PHARNACES.
[]ACT I. SCENE I.
An outer Apartment in the Palace of SINOPE. PHARNACES, with his Sword bloody, fol⯑lowed by TAMIRIS, and the Child.
PHARNACES.
NO more, Tamiris—ſeek not, with thy Tears,
T' unnerve my Fortitude—tho' loſt to Fortune,
I live to Glory—my imperial Mind,
Yet unſubdued—and this my blood-ſtain'd Hand
Shall yet revenge it's Maſter—yet ſhall rend
Yon creſted Laurels from inſulting Rome.
Tam.
Pharnaces—ſtay—
Phar.
I cannot—muſt not hear.—
[2] AIR.
Not in the Splendor of a Throne,
Is a Monarch's Greatneſs ſhown;
'Tis his to brave Misfortune's Frown,
To reſcue from Diſgrace a Crown;
His Soul undaunted, proud and free,
And live or die with Dignity.
Tam.
My Huſband—yet relent—Ah cruel Virtue!
AIR.
Oh! turn—behold my ſtreaming Eyes—
Preſerve—preſerve thy precious Life!
Nor, in one Moment, ſacrifice
Thy helpleſs Child—thy hapleſs Wife!
With thee, Hope's lateſt Refuge goes,
And we a Prey to cruel Foes!
Preſerve—preſerve thy precious Life—
Thy helpleſs Child—thy hapleſs Wife!
Phar.
Tamiris—riſe!—Thy Happineſs and Hono [...]
Dear as my own, have been my righteous Care,
And ever ſhall—reſtrain thy Tears, and hear me.—
Take thou this Sword, yet reeking with the Gore
Of dying Foes—obſerve it well—and ſwear
Thereon, by all the Love thy Heart e'er boaſted,
By all Life's Hopes, and by the Gods who crown 'e [...]
Thou wilt fulfil whatever I enjoin.
Tam.
My boding Heart!—I ſwear—
Phar.
[3]Once more I go
T' avenge a People's Wrongs, a Father's Fall—
Should I return no more, plunge that, I charge thee,
Into yon Infant's Breaſt—nor let the Heir
Of Pontus live a Prey to Chains and Inſult—
Preſerve him from that Lot—die then thyſelf,
And haſte to meet the Partner of thy Soul,
Where Tyranny and Bondage are no more.
Tam.
Immortal Gods! is this Pharnaces' Order?
Phar.
It is—A Huſband and a King commands.
AIR.
Be ſtedfaſt—tho' Compaſſion flow
In Streams of ſoft maternal Woe!
Thy Blood, thy Pride, thy Rank maintain.
Live not to feel a Tyrant's Yoke—
In Pity give the gen'rous Stroke,
And ſave thy Son from Infamy and Pain.
[Exit, with Attendants▪
Tam.
He's gone—he flies—and ſwifter than the Bark
Driv'n by the Tempeſt's Rage—on certain Ruin
Daſhes.
Child.
Why weeps my Mother? what provokes
My Father?—and what means this bloody Sword?
Tam.
Unhappy Child!—I would—but cannot ſpeak—
Hold, hold, my Brain!—Oh great, All-guiding Pow'r,
Who lov'ſt to ſuccour Virtue, lend thine Aid,
Sooth my Diſtreſs, and reſcue me from Madneſs▪
[4] AIR.
With deadly Damp my Heart is cold—
I hear—I hear the diſmal Cries—
Tyrant! the fatal Stroke withhold.
'Tis fall'n—Alas! Pharnaces dies!
See his ſtern Shade its Right demand;
He calls me to the cruel Deed;
He beckons with his crimſon Hand,
And bids the wretched Infant bleed.
[Exit, the Child follows.
SCENE changes to an open Plain, with a View of SINOPE at a Diſtance.
A March.
Enter POMPEY and ATHRIDATES, with Forces.
Pom.
At length, the Roman Eagle wings his Flight,
With Terror plum'd, o'er half the Aſian World.
Pharnaces too is vanquiſh'd.
Ath.
Yet refuſes
To ſtoop to Pompey's Arms, and own his Valour;
But coop'd within Sinope's haughty Walls,
By deſp'rate Rage, and Arrogance impell'd,
Attempts to raiſe new Force.
Pom.
Attempts in vain!
He but provokes the Blow, he ſhould avoid▪
Such Virtue ſhould not die.
Ath.
Not die!—the Traytor!
[5] He, who unable in the Paths of War
To wreak his Enmity, by Darkneſs came
And treacherouſly ſtole my only Child—
She too, ungrateful Girl! to join the Robber!
So may the Fates with Laurels crown my Brow,
As I would ſee the Tide, that fills his Veins,
Shed Drop by Drop i'th' Duſt!—Behold the Gate,
Which leads to his Retreat—This Hour is mine.
AIR.
Swift-wing'd Vengeance nerve my Arm,
Tenfold Rage my Boſom warm!
With all their Fires I feel it glow;
They bid me give the deſtin'd Blow!
Nor ſhall a Daughter's Tears
Allay the Flames, wherein my Soul is toſt;
All, all his Race would ill repay
My Throne diſgrac'd, my Honour loſt.
Pom.
Reſtrain this headſtrong Madneſs, Athridates;
Let Pompey's Voice, at leaſt, his Pow'r prevail;
Thou ſhalt not go to act ſo damn'd a Deed.
Deſtroy thy Child!—My Soul is damp'd with Horror;
I'll ſtand between, and ſhield thee from thyſelf.
For Glory, not for Cruelty, we fight;
Nor ſhall our Cauſe be ſtain'd—thy Rage miſleads thee.
Ath.
Would'ſt thou deprive my Sword of juſt Re⯑venge,
That noble Thirſt of Arms and Royalty?
