[]
JASON; A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS. BY R. GLOVER, ESQ. AUTHOR OF "LEONIDAS, AN EPIC POEM."
—Ex fumo dare lucem Cogitat, ut ſpecioſa dehinc miracula promat.
Hor. de Art. Poet. v. 143
LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. DEBRETT, OPPOSITE BURLINGTON-HOUSE, PICCADILLY. MDCCXCIX.
TO THE READER.
[]THE following Tragedy, which is now of⯑fered to the Public from the pen of RICHARD GLOVER, Eſq. Author of LEONIDAS, is a Sequel to the MEDEA, which has been per⯑formed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with the greateſt applauſe. This Piece was preſented by him, many years previous to his death, to the celebrated Mrs. Yates, who paſſed the higheſt encomiums upon it; but owing to the grandeur of the ſcenery, and the expenſe required to bring it forward, it was altogether laid aſide; and it has ſince that period been offered to the Managers of both Theatres, who ſtill have the ſame objection. It is therefore only neceſſary to add, that the Public, well knowing the Author's talents, have it in their power to judge of its merits or defects.
July 26, 1799.
G. Y. B.
Dramatis Perſonae.
[]- JASON, under the name of MELAMPUS.
- MADAUCES.
- ORONTES.
- Genius of Caucaſus.
- MEDEA, or the Enchantreſs.
- CASSANDANE.
- Nymphs and Spirits.
SCENE.—A Caſtle near Mount Caucaſus, and the Caſpian Sea.
[]JASON.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
MELAMPUS completely armed, and MADAUCES bearing a wand.
MADAUCES.
THESE ſnow-topp'd mountains, green in wood below;
That reſtleſs flood, which wears its ſtony bed,
And parts the meadows; yon expanſe of waters,
Which, at the vale's extremity, preſents
A ſea; are all the workmanſhip of Nature:
The ſpot ſelected here is magic ground:
Theſe maſſy ſtructures, rivalling the hills,
Are not the labour of terreſtrial hands.
MELAMPUS.
Whoſe then, my ſage Madauces?
MADAUCES.
Doſt thou mark?
A troop of horſemen, iſſu'd from the wood,
Pace by the banks of that reſounding ſtream;
And one, who bears a diadem, precedes.
MELAMPUS.
[6]They may explain what region hath receiv'd us.
Meantime thy wonted caution will diſguiſe.
My name and country. Call me ſtill Melampus.—
Oh! couldſt thou hide me from myſelf, Madauces!
MADAUCES.
Is this a time for languor? Look, Melampus.
MELAMPUS.
A lion ſallies from that ſecret portal.
MADAUCES.
The tawny ſavage ruſhes on the chief
Of that advancing band. With coward fear
They ſhrink, they leave their unaſſiſted lord.
SCENE II.
MADAUCES to MELAMPUS, going.
Fly with an eagle's ſwiftneſs, thou unconquer'd.
Alas! the lion gripes the monarch's arm—
Wind thy ſtrong fingers in the ſhaggy mane—
One effort more will drag him down to earth—
Ay, there—thy jav'lin now will rive his heart.
O, in benignity proſuſe to others,
Unkind and rig'rous to thyſelf! They come.
SCENE III.
MADAUCES, MELAMPUS, and ORONTES.
ORONTES.
Far as a king may condeſcend in thanks,
I render mine to thee.
MELAMPUS.
[7]Thy arm is wounded.
ORONTES.
I feel no pain. Moſt fortunate of men!
Thou from this ridge of Caucaſus, around
The Caſpian ſhore to Iaxartes' ſource,
Shalt be proclaim'd the happy, who haſt ſav'd
Their lord, Orontes.
MELAMPUS.
Is that diſtant water
The ſar-fam'd Caſpian? This the hoary front
Oſ Caucaſus? Art thou the region's lord?
ORONTES.
The king of kings, of origin divine,
Who mean to raiſe thee nearer to myſelf.
Sev'n ſpacious cities, all with rich domains,
And the firſt rank among Orontes' ſervants,
Shall ſoon exalt thee from thy humble ſtate.
MELAMPUS.
Sev'n times ſev'n cities, capitals of realms,
Could not repair my loſs, nor eaſe my troubles.
MADAUCES.
Melampus!
ORONTES.
Doſt thou talk or think of troubles?
None canſt thou ſeel, protected by my favour.
To glad thee more, I want thy further aid,
And will employ thee in a dearer cauſe
Than life itſelf. But inſtantly reveal
Thy birth and appellation.
MELAMPUS.
[8]Who I am,
Or whence deriv'd, avails not thee to know,
Me leſs to utter.
ORONTES.
I command thee, ſpeak.
Whence and what art thou is my will to know.
MELAMPUS.
Mine to conceal.
ORONTES.
Ha! ſtranger.
MADAUCES.
Prince, forbear.
Solicitation, or command, is fruitleſs.
ORONTES.
He muſt be then ſome deity, reſigning
His empyreal ſtation to defend
My ſacred head. None yet of mortal race
Hath diſobey'd my pleaſure, or endur'd
My wrinkling brow.
MELAMPUS.
No deity am I,
But one of earth's degen'rate ſons like thee.
ORONTES.
Then dar'ſt thou dally with a king's impatience?
MELAMPUS.
Why rather dally with my own reſentment,
Which ſhould chaſtiſe ingratitude and pride?
ORONTES.
[9]Am I Orontes? Do adoring vaſſals,
Do princes crowd to thruſt their ſplendid heads
Beneath my feet? Where am I?
MELAMPUS.
In my power.
ORONTES.
Thou at my ſmile no tranſport didſt betray,
Nor fear'ſt my frown.
MELAMPUS.
Thou look'ſt around in vain.
Thy baſe, adoring homagers are fled,
Fled from the danger which my arm withſtood.
They left their idol to the lion's paw,
And now to me, the victor of that ſavage.
Were my juſt anger equal to thy pride—
ORONTES.
Thou wouldſt not ſtain thy ſword with kingly blood!
MELAMPUS.
What ſhall prevent me? Thy imperial title?
Thy arrogance hath cancell'd all reſpect.
Or ſhall thy pow'r? Where is it? Thy dependants
Have left thee helpleſs. To thy ſingle might
Art thou contracted.
ORONTES
(aſide).
Strange theſe ſounds, yet true.
MELAMPUS.
Thou ſeem'ſi diſmay'd.
ORONTES.
[10]O ſtranger, I am mov'd,
But not with fear.
MELAMPUS.
Nor haſt thou cauſe. The ſallics
Of mere preſumption never ſhall provoke me
Thou art ſecure, Orontes; not that ſtreams
Of royal tincture have enrich'd thy veins,
But from the gen'rous warrant of thy aſpect.
Sure thou haſt ſeeds within, though yet unfruitful,
Through impious flatt'ry of barbarian ſlaves;
At leaſt my ſoul is earneſt to diſcover
A trace of merit in the man I ſav'd;
If thou haſt virtues ſleeping in thy boſom,
Attend with patience while I rouſe their languor.
ORONTES.
In admiration I ſuſpend my voice.
MELAMPUS.
To be a man, and know himſelf, is all
Man can attain. Whoe'er aſpires to more,
Is leſs than brute. The lion, whom I ſlew,
Had he addreſs'd me with his ſmarting paw,
And I extracted thence an irkſome thorn,
Would with mute thanks have lick'd my helpful hand.
Thou, juſt redeem'd from death's voracious maw,
Didſt with rude inſult thy protector greet.
Doth not that blood which trickles down thy arm
Denote thee frail? This day's miſchance proclaim
Thee and thy pow'r obnoxious to diſaſters,
And fortune's ſport? Did ſickneſs never waſte
Thy pamper'd fleſh, nor anguiſh gnaw thy heart?
ORONTES.
Oh!
MELAMPUS.
[11]Ceaſe to fear. I am thy friend.
ORONTES.
I own it.
But thy inquiry, if devouring anguiſh
Hath never gnaw'd my boſom, doth a note
Of diſcord ſtrike which quite untunes my ſoul.
I am, indeed, obnoxious to diſaſters,
And fortune's ſport.
MADAUCES.
Direct us where to lead thee,
And wind thy mantle round that wounded arm.
ORONTES.
If my whole frame were overſpread with wounds,
They would be gentle to the rankling ſhaft,
Long fix'd, and deep, within my tortur'd heart.
Ye ramparts inacceſſible, which hold
My hopes and joys, ah! never, never more
Through your enchanted portals muſt I paſs
To view the queen of beauty! O, my friend,
To me the pomp of royalty is tedious,
The high repaſt is taſteleſs, gems are ſaint,
Perſumes diſguſtful, ſofteſt muſic harſh.
Oft, as our god aſcends his eaſtern hill,
And dips in darkneſs his returning wheels,
I ſit and weep at theſe forbidden gates.
MELAMPUS.
Who is this fair one?
ORONTES.
Fair! That ruling pow'r,
Whoſe beams yet tinge the ſhadowy plumes of ev'ning,
[12] In his meridian ſplendour is leſs bright,
The ſnowy luſtre of the moon leſs fair.
MELAMPUS.
Now, if by wily ſtratagem or force
I may aſſiſt thee—
ORONTES.
Wilt thou, gallant ſtranger?
MELAMPUS.
I will.
ORONTES.
Then ſwear. Forgive, forgive my weakneſs.
How can I doubt thee?
MELAMPUS.
On my ſword I ſwear,
By ev'ry tie of honour, and of truth—
ORONTES.
That thou this high achievement wilt attempt;
That ſhould this magic threſhold yield thee paſſage,
Thou wilt apply to yon diſdaining fair
That eloquence, which charms my pride away,
And win her pity to a dying monarch,
Who throws his youth and empire at her feet.
MELAMPUS.
I call on Themis to record my oath.
ORONTES.
What god is Themis?
MELAMPUS.
Goddeſs ſhe of juſtice,
In her pure ſervice hath enroll'd my ſword,
[13] And on my ſhield her image is impreſs'd.
Oh! that my heart had borne it!
[Aſide.
MADAUCES.
Hear the king.
ORONTES.
Wait till the morn. A rural palace near
Shall give thee welcome to a feaſtful board,
To ſtrains concordant with th' enliv'ning dance,
And to refreſhment on a couch of odours.
MELAMPUS.
Thrice hath the ſun perſorm'd his annual courſe,
Since I was ſeated at a ſocial feaſt,
Since grief-aſſuaging muſic lull'd my ear,
And in my view the cheerful dance inſpir'd;
Since I have ſtretch'd me on no ſoſter couch
Than earth's cold ſurface, or th' unquiet deck,
With night's unfriendly moiſture to contend,
With clam'rous tempeſts, and the beating rain.
No other pillow, than ſome pointed crag
Beſide that water's melancholy fall,
To broken ſlumber ſhall invite my head.
ORONTES.
Unequall'd hardſhips! Liv'ſt thou to relate them!
Wilt thou be ſtill offended, if a prince
Benignly try to ſathom thy diſtreſs,
And raiſe thy head to comfort?
MELAMPUS.
Reſt content.
My ſword is thine, my ſorrow mine alone.
ORONTES.
Enough.
MADAUCES.
[14]Enough indeed of time is waſted.
Prince, thou doſt wnat ſome ſalutary hand.
We will tranſport thee gently—
MELAMPUS
to ORONTES.
Ha! thou droop'ſt.
Thy lips are pale.
ORONTES.
Support me. Muſi I die!
Then near thee, cruel portal, ſhall I find
For the firſt time repoſe.
[Sinks down.
MELAMPUS.
His eyes are clos'd.
No help is near. He dies—and I the cauſe.
SCENE III.
A cloud deſcends, concealing the gale of the caſtle, and the body of ORONTES, from MELAMPUS and MA⯑DAUCES.
MADAUCES
retreating with MELAMPUS.
Around us all is marv'lous.
MELAMPUS.
Thoſe rude blaſts,
Whoſe ſudden burſt repell'd us—
MADAUCES.
Did not riſe
At Nature's ſummons.
MELAMPUS.
[15]What a cloud is fall'n,
Impenetrably dark, and veils the caſtle!
MADAUCES.
Nor this a genuine vapour of the earth,
But for ſome hidden purpoſe fram'd by magic.
Look, it diſperſes, and the wind is charm'd
Again to ſilence. Ha! the king is gone.
MELAMPUS.
Gone! Whither?
MADAUCES.
Aſk of heav'n.
MELAMPUS.
Life fled before,
By me expell'd.
MADAUCES.
He only was exhauſted
By loſs of blood, not dead.
