour on balmy wings Bring peace, bring health, and beau ty'sroieate bloom. Does Orellana fhun me ? hither turn Thy gracious afpecl; let thole azure eyes Beam with their gentleil radiance. ORELLANA. Thofe eyes With galling tears have long fince loft their luftrc. They, like the daughters of rapacious Spain, Have not yet learn'd to gild the cloud of woe, Infpire A L Z U M A* Infpire the look, and animate the glance. While mifery lays defolate the heart. CARLOS; Let love dirFufe his cordial o'er thy ipirits ; Soon fhall each grace awaken, foort thy heart- Beat fprightly notes of rapture and of joy* ORELLANA. Oh ! talk not, Carlos, to a wretch forlorn",, And loft as I am, do no? talk of joy. No more fhall pleafure vifit this fad form, This breathing ftatue of deipair. CARLOS. Defpair But ill requites th" indulgent care of Heav r nj That now invites thee to enjoy with me Your fhare of love, and empire* ORELLAtfA, Take again, Take back your vows of friendfhip and of love j I do entreat you take 'em ; bear 'em hence To the bright dames that grace your native land. Worthier they'll liften to you; they have hearts Prone to thy foft imprefiions j they have hearts That never bled to fee the ruthlefs fword, Thy fword, Don Carlos, lay their country \vafte. Thou haft not injui 'd them ; but oh ! refpecl: A captive wretch, a wretch that has full caufe, Yet pours no curies on thee ! CARLOS. Wilt thou thus, JRelentlefs fair ! wilt thou then- wound me thus With A TRAGEDY. 319 With ftern reproach ? under a father's banner 1 wag'd the war j and if her purple wing Propitious vidtory wav'd o'er my head, The world can witnels, who by me have fall'n, All bravely fell in the embattled field, Not naked and difarm'd : in me the vanquilh'd Have found a friend > 'twas Orellana's will. Her conquering eyes have half aveng'd her country, And made the victor beauty's willing flave. His laurels bloom for thee j he lays his trophies, His fcepter at your feet : thy native realm Wooes thee to fov'reign fway, and bids thee rule The Wcftern world, when to her fofter clime Spain lliall invite thy mother. ORELLANA. Name her not t I would not think upon her crimes ! become The conqu'ror's wife oh! fliarndefs guilt! become The frantic votarift of Spanifh gods, She fires his haughty foul to tenfold rage. This day prepares new victims : oh 1 my Lord, Jf your religion does not quite fupprefs The voice of nature, lave the lives of wretches , plead them their caufe ; let me not fee again The ilreaming blood of innocence. CARLOS. I move By thy command alone j and oh ! bright maid, The pity I extend will furely claim The foft return of thine. ORELLANA. Alas ! My Lord, Much I efteem thy goodnefs ; much I honour Thy many virtues : but a holy vow Forbid* A L Z U M A, Forbids my love ; and tell me, fhould I grant it, Would'ft thou receive an interdicted wretch With counterfeited fmiles to thy embrace ? Believe me. Sir, who dares renounce her gods Will dare be falfe to man. Enter PIZARRO, ORAZIA, Attendants, &c, PlZARRO. Come near, my fon; Thou feed thy father with afliduous care Spreading the glories of his King and God O'er this new world. CARLOS. My father's fervent zeal Shall ftand time honour'd in the rolls of fame. Vanquilh'd Peru thro' all her cities mourns Thy vaft renown in arms ; it now were time That weary conqueft fhould abate her rigours. And peace begin to harmonize the world, ORAZIA. As yet, young warrior, our untutor'd race To thee is little known : an Indian mind Is wrapp'd in error's mifts ; from fabling priefts Hears impious legends ; in each falling fhow'r, Each cloud that fails upon yon azure deep, Conceives the prefent deity -, in dreams, Which fever'd fancy forms, ftill thinks it hears Loud oracles, commercing with the gods. The daemons and the human faculties Are then in dark confpiracy, and all Is bigot rage, and cruelty, and horror. This gloom muft be difpelFd ; and force, my fon, 'Tis force muft execute the holy work. CAR- A T R A G E D Y. 321 CARLOS. And think we then our duty unperform'd Unlefs we imitate with furious zeal Heav'n's vengeance, not it's mercy ? PIZARRO. Juftice calls For vengeance on a blind offending world. I know my miffion here : beneath the Tropic The holy crofs I've borne, and in that fign Pizarro ftill fhall conquer : be it mine To ftretch the ray of truth, and bid the Indian Kneel and adore ! CARLOS. Almagro's conqu'ring arm In Chili's realm hath crufh'd the favage war. The weftern world hath heard the hideous ruin, And fuppliant courts the yoke. PIZARRO. But ftill Alzuma Lives for new tumult. ORAZJA. Lives to bid his mother With tears and burning blufhes hear his name. Proud, uncontroulable, and fierce of fpirit, Ev'n in his earlieft youth, his boyifh days, When the grim tiger from the thicket rufh'd, Did he once fly ? did he not ev'n then Dare the encounter ? the fell monfter gor'd His youthful bread, and if his father's arm Had not transfix'd the favage to the earth, Alzuma then had died. Since that he bore VOL. I. T t The 322 A L Z U M A, The tiger's mark, and ere the down of manhood Sprung on his cheek, went from his mother far, Grew up implacable of foul, and now With dire alarms {hakes all the Weftern World. CARLOS. And if our crimes provoke PIZARRO. Our crimes, my fon ! ORAZIA. That thought to Orellana owes its birth. In foft captivity frie holds him bound : Her beauty leads him with a fmgle glance, Moves with a figh, and foftens with a tear ; And love and grace by turns difpute his heart. PIZARRO. Hear, Orellana : fay, thou beauteous mourner, How long (hall tears and flow confuming grief Deform thy native graces ? ORELLANA. Pardon, Sir, If the rough manners of my native clime Form'd me in plain fimplicity : unfkill'd In all the fludied elegance of feature, I only know to look my honeft meaning;, An artlefs favage, a forfakcn wretch,, Whom joy has long forfworn ! ORAZIA. In Cufco's court, Where ev'ry face but thine is deck'd with flniles, Such perfevering forrow ill befits Orazia's A T R A G E D Y. 323 Orazia's daughter. While your mother ftill Ev'n with the viftor Ihares her ancient fceptre, You have full caufe of joy. And tell me, does not That gen'rous youth, Pizarro's gallant fon, Breathe gentleft vows, and languifh for your love ? ORELLANA. Ay, Madam ! love and tendernefs he brings, But fighs and tears are all I have to give. ORAZIA. Away with vain excufe : thou triflcr hear j Spain's pure religion calls : this moment yield, And rank thee with the faithful. ORELLANA. That command ORAZIA. Muft be obey'd. ORELLANA. Alas ! full well you know Force has already tlragg'd me to your altar. There while the cenfer wreath'd its fragrant clouds, While pealing organs fwell'd the iblemn note, And through deep lengthen'd ifles confenting choirs Harmonious hymn'd their God -, not to your Heav'n My pray'rs were offer'd. No ! ye holy pow'rs Whom long Peru hath worfhipp'd, in that hour You rufh'd between me and their Chriflian pomp, Bore my rapt foul to your own orbs on high, And {brines, and burning lamps, grew dim before me. T t ^ Enter 3 2 4 A L Z U M A, ORAZIA. Invincible in ignorance. Enter GONZALEZ, GONZALEZ. My Lord, The (laves remain obdurate. PIZARRO. Ha! rejecY The terms of proffered life ! GONZALEZ. Their eyes intent Gaze on two leaders, from whofe fierce demeanour They gain new courage, obflinate in guilt. Their chiefs, by my command, attend your prefence. Enter ALZUMA, and OZMAR. PIZARRO. Say, what art thou, who with indignant fpirit Haft dar'd to mock our laws ? ALZUMA. One born in freedom ! One who, while yet he lives, like freedom's fon, Will dare to think. PIZARRO. Reflect, rafh youth, and take New life from this aufpicious day. ATRAGEPY. 