Complete Works of Thomas Otway

by Thomas Otway

  At least I find it in the grave.

  [the King falls asleep.

  Enter Queen and Tissaphernes with a Dagger.

  Qu.

  He sleeps; now let the fatal deed be done.

  Hah! what are these, the Scepter and the Crown!

  So did the drousie Dragon sleep, when he

  Lost the rich fruits of the Hesperian Tree.

  First we’l secure his Crown, and then he dyes.

  Takes up the Crown.

  Thus I’m discharg’d of all my promises.

  [puts it on his head.

  Take this, and if I claim your promise too,

  Y’are King, and justice is your duty now.

  Come by his fall —

  This your first step to glory solemnize,

  I make you King, make him my Sacrifice.

  Tiss.

  I’l do’t, but stay —

  [advances towards the King

  Qu.

  — Nay, quickly to him go,

  Sir he expects no Ceremony now.

  Tiss.

  Thus then I — hah! how alter’d am I grown!

  I stand amaz’d, and dare not venture on.

  There is in Majesty a secret charm,

  That puts a fetter on a Traytors arm;

  I cannot do’t —

  Qu.

  Then look on her that dares.

  How despicable is the man that fears!

  Give me the fatal Instrument of death;

  My self will in his heart that dagger sheath;

  [takes his dagger from him.

  Then blush to think, if e’re the World should know,

  That a frail Woman durst do more then you.

  Courage — he smiles, —

  [advances towards the King.

  Some pleasing dreams his fancy entertain;

  Oh it were pitty he should wake again.

  Thus King, thy life and Empire I command:

  Accept this from thy Deidamia’s hand.

  Stabs him

  King.

  Hah murder’d! Deidamia, and by you!

  What is’t that faithless Woman will not do

  Henceforth all Loyalty and love farewell.

  When after ages shall this story tell,

  ‘Twill be a truth too sad to be receiv’d;

  Nor shall the World be by it self believ’d.

  Did I for this ev’n Crown and Empire quit,

  To lay all my Ambition at your feet?

  When at the Altars strictest vows I paid,

  Nor were they with less zeal perform’d then made!

  I lov’d you far above that life y’ave spilt,

  Till ev’n my passion was become my guilt:

  I for your sake depriv’d heav’n of its due,

  Took adoration thence to pay it you.

  And must this be th’ reward for all I’ve done?

  Yet I shall have this comfort when I’m gone,

  That I no longer shall with thee remain

  But dye in hopes we ne’re shall meet again.

  [dyes.

  Qu.

  He’s gon, and now my Lord, —

  Tiss.

  — Oh what is’t you have done?

  A while lay your unruly passions down.

  View but the sweet Composure of that face,

  Where grandeur sat attended by each grace:

  Now there grim death his gashly Revels keeps,

  And pallid horrour o’re each feature creeps.

  Weep Madam, weep, to think your rage has giv’n

  That blow, which robs the World to enrich heav’n.

  Oh my dear Lord, that er’e I liv’d to know

  This day! Madam I can’t conceal it.

  Qu.

  — Say you so?

  But Sir I Scorn to be betray’d by you.

  [At the noise of People entring, throws away the Dagger, then falls upon her knees, and layes hold of Tissaphernes; then speaks.

  Treason, Treason, Treason, &c. — .

  Is’t not enough y’ave shed my Husbands blood?

  Tiss.

  The Devil! —

  Qu.

  And rob’d the World of all that’s great and good,

  But you must seek my life? On pitty take,

  If not for mine, at least for vertues sake!

  Tiss.

  Hell and Plagues! —

  Qu.

  But why do I name that? for all that e’re

  The World had left of it, lyes murder’d there.

  Tiss.

  Very fine.

  Qu.

  Yet though you’ve rob’d him of his life, save mine:

  I’l live to ask heav’n pardon for your sin.

  Tiss.

  So now I’l stop your mouth.

  [Breaks from her, and takes up the Dagger.

  Qu.

  Help, murder, Treason, help.

  Enter Lords.

  1 Lord.

  How, Tissaphernes arm’d against the Queen!

  What means this posture Sir? —

  Qu.

  — Oh noble Lord,

  If e’re your pitty could a tear afford,

  Weep down an Ocean there; behold the spring

  Of Sparta’s hopes lyes murder’d in her King.

  And had not I the traytors rage withstood,

  He with my Husbands too had mixt my blood.

  See where he guilty stands.

  Lord.

  — Great Agis slain!

  By Tissaphernes too!

  Qu.

  Yes, he to gain

  The Spartan Crown, this bloody deed has done,

  See he already has usurpt the Crown;

  His hot Ambition could not bear delays,

  But on the Royal spoyles thus preys;

  Insults in’s treason.

  Tiss.

  — I am now run

  So far that all hopes

  But Madam, can you dare to lay this guilt

  On me? was’t not by you his blood was spilt?

  Qu.

  By me! base wretch, would thy impiety

  Lay this inhumane regicide on me?

  I wound this breast? ah dearest Saint, too well

  I knew thy worth!

  [weeps.

  Tiss.