MELAMPUS.
He died, I tell thee.
My ficrceneſs, my ſeverity, deſtroy'd him.
Why ſhould a wretch like me preſume to cenſure
Another's frailty? I, who nurſe within me
Two living vipers, horror and remorſe,
I with the venom of my breath have blaſted
His languid ſpirit.
MADAUCES.
O for ever blind
To thy own merit, thou didſt then ſurpaſs
Thy wonted magnanimity and patience.
The ſnowy range of yonder hills diſplays
Not whiter flecces to the morning's ray,
[16] Than doth repentance to the eye of heav'n
Thy boſom, blanch'd from guilt.
MELAMPUS.
It cannot be.
I feel myſelf deteſtable and hideous.
MADAUCES.
Shall never night return, but thou deſpond?
MELAMPUS.
No, never night to me ſhall uſher peace,
Nor the ſun joy.
MADAUCES.
O'ertoil'd, thou wanteſt reſt.
MELAMPUS.
Where ſhall I find it?
MADAUCES.
Come, recline thy head
On me.
MELAMPUS.
No, rather daſh it on a rock,
And ſo compoſe me to eternal reſt.
MADAUCES.
What would befal me then?
MELAMPUS.
Ah! what, indeed,
Benevolent and venerable man,
Who thy paternal manſion doſt abandon
To hear my howlings in theſe deſert ſhades?
All who conſort with me are doom'd to woe.
What is become of this unhappy king?
MADAUCES.
[17]Snatch'd from our ſight by necromantic pow'r.
Now let us try, what ſpot ſecure and tranquil
This wilderneſs may yield us. I will ſtand
A watchful guardian o'er thy head to wave
This awful rod, and meditate ſome charm,
Which may in ſilence bind the reſtleſs throat
Of night's ſhrill bird; the lion of his rage,
The fell hyaena of her craft diſarm,
And lurking tiger's vigilance elude;
That, undiſturb'd, on ſleep's refreſhing lap
Thy manly vigour may relieve its toils:
Then like an eagle ſpringing from his neſt,
With wings expanded and undazzled ſight,
To meet the ſun, intrepid ſhalt thou riſe,
Shalt look on glory, and forget thy woes.
END OF THE FIRST ACT.
ACT II.
[18]SCENE I.
The Genius of Caucaſus holding a branch of palm, and looking through the ſide-ſcene.
He ſings.
[Trochaics.
LOVE-LORN maiden, I behold
Through theſe wilds thy dubious ſteps.
Me thou ſeeſt not, but thy ear
With conſoling notes I fill.
Arm'd with ſafety are thy feet:
I am ſent thy guide and guard.
CASSANDANE,
entering.
By love, by grief impell'd, and, voice benign!
By thee encourag'd, Caſſandane bends
At theſe forbidden gates her ſuppliant knee.
Sublime poſſeſſor of theſe myſtic walls,
Known by thy virtues only, while thy name
And hiſtory lie bury'd in concealment,
Who bear'ſt no title, but of ſage enchantreſs,
Beneficent and gracious to theſe nations!
Redeem'd by thee from peſtilence and famine,
Enrich'd with conqueſt and elate with triumph,
They once ador'd thy preſence, but, deſponding,
Regret thee now, their guardian pow'r withdrawn.
Thou doſt not hear. Ah me! Theſe maſſy bul⯑warks
Shut Caſſandane from thy ear and ſight.
Can I obtain a boon refus'd to all?
[19]The Genius ſings.
[Trochaics.
Injur'd maid, thy ſuit prefer:
Pity dwells within theſe gates,
Science to redreſs thy wrongs.
Caſſandane, doubt no more.
CASSANDANE,
kneeling.
Then by thy pity, by my own ſlight merits,
Which once endear'd me to thy ſmile, I ſue;
Stupendous woman, paragon of wiſdom!
Let not another's ſault exclude me longer!
O, to thy preſence grant my woes acceſs!
The Genius ſings.
[Trochaics.
Horrid centinel, obey
What thy potent miſtreſs wills:
To this virgin entrance give,
But thy hideous form conceal.
SCENE II.
A Spirit appearing on the battlement.
To mortal ſight inviſible I riſe,
And curſe thee, hateful meſſenger of pity,
Who open throw'ſt theſe interdicted gates.
CASSANDANE
ſtarting, as the gates fly open.
Oh, direful voice! how diſſonant from thine,
Intelligence harmonious, who, unſeen,
Yet warbling ſweet compaſſion, haſt upheld
My fearful ſpirit! O attend me ſtill!
[20]The Genius ſings.
[Cretics.
Void of fear, light in hope,
To my ſtrains dance along
Over ſlowers, under ſhades,
[Trochaics.
Shades attun'd to liquid ſounds
From the nightingales and rills.
CASSANDANE,
coming nearer to the gate.
Soft gales ſolicit with a fragrant whiſper:
Birds trilling, vocal founts in muſic call.
Bleſs'd habitation! Emblem of that goodneſs
Which governs here a reſuge to my troubles.
The Genius ſings.
[Cretics.
Child of care, vocal founts,
Trilling birds, fragrant gales,
Glowing flow'rs charm the ſenſe.
[Trochaics.
Here with wiſdom thou ſhalt reſt:
Theſe may ſooth, but wiſdom cures.
[The Spirit, ſinging, enters the caſtle; Caſſan⯑dane follows, and the gates cloſe again.
SCENE III.
The Spirit on the battlement.
Night is collecting all her ſable ſkirts,
To fly th' approaching dawn. Ye loit'ring nymphs,
Hear from your caves, your mountains, woods, and ſtreams;
With awe receive the ſignal of my voice
For preparation: while in ſounds of horror
I rouſe the victim from his rocky pillow.
Ill-guided wand'rer, whoſe advent'rous ſteps
Have paſs'd theſe lonely confines, didſt thou hope
To reſt conceal'd from me thy evil genius?
Awake. The raven with funcreal notes,
[21] The ſcreeching inmate of the moulder'd oak,
The tiger's yell, invite thee to deſpair;
While my infernal cries their diſcord aid
To pierce with dread thy enterpriſing ſoul,
Which ſhall to vultures leave thy mangled frame
In ſight of theſe impenetrable walls.
SCENE IV.
The Spirit vaniſhes. MELAMPUS and MADAUCES.
MELAMPUS.
Malignant voice, thy threat'nings I deſy.
MADAUCES.
There ſpoke my hero like himſelf.
MELAMPUS.
Why ſurely
Thou couldſt not think a phantom of the night
Could ſhake my long-try'd firmneſs. No, Ma⯑dauces,
I ſear no other than the direful image
Within me borne, and planted on my heart:
All elſe, apparcll'd in the blackeſt terrors,
The monſter's brood, the necromancer's ſpell,
Whate'er the name of Demogorgon draws
From Pluto's borders, I can face, unmov'd.
Thou then, whoſe mind delib'rate age and ſcience
Have cloth'd in wiſdom, give thy laſt inſtruction▪
And my ſwift ſword ſhall execute thy counſel.
The voice of a Nymph from behind the ſcene.
Whence is this wand'rer, who defiles our groves
With foul contagion from his perjur'd breath?
SECOND VOICE.
[22]It is Iolchian Jaſon, who, forſworn,
Betray'd his love; the weak ungrateful Jaſon,
Who for Creüſa, Creon's heir, abandon'd
The wiſe Medea, offspring of the ſun.
THIRD VOICE.
Ye woods, ye rocks, ye hollow-winding ſhores,
Ye caverns, found the perjuries of Jaſon.
MELAMPUS.
I am reveal'd. My echo'd name diſturbs
The nymphs, and fills their ſolitude with horror.
MADAUCES.
It is the cry of demons, to conſound
Thy reſolution.
MELAMPUS.
They declare me perjur'd.
Speak they not truth, Madauces? I am Jaſon,
That impious ſalſe-one. I betray'd Medea,
Who ſav'd me from diſnonour, who ſubdu'd
The Colchian monſters, bleſs'd my toils with love,
And crown'd my triumphs with the golden fleece.
I ſlew my children by her ſrantic hand.
Oh, my poor ſlaughter'd boys! Your father's falſe⯑hood
Gave birth to madneſs, which deſtroy'd you both!
MADAUCES.
Aid not thy ſoes.
MELAMPUS.
The bloody act was mine.
Ye fiends, divulge my parricide and treaſon;
Blaſt with your taunting breath my ſtrength, my courage:
[23] Then rouſe the deſert, that ſome tiger's bowels
May ſepulchre my ſorrow and my ſhame.
MADAUCES.
Doſt thou forget th' engagement to Orontes?
Doth thy performance ſlacken?
MELAMPUS.
No. Direct me
To raſh on danger.
MADAUCES.
Summon thy attention.
Laſt night, when all was ſilent in the ſkies,
The moon, then ſmiling on me, I invok'd,
And charm'd a willing ſpirit from her orb.
By his fair guidance o'er the mead, I pluck'd
A flower, which opens to her myſtic beams,
And ſhuts its boſom in the blaze of day.
Nine drops of precious moiſture from this flower
Have bleſs'd with ſafety thy anointed ſpear;
Whoſe touch, unbarring thoſe enchanted gates,
From magic durance ſhall protect thy body,
And viſionary forms of peril quell:
The reſt thy manly conduct muſt accompliſh.
Now graſp the ſpear, nor quit thy ſinewy hold!
This once forſaken, leaves thee to perdition.
The voice of a Fiend behind the ſcene.
How can the guilty proſper?
SECOND VOICE.
From his hand,
Enervated by crimes, the ſword ſhall fall.
THIRD VOICE.
His ſpear ſhall break, his corſelet be unbrac'd.
The faithleſs heart no buckler ſhall defend.
MELAMPUS.
[24]Fiends, do you brave me? O victorious deeds,
Which heretofore have dignify'd my arm,
Now riſe in thought, and animate my boſom;
While, rending glory from the front of horror,
I add new luſtre to your ſplendid roll.
SCENE V.
MELAMPUS and MADAUCES.
Melampus with his ſpear ſtrikes the gates, which open with a harſh ſound, and diſcover a Centaur, brandiſhing a mace, and ſtanding acroſs the en⯑trance. Melampus attacks the Centaur, who at the touch of the ſpear inſtantly vaniſhes. The whole wall diſappears at the ſame time, and diſ⯑covers a ſecond wall and gate.
MADAUCES.
Now haſt thou prov'd the virtues of thy ſpear.
MELAMPUS.
And will eſſay its energy again.
[He ſtrikes the ſecond gate, which diſappears with the whole wall, leaving in view a craggy rock with a torrent of water down the middle, and a hydra and griffin on the ſummit. All vaniſh at the touch of the ſpear. A third wall appears, with a gulf of fire before it. The fire is filled with fiends, and a gigantic figure of Death, ſhaking a dart, is planted between the gulf and the gate.
MADAUCES.
Theſe are illuſive images of danger,
Which perſeverance will diſſolve to air.
SCENE VI.
[25]MELAMPUS and MADAUCES.
Melampus ſtrikes the figure of Death, which ſinks with the fire.
MELAMPUS.
Thus far ſucceſsful, I will try the temper
Of this third portal. Doſt thou ſee, Madauces,
Yon Cyclops, rolling his preſumptuous orb,
Which glares defiance from his ſpacious front,
More lofty than the battlement? By Mars,
I will have entrance, monſter!
[The gate, opening ſpontaneouſly, admits Melampus, and is immediately ſhut againſt Madauces.
SCENE VII.
MADAUCES.
Stay, Melampus!
I am excluded. To a real ſoe,
No airy ſpectre, is he now expos'd.
From me no ſuccour can he find but prayers.
Thou riſing god, whoſe comprehenſive eye
Now o'er the bright horizon beams afreſh,
And views the braveſt of mankind in peril,
Reſent no longer thy Medea's wrong.
Compaſſionate the penitential Jaſon;
And with the ſwiftneſs of thy rays direct
His rapid jav'lin to the monſter's heart.
(Looking attentively, as on ſome diſtant object.)
My eyes, be ſteady. Luminous in gold,
Dropp'd through th' uncloſing portals of the eaſt,
A cloud, low waving, ſkims along the vale.
[26] The fleecy radiance opens. Two bright forms
Deſcend, and hither point their gliding courſe.
SCENE VIII.
MADAUCES and two Spirits, one perſonating the God of Riches, the other HEBE, Goddeſs of Youth.
FIRST SPIRIT.
Old Colchian, once attendant on Medea,
Sprung from that god who, burſting from the eaſt,
Heard from his chariot thy aſcending voice,
Haſt thou forgot when Jaſon pledg'd his faith,
And by her love obtain'd the golden fleece?
