/':^^U'.«^i iS' '%i. THE PERSIAN HEROINE, A TRAGEDY, BY RICHARD PAUL J O D R E L L, ESQ. I I WITH PORTRAIT, PREFACE, PROLOGUE, EPILOGUE, AND NOTES, THE THIRD EDITION. Ye sacred Muses, with whose beauty fir'd My soul is ravish 'd, and my brain inspired ; Whose Priest I am, whose holy fillets wear, Wou'd you your Poet's first Petition hear? Give me the ways of wandering stars to i^pc^iti;! '/ , . The depths of Heav'n above, and Earth' b^Jojv. ',',"'' j v >'.>', \ ;, Dryden. Virgil's (j'^dr'^fck \V. v: 680: ' LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY SAMUEL AND RICHARD BENTLEY, DORSET STREET, SALISBURY SQUARE. 1822. ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL. THE PERSIAN HEROINE BY RICHARD PAUL JODRELL ESQ. WITH VARIATIONS ADAPTED FOR REPRESENTATION IN THREE ACTS AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PREFACE FOR ITS REPRESENTATION IN FIVE ACTS INCORPORATING THE NEW VARIATIONS. NEQUE ENIM LEX jEQUIOR ULLA QUAM NECIS ARTIFICES ARTE PERIRE SUA. OVIDIUS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY SAMUEL AND RICHARD BENTLEY, DORSET STREET, AND SOLD BY JOHN BOHN, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. MDCCCXXII. ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL. PREFACE The object of this preliminary address is to inform the Reader of the difference in this Edition of the Tragedy of The Persian Heroine compared with the preceding Editions ; and of the new Variations now introduced. Instead of Five Acts it is here printed in Three Acts, in order to allow a represen- tation of it in either of those two modes, as occasion may demand, or different theatres require. I shall prove in the sequel of this Preface with what facility that may be done by this printed edition, so as to accommodate it to the other form of Five Acts without reprinting it again ; and thus the advantage, flowing from the present Variations, will equally attach to both respective forms, if the following instructions are obeyed. The first difference consists in the division of the Choral Song. This was inserted originally towards the end of the Second Act, and then consisted of sixty verses in twenty stanzas, which included three lines of lyrick measure. This IV PREFACE was adjudged by Proprietors, Managers, and Actors, as inca- pable of being admitted on the modern stage from its length, if accompanied with the vocal and instrumental musick now used in orchestras or sung on the stage of theatres. I have therefore divided this Choral Ode in moieties, and have incor- porated it in two different scenes. The drama opens with one of these moieties, and the other remains in its original place of the tragedy. This will be found an improvement in the Play, and add to the superior dignity of its representation in the scenery at its commencement. Another Variation was the necessity of a new Scene, which is No. VII. in the First Act, where the dramatick characters consist of Xerxes and Otanes. The First and Second Acts of the original Play could not have been linked together, as they are now printed, without it, because the scenes of the place are diversified. This obstacle is now removed by the interposition of Otanes and his conference with Xerxes, which advances the plot, and connects the chain of dialogue between Xerxes and Arteynte in the subsequent scene with great advantage to the drama. The other Variations in this Edition consist of omissions of lines in the respective scenes, as printed in former editions, or of new verses inserted in this present edition, or verbal altera- tions of single words different from those originally adopted; and these can only be discovered by the reader on a compa- rison derived from the view of the respective editions. The collective number of verses amounted formerly to I6l5, and PREFACE V are now reduced to 1475 : consequently in the total there is a diminution of 140 lines. If these 1475 verses are required to constitute Five Acts instead of Three, it will be accomplished in the following mode. Let the First Act end at the conclu- sion of the sixth Scene, as it originally did ; but it will be carried to the end of the verse 326 as now printed. Let the Second Act commence with Scene VIL and be continued to include Scene XVL to the end of the First Act in the