UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 C R E tJ S A, 
 
 Queen of ATHENS. 
 
 A 
 
 TRAGEDY, 
 
 As it is Afted at 
 
 
 Theatre Royal in Drury-lane 
 
 By His M A J E S T Y'$ Servants, 
 
 WRITTEN BY 
 
 Mr, WILLIAM WHITEHEAP, 
 
 L Q N D N; 
 Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY in 
 And Sold by M. Cgvj?fiji in 
 
 I
 
 Tit 
 
 TO THE 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 GEORGE BVSST, 
 
 i 
 
 Lord Vifc. VILLIERS, 
 
 w 
 
 The following TRAGEDY is 
 infcribed by 
 
 f 
 
 His Lordfhip's 
 
 Moft obliged 
 
 and moft affectionate 
 humble Servant, 
 
 W. WHITEHEAD. 
 
 ^3647
 
 THE Subje<3 of the following 
 Scenes is fo ancient, fo /light- 
 ly mentioned by Hiftorians, and fo 
 fabuloufly treated by Euripides in his 
 Tragedy of Ion> that the Author 
 thought himfelf at liberty to make 
 the Story his own. Some glaring 
 Circumftances he was obliged to ad- 
 here to, which he has endeavoured to 
 render probable*
 
 PROLOGUE. 
 
 Spoken by Mr. Ross. 
 
 PROLOGUES of old, the Learn' din Language /ay, 
 Were merely Introductions to the Play, 
 Spoken by Gods, or Ghojls, or Men who knew 
 Whatever was previous to the Scenes in view ; 
 And complaifantly came to lay before ye 
 The fevgral Heads, and Windings of the Story. 
 
 But modern Times and Britifh Rules are fuch y 
 Our Bards beforehand mujl not tell too much ; 
 Nor dare we, like the neighboring French, admit 
 Eifn Confidantes, who might inftruSi the Pit, 
 By a/king Quejlions of the leading Few, 
 And hearing Secrets, which before they knew. 
 
 Yet what we can to help this antique Piece 
 We will attempt. Our Scene to-night is Greece. 
 And, by the Magic of the Poet's Rod, 
 This Stage the Temple of the Delphic God! 
 Where Kings, and Chiefs, and Sages came of old, 
 Like modern Fools, to have their Fortunes told ; 
 And Monarchs ivere 'cnihron'd, or Nations freed, 
 As an old Prieft, cr withered Maid decreed. 
 Yet think not all were equally deceived, 
 Some knew, more doubted, many more believ'd. 
 Jnjhort, thefe Oracles, and witching Rhvr.es 
 Were but the pious Frauds of ancient Times ; 
 Wifely contrived to keep Mankind in awe, 
 When Faith zuas Wonder, and Religion Law ! 
 
 Thus much premised, to every feeling Brcajl 
 We leave the Scenes themfelves to tell the rejl. 
 
 Yet fomething fure was to the Critics faid, 
 Which I forget, fame Invocation made ! 
 
 Ye Critic Bands, like jealous Guardians, plaSd 
 To watch th' Encroachments on the Realms of Tafte, 
 From you our Author would two Boons obtain, 
 Not ^uhdly diffident, nor wholly vain : 
 Two things be ajks ; 'tis modeji fure, from you 
 IVTio can do all things, to requeft but two : 
 /;/? to his Scenes a kind Attention pay, 
 Then judge ! with Gander judge and we ebey.
 
 Perfons Reprefented. 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 XUTHUS, King of Athens, Mr. BERRY. 
 
 IL YSS us, an unknown Youth, At- 1 
 tendant on the Temple at Delphi, * 
 
 ALETES, a Grecian Sage, Mr. GARRICK. 
 
 PHORBAS, an old Athenian, Mr. MOS.SOP, 
 
 Priefts of Apollo. 
 Citizens of Athens, 
 
 CREUSA, Queen of 'Athens, Mrs. PRITCHARP. 
 PYTHIA, Prieftefs of Apollo, Mifs HAUGHTON, 
 
 LYCEA, and other Women at- j 
 tending on the Queen, J Mrs ' CowpE R>^. 
 
 Virgins belonging to the Temple. 
 Guards, &c. 
 
 Scene, the Veftibule of the Temple of Apollo at Del- 
 phi, and the Laurel Grove adjoining.
 
 C R E U S A, 
 
 Queen of ATHENS. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 <Tl>e Veftibuh of the 'Temple, 
 ILYSSUS and Virgins, 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 HASTE, hafte, ye Virgins; round the Columns tw!n$ 
 Your flowery Chaplets ; and with Streams frefh-drawrj, 
 Of Caftafy, bedew the facred Porch 
 Of the great God of Day. Already fee 
 His orient Beam has reach'd the double Top 
 Of high Parnaffus, and begins to flied 
 A gleamy Luftre o'er the Laurel Grove ! 
 Hafte, hafte, ye Virgins. From the Vale beneath 
 I hear the No'tfe of Chariots, and of Steeds 
 Which hither bend their Courfe, for every Sound 
 e$rns nearer than the former. And
 
 C R E U S A, 
 
 A reverend Stranger, who perhaps proclaim* 
 Th' Approach of fome great Monarch, to confult 
 All-feeing Pbcebus, or implore his Aid. 
 Hafte, hafte, ye Virgins ! 
 
 Enter PHORBAS. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Tell me, gentle Maids, 
 
 And thou, fair Youth,' who feem'ft to lead the Train, 
 Is this the Temple of the Delphic God ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 It is ; and on the middle Point of Earth 
 Its firm Foundations by immortal Hands 
 
 Stand fix'd : but break we off; the folded Gates 
 
 Unbar, and lo ! the Prieftefs* felf appears ! 
 
 [Tie Pythia fpeaks as Jhe dejcends from the Temple 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Hence, ye profane ! nor with unhallow'd Step 
 Pollute the Threfhold of the Delian King 
 Who flew the Python / Say, from whence thou art, 
 And what thy Bufuiefs, Stranger. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Sacred Maid ! 
 
 From Athens am I come, the Harbinger 
 Of great Creufa, mine and Athens' Queen 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Comes (he on pious Purpofe, to adore 
 Themyftic .Shrine oracular? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 She does ; 
 
 And with her comes the Partner of her Bed, 
 Molian Xutbus : he whofe powerful Arm 
 Sav'd Atbtnt from her Fate, and in return 
 From good Ertfihcut' bounteous Hand receiv'd 
 
 His
 
 ATRAGEDY. 3 
 
 His Daughter and his Crown, f Would he had found 
 
 Some other Recompence ! [f Half afideS 
 
 P Y T H I A . [ Overhearing him t 
 Would he had found ? 
 Old Age is talkative, and I may learn 
 Somewhat of moment from him. Wherefore come they ? 
 Does Famine threaten, or wide-wafting Plague 
 Infeft the Land ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Thank Heaven, our crouded Streets 
 Have felt no dire Difeafe ; and Plenty ftill 
 Laughs in our blooming Fields. Alas ! I fear 
 The childlefs Goddefs who prefides o'er Athens 
 Has found a furer Method to declare 
 How ill fhe brooks that any Stranger Hand 
 Should wield th' Athenian Scepter. 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Does from her 
 The Vengeance come ? 
 
 PHORBAS 
 
 I know not whence it comes. 
 But this I know, full fifteen Years have rolPd 
 Since firft their Hands were join'd, and roll'd in vain 5 
 For ftill the Royal Pair in Silence mourn, 
 Curs'd with a barren Bed. For this they come, 
 T' explore the latent Caufe, and beg of Heav'n 
 To grant an Heir, or teach them where to fix, 
 On what fele&ed Head, th' Athenian Crown. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 And Heaven, no doubt, will hear and grant their Prayer. 
 llyj/us^ hafte, and bid the Priefts prepare 
 For Sacrifice. You, Nyfa, and your Sifters, 
 Amid the Laurel Grove with Speed perform 
 
 B 2 The
 
 4 C fc E U S A, 
 
 The Morning's due Luflration. 
 
 Then hither all return. Myfelf mean while 
 
 Will tempt the Vice of Age, and try to draw ^ /fide. 
 
 -Some ufeful Secrets from him. 
 
 The good King 
 
 Of whom you fpake, Erettbeus^ did his People 
 Efteem and love him as they ought ? for Fame 
 Talk'd largely of his Worth. He was a King- 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Me was my good old Mailer, fuch a King 
 As Heaven but rarely fends. Did we efteem 
 And love him, dofl thou alk ? O, we ador'd 
 He was our Father, not our King. Thefe Tears 
 At Icaft may fpeak my Heart. We muft not hope 
 In the fe degenerate Times to fee him equail'd. 
 He never did an unkind A6t, but once, 
 And then he thought the public Good requir'dit ; 
 Tho' much I fear the Evils we lament 
 From thence derive their Origin. 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 What Ad ? 
 What unkind Ad ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 O Maid, 'twere long to tell 
 The whole urihappy Story, yet in part 
 Hear what to me appears too clofely join'd 
 With thefe our prefent Ills. There was a Youth 
 Athenian born, but not of Royal Blood, 
 His Name Nicander ; him unlucky 'Fate 
 ILd made the Lover of our prefent Queen 
 While yet a Maid. Wh.it will not Love attempt 
 In young ambitious Mind^? hetokl his Pain, 
 And vvon the Fair in ftcrct to iuimit,
 
 ATRAGEDY. 5 
 
 And to return his Paffion. The good King 
 
 Was for a Time deceiv'd, but found at laft 
 
 Th' audacious Fraud, and drove the guilty Youth 
 
 To Banifhment perpetual. Some fay 
 
 *Twas by his Means he fellj tho' that my Heart 
 
 Confents not to believe. Thus much is fure, 
 
 Nicander wander'd forth a wretched Exile, 
 
 And ere few Days had paft, upon the Road 
 
 Were found his well-known Garments ftain'd with Blood. 
 
 Sure Sign of Murder, and as fure a Sign 
 
 No needy Robber was the Inftrument 
 
 PYTHJA. 
 How bore Creufa this ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 At firft her Sorrows 
 
 Were loud and frantic. Time at length fubdued 
 Her Rage to filent Grief. The good old King, 
 To footh her Woes, confented fhe fhould raife 
 A Tomb to her Nicander ; and perform 
 A Kind of annual Rites to parted Love. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 But that not long continued, for we find 
 She married Xutbus. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 'Twas a Match of State, 
 He fav'd her Country, and me gave her Hand 
 Becaufe that Country afk'd it. But her Heart 
 Is buried with Nicander. Still to him, 
 And Xuthus 1 felf permits it, fhe performs 
 Her yearly Oft'rings, and adorns with Flowers 
 An empty Tomb. Would he had liv'd, and reign'd 
 Her wedded Lord ! we had not wanted then 
 Th' Affiftance of a Stranger Arm to guard 
 
 Th'
 
 6 C R E U S A, 
 
 Th* Athenian State, nor had we then been driven 
 To fearch for Heirs at Delphi. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Stop thy Tongue, 
 
 Or fpeak with Rev'rence of the facred Shrine. 
 Thy Words were hafty, but thy Silence now 
 
 Makes juft Atonement for them. Then perhaps 
 
 Thou think'ft this want of Heirs a Curfe entail'd 
 By Heaven on Athens for Nicander's Death 
 And Xutbus* Reign ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 I am Athenian born, 
 
 Nor love JEollan Kings, however great 
 And good they may be. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 The Imperial Xttthus 
 Is much renown'd. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Is virtuous, brave, and pious 5 
 Perhaps too pious. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 How! 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Forgive me, Maid, 
 
 I fpeak my Thoughts with Freedom. 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 What thou fpeak'ft 
 
 To me, is facred. Then perchance thou rank'ft 
 His Journey hither to addrefs the God 
 Among thofe Acis which thou would'ft call too pious ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 For me the Gods of Athens would fufficc 
 
 Yet
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 Yet do I pay juft Rev'rence, holy Maid, 
 To thee, and to thy Shrine. 
 
 . 
 
 Thy Zeal for Athtni 
 
 Is too intemperate. But the Train returns 
 And interrupts our Converfe. Say, UyJ]u^ 
 A re they prepar'd ? 
 
 r. T rf 
 
 Enter ILvssUi and Virgins. 
 ILYSSUS, 
 
 They are, and only wait 
 Th' approaching Vidirris. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 By yon Train, the Queen 
 Is now on her Arrival. Thou, IlyJ/us, 
 Receive her here ; while I, as Cuftom wills, 
 Deep in the Temple's inmoft Gloom retire 
 And wait th' infpiring God. IfyJ/us, hear ; 
 When thou haft paid due Honours to the Queen, 
 Hafte to Alete-s, in the Laurel Grove 
 Impatient I expect him ; tell him, Youth, 
 Things of uncommon Import do demand 
 His inftant Prefence. But the Croud approaches. 
 Stranger, farewel. I feel, I feel within 
 An Heav'n-born Impulfe, and the Seeds of Truth 
 Are lab'ring in my Breaft. Stranger, farewel. 
 
 [The Pythiz returns to the Temple, and the Gates flmt. 
 Enter CREUSA and Attendants. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 No farther need we Conduct. Bid the Guards 
 
 Return, and wait the King. 
 
 PHORBAS/ 
 
 Does ought of Moment 
 Detain him on <he Road ? 
 
 CREUSA.
 
 f C R E U S A, 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 He ftops a while 
 
 At great Tropbonius' Cave, that he may leave 
 No Duty unperform'd. Heaven grant his Zeal 
 May meet with juft Succefs ! 
 
 ILYSSU?. 
 
 Pleafe you, great Queen, 
 In yon Pavilion to repofe, and tafte 
 Some light Refe&ion. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Ha ! Lye Co, Phorbas y 
 
 What Youth is this ? There's fomething in his Eyes, 
 His Shape, his Voice. What may we call thee, Youth ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 The Servant of the God, who guards this Fane. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Bear'ft thou no Name ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 HyJJuS) gracious Queen, 
 The Priefts and Virgins call me. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Ha! Ilj/us! 
 