Thou from her native Phaſis to the walls
Of treach'rous Corinth didſt her wand'rings ſhare;
Thou beſt canſt witneſs to her grief and wrongs;
When Jaſon leſt her in a foreign clime,
Forlorn, unſhelter'd, and eſpous'd Creüſa,
Thou ſaw'ſt the blood, congenial with the ſun,
Flow from her infants by a mother's frenzy.
For guilty Jaſon doſt thou lift thy voice?
Th' indignant god rejects th' unſeemly pray'r,
By me delivers his ſublime beheſts,
That thou aſſiſt his vengeance.
MADAUCES.
He may pierce
This aged boſom with conſuming rays,
And he will find it to Medea true,
Nor leſs to that poor penitent, her huſband.
FIRST SPIRIT.
Hear thy reward to animate thy duty.
I am the god of riches, bliſs of age.
Come, and behold the diamond emblaze
[27] My gorgeous hall. The emerald, the topaz,
The ruby, ſhoot their mingling beams around.
HEBE
ſings.
[Trochaics.
Hebe I of youth am goddeſs:
I can ſmooth a wrinkled cheek:
Go, poſſeſs unbounded treaſure;
I will then thy prime renew.
MADAUCES.
I fathom now the impotent device.
For me your thin-ſpun magic do you ſpread,
Audacious demons, under ſacred forms
Of meſſengers from him who lights the world?
Hadſt thou to give with that infernal hand
(To Plutus.)
The treaſures, boaſted by thy lying tongue;
Couldſt thou rekindle fire in icy veins;
(To Hebe.)
Thus ſhould a look command you back to hell.
[The Spirits vaniſh.
SCENE IX.
MADAUCES.
What hollow ſound beneath me! Gods! I hear
A ſubterraneous groan, portending death.
The earth rocks under my ſupplanted feet.
SCENE X.
[28]After a horrible ſound under the ſtage, violent and repeated thunder and lightning above, the battle⯑ments of the caſtle totter, and fall; the third wall diſappears, and diſcovers a beautiful garden with a magnificent palace.
MADAUCES; MELAMPUS proſtrate on the ground, with his ſpear and ſhield held faſt; ORONTES bending over him.
ORONTES.
My brave protector on the earth! oh, riſe!
Riſe to a king's embraces and ſupport.
MELAMPUS,
riſing.
Orontes!
MADAUCES
to MELAMPUS.
Art thou ſafe?
MELAMPUS.
I am, my friend.
And doſt thou live, Orontes? Let me preſs thee
To my tranſported boſom. Quick relate
What fortune plac'd thee here.
ORONTES.
Thou firſt unfold
Thy wondrous acts which threw theſe ramparts down.
MADAUCES.
Nor kill my age, Melampus, with impatience.
MELAMPUS.
[29]Two gates I forc'd. Admitted through the laſt,
Ere yet beyond the entrance I could plant
My feet ſecure, impenetrable clouds
Enwrapp'd my forehead, and a ſteep deſcent
At once drew downward my reluctant ſteps,
Compell'd to trace a cavern's black abyſs.
Three Gorgon ſpectres at th' extremeſt depth
Roſe from the gaping mould with livid brands,
Whoſe glimm'ring ſulphur on the clammy roof
And ſides preſented to my ſick'ning ſight
A hateful brood, diſtilling poiſon round▪
ORONTES.
What hath he ſuffer'd!
MADAUCES.
What ſurmounted! Hear.
MELAMPUS.
Amid this baleful ſcene a hideous voice
Roar'd through the dim vacuity. I turn'd;
When, lo! th' enormous Cyclops, ſtriding down,
Lanc'd with impatient rage his pointed beam,
Which o'er my ſhoulder inoffenſive flew;
Then with extended arms, and eager pace,
Advanc'd to graſp me. Blindly driv'n by fury,
And my kind fortune, on my ſpear he ruſh'd;
I held it firm, and felt the grating blade
Pierce his tough breaſt, and vibrate in his heart,
Whoſe groan redoubled horror through the cave.
ORONTES.
What next?
MELAMPUS.
[30]With peals of ſubterraneous thunder,
As from her centre, heav'd the earth convuls'd,
And ſhook me proſtrate.
MADAUCES.
Such, as now we found thee.
MELAMPUS.
The ſwift tranſition to delights like theſe,
From earth's cold entrails and unwholeſome va⯑pours
To this pure ſky and theſe delicious bowers,
I mark with wonder, uninform'd by knowledge.
ORONTES.
My hiſtory, alas! is brief and ſad.
By ſome ſtrange pow'r tranſported from the ſpot
Where laſt you ſaw me ſainting, I awoke
Beneath an arbour's melancholy roof,
With nightſhade clad, with monumental yew,
And loathſome plants, the foes to life and joy.
MELAMPUS.
But thou wert wounded by the lion's claw.
ORONTES.
My wound was heal'd. A ghaſtly goblin ſtood
Full in my view, a centinel from hell.
All exclamations to diſcharge my grief,
E'en the complaints of diſappointed love,
The cruel fiend deny'd me, and with ſcorn
Mock'd my imperial perſon when I mourn'd
My black reverſe from boundleſs power to thral⯑dom.
When on the earth outſtretch'd thy limbs ap⯑pear'd,
[31] How I was ſuffer'd to approach I know not,
Nor yet how long in ſreedom may continue
To grace thy merit with a monarch's praiſe.
MELAMPUS.
Give none to me. That recompence is due
To him alone, my counſellor and guardian.
ORONTES.
This poor old man? What ſuccour could he yield
To thee, who doubtleſs ſpring from earlieſt kings,
If not by ſome divinity produc'd?
MELAMPUS.
Short-ſighted prince, unexercis'd in knowledge!
Learn, that of all endowments Heav'n beſtows,
Its richeſt boon is wiſdom, far excelling
The flame of courage and the nerves of ſtrength.
In me his wiſdom triumphs. He directs
My ſword and jav'lin. Had I gods for parents,
Herculean vigour, and the ſtrength of Atlas,
Without this ſage and venerable man,
I were inferior to the meaneſt reptile
Which crawls in darkneſs through a dungeon's ſlime.
He too is righteous—his unerring heart
No ſelf-reproach torments—his tranquil thoughts
No ſadd'ning care diſquiets—but for me.
MADAUCES
to MELAMPUS, leaning upon him.
Be wiſe, Melampus.
MELAMPUS.
Wiſdom fled with virtue.
ORONTES.
[32]I ſee the demon—Look! he glares upon me.
Aſſiſt me, hero—ſhield me from theſe torments.
MADAUCES.
He cannot help thee.
ORONTES
to MELAMPUS.
Whence this ſudden change,
Theſe agitations, which embitter joy,
And blot thy luſtre?
MADAUCES.
Queſtion him no further.
Thy preſence now but irritates his pain.
ORONTES.
I muſt retire. The beck'ning fiend forbids
My longer ſtay.
SCENE XI.
MADAUCES and MELAMPUS.
CASSANDANE, unſeen by them, appears in a grove.
CASSANDANE.
Appointed, here I take
My ſtand unſeen.
MELAMPUS.
My friend! my ſecond father!
Whoſe wiſdom guides me, and whoſe art deſends;
I prov'd the wonders of thy magic dew.
Enchanted gates unclos'd; the Centaur fled;
[33] The Hydra veil'd her ſev'n-fold neck in darkneſs.
O vers'd in ſcience, and ſupremely good!
Is there no plant affords ſome precious juice,
Which may diſpel the ſorcery of anguiſh,
And diſenchant the boſom from deſpair,
That black magician in the mind?
CASSANDANE.
Oh! words
To penetrate a marble heart!
MADAUCES.
My ſon!
Why drops that ſorrow to deform thy glory?
MELAMPUS.
When I reflect how Heav'n and nature fram'd me,
With nerves and ſpirit for the hardieſt toils,
With qualities endu'd me to ſecure
Felicity and praiſe; then how my folly,
Such gifts perverting, to the loweſt depths
Of miſery hath plung'd me—I muſt weep—
My very deeds this day excite diſtraction.
MADAUCES.
Think where thou art.
MELAMPUS.
Where conqueſt gives me rule,
What ſhall control my anguiſh but thy friendſhip?
MADAUCES.
Believe me, half thy toils are yet to come.
MELAMPUS.
Then I revive.
MADAUCES.
[34]Remember thy engagement▪
MELAMPUS.
I do, and will perform.
MADAUCES.
Prepare, and ſollow.
MELAMPUS.
I am prepar'd. Behold my jav'lin ſafe;
And in freſh perils ſhall my ſoul exult,
Though, like Alcides, I deſcend to hell,
Or mix in combat with a giant race,
From thoſe deriv'd who ſhook the tow'rs of Jove.
SCENE XII.
CASSANDANE.
Miraculous in valour, more in grief!
To court new dangers doth thy ſpirit ſwell,
Yet could thy tongue from agony of heart
Aſk, "if no plant affords ſome precious juice
"Which might diſpel the ſorcery of anguiſh,
"And diſenchant the boſom from deſpair,
"That black magician in the mind?" Alas!
Whoe'er thou art, whatever be thy fault,
I will report thee in the words of pity.
Thy own ſad ſtrain will mitigate reſentment
At thy intruſion to this ſeat of wonders,
Which awe my mind, and ev'ry ſenſe confound.
SCENE XIII.
[35]CASSANDANE and the Genius of Caucaſus.
The Genius ſings.
Cretics and Trochaics.
To thy woes add not fear:
Thou haſt aided her thou lov'ſt.
Serving her, thou ſhalt reap
Conſolation and redreſs.
CASSANDANE.
Thou known, melodious comforter, whoſe voice
Procur'd my entrance, and in muſic ſmooth'd
The paths of terror, do I hear again
Thy accents melt? Thou com'ſt not ſure deputed
To keep me longer abſent from her ſight.
I have perform'd the ſervice ſhe enjoin'd.
Alone amid theſe miracles I ſhudder.
Ah! reconduct me to her guardian breaſt.
She returns to the palace, the Spirit ſinging be⯑fore her, then vaniſhing at the gate as ſhe en⯑ters.
END OF THE SECOND ACT.
ACT III.
[36]SCENE I.
MADAUCES and MELAMPUS.
MADAUCES.
MY art informs me, that the utmoſt efforts
Of violence are try'd. Leſs obvious miſchief,
And thence more dang'rous, threatens. Wary con⯑duct
Muſt now ſucceed to valour. All around
Is dreſs'd in ſoft deluſion to diſſolve
The firmeſt heart in languor. Ev'ry bird
Tunes to deceitful melody his throat;
The od'rous gales in whiſpers, and the rills
Diffuſe in warbles heart-entrancing pleaſures:
Each fragrant myrtle may conceal a fiend,
And fate ſit lurking in perfidious flowers.
MELAMPUS.
Let me attempt the palace.
MADAUCES.
Something new
And ſtrange awaits thee. I can paſs no further;
My ſteps ſome hand inviſible repels.
Thou know'ſt how far that weapon can befriend thee;
But with internal fences (may they prove
Like adamant!) againſt the pow'r of woman
Secure thy heart. The very ſorm of beauty,
Much more of yielding beauty, arm'd with craft,
[37] Subdues the mighty, and deceives the wiſe,
Moſt frail, leaſt guarded, when oppreſs'd by ſad⯑neſs.
Should that accuſtom'd viſitant approach thee
Juſt on the cloſe of action, oh! endure,
Till my return endure thy heavy thoughts;
But ſhun relief from beauty's proffer'd joys,
Or thou art loſt.
MELAMPUS.
Than adamant more ſtrong,
To fence my heart thy counſels I retain.
MADAUCES.
A power to mine ſuperior drives me hence,
And ſtops my frozen tongue.
SCENE II.
MELAMPUS.
My friend is gone:
I ſtand alone. This try'd defence I hold;
And on my ſingle conduct muſt rely.
Now for the palace.
SCENE III.
MELAMPUS.
A large ſcroll, inſcribed with letters of fire, appears in the air.
MELAMPUS.
Viſion ſtrange and new,
I will confront thee with a ſtedſaſt eye,
And give thoſe characters of fire a voice.
[38]He reads.
"Retreat in ſafety, ere that direful gate
"Is thrown abroad. Thy enterpriſe, purſu'd,
"Will end in cureleſs torment to thy mind."
He ſpeaks.
That mind, in torment exercis'd ſo long,
Defies the menace, and diſdains retreat.