325 ALZUMA. The day, That fees a man crouch in ignoble bondage, Sees ev'ry virtue loft. PIZARRO. Beware, thou flave ! Know'ft thou that inftant death awaits you both ? ALZUMA. We know it ; we expect it ; we invoke it ; 'Twill end our mifery. PIZARRO, Thou infolent ! AH gracious Heav'n, that flill delights in mercy ALZUMA. Mercy ! delights in mercy ! PIZARRO. Yes ; his word Gives life and peace to all. ALZUMA. And dareft thou then, Thou fell deftroyer ! ravager of earth ! And dar'ft thou then in horrid contrail: ftancl To infinite benevolence ? PIZARRO. No more I'll parley with obdurate guilt. Gonzalez, Guard 316 A L Z U M A, Guard thou thofe mifcreants \ fee they fuffer death, And by their torments warn an impious race. \Exit with Orazia, and Attendants. ORELLANA. Oh ! Carlos, gcn'rous youth ! if any fpark Of love dwell in thy nature, quickly fly, Purfue your cruel father, hafte, prevent The horrid murder. What have they committed ? What is their crime ? Oh ! do not fee them bleed, For daring to be true to Heav'n. CARLOS. 1 g> Thou gen'rous maid, to execute your will. \Exlt. ORELLANA. Or gain their liberty, or elfe the hour That fees 'em fall, will end this wretched being. {Exit after Carlos. ALZUMA. And are there feelings here for human woe ? GONZALEZ. Guards, lead your pris'ners hence. ALZUMA. Spaniard a word : Wilt thou indulge one moment to the wretched ? I thank thee. Ozmar, we have walk'd together The rugged paths of honour ; to the lail Grappled with fate ; againft the foe have ftrain'd Bold virtue's nerve : oh ! let it never flacken, But A T R A G E D Y. 327 But bear us ftrongly up, like men, who boaft Souls ever prompt for liberty or death. OZMAR. Sunk as we are, our country bleeding round us, Our cities fack't, our very gods diihonour'd, Death is relief, is victory and triumph. ALZUMA. But let us entertain our doom, my friend, In filent dignity : amidft our pangs Let no dejected pafllon tell the Spaniard Alzuma dies in me ! OZMAR. Not all the tortures Their vengeance can inflict, fhall e'er extort One fecret from me. ALZUMA. Let him fhudder ftill With dire conceptions at Alzuma's name ; Still let him think Alzuma roams the foreft. Climbs the fteep mountain's brow, or down the lake Glides in the fwift canoe, to rouze the war, And call the nations to a great revenge. Let that purfue him ftill : oh ! let that thought, And the dire furies of detefted guilt With ceafelefs pangs inhabit in his heart : Alzuma dies content ! OZMAR. The tyrant's pow'r Is fhort liv'd o'er us> and his murd'rous rage But fets the hero free. At- A L Z U M A, ALZUMA. His pow'r may fhackle Thefe mould'ring limbs ; but the unbodied fpirit Shall bear its native liberty along, To the blefs'd vale behind the cloud-capt hill, The filent region of departed fouls, That region undifcover'd by the Spaniard 1 Where our forefathers, in unfading blifs, Prepare the rofeate bow'r, and weave the chaplet, For deeds heroic done in life ; for all Who, firm in honour, by diftrefs unconquer'd, Have fmil'd in woe, and to their graves have carried The facred charter of the free-born mind. End of the FIRST ACT. ACT A T R A G E D Y* ACT the SECOND. Scene at the Gate of the Temple if the Sun. Enter ALZUMA. ALZUMA. T"\OST thou not hear me, loft Peru ? Not hear *-^ The clank of thefe vile chains that fetter thuj Your rightful fov'reign ? Wherefore thus again Led to their Chriftian temple ? Why their guards Plac'd at each pafs ? Is this, juft gods, a lot For your own progeny ? Yet even here, Here ftill is room for fortitude and honour. Yes, ye calamities of this bad world, Pour all your deftin'd malice on my head ; Ye ftorms, ye tempefts, roar! Each change of fortune Is but a change of virtue. Enter OZMAR. ALZUMA. Valiant Ozmar, Let me embrace thee. Ozmar, fpite of all My heart's bell firmnefs, it drops blood for thec. OZMAR. Alzuma \ Tears ! And doft thou think me then So poor of foul ? ALZUMA. Ozmar, I will not weep ; I will not ftain a righteous caufe wi:h tears. VOL. I. U u And .A L Z U M A, And yet frail nature thus will gufti it's way. Oh ! there's a caufe that confecrates each drop That burns it's channel down the foldier's cheek !' Ozmar, to fee a nation bleeding round us, Yet fettered thus in chains I cannot fpeak j Thy own great heart will tell thee. OZMAR. Embitter not the cup of woe. , ALZUMA. To die Inglorious ! Unreveng'd ! My father's death, Thy favage mafiacre, lamented lhade ! Oh ! Atabalipa, yet unaton'd ! His queen Orazia, my much honour'd mother, How has fate dealt with her ? My fifter too, Poor Orellana ! 'Tis a long, long time Since lad thefe eyes beheld her. Breathes fhe ftill The vital air ? And oh ! what happy clime Affords her innocence and truth a fhelter ? Alzuma knows knows not, and that piercing thought Unmans my foul, and gives a fting to death. OZMAR. The gracious pow'rs, who watch o'er innocence ALZUMA. No pow'r protects it now. Where were ye gods, In that black period when the Spanifh fpoiler Firft fpoke in thunder to us ? Not your own Thrice honour'd temples then contain'd ye ! No I Ybur facred temples, and your hallow'd groves, You left defencelefs. You have loft your rites, Your kings their empire, and Peru her freedom. A T R A G E D Y. 331 OZMAR. If deeds heroic could have fav'd the Hate, Thy own great patriot toil ALZUMA. Where were ye, gods, When late in Chili's wide extended plains I fought the embattled foe ? From ev'ry quarter I brought the Weftern world in arms. The fun Beneath the burning line beheld my courfe, Back to the Tropic faw my rapid march j The queen of night, and ev'ry vivid planet, Walking in brightnefs their empyreal round, Saw my unwearied labour j faw me guide Down the broad Amazon my rapid bark, Each ifland vifiting ; on ev'ry fhore Invoking vengeance. Heav'n beheld it all, Yet left me in th' extreme j to hoftile gods, Th' unjuft, revengeful, cruel gods of Spain Betray'd a faithful unfufpecting race. OZMAR. Yes, all, all's loft, all ruin'd ! That laft battle Has giv'n 'em up the world. Almagro's arms Heap'd hideous ruin on us. AI.ZUMA, Ozmar, there, There liberty, amidft that purple heap Hergen'rous bofom grac'd with honefl fears, Groan'd and expir'd. Oh ! City of the Sun, Ye facred afhes of my friends, who perifh'd In your lov'd country's laft expiring blaze ! Oh ! feat of empire ! Witnefs in your fall I have dar'd nobly for you, U u 2 Enter 33* A L Z U M A. Enter GONZALEZ and Guards. GONZALEZ. Be thofe chains Inftant releas'd, and fet the pris'ners free. [Soldiers unchain them, ALZUMA. Ah ! that foft virgin form appears again ! This way Ihe bends her iteps. What may this mean ? Enter ORELLANA. ORELLANA. There is your warrant, Sir ; Pizarro's hand Hath fign'd their freedom, GONZALEZ. I obey the mandate. [Exit with Soldiers* ALZUMA. Tell me, thou fair unknown ! to what new fcenes Our fate referves us both ? ORELLANA. Humanity And juftice plead your caufe. ALZUMA. And does thy heart Feel the foft touch of nature for the wretched ? ORELLANA. Stranger, my heart is feelingly alive When A TRAGEDY: 333 When mifery claims a tear : that fruitlefs tribute Is all I can, and Heav'n demands it of me. ALZUMA. I pray ye mock me not. A Spaniard's heav'n Infpires revenge, and cruelty and murder. ORELLANA. In me you fee a daughter of Peru, And nature and religion