  Death, she’l be Queen of Hell:

  Pluto will grow in love with her for this.

  1 Lord.

  My Lord, treason’s above all pardon.

  Tiss.

  — ’tis.

  Lord.:

  Then Sir to justice.

  Tiss.

  No, thus I deny.

  [presents his Dagger.

  I liv’d not by it, nor will by it dye.

  Was it for this my stratagems I lay’d

  To ruin her, to be by her betray’d?

  Curse on my narrow fate, but yet to shew

  That I love murder too as well as you,

  Thus perjur’d Queen.

  [offers to stab the Queen, but is hinder’d by the Lords.

  Qu.

  See how he’d still pursue

  His Treason! hence to justice with him go:

  Hourly let on the Rack his pains encrease,

  Till he the horrour of his guilt confess.

  Tiss.

  That shall not need. I’l own the deed as mine,

  But glory in’t, it was a brave design.

  The King kill’d! and I ruin’d! to compleat

  Thy lust, all by stratagem! was great:

  So great, that for its sake

  I can with satisfaction yield my breath,

  Else I should take no pleasure in my death.

  But e’re I go, be pleas’d to entertain

  The last kind precepts of a dying man.

  Be bloody, false, revengful, lusty,

  That can be found recorded on Hells

  Embrace, where-e’re you rising vertue see,

  Down with it, and set up impietie.

  Make that your theam, leave nothing
ill undone,

  So copy Tissaphernes when he’s gon:

  Who leaves this counsel as a Legacy,

  ’Tis my Religion, and I’l in it dye.

  [Exit Tiss. guarded.

  Qu.

  Hence with the wretch —

  Mean while to my dead Lord I’l sorrows pay,

  And after his sigh my own life away.

  So now they are gon — hah who comes there?

  Enter Ardella.

  Ard.

  — ’Tis I.

  Qu.

  Ardella, on that thing cast back an eye;

  ’Twas once a King, but thank these hands now none:

  Nay start not, Tissaphernes too is gon;

  [Ardella starts.

  His treasures all are thine as a reward.

  Ard.

  You are too kind —

  Qu.

  See strait a draught prepar’d,

  And Murderers, Timandra next must fall,

  You know our will, let it be done.

  Ard.

  — It shall.

  [Exeunt severally.

  SCENE A DARKN’D TENT.

  [Timandra asleep upon a Couch, a Spirit comes and Sings.

  Merli.

  Come my Salla, come away,

  Thy Merli calls.

  Salla

  within.

  Whither?

  Merli.

  Hither, w’ave no bus’ness to day,

  And where innocence sleeps we securely may play.

  Salla.

  I come.

  [Enters.

  Merli.

  So welcome my dear,

  But first let’s disperse the black Clouds that are here.

  Both.

  Round about this place we range,

  And it’s gloomy darkness change,

  To a bright delightful Grove,

  A proper Scene for happy love.

  THE SCENE CHANGES TO ELIZIUM.

  Merli.

  Next to divert this fair one, all

  Our wing’d Companions we’l call,

  And the Ayr for musick charm

  Whilst they their measures here perform.

  Both.

  Come all you bright forms that inhabit the Ayr,

  And ease with your pleasures the cares of the fair,

  Here frolick , oh no longer delay!

  But let each clap his wings and away.

  Several Spirits of the ayr descend and Dance.

  Salla.

  Now let us discover the mansions of rest,

  Where lovers with eternal joyes are blest.

  [A glorious Temple appears in the Ayr, where the Spirits of the happy are seated.

  See fair one, see, not long e’re you

  To those glorious seats shall go.

  Another Spi.

  The lustful Queen thirsts for your blood,

  And you are for the World too good.

  Merli.

  Nor shall you come alone, your lovers too

  Must meet a Fate the same with you.

  Salla.

  But here your troubles all shall cease,

  ’Tis the Seat of endless bliss.

  Cho.

  Here in endless pleasures they

  Keep eternal Holyday.

  Here they Revel, Sport, and are

  Crown’d with joys still new and rare,

  Their pleasures too can never dye,

  But like themselves have Immortality.

  Merli.

  See the kind Spirits smile, and now

  They’l bless her with a nearer view.

  [The whole body of the Temple moves downward.

  Cho.

  Descend oh ye gloryes descend!

  Who with blessings eternal are crown’d;

  To this Nymph your kind influence lend:

  Whilst all the Sphears with harmony resound.

  Merli.

  She wakes, let the apparition go,

  By th’ damp upon my wings I know

  Something ill is drawing near,

  Come Salla, come away, Oh come away my dear.

  [They all vanish, and the SCENE changes again to the Tent.

  Tim.

  I’ve had a dream might make a lover blest,

  Oh th’ sweet delights of everlasting rest!

  [Queen appears at the entrance.

  How this the Queen? what can her coming mean?

  Qu.

  Ardella with the Ruffians here remain;

  I’l in, and with soft words her temper try,

  If without him she’l live, she shall not dye.

  Madam! —

  [to Timandra.

  Tim.

  — Your pleasure!

  Qu.