Pom.
Far other Attributes and Paſſions grace
[...] ſacred Names—True Valour dwells with Mercy.
[6] AIR.
The Blaze of Rage, with headlong Fires,
Spreads madly round, nor brooks Command—
The Flame, which Valour's Warmth inſpires,
Is held by Reaſon's ſteady Hand—
That ſcatters Ruin, and Diſmay,
While this to Glory lights the Way.
Flouriſh.
Enter GILADES with SELINDA in Chains, Guards, &c▪
Gil.
Behold, my royal Maſter, what a Prize
Hath this Day, grac'd my Arms.
Pom.
Ath.
Pharnaces' Siſter!—Oh! all bounteon▪ Powers▪
Now ye are kind indeed! to Gifts like theſe,
The Tribute of an o'ercharg'd Heart is poor.
Pom.
It muſt be ſo! within her lovely Mien
Virtue's enthron'd, and bids the graceful Seat,
Where ſhe reſides, be ſafe and undefil'd.
[Aſide
Ath.
Traitreſs, approach, and with thy ſtreaming Blood
Haſte to appeaſe, in part, a Monarch's Wrongs.
[Draw
Sel.
Whence is thy Rage? wherein have I offended
Ath.
Thou ſhar'ſt Pharnaces' Blood—for that the dy'ſt.
Sel.
Inhuman Sentence!—die for Nature's Fault▪
[As Athridates prepares to ſtrike, [...] kneels to Pompey, who interpoles.]
[7] Oh! ſave me from his Wrath—thou gallant Roman,
To thee, to thee I bend—or I miſtake,
Or Mercy's Beam adorns thy Brow—O ſpare
My Youth, my Innocence—
Pom.
Illuſtrious Maid,
Riſe and be ſafe!—miſguided Athridates,
My Elderſhip I claim, and will aſſert,
Ev'n againſt thee, my Rights—When Virtue ſues,
Rage ſmooths his Brow, and liſtens with Delight.
She is my Captive now.—Let thy Reſentment
On Foes employ its Fury—let Pharnaces,
Who knows to wield the Spear, and bend the Bow,
Let him be ſought—hence, with thy fell Armenians,
Raſe theſe proud Walls, and act, at leaſt, a Deed,
That will not miſbecome a Soldier's Arm.
AIR.
Ath.
A Monarch's Duty claims me,
A Soldier's Pride inflames me!
Curſt Pharnaces! lo, I come!
Prepare, prepare to meet thy Doom!
[Exit, with Forces.
Sel.
Recal thy dread Command, oh gallant Chief!
Why muſt Pharnaces fall by thy Decree?
Pom.
Rome and her Senate doom him—
Sel.
And with him
All of his Blood—then be it ſo!—
Pom.
Fear nothing.
Oppreſſion ſhall not reach thy Innocence,
Be that my Care!
Sel.
[8]To thy Compaſſion then
I truſt—
Pom.
And to my Love.
Sel.
Love!—do not mock
Your Captive.
Pom.
Could I injure, by Deceit,
Such Virtue?—
Sel.
Still I fear—within thy Power,
Have I not all to dread?—In Aſia
Pompey's a Warrior only—What's Selinda?
AIR.
Save me not from Slaughter's Jaws,
[Kneels
To ſtray with mangled Innocence;
Let thy Virtue plead my Cauſe,
Be thine Honour my Defence!
Be thy Triumph now beheld
In Mercy and Humanity!
To ſhameful Life I cannot yield,
Free from Guilt, I dare to die.
Pom.
Baniſh all Fear and hear me,
[raiſing her.]
he
[...] a
Roman,A Warriour and a Prince!—One Moment's Glance
Hath vanquiſh'd all my Soul—and Prudence bids
That from thy Pow'r I fly, leſt I forget
The Duties of my Station. This brave Man,
(Whom, for his Feats in War, and private Merit,
I ſtile my Friend) ſhall be thy Beauty's Guardian
'Till I once more behold thee—check thy Tears,
And let thy Heart be ſtill,
(The Officer unchains Selinda
ſecure in this,
[9] My Care is not to thee alone confin'd,
But, far as Honour will allow, it reaches
To all thy Soul holds dear—Attend her, Lucius.
AIR.
Love, (when Worth like thine inſpires)
By ſenſual Paſſions unſubdu'd,
Mingles ev'n with Glory's Fires,
And mounts to all that's great and good;
The Battle done,
The Lawrels won,
It burns within th' extatic Heart,
In ev'ry Rapture claims a Part,
And, ev'n when fierce Deſire ſhall end,
Glows in the ſacred Name of Friend.
[Exit, with Forces.
Sel.
A Friend!—a Lover!—no!—And yet his Words
Seem'd by the Breath of Truth inſpired—my Breaſt
Throbs with a dubious Paſſion; Hope and Doubt—
(Hope for myſelf, my Friends—yet Doubt for all)
Equal engage, and raiſe a War within.—
One Way alone remains—to bear my Lot
With Fortitude—to wait, with patient Virtue,
Whatever Fate ordains; and keep in mind
That gracious Breath, that bade my Heart be ſtill.
[10] AIR.
Late beſet with Terrors round,
Hideous Moans,
Dying Groans,
Then in hoſtile Fetters bound!
Decreed, within a Dungeon's Gloom,
Heavy Moments to conſume!
Whence the Ray that ſeems to riſe,
And dawn upon my failing Eyes?
If of Truth the ſacred Beam,
Thro' my Soul thy Radiance ſtream,
Exert thy full, thy clearer Light!
Thro' Error's Maze,
Direct my Ways,
And lead, Oh! lead to what is right!
[Exit, attended by Lucius and Guard.
End of the Firſt Act.
ACT II. SCENE I.