bind me to you. ALZUMA. Then our own gods watch o'er affliction ftill, And at their hands I do accept my life. Oh ! gen'rous virgin, I refpect thy virtues ; The pow'rs that gave them will reward them too : If not in ev'ry ftate, in death or conqueft, They are their own fweet recompence. ORELLANA. That mien ! That prompt heroic ardor ! Stranger, fay, Whence and what art thou ? ALZUMA. By my birth obfcure : Almagro late beheld me grafp the javelin, And mid'ft the gen'ral carnage of the day, Seek death in vain thro' all the paths of war. ORELLANA. Ah ! tell me then I tremble while I afk ; Where is Alzuma ? Lives he ? Does he yet Elude the tyrant's fearch ? Or has he fought The vale of fleeting fpirits ? Quickly tell me, For oh ! I long to hear. AL- A L -Z U M A, ALZUMA, ,,r Support me, Ozmar. Her tender fympathyl OZMAR. Now fummon all Your wonted firmnefs : fhe's a ftranger yet, Let prudence guard thee, ORELLANA. Ah ! diftraft me not. Why art thou pale ! Why gath'ring in thy eye Stand thofe round drops ? Alas ! he is no more, OZMAR,. Alzuma lives ! ORELLANA. Lives ! OZMAR. But far hence remote Seeks a retreat for mifery and freedom, ORELLANA. Then I am blefs'd indeed ! ALZUMA. Abforb'd in wonder, My flutt'ring foul feels all her functions loft. ORELLANA. Weep'ft thou, brave youth ? Ah ! fay what hidden caufe AL- A TRAGEDY. 33J ALZUMA. Thy gen'rous tendernefs. Like you I'm born With too much fenfibility of heart. ORELLANA. Indeed you feem to bear a noble nature. Say, will you undertake like men, and dare A hardy enterprize, that tends at once To your own fafety and the general weal ? ALZUMA. Speak thy intent : ev'n ruin'd as we are We boaft the virtue ftill to ferve thee, virgin. ORELLANA. Then mark my words : anon, when in the palace All court the Spaniard's fmiles, and do the work Of low ambition, then with cautious ftep Repair ye both to yonder facred temple, In happier days the temple of the Sun ! Now other worfhip, other rites prevail. Employ'd in fecret duty there you'll find me. Enter GONZALEZ. ORELLANA. What would Gonzalez ? GONZALEZ. With determin'd hafte The emprefs feeks you. ORELLANA. Lead your captives forth. [They bow and are going out. Enter 336 A L Z U M A, Enter ORAZIA. ORAZIA. Thefe are the infolents whom thy entreat/ Has fav'd from juftice. ORELLANA. To Don Carlos' goodnefs I bow in gratitude. ORAZIA. Take heed, ralh men, Or vengeance waits you. (They go out.) Orellana hear : Don Carlos languilhes with gentleft paflion, And wooes you to his arms. A mother's voice Commands thee to abjure fictitious gods, And make thee lineal to our ancient fceptre. ORELLANA. What, while my brother lives ? ORAZIA. Pizarro fees, At length with indignation fees his (lave Sufpend the progrefs of our righteous faith, ORELLANA. His flave ! A robber's flavc ! Is that befitting ? Is that my mother ? Thefe are virtue's tears > They mean you no offence. ORAZIA. Ungrateful child ! Still with incefiant rage to fteel your heart Againfl A" TRAGEDY. 337 Againfl a victor, whom high Heav'n approves, Againft a mother, who would fave you itill. ORELLANA. The tyrant has my curfes ; I avow it : My bittereft imprecations on him ! but A mother claims refped. Then hear my pray'r t Let not your Chriftian worfhip, while it gives New modes of faith,, oh ! let it ne'er efface The virtues of humanity ! [Exit. ORAZIA. Oh! blind And fatal fuperftition ! fix'd in error, Alas ! fhe fees not that by. Heav'n commiflion'd To chafe Credulity Pizarro came, And reigns by right divine o'er ev'ry heart. Oh ! happy date ! Chriftian Orazia now Glows for the honour of eternal truth ; To that bows rev'rent down, and joys to fee Awful religion bare the fword of juilice. [*//. Scene the 'Temple of the Sun, Enter ALZUMA and OZMAR. ALZUMA. Thou facred dome ! thou venerable pile ! Where erft the pious daughters of the Sun In meditation dwelt, and facred fong ! No more for you thofe rites ; no more you'll hear Their pious vows, and their melodious (trains. The Spanilh robber violates your altars, And foreign gods poflefs you. VOL, I. X x Oz- 33* A L Z U M A, OZMAR. Yet, Alzuma, Who knows what that bright maid-* ALZUMA. Some deep intent Rolls in her bofom. Hark ! a feeble found Comes (lowly winding thro' yon lengthen'd ifle. \_Mufick is heard at a diftance. It gains upon the ear. And lo ! a train Of fupplicating nymphs ! ye hoft of Heav'n ! Our own folemnities ! how my heart glows With piour ardour ! let us hence, my friend, Left we intrude upon their virgin choir. [They retire. Enter ORELLANA, EMIRA, ZILIA, and other Virgins. An Image of the Sun, the Moon, &c. in their Hands a Cenfer of Fire, and Jome ftrewing Flowers. ODE. I. Bright orb, that rul'ft th' JEtherial way, And pour'ft the radiant flood of day j Thou fifter regent of the night, Who Ihed'ft o'er all thy fober light ; Ye ftars, that gleam from pole to pole ; -re thunders o'er our heads that roll ; Ye lightnings, rains, ye ftorms on high, That fpeak the prefent deity : Hear your own fervants j hear our virgin throng ; Oh ! fave Alzuma ; hear our myftic fong. II. Ye band of venerable juft, Ye warriors long fince laid in duft j Whether A T R A G E D Y. 339 Whether in filent groves ye ftray, Glow in the ftars or folar way, Affemble all ye mighty dead, And ftalk around the Spaniard's bed j In his fell heart with difmal yell Awaken all the fiends of hell ; Affift Alzuma ; arm each honeft hand, And tear a guilty tyrant from the land. [They go out in frocejfion. Enter ALZUMA and OZMAR. ALZUMA. For me their vows afcend ! the pious train Warble their orifons for loft Alzuma 1 Oh ! Ozmar, oh ! my friend ! the melting notes With thoughts that burn expand my glowing foul. Ha ! that fweet maid approaches ! Enter ORELLANA. OZMAR. Now be hufh'd Each fudden tranfport : to difclofe thy name Might fatal prove. ORELLANA. (coming forward) Alas ! my fpirits fink, Cold tremors fliake my frame. ALZUMA. Your pardon, virgin, That thus encroaching on the hallow'd hour X x 2 OREL- 340 A L Z U M A/ ORELLANA. Strangers! you're welcome both. The wretched ever Bear their own pafsport to me. Train'd myfelf In fad affliction's fchool, and wanting much Some charitable aid, thefe hands are ready To wipe the tear from the pale cheek of care. ALZUMA. Alas ! misfortune, as we rife to life, Prepares her chalice for each human lip : We all are doom'd to weep. ORELLANA. Ye gen'rous youths, I fee you both are apt to melt at woe : I will not trouble you. ALZUMA. If there is aught May ferve you, virgin, truft your faithful flaves. Thefe tears but ftrengthen virtue : fpeak thy will. ORELLANA. There is a bufmefs lab'ring in my heart That calls for firmer! vigour. ALZUMA. If to drench A dagger's point in the fell Spaniard's blood ORELLANA. It wants no bloodfhed. Tell me will you ferve me ? ALZUMA. By Heav'n I will. OREL- TRAGEDY. ORELLANA. 