a

They'll sell those mangled limbs at dearer rates What hinder'd me t' have led my conq'ring cagles
Than yon trim bands can buy.

To fill Octavius' bands? I could have been
Ant. Where left
you them?

A traitor then, a glorious, happy traitor,
Vent. I say, in Lower Syria.

And not have been so call'd.
Ant. Bring 'em hither ;

Ant. Forgive me, foldicr;
There may be life in these.

I've been too pailionate.
Vent. I hey will not comc.

[mis d aids, Font. You thought me false;
Ant. Why didst thou mock my hopes with pro- Thought my old age betray'd you. Kill me, Sir;
To double my despair? They're mutinous. Pray kill me; yet you need not, your unkindness
Vent. Most firm and loyal.

Has left your swoid no wo: k.
Axt. Yet they will not march

Ant, I did not think so ;
To fuccour me. O triller!

I said it in my rage : pr’ythee forgive me.
Vint. They petition

Why didst thou tempt my anger, by discovery
You would make haste to head 'em.

Of what I would not hcar?
Ant. I am besieg'd.

[hither Vent. No prince but you
Vint. There's but one way shut up-how came I Could merit that sincerity I us’d,
Ant. I will not stir.

Nor durft another man have ventur'd it:
Vent. They would perhaps desire

But you, ere love milled your wand'ring eyes,
A better reason.

Were sure the chief and best of human race, Ant. I have never us'd

Fram'd in the very pride and boast of nature.
My soldiers to demand a reason of

Ant. But Cleopatra
My actions. Why did they refuse to march? Go on ; for I can bear it now.
Vent. They faid they would not fight for Cle- Vint. No more.

(mayst: opatra,

Ant. Thou dar'ít not trust my passion; but thou Ant. What was't they said ?

Thou only lov ft, the rest have Matter'd me.
Vent. They said they would not fight for Cle- Vent. Heaven's bleiling on your lieart, for that
opatra.

kind word.
Why should they fight, indeed, to make her con- May I believe you love me? Speak again.
quer,

Ant. Indeed I do. Speak this, and this, and this.
And make you more a slave ? to gain you kingdoms, Thy praises were unjust; but I'll deserve 'em,
Which for a kils, at your next midnight feast

, And yet mend all. Do with me what thou wilt;
You'll fell to her --Then the new names her Lead me to victory, thou know'st the way.
jewels,

Vent. And, will you leave this.
And calls this diamond such or such a tax; Ant. Pr’ythee do not curse her,
Each pendant in her car thall be a province. And I will leave her; tho’ Heaven knows I love

Ant. Ventidius, I allow your tongue free licence Beyond life, conquest, empire, all but honour:
On all my other faults; but, on your life, But I will leave her.
No word of Cleopatra ; lhe deserves

Vent. That's my royal master.
More worlds than I can lose.

And shall we fight?
Vent. Behold you pow'rs,

Ant. I warrant thee, old soldier:
To whom you have entrusted human kind; Thou shalt bchold me once again in iron;
See Europe, Afric, Alia put in balance ;

And at the head of our old troops, that beat
And all weigh’ddownbyone light worthlets woman! The Parthians, cry aloud, Come, follow me!
I think the gods are Antonics, and give,

Vent. O, now I hear iny emperor! In that word
Like prodigals, this nether world away

OEtavius fell. Gods, let me fec that day;
To none but wasteful hands.

And, if I have ten years behind, take all;
Ant. You grow presumptuous.

I'll thank you for the exchange.
Vent. I take the privilege of plain love to speak. Ant. 0, Cleopatra !
Ant. Plain love! plain arrogance, plain info- Vent. Again!
lence!

Ant. I've done. In that last figh she went;
Thy men are cowards; thou, an envious traitor ; Cæfar thall know what 'tis to force a lover
Who, under seeming honesty, hath vented From all he holds most dear.
The burden of thy rank o'erflowing gall.

Vent. Methinks you brcathe
O, that thou were my equal; great in arms Another soul; your looks are more divine ;
As the first Cæfar was, that I might kill thee You speak a hero, and you move a god.
Without stain to my honour !