  Oft’ I’ve heard y’are brave,

  But the best proof of gallantry you gave,

  When of your noble Lord you were bereft,

  And such a bliss with so rare patience left.

  Tim.

  Madam, our flames a nobler passion rules

  Then fondness, th’idle guilt of wav’ring fools:

  Our loves knew a far higher excellence,

  Then the half pleasures of a minutes sense.

  Qu.

  Then you may love since you can with him part,

  He has made a conquest o’re my tender heart:

  Love governs here, and since my Husband’s dead,

  Fate and my choicest wishes have decreed,

  He should both in his love and throne succeed.

  Tim.

  Do you believe Empires or Crowns can make

  Him his Timandra and his faith forsake?

  Or think you I an Attome will resign

  Of that heart, which by holy vows is mine?

  No I will keep him maugre cruelty.

  Qu.

  But Madam do you know what ’tis to dye?

  Tim.

  Yes, ’tis to lay these clogs our bodys by,

  And be remov’d to blest eternity.

  By death relief from all our griefs we gain,

  And by one, put an end to years of pain;

  By that we in one minute find out more,

  Then all the busie gown men study for;

  Who after in dull search th’ave ages spent,

  Learn nothing but to know th’are ignorant.

  Death is a blessing, and a thing so far

  Above that worst of all our frailties fear;

  It claims our joy, since by it we put on

  The top of happiness, perfection.

  Quit him! no never whilst I here have breath;

  He’s mine in spight of cruelty or death.

  Qu.

  Then enter ye grim Ministers of fate,

  [Enter Murderers with Poison.

  Does not your stubborn courage now abate?

  Tim.

  No, my resolves more fixt and firm are grown,

  Bring dreadfull’st racks and tortures yet unknown,

  Provide one for each sense, and then do thou

  Tempt me my love and int’rest to forgo,

  Midst of my pains I’l smile, and tell thee no.

  Qu.

  But minion, soon your insolence shall cease.

  Come, since such resolution you express,

  Take this, demur not, do’t, —

  [Gives her a bowl of poison.

  Tim.

  And is this all?

  I thought t’ave had a more Heroick fall,

  Expected to have noblest tortures met,

  Not by dull poison to have found my fate.

  But any way I can thy pow’r defie,

  ’Tis for my Alcibiades I dye:

  [offers to drink.

  Qu.

  Yet yeild, and live, —

  Tim.

  — Live! what have I to do

  With life, when giv’n by one so base as you?

  Thus I despise it, —

  [Drinks.

  Qu.

  What dismal tortures strait will on her seize!

/>   [after Timandra has drank the Poison.

  So ’twas a health to Alcibiades.

  Tim.

  Now blush at what thy impious rage has done,

  My Alcibiades is still my own.

  And if thou him embrace when I am gon,

  Each night thy bed I’l haunt, and challenge there

  Those joys, of which thou hast bereft me here.

  Anxious shall be each day, disturb’d each night,

  A restless shade I’l still be in thy sight;

  And thee i’th’ height of all thy pleasures fright.

  Heav’n what do I feel! —

  Qu.

  Oh does the draught succeed!

  Ard.

  Madam, great Alcibiades is freed,

  And just is entring —

  Qu.

  — Strait with straitest care

  Convey her in, and wait my pleasure there.

  [The Murderers lead in Timandra.

  Sweet Murder! oh no Physick is so good

  For th’ hopeless lover as a bath of blood.

  But here he comes —

  [Enter Alcibiades.

  — Now to my greifs again.

  [veils

  Alci.

  It makes we wonder how I freedom gain,

  All things confus’d, and in disorder are.

  How’s this in mourning weeds? unveil my fair.

  Hah not Timandra! —

  [Queen unveils

  Qu.

  — No Sir, though ’tis one

  That loves as nobly as Timandra can,

  Or could, did she yet live, but she is dead.

  Alci.

  How dead! —

  Qu.

  Yes, Tissaphernes that black deed did do

  Prompted by his ignoble hate to you.

  But you will wonder more, when I shall tell,

  That by his hand the mighty Agis fell.

  The King is slain: both I, and Sparta, now

  Have no hopes left, but what remain in you.

  Alci.

  In me! alas! I am a wretch too poor;

  Timandra dead! curst ever be the hour

  Wherein so fair an innocence was lost.

  Heav’n justly now may of its glories boast;

  For the most bright, and precious Saint that e’re

  The World enjoy’d, is fled, and seated there.

  Qu.

  Why do you let your griefs distract your Soul?

  Call up your reason, and let passion cool.

  See here a Queen, that courts you with the charms

  Of Love, a Crown, and Empire, to her Arms:

  No longer for Timandra sorrow wear,

  I will supply all you have lost in her:

  I’l love you as she did.

  Alci.

  — Oh Madam, no

  To love like her’s a tas’k too hard for you;

  Love me as she did? why each thought she had

  Of me, was such, might make an Angel glad:

  For Crowns; though Emp’rour of the World I were,

  I’d turn a begger to recover her.

  Oh Madam tempt no further, all’s but vain,

  I ne’re can have a thought of love again.

  Qu.

  Never! —

  Alci.

  No never, —