341 Say, will you traverfe o'er The forefts wild, and continents of fand, To bear a mefiage to much-lov'd brother, On whofe dear life my happinefs is grafted ? ALZUMA. Dired our courfe : we'll feek him ftraight. ORELLANA. Alas ! Banifhed far hence, dear youth ! he little thinks How here I drag the Spaniard's galling chain, And neither live nor die. But here I've form'd In braided colours the fad tale of woe. [Takes out a braid of colours. He knows not letters, which th' inventive Spaniar4 Has hither brought : but this will tell him alii This will inftruclt him to avoid this place ; Let me be wretched, I'll endure it all ; But blefs him gods ; watch over all his ways ; My woes muft end me foon. ALZUMA. No, thou malt join Our flight : we'll bear thee to him. ORELLANA. Weak of limb My ftrength would fail me. Wilt thou give him this? ALZUMA. I will ; by every Povr'r above, I will. OREL- 34* A L Z U M A. ORELLANA. Then take it, youth, and bear it to Alzuma, ALZUMA. Alzuma! ORELLANA. Yes i to him. ALZUMA. Ye gracious powers ! And bear it to Alzuma ! Orellana ! ORELLANA. Thofe trembling accents ! and the various meanings Of ev'ry feature Ah ! that look of thine ALZUMA. I am, I am, Alzuma. Oh ! my fitter ! I, I am he ! this fond embrace attefts it. She faints, flie faints. Oh ! could'fl thou e'er have hop'd it ? Tis Orellana ! 'tis, it is my fitter. ORELLANA. That air ! that face ! juft fo my father look'd ! I fcarce can think it yet : thou art not tell me Say, art thou he ?-~Peru's furviving heir ? Art thou Alzuma ? does thy bread retain The tyger's fang ? ALZUMA. It does, it does. OREL- A TRAGEDY, 343 ORELLANA. Have I fo long Forbore to wander o'er him with my kifles ? To clafp thee clofe, and own thee with my tears ? [Embraces him* ALZUMA. Grow to thy brother's heart, thou virtuous maid ! Ozmar, the Gods are here -, they have not yet Deferted innocence. Thou watch, my friend, That none intrude upon this hour of joy. [Exit Ozmar, ORELLANA. Why didft thou venture to this place of danger ? Oh! quickly fly; of all the Sun beheld la his own city, by immortals rear'd, This temple only flands. ALZUMA. Where is Orazia ? ORELLANA. She lives. ALZUMA. Then to her honour and her gods She ftill lives true : I know her virtue well. ORELLANA. This fide the grave no mortal virtue's known. She's married to Pizarro. AL- 344 A L Z U M A, ALZUMA. Married to him I Falfe to her faith, and married to Pizarro I ORELLANA. She fhares his tyrant fceptre. ALZUMA. Oh ! may Heav'n Yet (he's my mother ftill Forgive her, gods ! If your dread fway can bear fuch crimes, forgive her, And keep your red'ning vengeance for the Spaniard. Say lhall I fee Orazia ? ORELLANA. At yon portal You met her dreadful frown. ALZUMA. Was that my mother ? Unnatural woman! 'ORELLANA. In her ruin'd mind Sits blind enthufiafm, with'ring ev'ry virtue. Zeal forgets fetters for a free-born race, And murder's blade gleams in religion's hand. ALZUMA. Bright orb ! thou hear'ft it ! I make no appeal To you againft her. But to find thee thus, Thou bed of fillers, 'midft a mother's crimes That rend my foul, it mixes tend'reft joy, And makes thefe tears a tranfport. Tell thy brother, What A T R A G E D Y, Wkat force upheld thee ? how haft thou fuftain'd Thy faith inviolate ? ORELLANA, *The Spaniard's rage Lifts ev'ry paflion on the fide of virtue. Thou wer't far hence, know'ft not the horrid night That heav'd this mighty empire from its bafe ALZUMA. Ev'n now I fhudder for thee I ORELLANA. Cloyfter'd here, Two hundred chofen virgins of the Sun, Here in this very temple pour'd their praife In midnight harmony to ev'ry god, And bore thro' glimm'ring ifles th' eternal fire; When the foe rulh'd upon us j burft the fanctuary Which fince the world's foundation 'till that hour Man never dar'd profane. With virgin Ihrieks, And female lamentation rung the dome j Devouring rage, and pale difmay, and death, Ran wild in horrid forms ; the crimlbn pavement Floated with gore ; no check their fury felt, 'Till weary (laughter ftopt at laft for breath, And Ipar'd a wretched few* ALZUMA* Thou virtuous maid! What pitying God preferv'd thee? ORELLANA. *Twas in wrath, In vengeance I was fav'd, to greater ills Alas ! referv'd 1 to fee my father murder'd VOL. L Y y AL- ALZUMA, ALZUMA. Oh ! blefled be his Ihade ! ORELLANA. E'er fmce Pizarro Urges to change my gods, and join his fon In impious wedlock. ALZUMA. May his foul be plung'd In ever-burning floods of liquid gold, And be his avarice the fiend that damns him ! \Mufic heard. ORELLANA. End we our conference here : the virgin band Wait my return : I would not have thee known-. Retire my brother. ALZUMA. And mull we part fo foon ? ORELLANA. Alas ! too fure we mult : a faithful friend Shall lead thee to the grove where oft I walk In bitternefs of foul. ALZUMA. Yet ere you go, Here kneel, and fwear by all the holy pow'rs Whom with firm conftancy Peru adores ; By the dear lhades of long-departed heroes, Whom av'rice flaughter'd, or religion ftabb'd; Swear here, by all thofe great, thofe awful fanclions, That never you'll betray your plighted vows. v OREL- $ TRAGEDY. 547 ORELLANA. Yes, Orellana ratifies the oath ! ALZUMA. Now once again come to this fond embrace. We'll meet anon. ORELLANA. We fliall. ALZUMA. Farewell, farewell ! [She goes out. Protect, ye pow'rs, that ftruggling innocence. In your own holy caufe fhe fuffers all. Are ye no more the gods of peace ? no more Affliction's friends ? If that excelling goodnefs, If fhe is wretched thus yet let me not, Like the bafe Chriftian foe, with pious rage, Who deals deftruction round, and deems his murder Grateful on high; oh ! let me not, like him, With horrid attributes affront my God ! Yes, Heav'n is- bounteous ftill \ ye gracious pow'rs ! Of you and your juft ways I'll not complain. You've made us virtuous, and have done enough ! End of the SECOND AC T. 348 A L Z U M A, ACT the THIRD, Scene the Temple. Enter CARLOS and GONZALEZ, CARLOS. THOU haft my thanks, Gonzalez : my fond heart But for thy watchful care had been the fport Of a fierce favage beauty. Now I know The minion of her foul. Oh ! that reflection Shoots all the fires of difappointed love Thro' my diffracted heart. GONZALEZ. Forgive, my lord, If I unwittingly have fix'd a pang That preys upon your peace. In yonder grove I faw them meet in fecret interview. CARLOS. I faw them too ; thy vigilance inform'd me. Thefe eyes beheld them in clofe amorous parley. In ardent gaze ; beheld a peafant (lave Familiar with that luxury of charms, With Orell ana's charms ! It fires to madnefs. I faw that wretch whom I redeem'd from death, At her requeft redeem'd, unthinking fool ! I faw him meet her in the confcious grove, Embracing and embrac'd ! GONZALEZ. Perifh the thought, That A T R A G E D Y. 349 That thus difturbs your breaft : you know, my lord, By your command 1 feiz'd the flave, and now Far other chains than thofe of love infold him. CARLOS. By Heav'n he dies : this very hour fliall fee him A Chriftian, or a victim to his errors. GONZALEZ. The guards now lead him forth. CARLOS. Was it for this The tyrant fair oppos'd ev'n Heav'n itfelf ? Oh ! at the altar's foot her lov'd idea Was prefent ftill, and zeal for heav'nly truth A tear from thofe bright eyes diflblv'd away. But falfe compafiion rules my heart no more. I faw her meet the flave -, at my approach Fierce indignation darted from her eye, And ftraight Ihe turn'd with high difdain away. Ah ! fee ! fhe comes ! ftill lovely in her guilt ! [Exit Gonzalez. The haughty fiercenefs of untutor'd virtue Beams favage graces round her. Yes, by Heav'n She ihall be mine ; my heart adores her ftill. Enter ORELLANA. ORELLANA. You have done this, Sir, and I thank you for it. CARLOS. Think not I urg'd feverity againft thee j But oh ! do juftice to that gentle nature That 350 A L Z U M A, That governs here j that now throbs wildly for yott, With all the foft folicitude of love. ORELLANA. What has a wretch like me to do with love ? CARLOS. Doft thou avoid me then, thou cruel fair ? Doft thou avoid me ? Now I know the caufe- That made thee unrelenting to my fighs j I know your paramour , now know for whom Don