 That Name's Athenian. Tell me, gentle Youth, 
 Art thou of Athens then ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 I have no Country, 
 Nor know I whence I am. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Who where thy Parents ? 
 Thy Father, Mother ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Ever honor'd Queen, 
 I never knew a Mother's tender Cares, 
 
 Nor
 
 ATRAGEDY. 9 
 
 Nor heard th' Inflations of a Father's Tongue. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 How cam'ft thou hither ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Eighteen Years are paft 
 Since in the Temple's Portal I was found 
 A fleeping Infant, 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Eighteen Years ! good Heaven I 
 That fatal Time recalls a Scene of Woe 
 Let me not think. Were there no Marks to fhew 
 From whom or whence thou wert ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 I have been told 
 
 An Ofier Baflcet fuch as Shepherds weave, 
 And a few fcatter'd Leaves were all the Bed 
 And Cradle I could boafr. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Unhappy Child 1 
 
 But more, O ten times more unhappy they 
 Who loft perhaps in thee their only Offspring ! 
 What Pangs, what Anguim muft the Mother feel, 
 Compell'd, no doubt, by fome difaftrous Fate 
 But this is all Conjecture. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 O great Queen, 
 
 Had thofe from whom I fpruno; been form'd like thee j 
 Had they e'er felt the fecret Pangs of Nature, 
 They had not left me to the defart World 
 So totally expos'd. I rather fear 
 I am the Child of Lowlinefs and Vice, 
 And happy only in my Ignorance,; 
 
 C
 
 io C R E U S A, 
 
 Why fhould flie weep ? O if her Tears can fall 
 For even a Stranger's but fufpecled Woes, 
 How is that People bleft where fhe prefides 
 As Mother, and as Queen ! Pleafe you, retire ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 No, flay. Thy Sentiments at leaft befpeak 
 A gen'rous Education. Tell me, Youth, 
 How has thy Mind been form'd ? 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 In that, great Queen, 
 
 I never Wanted Parents, The good Priefts 
 And pious Prieftefs, who with Care fuftain'd 
 My helplefs Infancy, left not my Youth 
 Without InftrucHon. $ut O, more than all, 
 The kindeft, beft good Man, a neighb'ring Sage: 
 Who has known better Days, tho' now retir'd 
 To a fmall Cottage on the Mountain's Brow, 
 He deals his Bleffings to the fimple Swains 
 In Balms and powerful Herbs. He taught me Things 
 Which my Soul treafures as its deareft Wealth, 
 And will remember ever. The good Priefts, 
 *Tis true, had taught the fame, but not with half 
 That Force and.Energy; Conviction's felf 
 Dwelt on Alett? Tongue. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Metes, faid'ft thou .* 
 Was that the good Man's Name ? 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 It is, great Queen, 
 For yet he lives, and guides me by his Counfels. 
 
 , CREUSA. 
 What did he teach thee ? 
 
 ILYISUS.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 To adore high Heaven, 
 
 And venerate on Earth Heaven's Image, Truth! 
 To feel for others Woes, and bear my own 
 
 With manly Refignation. Yet I own 
 
 Some things he taught me which but ill agree 
 With my Condition here. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 What things were thofe ? 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 They were for Exercife, and to confirm 
 My growing Strength. And yet I often told him 
 The Exercife he taught refembled much 
 What I had heard of War. He was himfelf 
 A Warrior once. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 And did thofe Sports delight thee ! 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Great Queen, I do confefs my Soul mix'd with them. 
 Whene'er I grafp'd the Ofier-platted Shield, 
 Or fent the mimic Javelin to its Mark, 
 I felt I know not what of Manhood in me. 
 But then I knew my Duty, and reprefs'd 
 The fwelling Ardor. 'Tis to Shades, I cried, 
 The Servant of the Temple muft confine 
 His lefs ambitious, not kfs virtuous Cares. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Did the good Man obferve, and blame thy Ardor ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 He only fmil'd at my too forward Zeal ; 
 Nay feem'd to think fuch. Sports were neceflary 
 To foften what he cajl'd more rig'rous Studies. 
 
 
 C 7. CREUSA
 
 iz C R E U S A. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 . Suppofe when I return to Athens ^ Youth, 
 
 Thou (hould'ft attend me thither ! would'ft thou truft 
 To me thy future Fortunes ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 O moft gladly ! 
 
 But then to leave thefe Shades where I was nurs'd 
 
 The Servant of the God, how might that feem ? 
 
 And good Aletes too, the kind old Man 
 
 Of whom I fpake ? But wherefore talk I thus, 
 
 You only throw thefe tempting Lures to try 
 
 Th' Ambition of my Youth. Pleafe you, retire. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 HyJJuSy we will find a time to f[tak 
 More largely on this Subject, for the prefcnt 
 Let all withdraw and leave us. Youth, farewel, 
 I fee the Place, and will retire at leifure. 
 Lycca, Pborbasy ftay. 
 
 ILYS us. [Afide. 
 
 How my Heart beats \ 
 
 She muft mean fomething fure. Tho' good Aletc$ 
 Has told me polifhcd Courts abound in Falfhoodj' 
 But I will bear the Prieftefc' Meflage to him. 
 And open all my Doubts. [Exit. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Great Queen, why ftand'fl thou fjlent ? fomething feems 
 To labour in thy Brcaft. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Alas ! good Pkc.rfas, 
 
 Didft thou obferve that Youth? When !'- >e 
 
 Glanc'd on his beauteous Form, methoi: 
 '1'he Perfon "of Nicandti: 
 
 PHORBAS,
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 13 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 Gracious Queen, 
 
 Your Heart mifleads your Eyes. The Image there 
 Too deeply fix'd makes every pleaflng Object 
 Bear fome Refemblance to itfelf. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Lycea, 
 
 And yet, tho' thou waft there I well believe 
 Thy Youth can fcarce remember how he look'd, 
 When from the Fight triumphant he return'd 
 Grac'd with the vi&or Laurel ; fuch a Wreath 
 As now HyJ/us wears. Indeed, Lycea y 
 Thy Mother, had fhe liv'd, had thought as I do. 
 Nay when he fpake the Voice too was Nicander's. 
 I know not what to think, perhaps 'twas Fancy, 
 Perhaps 'twas fomething more. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Illuftrious Queen, 
 
 You do abufe your noble Mind, and lend 
 To mere illufions of the Brain, the Force 
 And Power to make you wretched. Grant there were 
 Some flight Refemblance of Nicandcr's Form 
 In young Ilyjjus^ tho' my Eyes perceive not 
 Even the moft diftuntLikenefs, grant there were, 
 Yet wherefore fhould the Sight fo nearly touch thee, 
 Cafual Similitude, we know too well 
 Nlcander left no Heir. [She feems di/lurhd. 
 
 I fay not this, 
 
 Great Queen, to heighten but relieve your Sorrows, 
 And banim from your Breaft each vain Surmife 
 Which Fancy might fuggeft. 
 
 CREUSA,
 
 i* CREUSA, 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Too well indeed, 
 
 O Phorbas, much too well indeed we know 
 Oleander left no Heir to his Perfections, 
 No Image of himfelf. And yet, good Pborbai> 
 Blame not my Folly, nor demand a Reafon 
 If I jntreat thee to examine ftriclly 
 The Fortunes of this young Unknown. The Prieils 
 Or Prieftefs.may know more than they entruft 
 To his unwary Youth. The Sage he fpake of, 
 Could'ft thou not fearch him out ; 'tis fomewhere near 
 He dwells, I think, upon the Mountain's Brow. 
 Thou wonder'ft at me, call it if thou pleafe 
 A Woman's Weaknefs j but obey me, Pborlas. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 You fay I wonder, 'tis indeed to fee 
 My honor'd Queen employ her Thoughts thus idly 
 On Griefs long part j when things of dear Concern 
 To her and Athens (hould alarm her nearly. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 What things of near Concern ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Sec' ft thou not, Queen, 
 
 Thy Crown, Ercftbeui Crown, the Crown of Athens t 
 Wav'ring in Fortune's Power ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 The Gods will fix it. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 The Gods ? Ah, great Creufa> may my Fears 
 Be vain and groundlefs ; but I fear the Gods 
 Have left us to ourfelves. When we refign'd 
 Th* Athenian Scepter to a Stranger Hand 
 We did reieb their Guidance. Wherefore come we 
 
 To
 
 ATRAGEDY. I5 
 
 To Delphi now, but that th' offended Gods 
 Have turn'd too long an inattentive Ear 
 To our ill-judg'd Petitions. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Why ill-judg'd ? 
 We afk'd for Heirs. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 We did j for Xuthui Heirs, 
 The Race of SEolus.- I know, great Queen, 
 They were to fpring from thee ; but Heaven permits net 
 The native Purenefs of th* Athenian Soil 
 Should mix with foreign Clay. I wi& we find not 
 More alien Kings at Delphi. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Think'ft thou Xutbas 
 Deceives us then ? His Worth, his Piety, 
 Forbid the Thought. Befides, the facred Place 
 Admits not of Deceit. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Credulity 
 
 Is not the Vice of Age. Forgive me. Queen, 
 If I fufpeft that Piety which brings us 
 To fearch for Kings at Delphi. Might not Athens 
 Have chofen her own Monarch ? Her brave Youth, 
 Her bearded Sages, are they not the Flower 
 And Pride of Greece ? Nay, might'ft not thou, Crtufa, 
 With liberal Hand beftow th' Imperial Wreath ? 
 And who has better Right ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 The Gods, who gave it 
 To me, and my great Anceftors. 
 
 PHORBAS.
 
 16 C R E U S A, 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Whate'er 
 
 The Gods beftow can never be refum'd 
 Tho' we repent. The pious Populace 
 Will rev'rence Kings from Heaven. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 And wherefore not ? 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Queen, perhaps my Fears are too officious, 
 But let thy Servant beg 
 
 CREUSA. 
 I know thy Zeal 
 
 Forme, and for thy Country. Reft aflur'd, 
 Crttefa never will confent to ought 
 Which can endanger Athens. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 My Heart thanks thee ! 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Mean while the Youth Ihfjus 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Should the King 
 
 Connrm'd by Oracles prefume to fix 
 A Stranger on the Throne. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 He will not do it. 
 
 PHORBAS, 
 
 1 hope he will not, yet 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 The Youth I fpake of, 
 Wilt thou enquire ? 
 
 PHORBAS.
 
 A T R A G E D Y. ,1$ 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Should Xutbus lay afide 
 His ufual Mildnefs, and aflame at once 
 The Monarch and the Hufband, could'ft thou then 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 In Athens' Caufe I could refift them all. 
 But ceafe thefe vain Sufpicions. A few Hours 
 Will prove thy Fears were groundlefs. Meanwhile, Phsrba$ 
 Thou wilt find Methods to inform thyfelf 
 Touching this unknown Youth. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 By yonder Guards 
 The King (hould be at hand. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 I will retire 
 
 To the Pavilion, and expect him there. 
 Yet hear me, Phorbas ; let not Xutbus know 
 Why thou enquir'ft. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 Xutbns has other Cares. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 The Prieftefs too, I would confer with her. 
 Tho' that Lycea may perform. Farewel, 
 
 And profper in thy Tafk^ Alas, Lycea y [Exit Phorbas* 
 
 There is a Secret labours in my Breaft, 
 But Fate forbids that I fhould give it Utterance. 
 This boding Heart was early taught to feel 
 Too fenfibly ; each diftant Doubt alarms it ; 
 
 It Harts at Shadows. But retire we, Maid, 
 
 Grief is th* unhappy Charter of our Sex j 
 
 The Gods who gave us readier Tears to ihed 
 
 Gave us more Caufe to fhed them. [Exeur&z 
 
 Tiff End of the Fir ft ACT, 
 
 p ACT
 
 i* C R E U S A, 
 
 S 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 The Laurel Grovi. 
 ALETES and ILYSSU*. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 EEM'D flie difturb'd when (he beheld thee? 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Much ; 
 
 And when I gave her the flight Hints I knew 
 Relating to my Fortunes, fhe diflblv'd 
 In Client Tears : fuch foft Humanity 
 Sure never dwelt in any Breaft but hers. 
 Nor did I think till now that I had Caufe 
 Of Difcontent ; but fince fhe wept my Fate, 
 I fecm to find a Reafon in her Grief, 
 * And feel myfelf unhappy. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Why unhappy ? 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 I know not why ; and yet to be confin'd 
 Thus to a fingle Spot ; to draw in Air, 
 To take in Nourifhment, to live, to die, 
 For this was Man defign'd ? Ah, good Aletes y 
 Sure thou haft taught me, Godlike Man was made 
 
 For nobler Purpofes of general Good ; 
 
 For
 
 A TRAGEDY. , 9 
 
 For A&ion, not for Reft. The Queen propos'd 
 I mould attend her to th' Athenian State ; 
 Would'ft thou advife it ? Do'ft thou think, dletes, 
 She meant I mould attend her ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Doubtlefs, Youth, 
 If fhe propos'd, me meant it. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 And would'ft thou 
 Advife I mould attend her ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Wherefore not ? 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 May I defert thefe Shades ? or can I leave 
 Thee, thee, my good Aletes ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 O llyffus, 
 
 Strive not to hide thy Heart ; from me thou can'ft not j 
 I form'd it, and I know it. Delphi's Shades 
 Have now no Peace for thee, thy Bofom feels 
 Ambition's active, unrelenting Fires. 
 Thou wimeft, and thou hop'ft, thou know'ft not what. 
 *Tis Glory thou would'ft have : Go then, brave Youth*- ' 
 Where Virtue calls thee : be the Means but noble 
 Thou can'ft not foar too high. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 My more than Father 1 
 Thy Words infpire me, and I feel a Warmth 
 
 Unknown before. But ihen, my Birth 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Thy Birth ? 
 Did I not early teach thee to defpife 
 
 A cafual Good ? Thou art thyfelf, Ily/us. 
 