Ant. O, thou hast fir'd me! my soul's up in arms,
Vent. You may kill me.

And mans cach part about me.
You have done more already; call'd me traitor. That noble eagerness of fight has seiz'd me ;
Ant. Art thou not one?

That cagerness, with which I dartcd upward
Vent. For Thewing you yourself,

To Catlius' camp. In vain the steepy hill
Which none else durst' have done. But had I been Oppos'd my way; in vain a war of fpears
That name, which I disdain to speak again, Sung round my head, and planted all my shield;
I needed not have fought your abject fortunes, I won the trenches, while my foremost men
Come to partake your fate, to die with you. Lagg'd on the plain below.

Once again

Vent. Ye gods, ye gods,

Before this Roman healer. But, by the gods,
For fuch another honour !

Before I go, I'll rip the malady,
Ant. Come on, my foldier;

And let the venom flow before your eyes.
Our hearts and arms are fill the same. I long This is a debt to the great Theodosius,
Once more to meet our fues; that thou and I, The grandfather of your illustrious biood:
Like Time and Death, marching before our And then farewel for ever.
troops,

Thco. Prefuming Marcian!
May tafte fate to 'em ; mow 'em out a paisage, What canst thou urge against my innocence ?
And, ent ring where the utnioit squadrons yield, Thro' the whole course of all my harmless youth,
Begin the noble harvest of the field.

Ev'n to this hour, I cannot call to mind

One wicked act which I have done to thame me. § 30. Tbiofius and Marcian. LEE.

Mar. This may be true: yet if you give the sway

To other hands, and your poor subjects suffer,
Tbeo.

HA!

A! what rash thing art thou, who Your negligence to them is as the cause.
sett'rt fo small

o Theodofius, credit me, who know
A value on thy life, thus to presume

The world, and hear how soldiers censure kings;
Against the fatal orders I have given,

In after-times, if thus

you
Should

go on,
Thus to entrench on Cæfar's folitude,

Your memory by warriors will be Icorn'd,
And urge me to thy ruin?

As much as Nero or Caligula loath'd;
Mar. Mighty Cæfar,

They will despise your hloth, and backward case,
I have tranfgrefs'd; and for my pardon bow More than they hate the others' cruelty.
To thee, as to the gods, when I offend: And what a thing, ye gods, is fcorn, or pity!
Nor can I doubt your mercy, when you know Heap on me, Heaven, the hate of all mankind;
The nature of my crime. I am commiflion'd Load me with malice, envy, deteftation;
From all the earth to give thee thanks and praises, Let me be horrid to all apprehension,

Thou darling of mankind! whose conq’ring arms And the world thun me, lo I 'Icape but fcorn.
Already drown the glory of great Julius; Theo. Pr'ythee no more.
Whofe deeper reach in laws and policy

Mar. Nay, when the legions make comparisons,
Makes wife Augustus envy thee in heaven ! And say, Thus cruel Nero once resolv'd
What mean the Fates by such prodigious virtue? On Galba's insurrection, for revenge,
When scarce the manly down yet shades thy face, To give all France as plunder to the army;
With conquetts thus to over-run the world, To poison the whole senate at a feast;
And make barbarians tremble. O ye yoxls! To burn the city, turn the wild beasts out,
Should Destiny now end thee in the bloom, Bcars, lions, tigers, on the multitude;
Methinks I see thce mourn'd above the lots That so obstructing those that quench'd the fire,
Of lov'd Germanicus; thy funerals,

He might at once destroy rebellious Romeo
Like his, are folemniz'd with tears and blood.

Tbeo. O cruelty ! whý tell'ít thou me of this?!
Tbeo. How Marcian !

