These his dread wand did to short life compel,
And forced the fates of battles to foretel.

Max. "Tis wonderous strange! But, good Placidius, say,

What prophecies Nigrinus of this day?

Plac. In a lone tent, all hung with black, I saw, Where in a square he did a circle draw; Four angles, made by that circumference, Bore holy words inscribed, of mystic sense. When first a hollow wind began to blow, The sky grew black, and bellied down more low; Around the fields did nimble lightning play, Which offered us by fits, and snatched the day. 'Midst this was heard the shrill and tender cry Of well-pleased ghosts, which in the storm did fly; Danced to and fro, and skimmed along the ground, Till to the magic circle they were bound. They coursing it, while we were fenced within, We saw this dreadful scene of fate begin.

Char. Speak without fear; what did the vision shew?

Plac. A curtain, drawn, presented to our view A town besieged; and on the neighbouring plain Lay heaps of visionary soldiers slain.

A rising mist obscured the gloomy head
Of one, who, in imperial robes, lay dead.
Near this, in fetters, stood a virgin crowned,
Whom many Cupids strove in vain to wound:
A voice,-To-morrow, still To-morrow rung;
Another,-Io, Io Paan sung.

Char. Visions and oracles still doubtful are,
And ne'er expounded till the event of war.
The gods' foreknowledge on our swords will wait:
If we fight well, they must foreshow good fate.

To them a Centurion.

Cent. A rising dust, which troubles all the air, And this way travels, shews some army near. Char. I hear the sound of trumpets from afar. [Exit ALBINUS. Max. It seems the voice of triumph, not of war,

To them ALBINUS again.

Alb. Health and success our emperor attends:
The forces, marching on the plain, are friends.
Porphyrius, whom you Egypt's prætor made,
Is come from Alexandria to your aid.

Max. It well becomes the conduct and the care
Of one so famed and fortunate in war.
You must resign, Placidius, your command;
To him I promised the prætorian band.
Your duty in your swift compliance show;
I will provide some other charge for you.

Plac. May Cæsar's pleasure ever be obeyed, With that submission, which by me is paid. Now all the curses envy ever knew, Or could invent, Porphyrius pursue! [Aside. Alb. Placidius does too tamely bear his loss; [TO CHARINUS. This new pretender will all power engross: All things must now by his direction move, And you, sir, must resign your father's love. Char. Yes; every name to his repute must bow; There grow no bays for any other brow. He blasts my early honour in the bud, Like some tall tree, the monster of the wood; O'ershading all which under him would grow, He sheds his venom on the plants below.

Alb. You must some noble action undertake, Equal with his your own renown to make.

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.

Mar. 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.

Max. 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.
Max. 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. Mar. 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! Mar. 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.
Max. 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. Max. 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;