 Inform me, Youth, would'ft thou be what thou art, 
 
 D 2 Thus
 
 20 C R E U S A, 
 
 Thus fair, thus brave, thus fenfibly alive 
 
 To Glory's fineft Feel j or give up all, 
 
 To be defcended from a Line of Kings, 
 
 The tenth perhaps from Jove ? I fee thy Cheejt 
 
 Glows a repentant Blufh. Our greateft Heroes, 
 
 Thofe Gods on Earth, thofe Friends of Human kind, 
 
 Whofe great Examples I would fet before thee, 
 
 Were once unknown like thee. And yet, if Birth 
 
 Concern thee, know, prophetic is my Speech, 
 
 Thy Fate is now at work, and a few Hours 
 
 May fhow thee what thou art. My Words alarm thee. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 They do indeed. O tell me 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 'Tis in vain 
 
 Thou would'ft enquire from me, what Heaven conceals 
 Till its fit Time. Didft thou not fay, Ilyflus, 
 The Pythla would be here ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 She comes. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Retire 
 And leave us to ourfelves. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 I will. And yet 
 Migl?t I not know 
 
 w 
 
 ALETES. 
 From me thou can ? fl know nothing 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 A few Hours, faid you ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Hence, and beg of Heaven 
 
 To profpcr the Event. Retire and leave us. [Exit Jlyflus. 
 
 Enter
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 21 
 
 Enter PYTHIA. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Now good Aletes^ if thy pregnant Mind, 
 Deep judging pf Events, has ever fram'd 
 Such artful Truths as won believing Man 
 To think them born of Heaven, and made my Name 
 Renown'd in Greece^ O now exert thy Power. 
 No common Caufe demands it. Kings and States 
 Are our Solicitors, and Athens' Fate 
 Hangs on my Lips. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 I know it well. And now 
 If, as thou fay'ft, my fecret kind Advice, 
 And worn Experience in the Ways of Men, 
 Have gain'd thy Altars Credit, and with Gifts 
 Loaded thy Shrines, now, by one grateful At 
 Thou may 'ft repay me all. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 What At ? O fpeak, 
 And gladly I obey. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 An Adi:, my PYTHIA, 
 
 Which tho' at firft it may feem bold and dangerous, 
 Shall in the End add Luftre to thy Shades, 
 And make ev'n Kings Protectors of thy Fane. 
 O Pytbia, 'twas the Hand of Heaven itfelf 
 Which brought thefe Royal Suppliants to thy Shrine. 
 I could unfold a Tale. But let it reft. 
 Thou {halt ere Night know all, and blefs with me 
 Th' indulgent Powers above. Only in this 
 Obey me" blindly, Pythla. 
 
 PYTHlA. 
 
 Say in what. 
 
 ALETES,
 
 ti C R E U S A, 
 
 ALETES. 
 Declare llyffw Heir to Athens 9 Crowi.. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 lljffui Heir ? what mcan'ft thou ? 'tis a Fraud 
 Too palpable. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 I knew 'rvvould ftartle thec. 
 
 But 'tis becaufe thou know'ft the Fraud, my Pytbia, 
 That it alarms thee. Didft thou really think 
 This Youth were Heir to the Athenian Crown, 
 Would'ft thou not feize 'the happy Gift of Chance 
 And to the World proclaim it ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 True, I fhould ; 
 
 And blefs my Fate that in thefe facrcd Shades 
 I had nurs'd up unknowingly a King 
 For my Protector. But what then might feem 
 The Confequence, now feems the Caufe, Aletes ; 
 Will they not fay I made the King, to gain 
 The kind Proteaor ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 So to thee it feems ; 
 
 But who will fay it ? the believing many 
 Will bow with Rev'rence and implicit Faith 
 To what thy Shrine ordains ; and for the few 
 Who may fufpe& the Cheat, true Policy 
 Will keep them filcnt : fhould they dare detect 
 A Fraud like this, and fpurn at Right divine, 
 Where were their Power ? The many-headed Beaft 
 Would feel theflacken'd Rein, and from his Back 
 Shake off the lordly Rider. Nay fhould Athens 
 Be blind to her own Good, the States of Greece, 
 7 'l;ou know'ft it well, would arm in thy Defence, 
 
 And
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 13 
 
 And force her to receive the King thou gav'ft her. 
 
 His Form, his unknown Birth, his winning Softnefc, 
 
 His Education here in Heaven's own Eye, 
 
 All plead in his behalf. And, as he tells me, 
 
 The Queen already with unuf\ial Marks 
 
 Of Favour has beheld him. For the King, 
 
 A pious Awe and Rev'rence for the Gods 
 
 Is his diftinguifh'd Attribute. Thou feem'ft 
 
 To weigh my Words. To clear thy Doubts at once, 
 
 Know many Days have paft fince firft I knew 
 
 Of their Approach. Thou think'ft I fhould have told thee, 
 
 It needed not. I have myfelf prepar'd 
 
 Each previous Circumftance, and found due means 
 
 To forward the Event. Thy Part is eafy j 
 
 Behold the Oracle. 
 
 PYTHIA rtads. 
 
 " A banifh'd Youth is Mem" Caufe of Woe." 
 How know'ft thou that ? [Looking earnejlly at him. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Demand not, but read on. 
 PYTHIA reads. 
 
 " For that Youth banifh'd, Athens muft receive 
 " Another Youth ; and on the young Unknown 
 " Who 'tends my Shrine, and whom I call my Son, 
 " Beftow th' Imperial Wreath." The God declares 
 No more." 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Thou feem'ft amaz'd. 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 I am Indeed, 
 
 To find thee thus inftruied on a Theme 
 I came prepar'd to mention. The Queen's Paflior?, 
 
 Her Lover banifh'd 
 
 ALETES.
 
 24 C R E U S A 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 What thou feeft I know 
 
 May tell thee I know more But fay, from whence 
 Thou gained'ft thy Intelligence ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 From one 
 
 Whofe Zeal may thwart thy Schemes : a warm old Man, 
 And firm in Athens' Caufe, who came to-day 
 Before the reft, and led by my Enquiries 
 Gave me thofe Hints on which I thought to build 
 Prophetic, doubtful Anfwers. But I find 
 My beft Inftruc~tor here. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Perhaps thou do'ft. 
 
 Of this reft well aflur'd, I ne'er had afk'd 
 Of Pythia ought but what I knew with Safety 
 She might comply with. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Tell me what thou know'ft. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Not yet ; 'tis better thou remain in Ignorance 
 Till all be finifli'd. But pronounce the Oracle, 
 And leave the reft to me. Do'ft thou diftruft me ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 I do not. Yet if on flight Hints alone 
 
 Thou form'ft this weighty Fraud, confider well 
 What may or may not follow. By thy Looks 
 There mould be fomething hid. Thy coming hither 
 Was much upon the Time we found this Child. 
 And fince, with what almoft paternal Care 
 Thou haft inftruc"ted him. Tho' that indeed 
 Might fpring from thy Benevolence of Heart, 
 
 Which
 
 ATRAGEDY. 
 
 Which I have known is boundlefs. Say, 
 What fhoiild I think ? Thou imil'ft. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Wilt thou obey me ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 I muft ; and yet if 'tis a Fraud, Aletes^ 
 The warm old Man of whom I fpake detefts 
 A Stranger King. Ev'n Xuthus* felf, whofe Worth 
 He doth acknowledge great, he views with Pain 
 Upon th' Athenian Throne. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 I know him well ; 
 
 'Tis Phorbas. Do not wonder at my Words, 
 But find a Means that I may fee the Queen 
 In fecret, unobferv'd by prying Eyes, 
 And all that old Man's Fears, arid Rage mall vanih, 
 He (hall with Joy receive a Stranger King. 
 Wilt thou devife the Means ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 I now begin 
 
 To hope indeed. There is fome Secret hid 
 Of moft important Weight. But does the Queen- 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 I will not anfwer thee ; my Time's too precious. 
 Only devife fome Means that I may fee her 
 
 Quite unobferv'd by all. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 You cannot fee her 
 Till all be paft. Will that fuffice ? 
 ALETES. 
 
 It will. 
 PYTHIA. 
 Here in the Laurel Grove. 
 
 F ALSTES,
 
 C R U S A, 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 No Place rnc:. 
 
 But O be careful, Pytbia^ that die King 
 Obferve us not } for 'tis of mighty Moment 
 He fhould believe this fubftituted Youth 
 Of Race JEolian. To which End, my Pythia, 
 I have among the Priefls thefe few Days paff, 
 When they fufpe&cd not th' Approach of Xuthu.^ 
 Dropp'd doubtful Hints as if I had difcover'd 
 Some antique Marks amid the Ofier Twigs 
 Which form'd IlyJJiu' Cradle, that denote 
 He fprang from /Eolus : And at the Cave 
 Of great Trofhonius have I ta'en due Care 
 Such Anfwers ftiould be given as would induce 
 One of lefs Faith than Xutbus to expect 
 An Heir of his own Family. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 The Boy, 
 Knows he of thy Intentions ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 No, nor mult 
 
 Till ripening Tim permit. His Fate depends 
 Vpon his Ignorance. Soft, who comes here ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 It is the warm old Man, and, as I think, 
 Some fair Attendant of the Queen. Retire. 
 I would know more, but Wherefore do'fl thou gaze 
 So ardently upon them ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 . Hence, away, 
 
 We muft not now be fecn. [Exeunt Pythia and Aletes. 
 Enter LYCEA and PHORBAS. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Tbis Place fccms quite retir'd. Here if thou wait 
 
 I will
 
 ATRAGEDY. 27 
 
 I will inform the Queen, and her Impatience 
 Will bring her on the Inftant. Surely, Phorbas^ 
 Something myfterious lurks beneath her Tears , 
 Her ftrange Anxieties. Since thou wer't abfent 
 This unknown Youth alone has fill'd her Thoughts, 
 Of him alone fhe talks, recounts his Words, 
 Defcribes his Looks, his Geftures ; loves to dwell 
 On each Particular. Ere thou wer't gone 
 She wifh'd and even expected thy Return ; 
 Difpatch'd me often, tho' fhe knew 'twas vain, 
 To watch for thy Arrival. When the King 
 Approach'd, {he fmooth'd her Brow, as if to hide 
 The Strugglings of her Mind ; nay feem'd afraid 
 He fhould fufpect her -Sorrows. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Then to him 
 She mention'd not this Youth ? 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Her Conduct there 
 
 Was moft myfterious. With a Voice of Fear, 
 She flightly dropp'd that ihe had feen a Youth 
 Whom fhe could wifh to bear with her to Athens. 
 The King confcnted, and with Smiles propos'd 
 They mould adopt him. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 Ha ! adopt him, faid'ft thou ? 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 In Sport he fpake, but at his Words a Glow 
 Of fudden Joy fpread o'er her Face, her Tongue 
 Forgot Reftraint, and in bis Praife grew lavifh : 
 Then ftopp'd again, and hefitartrjg frrove 
 Te check its Zeal, as fearful to betray- 
 Some hidden Tranfport. 
 
 E a PHORBAS..
 
 28 C R E U S A, 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Whatfoc'cr U be, 
 
 I foon fiiall damp her Joy. This Youth, Lycea, 
 Muft not to Athtm. But behold, the Queen. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 O how impatient [ ere I could return 
 To tell her thou wer't here, fhe comes herfclf, 
 Eager to learn thy Tidings. 
 
 Enter CRZUSA. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Now, my Phorbas, 
 
 Say what thou know'ft at once. The King already 
 Confents he fhould attend us. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Never, never 
 Shall Athens fee that Youth. 
 
 CREUSA: 
 
 What mean'ft thou, Pborbas ? 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Too much already of jEolian Blood 
 Has haplefs Athens known. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Molian Blood ! 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 The King confents ! I doubt not his Confent. 
 Yes, .'twas my Word, great Queen, /Eolian Blood j 
 This Youth dcfccnds from JEslus. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Be dumb, 
 Or bring me better Tidings. 
 
 TIIORRAS, 
 
 Worfe I cannot, 
 But what I fpcaL Is Truth. 
 
 C-REUCA.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 29 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Peace, Mpnfter , Peace ! 
 
 Thou know'ft not Truth. Tis thy affected Zeal 
 For Athens, for thy Country, that fuggefts 
 This horrid Falfhood j 'tis thy Hate of Xutbus. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 What means my Queen ? or how have I deferv'd 
 Such harm Exprefiions ? Does my honeft Love 
 For Athens, and Creufa-, fubjecl: me 
 To fuch unkind Sufpicions ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Gracious Gods ! 
 
 ft cannot be. Alas, forgive me, Phorbas, 
 
 I know not what I fay, thy Words ftrike thro' me, 
 
 They pierce my very Soul. O I had hop'd 
 
 But tell me all, tho' I believe thee honeft, 
 
 Thy Zeal for Athens^ and for me, may make thqe 
 
 Too hafty of Belief. Why art thou filent ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Amazement flops my Tongue, thefe Starts of Pafiion, 
 This Violence of Grief, muft have a Caufe. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Perhaps they have, perhaps to thee, good Pborbas, 
 This burfting Heart may open all its Sorrows. 
 But tell me firft, what are thy Proofs ? from whence 
 Gain'dft thou this curs'd Intelligence ? 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 O Queen, 
 
 Thy Looks, thy Words 1 know not how to anfwer. 
 
 Yet if there be Offence in what I fpeak, 
 
 My Ignorance offends, not I offend. 
 
 JCnow then, Crgufa^ from the Priefts who 'tend 
 
 This
 
 30 C R E U S A, 
 
 This Delphic Shrine, by your Command I learnt 
 My nrft Intelligence. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 And did they fay 
 
 This Youth was of MoKan Race ? 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 They did. 
 