Carlos' vows were all difpers'd in air ; For years who held dominion o'er your heart, And made me languifh at your feet in vain. ORELLANA. And if I cherifli'd a long hidden flame, Who claims a right to tyrannize my heart ? CARLOS. Think'ft thou a breaft fufceptible as mine, That fwells with rapture if thou deigh'ft to fmile, Or by a frown is tortur'd in the extreme -, Think'ft thou a heart like mine will e'er permit A conquer'd flave to win thy leaft regard ? Oh ! there's an avarice in love, that claims Each gentle grace, each amiable air, Claims the noble .hoard of fweets, and will not bear A word, a look directed to another. ORELLANA. And mean'ft thou then to choak the voice of pity ? Is that thy purpofe ? Know the injur'd youth, Whom thy fell rage but now has doom'd to deadv Is miferable j therefore dear to me. Know he is virtuous j therefore has my love. CAR- A TR A G E D Y. 35 , CARLOS. Thy love ! does he poflefs it ? he, Inhuman fair ! but yet recall the word. Our laws that fpare no infidel - ORELLANA. Thou Spaniard ! Thou fierce barbarian from a world unknown ! But all our facred rites thou hail profan'd, And well may'ft violate love's altar too. Come, point thy dagger at this virgin breaft, And conquer hearts as you would force our faith. CARLOS. You wrong me much. Hear Orellana, hear Thy tendereft fuppliant. ORELLANA. Never : woman's weaknefs With pity faw thee kneeling at my feet, And fighing fruitlefs vows. But this laft outrage Againil a helplefs captive Witnefs Gods ! If Orellana hear this Spaniard more, Or liften to the tale of impious love, Deep down in earth may Hie alive be buried, Her fpirit doom'd to wander o'er the world, And never reach the manfion of her fathers. 'CARLOS. Your minion dies ; my rage is up in arms, And the foft voice of love fhall plead no more. [Exit. ORELLANA. Barbarian go ! Ah ! there's a fight indeed Afreih that opens ev'ry fource of grief. Enter A L 2 U M A, JLnter ALZUMA in chains. ORELLANA. Oh ! Let me feek thy mother ,- tell her all r With the ftrong eloquence of filial tears, I'll throw me at her feet, and in her heart, Loft as it is, I'll find fome hidden fibre, Where all the mother trembles for her offspring* ALZUMA. Reftrain this rage ; Alzuma would not owe A fecond favour to her. She, alas ! Is dead to nature. That accurfed fiend, Fanatic fury, blafts each moral virtue. She has pronounc'd my doom. Let her not know She kills a fon. Oh ! let me never add That guilt atrocious to a parent's crimes. ORELLANA. Are there no means to fave thee ? ALZUMA. Look not thus: Ennobled by thy virtues, by diflrefs Endear'd, each glance thou fend'ft, unmans me quite^ And ev'n a brother's fondnefs akes to view thee. Thy goodnefs charms, and by each heart-firing draws me Back to this hated world. For thee, my fitter, When I fhould boldly tread the ridge of peril, And dare the depth below -, for thy dear fake I cling to life ; extend my feeble arms ; But thou no aid can'ft give, OREL* A T R A G E D Y. 353 ORELLANA. Diffracting thought ! Muft I furvive thee helplefs and forlorn, A victim to the Spaniard's hated love ? ALZUMA. There lies the pang that bids thefe drops of anguifh Fall in this copious dream. Not for myfelf I feel, but oh ! when I am gone, when fate Has ftretch'd this body on the flinty earth, Who fhall defend thy weaknefs ? Muft I leave thee A prey to ruffian force ? Muft that rare beauty, Shall that confpire againft thee ? Muft thofe eyes Obedient roll to a fierce conqu'ror's will ? Inflame his hot defires, to plunge thee deeper In fhame and fervitude ? ORELLANA. Unpitying gods I ALZUMA. Perhaps to waft thee from thy native land To foreign altars, and a foreign bed ! ORELLANA. There is but one, one only refuge. ALZUMA. Name it. ORELLANA. I'll perifh with thee. Lo ! behold a weapon ! [Shews a dagger. VOL. I, Z z AL- 354 A L Z U M A, , ALZUMA. rial ORELLANA. Where'er thy fpirit wings it's happy flight, And ^ mUm u phi f ar n trer "blinl wing, And diftan eye thy radiant trad of glo?y, To ev'ry kindred ilar. ALZUMA. Relentlefs pow'rs ! No other boon you've left me to beftow. ORELLANA. Ah! me! they come; the fell Pizarro comes. Enter PIZARRO, ORAZIA, CARLOS, Guards, & f . ORAZIA. Now, Orellana, we demand compliance. Provoke our wrath no more : the vetted pried Waits at the altar; there Don Carlos' love And Heav n indulgent claim thee for their own. ALZUMA. Unnatural, barbarous mother ! \ARde ORELLANA. For his love Her ] Ca ft rIOS ha TJ ^^ S ^ ain Wil1 not thi k Her luftre tarmuYd, that a wretch like me JTI * no ambition for her proud alliance. I he gods of Spain ,,-<,. ORAZIA. ihis arrogance OREL- A TRAGEDY. 355 ORELLANA. Indulge A favourable ear. The gods of Spain Will not be jealous that no fragrance rolls Around their fhrines from me. If error's maze Mifguide my fteps, their all-pervading eye Will read the honeft purpofe of my foul, And mercy win the thunder from their hands. ORAZIA. This wilful difobedience ! Who has taught The vain delufive dream ? CARLOS. That flave ! 'Tis he, Who rules her wayward fancy. ORAZIA. Ha ! that traitor ! Doft thou prefume to fpread fedition here ? ALZUMA. (looking at her) Oh ! thou apoftate ! Thefe hot burning tears Will burft their way. PlZARRO. And does thy fullen eye Dart the fierce glance of treafon on your Queen ? ORAZIA, Who and what art thou ? ALZUMA. I've no rank or name, To plead my caufe in thy obdurate heart. Z z 2 To . 3 $6 A L Z U M A, To your own child unnatural as thou art, I have no claim to mercy. PlZARRO. Bafe reviler! Within the Tropic all muft think alike. ALZUMA. I . Betwixt us both the facred fhaft of war Has long been (hot, and enmity prevails, Fierce, inextinguifhable ! ORAZIA. My example May teach thee, flave, to yield to facred truth. And Spain's imperial mandate. ALZUMA. Thy example ! Full well you judg'd, thou traitrefs to thy country ! To fly to gods who can forgive thy crimes. Ours fhudder at them ! PIZARRO. To the altar drag The impious flave. [Guards feize Alzuma. ORELLANA. Oh ! wretched Orellana ! ALZUMA. Barbarians hold ! Yet Spaniard ere I die Hear my laft fervent prayer. 'Twas luft of gold, Not zeal for truth and love of human kind, That brought you to Peru : and may that gold, Oh ! may it prove to Spain the direful fpring A T R A G E D Y. 357 Of worfe calamities than we have felt ; May it unnerve your arm j diffblve in floth Laborious induftry , ne'er let your plains The toiling hand of cultivation know , Kindle fierce war j and may fome happier ftate, Whofe fons with love of gen'rous freedom glowing, Preferve their civil and religious rites, The foes of tyranny ! who found their laws On the broad bafe of reafon and of nature ; Oh ! may that happy ftate (if fuch there be) With bolder prow triumphant o'er the deep, Purfue you hither with avenging thunder ; In your own harbours wrap your Ihips in fire, And bow ye down to feek detefted gold For others ufes ! Be that curfe upon you ! PIZARRO. His blafphemy pollutes the air : forthwith Give him the death he merits. ORELLANA. Once again Let me embrace him j one laft fad farewell No pow'r on earth fhall hinder. [Embraces him. CARLOS. Ha ! that infolent ! Perdition feize the Have ! Shall he enjoy- By Heav'n this fabre cleaves him to the ground. [Going to ftrike. ORELLANA. Now by the vital air, by ev'ry pow'r That guides, impels, or melts the human heart, By yon bright orb of day, by your own gods, Enough of blood they've had, by them 1 afk, They 358 A L Z U M A, They will approve foft pityj fpare his life, Oh ! fpare his innocence, nor murder me. CARLOS. Tear off her hold : by Heav'n the flave ORELLANA. Now ftrike, Now execute your purpofe ! with the blow This ready dagger plunges to my heart. CARLOS. Hold, Orellana ! This abhorred flee! [Takes the dagger from her. Was never meant to wound thy tender form : Thou haft difarm'd' my vengeance ; by yon Heav'n I would not fee thy beauteous bofom gor'd For the extended empire of the world. ORELLANA. If ought of cruelty the pris'ner fufFer, This hand fhall fet me free. CARLOS. Difpel thy fears : I will not urge his fate ; I will not urge Thee to compliance : guiltlefs of his death I leave this temple, leave this fcene of horror, Where perfecution draws the unhallow'd fword, And murders for belief. PIZARRO. Yet Carlos ftay, I charge thee flay, nor dare again traduce A father's deeds, CAR- A T R A G E D Y. 3Jf CARLOS. My heart at length revolts. Nor will I fee that youth, whoe'er he be, A victim to the blind infenfate rage That fheds man's blood, and dares to think it virtue. [Exit. PlZARRO. Ha! the time calls for rigour; feeble laws And government relax'd might hazard all The laurels this good fword has reap'd in war. Ralh and prefumptious boy ! By my command He fhall retrace his fteps. This very hour Sees Orellana his. Ourfelf will feek him. Mean time, Orazia, be it thine to fee That traitor die a victim to his crimes. [Exjf. ORAZIA. Yield, Orellana, or thy mother's love Turns to vindictive rage. ALZUMA. Di (honour blaft The horrid counfel. Rather brave with fcorn Their fierceft hate. Not all the word of ills The purple tyrant has in itore for virtue, Can plead for pardon with your gods abjur'd. Oh ! fhun the guilt of treafon to your foul ! On the mind fix'd, and obflinately juft, Ev'n ruin falls in vain. ORAZIA. It falls this moment On thy devoted head, OREL- 360 A L Z U M A, DRELLANA. Orazia, hear me ; Reftrain this rage; all nature ftarts with horror; Humanity is fhock'd ; if he muft die, Of all who live, thou fhould'ft be innocent. ORAZIA. Cling not about me thus. ORELLANA. Forbear, forbear The horrid ftroke ! Not all the dews of Heav'n Will wafh the barb'rous murder from your hands. Remorfe and anguilh follow ; peace of mind Will ever fhun thee ; fiends will haunt thy brairt. And all the madnefs of defpairing guilt. ORAZIA. Thou plead'ft in vain : my foul expanding feels The glowing rapture, the exalted purpofe That fwells above the infirmities of nature, And burns with all it's god. ORELLANA. Ye hoft of Heav'n ! Seize Orellana ; drag her to your altar; In horrid union bind me to Don Carlos, Rather than break, by one atrocious act, All the eternal ties that link the world. ALZUMA. Thou break them not ! Our country and our gods, Thofe are our firft connexions ! For my life It is not worth my care : who dies for freedom, Has liv'd his courfe of nature and of glory, And A T R A G E D Y. And who furvives it but a fmgle hour, Has liv'd that hour too much. ORELLANA. My foul refumes Her ftrength ; I will not yield. ORAZIA. The traitor dies ; He dies this moment. ALZUMA. Undifmay'd I come. ORELLANA. No, never, never ; here thefe hands fhall hold him ; \_AJoldier lays bold of her. He Ihall not die. Tear, tear me piecemeal firft j I'll perifh with him rather ; let the blow, That ends his life, unite us both in death. [She is torn from him, a Joldier ftands at the altar with a lifted fabre . ALZUMA. Now Atabalipa, where'er thy fpirit Roams in uncertain being, with thy firmnefs Infpire my foul j teach me like thee to die. ORAZIA. Ah! wherefore fhould the (lave invoke that name? [She goes near tbefoldier. ALZUMA. Lo thus I bare my bofom ! [Goes up to fbe a! far. VOL. I. A a a ORA- 362. A L Z U M A, ORAZIA, Ha! ORELLANA. Yet hold ! [Held by afoldier. Thou wretched mother ! It is forbear > It is the pureft blood of all Peru ! A vengeful god, a god of wrath beholds The barb'rous deed ; I hear his thunder roll ; It burfts the roof; the pillar'd temple falls -, It falls to crulh ye all. ALZUMA. Here ftrike at once, And with my life-blood glut her frantic rage. ORAZIA. Forbear (holding the foldier) I charge thee ; flop the bloody ftroke ; Oh ! wonder-working pow'rs ! [faints away. ORELLANA. The well-known token Grav'd on his breaft has mark'd him for her fon. (Afide) Enter PIZARRO. PIZARRO. No, nought Ihall (hake the purpofe of my foul. Orazia ! why thus finks her drooping fpirit ? ALZUMA. Does juftice triumph o'er the gods of Spain ? OREL- A T R A G E D Y. 363 ORELLANA. Recall her Heav'n, and o'er her waking fenfe Pour down your gentleft influence. (AJfifls Orazia. PIZARRO. Rebel flave ! Th' extirminating wrath of Heav'n purfues thee ; Still ilialt thou meet thy fate. ORAZIO. Oh ! lend your aid, And lead me, guide my fteps. My Lord Pizarro, Remit the cruel rigour of the law, And fpare a wretch's life. PIZARRO. She too rebels ; She pleads for herefy. ORAZIA. Oh, no ! I plead For mercy, and for juftice, PIZARRO, Would'ft thou fave That wilful obftinatc ? Refleft Orazia j Is this your faith ? Is this your promis'd zeal ? ORAZIA. Zeal in excefs is vice, 'tis impious j Horrid repugnance to the will of Heav'n -, Subverfive of each virtue ; foe to all The tender laws of charity and love ; Thofe laws that raife. and dignify our being, Nature's great edict in the human heart. A a a 2 Pi- 364 A L Z U M A 4 PlZARRO. Thy words are treafon. ORAZIA. No ! 'tis juftice fpeaks : Thanks to th' eternal pow'rs, at length I fee That each religion, truth itfelf may have Its wild enthufiafts, and its frantic zealots. PIZARRO. By Heav'n fome hidden meaning lurks beneath This fudden revolution of thy heart. ORAZIA. Oh ! fpare his innocence ; have mercy ! PIZARRO. Yes, The flave fhall live, till from that ftubborn fpirit Torture hath wrung each deep, each hidden purpofe. See him fecur'd in the deep dungeon's gloom. ALZUMA. Yes, lead me hence, where I no more may fee This hated race. But oh ! when I am gone, Spare Orellana j fpare that tender form ; From death I fhrink not : Nature at my birth Condemn'd me to it : foon the hour lhall come When truth, when confcience fhall condemn thy deeds. Exit. PIZARRO, The rebel's doom is fix'd : I burn to fee Each fhackled flave thro' our extended realm Or live a Chriflian, or embrace his fate. Exit. ORA- A T R A G E D Y. 365 ORAZIA and ORELLANA, ORAZIA. Oh 1 Orellana j 'tis, it is your brother ! The wound indented on his youthful bread Plainly I faw it ; 'tis my child, my fon. ORELLANA. It is Alzuma oh ! I know it all ; This day reveal'd it to me. ORAZIA. Was it juft To leave him thus expos'd ? ORELLANA, He will'd it fo. ORAZIA. Wretch that I am ! I tremble at it ftill. Oh ! whither was I plunging ! What a depth Of woe and guilt, unutterable guilt, What endlefs mifery have I efcap'd ! Murder my fon ! Barbarity unheard of! It fhocks my foul ! And did he, could he think, Could my child think me dead to human nature ? The thought diffracts, it rives a mother's heart. To thee I've been ungentle ; thou haft caufe To doubt my love \ but come to my embrace. ORELLANA. Oh ! blefs'd event ! And do I live to tafte This unexpected joy, this dear delight ? ORA- 366 A L Z U M A, ORAZIA. The brink of horror, on which late I flood, Recalls from error ev'ry wand'ring fenfe. Alzuma fhall not die : the Chriftian's God Beams the fweet fmiles of univerfal love On all his fair creation. Haughty Spain Perverts his holy laws ; but ftiil the pow'r, That warn'd my erring virtue, may inform him, Truth only triumphs when it conquers hearts. And never gains by carnage and deftruction. End of the THIRD ACT. ACT A TRAGEDY. ACT the FOURTH. Scene the Palace. Enter ORAZIA. ORAZIA. OH ! Unexpected day of grief and joy ! My child, my child ! I have not yet forgot To fried the tear of natural affection ; To know for whom I bore the child-bed pang ; I am not grown the horror of the world. Enter ORELLANA. ORELLANA. Alas ! all's loft ; Don Carlos rages j ftern Pizarro Thirds for Alzuma's blood. ORAZIA. A mother's love Shall ftill protect her offspring ; Oh ! my daughter, Affection, long an alien to this heart, Gufhes in tumult thro' each panting vein. Defpair and anguifh too o'erwhelm my fpirits. Yet oh ! returning nature ! yet thy griefs, Thy very tears are tinctur'd ftill with joy ! 