Out of my way, thou obſiacle of air!
[He brandiſhes his ſpear, and the ſcroll vaniſhes.
The palace is diſclos'd—th' enchantreſs comes!
That rod denotes her potent arm: that veil
O'erſhades a viſage hateful to the ſun.
Yet majeſty ſuſtains her awful port,
And not unlike divinity ſhe moves.
SCENE IV.
MELAMPUS and the Enchantreſs.
ENCHANTRESS.
Preſumptuous man! what art thou, who haſt dar'd
Invade my barrier, and moleſt my peace?
MELAMPUS.
Thou doſt behold thy conqueror, proud woman!
That knowledge may ſuffice thee.
ENCHANTRESS.
Art thou pure,
Of blameleſs thoughts, and unpolluted truth?
Haſt thou ne'er trac'd the devious paths of frailty?
They only, whoſe unviolated faith
No perjuries have ſtain'd, can ſojourn here.
[39] For them alone theſe chaſte abodes reveal
Their hidden treaſures. Theſe harmonious choirs
For them alone Elyſian muſic chaunt.
Them to refreſhing banks theſe fountains call,
With flow'ry odours virtuous toils to cheer.
MELAMPUS.
Whence is thy right to queſtion me, Enchantreſs,
Who doſt proſane the ſanctity of virtue,
In her bright garb infernal arts to maſk?
Pure or impure, commiſſion'd I appear
From ſacred Themis to redreſs the wrong'd.
Whate'er I am, thy monſters I could tame,
Thy loſty bulwarks mix with empty air,
And diſſipate their viſionary guard.
ENCHANTRESS,
waving her wand while ſhe is ſpeaking.
Seeſt thou this gloom which overcaſts the ſky?
Or feel'ſt this ſudden chilneſs in the air?
The myrtles wither, and the roſes fade,
At thy ill-boding ſight. Reply: who art thou?
Death is aſcending from his iron cell;
His arms are ſpread abroad: e'en now they raiſe
His houſe of terrors to encloſe thee round.
Yet wilt thou anſwer?
[The ſcene changes to the inſide of a ſepulchre.
MELAMPUS.
Unappall'd I ſtand,
And ſpurn this ſalſe creation of thy ſpells.
In juſtice ſtrong, a victor's right I claim,
And rather queſtion thee, hell's impious agent,
Why thou in baſe captivity retain'ſt
A hapleſs princeſs, and this nation's lord?
Why griev'ſt his boſom with thy hagard fiends?
ENCHANTRESS.
[40]O truly brave! Thy forti [...]de in wonder
Ev'n I contemplate; no [...] w [...]out compunction
Foreſee the evils ſoon to ſ [...]rm around thee,
To ſtain with woman's tears a hero's cheek,
To ſhake with groans that majeſty of form,
Or with diſtraction's dragon claw unrip
Th' excelling texture of that godlike mind.
MELAMPUS.
What canſt thou raiſe more hidcous than my ſpear
Hath foil'd already? Call another Hydra;
Bring a new Centaur; arm a ſecond Cyclops.
ENCHANTRESS.
All mortal force, all charms, I know, muſt fall
Before thy valour, guarded by that weapon.
Nor is there need of violence to quell thee.
Thou prodigy of virtues wove with errors,
Thou bear'ſt thy foc within thee. Not the touch
Of that anointed ſtaff can there avail.
There is no plant "affords the precious juice
"Which may diſpel the ſorcery of anguiſh,
"Or diſenchant the boſom from deſpair,
"That black magician in the mind."
MELAMPUS.
My words,
My own reflcctions hath ſhe leagu'd againſt me.
What then? Thou, Themis, art my ſov'reign judge,
Save one beſides, before whoſe injur'd feet
My penitential ſpirit ſues to break.
[At theſe laſt words the Enchantreſs turns aſide, and weeps.
But wilt thou, pow'r of equity! permit
The artifice of magic to aſſume
[41] Thy holy ſemblance, and arraign thy champion,
When, ſcorning ſafety, I refuſe no hardſhip
Which may preſent me to the eye of mercy,
Wretch as I am! leſs hateful and deform'd?
No, no, thou wilt not. In thy righteous ſervice,
I challenge Heav'n's ſupport. Enchantreſs, hear.
Art thou confounded? Then the gods are preſent.
Does thy heart labour, ſorcereſs, with ſighs
O'er thy defeated cruelty and art?
Releaſe the monarch and his captive princeſs;
Nor to an outrage on thy ſex provoke me.
ENCHANTRESS.
Doſt thou defy me ſtill?
MELAMPUS.
I do, by Themis.
[She ſtamps on the ground, and waves her wand. A figure, repreſenting FAME, aſcends, bearing a mirror. A hand in the air holds a taper.
ENCHANTRESS.
Bold as thou art, by that infernal taper,
Dar'ſt thou ſurvey this mirror?
MELAMPUS.
Yes, I dare;
And thou in dread this weapon may'ſt ſurvey,
Which braves the keeneſt rancour of thy charms.
ENCHANTRESS.
Vain man, that weapon hath no other gift
Than to protect the body. To the mind
There is no guard, but innocence. Draw nigh.
Conſider well in order, as they riſe,
Theſe melancholy portraitures of truth,
Reviving paſs'd but ſorrowful events.
[42] This is Iolcos, where that firſt of veſſels,
Proud Argo, deepens with the weight of heroes,
Sent to reclaim the golden fleece from Colchis.
Around their bark the wond'ring Nereids float.
Fame flies before them. Bounding o'er the ſurge,
See where they paſs the Euxine's claſhing jaws,
And there on Colchis reſt their toiling oars.
Why doſt thou ſtart?
MELAMPUS.
I ſtart—with admiration.
[The figure of Fame ſinks. A ſecond, repreſent⯑ing the God of LOVE, riſes with a mirror.
ENCHANTRESS.
Lo! here, more lovely than his native Tempe,
The youth who leads the Argonautic band
Leaps to the ſhore. A winged troop of Loves
Around his head their purple torches wave;
While Juno, nuptial goddeſs, looks from heav'n,
And o'er his graces ſheds celeſtial light.
Him ſoon, behold, that trembling maid accoſts.
The colours vary on her virgin cheek;
Entranc'd ſhe gazes; credulous, ſhe hears:
Her plighted vows, her love to his ſhe joins,
Her aiding magic to his warlike arm.
Her and the golden fleece, a double prize,
He bears away. There weeping, from his deek
Behold her take an everlaſting leave
Of friends, of parents, of her native dwelling,
To him entruſting all. Incurious man!
Thou doſt not aſk their names.
MELAMPUS.
Their names!
ENCHANTRESS.
That virgin
[43] Was once the wiſe Medea. He is Jaſon,
The brave, the beauteous, all-ſurpaſſing Jaſon.
MELAMPUS.
Deteſted name!
ENCHANTRESS.
Look up, another ſcene
Requires thy notice.
[The figure of Love ſinks. A third, repreſenting TIME, riſes with a mirror.
There his father's houſe
Receives them; Juno looks from heav'n again
To bleſs their nuptial bed—Now view two chil⯑dren—
Fruit of his love—On her maternal lap
Note their diſporting innocence. He caſts
A tender look. Contentment ſeems to reign;
When all impairing Time diſſolves the ties
Of conſtancy and truth. He quits Iolcos.
See him in Corinth wedding Creon's daughter.
Why guſh thoſe ſorrows from thy flooded eyes?
Why burſt thoſe notes of anguiſh from thy ſoul?
Why doſt thou rivet with convulſive graſp
Thoſe hands together? Yet in deeper tones
Of heart-felt anguiſh muſt that boſom ſound:
Thoſe eyes be delug'd with a ſtronger tide;
Thoſe hands in ſharper agony be wrung.
[The figure of Time ſinks. A FURY aſcends with a mirror.
Look, where, to madneſs hurry'd by the Furies,
The loſt Medea draws the murd'rous blade
Freſh from the re [...]king bowels of her children.
[Melampus, in conſternation and horror, lets fall his ſhield and ſpear. She inſtantly lays her wand on his head. He ſinks down in a trance. She throws herſelf upon him.
[44]
Oh, Jaſon, Jaſon! O ye faint remains
Of all which nature form'd in man moſt lovely!
How is that viſage worn! How chang'd by care!
Pale, pale, my hero, is that ſeat of graces,
And all its luſtre dead! Alas! ſad ruin,
Thou know'ſt not who enfolds thee! and this kiſs,
Giv'n in deſpight of Juno's ſtern command,
Thou doſt not feel—Thou ſleep'ſt—To me thou ow'ſt
That reſt ſo long forbidden to thy brow.
Thy lance deſerted gave thee to my wand;
That wand hath ſav'd thee: thy Medea's love
Once more hath ſav'd thee, and deny'd acceſs
To ſwift diſtraction, hov'ring o'er thy brain.
[Thunder.
I hear thee, chiding goddeſs.
[She riſes.
Yet no longer
In theſe ſepulchral ſhadows ſhall he lie.
Avaunt, ye horrors!
[The ſcene changes to the garden and palace again.
Blaſted be my arts.
O execrable ſeries of enchantments,
So ſtrongly wove by unforgiving pride!
That not my pity, not imperial Juno,
Were ſhe appeas'd, nor Demogorgon's pow'r,
Could he relent, the texture can unwind.
He only muſt unweave it; and at laſt
[Looking on Melampus.
May ſail by ſome involuntary error:
So hath capricious ſorcery contriv'd.
Yet ſhalt not thou offend him with thy beams,
Meridian ſun. Ye laurell'd ſhades, appear;
Attend, ye myrtles; o'er his head embower.
Soſt winds, refreſh him; and perſume him, roſes.
[A bower riſes round Melampus.
SCENE V.
[45]Enchantreſs and CASSANDANE from the palace, in tears.
ENCHANTRESS.
Poor Caſſandane, ſorrowful, like me,
Stands weeping yonder. Reſtleſs too with terror
She courts my beck'ning hand. Approach, dear maid.
To dry thoſe tears, and calm that ſighing breaſt,
This morn I gave thee entrance. Doſt thou fear?
CASSANDANE.
How can I fear ſuch goodneſs? But thy power,
Stupendous in achievement, hath depreſs'd
My grief-worn ſenſes. Thunder at thy call
Peal'd in my ears; blue lightnings dimm'd my ſight;
Earth felt thy foot, and ſhook like Caſſandane.
ENCHANTRESS.
For thee and me theſe talents I exert.
Grief-worn, both labour with reſembling evils.
Mine yet are undiſcover'd. Thine I know;
Thy noble father's ſuff'rings too I know,
And long have pity'd. Be compos'd.
CASSANDANE.
I am,
When thou art near me.
ENCHANTRESS.
In the preſent hour
[46] We muſt be near each other, muſt unite
In mutual efforts.
CASSANDANE.
Mutual efforts! How?
Why in this hour?
ENCHANTRESS.
The criſis of our fates
Is nigh.
CASSANDANE.
I tremble. What! of thine and mine?
ENCHANTRESS.
Of both. Look there.
(Pointing to Melampus.)
CASSANDANE
ſtarts; then, with her eyes fixed upon him, ſpeaks:
Dead! Dead! That ſorm of manhood
Erect and noble, which allur'd my eye,
And melted thine, as winding through thy groves
His glances reach'd thy palace, is reduc'd
To clay, and ſoon will diſſipate in duſt.
My tongue was feeble to deſcribe his ſorrows,
And to appeaſe thy anger ſtrove in vain.
Forgive freſh tears and wonder.
ENCHANTRESS.
Faultleſs virgin,
Why doſt thou aſk forgiveneſs?
CASSANDANE.
Blind to ſcience,
I never trac'd the ſpangled robe of night,
Nor knew the power of numbers. Though the meads
[47] Yield their myſterious plants to hurt or heal,
I with unheeding ignorance paſs by.
If I misjudge of thy tranſcendent works,
O'erlook my want of knowledge. But this deed—
ENCHANTRESS.
What deed, my Caſſandane?
CASSANDANE.
Spare my weakneſs.
Perhaps my ſoul grows wild with admiration.
My ſenſes, haraſs'd, may forget their functions,
My ſight deceive me—Thou art ſtill the ſage
Rever'd for juſtice, and proclaim'd divine.
ENCHANTRESS.
Well may thy wonder be forgiv'n. My praiſe
Waits on thy gen'rous tears. But, gentle damſel,
Be not thus ſoon diſcourag'd. Ev'ry hour
With prodigy is charg'd. He only ſleeps,
On whom our common deſtiny depends.
CASSANDANE.