 At leaft their Words imported littJe Je/s. 
 They judg'd me Xuibu3' Friend, not Enemy, 
 As would thy Rage fuggeft, and as a Friend 
 Dropp'd Hints they thought would pleafe me. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Then, perhaps, 
 
 It was not Truth they (pake, they but dcceiv'd 
 Thy Ear with well -judg'd Flattery. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 What follow'd 
 
 Confirm'd it Truth. Has the King mention'd to thee 
 What Promifes were given him at the Shrine 
 Of fage Tropbonius ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 General Promifes 
 Of fure Succefs, no more. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Know then, great Queen, 
 As I return'd from Convcrfe with the Priefts, 
 I met his Friend and Bofom Fav'rite Lycon. 
 Joy fparkled in his Eyes, and his vain Tongue 
 O'erflow'd with Tranfport. I obferv'd it well, 
 And gave the Torrent Paflage, nay with Art 
 Ev'n led it blindly forward. Till at length 
 He open'd his whole Soul, and under Seal 
 Of firmed Secrecy toW me the King 
 
 Would
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 31 
 
 Would find an Heir at Delphi^ fuch an Heir 
 As would rejoice the unapparent Shades 
 Of his great Anceftors. At that I ftarted. 
 He found his Error then, and told me, glozing, 
 That great Tropbonius had almoft proclaimed, 
 Tho' not exprefsly, Xuthus here fhould find 
 An Heir of his own Race. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Of his own Race ? 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 So faid he ; whether great Trophonltis fpake 
 This Oracle, I know not ; but I know 
 Too well whofe Oracle to me declar'd it. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Think'ft thou this Youth 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Grant it were only done 
 To try my Zeal, why fhould they try it now, 
 Unlefs fome clofe Defign requir'd that Trial ? 
 Yes, mighty Queen, I do believe this Youth 
 Is our intended King. But, by yon Heaven, 
 If it be he, or any other He 
 Oi" Xutkus' Race, he mall not reign in Athens. 
 This Poinard firft fhall drink his Blood. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Forbear ! 
 That Thought diftra&s me. Tho' perhaps 'tis juft. 
 
 O Phorbas, 'twas my Hope, my Wifh, my Prayer 
 
 That Youth might reign in Athens. But thy Words 
 Strike deadly Damps like baleful Aconite, 
 And poifon all within. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 What means my Queen ? 
 
 CREUSA,
 
 32 C R E U S A, 
 
 CREI.'SA. 
 
 O Phorba;, O Lycea but firft fwear 
 By Nfmtf:; and the tremendous Powers 
 Who punifh broken Faith, no Word, no liint 
 Shall 'fcape your Lips of all your Queen declare*. 
 
 We fwear ! 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Know then, O Pain to Memory \ 
 I had a Son. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 A Son! 
 
 LYCEA. 
 Good Heaven ! 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 A Son f 
 CREUSA. 
 
 my full Heart ! Thy Mother, my Lycea ^ 
 Kfiew all the fatal Prccefs of my Woes, 
 Ami was their only Solace. Phorbas, yes, 
 
 1 had a Son, but witnefs every God 
 
 Whofe genial Power prcfides o'er nuptial League;, 
 Nicznder was my wedded Lord. That Night, 
 That fatal Night which drove him forth from y/r/v/7J, 
 Forc'd from my fwel'ing Womb, ere yet mature, 
 Its precious Burthen. To thy Mother's Cares 
 I ow'd my Life. In fecret me aftuag'd 
 My piercing Pr.n:rs 2nd to Nicandtr's Arms 
 In fecret (he convcy'd the wretched Infant. 
 What follcw'd well thou know'fi. Nicander fell, 
 And with him doubtlefe fell the dear, dear Charge, 
 Confign'd to his Protection. ^ r ct, good Phcrta^ 
 When I beheld this Youth, his Looks, x his Voice, 
 
 His
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 His Age, his unknown Birth, all, all confpir'4 
 To cheat me into Hopes. Alas, how fallen ! 
 How blafted all ! 
 
 PHORBAS, 
 
 Great Queen, my Tears cpnfe(g, 
 An old Man's Tears, which rarely fall, cpnfefs 
 How much I {hare your Angujfh, Had J known, 
 Nicander was your Lord, by Earth and Heaven, 
 I would have rais'd all Athens in his Caufe, j 
 Nay, been a Rebel to the belt of Matters, 
 Ere the dear Pledge of your iwfpotted leaves 
 Should thus have fallen untimely. Now, alas, 
 1 have not ev'n one flattering Hope to give thee. 
 Till now I oft have wonder'd why fo far 
 Their Rage purfued Nicander. 'Tis too plain, 
 They knew the precious Burthen which he bore. 
 And for the haplefs Child the Father died, 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 O God ! I feel the Truth of what thou utfeer'ft, 
 And my Heart dies within me. O Lycea> 
 Who, who would be a Mother ! 
 PHGRBAS, 
 
 Be a Queen, 
 
 And turn thy Grief to Rage. Shall Aliens fport 
 With thy Misfortunes ? Shall infulting Spoilers 
 Smile o'er the Ruins pf thy haplefs State, 
 While all the golden Harveft is their own ? 
 Shall Xuthus triumph ? fliall his Race fucceed ? 
 While thine, I mean not to provoke thy Tears. 
 Thy tender Bloflbms are torn rudely off 
 Almoft or ere they bloom. 
 
 F
 
 34 C R E U S A, 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 It mall not be, 
 
 No, ye immortal Powers! Yet let us wait 
 
 Till the dire Truth glare on us. One (hort Hour 
 And Doubt (hall be no more. Then, Phorbas^ then 
 Should he prefumetoplaceon Athens' Throne 
 His alien Race, nay tho' this beauteous Youth, 
 This dear Refemblance of my murder'd Lord, 
 Should be the fatal Choice, by that dear Shade, 
 Which perifh'd as it reach'd the Gates of Life, 
 I will, I think I will, alfift thy Vengeance. 
 Soft, who comes here ? 'Tis he ! how innocent ! 
 How winning foft he looks ! Whate'er it be, 
 He knows not the Deceit. Look on him, Pborbas j 
 Nay, then flialt queftion him. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Not I. Great Queen, 
 
 Refume yourfelf, nor let this fond Perfuafion 
 Betray you to a Weaknefs you fhould blufli at. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 If poflible I will. 
 
 Enter ILYSSUS. 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Illuftrious Queen, 
 
 The Altar ftands prepar'd, and all Things wait 
 Your Royal Prefence : From the King I come, 
 His Mefienger. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 We will attend his Pleafure. 
 Be near me, Pborlas ; I may want thy Counfel. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 She looks not on me fure as fhe was wont. 
 I'll fpeak to her. Pennit me, gracious Queen, 
 
 To
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 35 
 
 To pay my humbleft Thanks, for by your means 
 The King is kind as you are. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Rife, llyffus. 
 
 Perhaps you needed there no Advocate. 
 PhorbaS) lead on. My Refolution melts, 
 And all my Sex returns. One Look from him 
 Outweighs a thoufand Proofs. Phorbas, lead on, 
 Or I am loft in Weaknefs. [Exeunt Creufa and Phorbas. 
 ILYSSUS, flopping Lycea. 
 
 Gentle Maid, 
 
 Stay yet a Moment. Wherefore does the Queen 
 Look coldly on me ? Know'ft thou if in ought 
 I have offended ? 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Things of mightieft Import 
 At prefent fill her Mind, nor leave they room 
 
 For lefs Affairs. My Duty calls me hence. [Exit. 
 
 , 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 I hope it is no more ; yet each Appearance 
 
 Alarms me now. Aletes, thou haft rais'd 
 
 Such Conflicts here, fuch Hopes, fuch Fears, fuch Doubts, 
 
 That Apprehenfion finks beneath their Weight. 
 
 Well might'ft thou fay thefe folitary Shades 
 
 Have now no Peace for me. Yet once thou taught'ft me, 
 
 That the pure Mind was its own Source of Peace. 
 
 But that Philofophy I find belongs 
 
 To private Life, for where Ambition enters 
 
 I feel it is not true. [Exit. 
 
 The End of the Second AC?. 
 
 F 2 ACT
 
 $6 C fc E U S A, 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Tbs yeflibttk of tbe Temple. 
 
 ALETES alone. 
 
 WHY mould I doubt? it will, it mud fucceed. 
 Yet I could wifli that I had feen Creufa 
 
 Before 'twas undertaken, for perhaps 
 
 *Tis better as it is. Her Part had then 
 Been difficult to aft $ now what fhe does, 
 Aflifting or oppofing the Defign, 
 Will all feem natural. The Pytbia fure 
 
 Will adl as I directed. Hark, the Rites 
 
 Should be ere this perform'd ; why ftay they then ? 
 That Noife proclaims them finim'd, and the Croud 
 
 Wfll foon be here. They come, I muft not yet 
 
 e leen ; the Pythia in the Laurel Grove 
 
 May tell me what has pafs'd. [Exit. 
 
 GREUSA dcfccnds ha/lily from the Temple in great Diforder, 
 LYCE A following. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Stay, mighty Queen, 
 
 You know not what you do ; your Rage tranfports you ; 
 You leave the Rites unfinifh'd, and the Croud 
 In wild Amazement gafce on your Departure. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Jwill not ftay, nor will 1 tamely bear 
 
 My
 
 A TRAGEDY. 11 
 
 My difappoihted Hopes. O honeft Pborbas, 
 
 good old Man, thy penetrating Mind 
 Saw early their I)efigns. 'Tis to fupply 
 Nicander's Lofs (O ne'er to be fupplyM !) 
 That we muft call in Strangers to the Throne;, 
 And yield our Scepters to M'dian Hands. 
 Yes, ye great Shades of my Progenitors, 
 
 1 hear ye call, ye fhall, ye fhall have Vengeance ! 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Whatever you defign, cpnceal at leaft 
 This Tranfport of your Rage. 
 
 CREtJSA. 
 
 Why loiters Pkorbas ? 
 
 He faw my Anguifh, wherefore comes he not 
 To its Relief ? They fool me paft Endurance. 
 Rely they on the Weaknefs of my Sex ? 
 Lycea^ they mail find this feeble Arm 
 Jn fuch a Caufe can lay the DiftafF by, 
 And grafp th' unerring Thunderbolt of "Jove. 
 O Phot-has, art thou come 
 
 Enter PHORBAS from the Temple. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Now, mighty Queeli, 
 Are my Sufpicions juft ? is Phorbas honeft ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 As Light, as Truth itfelf. My Counfellor, 
 My Bofom Friend ! 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Now fhall a cafual Likenefs, 
 If fuch there be, a femblant Caft of Features, 
 The Sport of Nature in a human Form, 
 Shall Trifles light as thefe weigh down Conviction ? 
 O Queen, from firft to laft th' apparent Scheme 
 
 Glares
 
 .13 C R E U S A, 
 
 Glares on us now. Why were we brought to Delphi, 
 
 But that this Youth has long been nurtur'd here 
 
 In fecret from the World - f perhaps the Son 
 
 Of Xuthus* felf, plac'd here at firft to hide 
 
 The Guilt and Shame of fome difhoneft Mother, 
 
 Tho' now applied to more pernicious End*. 
 
 CKEUSA. 
 It may be fo. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 And why, fay why, to-day, 
 While Xuthus flays behind for Oracles 
 He wanted not, is young IlyJJus bid 
 To meet your Eyes, ajid win with artful Talei 
 Your eafy Heart ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Bid ! was he bid to do it ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 I faw the Prieflefs whifper fomething to him, 
 Then loud (he bade him wait for thy Approach. 
 She muft, forfooth, retire to facred Glooms, 
 And wait for Infpiration. Xuthui Gold 
 Was what infpir'd the Traitrefs. Yet, good Heaven, 
 When from the Shrine fhe gave the fraudful Words, 
 With what ftrange Art the holy Hypocrite 
 In mimic Trances died ! " A banifh'd Youth 
 " Is Mens* Caufe of Woe." Too truly faid, 
 Tho' for a wicked Purpofe, to allure 
 Thy eafy Faith, and lead thee to admit 
 The Fraud which follow'd. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Never, never, Phorbas, 
 Will I that Fraud admit. How readily 
 Did Xuthu; y when my foolifh Fondnefo aik'd it, 
 
 Cc
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 59 
 
 Confent to my Requeft! * Thou heard'ft him fay [*7i>Lycea.. 
 We fhould adopt this Youth ; in feeming Sport 
 He fpake it, but ev'n then th' infulting Tyrant 
 Couch'd fatal Truths beneath th' ambiguous Phrafe, 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Why mould a Youth defign'd for Solitude 
 Be taught the Arts of War ? He faw himfelf 
 
 D 
 
 The Impropriety. Who is this Sage 
 
 That has inftrucled him ? And why mould Lycon 
 
 O'erflow with fudden Joy, but that he found, 
 
 From thy apparent Fondnefs for the Boy, 
 
 Their Schemes grew practicable. Nay, to-day, 
 
 When to the Prieftefs' felf my honeft Love 
 
 For Athens^ and Diflike of Stranger Kings, 
 
 Burft freely forth, me chid my hafty Zeal, 
 
 Commended Xutbus, talk'd of Piety 
 
 And Rev'rence to the Gods : 'Twas to their Priefts 
 
 She meant, their meddling Priefts, who dare prefume 
 
 To fport with Thrones, to fell their Gods for Gold., 
 
 And ftamp rank Falfhoods with the Seal of Heaven. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Forbear, you are too loud fo near the Temple j 
 Xuthus himfelf will hear. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 We would be heard. 
 
 Inftruft me, Phorlas, by what means to crufh 
 This impious Combination. 
 
 PHOR&AS. 
 
 Athens yet 
 
 Has honeft Hearts. Yes, Phorbas yet has Friends 
 Who dare be Patriots, and prefer their Country 
 To Xutbu? kindeft Smile. Some fach are here 
 Ev'n now at Delphi. But, illuftrious Queen, 
 
 We
 
 40 CREUSA, 
 
 We muft with Caution aft. The Name of Heaven, 
 Howe'er ufurp'd, adds Vigour to their Caufe, 
 And weakens ours. We might in fecrct find 
 A fure Revenge. . . 
 
 What? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Death. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Of Xutbus? 
 PHOREAS. 
 
 His 
 
 Might follow, but the more immediate Caufe 
 Should earliefl be remov'd, the Boy. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 The Boy ! 
 
 Why fhould he die ? Believe me, honeft PhorbaSy 
 He knows not of the Fraud. His every Look 
 Proclaims his Innocence. If impious Men 
 Make him their Instrument of evil Deeds, 
 Can he be blam'd ? Bred up in Shades, poor Youth, 
 He never knew the Arts of bafe Mankind, 
 Nor fhould he fliare their Punifhment. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 O Queen, 
 
 The)' have too well fucceeded. This fond Paflion, ' 
 Which their infidious Cunning firft infpir'd, 
 Clings clofe about your Heart, and may at laft 
 Undo us all. < But hark, that Noife declares 
 The finWd Rites. Retire we to the Grove, 
 
 And there will I enforce 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 No, let us flay. 
 