Am I of such a barb'rous bloody temper
Mur. Yes, thc raging multitude,

Ma. Yet fome will say, This thew'd he had a
Like torrents, set no bound to their mad grief;

spirit,
Shave their wives heads and tear off their own However fierce, avenging, and pernicious,
hair :

That favour'd of a Roman : but for you,
With wild despair they bring their infants out, What can your partial sycophants invent,
To brawl their parents forrow in the streets: To make you room among the emperors?
Trade is no more, all courts of justice fiopt; Whole utinost is the finallest part of Nero;.
With stones they dath the windows of their tem- A pretty player, one that can act a hero,
ples,

And never be one. O ye immortal gods,
Pull down their altars, break their household gods; Is this the old Cæfarian majesty ?
And still the universal groan is this--

Now, in the name of our great Romulus,
“ Conftantinople's loft, our empire's ruin'd; Why sing you not, and fiddle too, as he did?
Since he is gone, that father of his country, Why have you not, like Nero, a Phonascus ?
Since he is dead, o life, where is thy pleasure ? One to take care of your celestial voice ?
O Rome, O conquer'd world, where is thy glory?" Lie on your back, my lord, and on your stomach
Theo. I know thee well, thy custom and thy Lay a thin plate of lead, abstain from fruits ;

And when the business of the stage is done,
Thou didst upbraid me: but no more of this, Retire with your loote friends to costly banquets,
Not for thy life

While the lean army groans upon the ground.
Mar. What's life without my honour?

Theo. Leave me, I fay, lest I chastise thee;
Could you transform yourself into a Gorgon, Hence, be gone, I say-
Or make that beardleis face like Jupiter's,

Mar. Not till

you have heard me out.
I would be hcard in spite of all your thunder: Build too, like him, a palace lin’d with gold,
Opow'r of guilt! you fear to stand the test

As long and large as that of th' Esquiline ;
Which Virtuc brings; like fores your vices Inclose a pool too in it, like the sea,
Thake

And at the empire's cost let navies meet ;

D S

manners.

Adorn

word :

do not

lov'di

Adorn your starry chambers too with geins; Thou'st said, and done, and brought to my reContrive the plated ceilings to turn round,

membrance, With pipes to cait ambrosian oils upon you : I grow already weary of my

life. Consume with this prodigious vanity,

Mar. Mv jord, I take

your you In mere perfumes and odorous diftilations,

know Of felterces at once four hundred millions : The wounds which rage within your country's Let naked virgins wait you at your table,

bowels;
And wanton Cupids dance and clap their wings. The horrid usage of the suffering soldier :
No matter what becomes of the poor soldiers, But why will not our Theodosius know?
So they perform the drudgery they are fit for;

If
you

entrust the government to others
Why, let 'em starve for want of their arrears, That act these crimes, who but yourself's to blame?
Drop as they go, and lie like dogs in ditches. Be witness, O ye gods ! of my plain dealing,
Theo. Come, you are a traitor!

Of Marcian's loneity, howe'er derradet. Mar. Go to, you are a boy

I thank you for my banishment: bat, olas! Or by the gods

My lots is little to what foon will foilow! Tbeo. If arrogance like this,

Retiećt but on yourself and your own joys; And to the emperor's face, should 'scape unpu- Let not this lethargy for (ver hold you. nished,

'Twas rumour'd thro' the city, that

you I'll write myself a coward; die, then, villain, That your efpoufils should be fulemiiz'd; A death too giorious for so bad a man,

When en a ludden here you erxi your orders By Theodotius' hand.

That this brigt favcurite, the lov d Eudlia, [Marciun disurms bim, but is wounded. Should lose her head. Mar. Now, fir, where are you?

Theo. O heaven and earth! Wha: Cay'st thou? What, in the name of all our Roman spirits, That I have feal'd the death of my Eudofia! Now charms my hand from giving thee thy fate? Mar. 'Tis your own hand and fignet : yet I Has he not cut me off om all my honours :

swear, Torn my commillions, tham'd me to the earth,

Tho'
you

have given to female hands your sway,
Banish'd the court, a vagabond for ever? And therefore I, as well as the whole army,
Do not the foldiers hourly ask it from ine? For ever ought to cure all womankind;
Sigh their own wrongs, and beg metorevenge'em? Yet when the virgin came, as the was dom'd,
What hinders now, but that I mount the throne | And on the scaffold, for that purpose rais d
And make, besides, this purple youth my footfool! Without the walls, appear'd before the army-
The armies court me : and my country's cause, Theo. What! on a scaffold! ha! before the army?
The injuries of Rome and Greece, persuade me. Mar. How quilily was the tide of fury turn'd
Shew but this Roman blood which he has drawn, To soft compaifion, and relenting tears!
They'll make me emperor whether I will or no: But when the axe
Did not, for less than this, the latter Brutus, Sever'd the brightest beauty of the earth
Because he thought Rome wrong'd, in person head From that fair body-ad you heard the groan,
Against his friend a black conípiracy,

