Char. I am not for a slothful envy born;
I'll do't this day, in the dire vision's scorn.
He comes: We two like the twin stars appear;
Never to shine together in one sphere.

[Exeunt CHAR. and ALBINUS.

Enter PORPHYRIUS attended.

Max. Porphyrius, welcome; welcome as the light To cheerful birds, or as to lovers night; Welcome as what thou bring'st me, victory.

Por. That waits, sir, on your arms, and not on me.
You left a conquest more than half achieved,
And for whose easiness I almost grieved.
Yours only the Egyptian laurels are;

I bring you but the reliques of your war.
The Christian princess, to receive your doom,
Is from her conquered Alexandria come;
Her mother, in another vessel sent,

A storm surprised, nor know I the event:
Both from your bounty must receive their state,
Or must on your triumphant chariot wait.

Mar. From me they can expect no grace, whose

minds

An execrable superstition blinds.

Apol. The gods, who raised you to the world's command,

Require these victims from your grateful hand.
Por. To minds resolved, the threats of death are

vain;

They run to fires, and there enjoy their pain;
Not Mucius made more haste his hand to expose
To greedy flames, than their whole bodies those.
Mar. How to their own destruction they are
blind!

Zeal is the pious madness of the mind.

Por. They all our famed philosophers defy, And would our faith by force of reason try.

Apol. I beg it, sir, by all the powers divine. That in their right this combat may be mine. Max. It shall; and fifty doctors of our laws. Be added to you, to maintain the cause.

Enter BERENICE, the Empress; VALERIA, daughter to the Emperor, and EROTION.

Plac. The empress and your daughter, sir, are here.

Por. What dangers in those charming eyes appear! [Looking on the Empress. How my old wounds are opened at this view, And in my murderer's presence bleed anew! Max. I did expect your coming, to partake

[To the Ladies. The general gladness which my triumphs make. You did Porphyrius as a courtier know; But as a conqueror behold him now.

Ber. You know (I read it in your blushing face),

To merit, better than receive a grace:
And I know better silently to own,

[TO POR.

Than with vain words to pay your service done. Por. Princes, like gods, reward ere we deserve; [Kneeling to kiss her hand. And pay us, in permitting us to serve.

O might I still grow here, and never move! [Lower. Ber. How dangerous are these ecstacies of love! He shews his passion to a thousand eyes;

He cannot stir, nor can I bid him rise.

That word my heart refuses to my tongue! [Aside. Mar. Madam, you let the general kneel too long. Por. Too long! as if eternity were so. [Aside. Ber. Rise, good Porphyrius-since it must be so.

[Aside.

Por. Like hermits from a vision I retire, [Rising. With eyes too weak to see what I admire. [Aside.

Val. The empress knows your worth; but, sir,

there be

[TO PORPHYRIUS, who kisses her hand.

Those who can value it as high as she.

And 'tis but just (since in my father's cause
You fought) your valour should have my applause.
Plac. O jealousy, how art thou eagle-eyed!
She loves; and would her love in praises hide:
How am I bound this rival to pursue,

Who ravishes my love and fortune too! [Aside.
A dead march within, and trumpets.
Mar. Somewhat of mournful, sure, my ears does

wound;

Like the hoarse murmurs of a trumpet's sound, And drums unbraced, with soldiers' broken cries.

Enter ALBINUS.

Albinus, whence proceeds this dismal noise? Alb. Too soon you'll know what I want words to tell.

Max. How fares my son? Is my Charinus well?" Not answer me! Oh my prophetic fear!

Alb. How can I speak, or how, sir, can you hear?

Imagine that which you would most deplore,
And that, which I would speak, is it, or more.
Max. Thy mournful message in thy looks I read :
Is he (oh that I live to ask it!) dead?

Alb. Sir

Max. Stay; if thou speak'st that word, thou speak'st thy last :

Some God now, if he dares, relate what's past:
Say but he's dead, that God shall mortal be.
Alb. Then, what I dare not speak, look back and

see. [CHARINUS borne in dead by soldiers. Max. See nothing, eyes, henceforth, but death. and woe;

You've done me the worst office you can do.
You've shewn me destiny's preposterous crime;
An unripe fate, disclosed ere nature's time.

Plac. Assuage, great prince, your passion, lest you shew

There's somewhat in your soul which fate can bow. Por. Fortune should by your greatness be controuled:

Arm your great mind, and let her take no hold.
Max. To tame philosophers teach constancy;
There is no farther use of it in me.

Gods! but why name I you!

All that was worth a prayer to you is gone ;-
I ask not back my virtue, but my son.

Alb. His too great thirst of fame his ruin brought; Though, sir, beyond all human force he fought.

Plac. This was my vision of this fatal day!

Alb. With a fierce haste he led our troops the

.way,

While fiery showers of sulphur on him rained;
Nor left he, till the battlements he gained:
There with a forest of their darts he strove,
And stood, like Capaneus defying Jove;
With his broad sword the boldest beating down,
While fate grew pale lest he should win the town;
And turned the iron leaves of its dark book,
To make new dooms, or mend what it mistook;
Till, sought by many deaths, he sunk, though late,
And by his fall asserted doubtful fate.

Val. Oh my dear brother! whom heaven let us

see,

And would not longer suffer him to be!

chuse,

Mar. And didst not thou a death with honour [TO ALB. But impudently liv'st to bring this news?

After his loss how did'st thou dare to breathe?
But thy base ghost shall follow him in death,

A decimation I will strictly make
Of all, who my Charinus did forsake;
And of each legion, each centurion
Shall die

Placidius, see my pleasure done.
Por. Sir, you will lose, by this severity,
Your soldiers' hearts.

Max. Why, they take pay to die.
Por. Then spare Albinus only.
Max. I consent

To leave his life to be his punishment.
Discharged from trust, branded with infamy,
Let him live on, till he ask leave to die.
Ber. Let me petition for him.

Mar. I have said;

And will not be intreated, but obeyed.

But, empress, whence does your compassion grow? Ber. You need not ask it, since my birth you

know.

The race of Antonines was named the good:
I draw my pity from my royal blood.

Mar. Still must I be upbraided with your line?
I know you speak it in contempt of mine.
But your late brother did not prize me less,
Because I could not boast of images;

And the Gods own me more, when they decreed, A Thracian shepherd should your line succeed. Ber. The Gods! O do not name the

powers

vine,
They never mingled their decrees with thine.
My brother gave me to thee for a wife,
And for my dowry thou didst take his life.

di

Mar. The Gods by many victories have shewn, That they my merits and his death did own.

Ber. Yes, they have owned it; witness this just day,

When they begin thy mischiefs to repay.
See the reward of all thy wicked care