[11]A Burial-Place belonging to the Kings of PONTUS.
Alarms of a Siege, loud Groans, and the following Chorus heard from behind.
CHORUS.
'Tis done—the fatal Stroke is giv'n—
Save us—ſave us, pitying Heav'n!
Then Enter TAMIRIS diſtractedly, followed by her Child, and a Soldier.
CHILD.
O Mother, Mother!
Tam.
Fate has done its worſt—
Rome triumphs, and Sinope ſinks in Ruins—
Pharnaces' Order now muſt be obey'd,
It muſt—it ſhall—but not on thee, my Child!
My Death alone may ſatisfy—and thee,
Dear Pledge of early Bliſs, and happier Days,
Thee I conſign to Fate—ſome whiter Hour
Perhaps may meet thee, ſhould the Arm of Slaughter,
Tir'd with its bloody Office, ſpare thy Weakneſs—
Here lye a while conceal'd. My truſty Servant,
Unfold that ſacred Door—
[The Soldier opening a Tomb, the Child ſtarts back.]
[12] Why ſtarts my Comfort?
No harm can reach thee here—here may'ſt thou lie
Secure, and ſave thy Life.
Child.
I dare not venture
Into that diſmal Place—no—deareſt Mother,
I'll go with you, and I may be the Means
To ſave you—ſure they cannot be ſo cruel
To hurt you, when I'm near—On my weak Knees
I'll crawl for ever, blind myſelf with Tears,
To beg 'em ſpare my Mother.
Tam.
Oh my Child!
My Heart is almoſt broke—comply—comply—
AIR.
Can the Darling of my Heart,
O! can he doubt a Mother's Care,
Can his Mind endure a Smart
Her Boſom does not more than ſhare?
Here from Cruelty ſecure,
Let no vain Fear thy Soul annoy,
The deadly Gloom a while endure,
Then wake to Light and new-born Joy.—
Child.
The very Sight is Death—I cannot go—
AIR.
In this, I fear, my lateſt Breath,
Hear me, deareſt Mother, hear me,
From a ſad and early Death,
Spare me, deareſt Mother, ſpare me.
[They force the Child into the Tomb, and cloſe it on him.]
Tam.
[13]Forgive me, cruel Glory, and Pharnaces,
Do thou forgive, that, ſpite of thy Commands,
I yield to Nature's Voice—her Cries are loud—
I could not on my Infant wreak thy Bidding
There ſpake the Mother—but behold the Queen
Aſſert her Pride, and thine.
[She offers to ſtab herſelf.
Enter ATHRIDATES and his Party.
Ath.
Baſe Wretch, forbear;
[Seizing the Dagger.
Thou ſhalt not 'ſcape me ſo—by thine own Hand
To ſee thee freed, would diſappoint my Vengeance,
And ſtain my Triumph.
Tam.
What ſevere Compaſſion—
Ath.
Compaſſion! hence—I know it not—ſay where
Where haſt thou hid thy Child?—th'accurſed Offspring
Of my perfidious Foe?
Tam.
Amid' the Ruins,
The dreadful Ruins of our Aſian World,
Forlorn, I ſeek him.
Ath.
Trait'rous Wretch, 'tis falſe—
Stain of my Blood and Arms, thou haſt conceal'd him,
But all thy Arts are vain—I go to ſeek
And bring him to thine Eyes—then ſhalt thou die;
Yet not, 'till in his ſtreaming Blood imbath'd,
Death from his ghaſtly Mien ſhall dart new Horror,
And doubly wound thy Soul, to glut my Vengeance.
AIR.
Tam.
In my Anguiſh take a Part,
Ath.
O'er thy Sorrows I rejoice,
Doubly ſeel each piercing Smart,
Tam.
Ah! is that a Father's Voice?
Ath.
[14]Thy Father, Traitreſs! I diſclaim,
At once the Feelings and the Name;
The Child, and Sire, I go to ſeek,
Then ſhall Revenge in Tortures ſpeak.
[Exit Athridates.
[As ATHRIDATES goes out, Enter, on the oppoſite ſide, PHARNACES.
Phar.
Unarm'd! defenceleſs! compaſs'd round with Horror,
Where can I fly for Refuge?—ha! Tamiris!
Haſt thou fulfill'd my great Command?
Tam.
My Huſband,
I meant to do it—but—nay, turn not from me.
Phar.
Take heed; let me not think thou wouldſt deny
Thy Child the laſt Compaſſion thou couldſt ſhew him
For, if thou haſt—
Tam.
Be pacified—'tis done.
Phar.
Matchleſs Obedience! then my Boy is dead
Tam.
(Aſide.)
Forgive me, Truth; I dare not tru
[...] thee now.
Phar.
Draw near, Tamiris—one Embrace, ere ye
We follow him, and let my Eyes drop Blood,
To thank thy noble Mercy—cloſer yet!
United thus, we may defy the Gods
To ſhew two human Hearts ſo greatly wretched.
Tam.
Claſpt in thy Arms, Death has not half h Horrors—
The eaſier Part of thy Command, remains
Yet unperform'd—now bid me give the Blow,
And ſee how fearleſs—
Phar.
[15]Stay, a Moment Stay!
Let me behold my ſole-ſurviving Comfort
A little longer—ſuch a Loſs, as thee,
Requires an Age's Pauſe.
Tam.
My Lord!—Pharnaces!
What means this awful Silence? Can the Arm
Of Slaughter tire? Or do his Terrors ſleep
Awhile, to wake more horrid?
Phar.
Dreadful Interval!
I thank ye Gods, and will enjoy your Bounty▪
In Luxury of Grief—Tamiris, ſay
Where lie the precious Aſhes of my Son?
Tam.
Within that Tomb.
Phar.