Which, like a peal of diftant thunder, ran And ftab the majesty of all the world ?

Through all the armed host, you would have Tbci. A&t as you please: I am within your pow'r. thought,

Mar. Did not the former Brutus, for the crime By the immediate darkness that fell round us, Of Sextus, drive old Tarquin from his kingdom | Whole nature was concern'd at such a luff ring, And thall this prince too, by permitting others

And all the gods were angry.
To act their wicked wills, and lawless pleasures, Thro. O Pulcheria!
Ravish from the empire its dear health,

Cruel, ambitious fister! this must be
Well-being, happiness, and ancient glory? I hy doing. O, lupport me, noble Marcian!
Go on in this dithonourable rest?

Now, now's the time, if thou dar'it strike: behold, Shall he, I say, dream on, while the starv'd troops I offer thee my breait ; with my last breath, Lie cold and waking in the winter camp; I'll thank thee too, if now thou draw't blood. And, like pin’d birds, for want of sustenance, Were I to live, thy counsel should direct me; Feel on the haws and berries of the fields ? But 'tis too late O temper, temper me, ye gracious gods;

Mar. Hc f:ints! What, hoa, there! Lucius 1 Give to my hand forbearance, to my heart My lord the emperor! Eudosia lives; Its conitant loyalty! I would but shake him, She's here, or will be in a minute, moment ! Rouse him a little from this death of honour, Quick as the thought, she calls you to the temple. And shew him what he should be.

O, Lucius, help!--I've gone too far; but fee, Tbeo. You accuse me,

He breathes again.-Eudonia has awaked him.
As if I were some monster most unheard of ! Thco. Did you not name Eudosia ?
First, as the ruin of the army; then

Mar. Yes, the lives :
Of taking your commillion : but by Heaven I ditt but feign the story of her death,
I swear, O Marcian! this I never did,

To find how near you plac'd her to your heart: Nor ne'er intended it: nor say I this

And may the gods rain all their plagues upon me, To alter thy stern usage ; for with what If ever I rebuke you thus again!

Yes

a

my

Yet 'ejs most certain that you fign'd her death, Believe me, she has won me much to pity her :
Not knowing what the wile Pulcheria offlr'd, Alas! her gentle nature was not made
Who left it in my hand to startle you :

To buffet with adversity. I told her
But, by my life and fame, I did not think How worthily her cause you had befriended;
It would have touch'd your life. O pardon me, How much for your good lake we meant to do;
Dear prince, my lord, my emperor, royal master; That you had spoke, and all things should be well.
Droop not because I utter'd foine rash words, Haft. Your highness binds me ever to your ler
And was a madman.--By the immortal gods

vice. I love you as my soul: whate'er I faid,

Gloff. You know your friendthip is most potent My thoughts were otherwise ; believe these tears,

with us, Which do not use to flow: all thall be well. And saares our power. But of this enough, I swear that there are seeds in that twect temper, For we have other matrer for your ear ; T'atone for all the crimes in this bad age. The state is out of tune : diftracting fears,

Thco. I thank thee first for my Eudolia's life. And jealous doubts, jar in our public counsels; What but my love could have callid back that life Amidst the wealthy city murmurs rise, Whichthou hast made me hatc: But, O, methought Lewd railings, and reproach on those that rule, 'Twas hard, dear Marcian, very hard, from thce, With open icorn of government; hence credit, From him I ever reverenc'd as my father, And public trust twixt man and man, are broke. To hear so harth a message !--But no more; The golden streams of commerce are withheld, We're friends: thy hand. Nay, it thou wilt not Which fed the wants of needy hinds and artizans, rise,

Who therefore curse the great, and threat rebellion. And let me fold iny arms about thy neck, Hafi. The retty knaves are over-run with eate, I'll not believe thy love : in this forgive me. As plenty ever is the nurse of faction ; First let me wed Eudosia, and we'll out; If in good days, like these, the headftrong herd We will, my general, and make amends Grow madly wanton, and repine, it is For all that's paft : glory and arms, ye call, Because the reins of pow'r are held too Nack, And Marcian leads me on!