 I will
 
 A T R A G E D Y T 4f 
 
 I will confront this artful Politician, 
 And {hew him I am yet a Queen. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Perhaps 
 
 'Twere better to retire till our full Scheme 
 Were ripe for Vengeance.* Yet if we remain, "J 
 High Words muft rife, which will alarm her Pride S * Afide* 
 And fit her for my Purpofe. J 
 
 Enter XUTHUS, ILYSSUS, Priefts, Virgins-, Guards^ &c 
 
 from the Temple, 
 
 XUTHUS, (coming up to Creufa) 
 Thy Looks, Creufa, thy abrupt Departure 
 Affronting to the God himfelf, and thefe 
 His facred Minifters, too plainly fhew 
 Irreverent Rage, refitting Heaven's high Will. 
 Nor do'ft thou want I fee, unthinking Woman, 
 Inflamers of thy Folly. But of this 
 Enough; behold the Youth whom Heaven defigns 
 Thy Heir, and mine. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 My Heir ! 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Thy Heir, Creufa. 
 
 What means that haughty Look ? Why with Contempt 
 Do'ft thou behold him ? Is he chang'd, Creufa? 
 Have a few Hours fo totally transform'd him ? 
 Is all that winning Grace of which thou fpak'ft 
 Almoft with Rapture, is that native Charm 
 Of Innocence all vanifh'd ? Hear him fpeak, 
 Hear if he talks lefs fenfibly than when 
 Thy pleas'd Attention hung upon his Words, 
 And lent each Syllable an added Grace. 
 What haft thou found, or -thy grave Monitor 
 G
 
 M C R E U S A, 
 
 What has he found, which can fo fuddenly 
 
 Have wrought this wond'rous Change ? Is it becaufc 
 
 The Gods have thought with thee that he deferves 
 
 A Crown ? or is it that my Will confents ? 
 
 And therefore thine, proud Queen, pervcrfely ftrives 
 
 To combat thy Affeftions ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 We methinks 
 
 Hai , e, chang'd Affections. The calm, fteady JCutbui t 
 Whofc equal Mind ne'er knew the ftormy Gufts 
 Of difcompofmg Paffion, now can feel 
 Indecent Warmth when touch'd by pious Zeal. 
 Nay he, to whom the tend'rer Sentiments 
 Secm'd but the Weaknefs of the human Frame, 
 Now wakes infpir'd with fome unufual Softncfs. 
 Have Oracles the Power to raife at once 
 The kind Affections ? op did he conceal 
 The fmother'd Flame, 'till authoris'd by Heaven 
 It might burft out unqucftion'd ? 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Haughty Queen, 
 
 I underftand thee well ; thou think'ft this Youth 
 A Subflitutc of mine, and dar'ft affront 
 Yon awful Shrine, the Fountain of pure Truth. 
 But by that God who bears the vengeful Bow, 
 
 And whofc large Eye Yet wherefore fhould I drive 
 
 By Oaths to undeceive thecj Breafts like mine 
 Can fcorn th' imputed Falmood they deteft. 
 Nor ami now to learn from what vile Source 
 Thy vztn Sufpicions rife. But know, proud Queen, 
 This Youth {ball reign in Athens ; and yet more 
 To punifh thy vain Pride, fince thou provok'ft it, 
 j do believe him of olien Race. 
 
 CREUSA.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 43 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 bnow aim Jd: 
 Thoudo'ft? 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 I do. A Race as glorious, Queen, 
 AsCecrops' boafted lineage. For the Youth, 
 Were I to beg the choice!* Boon of Heaven 
 From my own Loins to rife, I could not hope 
 A nobler Offspring. 
 
 PHORBAS. [Afide to Creufa. 
 
 Hear'ft thou that ? 
 CREUSA. 
 
 I do, 
 
 And will revenge the Infult. 
 
 ILYSSUS. \Kneeliiig, 
 
 Gracious Queen ! 
 
 What have I done which fliould eftrange thee to me ? 
 Am I the unhappy Caufe of thefe Diflentions ? 
 
 ypau iuo fhud JnV 
 Kneel not to me, Ilyjjus. 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 Kneel not to her 5 
 
 'Tis I am thy Proteftor, and thy Friend, 
 
 J 
 
 _ , 
 Nay now thy Father. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Yet, O mighty King, 
 Permit me at her Royal Feet to pay 
 My humbleft Duty, If I call thce Father, 
 She fure muft be a Mother. 
 
 [She turns alvay cti 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Rife, 
 
 Thou feeft (he ftands unmov'd, 
 Q a
 
 44 CREUSA. 
 
 . 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 No, now {he foftens, 
 I fee it in her Eyes. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 I will, I wiil 
 Be Miftrefs of my Soul. Why kneel'ft thou, Youth, 
 
 I blame notthee. 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Me then thou blam'fr, Creufa. 
 I am the Objea of thy Rage. 'Tis Xuthus 
 Thou think'ft unworthy of th' Athenian Throne. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Athens might well have fpar'd a foreign Luftre, 
 Secure of Fame, had Xuthu; ne'er been boxn. 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Ungrateful Queen, had Xutbus ne'er been born 
 What now had Ailxm been ? 
 
 CREU$A. 
 
 Perhaps in Ruins, 
 
 And better fo than to become the Prey 
 Of needy wand'nng Strangers.. 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Earth, and Heaven ! 
 
 This the Return ? I knew thou never loved'ft me, 
 Yet, witnefs Hcav'n, I raviuYd, not thy Hand, 
 Thou gav'dft it fullenly, but yet thou gav'dft it ; 
 And I well hop'd thy Female Senfe of Honour, 
 Of Duty to thy Lord, might have fecur'd 
 At le^ft -ray future Peace. Thy tend'rer Thoughts,' 
 The Wife's beft Ornament, I knew were buried 
 In a Plebeian Grave. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Plebeian Grave ? 
 XuTniJs. 
 Fool th^t I was, I flutter 'd thy vain Sorrows,
 
 A T R A G ED 3T. 45 
 
 Indulg'd their weak Excefs, and rais'd, I find. 
 Imaginary Rivals in the Tomb. 
 
 But never more, Creufa, never morr 
 
 'fTffr ir-9<Mi 
 
 Shalt thou affront my ill-requited Fondnefs. 
 
 I will deftroy that Pageant -of thy Paflion, 
 
 Tear from that Idol Shrine th' infiilting Wreaths,/ ',. 
 
 And cancel thy mock Worfhip. . iipQ 
 
 iLtfSSUS- 
 
 Gracious Queen, ,,, 
 Retire a while. ; 30fib0* : 
 
 CREUSA. : . 
 
 Be gone. Infulting Tyrant, 
 
 Touch but a Wreath that's facred to Nicander 9 
 And by pale Hecate's awful Rites I Twear 
 Thy Life (hall pay the Forfeit"-!; nay the Lives 
 Of thy whole daftard Race. ^Plebeian; Grave I 
 Had that Plebeian liv'd, Imperial Xuthus 
 Had crouch'd beneath his 'Feet. 
 
 ' XUTHUS. 
 
 O would to Heaven 
 
 This fcepter'd Arm could raife him from the Earth, 
 That thou might'ft fee how infamous a SJavp 
 
 Thou dar'ft prefer to Xuthus. Come, IlyJ/us, 
 
 We leave her to her Follies. Look not on her, 
 
 She merits not thy Tendernefs. Away. 
 
 If Reafon mould again refume its Seat 
 
 We may expect her at the Banquet. Cbme, 
 
 All here m'uft be our Guefts. 
 
 [Exeunt Xuthus, Ilyfius, &c. 
 [Creufa, Phorbas, atut Lycezjlay, 
 PHORBAS. 
 Curt not thy Paflion, give it Vent, great ^iieen, 
 
 let it burft in Thunder on thy Foes. 
 
 CREUSA.
 
 46 C R E U S A, 
 
 CREU$A. 
 
 It {hall, by Heaven it fliall. ,1 thought til! now 
 
 My Grid* were facred, but this Monflcr <iares 
 Infult even Mifcry itfejf..r- O PLorLas^ 
 Forgive me if my Tears will force a. Paflage. 
 Now, they are gone, ami I will weep no more. 
 Come, faithful Counfellor of Vengeance, come, 
 Inftrudt me how to ac\ fteel all my Soul ; 
 Let not Remorfe or Pity's Coward Voice, 
 The Bane of noble Deeds, intrude to crofs.us. 
 Nicander's injur'd Ghoft ihall aid our Counfels. 
 Say, mall he die ? 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Not yet, firft be his Schemes 
 Abortive all, his politic Defigns, 
 Then let him die defpis'd. 
 
 CREU*A. 
 
 Agreed ; but how ? 
 
 . : PHORBAS. 
 
 Now at the Banquet may we crufh at once 
 His full blown hopes. The fatal Caufe remov'd, 
 Th' Effect of courfe muft ceafe. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 What. Caufe? 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 The Boy f 
 
 [ fee thou fhudder'ft at it : but, great Queen, 
 Hear but the cogent Reafons I fhall offer 
 And thou wilt think as I do. For the Boy 
 Heav'n knows I wifh to fpare him, but no Means 
 No earthly Means but this can curfe compleatly 
 This politic Defigner. Doubtlefs long 
 This fav'rite Scheme to place on Athens' Throne 
 
 His
 
 A TRAGEDY. 47 
 
 His hated Race, has labour'd in his Breaft, 
 And all his Hours employ'd. On this alone 
 He builds the firm Foundation of his Peace, 
 His Happinefs to come. His Death were nothing^ 
 He knows his Friends, the Minions of his Fortune, 
 He knows all Greece^ fuch is their Dread and Awe 
 Of Delphi's Shrine, will join in the Support 
 Of this deceitful Claim ; and that firm Hope 
 Will make him triumph ev'n in Death, and laugh 
 At our too /hallow Vengeance. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Laugh he fhall rifo^^VS 
 No, I will punifli home. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 You cannot punifli 
 
 By any Means but this. And know, great Qiieen^vrriod^ 
 I have a Poifon of fuch fubtile Force, 
 (Why do'ft thou ftart ?) of fuch amazing Strength, 
 Yet fo peculiar in its Operation, 
 That it mail feem the Surfeit of the Feaft, 
 Not we have done the Dee'd. Al leaf} fhaJl feem f- 
 To all but Xutbus' felf ; for he methinks 
 Should know the Truth, at leaft ftifpccl it ffrongir, 
 And yet not dare Revenge. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 I cannot bear it ; 
 
 Howe'er we fail in our Revenge ; my Phorbas, 
 The Boy muft live. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Good Heav'n ! is this Crettfa ? 
 Is this the vengeful Queen who would not her.r 
 Remorfe or Pity's Voice ? Farewcl then Athens ; 
 Yes, my poor Country, thou mnft fink enilav'd 
 
 To
 
 4* C R E U S A, 
 
 To foreign Tyrants. She who fliould defend 
 Thy Rights, thy Liberties Hands tamely by 
 And fees the Yoke impos'd, nay fmiles to fee it : 
 Thy Queen, the laft- of her illuftrious Line, 
 Confents to thy Dcftruftion. 
 
 CRHUSA. 
 
 Never, Phorbas. 
 
 Do what thou wilt. With this laft parting Pang 
 I give him to thy Rage. Yet oh, beware 
 I fee him not a^air. One Look from him 
 \V uld baffle aU thy Schen 
 
 : PHORBAS. 
 
 Now at the Banquet 
 
 Will we infufe the Draught, ev'n in the Cup 
 Which the Kin '; kit prefents to his young HVr a 
 In Tok.cn of EI<<clion. 
 
 CR.EUSA. 
 
 Stay, good P:.vt'lx^. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Already have I for the juft D<-iIgn 
 Suborn'd a faithful Slave. Nay, lliould it full, 
 I have a truHy Band, a chofen few, 
 Athenian SouttvMkiMlfKto bow the K;*e 
 To any foreign Lorvl ; thcfc will J place 
 'At the Pavilion Door>, it need require, 
 To fecond our Attempt. 
 
 QLEI SA. 
 
 Yet ftay, gopJ Pkorbas. 
 How kindly did he feem to fympathize 
 With my Diftrefs ! nay almoft chid the King, 
 When his loud Ra^c 
 
 " f* <Mf 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 He had been taught his Leflbn.
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 49 
 
 'Twas all Defign, all Artifice to work 
 Upon a Woman's Weaknefs. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Think'ft thoufo? 
 PHORBAS, 
 
 I do. But, O my Queen, be more than Woman, 
 Conquer this Foible of thy Sex. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Heav'n knows 
 
 How much it cofts to do it. Go then, Phor&as, 
 
 I cannot bid thee profper. [Exit Phorbas. 
 
 O Lycea, 
 
 Thou know'ft not what I feel. Hafte, call him back. 
 
 No, (lay 1 think the Bittemefs is paft, 
 
 And I can bear it now. Lend me thy Arm, 
 
 I would retire, Lycea. Yet from what 
 
 Should I retire ? I cannot from myfelf ! 
 
 O Boy, thou art reveng'd ; whate'er thou fuffer'ft 
 
 Is light, to what thy Murd'refs feels ! [Exeunt. 
 
 We End of the Third AC ?. 
 
 
 ACT
 
 C R E U S A,. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 The Laurel Grcvc. 
 
 P H o R B A s and Athenians. 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 THIS Way, my Friends ; at the Pavilion Doors 
 Stand ready arm'd, that if we need your Aid 
 Vou may obftrvc the Sign, and crufh at once 
 Thefe vileUfurpers on the Rights of Athens. 
 I hope we want ye not. I muft be hid 
 A while, left Xuthw ftiould fufpcft my Prefence. 
 *The Queen too may repent, I'll therefore fhun her / 
 *Till the Deed's done, irrevocably done. y ' 
 
 But ftir net till I come. What Noife is that ? 
 Retire, my Friends, the Temple's Poftern Door 
 Grates on its Hinge. Be fecret, and we profper. 
 
 [Exeunt fiverall). 
 
 Enter At^TEs and PYTHIA. 
 
 ALLTES. 
 