Kneel with me, kneel, my Comfort,
And conſecrate the dear Remains with Tears,
Such pious Tears, as Parents only ſhed,
[They kneel on each ſide of the Tomb.
AIR.
Phar.
Now free from Pow'r of mortal Harms,
Thy ſweet, thy guiltleſs Soul
Shall dread no more the Shock of Arms,
Nor hear the Thunder roll.
O! happy thou, who thus haſt paid
Thy Debt ſo ſoon below!
Since longer Life had only made
A longer Date of Woe.
Farewel, and ſleep in Peace!—the righteous Pow'rs
Have ſome Compaſſion; if a Parent's Tongue
Pronounc'd the Doom, yet they who know the Motive
Who read each Thought—
[Alarms within.
[16] Nay ſhrink not from the Storm,
If it o'erwhelm us, ſo!—no Hour ſo fit!
[Alarms again.
Enter ATHRIDATES attended.
Ath.
Let all theſe boaſted monumental Piles,
Theſe Glories of a Race to me perfidious,
And Rome's high State, be levell'd to the Earth▪
Tam.
O dreadful Sound!
Ath.
Give to the Winds their Aſhes!
Tam.
Oh Heav'ns!—my Father what haſt thou to fear
From ſenſeleſs Marble?
Ath.
Where haſt thou conceal'd
Thy Child?—quick!—tell me.
Phar.
(ſtarting forth.)
From a Tyrant's Power
Secure he ſleeps—thy Fury cannot reach him.
Ath.
Pharnaces there!—Guards ſeize upon 'em both,
Revenge, I thank thee.
Phar.
Tyrant, we defy—
Ath.
Thy Pride ſhall yet be tam'd—down with thoſe Trophies!—
Why this Delay?
[To the Guards who prepare to deſtroy the Monuments.
Tam.
O Gods!—I muſt reveal him.
Unfold that Womb of Death—
[the Guards open it.
Unhappy Cauſe
Of matchleſs Grief, come forth!
[The Child comes out of the Tomb and runs to Tamiris.
Phar.
Deceitful Woman!
Thus haſt thou ſav'd my Child?—I thought him paſt
The Reach of Anguiſh, Sorrow, or Diſgrace,
[17] But now he lives to all, and we to ſhare 'em.
Ath.
Vengeance provides a noble Feaſt—All, All,
Shall feel my Rage—prepare ye—
Phar.
Tyrant, ſtrike!—
Tam.
In Mercy, pauſe, and ſave us!
Phar.
Why Tamiris,
Why ſhould we live?—Honour and Truth have left us.
AIR.
Ath.
Tho' all Hell's Troops between us lay,
And dar'd my lifted Arm to ſtay,
Thro' Lines of Fire I'd cut my Way,
The Call of Vengeance to obey.
[As he offers to draw, the Child advances before Pharnaces and Tamiris, and kneels; Athridates retires in Confuſion.]
AIR.
Child.
For all the Woes my Parents bear,
I kneel, a willing Sacrifice;
Their virtuous Hearts, in Pity, ſpare,
And let my little Life ſuffice!
[Loud Alarms!]
Enter GILADES haſtily—his Sword drawn.
Gil.
Lord Athridates!
Ath.
Whence this ſudden Outcry?
Gil.
Pompey requires your inſtant Aid—from whence
The weſtern Tow'r frowns o'er the torrid Heath,
[18] A furious Sally by ſome Foes conceal'd,
Aſſail'd his Flank, who to the neighb'ring Marſh,
In wild Confuſion fly.
Ath.
Our Force ſhall ſhield 'em.
Gilades, to thy Care I give thoſe Traitors,
'Till my Return—
[To Pharnaces, &c.]
—Yet hope not to eſcape me,
My Wrath is not leſs certain, tho' delay'd;
E'er Ev'ning Shades deſcend, prepare to ſee
Each other's ſtreaming Gore.—
[Exit.
Gil.
Thoſe Words aright?—My Heart is chill'd with Horror.
Guards, mildly treat their Sorrows—to Pharnaces
Shew Honour, and to the Eaſtern Palace Gate
Conduct 'em ſtrait—I follow—
Tam.
See my Lord,
The Gods yet ſmile upon us.
Phar.
No, Tamiris,
Our Title to their Care is forfeited.
Diſgrace and Shame are on us,
Tam.
Yet forgive me!
Phar.
Tempt me not with thy Tears—I cannot bear them;
War, War, and Vengeance, quick devour my Griefs,
And root Remembrance from me.
Tam.
Oh! forbear!
[19] AIR. TRIO.
Tam.
[Kneeling]
Cruel! Huſband! O impart
Some Comfort to my breaking Heart!
Child.
[Kneeling]
Deareſt Father, O impart
Some Comfort to her breaking Heart!
Tam.
Pain and Torture be my Share!
But thy Frowns I cannot bear.
Huſband!
Child.
Father!
Phar.
[Raiſing 'em.]
Spare my Shame!
Loſt to Virtue as to Fame,
Pair'd in Miſery we go,
Death alone can end our Woe.
[Exit guarded—leading Tamiris and Child in either Hand.]
Gil.
Their Griefs have enter'd in my Soul—O curſt
Curſt Athridates!—thine own Daughter!—ſay,
Nurſe of each nice and tender Feeling, Nature,
What is thy Force, or where are thy Abodes,
If in a Parent's Breaſt thou do'ſt not dwell?
—What Impulſe ſtrikes my Mind?—May I believe
That Heav'n dooms me an Inſtrument?—It does—
Pleas'd I obey—far as my Pow'r extends
See me devoted to the great Beheſt.
[20] AIR.
The Guardian Angel of Diſtreſs,
Prone to pity, and to bleſs,
Directs, and makes me bold!