'Tis mifery delightful. OREL- 3 6S A L Z U M A, ORELLANA. Yet ev'n now The fell Gonzalez leads Alzuma forth. Ah ! whither do they lead him ? ORAZIA. Tis to me They lead your brother forth : One interview, Unconfcious of his name, Pizarro grants. Heav'ns ! what an interview ! A fon enflav'd, And a- fond mother, who ufurps his rights ! I cannot fee my child ! And yet I muft, I will behold him ! hear his fad, fad ftory ; Gaze on each feature, clafp him to my heart ; And perifh with him, if he's doom'd to bleed. Thou fly to Carlos, foothe his troubled mind ; Exert your influence, or your brother's loft. Each moment's big with death. ORELLANA. Protect .him, Gods! Now virtue ftruggling in the laft extreme Calls for your guardian care. [Exit. ORAZIA. Ye blendid colours, both of guilt and virtue, Ye ftrong emotions mjx'd of grief and joy, Oh ! how your conflict racks my tortur'd foul \ Enter GONZALEZ. GONZALEZ. The pris'ner from his dungeon waits your will. ORA- A T R A G E D Y. 369 ORAZIA. Give him admittance. [Exit Gonzalez] Now, all- gracious Heav'n ! Support a mother; aid me, touch my lips With thy refiftlefs energy of fpeech, That I may calm the mighty ftorm of paflions, And reconcile a fon to life and truth. Enter ALZUMA. ORAZIA. His awful ftern regard ALZUMA. My firmnefs fails, And guilty as fhe is, yet filial love, Yet nature tells me, fhe's my mother ftill. ORAZIA. Approach my fon : embrace your ALZUMA. Confcious fhame, The fenfe of vile mifdeeds, yes, goading confcience Choaks up thy voice, and tells thee that thou art ORAZIA. A tyrant ! an ufurper ! That's the name Of horror thou would'ft utter : Yet Orazia Is not fo far abandon'd o'er to guilt, But my heart bounds with tranfport, even thus At length to fee my fon. You weep Alzuma ! ALZUMA. Thou fource of light ! Bright majefty of Keav'n ! VOL. I. B b b Thee 5 7 6 A L Z U M A,, Thee I atteft, from thee implore forgivenefs, That thus I own a traitrefs ; that thefe tears Confefs the facred character of fon You ftamp'd upon my nature. ORAZIA. Oh ! Alzuma, Did I command thy murder ? Earth and Heav'n ! A mother ready to imbrue her hands In her child's Horror ! Why did'ft thou conceal The fecret from me ? Why not rufh for flicker To the/e maternal arms ? But oh ! I knew thee ; Parental inflincl: gave the fure alarm, And now to hear thee, view thee thus, it wakes Unutterable throbbings in my breaft. ALZUMA. Well may'ft thou view me j well may'ft thou furvey Thy fon return'd ! He brings no foul dishonour. But thou, can'ft thou Indelible reproach ! Oh ! ftain to virtue ! Rage and indignation Burn in my foul, and kindle madnefs there. ORAZIA. Let not impetuous rage difturb thy reafon. Heav'n on the Spaniard's arms hath fmil'd fuccefs , Thence on Peru fhone forth the ray of truth, Sublimer faith, and pure exalted morals. ALZUMA. Morals ! Each word plants daggers in my heart. Oh ! give me daggers rather ; arm my hand With their own cfeathful fteel, that I may hold it Crimfon and glowing with the tyrant's blood, Aloft to view, and call my country free. ORA- A TRAGEDY. 371 QRAZIA. Controul this phrenzy -, it were impious murder. ALZUMA. Murder ! A facrifice ! a glorious facrifice To injur'd men, and violated laws. What ! he whofe hand reeks with my father's blood ? And yet Ihe pleads a fell deftroyer's caufe ! Hold heart-ftrings, crack not yet : A curs'd invader, Who thins the race of man ! Ev'n now the cries Of infants murder'd at the fofl'ring breaft, The fhrieks of virgins, dying heroes groans, Sound in my ear j imperial palaces, The temples of our gods, all wrapt in fire ! Oh ! image not, my foul, the horrid fcene. ORAZIA. I cannot bear his ftrong, his keen reproach. ALZUMA. Yet wedded to him ! Well thofe tears may gulh, Well may thofe bluflies glow upon thy cheek. Detefted perfidy ! My father's heart, That heart, which ever beat with love of thee, Duft as it is, awakens in his tomb, Alive and fenfible to guilt like thine; It ftirs, it rouzes in the fhroud of death, With horror at thy name, and feels it's pangs, It's tortures o'er again. ORAZIA. Obdurate fon ! Thus to transfix and rend a mother's heart. B b b 2 At- 372 A L Z U M A, ALZUMA. Am I upon a bed of rofes ? Lo ! in chains My bleeding country ! Mark in ev'iy region The defolation that lays wafte the land ! ORAZIA. Why wilt thou urge me to defpair and horror ? Oh ! kill me rather ; let the deadly point Pierce to my heart j I'll arm thee for the blow : Avenge my crime , avenge your country's fall. ALZUMA. What fays Orazia ? ORAZIA. Stifle in my blood The pious, love I bear the Chriftian's God. ALZUMA. Would'ft thou debafe me to the Spaniard's guilt ? If thou indeed believ'ft the Chriftian's God, It is not mine to ftab for human error. Farewell ! farewell ! Live happy if thou can'ft ; Oh ! Heav'ns, if happinefs can dwell with guilt. [Going. ORAZIA. Yet ftay, my fon -, one moment > ALZUMA. Pow'rful nature ! Thy tender ftrugglings ! Oh ! while thus thy hand I bathe with tears, and print my kifTes on it, ^et me implore thee, own your gods again. My A TRAGEDY. 373 My father's fpirit calls j the ghaftly fliades Of martyr'd millions, martyr'd for their faith, All lift their hands and call aloud for vengeance. ORAZIA. Arife, my fon, arife. ALZUMA. Let me not fue And clafp your knee in vain. ORAZIA. Oh ! ftrong contention 'Twixt grace and nature, 'twixt my God and thee! ALZUMA. Refume your dignity, your native honour. ORAZIA. But Heav'n prevails ! ALZUMA. Think of your bleeding country ! ORAZIA. I cannot, muft not hear thee. Oh ! Alzuma, Thy mind is loft in darknefs. ALZUMA. HOW! ORAZIA. Thy gods Are fuperftition's dreams. AL- 374 ALZUMA, ALZUMA. Away ; no more ; I would not hear the voice of profanation. Go tell your tyrant, all his threats are vain. Tho' fprung from thee I ftill can die with glory. Farewell ! we part for ever. ORAZIA. Hear me, hear-- ALZUMA. Oh ! Heav'ns, Orazia 'tis the laft, laft time That e'er May the juft gods forgive thee all. {Exit. ORAZIA. Go, cruel, fierce, inexorable fon ! Go, rufh on death , 'twill break thy mother's heart. ORAZIA, and DON CARLOS. ORAZIA. Well, Sir, Pizarro now has heard your counfel. CARLOS. That treach'rous flave, and Orellana too, They both have heard your counfel. All Thy arts are known -, thy fair hypocrify To vainifh treafon. ..ORAZIA. Oh ! thou wrong'ft me much. Another caufe, a caufe of tend'reft import, k is the caufe of ev'ry Chriilian virtue 3 A TRAGEDY. 