What can I anſwer? Knowledge is thy part,
Belief is mine. Who is he?
ENCHANTRESS.
One, whoſe arm,
And dauntleſs magnanimity, controll'd
My fierceſt guards.
CASSANDANE.
Yet wherefore lies he ſtretch'd
In this deep ſlumber, which too well reſembles
The laſt to mortals?
ENCHANTRESS.
Thou ſhalt know hereafter.
CASSANDANE.
[48]Alas! how wan his aſpect!
ENCHANTRESS.
Wan, indeed!
CASSANDANE.
Well might I rank him in the train of death.
How worn and wither'd!
ENCHANTRESS.
Scarce in manhood ripe,
Yet old in ſorrow!
CASSANDANE.
Thou doſt melt again,
Theſe guſhing tears new myſtery contain.
But I ſubmiſſive will ſuſpend inquiry.
ENCHANTRESS.
Ah, Caſſandane! didſt thou know his merits
And half his griefs, thy tenderneſs would pour
A ſea of pity on that livid face.
He now three years, invincible of men,
Each barb'rous nation, each inclement ſky
Hath brav'd, redreſs and peace to all imparting,
All but himſelf.
CASSANDANE.
And reſts my future peace
On him?
ENCHANTRESS.
Him ſingly.
CASSANDANE.
[49]Let me then awake him,
To hear my mournful ſtory.
ENCHANTRESS.
Damſel, ſtay:
He muſt be waken'd to ſevere probation,
Not of his ſtrength and courage, but his virtue.
If there he triumph, thou wilt ſoon accoſt him,
But thy deportment muſt be fram'd by me.
O hitherto victorious, may the balm
[To Melampus.
Of Morpheus brace thy conſtancy with firmneſs!
This magic weapon hath perform'd its office.
(Taking up the ſpear.)
Thy might hath conquer'd. Self-ſuſtaining truth
Muſt triumph next, and ſcorn enchantment's aid.
Sweet friend, remove this jav'lin to the palace.
CASSANDANE.
Thou ſeem'ſt in agitation. I would ſtay,
Weak as I am, with thy permiſſion ſtay,
To ſooth thy trouble, or to ſhare and weep.
ENCHANTRESS.
I truſt thou wouldſt. But leave me for a while.
CASSANDANE.
Ah me!
ENCHANTRESS.
Still fearful?
CASSANDANE.
Separate from thee
I am all weakneſs.
ENCHANTRESS.
[50]Thy harmonious guard
Will not ſorſake thee. He ſhall greet thine eye
For the firſt time.
CASSANDANE.
Ah! rather let me hear,
Than ſee him.
ENCHANTRESS.
He, no ſooty birth of darkneſs,
But genius fair of Caucaſus, delights
To lay the ruffled Caſpian with his ſong.
He charms the vulture, reſpiting the pains
Of torn Prometheus; nor to me leſs kind,
Oft-times alleviates my o'erburden'd hours
With his entrancing meaſures. He well pleas'd
Obeys my ſummons, never better pleas'd
Than to attend on purity like thine.
SCENE VI.
ENCHANTRESS, CASSANDANE, and the Genius.
ENCHANTRESS.
Be viſible, good being. Sing of hope
To Caſſandane. Let thy voice, which lulls
The floods and tempeſts, harmonize her thoughts.
The Genius ſings.
O Hope! without thee life is pain.
Shed on this maid thy choſen ſweets.
Nor leſs thy influence extend
To her whoſe virtues here preſide.
ENCHANTRESS.
[51]To me Hope ſings in vain. Severe ſuſpenſe
I feel too heavy for her flutt'ring pinion.
Genius ſings to the Enchantreſs, walking to and fro.
[Cretics and Trochaics.
Ah! no more woo deſpair!
Mounted on a ſerpent green,
Through the clouds Circe glides.
By her birds in gorgeous plumes
Juno drawn, hovers nigh.
On their aſpect ſmiles are ſeen.
Droop no more, Hope deſcends.
ENCHANTRESS.
Their ſmiles I truſt not. Leave me, gentle maiden,
Thou and thy guardian, not leſs good than power⯑ful.
SCENE VII.
ENCHANTRESS.
Grim Demogorgon, eldeſt thou of beings,
Whoſe name no pow'r celeſtial dares pronounce,
Who ſpread'ſt in darker, lower gloom, than hell,
Thy black pavilion, direful as thou art,
Thou haſt been foil'd. Thy terrors could not awe
My Jaſon's ſoul, triumphant moſt when yielding
To her own righteous feelings. But, alas!
Your part, inſidious goddeſſes, I fear.
Whate'er is ſoft'ning to unbend the mind,
Or fair and lovely to ſolicit ſenſe,
Whate'er is dazzling to awake ambition,
Whate'er perſuaſive, dreſs'd in ſpecious duty,
To cozen guileleſs honour into error,
You have contriv'd. But, Juno, ſhould he fail
[52] To catch the glimpſes of reviving bliſs,
Which now are trembling on a point of chance,
Think not Medea longer will remain
Repeating curſes, hurling her upbraidings
On deſtiny and Heav'n! Thy rapid lightning
May ſtrike th' uplifted poniard from my hand:
Among the thouſand avenues to death
One will I find; then lay my burden down
Of evils, grown too mighty for complaint.
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
ACT IV.
[53]SCENE I.
MELAMPUS aſleep in the arbour, which diſappears at a ſymphony of muſic, and the approach of a Nymph.
She ſings.
FANCY, brighter than the Graces,
Who doſt guide the tuneful Nine,
Wanton o'er this ſleeping hero,
And before his waking ſoul
Hold in dreams thy artful mirror,
Stor'd with Pleaſure's various forms.
[Melampus wakes, and the Nymph vaniſhes.
SCENE II.
MELAMPUS.
Deceitful ſtrains! O rather from my brow
Had ſlumber ſtarted at a burſting cloud,
A torrent's hoarſeneſs, or the din of arms!
Theſe might perhaps reanimate my ſoul,
Who now prefers a feeble pray'r—to learn,
If yet her cup of miſery be full.
SCENE III.
MELAMPUS.
A bright cloud advances towards the front of the ſtage.
Song from the cloud.
[Trochaic meaſure.
Youth, diſſolve thy cares in pleaſure;
Look where, half-attir'd, the damſels,
Tripping round that glaſſy fountain,
Smile, and proffer ſweet endearment,
Each contending for thy choice.
MELAMPUS,
[54]turning to the ſide-ſcene.
I ſee a glaſſy fountain; I diſcern
A troop of damſels, azure-ey'd like morn,
Blithe as the ſpring, like ſummer glowing ripe,
In garments looſely waving. But I hear,
Or ſeem to hear, thy warnings, ſage Madauces,
And thus exclude the wantons from my ſight.
[He lifts his mantle before his eyes, and turns aſide. The cloud opens, and diſcovers the figures of Venus and Cupid.
Venus ſings.
Then to me exalt thy raptures,
Me, the queen of love and beauty.
See my ſon to cure thy anguiſh.
Hero, come. Divine embraces
Woo thee to Idalian bow'rs.
MELAMPUS.
A languor breath'd in odours from that cloud,
Allurement ſtealing through my eyes and ears,
Melt down my ſpirit. Long-ſuppreſs'd deſires
Wake in my heart; and conſtancy is wav'ring.
Now, Themis, ſtrengthen thy half-vanquiſh'd ſoldier!
Let me retreat, and plunge in deepeſt ſhades.
[He withdraws, and the cloud diſappears.
SCENE IV.
Song from behind the ſcenes.
Filial rev'rence, pious duty,
Jove hath planted in the ſoul.
Turn thee, Jaſon, turn and bow thee.
Lo! thy father's regal ſtep.
[Melampus re-enters.
SCENE V.
[55]MELAMPUS, and AESON, who leads a Woman veiled, and in ſumptuous attire.
MELAMPUS.
My father, Aeſon!
AESON.
Yes, thou ſeeſt thy father.
Remit thy wonder, and attend, my ſon.
A learn'd Theſſalian charmer at my pray'r
Devis'd this maze of marvels to confine
Thy reſtleſs valour, till my fault'ring ſteps
Might reach and ſtop thee in thy fruitleſs wan⯑d'rings.
A veſſel lies in readineſs to waft thee.
Return to bleſſings, and forget Medea.
MELAMPUS,
ſtarting.
Forget Medea! That were ſtill to copy
Th' ingratitude of Aeſon, who accepted
The gift of empire, and forgot the giver;
Then tore each wreath of honour from his ſon,
And caſt him down a precipice of ſhame,
Whence never, never can he riſe again.
AESON.
Though deaf to duty, yield to virtuous love.
Behold thy virgin bride in Creon's daughter.
[The woman unveils.
MELAMPUS.
Creüſa!
CREUSA.
Jaſon, thou haſt cauſe to marvel,
When thou behold'ſt the queen of Corinth here.
[56] On this chaſte lap thy weary head ſhall reſt;
My voice ſhall lull thee, while the tempeſt roars;
My fond endearments ſhorten tedious time,
Till Neptune's wat'ry deſerts thou haſt paſs'd,
To ſit illuſtrious on the throne of Greece.
[Melampus, attempting to ſpeak, is prevented by a full concert of muſic.
Song from behind the ſcenes.
Dance around, ye blooming Graces,
Sprotive Loves, and purple Hymen;
Hither bring your lyres, ye Muſes,
This unrivall'd pair recording,
Firſt of heroes, brighteſt queen.
SCENE VI.
MELAMPUS, AESON, CREUSA, and the three Graces, who dance to the harps of the Muſes; then Hymen with his torch, accompanied by a band of Cupids with torches likewiſe. Hymen and one of the Graces dance.
MELAMPUS.
If ye be phantoms, with contempt I grect ye.
If ye be real—drive me not to madneſs.
My children's ghoſts already glide before me.
AESON.
My ſon!
CREUSA.
My love! Look on me, wedded lord.
MELAMPUS.
A frozen figure, moulded from the ſnows,
Which chill. That mountain's ſummit would attract
Such looks as mine to thee.
AESON.
[57]O grief-devoted!
Canſt thou refuſe dominion, wealth, and beauty?
CREUSA.
Canſt thou refuſe Creüſa?
MELAMPUS.
Though thy hand,
That hand uſurping once Medea's right,
Bore to my lips a taſte of Lethe's ſtreams,
Which with oblivion cleanſe the troubled mind;
The liquid comfort I would daſh aſide,
And my own ſorrows to thy love prefer:
While them I cheriſh, virtue may return.
[Aeſon, Creüſa, &c. all vaniſh.
SCENE VII.
MELAMPUS.
Are ye no more than ſhadows? O my heart,
Art thou not leſs encumber'd? Sure a dawn
Of conſolation ſeems to break upon thee;
Or doſt thou cheat thyſelf?
[Muſic from a harp.
What ſtrains are theſe,
So much reſembling thoſe mellifluous notes,
Which my companion Orpheus from his lyre
Was wont to raiſe, when Argo plough'd the deep,
And raptur'd Nereids follow'd; while his voice,
In celebrating ſongs of Jaſon's deeds,
O'er the ſmooth'd ocean floated on the breeze,
And ev'ry ſtar had caſt its cloudy veil.
Song from behind the ſcenes.
Virtue, only ſource of good,
From the breaſt awhile remov'd,
Leaves a watchful guard behind,
Conſcience, to ſecure the heart.
[58] If he opens once the gate,
She will ſoon acceſs regain;
Bliſsful change! when light to gloom,
And to horror joy ſucceeds.
MELAMPUS.
Celeſtial ſounds of tranſport from my ear
So long withheld! O Virtue, doſt thou ſmile
Again on Jaſon? Pureſt goddeſs, ſtay!
While thy returning influence I feel,
Let me not ſink in horrible amaze
How I, who once poſſeſs'd, could ever loſe thee▪
SCENE VIII.
MELAMPUS and CASSANDANE appearing at a diſtance with the Genius of Caucaſus.
The Genius ſings.
Greet the hero, trembling maid,
He alone redreſs can yield;
Let not fear thy pace retard,
Nor ſit heavy on thy tongue.
MELAMPUS.
I hear again the ſame Orphean voice.
But what new image of excelling beauty
Steps from the grove? Perhaps the captive princeſs
Orontes loves, and I am bound to reſcue.
My ſpear is gone. Thoſe formidable mirrors
Diſarm'd my trembling and unwary hand.
Yet was that weapon well exchang'd for peace
Of mind, that beſt ſecurity within.