The Tyrant's Purpoſe I'll reveal,
Faith and Allegiance I repeal—
With Vice no League can hold.
[Exit.
An Apartment in the Palace.
Enter POMPEY attended by Guards—SELINDA by Ladies.
POMPEY ſpeaks to an Officer, as he enters.
Pom.
Confine them all—they, and their hardy Chiefs,
To Rome muſt be led Captive—Such, my Fair,
I grieve to ſay muſt be Pharnaces' Lot,
Unleſs he ſwear Allegiance to our State.
Sel.
No Remedy?—Can Pompey then refuſe
The Boon of her he loves?
Pom.
My Oath enjoins it.
I love Selinda—and revere the Gods!—
My Honour too is pledg'd—if I muſt forſeit,
That, or my promis'd Bliſs in Love and thee,
Tho' Soul and Body ſever at the Blow,
Thou muſt be torn away—I may be wretched,
But cannot be inglorious.
[21] AIR.
Torture, alas, may ſorely prove
The Pangs of diſappointed Love,
Yet ſome Relief remains behind,
While Juſtice ſways the ſuff'ring Mind,
But Honour baniſhed from her Throne,
Each Joy, each Hope of Reſt is flown.
Sel.
Noble Roman,
Forgive my Earneſtneſs! the Favours ſhewn
To me, your Captive, freed and thus attended,
Should ſilence me—but think he is my Brother,
I ſaw him guarded, almoſt dead with Grief!
His Wife and Child—
Pom.
Forbear, I ſaw it too;—
And turned aſide, ſo ſore it ſmote my Heart.
Oh! would I could preſerve him!—thou, Selinda,
Shalt to the Council, and aſſiſt our Suit,
Redeem'd from Athridates' barb'rous Hands,
There have I cited him to hear our Offers.
There he muſt have his Audience and reſolve—
Pompey ſhall e'en deſcend to beg his Friendſhip,
Rather than loſe Alliance with his Virtue.
Sel.
The Gods reward you!
[22] AIR.
Ye Pow'rs of ſtrong and ſoothing Sound,
Your double Force impart,
The Warrior's ſtubborn Ear to wound,
Or melt the Father's Heart!
So may he yet, with Truth and Love,
Eſtabliſh Peace and Fame,
While future Ages ſhall approve
And honour Pompey's Name.
Pom.
Be thy Wiſh prophetic!
Speed we, to try our Art! yet e'er we go,
Here, my Delight, my Pride, to Heav'n I ſwear,
By Honour and by Arms, no more to breathe
My fervent Hopes, nor aſk thy yielding Hand
'Till he reſolve, leſt I ſhould owe the Gift
To any Motive but thy gen'rous Love.
Let him but meet my Wiſh, my laviſh Soul
Shall know no Bounds of glorious Recompenſe.
AIR. DUETTO.
Pom.
Awhile may rav'nous Slaughter ceaſe,
Diſarm'd by heav'nly—ſmiling Peace!
And wild Ambition's furious Sway
To Friendſhip, and to Love, give way!
Sel.
That Wiſh, ye whiſp'ring Breezes hear,
Oh! waft it to Pharnaces' Ear!
Thou, God of Peace, his Heart incline,
And teach it to accord with mine!
Pom.
[23]May then my Sighs, my Wiſh expreſs,
And teach Selinda's Heart to bleſs?
Sel.
Then ſhall my Sighs my Love expreſs;
Be happy thou, if I can bleſs.
Pom.
Thus o'er the Altar's flaming Height,
Our Truth ſhall caſt a purer Light,
While ſacred Honour plights the Vow,
And decks the Crown for Hymen's Brow.
Sel.
Thus o'er the Altar's, &c.
[They repeat the Strain together, and Exeunt, attended.
End of the Second Act.
ACT III. SCENE I.
[24]The Council-Chamber.
POMPEY diſcover'd magnificently attended. PHARNACES guarded. SELINDA, &c.
PHARNACES.
SELINDA, ceaſe—forbear thy vain Perſuaſion;
The lazy Drop, that falls upon the Flint,
Hath more Effect.
Sel.
Yet liſten to the Voice
Of Mercy, and of Happineſs—
Phar.
No more!—
Mercy!—What's that?—Can I, a Kingdom's Heir,
Exil'd my native Walls, reduc'd to ſee
My Country bleeding, all our Aſian Coaſt
By War laid waſte, or ſunk in Slavery;
Can I ſee this, yet to the Hand that caus'd it,
For Freedom bend, and ſue for Mercy?—No—
Come Death, Deſtruction come!—
Pom.
Renown'd Pharnaces,
Let Reaſon take the Rein—the Terms I offer
Are ſuch as may with Honour be embrac'd.
[25] AIR.
O hark to Reaſon's pow'rful Tongue,
Obey, obey her Voice;
Fond Hope attunes her ſoothing Song,
To bid thy Soul rejoice;
Fair Freedom, deckt in all her Charms,
Invites thee to be bleſt,
And Friendſhip longs, with folding Arms,
To wrap thee in her Breaſt.
Sel.
Hear how the Victor courts thee to be happy.
Embrace his Love, my Brother.
Phar.
Hence, Selinda!
Abus'd, miſtaken Maid!—Embrace his Love!
What Weakneſs thus miſleads thy Mind?—Forbear
To try my Temper further—I'm reſolv'd—
AIR.
Roman, thy ſoft, thy ſoothing Arts give o'er,
Of Friendſhip and of Freedom talk no more;
Hope, from her ample Hoard, brings no Relief,
And Reaſon ſerves but to encreaſe my Grief.
A Prince appeals!—O dare not thou deny
The Boon, for which his Scrrows loudly cry;
The only Mercy thou, with Pride, can'ſt ſhew,
Or he receive—give, give the fatal Blow!