375 Love, juftice, .and humanity are in it, All that the earth holds dear, and heav'n approves. CARLOS. Treafon, rebellion, perfidy are in it ! For Orellana's hufband all your cares Are tremblingly alive. This very day But for thy artifice, the flave had died. ORAZIA. Mifguided youth ! Alas ! you little know Th' eternal bar divine and human laws Have fix'd between them. Orellana's hufband ! Oh ! no, believe it not. CARLOS. And wherefore then Alarm'd and wild with fear ? Why ev'ry art Of tears, of flirieks, and female lamentation, To fnatch the rebel from the ftroke of juftice ? ORAZIA. Alas ! thefe tears flow from the tend'reft fource, That wakes foft pity in the human heart. Carlos, I cannot fpeak CARLOS. Ha ! now by Heav'n I fee it all j guilt can no more difTemble : That look betrays the fecretsof thy heart; The fraud ftands manifeft to view. ORAZIA. Yet hear me; Oh ! Carlos, hear me, nor affiift thyfelf With 376 A L Z U M A, With falfe, with vain furmife. Orazia's cares Are bufy for the wretched. CARLOS. Has Ihe then, Perfidious fair ! has Orellana married That bafe-born peafant ? Does the rebel hope "With her, in evil hour, to claim the crown ? That is your aim j for that I am deceiv'd ; That care you colour with the fpecious name Of gen'rous fympathy for human kind. ORAZIA. I feel it here ; thefe are unbidden drops. Tis you, rafh youth, you, Carlos, that can give Fair virtue's femblance to each wild emotion, That prompts the fudden deed. Ere now 'twas love, That tyrant of thy foul, capricious love, Nay, gen'rous if your will ; 'twas that which fav'd The lives of men, if Orellana fmil'd ; And now Ihe looks averfe, the baleful charm Still ihoots delicious poifon through thy foul, And perfecuted virtue pays the forfeit Of maiden blufhes, and of coy difdain. CARLOS. Think'ft thou Don Carlos means to live the flave Of idle charms, and tyrant beauty's frown ? No, let her charms neglected fade and May forrow wither ev'ry namelefs grace, That revell'd once in thofe deluding eyes ; Then let her lover gaze on faded beauty, Let him enjoy Oh ! no j the flave fliall die; Then fhall his pale inanimated corfe Glare in her view, an offering from Don Carlos, The token of his love. ORA- A TRAGEDY, 377 ORAZIA. Away, no more ; Inhuman that thou art ! CARLOS. Then let herfhriek, And rend her hair, and to his clay cold breaft Rivet her panting bofom No ! the traitrefs Shall to the altar j thou fhalt lead her thither,- And there her blood fhall expiate her guilt. ORAZIA. Thou tiger, nurs'd with gore ! away, nor dare, With favage threats to wound a mother's ear. CARLOS. The ftorm is gather'd, and the thunder foon Shall burft in ruin on their guilty heads. [*//. ORAZIA. Inhuman, barb'rous man ! And mtift I lead 'Mid'ft fongs of triumph, and thro' fcftive bands, My daughter crown'd with garlands to the altar ? Shall there the prieft, fell minifter of wrath, Force her to nuptials, which her foul abhors ? Which never No fhe'll perifh rather j firft Give to the cruel ax that tender form ! And muft her mother, muft I then return Alone, heart broken, defolate, without My child ? thro' arches rais'd with pomp for her ? Thro' ways ftill redolent of ev'ry flow'r, Which, as fhe went, they ftrew'd beneath her feet ? I will not lead her j no, fhe fhall not go. Alzuma then Oh ! mifery fupreme ! Shall he too bleed ? Thou murd'rer ! hold thy hand ! C c c It 37* A L Z U M A, It is Orazia's blood thou fhed'ft ! The God, Who died for all, will not demand his life. He fpeaks, he menaces, but fee, fee there ! He dies, he dies ! Enter ORELLANA. ORAZIA. Who's there ? What would'ft thou ? ha ! ORELLANA. Hafte thee, Orazia, hafte, and inflant think, Think of fome means to ward th' impending ftroke, Enrag'd Pizarro comes : Avow your fon, Peru's undoubted heir. ORAZIA. It muft not be : That fatal truth would overwhelm us all. Diffraction ! nought remains, no pow'r can fave him, Enter PIZARRO, DON CARLOS, and Guards* PIZARRO. Yes, bring the traitor forth. The fanftity Of laws, the policy of our new ftate, As yet unfix'd, forbid all dull delay. Enter ALZUMA, GONZALEZ, and Guards, ORAZIA. Angels of light protect him, fave my fon. \Afide, PIZARRO. That once again I deign to parley with thec, >Tis A T R A G E D Y. 379 'Tis gentle pity prompts. Take heed, rafh youth, Or certain death.--- ALZUMA. Death is the only boon That Spain can give, or I will deign to afk. Come bloody bigot ! reverend afiaflin ! Come on at once, here wreak thy pious rage, And in the name of heav'n commit a murder I PIZARRO. Doft thou reproach us ? thou, who oft haft feen Blind fuperftition offer human victims, To your own fenfelefs, to your monftrous idols ? ALZUMA. Polifh'd Barbarian ! what doft thou do lefs ? PIZARRO. Beware, nor tempt my vengeance ! ALZUMA. Thou art he Who com'ft to teach thy doftrine fword in hand \ To tyrannize our fouls ; from free-born men Withhold the facred privilege of thinking ! Thou haft unchain'd, to fpread deftruftion round, Two fiends accurft : Lo ! where infatiate avarice Enflaves mankind ! Lo ! Spanifh hierarchy Erects her fcarlet head ; with pious rage Bears in her breaft a poinard, and with blood Incarnadines the altar of your god. PIZARRO. Slave mark my words : No more I'll wafte the houn In vain debate i refign thyfelf to Spain j C c e 2 Abjure ,380 A L Z U M A, Abjure thy errors, and embrace the truth ; Or elfe this moment fweeps thee from my fight, To die, in view of thy deluded friends, A terrible example of our vengeance. ORAZIA. No, by the pow'rs above he fhall not die. The voice of heav'n reftrains the murd'rer's hand j A voice that's heard thro' all the peopled earth, Refounding to the limits of the world. PIZARRO. Beware, beware, Orazia ! CARLOS. Still fhe favours That infolent, who fpurns the light of heav'n. ORAZIA. Oh ! 'tis the light of heav'n informs my foul. Thefe ftrong emotions by the Pow'r Supreme Are waken'd here. The fpirit that impels To blood and murder, cannot be from heav'n. Nature, thou lead'ft me on ! My child, my child ; I will protect thee. Now, inhuman men, Now come, and tear him from a mother's arms. ORELLANA. Yes, both, my brother, both will perifh with thee. PJZARRO. By heav'n this treafon CARLOS. Orellana's brother ! And not her hulband ! Then my heart's at peace. {Afide. A T R A G E D Y. 3 8, PlZARRO. What means this myflery ? Say, art thou Alzuma ? ALZUMA. Behold me, Spaniard. Let thine eye furvey me, Shrinks not thy heart within thee ? Read'ft thou not A royalty of nature here ? PIZARRO. Forthwith Say, wilt thou take thy life on our conditions ? ALZUMA. There are conditions that may win my foul Not wholly to abhor thee. PIZARRO. Name thy terms ! ALZUMA. Lay down at once the perfecuting fwopd; Relieve from flavery a groaning world ; Afk what we fuffer, not what we believe ; Difplay your morals, not your bigot faith. If avarice is your god, take gold enough, Freight well your fhips, and may propitious gales In fafety waft you to your native fhores. That done, in time we may perhaps forget, We may at lead forgive you. PIZARRO. Stubborn (lave ! And to a conqueror dar'ft thou thus to utter This rebel ftrain ! At- 382 , A L Z U M A t ALZUMA. Back to your native fliores ! What do you here, amidft a virtuous race ? PIZARRO. The laws of conqueft, and the laws of Spain ALZUMA. And dar T fl thou, homicide, ailedge the laws ? The laws of Spain ? Know there's a prior law, To which weak mortals are not trained, but born ; Not form'd by fcience, but endow'd by inftinfl : Great nature's law ! that beft, that fureft guide, That emanation from the pow'rs above -, O'er all diffus'd, immutable, eternal ! This who fhall filence ? who fhall dare repeal ? Who ftrives to do it, abdicates his nature j Renounces all the honours of his being, And by the a t!% ja & ^ ^*. ' ' I x \ -, ^ - 3 1158 00485 7305 ^