new Edition, which terminates in verse 650 as now printed. Let the Third Act commence with Scene L of Act IL and be con- tinued to the end of Scene VL of the Second Act in the new Edition, which terminates in verse 929- Let the Fourth Act commence with Scene VIL of Act II. in the new Edition, and be continued to the end of Scene III. of the Third Act in the new Edition, which terminates in verse 1238. And the Fifth Act will commence with Scene IV. of Act III. and be con- tinued to the end of the Drama at verse 1475 as now printed. Under this arrangement all difficulty will vanish in the respec- tive Acts of the Drama as now executed by the Author. Another Variation in this Edition, which deserves to be mentioned, is that of the names given to the two leaders of the Magi and the Virgins, Archimagus and Harmonia. This enables them to speak, as well as sing individually, when required. Archimagus is also made an important person- age in the plot of the Drama. Among the omissions in this Edition are the historical Notes, together with the Preface vi PREFACE annexed to jny Edition of the Tragedy printed in 1786. These I was obhged to postpone, since I had not sufficient leisure to revise and adapt them for the present purpose. They will be hereafter added, either in their original, or probably in a more enlarged form, if time be allowed to me sufficient to accompUsh the object. POSTSCRIPT. I should have added to the preceding Variations, that I now recommend another division in the representation of the drama, different from the printed form in this edition, -viz. Let the First Act terminate at the end of the fifteenth Scepe and at verse 570. The Second Act will then com- mence with the sixteenth Scene, as herein printed, including the second Choral Ode and the dialogue at the Feast of Tycta. This addition will increase the Second Act with eighty additional verses, which will render the proportion of the first two Acts more nearly alike in quantity of lines, there being only forty-four verses more in the First than in the Second Act under this arrangement. CHARACTERS OF THE DRAMA. MEN. XERXES, King of Persia. DEMARATLTS, King of Sparta, and Exile. MASISTES, A Persian Satrap. N A REAL, A Persian Prince. OTANES, A Persian Courtier. ARCHIMAGUS, Leader of the MAGT GUARDS attendant on XERXES. WOMEN. -AMESTRIS, WIFE OF XERXES, and Queen of Persia. PALLENE, WIFE of MASISTES. ARTEYNTE, daughter of PALLENE and MASISTES. HARMONIA, leader OF the VIRGINS. MELISSA, attendant on ARTEYNTE. CHORUS, consisting of the MAGI and VIRGINS, PRECEDED BY ARCHIMAGUS AND HARMONIA. Scene — Susa, a City of Asia ^ THE jJiM PERSIAN HEROINE. ACT I. SCENE 1. View of a Plain near Susa. Archimagus and Harmonia, preceding the Magi and Virgins in two respective columns of the Chorus, speak the following stanzas ' in Recitative, or sing any part in strains of solemn Music k, as approved by the Author and Managers at the representation. ARCHIMAGUS. 1. Hence from yon Mountain's starry view Be paid to thee all honours due, O Mithras, Sire divine ! HARMONIA. 2. Whatever thy features, form, or face, We, groveling mortals, dare not trace 5 Such lineaments as thine. B 2 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. ARCHIMAGUS. '- /'<' ^' l-'L'et; other Nations thee adore /, ' ' '< '.''' ;'<',' ' Ip lo^ly roofs pavihon'd o^'er, And bound with human Kne. HARMONIA. 4. We hail thee, Power unconfin'd, 10 The Lord of Light, the sovereign Mind, In universe thy shrine. ARCHIMAGUS. 5. And, next to thee, O lovely Queen, In silent night Selene seen. We hail thy cheerful ray. 15 HARMONIA. 6. . Our deepzon'd dames and virgins fair Salute thy gentle orb with pray'r,. And strew the myrtle way. ARCHIMAGUS. 7. , Be Ocean too our rapturM theme, Prolifick fount of ev'ry stream, 20 Who rolls his lucid way. HARMONIA. 8. Nor shall the Earth her gifts in vain Bestow, unsung in grateful strain, Or court the thankless lay. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. . 3 ARCHIMAGUS. 