Pom.
[26]In Sable clad, the Noon of Night approaches;
With earlieſt Dawn, my Pris'ners muſt to Rome.
Let me not ſee Pharnaces in the Number,
Spare me the Sorrow, and thyſelf the Shame.
My Oath and Honour equally forbid
The fatal Doom ſhould be repeal'd, unleſs
Thou ſwear to meet my Wiſh—thine Aid in Arms
We aſk not—take another Hour—that ended,
The Temple ſhall with ev'ry Rite be crown'd,
That mutual Leagues require; and at the Altar
We ſhall attend thine Anſwer—Gallant Prince,
Let it be Peace between us!—'Till that time,
Return to thine Apartment; O return,
And in thy Wife's and Infant's Sorrows read
Perſuaſion, far beyond the greateſt Pow'r
Of human Tongue.
TRIO.
Pom.
Night, as thy gloomy Shades deſcend,
Our Troubles hide, our Tumults end,
That Concord's clear and gladſome Ray,
May mingle with the Dawn of Day!
Sel.
Night, as thy Shades incline to Reſt,
Bring Quiet to the Warrior's Breaſt,
That Morn may ſee his Sorrows ceaſe,
And wake his Soul to Love and Peace!
Phar.
Like me, to dark Deſpair a Prey,
O Night, eternal be thy Sway,
That ſtaring Morn, with thouſand Eyes,
No more upon my Shame may riſe!
[Exit Pharnaces, guarde
[27] Enter ATHRIDATES and GILADES.
Ath.
His, his Command! away!
[To Gilades entering.
Roman, in me
Behold a Monarch pleading for his Right!
I claim my Captives; to my Rage reſtore them,
That Vengeance may be gratified!
Sel.
Great Conqueror,
Now interpoſe thy Pow'r, or all is loſt.
Pom.
Athridates,
By virtue of my Place, by Oath enjoin'd,
And by our Country's Law, the Cauſe of Juſtice
I here ſupport; and from Oppreſſion's Gripe
Redeem the meaneſt Captive. Should Pharnaces
Swear Faith to Rome, 'tis mine to ſeal the Compact;
If not, her Senate doom him—'till that time,
He lives in my Protection—Thou art anſwer'd.—
Omitted in the Repre
⯑ſentation.
Ath.
Vengeance and Death! Is then a King refus'd,
His Claim deſpis'd?
Pom.
Thou doſt forget thyſelf.
AIR. Omitted in the Repre⯑ſentation.
Diſgrac'd with ev'ry Spot and Shame,
That mean Revenge and Slaughter bring;
No more uſurp the ſacred Name,
The hallow'd Scepter of a King.
When frantic Wars no longer rave,
'Tis his to ſuccour and redreſs;
His Scepter is the Pow'r to ſave,
His Crown, and Triumph, is to bleſs.
[Exeunt Pompey, Selinda, and Guards.
Ath.
[28]Refus'd! inſulted!—Curſes on his Head!
The mighty Hunger of Revenge unſated!
But tremble, Roman! know, I came prepar'd
To meet thy Arrogance.—I well foreſaw
His boaſted Virtue center'd all in this,
To pleaſe a Woman!—whom to wanton Dalliance
He now enamour'd leads.—O bleſt Occaſion!
Fit Time for Vengeance! while the City ſleeps,
And he in Love diſſolv'd.—Here, take this Paper,
It holds my full Inſtructions—Haſte this inſtant,
Near to the Southern Quarter of the Palace
Aſſemble all our Troops, prepar'd to cloſe
The Romans in, and at the Signal giv'n,
To drench them in their Gore.—
[Gives the Paper.
Pompey, enjoy
Thy laſt of Pleaſures—for, this very Hour,
Thou ſleep'ſt, to wake no more.
AIR.
The Thunders of Battle prepare
With Horror unwonted to roll;
Loud echoing Groans thro' the Air,
Are the Pleaſure and Pride of my Soul.
See Slaughter his Cavern unfolds,
Forth iſſues a terrible Flood,
While Vengeance exulting beholds,
And ſmiles o'er a Deluge of Blood.
[Exit, attended.
[29] RECITATIVE accompanied.
Gil.
Now, cruel Tyrant! now my Juſtice dread,
It burſts, a Tempeſt, round thy guilty Head.
[Exit.
SCENE II. Changes to an Apartment.
Enter POMPEY, SELINDA, and Attendants.
Pom.
Oh! how the jealous Minutes ſpeed! too quick
For me and my Deſires! e'er yet the Time,
The fatal Period comes, to plunge Us all
In Grief, that knows no Cure, on thee, Selinda,
Reſts all the little Hope, that cheers my Heart.
—Thou anſwer'ſt not—
Sel.
I fear 'tis all in vain.
AIR.
Sel.
Yet, tho' the Gate of Love be ſeen
By fell Reſentment ſtrongly barr'd,
And ſtubborn Pride, with rugged Mien,
Each downy Path to Mercy guard,
Once more will I my Pow'r employ,
Your Loves and Duties to combine,
To free Pharnaces be my Joy,
The Praiſe and Glory all be thine!
Enter GILADES with a Paper, and kneels.
Gil.
Forgive this bold Intruſion, thus to Earth
[30] I bend, and ſwear, tho' born and bred Armenian,
My Heart is wholly thine!—preſerve thyſelf—
This Paper ſpeaks thy Danger—
Pom.
Riſe, Gilades!
Sel.
My Heart alas! ſinks in me—may Diſtreſs
Danger, and Death be far from ſuch Perfection!
Pom.
Confuſion!—What ſo ſudden and ſo near!