Jove and his handmaid Nature will ſuſtain
The ſortitude they gave me, and complete
My gen'rous purpoſe. She advances nearer.—
Fair ſojourner in theſe fantaſtic ſhades,
If thou art ſhe, whoſe loſs Orontes mourns,
[59] And whom a pow'r unnatural confines
Within theſe charm'd encloſures, not in vain
Have I o'erturn'd their barrier, to replace thee
In native freedom, and a monarch's love.
CASSANDANE.
O warrior, crown'd with merited ſucceſs,
Who doſt protect the innocent and injur'd,
There is no other in this wild receſs,
Who wants like me aſſiſtance. In two hours
Wilt thou depute Orontes to this place?
MELAMPUS.
Wilt thou be here?
CASSANDANE.
Be confident, I will.
MELAMPUS.
Who, ſhall I ſay, enjoins me?
CASSANDANE.
If my words
Thou doſt deliver, thou perform'ſt enough.
MELAMPUS.
Th' unhappy monarch is enthrall'd by demons.
CASSANDANE.
He ſhall have freedom. So from me aſſure him.
MELAMPUS.
Why this my ſterious ſecret of thy name?
CASSANDANE.
Why, who art thou, moſt generous of men,
That thus undaunted hazardeſt thy life
To vindicate the injur'd?
MELAMPUS.
[60]One who, long
Dead to the ſenſe of gladneſs in himſelf,
That peace he wanted, hath to others giv'n,
And from their comfort ſometimes hath enjoy'd
A tranſitory interval from pain;
But ne'er ſo full and laſting as this day,
When he relieves thy beauties from their bondage.
CASSANDANE.
Fain would I know and ſoften thy afflictions,
At leaſt deplore them in a grateful tear.
MELAMPUS.
From each inquietude I mean to raiſe thee,
In blooming joy produce thee to my friend,
And not depreſs thee by a tale of woc.
Yet, as the king, diſtracted by the fiend,
Hath left thy name unmention'd, thou explain
Who is the injur'd fair my fortune ſaves.
CASSANDANE.
Know then, deſerving ſtranger, ſince that queſtion
Thou urgeſt further, I am charg'd to anſwer,
That not thy welfare leſs than mine, depends
On my concealment from thee at this criſis.
MELAMPUS.
I am inur'd to wonders; but, fair captive,
Thou doſt in myſtery ſurpaſs them all.
I preſs to know thee; thou art charg'd to anſwer,
That both my welfare and thine own depend
On thy concealment from me at this criſis:
What criſis? What concurrence of events
Can interweave our fortunes? Both, produc'd
In diſtant climates, never till this hour
Held converſe.
CASSANDANE.
[61]Spare me, and forgive my ſilence.
MELAMPUS.
Say, who hath charg'd thee?
CASSANDANE.
Aſk the learn'd Enchantreſs.
Before I ſee Orontes ſhe will greet thee:
Meantime remain in you high-arching bow'r.
MELAMPUS.
The learn'd Enchantreſs! May her name be told?
CASSANDANE.
Throughout this ſpacious region is ſhe known
By no diſtinction but of learn'd and good.
MELAMPUS.
Is ſhe this region's native?
CASSANDANE.
No.
MELAMPUS.
Whence come?
CASSANDANE.
Paſt my conjecture; though two years are fled
Since in a chariot, dragon-yok'd—
MELAMPUS.
What ſay'ſt thou?
CASSANDANE.
[62]I ſay, a chariot, drawn by winged dragons,
With blazing noſtrils, through the air convey'd
Her form divine. The nations look'd aghaſt,
When on this brow of Caucaſus ſhe reſted.
Soon by her pow'r this edifice was rais'd;
And ſoon her ſcience veneration drew,
Her virtues love, from all the Caſpian tribes.
MELAMPUS.
Her virtues!
CASSANDANE.
Yes, her virtues have obtain'd
An appellation adequate to heav'n
Of wiſe and bounteous. O, like nature wiſe
And learn'd in all her works, like dayſpring pure,
When not a cloud or ſteaming vapour taints
The orient ſplendour, ſhe is half ador'd
Through this wide region.
MELAMPUS
(aſide).
Can ſhe be Medea?
Vain thought!—her gen'rous ſcience had diſclaim'd
The deeds of malice I have felt and ſeen.
Some ſpell miſleads this captive to admire
The tyranny which grieves her.
CASSANDANE
Thou art muſing.
MELAMPUS.
I am, how ſhe, whoſe goodneſs thou proclaim'ſt,
Should rob thy youth and innocence of freedom,
Depute a lion to deſtroy a king,
And ſtill purſue him with inhuman torments.
CASSANDANE.
[63]Still thou doſt aſk what cannot be reveal'd.
MELAMPUS.
From me, thy benefactor, thou doſt hide
Thy name and wrongs, extolling thy oppreſſor.
What can I think? My juſt ſuſpicion whiſpers,
That all is here fallacious; what I ſee,
But painted ſhadow; what I hear, but fable:
And thou may'ſt prove but fleeting air at laſt,
By magic fancy colour'd to diſplay
All that is fair and amiable in nature,
And on my frank credulity impoſe.
CASSANDANE.
My benefactor I confeſs thee, hero.
Thy doubts to baniſh, lo! my virgin hand,
Giv'n to confirm my gratitude, and prove
That I am real.
MELAMPUS,
holding her hand.
I am here a ſtranger.
Be not offended, fair one, at my caution,
Which, bound to ſearch theſe mazes of deluſion,
Familiariz'd with ſpectres, muſt endure
Till this tough knot of magic be unravell'd;
And thou no clew wilt lend me.
CASSANDANE.
I muſt leave thee.
Farewell, moſt gallant, courteous, and humane;
I praiſe thy conduct, and can add no more.
MELAMPUS.
Myſterious virgin! Though beyond enchantment
Thou doſt perplex me, I in all obey thee.
SCENE IX.
[64]MELAMPUS.
The good Enchantreſs!—ſo I heard her ſtyl'd.
The pow'r exerted would beſpeak Medea's,
Were it not mix'd with cruelty repugnant
To her untainted nature.—Yet thoſe dragons—
With ſuch from Corinth did ſhe mount the clouds.
I want thy lights, Madauces, more than ever.
Kind fortune! I perceive him with Orontes.
SCENE X.
MELAMPUS, MADAUCES, and ORONTES.
MADAUCES.
My ſon!
MELAMPUS.
I ſoon will ſatisfy thy friendſhip.
Orontes, hail! Bleſs'd monarch, I have found
Thy queen of graces; lovelier than the dawn
Serenely riſing on a night of ſtorms,
She cheers our labours with propitious ſmiles.
ORONTES.
Thou haſt beheld her with enamour'd looks,
And doſt deſcribe her in a lover's phraſe.
MELAMPUS.
Diſmiſs thy fears. Not all the arms of beauty,
Not Juno's eye nor Cytherca's roſes
Can touch my frozen heart.
ORONTES.
Then ſwear again.
MELAMPUS.
[65]A ſecond time?
ORONTES.
Yes, ſwear a ſecond time.
MELAMPUS.
To hallow'd Themis I repeat my oath.
ORONTES.
That ſhe I love—
MELAMPUS.
Be render'd to thy arms.
Within two hours expect her preſence here.
ORONTES.
Then I forget my torments, and the ſpurns
Of this injurious goblin.
MELAMPUS.
From thoſe torments
She hath aſſur'd thy freedom.
ORONTES.
In two hours
Will ſhe admit Orontes?
MELAMPUS.
On this ſpot.
Art thou content?
ORONTES.
Thrice happy.
MELAMPUS.
Then reply,
Whence ſprang thy haſty and unjuſt ſuſpicion,
When thou requir'dſt me to renew my oath?
ORONTES.
[66]Forgive the ardour of impetuous love,
And the high paſſions in a royal breaſt.
MELAMPUS.
Thou doſt miſcall the gen'rous flame of love,
Nor feel'ſt the impulſe of a noble paſſion.
It was that eager, genuine ſelf-regard,
Which fits beſide a throne, for ever doubting
The faithful hand of ſervice, yet devouring
The good procur'd by others, and ſuppreſſing
The ſenſe of obligation. Come, Orontes;
A way with this companion, not by nature,
But coz'ning habit foſter'd in a mind
Deſerving better inmates.
ORONTES.
Ah! again
I ſee the demon.
MELAMPUS.
He will ſoon forſake thee.
But that internal worſt of fiends control,
Unfeeling pride: thus give thy virtues freedom.
SCENE XI.
MELAMPUS and MADAUCES.
MADAUCES.
Where is thy jav'lin?
MELAMPUS.
Gone. Yet I ſecure.
Retire with me: my ſtation is that bow'r.
MADAUCES.
How fares thy mind?
MELAMPUS.
[67]Why, comforted, though dubious.
Paſs to that arching bow'r: I there [...] ſtation'd.
The ſtory of my trials ſince we parted,
May ſhow me ſtill entitled to thy care;
And by the further guidance of thy knowledge,
Through tenfold perils more from guile or force,
I will attain to certainty at laſt.
END OF THE FOURTH ACT.
ACT V.
[68]SCENE I.
The ENCHANTRESS veiled from the palace, MELAM⯑PUS from the grove.
ENCHANTRESS,
giving his ſpear.
THIS ſtaff was thine. Receive it back from me.
MELAMPUS.
Thou trembleſt. I, confounded by this gift,
Which arms my hand againſt thee, tremble too.
(They both continue motionleſs and ſilent; after a pauſe, Melampus proceeds:)
How awful is her ſilence! Thou no longer
Behold'ſt a foe. Still motionleſs and mute!
Then I will ſpeak. My boſom ſhall diſcharge
Its load. I muſt.—O enterpriſe, which more
Than all my former labours ſhakes my frame!
Her ſtructure totters.—O majeſtic form!
My reſtleſs, prying anguiſh muſt inquire,
If underneath that curtain thou doſt veil
A face—
ENCHANTRESS.
Support me, Jaſon!
MELAMPUS.
On my name
She calls—She ſaints—Myſterious ſhade! away.
O earth and heaven! My wife! My injur'd wife!
Who ſhall ſupport me now! Madauces, aid me.
SCENE II.
[69]ENCHANTRESS, MELAMPUS, and Madauces.
MADAUCES
running to the ENCHANTRESS.
It is my royal miſtreſs, thy Medea.
MELAMPUS.
May not this prove illuſion ſtill, Madauces?
The laſt dire effort of defeated magic
At once to burſt my agonizing heart?
Yet, here to die, contemplating thoſe ſeatures,
Were more than I could aſk th' offended gods.
MADAUCES.
No, it is ſhe. That weapon ſhe reſtor'd
Ere now had giv'n illuſion to the winds.
Theſe are the lineaments divine, revealing
The Sun's deſcendant. Rouſe thee; be a man;
Nor fear her wiſdom will reproach thee now,
Or fix its radiant eye on aught but joy.
With equal fervour claſp her to thy heart,
Nor with the tardy coldneſs of dejection
Debaſe the gen'rous flame.
The ENCHANTRESS, reviving, fixes her eyes on ME⯑LAMPUS; them ruſhes into his arms.
My love! My lord!
O thou moſt comely in relumin'd virtue!
O beauteous image in the ſight of heaven,
Come to my arms! Be there ſecure to find
What "may diſpel the ſorcery of anguiſh,
"And diſenchant the boſom from deſpair,
"That black magician in the mind." O Jaſou!
Now ſhall indeed theſe pure abodes uncloſe
Their bliſsful treaſures; theſe harmonious choirs
[70] For thee alone Elyſian muſic chaunt;
Thee to refreſhing banks theſe fountains call
To cheer thy virtuous labours.
MELAMPUS.
Let me fall
Before thy feet in penitential fervour,
And celebrate to ſmiling heav'n the bounty
Of thy forgiving love. O labours paſt!
Ye ſeas and deſerts! Shapeleſs crags and rocks,
Which, faſting, ſleepleſs, hopeleſs I have travers'd,
How is your awful retroſpect transform'd
To glowing pictures of ecſtatic joy!
My wife—Medea!—Is my ſoul ſecure
This is not ſtill enchantment?—Doth Medea
Once more embrace her Jaſon?
ENCHANTRESS.
Oh! my heart
Will flow in doating fondneſs, till the gods
In envy daſh theſe more than mortal raptures!
MELAMPUS.
What can allay them? This unweary'd arm,
Which through ten thouſand hazards hath regain'd
Theſe joys at laſt, now govern'd by thy wiſdom,
Shall awe ill fortune, and protect the bleſſing.
MADAUCES.