 This Quarrel was untudcy. A flight Breach 
 Had lent my Purpofe Strength ; but wrought thus high 
 It may defeat our Hopes. She cannot now 
 With Eafe recede from her too rafh Refolves, 
 At leaft not unfufpecled. Did (he, fay'ft thou, 
 Meflage ? 
 
 PYTHIA.
 
 A T R A G E D Y. ,-, 
 
 *j* 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 Scarcely did fhe pay 
 
 The decent Dues my facred Office daiinS, '. 
 And when I preft her more, with fallen Pride 
 She filently withdrew. 
 
 ALETES. 
 See her I muft, 
 Where went fhe ? 
 
 PYTH/A. 
 
 To the Shades which over-hang 
 Th' Aonian Fount. 
 
 ALETES. 
 I will .purfue her thither. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 It may not be, for now I know thy Secret 
 ; Tis my turn to be prudent, Know'ft thou not 
 Thou fhould'ft be cautious, npr expofe thyfelf 
 To prying Eyes ? I heard her, as fhe pafs ? d, 
 In broken Whifpers bid Lycea hafte 
 To Phorbas, and inform that trufty Friend 
 That fhe would wait him in the Laurel Grove. 
 Here then thou may'ft furprife them both, and crown 
 At once thy whole Defign. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Thou cpunfell'ft well ? 
 And I will guide me by thy kind Advice. 
 O Pytbia^ how did every thing confpire 
 To give me hopes that I flioul.d place the Boy 
 Secure on Athens' Throne, unknown to all 
 But thofe whom Fate had made his firmeft Frind, 
 The very Means I us'd to make it fure 
 Have been moft adverfe to the Caufe I labour '4 r 
 I relied on Xnthui Piety, 
 
 - . > ff #
 
 5* C R E U S A. 
 
 Nor mention'd /Eolus, Succcfs were mine. 
 
 : And let me hope it ftill. What moft I fear 
 
 Is the Queen's Warmth of Paffion. To which end 
 
 I muft proceed with Tendernefs, and hide 
 
 For fome fliort time I/y/usfrom her Knowledge. 
 
 I have unnumber'd Cautions to premife 
 
 Which her o'erflowing Joy may haply ruin. 
 
 The Banquet, rs it ready ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 It has long 
 
 In vain expected its illuftrious Guefts. 
 The King already has forgot his Rage, 
 And hopes returning Thought may move the Queen 
 To equal Amity : He therefore finds 
 Continual Caufes to delay the Feaft. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Retire. Perhaps 'tis (he ; I hear the Steps 
 Of fome who move this way. [Exit Pythia, 
 
 What means he here ? 
 
 Why art thou abfent from the Banquet, Youth ? 
 Enter ILYSSUS. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 It has no Joys forme. I fear, Aktes, 
 Thou and the Pythia have moft foully play'd 
 Fof my Advancement. 
 
 ALETES. 
 Ha! 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Where are the Parents 
 
 Whom thou dldft promife to my Hopes ? Alas 
 I find no Parents here, no kind Regards, 
 No mexpreflive Fondnefs. Stern Debate, 
 And foul DHIention kindle here their Torch 
 To ufher in my Greatnefs. Ev'n Creufa, 
 
 Whofe
 
 A T R A G E D Y. v 53 
 
 Whofe Tendernefs I know not how alarm'd 
 
 My throbbing Heart with Hopes, and Doubt?, and Fears, 
 
 Unfelt before, ev'n {he has taught her Eyes 
 
 " *i*^' ^*J 
 
 To look with Strangenefs on me. The good King, 
 
 Who yet withdraws not his Protection from me, 
 
 Seems loft in anxious Thought. --Unkind Altfe^ 
 
 Art thou the C'aufe of this I Say, am I fprung ^ 
 
 Of Race MoKan ? For by Heaven 1 [wear, 
 
 By that pure Fountain of immortal Truth, 
 
 1 will not brook Deceit. I will again, 
 
 Howe'er the glitt' ring Mifchief tempt my Youth, 
 
 Become that humble unknown Thing 1 was, 
 
 Rather than wear a Crown by Falfhood gain'd, : qrf , JbnA 
 
 Speak then, and give me pafe. 
 
 ALETES, j { sum . 
 
 My deareft Boy ^ * 
 His Virtue charms me, tho' it may prevent 
 His own Succefs. O happy, happy Athens^ 
 To gain a King like him, whofe honefl; Soul 
 Starts at imsgin'd Fraud ! 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Speak on, 
 
 And do not by that Look of Tcndernels, .-,[ qa asri }I ,, 
 And murm'iing to thyfelf, alarm me moreJ) brie wprfT 
 
 ALETES. \ ymio'i : 
 
 What fliould I fpeak \ This Very Morn, Ilyflus, 
 This very i\lorn I told thee a few Hours 
 Would {hew thee whdt thou wert ; but thy Impatience 
 Brooks not that fhort Delay. It fecms Aletet 
 Has loft his ufual Credit with Ilyffus y 
 Ev'n with ths Youth his anxious Care has form'd. 
 Think'ft thou the Man who taught thy feeling tjeart 
 To ftart at FaHhoocl, would himfelf commit 
 
 The
 
 54 C R E U S A, 
 
 The Fraud thou fliuddcr'ft at ? What have I done, 
 
 Which fhoukl induce dice to a Thought fo bafc ? 
 
 Did e'er my Precepts contradict my Heart ? 
 
 Did I e'er teach a Virtue I not pradis'd ? 
 
 I fee them art confounded. Know then, Youth, 
 
 I blame not thy Impatience, nay I praife 
 
 That Modefty which can fo foon refume 
 
 Its Seat, when all things round are big with Wonder. 
 
 Ere Night thou {halt know all; till then, J/yJfus, 
 
 JBehave as Athens' King. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 () good AlettSy 
 
 Forgive my Rafhncfs. Yes, I know thee honeft 
 As Truth itfelf, and know the wond'rous Debt 
 I owe thy Goodnefs. Yet, if thou confefs 
 That I" have Reafon for thefe anxious Cares, 
 Thou wilt permit me ftill to queftion thee. 
 Nay look upon me whilft I fpeak to thee. 
 Perhaps thou haft fome fecret Caufe, Aletes^ 
 For all that kind Attention thou haft fhewn me, 
 From Infancy till now ? Why do'ft thou turn 
 Thy Eyes to Earth ? 'Tjs plain thou haft a Caufe : 
 Thou know'ft from whom I fpring; how can'ft thou elfe 
 With Confidence aflert, that yet ere Night 
 J {hall know all ? Say this at leaft, Alctc^ 
 Shall the Queen's Anger ceafe ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 It mail, lly/us. 
 
 Ev'n now I wait her here } on what Defign 
 I muft not yet inform thee, The next Time 
 Thou (halt behold her thou wilt find a Change 
 Incredible indeed, from Rage toFondnefs, 
 From cold Referve to Tears of bunting Joy. 
 
 fllyflus is going to fpfak eagerly.
 
 A -TRAGEDY. 55 
 
 - Aflc me no morei Yet fomething didft thou fay 
 Relating .-to the Caufe which fix'd me here 
 Thy Guardian, thy Inftru<5tor, and - the Time 
 Will come, when thou (halt- know it all, IfyJ/its, 
 And blefs my Memory. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Thou weep'ft, Aleles. 
 My Tears will mingle too. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Forbear, and leave me. 
 Yet flay a while, for now perhaps we part 
 To meet no more. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 No more ! Thou wilt not leave me 
 When moft I want thy Care ! 'Twas my. firft Thought, 
 Twas the firft Boon I afk'd of the good King, 
 That thou might'ft be my kind Inftructor ftill. 
 He prais'd my Gratitude, and I had promis'd 
 To brine him to thy Cottage. He himfelf 
 
 5 J t> 
 
 Shall be a Suitor to thee. 
 
 AL-ETES. 
 
 Thou haft afk'd 
 Thou know'ft not what : It cannot be, 
 
 That Xuthus and Aletes e'er mould meet 
 On terms of Amity. The Smiles of Greatnefs 
 To me have loft their Value. For thy Love 
 I could do much, and to be fever'd from thee 
 tulls at my Heart-ftrings. But rcfiftlefs Fate 
 Has fix'd its Seal, and we muft part for ever, 
 How hard foe'er it feem. Thy Youth xvill foorij 
 Amidft the bufy Scenes of active Greatnefs, 
 Forget its Monitor : But I muft bear 
 In hopelefs Solitude the Pangs of Abfence 
 
 Till
 
 j6 C R E U S A, 
 
 Till Thought fhaH be no more. 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 O heav'nly Powr- 
 
 Then there is fomething dreadful yat conceal 'd. 
 I cannot part from thce in Ignorance. 
 Tell me, Aletes. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Would I could ! But now 
 It muft not be. Haftc to the Banquet, Youth, 
 Thy Duty calls thee thither. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Go I cannot, 
 Till thou afiur'ft me we fhall meet again. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 If poflible we will. If not, remember, 
 When thou fhalt know thyfelf, that on thyftlf 
 Thy Fate depends ; that Virtue, Glory, Happincls, 
 Are clofe connected, and their fad Reverfe 
 Is Vice, is Pain, is Infamy. Alas! 
 Thefe were the Lefibns of thy private Life, 
 This I have told thee oft, but my fond Tongue 
 Runs o'er its former Precepts, and forgets 
 Thou now muft mount a Throne - t a larger Scene 
 Of Duty opens. 
 
 ILVSSUS. 
 
 Yet the tender Friend, 
 Who mould direct me, leaves me to myfelf. 
 Can'ft thou abandon me ? 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Would Fate permit 
 
 I would attend thee fti'l. But oh, Jlyjffus^ 
 Whate'er becomes of me, when thou fhall reach 
 That envied Pinacle of earthly Greatnefs, 
 
 Where
 
 A T R~ A G E D Y. 57 
 
 Where faithful Monitors but rarely follow, 
 Ev'n there, amidft the kindeft Smiles of Fortune, 
 Forget not thou wert once diftrefs'd and friendlefs. 
 Be ftriclly jolt; but yet, like Heaven, with Mercy 
 Temper thy Juftice. From thy purged Ear 
 Banifh bafe Flattery, and fpurn the Wretch 
 Wh would perfuade thee thou art more than Man ; 
 Weak, erring, felfifh Man, endued with Power 
 To be the Minifter of public Good. 
 If Conqueft charm thee, and the Pride of War 
 Blaze on thy Sight, remember thou art placed 
 The Guardian of Mankind, nor build thy Fame 
 On Rapines, and on Murders. Should foft Peace 
 Invite to Luxury, the pleafmg Bane 
 Of happy Kingdoms, know from thy Example 
 The Blifs or Woe of namelefs Millions fprings, 
 Their Virtue, or their Vice. Nor think; by Laws 
 To curb licentious Man ; thofe Laws alone 
 Can bend the headftrong Many to their Yoke, 
 Which make it prefent Int'reft to obey them. 
 
 Boy ! 
 
 Enter PYTHIA 'bejtify. 
 PYTHIA. . 
 
 llyffus ! wherefore art thou here ? 
 The King expedls thee, and the Banquet waits. 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 1 cannot go. 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 Thou muft j thy Fate depends 
 Upon thy Abfence now. The Queen approaches. 
 After the Banquet I again will fee thee, 
 And thou ihalt know the whole. I will by Heaven. 
 
 [ Exit IlyfTus. 
 I Pytbia
 
 5 8 C R E U S A, 
 
 Pytbia away, and wait me in the Temple. 
 
 [Exit Pythia. 
 
 She faw them not; on her contracted Brow 
 Sits brooding Care. She fpcaks ! My Heart beats thiui, 
 And my Tongue trembles to perform its Office. 
 Now Fate attend, and perfect thine own Work ! 
 Enter CREUSA. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 To what have I confented ! Ha ! who art thou 
 
 That thus intrud'ft on facred Privacy, 
 
 When the o'erHurthen'd Mind unloads its briefs, 
 
 Its hoarded Mifenes. 
 
 ALETES. 
 Thy better Genius ! 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 That Voice is fure familiar to my Ear ! 
 Who art thau, fpeak, 
 
 ALETES. 
 
 One whom Adverfity 
 
 Has taught to know himfelf. I bring t!>ee tidings 
 Of an unhappy Man who wrong'd thce nmch, 
 But much repented of the Wrongs he did Uiee j 
 Of thy Nlcander> Queen. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Niiondtr y fay'ft thou ? 
 O then thou art indeed my better Genius. 
 
 ALETKS. 
 
 Now, arm thy Soul for Wonders yet to come ! 
 Perhaps he livrs. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 He lives ? [Leaking on him ivitK 
 Amazcmertt.
 
 t> Y. 5? 
 
 Behold him here ! [Sfcfainu. 
 What has my Rafhnefs done ? - The Blufcof Life 
 Has left her Cheek, the Pulfe forgets to move. 
 Where mail I turn ? I cannot call far Aid, 
 Nor can I leave her thus.-- She breathes* (he ftirs !. 
 
 Yes, yes, Creufa, thy Nicander lives, 
 And he will catch at leaft this dear Embrace 
 Tho' now thou art another's. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Gracious Gods ! 
 
 It is, it is Nicandfr^ 'tis my Lord ! 
 O I am only thine, no Power on Earth 
 Shall e'er divide us more. 
 
 It cannot be, my Senfes all deceive me 
 And yet it is. -- O let me gaze upon thee, 
 Recall each Trace which marks thee for my own, 
 And gives me back the Image of my Heart. 
 
 How Time and Grief have chang'd thee ! But my Love 
 Can know no Change. My Lord, my Life, my Hulband! 
 Where haft thou wanderM ? how haft thou been hid 
 From Love's all-piercing Sight ? the bloody Ruffians, 
 How didft thou 'fcape their Rage ? or did they wreak 
 Upon the helplefs Innocent alone 
 Their impious Vengeance ? 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Nor on me, nor him 
 Did Vengeance fall. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Does he too live ? 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 He does. 
 I 2 CREUSA,
 
 to C fc E U S A, 
 
 CREUSA. 
 O honeft Phorbas f Murder now is Virtue. 
 
 NfCANDER. 
 
 The fabled Murder was all Stratagem 
 
 Contriv'd for thy clear fake ; no impious Ruffians 
 
 Purfued our Steps, I found that I had wrong'd thee 
 
 Beyond redrefs, nor knew another means 
 
 But by my Death to fave thee from Difhonor. 
 