Thy Virtue claims our nobleſt Thanks—Selinda,
Haſte to thy Brother; be th' Attempt propitious,
As it is good!—Soldier, conduct her ſafe,
Repair thou then to me; thy Aid I aſk,
In this unlook'd for Treach'ry.
Gil.
You command me,—
[Exit Pompey one way, Gilades and Selinda the other.
Enter PHARNACES with a Dagger, TAMIRIS and CHILD.
Phar.
Thou now haſt heard, and now muſt own, Tamiris,
The ſubtleſt Pow'r of Eloquence were vain
Againſt ſuch mighty Reaſons—Pompey ſooths
But to betray Us to a mean Conceſſion,
A voluntary Bondage—let Us then
Believe no more, and be no more deceiv'd.
Tam.
Not for myſelf I fear and tremble thus,
But for my Child—O! look on him, Pharnaces!
Within his ſtreaming Eyes a thouſand Torments
Await me—Death, alas! has neither Frown,
Nor Pain, but I could meet with thee unſhaken.
[31] AIR.
The Spectre Death, when view'd from far,
Appears a Foe, in Terror dreſt,
But proves, when we behold him near,
The Comfort of Affliction's Breaſt;
The ſteddy Soul he threats in vain,
The Coward he alone affrights,—
And gives us, for a Moment's Pain,
Whole Ages of ſupreme Delights.
Enter SELINDA.
Sel.
My Brother arm'd! drop, drop that fatal Steel—
Once more great Pompey ſends—
Phar.
'Tis paſt, Selinda.
Sel.
Yet hear me—
Phar.
No—Art thou ſo loſt to Honour,
And to the Blood, thou ſhar'ſt, baſely to give
Thy Hours to him, who leads Us all to Ruin?
Tamely receive a mean, precarious Life,
Dependant on his Smile!—No—join with Us,
And be thine own Deliverer!
Sel.
Raſh Man!
Perverſely bold!—he ſends to tell thee now—
Phar.
That he prepares to crown our general Fall
With Ruin of thy Virtue.
Sel.
Blind to Goodneſs!
His Views on me—
Phar.
Are foul as Infamy.
Sel.
My Life upon his Honor!
Phar.
[32]Hence!—begone!—
Conſult a wretched Safety—We're reſolv'd.
Sel.
Oh! yet forbear!
[Loud Alarms within.
There, there the Storm begins!
Phar.
What Storm! has Wretchedneſs, like ours, a Gleam
Of Hope?
Sel.
From Pompey's Arm, from him you wrong,
Alone expect it—Gods, protect his Virtues!
Tam.
Explain, my Siſter!—quick—
Sel.
Thy cruel Father
Madly reſentful, that he is depriv'd
His wiſh'd-for Vengeance, ſeeks, by treach'rous Arts,
To make a general Slaughter on the City,
At this dead Hour. The Prince, thro' ſecret Means,
Appriz'd of his Intent, prepares to meet him,
And turns his Force againſt his own Ally,
Rather than to Barbarity and Shame
Reſign your Lives.
Tam.
My Huſband!—
Phar.
Turn thee from me—
A Torrent of Remorſe and Shame o'erwhelms me.
Sel.
Indeed the Prince is noble, and of me
He ev'n foregoes a Hope, 'till you are happy.
[A Flouriſh ſounded.
Enter GILADES.
Gil.
The Prince, my Lord, requeſts your ſpeedy Preſence.
Sel.
Is then his virtuous Cauſe—
Gil.
The Gods have crown'd it—
[Exit.
Tam.
[33]Thanks to the righteous Pow'rs!—
Phar.
Exalted Chief!
How have I wrong'd thy noble Heart!—thou now
Haſt found indeed the Way t'inſlave Pharnaces.
Sel.
Seek we the ſacred Spot—the flaming Altar,
With ev'ry ceremonious Rite expects us.
AIR.
Phar.
The gracious Pow'rs, with timely Care,
Have warn'd my erring Breaſt,
O! may I hence, with pious Fear,
Abide their great Beheſt!
All.
O! may We hence, &c.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III. Changes to the Temple.
The Altar dreſt with the Holy Fire, Gilades, Prieſts, Guards, &c. Pompey diſcovered on the Steps of the Altar; beneath him, on his Right, ſtands a Prieſt, with a Spear in his Hand—on his Left, another with a Torch—in the Centre, beneath the Steps of the Altar, a Golden Urn filled with Earth.
Chorus of Prieſts.
Deſcend, ſweet Peace, deſcend and bring
Content and Pleaſure on thy Wing.
With jocund Plenty in thy Train,
Deſcend, and cheer the ſickning Swain!
Pom.
[34]Hear this, all gracious Pow'rs, and Oh! diſpoſe
Pharnaces' Heart to ratify the Wiſh!
Mean while, 'till Reconcilement's ſoothing Balm
Shall heal our wounded Minds, and crown our Bliſs,
For Treachery detected and ſubdued
Pay we our honeſt Thanks in grateful Song.
AIR.
Wake, wake the loud Blaſt, and bid Incenſe ariſe;
How clear burns the Flame, how it ſtreams to the Skies!
To the Pow'r, who wards the Blow,
And lays the lurking Traitor low,
Dwell upon the pleaſing Strain,
The grateful Lay ne'er flows in vain.
Again wake the Blaſt, &c.
Enter ATHRIDATES guarded.
Thou, Athridates, raſh, miſguided Man,
From thy own Vaſſals take a great Example.
Not fear of Pain or Death, ſo ſoon cou'd vanquiſh
Men learn'd and practis'd in the Trade of War—
The Fear of Guilt alone unnerv'd their Arms—
Aſham'd to ſtrike in ſuch a vicious Cauſe!
They left thee naked to the bitter Wound
Of Shame and Diſappointment.
Ath.
Curſes ſeize
Their daſtard Souls! and thee, thou double Traitor,
[To Gil.