There ſpoke a manly ardour, which became
The mouth of Jaſon to Aeetes' daughter.
ENCHANTRESS.
O thou moſt learn'd and faithful of my Colchians,
Who heretofore accompany'd my wand'rings,
My counſellor and friend! thy love to me,
And thy continu'd kindneſs to my Jaſon,
How ſhall I e'er compenſate, when, alas!
[71] Too ſoon thy counſels we may want again?
Still on a precipice we ſtand, Madauces.
MELAMPUS.
A precipice!
MADAUCES.
Proceed, my honour'd miſtreſs.
ENCHANTRESS.
Oh! hear. Both hear, and weigh your anſwers well.
When I left Corinth, to Aectes' ſiſter
My dragon-yoke convey'd me. On her iſle
In ſolemn conſult was a year conſum'd
To weave theſe ſpells, propos'd by rigid Circe,
Approv'd by Juno, by the Sun, my grandſire;
And there obdurate Demogorgon lent
Each baleful engine of capricious magic
To prove the worth of Jaſon, or deſtroy.
To Madauces.
Theſe goddeſſes have watch'd him from the hour
He too embark'd from Corinth to replace
Phaeacia's virgins, and my friendly train
Of ancient Colchians, in their native homes,
E'en till theſe wilds of Caucaſus he reach'd.
MELAMPUS.
Have I not ſince ſurmounted ev'ry toil?
ENCHANTRESS.
Ah! while thy ſtrenuous heart is thus triumphant,
E'en while I ſtrain thee to my longing boſom,
Perhaps the keeneſt ſtruggle is to come.
MELAMPUS.
No, let them bring my ſpirit to the proof.
I too will ſtruggle with perſiſting valour;
Not with deſpondent loathing of the day,
[72] As heretofore, but warm in hope of bliſs,
Of conqueſt, ſince Medea is the prize.
ENCHANTRESS.
Thou haſt perform'd what valour can accompliſh.
Our ills, if any, are conceiv'd already,
And muſt irrevocably riſe to birth.
One inadvertent, caſual error paſt,
Since thy approach to this enchanted ſtructure,
From our own graſp may wreſt the preſent bliſs.
At once ſubjected to ſome will unknown,
To us perhaps inflexible. Madauces,
Thou, recollecting ev'ry word and deed
Since firſt he enter'd theſe enchanted purlieus,
Unfold the ſeries of his bold exploit.
MADAUCES.
Then I proclaim your happineſs complete.
And I begin, atteſting ev'ry pow'r,
E'en Circe, Juno, and thy bright forefather,
That cleareſt honour and unerring prudence
Have govern'd Jaſon's mind, his heart, his actions.
ENCHANTRESS
to MELAMPUS.
Then we will yet be happy. Do not droop.
My words might well diſmay thee. Reſt thy head
On this fond boſom. Thou art pale and ſad.
Soon will my love efface that livid hue,
And with renewing freſhneſs ſpread thy cheek.
Thoſe care-indented ſurrows ſhall be fill'd
By joyous health; and youth's returning light
Diſperſe the gloom which hides thy wonted beauty.
MELAMPUS.
Till thou haſt heard our ſtory, and thyſelf
Haſt ſat in judgment; haraſs'd long by care,
And long acquainted with theſe froward ſpells,
I droop, I ſink in terror on thy boſom.
MADAUCES.
[73]I ſee Orontes.
ENCHANTRESS.
He the firſt ſhould know
That his protector is Medea's lord.
SCENE III.
ENCHANTRESS, MELAMPUS, MADAUCES, and ORONTES.
ORONTES,
entering.
Death to my ſight! O perfidy!
MADAUCES.
What means
The king, ſo lately reſeu'd from perdition?
ORONTES.
To thee, old man, my injur'd love appeals;
That this perfidious by repeated oaths
To me reſign'd the fair-one I adore;
And I beheld him now profane her beauties
Within his falſe embrace.
ENCHANTRESS.
Hath Jaſon ſworn?
MADAUCES.
Not knowing thou wert ſhe Orontes woo'd.
ENCHANTRESS.
[74]This is the fatal inadvertent error!
O goddeſſes implacable! I hear you.
Again your whiſper'd mandates thrill my heart,
Which muſt perform th'inhuman taſk enjoin'd.
In mercy yet uproot theſe pond'rous hills;
Beneath their baſes cruſh this hateful ſpot:
Unboſom hell, and change th' embow'ring ſhades
To vaults of ſulphur and devouring fire;
Or with the Caſpian, from its bottom roll'd,
O'erwhelm your own creation of diſtreſs.
Oh, Jaſon! Jaſon!—We muſt part again.
MELAMPUS.
Doſt thou pronounce that doom?
ENCHANTRESS.
I do—I muſt.
ORONTES.
My hopes revive.
ENCHANTRESS
to MELAMPUS.
Conteſt not, ſearch not, huſh
Complaint, and leave me.
MELAMPUS.
To ordain my fate
Thou art entitled—To conteſt thy will,
Were to renew paſt guilt—Ye pow'rs combin'd
For my deſtruction, inſtant let your ſpells
(I aſk no more) erect a tomb for Jaſon!
My ſight is clos'd, my heart already clay—
Madauces, bear me to the fun'ral pile.
ENCHANTRESS.
[75]Speed hence, Madauces—Yet in me confide.
SCENE IV.
ENCHANTRESS and ORONTES.
ENCHANTRESS.
My cruel part is over. Now, O king,
In ſupplication I addreſs thy pity.
Me till this hour from benefits alone
Show'r'd on thy throne and ſubjects, doſt thou know.
ORONTES.
Which more endear'd thy beauties to my ſoul.
ENCHANTRESS.
Forbear that theme, and liſten, when I tell thee,
I am Medea, daughter of Aeetes,
Thy royal neighbour, whom the Sun begot.
Yon poor forlorn one is my wedded lord:
Three years divided by a fatal chance,
This day we met, on hard conditions met,
Which his unguarded oath to thee hath broken.
That oath if thou releaſe not—
ORONTES.
Love forbid!
Doſt thou require me to relinquiſh thee,
Thee now a royal progeny confeſs'd,
Thence more deſerving of my throne and bed?
ENCHANTRESS.
Yet think again.
ORONTES.
[76]I do, divine Medea:
And were he free from treachery's black ſtain,
Nor had abus'd a monarch's ear with falſehood—
ENCHANTRESS.
Believe me, he is guiltleſs.
ORONTES.
If he were,
In competition with a monarch's peace
How can a wand'ring warrior's claim be rank'd?
ENCHANTRESS.
That claim is mine. Thy benefactreſs ſues;
She, who corrected nature, from the womb
Of barren earth ſertility upcall'd,
Chas'd from thy borders peſtilence and death,
And to thy kingdom provinces united,
Sues to thy juſtice, gratitude, and honour,
For her ſole comfort.
ORONTES.
Thou may'ſt learn to love,
And muſt at laſt prefer the chief of princes.
ENCHANTRESS.
Perdition ſeize thee, harden'd and ingrate!
Though thou o'erlook'ſt the ſervices and worth
Of Pherendates, thy victorious captain,
Who with my aiding counſels tam'd thy foes;
Unaw'd by juſtice, though thy callous heart
Hath dar'd to break the tend'reſt ties of faith;
Doſt thou preſume, thou glitt'ring mote, thou pageant,
Thou, to whoſe mind the pureſt lights of heav'n,
Fair truth and wiſdom, never gain'd acceſs,
[77] Dar'ſt thou, groſs child of ignorance, aſpire
To mix thy darkneſs with Medea's flame?
Or hope, that ſhe would condeſcend in love
To a mere monarch, and forſake a hero?
ORONTES.
How art thou chang'd from gentleneſs to rage,
Still in thy anger lovely and belov'd!
ENCHANTRESS.
True, thou haſt known me gentle and benign,
Till in the circle of theſe magic walls
Thy hateful importunity confin'd me:
Now ſhalt thou find me terrible, and wielding
A vengeful rod too mighty for thy ſceptre.
Not Pherendates, loyal in diſgrace,
Embattling all thy myriads to redeem thee,
Could with an empire's force encounter mine.
Their ſtrength ſhould wither, and their banners fall,
At one vibration of this pow'rful wand.
[She waves her wand. The ſcene changes to a Ca⯑vern, terminated by a mouth, which repreſents an opening to the Infernal Regions.
ORONTES.
Is there no ſanctity in kings? No guardian
By Heav'n appointed to protect them?
ENCHANTRESS.
None.
But in all breaſts a judge ſevere is plac'd,
By Heav'n appointed to chaſtiſe, or warn.
Him not the ſceptre's weight, the leader's ſtaff,
Nor gemm'd tiara, which the nations fear;
Him not the arm'd battalions round a throne,
Nor purpled ſatraps who in homage ſtoop,
[78] Can awe to ſilence, or with flatt'ry ſooth.
Kings may refuſe his dictates to obey,
But cannot ſhun his rod.
ORONTES.
Tremendous woman!
Light fled before her! I am plung'd in darkneſs.
ENCHANTRESS.
Bring the blue fire of Phlegethon, ye fiends;
Make horror viſible: your torches wave,
Dipp'd in Tartarean ſulphur.
[While ſhe walks up and down waving her wand, the mouth diſcharges fire, ſeveral Demons leap out, ſome with blazing vaſes full of fire, others with torches; a Tomb aſcending at the ſame time through the mid⯑dle of the ſtage.
ENCHANTRESS
to ORONTES.
King, behold;
This is thy couch, thy table, and thy tomb.
There night by night ſhall demons lay thy head,
There ſpread thy rueful banquet to the light
Of this thy only dayſpring, this pale flame;
And, when thy thread of miſery is ſpent,
They ſhall thy ſilent obſequies perform,
And there depoſit thy unwept remains;
Unleſs thy heart, reviſited by honour,
To gratitude be melted, and renew
Long-broken faith. That moment ſets thee free.
SCENE V.
[79]ORONTES.
I ſhould ſurpaſs what flatt'ry e'er proclaim'd me,
Did I not ſhudder at this direful ſentence.
Ha! Recollection, thy tumultuous throbs
Beat on my heart a ſummons to remorſe;
She comes: I feel her here, with ſorrow, ſhame,
And late repentance, in her ghaſtly train.
Combining all with theſe external terrors,
I feel my error, my neglect of merit;
I ſink beneath them, and the heavier weight
Of my own black reflections.
[Dance of Fiends.
I feel my broken vows. Fall'n, fall'n Orontes!
A monumental dungeon is thy palace,
Captivity thy ſtate, and fiends thy guard,
Who ſhake their inextinguiſhable fires
To keep my fears awake.—Melampus, ſave me!
Melampus!—Black ingratitude, be dumb;
Dare not profane that name, or hope his ſuccour.
O tomb! my only place of reſt, receive me.
SCENE VI.
ORONTES, and CASSANDANE veiled, with the Genius of Caucaſus by her ſide.
Genius ſings, as he enters, to a lute behind the ſcenes.
[Trochaics.
Dreary manſion of the dead,
Yield to innocence acceſs:
Through thy duſt of mould'ring bones
Beauty ſteps, with me her guard.
ORONTES.
[80]Can harmony be here? Sweet voice, which ſings
Of innocence and beauty, canſt thou breathe
Through tainted boſoms purity of feeling,
And charm the mind's deformity away?
A graceful image penetrates the gloom.
Ah! do not come a phantom of illuſion,
Nor, with deceit accumulating woe,
Pollute the promiſe of thy ſpecious mien.
CASSANDANE.
As thy good genius am I come, O king,
To ſhow thy reſtleſs feet the paths of peace.
ORONTES.
Then my good genius thou may'ſt well be ſtyl'd,
Whoe'er thou art.
CASSANDANE.
To pity frame thy mind;
A gen'rous ſenſe of benefits recall;
The gate of virtue leads alone to peace.
ORONTES.
O Pherendates! I too late acknowledge
Thy toils, thy wounds, thy conqueſts for Orontes.
CASSANDANE.
Thou didſt his daughter of her heart beguile,
Then to another form thy love transfer.
ORONTES.
It is for her the lion hath aſſail'd me,
Enchantments haraſs'd, and the demon haunted.
CASSANDANE,
[81]unveiling, and kneeling.
And her thou ſee'ſt before her ſov'reign's feet.
ORONTES,
embracing her, at which the ſcene changes to the garden, and all the Fiends deſcend.