 Defpair I thought might conquer Love, and thou 
 
 Once more be Athens Pride. The precious Charge 
 
 Forbad a real Death, I therefore ftain'd 
 
 With Blood my well-known Garments, which produc'd. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 A curft'd Effect. But I have nearer Fears. 
 How cam'fl thou hither ? wherefore to thefe Shades ? 
 The Boy, where is he ? 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Far from hence 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Thank Heaven I 
 NlCANDER. 
 He lives in Peace and Safety. What difturbs thee r 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Nothing I dare not tell him what I feared, 
 His honeft Breaft might fhudder at the Guilt, 
 Tho' now it be more needful. The dear Boy, 
 Say, is he brave ? 
 
 NlCA\*DER. 
 As Woman could defire. 
 
 CR.EUSA. 
 And form'd like thee ? 
 
 . NlCANDER. 
 
 His Perfoufar exceeds 
 
 What
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 What my moft vig'rous Youth coujd boaft, Creufa. 
 And his firm Mind is Wifdom's aged Strength 
 With all Youth's Graces foften'd. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 *Tis too much* 
 O happy Mother ! Call'it thou him Nicander ? 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 No, 70tf , 'twas the Name the Matron chofe, 
 Who gave him to my Care. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Then Ion be it. 
 
 Jon fhall reign in Athens. Know'fl thou, Love, 
 The curs'd Defign which this JEolian here, 
 
 And the vile Maid 
 
 __. 
 NICANDER. 
 
 The Prieftefs, it (hould feem, 
 With Xutbus has confpir'd to fix his Race 
 On Athens' Throne. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 But never fhall his Race 
 That Scepter wield. 
 
 XT 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 T n.n'''f> ' 
 
 It never lhall, Creufa* 
 I have a Means 
 
 CREUSA. [/$&, 
 
 . My Means, thank Heaven, isfurer. 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 But I will tell thee all from firft to laft. 
 Hear then and weigh my Words, for Fate is in diem, 
 th' Athenian King 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 I think not of him. 
 
 NICANDER
 
 ci C R E U S A, 
 
 NlCAN'DER. 
 
 Beware of that. Whate'er thou thirik'ft, Crw/Ir, 
 Xuthus muft ftill reign on, thy Lord and Hufband. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Jfythtts rt\y Lord f then what art thou, Nicander ? 
 Do'ft thou de/pifc-ffle'feraCrimethyfclf 
 Haft forc'd me to commit ? My Soul was thine 
 Ev*n when I gave my HaTid, and ftill remains 
 Untainted, undefil'd. 
 
 NlCAN'DER. 
 I know it well, 
 
 Thou deareft, beft of Women. My torn Heart 
 Drops Blood while IpropoTe it, yet we mutt, 
 
 We muft for ever part. Forbear, Creufa* 
 
 That killing Look ftr ikes thro' me. Think, O think, 
 What in this Age of Abfence I have borne, 
 How combated each tender Thought, and liv'd 
 For thy dear Sake a Victim to Defpair. 
 But now if thou confent'lr, all, all is mine, 
 And I forgive my Fate. The dear, dear Boy, 
 I have a Means to place him on the Throne 
 Secure as we could wifti. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Secure he (hall be, 
 
 I will proclaim him to the World as mine, 
 And jflhem fhall with Joy receive its Sov'reign ; 
 The Tyrant Xuthuj /hall be taught to fear 
 A Matter's Frown. 
 
 NICANDER. 
 Thy Rafhnefs, my Creiifa, 
 May ruin all. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 I will be rafh, if this
 
 ATRAGEDY. 63 
 
 Be Rafhnefc, to declare to Earth, to Heav'n, 
 A Mother's Heart-felt Joy, whofe only Child 
 Snatch'd from the Grave unhop'd for comes to claim, 
 With every Grace and every. Virtue crown'd, 
 Th' Imperial Seat of his great Anceftors. , 
 And fhall we want a Means ? 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 We need not wait; 
 
 For by my Care th' important Means is found 
 Already, and no human Power but thine 
 Can hinder our Succefs. I would have hid 
 The Secret from thee till thy wifh'd Confent 
 Had giv'n my Purpofe Strength, but thou defeat'ft 
 My utmoft Caution, and wilt force me tell thee, 
 
 ffy/us is young Ion/ Ha ! Creufa! 
 
 Thou arc not mad ! Good Heaven ! how her Eye fixes ! 
 What have I done ? what faid, which could attack 
 The $eats of Senfe with this amazing Force ? 
 
 My Wife, my Queen, O fpeak ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Off, touch me not, 
 
 Thou can'ft not bring Relief. O I am curs'd 
 
 Beyond all Power of Aid. Thou too art curs'd 
 
 And know'ft it not. He dies, he dies, Nicander! 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Amazement ! who ? 
 
 CREUSA.. 
 
 O had he not been mine, 
 
 His Youth, his Softnefs, each attracting Grace 
 I mould have ftaid whole Ages ere in Thought 
 I had confented to fo damn'd a Deed. 
 Tears, Tears, why burft ye not ? But what have I 
 To do with Tears ? thofe are for tender Mothers. 
 
 The
 
 64 C R E U S A, 
 
 The Tigrcfs weeps not o'er her mangled Prey.- 
 He dies, he dies, Nicander. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Who ? Ih/ut ? 
 Speak, fpeak, Creufa. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Phorbas urg'd the Deed, 
 And I confcnted ; at the Feaft he dies 
 By Poifon. O my Soul ! 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 Fly then, this Inftant 
 
 Perhaps thou may'ft prevent it, as thou cam'ft 
 He parted hence. ~I knew not to his Death ! 
 
 CREUSA. 
 I go, I fly. 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 Yet ftay, thy Rafhnefs there, 
 If Fate has fav'd him, may undo us yet. 
 The Pythia / true, the Pythia fhall rulh in - 
 To flop the fatal Banquet, and declare 
 The Feaft unhallow'd ; at this lucky Moment 
 She waits me in the Temple. Stay, Creufa. 
 
 [Exit Nicander. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 The Pythia, no ; I will myfelf outftrip 
 The Lightning 1 ^ Speed. Whatever be th' Event, 
 'Tis not too late to die. [*// 
 
 End of the Fourth A C T. 
 
 ACT
 
 ATRAGEDY. 65 
 
 A C T V. 
 
 The Laurel Grove. 
 PHORBAS and LYCEA. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 O Earth! O Heaven ! O wretched, wretched Athens ! 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Speak on, Lycea ; wherefore art thou filent ? 
 Why do'ft thou lead me to this fecret Shade ? 
 What mean thy flowing Tears ? 
 LYCEA. 
 
 The Queen, the Queen ! 
 PHORBAS. 
 Say, what of her ? 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 I know not, all to me 
 Is Terror and Confufion. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 What thou know'ft 
 Relate. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 She fent me forth to feek thee, Phorba; ; 
 I found thee not, but met at my Return 
 Creufa's felf. Defpair was in her Eyes, 
 With hafty Steps ihe fhot impatient by me, 
 Nor liften'd when I fpake. I followed wond'ring, 
 And enter'd the Pavilion. 
 
 K PHORBAS,
 
 66 C R E U S A, 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 The Pavilion ? 
 Why, went fhe to the Banquet ? 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Eager went, 
 
 Dcfpairand AnguiQi mixing on her Look. 
 But, O good Heaven,' how chang'd was that Defpair 
 To inexpreffive Joy, when from the Croud 
 She learnt Ilyjjus had dclay'd the Feaft, 
 And won the King once more to afk her Prefence, 
 " Where is he ? let me clafp him to my Breaft, " 
 She cried ; " I now no longer will refift 
 ** Heaven's high command." Imperial Xutku* rofe 
 With Tranfport to receive her, and loud Shouts 
 Proclaim'd the People's Joy. When, Death to Sight ! 
 Eternal Pain to Memory ! the Slave 
 Prefents the Goblets j Fill, fhe cried, a third, 
 I too will hail llyjjus King of Athens. 
 But firft all fwear, fwear by immortal Jove t 
 By the far-darting God who here prefides, 
 And the chafte Guardian of our native Fanes, 
 Swear here, fwear all, and binding be the Oath, 
 IfyJ/us only fhall be Athens' King. 
 
 PrtORBAS. 
 
 What could fhe mean ? 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Attentive Xuthus caught 
 With Joy the happy Omen, and all fwore 
 JlyJJu: only fhould be Athens' King. 
 This done, I faw her from IlyJJui Hand 
 Snatch the dire Goblet, and to him refign 
 Her own untouch'd. The Slave who mix'd the Draught 
 Turn'd pale and trembled, I with eager Zeal 
 
 Prefs'd
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 67 
 
 Prefs'd forward, but in vain ; fhe firmly grafp'd 
 The Bowl, and fmiling drank it to the Dregs. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 The Poifon, ha ? I knew her foolifh Fondnefs 
 Would ftart at Murder's Name. But wherefore die ? 
 Why turn upon herfelf her impious Rage ? 
 'Twas Madnefs all j or elfe feme new Contrivance, 
 
 Some frefh JEolian Fraud 1 care not what. 
 
 I yet will blaft their Schemes. Yes, let her die, 
 By her own Folly pcrifh. Athens ftill 
 Survives, and fhall furvive. I muft be fudden. 
 She doubtlefs will betray me to the King, 
 And cut off ev'n this laft Refource. Lycea, 
 Be fecret, and thy Country fhall be free. 
 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Were it not better, Pborbas^ firft to fee her. 
 Perhaps fome Secret unreveal'd may lurk 
 Beneath this Show of unexampled Ramnefs. 
 She left the Banquet foon, and with the Pythia 
 Enter'd the Temple. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 With the Pytbia, fay'ft thou f 
 Then there is Mifchief toward. 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Yet now alone 
 
 We may furprize her, for I faw the Maid 
 Quick from the Fane return with ha'fty Steps 
 As if difpatch'd on fome important Mefiage, 
 Perhaps to find thee out. Sure thou (hould'ft fee her. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 And perifh, ha ? No, no, my facred Country, 
 Too much already have I been deceiv'd j 
 I will not leave thee in a Woman's Power. 
 
 K 2 Yet
 
 68 C R E U S A, 
 
 Yet hold, Lycea may inform her of them 
 Afcd my Defigns prove yet abortive. Maid, 
 Thy Prefence may be needful. 
 LYCEA. 
 
 Mine ? Good Heaven, 
 In what ? Creufa will require my Aid ; 
 At leaft my Tears are due to rny poor Queen 
 In her laft Moments. 
 
 PHORBAS. 
 
 Stay, fhe wants them not ; 
 I know the Poifon's Force too well, Lycea y 
 To fear a Death fo fudden. This Way, Maid ; 
 Nay, thou muft go ; I fhall have Bufinefs for thee, 
 Some fecret Meflage to the Queen, Lyua y 
 Which thou alone can'ft bear. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter PYTHIA and NICANDER. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 'Twas he, I faw him and Lycea with him. 
 
 Sure he mould be inform'd ? Thou hear'ft me not. 
 
 NICANDER. 
 This Action of the Queen fits near my Heart. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 She bade me tell thee. But why wafte we Time, 
 Thou now may'ft enter at the Poftern Gate 
 Unfeen by all. 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 Why did'ft thou not rum in, and ftop the Feaft ? 
 Thy fpeedy Prefcnce there had fav'd us all. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 What could I do ? The Queen was there already 
 And all feem'd Peace and Joy ; could I fufpeft 
 That Poifon lurk'd beneath fo fair a feeming ? 
 
 NICANDER.
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 69 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 She breaks thro' my Defigns. Unhappy Woman ! 
 My Soul bleeds for her, and Confufion hangs 
 On every rifmg Thought. The dear, dear Boy ! 
 Where is he, at the Banquet ftill f 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 He is. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 And where Creufa ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 I already told thee, 
 
 But thou regard'ft not, in the Temple's Gloom 
 Retir'd (he fits, expecting thy Approach, 
 We there may fettle all. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 I fear her much. 
 
 Thou feeft her Paffions are too near concernM 
 To be of ufe to us ; thy cooler Senfe 
 Muft here direct us. Does the Poifon's Power 
 AfFeft her yet ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Not yet ; I would have tried 
 Some powerful Antidote to quell its Force ; 
 But me refufes Life, and only begs 
 To fee her Son and thee. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 I will attend 
 
 Upon the Inftant. But firft hear me, Pythia ; 
 Thou feeft on what a Precipice we ftand, 
 It were in vain to hope we could conceal 
 The Truth from Xuthus, from the reft we may ; 
 'Tis thy tafic therefore 
 
 PYTHIA.
 
 70 C R E U S A, 
 
 PYTHIAS. 
 
 What ? to own the Fraud, 
 And publifh to the King that Delphi's Shrine 
 Is not oracular. Ha ! 
 
 NlCAN'DER. 
 
 To the King 
 
 Twere better fure to publifh the Deceit 
 Than to the World ; and where's the Means but thb 
 To hide it ? By Creufa's Art thou fay 'ft 
 He is already bound in folemn Oaths 
 To leave llyflui Heir to Athens' Throne. 
 Can'ft thou not add ftill ftrongcr Oaths, or ere v 
 
 Thou do'ft reveal the Secret of our Fat^ ? 
 Then who fliall dare to break them ? fhall the King ? 
 Thou know'ft his fcrup'lous Piety extends 
 Almoft to Weaknefc, What fhould tempt him to it ? 
 Creufa dead can frame no Schemes againft him j 
 The Boy to him alone muft owe his Greatnefs ; 
 And for Nicander, never more (hall Greece 
 Hear his forgotten Name. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 It muft be fo ; 
 And yet 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 What yet ? to Phortas thou with eafe 
 May'ft own the Truth j he will not ftart at Fraud 
 In facred things. But fee, the Queen approaches 
 Impatient of our Stay. She changes not ! 
 The Bloom of Health is ftill upon her Cheek ! 
 
 Fain would I hope But Hopes, alas, are vain. 
 
 What haft thou done, Creufa ? 
 
 CREUSA entering. 
 
 Sav'd Jly/us ! 
 