Falſe to thy Cauſe and Maſter!
Gil.
Bloody Tyrant—
Take back the Term—it ſuits thee beſt—thou Traitor
To Virtue, Juſtice, and Humanity!
[35] Couldſt thou expect to find a ſingle Wretch,
So loſt to Goodneſs, who wou'd dare abett
Revenge ſo black, and infamous as thine?
AIR.
In Honour's Cauſe alone
The fatal Sword I raiſe,
That, that ſhould point the ſacred Steel,
And bid its Lightning blaze.
But edgeleſs be the Blade,
That Vice attempts to wield,
And blaſted be the guilty Arm
That ſtains the noble Field!
Baſe Wretch! from Sight of Man,
Deſpairing may'ſt thou fly!
In deſert Wilds to groan, unſeen,
And unlamented, die!
Pom.
Thy Troops are in our Care, and ſwear Affiance
To Rome's high State. For thee, the double Name
Of Monarch and Ally, ſecures thy Perſon.
To Shame, Diſquiet, and each Pang, that tears
The guilty Soul, I leave thee free.
Ath.
To Shame!
I know it not, and glory in the Deed!
My Rage ſhall ſtill purſue—O! might it reach thee!
[36] AIR.
Could I purchaſe, from ample Futurity's Roll,
The Bleſſing, that moſt would enrapture my Soul,
'Twere to ſee thee, my Captive, in Agony lie,
Diſtracted, deſpairing, and begging to die;
In lingering Pains would I ſee thee depart,
And riot, and feaſt on the Pangs of thy Heart.
[Exit.
Pom.
Repentance may, and will, I hope, o'ertake him.
Tamiris, thou art ſav'd the dreadful Sight
Of a Diſgrace ſo near thee—In that Thought
My Heart rejoices—Now the Trial comes,
On which my Bliſs depends.—
Enter PHARNACES, TAMIRIS, SELINDA, and Child, with Guards.
Pharnaces, ſay
Am I to call thee Friend?—Weigh well my Offers
E'er yet—
Phar.
O virtuous Prince, forbear thy Counſel,
Spare further Speech, leſt I appear to make
A Merit of embracing Worth like thine.
Shame ties my Tongue!—to You and Rome I bend,
And o'er the ſacred Knot, in Floods of Tears,
Will ſhed Remorſe.
Pom.
Bleſt Hearing!—reverend Flamen,
[To the Prieſt.
Advance the Torch—
Phar.
[37]Thus be the deſp'rate Fire
[Buries the Torch in the Urn.
Of Enmity extinguiſh'd—ne'er again
Oh! ne'er to be renew'd!
Pom.
Behold I break
[Takes the Spear from the Prieſt.
The fatal Spear, and, as it falls to Earth,
So die deſtructive War!
Chorus of Prieſts.
Th' attentive Gods have heard our pious Pray'r,
For Innocence, and Virtue, are their Care.
Pom.
For Rome, I greet, and hold thee to my Heart.
This City be thine own! 'till Peace reſtore
Repoſe to Aſia, and to thee thine Empire.
Phar.
My Wife, my Child!—this Tranſport is too much!
Tam.
In what a Length, an Age of Miſery,
Have ſome few Hours involv'd us! and a Moment
To bring this great Deliverance!—O my Child!—
Phar.
Preſerve him ever there, and warn his Mind,
From theſe his Father's Errors, to correct
Impetuous Heat, and tread in Reaſon's Path.
Child.
My Mother's Virtue, and my Father's Honour,
I'll make my great Example.
Pom.
Now, Selinda,
I may, with Honour, aſk—
Sel.
What I, with Pride,
Conſent to, my Preſerver, Prince, and Maſter!
Pharnaces! Siſter!—my fond Heart is full
Of Rapture—do I live to ſee ye thus?
[38] AIR.
Now o'er your Eyes, ſo ſunk of late,
Gay Tranſport throws his glitt'ring Rays,
And, like the Sun, on ſwelling Floods,
Within the ſparkling Fluid plays.
O never may the Beam decay,
O be the Channel never dry,
But Virtue, from her thouſand Springs,
Eternal Streams of Joy ſupply!
Tam.
To thee, Selinda (Siſter of my Soul,
And ev'ry Feeling there) by Pompey's Virtue
Directed and inſpir'd, we owe it all.
AIR. Omitted in the Repre⯑ſentation.
Denied too ſoon a Father's Care,
The Comfort Nature lent,
Whom, while his Crimes my Boſom tear,
She bids my Soul lament;
Of foſt'ring Love the Pow'rs impart
In thee, kind Maid, an equal Store,
Nor could a Parent's laviſh Heart
Beſtow a Joy, a Bleſſing more.
Pom.
Oh what a glorious Change!—Let Muſic wake
Her various Melody, and to the World,
The wond'ring World, proclaim our Happineſs!
[39] AIR, Laſt.
QUINTETTO.
Pom.
Sweet Peace, eſcap'd from Diſcord's Chain,
Enraptur'd dances o'er the Plain!
Phar.
Fair Friendſhip ſhines in burniſh'd Veſt,
And Honour leads the noble Gueſt!
Child.
With placid Smile, Content is ſeen,
And bids the Boſom be ſerene!
Tam.
Glad Freedom takes the Mou [...]ner's Part,
And comforts, and exalts the Heart!
Sel.
Wealth in his gorgeous Trapping glows,
And round, and round his Treaſure throws!
Pom.
See Love his purple Pinions tries,
And ſcatters Bleſſings, as he flies!
CHORUS.
In myſtic Order they advance,
They raiſe the Note, they weave the Dance,
While in their Song this Truth's expreſt,
ENDURING VIRTUE MUST BE BLEST▪
FINIS.