My Caſſandane! O what pow'r convey'd thee
To quell theſe horrors, fix my wav'ring ſoul,
And backward turn my ſteps, whoſe errors touch'd
Ingratitude and guilt. Diſcrecteſt maid,
More to thy prudence is Orontes bound,
Than to thy father's valour. What could blind me
To leave that ſoſt ſerenity of beauty,
And court the lightning of Medea's eye?
How cam'ſt thou hither? But explain hereafter.
The Genius ſings.
[Creties.
How ſhe came, I unfold:
Faithful love was her guide.
[Trochaics.
I the ruling genius here,
Fly to celebrate thy bliſs.
SCENE VII.
ORONTES and CASSANDANE.
ORONTES.
Auſpicious voice! I bleſs thee. Caſſandane,
Fly to Melampus—Thou before haſt ſeen him,
And, to diſſuſe ſelicity around,
With ſweeteſt fraud deceiv'd him.
CASSANDANE.
Gracious lord,
I was inſtructed by the good Enchantreſs;
[82] Nor told my name, too conſcious in that period,
That, had Melampus to thy ears divulg'd me,
Thou wouldſt have ſlighted Pherendates' daughter.
ORONTES.
They to the proffer'd bleſſing had been ſhut.
Too juſt reproach! Go, tell Melampus all,
Dwell on the dear narration, till thou gain'ſt
That matchleſs hero's pardon for my ſault.
I will conduct Medea to his arms.
SCENE VIII.
ORONTES and the Enchantreſs.
How ſhall I hail thee! That I now reſtore
Wrong'd Pherendates, and eſpouſe his daughter,
Do not impute to coward fear, nor hold me
Leſs than becomes a king.
ENCHANTRESS.
I hold thee greater,
Girt by a council now which gods revere,
By equity, beneficence, and wiſdom.
And now convinc'd, thy danger from the lion,
Thy doleful bower, the ſternneſs of Melampus,
My wrath and indignation, wilt thou bleſs.
Adverſity's deep-ſearching hand was wanting
To weed thy boſom, force its worth to ripeneſs,
And thy imperial ſtate with virtue crown,
Which ſhall exalt thee ſar beyond thy titles.
SCENE IX.
[83]ORONTES, the Enchantreſs, MADAUCES, and CAS⯑SANDANE led by MELAMPUS.
ORONTES
preſenting the Enchantreſs to MELAMPUS.
Inimitable hero, let this gift
Repair my errors.
MELAMPUS.
Royal friend, my labours
Thou haſt o'erpaid.
ENCHANTRESS.
Adverſity, though bitter,
Medicinal to frailty we have felt,
And been corrected all. Our future days
Let us devote to rational delights
And contemplation. King of kings, Orontes,
Thou may'ſt hereafter from thy potent throne
With moral rapture traverſe in remembrance
Each ſuff'ring paſt, and error's bonds diſſolv'd.
Thou deareſt hero, riſing pure from trials,
Shalt ceaſe from labours; thou ſhalt walk with ſcience,
And in the tranquil fellowſhip of wiſdom
Poſſeſs the morning ſweets and ev'ning's calm
In theſe untroubled ſhades.
CASSANDANE.
What ſudden blaze
Of light!
MADAUCES.
From Circe, Juno, and the Sun.
CASSANDANE.
[84]The Genius too of Caucaſus returns.
SCENE X.
ORONTES, the Enchantreſs, MADAUCES, CASSAN⯑DANE, MELAMPUS, the Sun appearing over the palace; CIRCE mounted on a winged ſerpent on one ſide, JUNO in her chariol, drawn by pea⯑cocks, on the other; and the Genius advancing from the end of the ſtage, attended by Dryads, Oreads, Naiads, and Fauns: under them appears a beauti⯑ful hill. The Genius of Caucaſus deſcends, and leads the Guardian Intelligences of woods, wa⯑ters, and mountains. Soft muſic.
The Genius ſings.
Nymphs of Aſia's ſpicy groves,
Of her fruit-empurpled hills,
Of their flow'ry-border'd ſtreams,
Warbling over beds of gold—
Genii, who the mountains range,
Whence the cedar's ſpire aſcends,
Piercing Aſia's radiant ſky—
Lift your feet, your voices tune,
Celebrate in dance and ſong
Her predicted fame and ſway.
ENCHANTRESS.
I feel an impulſe—All my ſabric ſhakes—
A flame from thoſe divinities pervades
My ſtruggling breaſt, and prophecy is there.
Its rapture burns—The gods expand my voice,
And by their preſence ratify the ſound.
[85]
Not for inaction Jaſon's worth is prov'd,
A bright example to imperfect man
Of patient ſuff'ring and recover'd truth.
He ſhall with fame be recompens'd, and empire.
Unconquerable, he from hoſtile arms
The reconcil'd Aeetes ſhall deſend,
And by his merit deiſy his name.
From Caſſandane ſhall a daughter ſpring;
She ſhall eſpouſe Medea's future ſon,
Who, Med [...]s call'd, ſhall found a mighty throne,
Which ſhall o'erſhadow all the eaſtern world.
THE END.
Appendix A NEW PUBLICATIONS printed for J. DEBRETT.
[]TRAVELS in UPPER and LOWER EGYPT; per⯑formed by Order and at the Expenſe of Lewis the Sixteenth, in 1776, 1777, and 1778. Comprehending the moſt important Obſervations and intereſting Diſcove⯑ries made in the Courſe of the Journey. Faithfully tranſlated from the French of C. S. SONNINI, an Officer of Engineers in the French Navy; Member of ſeveral learned Academies in Europe, and aſſiſtant Contributor to Buffon, in the Ornithological Department of his Natural Hiſtory.—Illuſtrated with a Map of Egypt, Portraits of the Author and of Murat Bey, and ſeveral other Engrav⯑ings, repreſenting Pictureſque Views, Antiquities, Natural Hiſtory, &c. &c. from Drawings taken on the Spot, un⯑der the immediate Inſpection of the Author, and en⯑graved by Landſeer, Milton, Anker Smith, Watts, and the firſt Artiſts in the various Departments. With a Pre⯑face by the Tranſlator, comprehending an authentic and intereſting Account of the Trade to the Levant.—Ele⯑gantly printed uniformly to bind with Park's and Brown's Travels in Africa, on fine wove paper, hot-preſſed, in one large volume quarto.
A COLLECTION of STATE PAPERS relative to the War againſt France, now carrying on by Great Bri⯑tain and the ſeveral other European Powers. Containing authentic Copies of Treaties, Conventions, Proclama⯑tions, Manifeſtoes, Declarations, Memorials, Remon⯑ſtrances, Official Letters, Parliamentary Papers, London Gazette Accounts of the War, &c. &c. &c. many of which have never before been publiſhed in England.—Printed uniformly to bind with the Parliamentary De⯑bates. In 7 volumes. 3l. 11s. 6d. boards.
OBSERVATIONS on the STATE of the CONTI⯑NENT, ſhould France be ſuffered to retain her immenſe Acquiſitions. In which are reviewed her whole Syſtem of Aggrandizement, and the probable Advantages ſhe will derive from the Subverſion of Italy and the Poſſeſſion of Belgium on the Return of Peace. 3s. 6d.
"This uſeful and intereſting publication, in the form of letters, is well timed and well directed. The writer examines, in detail, the conduct of the French from the time of the revolution, and ſtates, that the accumu⯑lation of their poſſeſſions increaſes the andacity, and confirms the power of their rulers; and that Engliſhmen have no reſource againſt their inſolence, but to proſecute the war with vigour."—Britiſh Critic, March 1799.
[] A VOCABULARY of SEA-PHRASES and TERMS of ART uſed in Seamanſhip and Naval Architecture, in 2 Parts: 1. Engliſh and French—2. French and Eng⯑liſh. Carefully collected from the beſt Authorities, written and oral, aided by a long and intimate Acquaint⯑ance with the nautical Language of both Countries; and containing all the Orders neceſſary for working a Ship, and carrying on the Duty on board, as well at Sea as in Port. By a Captain of the Britiſh Navy. Dedicated, by Permiſſion, to Earl Spencer, K. G. Firſt Lord of the Admiralty, &c. 2 vols. 8s.
VARIETIES of LITERATURE, from foreign Li⯑terary Journals and original MSS. now firſt publiſhed, in 2 large volumes 8 vo. 15s.
"This is, in many reſpects, a very agreeable Miſcel⯑lany. The undertaking is alſo a novel one, and will probably be repeated, as the German language is becom⯑ing every day more and more an object of attention in this country, and as it is well known that the German Journals contain very intereſting and important matter. This collection is completely a miſcellany, as the Com⯑piler and Tranſlator appears to have had in general no ob⯑ject in view except that of placing before his readers an entertaining variety. It muſt indeed be a faſtidious taſte, which may not in its progreſs through theſe volumes find ſome of the viands it approves."—Britiſh Critic, Jan. 1796.
SELECTIONS from the moſt celebrated Foreign Journals and other Periodical Publications. 2 vols. 16s. boards.
"Theſe Selections, made with judgment, and tranſ⯑lated with fidelity, are on the ſame plan with that intereſt⯑ing work the Va [...]ieties of Literature. Theſe two vo⯑lumes of Selections conſiſt chiefly in the papers of Pro⯑feſſor M [...]ners, which are various, inſtructive, learned, and con [...]enſed; in the account by Jagemann of the ſtate of commerce, arts, and ſcience, in Tuſcany, which is well digeſted; and in the hiſtoric diſſertations concerning Ruſſia by Schloetzer, whoſe erudition and good ſenſe are alike prominent."—Monthly Rev. July 1798.
LIFE of CATHARINE II. Empreſs of Ruſſia; an enlarged Tranſlation from the French, by a Gentleman many Years reſident at St. Peterſburgh; with ſeven Por⯑traits, viz.—1. The Empreſs Catharine. 2. Peter III. 3. Emperor Paul. 4. Staniſlaus, King of Poland. 5. Princeſs Daſchkoff. 6. Prince Potemkin. 7. Prince Or⯑loff; [] and a correct Map of the Ruſſian Empire. A new edition. 3 vols. 1l. 4s.
VIEW of the RUSSIAN EMPIRE during the Reign of Catharine the Second, and to the Cloſe of the preſent Century, &c. &c. Containing an accurate De⯑ſcription of the Government, Manners, Cuſtoms, Reli⯑gion, Extent, Boundaries, Soil, Climate, Produce, Re⯑venue, Trade, Manufactures, &c. &c. of the ſeveral Nations that compoſe that extenſive Empire. By WIL⯑LIAM TOOKE, F. R. S. Member of the Imperial Aca⯑demy of Sciences, and of the Free Economical Society at St. Peterſburgh. Illuſtrated with a Map of Ruſſia. In 3 large vols. Il. 7s. boards.
MEMOIRES ſur la Vie et le Caractere de Madame la Ducheſſe de Polignac. Avec des Anecdotes intereſ⯑ſantes ſur la Revolution Francaiſe, et ſur la Perſonne de Marie Antoinette, Reine de France. Ecrite par Madame la Comteſſe Diane de Polignac. 2s. 6d.
"This little work might be put with advantage into the hands of young ladies who are learning the French language. The intereſt their ſenſible hearts muſt take in the narrative, would animate and alleviate the troubles of overcoming the difficulties of the leſſon; and they would contemplate more than one or two of the moſt noble mo⯑dels or examples of female excellence."—Engliſh Review, Jan. 1706.
MATERNAL LETTERS to a Young Lady, on her Entrance into Life. 2s.
"Theſe Letters contain much wholeſome advice on religious, moral, and prudential ſubjects, expreſſed in un⯑affected language; and they are very proper to be put into the hands of young females when they leave the boarding-ſchool, to correct the falſe notions which they are too apt to gather there, and to prepare them for filling, with credit and advantage, the moſt important of all female re⯑lations, thoſe of a Wife and a Mother."—Monthly Re⯑view, Dec. 1795.
The WORKS of JOHN HALL STEVENSON, Eſq. Containing Crazy Tales, Fables for Grown Gentlemen, Lyric Epiſtles, Paſtoral Cordial, Paſtoral Puke, Macarony Fables, Lyric Conſolations, Moral Tales, Monkiſh Epi⯑taphs, Eſſay on the King's Friends, &c. &c. Including ſeveral Poems now firſt printed from the original MSS. with Notes, and a Preface by the Editor: illuſtrated with a view of Crazy Caſtle, and the Conſtellation, engraved by Milton; elegantly printed in 3 volumes, ſmall 8 vo. 15s. boards.
- Zitationsvorschlag für dieses Objekt
- TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 4139 Jason a tragedy in five acts By R Glover. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-6163-7