And reverend authority of late Mar. Let her not reft, then;

Has worn a face of mercy more than justice. Espouse her straight: I'll strike you at a hcat. Gloft. Bcthrew my heart! but you have well May this great humour gut large growth within

divin'd you;

The source of these disorders. Who can wonder And be encourag'd by the embold'ning gods! If riot and misrule o'crturn the realın, () what a fight will this be to the foldier, When the crown sits upon a baby brow? To see me bring you drets d in thining armour, Plainly to speak-hence comes the gen'ral cry, Tohcad the shouting squadrons !--O ve gods! And lum of all complaint : 'twill ne'er be well Methinks I hear the echoing cries of joy, With England (thus they talk) while children The sounds of trumpets, and the beat of drums ; govern.

[that? I fec cach itarving foldier bound from carth, Haft. 'Tis true the king is young; but what of As if a god by miracle had rais'd hin; Wc feel no want of Edward's riper years, And, with beholding you, grow fat again! While Glofter's valour and most princely wisdom Nothing but gazing cyes, and op'ning mouths, So well supply our infant fovereign's place, Checks red with joy, and lifted hands about you; His youth's support, and guardian to his throne. Some wiping the glad scars that trickle down Gloft. The council (much I'm bound to thank With broken lo's, and with sobbing rapturcs,

'em for't) Crying, To arms! he's come; our emperor's come have plac'd a pageant sceptre in my hand, To win the world !- Why, is not this far better Barren of pow'r, and subject to controul ; Than lolling in a lady's lap, and Necping, Scorn'd by my foes, and useless to my friends Faltingor praying? Comc, come, you shall be merry: O worthy lord ! were mine the rule indeed, And for Eudotia, she is yours already:

I think I should not füffcr rank offence Marcian has said it, fir; the shall be yours. Ac large to lord it in the commonweal;

Theo, O Marcian! O my brother, father, all! Nor would the realm be rent by discord thus, Thou best of friends! most faithful counsellor! Thus fear and doubt, betwixt disputed titles. I'll find a match for thce too, cre I rest,

Haft. Of this I am to Icarn; as not supposing To make the love me. For when thou art with A doubt like this

G7 ft. Ay, marry, but there is; I'm strong and well; but when thou’rt gone, I'm And that of much concern. Have you not heard nothing.

How, on a late occasion, Doctor Shaw
Has mov'd the people much about the lawfulness
of Edward's ifiue By right grave authority

Of learning and religion plainly proving, $ 40. Gyer and Hiftings. Rowe.

A bastard icion never should be grafted
Gin.

MY
Y lord, y' are well encounter'd; here I'pon a roval frock ; from thence, at full
has been

Discourfing on my brother's former contract A fair petitioner this morning with us; To Lady Elizabeth Lucy, long before

me,

thould pay.

His jolly match with that same buxom widow For me, I ask no more than honour gives,
The queen he left behind him-

Tothink me yours, and rank me with your friends.
Haft. Ill be fal

Haf. Accept what thanks a grateful heart
Such meddling priests, who kindle up confusion,
And vex the quiet world with their vain fcruples! O princely Glofter! judge me not ungentle,
By Heaven, 'tis done in perfect spite to peace. Of manners rude, and infolent of speech,
Did not the king,

If, when the public safety is in question,
Our royal master, Edward, in concurrence

My zcal flows warm and eager from my tongue.
With his estates assembled, well determine Gloft. Enough of this; to deal in wordy com-
What course the fov'reign rule should take hence-

pliment forward ?