9. And ye, whose rapid whirlwinds fly, 25 Impetuous tyrants of the sky. Protect this hallowM day. HARMON! A. 10. Far be from us that venal lore. Which other mortals oft implore. We for our Monarch pray. 30 Here the Chorus leaves the Stage in the order of two columns, and preceded as before respectively ; a Symphony of Musick, while they are departing from the Scene, is played in the Orchestra. SCENE II. MASISTES, NARBAL. MASISTES. Hail, domes of Susa, hail Memnonian Towers ! I greet your welcome battlements, and here Embrace with rapture my heroick Narbal. NARBAL. Thus, my Masistes, let me clasp thy bosom In the warm circles of this panting heart. 35 Such transports of congenial souls are treasures. Beyond 4;he spear of the triumphant foe. Alas ! the pageant pomps of Eastern pride Have vanished like a visionary dream. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. MASISTES. Frantick ambition, link'd with royal lust, 40 Has ruin'd Asia, who aspired in vain To conquer Europe, and enslave the world. N A R B A L. Such is the meed, which Gods bestow on earth. To teach the monarchs of this little ball They are but men, the heirs of mortal woe. 45 MASISTES. Oh ! may all unborn kings from Xerxes learn This sacred lesson, that imperial pow'r Is destinM to a narrow sphere, and all The kingdoms of this sublunary globe Are chained by mountains, and begirt by seas, 50 Each in its petty orb by Nature fix^d ! Till you command rebelHous Ocean^s tide Not to o'erpeer his margin, freeborn man One common tyrant never will obey. NARBAL. Thanks to that native liberty of soul, 55 Spurning the shackles of usurping fancy. Which proves that-human hearts are seldom slaves. MASISTES. Far diff Vent are the Sons of Europe forniM In her more Northern clime a generous race, From those voluptuous and silken minions 60 Which gentler Asia breeds : Dost thou remember, How that tremendous watchword, " Liberty/' Struck, like a thunderbolt, Ionia's bands. And worked a prodigy ? Each warriour stood Aghast, and graspM his spear, prepared to fight 65 For Graece, and to revolt from Persia's standard. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 5 N A R B A L. Too well, Masistes, I recall that day, When Asians Sun eclipsM at Mycale ; There brave Mardontes, there Tigrantes fell. While Athens, Corinth, Sicyon, Troezene, 70 Reveng'd their cause, and mow'd our routed troops. MASISTES. fatal storm ! yet Fortune thunders still With louder vengeance, if, as Fame reports, All Persians Troops under Mardonius' sway Are by Pausanias vanquished at Plataea. 75 1 saw myself on the Mycalean shore The herald's omenM staff, foreboding woe. While the shrill voice of Rumour echoing loud Pierc'd through the Grsecian Camp, and rent the air. NARBAL. Farewell then to our Xerxes' lofty vaunts ! 80 Let him reign satisfied in Asia's sphere. Nor dare usurp on Europe's plains again, MASISTES. Yet, tho' bewailing our dear Country's fate. Still let me bless my most auspicious star. That gave me such a friend as thou, O Narbal ! 85 When life was trembling on the perilous verge, Not from the Graecian foe in open field. But from the traitorous friend, the curs'd Artayntes, And his uplifted scimitar ; e'en then. Thou, guardian Angel, with thy wellpois'd arm 90 Didst seize his weapon, while thy brandish'd sword Fell'd the bold miscreant to the ground : But oh ! How can I e'er repay this generous deed? THE PERSIAN HEROINE. N A R B A L. Think'st thou, that Friendship sells her courtesy, Like venal merchants of the world, who barter 95 Their purchasM souls for mercenary pelf? While I possess your love, I am overpay 'd. M A S I S T E S. Yet still, my Narbal, I would bind our hearts With closer ties : In this our native Susa I have a daughter, whose unrivalFd charms loo The brightest virgin of our Eastern climes May envy, but ne'er paragon : E'en Helen, That boast of ancient Graece, to her compared. Would like an ^Ethiop seem : Her opening bloom Unfolds its vernal rose, and feasts the eye, 105 The gazing eye, with ecstacy of charms. Oh! let me crown thy valour with her love, And owe my life to my adopted Son ! NARBAL. Thanks, dear Masistes ; but this honest heart Has not its casket void; another season no I will unravel all; till then, adieu. Edit, SCENE HI. MASISTES, DEMARATUS. MASISTES. Ha ! Narbal, dost thou thus decline that prize Of peerless charms, whom Persia's rival champions Would all aspire to win ? But soft, my soul ! Here comes the royal Exile, Demaratus. 