 NlCANDER.
 
 A T R A G E D Y. ji 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Thou might'ft have liv'd with Honor. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Liv'd ! good Heaven ! 
 I ftart, I tremble at the Thoughts of Life. 
 Can'ft thou refled on what I had dcfign'd, 
 On what I am, on what, alas, I have been, 
 And not perceive Death was my only Refuge ? 
 Am I not Xuthus 1 Wife, and what art thou ? 
 O had'ft thou feen the Torments of my Soul, 
 When in one hafty Moment it ran o'er 
 The Bufmefs of an Age, weigh 'd all Events, 
 Saw Xuthus 9 Thee, llyjjus, Athens bleed 
 In one promifcuous Carnage ! Light at length 
 Burft thro' the Gloom, and Heaven's own Voice proclaimed 
 
 One Victim might fuffice. 
 
 For Xuthus Honor ftrove, and mightier Love 
 Aflum'd Nicander's Caufe. Who then could fell ? 
 
 Could Xuthus? could Nicander? no; Crtufa. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Would thou had'ft been lefs kind ! But, O my Queen, 
 
 To blame thee now were vain. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 To blame ? 'tis PraHe, 
 
 Tis Triumph I demand. He lives ! he reigns ! 
 Young Ion lives ! young Ion reigns in Athens I 
 O bring him, Pytbia, bring him to my Arms ; 
 Let me but pour a laft fad Blefling o'er him, 
 And Death has loft its Terrors. 
 How now, Lycca ? 
 
 Enter LYCEA haftily, 
 
 LYCEA. 
 Mighty Queen, 1 know not 
 
 If
 
 7* C R E U S A, 
 
 If thy Command vrould authorize th* Attempt, 
 But Phorbai with an arm'd Athenian Band 
 Now enters the Pavilion to deftroy 
 The King and young IlyJJus. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 Earth and Heaven I 
 What fay'ft thou, Maid ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 O let me fly to fave him, 
 
 Here (hall their Poinards 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 Reft thou there, Greufa, 
 Thy Embaflies to-day have prov'd too fatal. 
 My Life for his I fave him from the Stroke, 
 And on the Inftant fend him to thy Arms. 
 Now, Fate, be doubly mine ! [Exrt. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Off, let me go, I will not be rcftrain'd. 
 They tear him piecemeal ! 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Patience, mighty Queen ! 
 What Man can do Nlcander will perform. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 He is a Father only to my Child, 
 He cannot tell them what a Mother feels. 
 Phorbas was born the Curfc of me and mine. 
 I might have known to what his impious Rage 
 Would urge him on, and fliould have firft inform'd him. 
 Gods ! muft I never know fweet Peace again, 
 Not even in Death have Reft ! 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Behold who comes 
 
 To blefs thee ere thou dieft, and ceafe to murmur 
 At Heaven's high Will. 
 
 Enter
 
 A TRAGEDY. 73 
 
 Entfr ILYSSUS. 
 CREUSA. 
 
 It is, it is flyjjus 
 My Son, my Son ! 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 Good Heavens ! and do I live 
 To fee a Parent melt in Fondnefs o'er me ! 
 Aletes faved me from the Soldiers' Arms, 
 And bade me fly to find a Mother here. 
 Art thou indeed that Mother, mighty Queen ! 
 And may I call thee fo ? Thou art, thy Looks 
 Thy Tears, thy kind Embrace, all, all proclaim 
 The Truth O let me thus, thus on my Knees 
 
 CREUSA. 
 Rife, rife, my Child ; I am, I am thy Mother. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 O facred Sound, IlyJ/us is no more 
 That outcaft Youth. A Mother, and a Queen 
 He finds at once. 
 
 CRZUSA. 
 
 jBut ar t thou fafe, my Child ? 
 Haft thou no Wound ? 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 The old grey-headed Man, 
 
 Who brought this Morn the News of thy Arrival, 
 Had rais'd againft my Breaft his eager Sword, 
 Defenceiefs I ; when good Aletes came 
 And fnatch'd me from the Stroke. I would have (raid, 
 Unarm'd with him have ftaid, but his Command 
 Was abfolute, that I {hould fly to find, 
 What I have found, a Mother ! [Embreung her. 
 
 Yet, O Queen, 
 Why am I thus encompafs'd round with Wonder ? 
 
 L May
 
 74 C R E U S A, 
 
 May I not know this Riddle of my Fate ? 
 Why firft condemn'd to pafs my Infant Days 
 In this obfcure Retreat ? Jf I am thine, 
 Thy Son, illuftrious Queen, fure I was born 
 To Thrones, and Empires ? 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Thou art born to Thrones, 
 And fhalt in Athens reign. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 As Xuthus* Heir. 
 
 Is Xuihtis then my Sire ? Forgive me, Queen, 
 I have a thoufand, and a thoufand Doubts. 
 Can Xutbus be my Sire ? 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 Forbear, llyffus-> 
 
 Nor prefs thy Fate too far. When Time permit*- 
 Thou fhalt know all. 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Shalt know it now, JlyJ/us. 
 Not Xttthus is thy Sire, but that brave Man 
 Who but this Inftant fnatch'd thee from thy Fate, 
 And by that Acl proclaim'd himfelf a Father. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 Ataf 
 
 CREUSA. 
 
 Not Aleit^ but Nicandfr y 
 My wedded Lord, thy Sire ! And fee, he comes 
 To blefs thce, and confirm the (acred Truth. 
 Good Heaven, he bleeds ! 
 
 Enter NICANDER. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 To Death, to Death, Crtnja. 
 Amid the Fray I met the Fate I fought tor. 
 
 All
 
 ATRAGEDY. 75 
 
 All elfe is fafe, and Xuthus now purfues 
 
 A fcatter'd Few, who fall beneath his Sword. 
 
 Where is my Boy ? Ye Guards of Innocence ! 
 
 How has he been befet, ^md how efcap'd ! 
 Where is my Boy, for I may own him now, 
 And clafp him to my Breaft, no more Alctes^ 
 The fage Inftru6tor of a Youth unknown, 
 But the dear Father weeping o'er his Child. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 O Sir, what Gratitude before infpir'd 
 Let Duty pay. 
 
 NlCANDER. 
 
 I have no Time to wafte 
 
 In Fondnefs now. Hear my laft Words, llyjjus^ 
 And bind them to thy heart. Thou ftill muft live 
 The Son of Xutbus. The good Pytbla here 
 Will tell thee all the Story of thy Fate : 
 And may'ft thou profper as thou do'ft obey 
 Her facred Counfel. Xuthus too muft know 
 The fatal Tale ; but to the World befide 
 It muft be hid in Darknefs. 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 Pborbas fure 
 Should be inform'd. 
 
 NICANDER. 
 
 Phorbas has breath'd his laft ; 
 And the brib'd Slave who mix'd the poifonous Draught 
 
 Fell by this Hand. HyJ/us, O farewel. 
 
 I will not bid Adieu to thee, Creufa, 
 
 Thy Colour changes, and the Lamp of Life 
 
 Fades in thy Eye; we foon {hall meet again. 
 
 J/jrfus, Oh! 
 
 L 2 ILYSSUS.
 
 79 C R E U S A, 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 How hard he grafps my Hand ! 
 My Lord, my Father ! Have I learn'd fo late, 
 To call thec by that Name, and muft I lofe , 
 
 For ever lofe ? Good Heaven, fhe grafps rae too ! 
 
 What means it, Pythia ? the cold Damps of Death 
 Arc on her. 
 
 GREUSA. 
 
 O my Child, enquire no farther ; 
 'Tis fitting we mould part. Lycca, Pytbia, 
 
 Intreat of Xuthus yet I need not fear 
 
 His Goodnefs, tho' I wrong'd him, foully wrong'd him, 
 He yet will prove a Father to my Child, 
 And from the World conceal the fatal Truth. 
 
 O I am cold what Bolts of Ice (hoot thro' me ! 
 
 How my Limbs fhiver! Nearer yet, my Child, 
 My Sight grows dim, and I could wifh to gaze 
 
 For ever on thee. Oh, it will not be 
 
 Ev'n thou art loft, Hyjfus. Oh Farcwcl. [Dies. 
 
 ILYSSUS. 
 
 She dies, (he dies. Was I then only mock'd 
 With a vain Dream of Blifs to be plung'd back 
 In deeper Mifery ? Did I but hear 
 The tender Name of Child breath'd fondly o'er me 
 To make me feel what 'tis to lofe that Name ? 
 O I am ten times more an Orphan nsw, 
 Than when I knew no Parents. 
 
 Enter XUTHUS, 6fr. 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 Where is this Murd'refs, who with vile Deceit 
 Scem'd to confent to ours, and Heaven's Defigns, 
 Only to make us a more eafy Prey 
 
 To her Aflaffins ? Ha, Creufa dead ? 
 
 And
 
 ATRAGEDY. 77 
 
 And the brave Stranger who preferv'd us all I 
 Is he too dead ? The Boy 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 IlyJJus lives. 
 
 And thou haft fworn, great King, that he fhall reign 
 Supreme in Athens. Say, do'ft thou confirm. 
 That Oath ? 
 
 XUTHUS. 
 
 I do, by Heaven ! 
 
 PYTHIA. 
 
 Afk here no more. 
 
 The fatal Tale is for thy private Ear. 
 Retire, and learn it all. For poor Creufa, 
 She wrong'd not thee, upon herfelf alone 
 She drew Heaven's Vengeance, And too furely proves 
 That Murder but intentional, not wrought 
 To horrid Aft, before th' eternal Throne 
 Stands forth the firft of Crimes. Who dare aflume, 
 Unwarranted, Heaven's high Prerogative 
 Oe'r Life and Death, with double Force (hall find 
 Turn'd on themfelves the Mifchiefs they defign'd. 
 
 The End of tbe Fifth ACT.
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 Spoken by Mifs HAUGHTON, who afted 
 the PYTHAI. 
 
 /i T length Fm freed from Tragical Parade, 
 j\^ Ns more a Pythian Priejlefs, tho* a Maid, 
 jit once rejigning, with my f acred Dwelling, 
 JMy Wreaths, my IVand^ my Arts of Fortune-telling. 
 
 Yet fuperftitious Folks, no doubt, are here, 
 JVbo jlill regard me with a kind of Fear, 
 Left to their fecret Thoughts, thefe prying Eyes 
 Should boldly pafs, and take them by Surprize. 
 Nay, the? I difavow the whole Deceit, 
 Jtndftirly own my Science all a Cheat, 
 Should I declare, infpile of Ears and Eyes, 
 The Beaui were handfonte, or the Critics wife, 
 They'd all believe it, and with dear Delight 
 &rjr to themfehfs at leaft, 
 " The Girl has Tajlc ;" '" the Woman's in the right." 
 
 Or, Jhould I tell the Ladies, fa dlfpos'd, 
 They d get good Matches, ere the Seafon clos'd, 
 Tbey'djmilf, perhaps, ivith feeming Dif content, 
 And, fneering, winder what the Creature meant; 
 Eut whifper to their Friends, with beating Heart. 
 ** Sttppofe there faould be fomething in her Art" 
 Grow .State fmen too would chuckle, Jhould I fay, 
 Gnfttcb a Mctivn, aird ly fuch a Day, 
 Tlwy ivouldbe fummon'dfrQu: their own jfjfairs 
 To 'tend the Nation's mwe important Cares ; 
 
 Well, iflmujl however I dread the Load, 
 
 " /// undefge ft-. for my Country's. Good. 
 
 Ml Men are Bubbles, in a jkilful Hand, 
 Tht ruling PajJOon is the Conjurer s ff'and. 
 Whtther we praife, foretell, perfuade, advije, 
 Tis that alone confirms us Focli or Wife. 
 The Devil without may for end the tempting Sin, 
 But tbffurt Conqueror \* --the Dti'ilwiihin.
 
 A S E C O N D 
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 Spoken by Mrs. PRITCHARD. 
 
 STAY, Ladies Tho' fam almojl tir 1 d to Death 
 With this long Part and am Jo out of Breath 
 
 Tetfuch a lucky Thought kind Heaven hasfent, 
 
 That if 1 die for' t, i mujt give it Vent. 
 
 The Men you know are gone. And now, feppeff, 
 
 Before our Lords and Moflers are rechofe, 
 
 We take tti Advantage of an empty Town, 
 
 And chufe a Houfe of Commons of our own. 
 
 What think ye, cannot we make Laws ? and then 
 
 Cannot vje too unmake them, like the Men ? 
 
 O place us once in good St. Stephen's Pews, 
 
 We'lljhew them Women have their public Ufe. 
 
 Imprimis they Jball marry j not a Man 
 
 Pajl twenty-five, but what /hall wear the Chain. 
 
 Next) we'll in earneft fet about Reclaming, 
 
 For, by my Life and Sou!, we' II put down Gaming. 
 
 Will fpoil their deep dejlrufiive Midnight Play > 
 
 The Laws we make, we'll force them to obey \ 
 
 Unlefs lue let them, when their Spiritsjiag, 
 
 Piddle with us, ye know, at ghtinze and Brag. 
 
 ** / hope, my Dearejt, " fays fame well-bred Spoufe, 
 
 " Whenfuch a Bill Jhall come before your Houfe, 
 
 ** That you'll confider Men are Men at kaji 
 
 " That you' II not Speak, my Dear r Net /peak ?1be Bttfl! 
 
 Wliat) would you wound my Honour ? Wrongs liketbefe 
 
 For this, Sir, I Jhall bring you on your Knees. 
 
 Or, if ive're quite good-natur' d, tell the Man 
 
 We'll do him all the Service that we can. 
 
 Then for ourfelves, what ProjecJs, what Defigns ? 
 We 1 II tax, and double tax their najiy Wines \ 
 But Duty-free import our Blonds and Laces, [Fktes, 
 
 French Hoops^retich Silfa, French Cambrickt, and French 
 
 In jhort, my Scheme is not compleated quite, . 
 But I may tell ye more another Night. 
 So come again, come all, and let us raife 
 Such glorious Trophies to our Country's Praife, 
 Tl)at all true Britons Jhall with one Confent 
 Cry out, " Ltng live the Female Parliament / 
 THE END.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
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