Is much against the plainness of my nature : When shall the deadly hate of faction ccase, I judge you by myself, a clcar true spirit; When shall our long-divided land have rest, And, as such, once more join you to my bosom. If every peevith, moody malecontent

Farewel, and be my fricnd.

[Exit. Shall set the senseless rabble in an uproar,

Haft. I am not read, Fright them with dangers, and perplex their Nor ikill'd and practis'd, in the arts of greatness, brains,

To kindle thus, and give a fcope to pallon. Each day, with some fantastic giddy change ? The duke is furely noble; but he touch'd me

Glost. Whatif some patriot, for the public good, Ev'n on the tend 'rest point, the master-liring Should vary from your scheme, new-mould the That makes most harmony or discord to me. state?

I own the glorious subject fires my breast,
Haf. Curse on the innovating hand attempts it! And my soul's darling passion stands confcss'd ;
Remember him, the villain, righteous Heaven, Beyond or love's or friendship’s facred band,
In thy great day of vengeance! Blast the traitor Beyond myself, I prize my native land :
And his pernicious counsels, who for wealth, On this foundation would I build my fame,
For pow'r, the pride of greatness, or revenge,

And emulate the Greek and Roman name;
Would plunge his native land in civil wars ! Think England's peace bought cheaply with my
Gloft. You go too far, my lord.

blood,
Haft. Your highness' pardon-

And die with pleasure for my country's good.
Have we 10 foon forgot those days of ruin,
When York and Lancaster drew forth the battles?
When, like a matron butcher'd by her fons,

§ 41. Guftavus and Dalecarlians. BROOKB. And cast beside some common way, a spectacle

ET us all see him !
Of horror and affright to passers by,
Our groaning country bled at ev'ry veio ; 3d Dale. Let us be sure 'tis he himself.
When murders, rapes, and massacres prevail'd ; 416 Dalc. Our general.
When churches, palaces, and cities blaz'd; 5th Dale. And we will fight while weapons can
When infolence and bai bariim triumph'd,

be found.
And swept away distinction ; peafants trod 616 Dale. Or hands to wield them.
Upon the necks of pobles: low were laid

746 Dale. Get on the bank, Gustavus,
The reverend crosier and the holy mitre,

Anderson. Do, my lord.
And defolation cover'd all the land ;

Guftavus. My countrymen !
Who can remember this, and not, like me,

ist Dale. Ho! hcar him!
Here vow to thcath a dagger in his heart

2d Dale. Peace ! Whose damn'd ambition would renew those hor- 3d Dale. Peace ! rors,

416 Dale. Peace!

[hearts, And set once more that scene of blood before us? Gus. Amazement I perceive hath fill'd your Gloft. How now! so hot!

And joy for that your loft Gustavus, 'scap'd
Haft. So brave, and so resolv'd.

Thro' wounds, imprisonments, and chains, and
Gloft. Is then our friendship of fo little moment, deaths,
That you could arm your hand against my life? Thus sudden, thus unlook'd for, ftands before ye.
Haji. I hope your' highness does not think I As one escap'd from cruel hands I come,
meant it;

From hearts that ne'er knew piry, dark and
No, Heaven forefend that e'er your princely person vengeful;
Should come within the scope of my resentment. Who quaff the tears of orphans, bathe in blood,
Gloft. O noble Hastings! Nay, I inust embrace And know no music but the groans of Sweden.
you:

Yet, not for that my lifter's early innocence,
By holy Paul, y' are a right honest man! And mother's age, now grind beneath captivity ;
The time is full of danger and distrust,

Nor that onc bloody, one remorseless hour
And warns us to be wary. Hold me not Swept my great fire and kindred from

my
Too apt for jealousy and light surmise,

For them Guftavus weeps not, tho' my eyes
If when I mean to lodge you next my heart,

Were far less dear, for them I will not wcep.
I put your truth to trial. Keep your loyalty, But, o great parcnt, when I think on thec !
And live, your king and country's best support: Thy numberless, thy nameless, thamefulinfamics,

if Dale. Leid Dale. Yes, and hear him too.

side

3