115 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 7 DEMARATUS. Blest be, Masistes, thy return to Siisa In this auspicious hour ! MASISTES. What means my King ? Hast thou not heard, how mangled Asia fell Beneath the Graecian spears ! O Spartan Monarch, What joy to me when thus our Country bleeds ? 120 DEMARATUS. The fair Arteynte, thy enchanting daughter, Is by imperial Xerxes, as I hear, Courted to grace his bed : Why starts Masistes ? MASISTES. Because the father has the sovereign right By Nature's charter to bestow his child, 125 Free and unfetterM from the claims of kings. Is this the generous meed, the gracious boon. To the old warriour for his martial toils? Am I rewarded thus? What, lead my daughter, UnaskM of me, perhaps unaskM of her, 130 E'en to a monarch's bed an Eastern slave ? DEMARATUS. Could thy Arteynte claim an happier lot ? MASISTES. No, Demaratus, if enthroned with Pomp Sat Happiness ; but, oh ! how vain is all The pageantry of scepter'd state, if love, 135 Resistless love, disdains the royal throne ! Perhaps Arteynte may with silent woe. Sweet Mourner, rue her fate, and yield reluctant : Tormenting thought ! inform my anxious soul. If the fair nymph consent to meet this doom. 140 « THE PERSIAN HEROINE. DEMARATUS. The Princess, as I learn, rejects the offer, Because our Emperour Xerxes is devoted To Queen Amestris ; hence she scorns the custom Of Asians cHme which suffers kings to rove, Like Nature's commoners, from flowV to flow*r, 145 And clasp unnumbered partners of their bed. MASISTES. Transcendent Virgin, how thy conscious breast Glows with just truth and feels with high disdain That tyranny of Man, by Nature form'd For one alone, and not to rifle charms 150 Which he can ne'er enjoy ! Insatiate Tyrant, What right hast thou to trample on the laws Of the commanding Jove ? for, Demaratus, Mark but the numbers on the peopled earth, And see how nicely balanc'd hangs the scale 155 Of the two sexes ! then, if one usurp. Another must be severed from his mate, And there 's a chaos in the social world . DEMARATUS. These are the sober maxims of our Europe, Where cUrs'd polygamy is chas'd away ; 160 There the poor peasant and the scepter'd king Enjoy alike the common privilege To wed one partner ; there affection reigns, Tempered with sweetest charms, while sacred love In sympathetick bosoms lights the torch. 165 MASISTES. O happy Nations, how your equal sway Deserves our envy, and extorts our praise ! THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 9 But here Usurpers vainly dream to fill The world with royal offspring, while they crush The seeds of Nature, and destroy mankind. 170 Shall then my only daughter swell the train Of licensM harlots, and my race expire In dark oblivion? Indignation, rise, And quell this monster of tyrannick lust ! Hence, Demaratus, Fll repair to soothe 175 This lovely damsel, and relieve her woe. DEMARATUS. Success attend thee in this virtuous cause. SCENE IV. A Bower in a Gi^ove, ARTEYNTE, MELISSA, ARTEYNTE, reposed on a Couch. MELISSA. Why, charming Princess, is that beauteous brow O'erhung with sable cloud ? why droops that eye Surcharged with tears, like April morn with show'rs ? I8O Why burst these sig-hs from their prophetick cell. And breathe the accents of a restless heart ? ARTEYNTE. O my Melissa, at this treacherous hour How many Virgins of the East survey My rival charms with jealous eye, and hail me 185 Fair Fortune's Favourite! and yet perhaps No Nymph more wretched than Arteynte lives. c 10 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. MELISSA. Can she, who courted to the splendid throne Of Persia now awaits her royal Consort, Can she, my lovely Mistress, e'er be wretched? 190 ARTEYNTE, rising from her Couch. Yes, I can testify that truth ; this heart Can witness that she may, which here disdains The mocking vanity of fancied bliss. For all my wishes in that humble sphere . 195 Are centered which the village maid enjoys, Who clasps, sole arbitress of love, her peasant. No voice elects her partner, but her bosom, That beats with sighs responsive to her call. No tyrant drags her with commanding frown 200 To wed an unknown lord ; but she, secure In lowliness of life, with generous will Gives her free hand to her free heart allied. O curs'd condition of our princely birth That fetters virgins ! O detested gift, 205 Which binds our liberty with golden chain ! MELISSA. But Xerxes is with native charms adornM, UnborrowM from his birth, and far outshines All monarchs in the pomp of gorgeous wealth. ARTEYNTE. Tho* he could boast the fairest form that e'er 2 10 Allur'd the damsel's eye, and realms of gold. This honest breast could ne'er consent to wed him. MELISSA. Some secret cause inflames thy steadfast hate : Speak, lovely Mistress, to my faithful bosom. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 11 ARTEYNTE. Yes, I 'II reveal to thee my soul, Melissa; 215 Thy gentle sympathy may pour the drop Of balmy pity to assuage my woe. MELISSA. I shall rejoice to hear the latent source, For I have often mourn'd thy piteous mood ; And wondered at the fountain of thy tears. 220 ARTEYNTE. When Persia's glowing Youth displayed their feats Of mimick war, from Susa's royal tow'r I saw the pageant scene with ardent eye. And traced the heroes panting for renown. One godlike Prince in majesty of form 225 Outshone the rival Peers : I mark'd him well, And felt a lambent flame ; now hope, now fear. Alternate reign'd ; on him alone I gaz'd : But who can paint my agony of soul. When from his steed by an illfated blow 230 My champion fell ? soft pity now cnthraird My captive breast : I wept and sigh'd, " Poor Youth, " How hard thy lot V Straight to the female tent They brought the lovely stripling, where I bath'd With tears the gushing wound, and with these locks 235 I wip'd the tender body. MELISSA. What a scene Of tragick pathos for a virgin heart Cast in a mould like thine ! the very tale Alone draws teardrops trickling from my eye. 12 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. ARTEYNTE. When life reviv'd, he thank'd me for the boon, 240 And breath'd these accents in my trembUng ear : " If e'er thy Warriour should return from Graece, " Where Glory calls, I will remember thee, " And throw, sweet Nymph, my laurels at thy feet : • *' But, if beneath the hostile spear I fall, 245 " Behold this pledge of my immortal love \" He then bestow'd his picture, which I 've worn Here on my bosom since that omen'd day ; And ever, my Melissa, will I wear it. MELISSA. I melt to hear this melancholy tale, 250 And now no longer wonder why the tear Bedews thy virgin cheek, when Xerxes calls Arteynte to his throne. ARTEYNTE. In vain he calls : What monarch can command the heart of woman. Or force an homage, when the soul disdains ? • 255 MELISSA. But did that blooming champion know how love Inflamed thy mutual breast, ere he departed? ARTEYNTE. Well could he read that lesson in my eye. But how our Eastern Virgins are immur'd Before the nuptial rite, thou know'st, Melissa, 260 While Europe's happier Fair can waft with ease The social sentiment from soul to soul. Ne'er since that hour have I beheld my Prince, Nor does he know that I derive my lineage From brave Masistes ; ere the precious moment 265 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 13 Of parley vanished, I bestow'd a gift, And with fond sighs implor'd the vahant Youth, When the fierce onset rag*d, to guard his person. And in the field of war remember me. MELISSA. And hast thou heard no tidings of thy lover? 270 ARTEYNTE. In valour's foremost band he always shone, And with Mardonius stayed when Xerxes fled, In vain I pant to see him : dastard fear Chills my faint soul, and drives me to despair. MELISSA. Repress these timorous tumults ; thy young hero 275 With quick return will bless thy longing sight. ARTEYNTE. Meanwhile impending Fate but brief delay Permits, for the tremendous Xerxes comes, And brings another suitor to my arms. See ! his ambassadour of woe approaches. 280 SCENE V. OTANES, ARTEYNTE, MELISSA. OTANES. Hail, lovely Princess, may thy duteous slave Behold the radiance of those beauteous eyes. While he reports to thee his Monarch's will ! 14 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. ARTEYNTE. These flattering strains of Oriental pomp My simple ear disdains, and sooner listens 285 To gentler accents of unvarnish'd truth. OTANES. Far be from me to raise that rising blush O'er thy vermilionM cheek ; or bid thy bosom, Fair harbinger of love, recoil with hate. But who, O Persian Virgin, can behold 290 A form celestial, nor be rapt in wonder ? ARTEYNTE. Is this the royal embassy thou bring'st ? Does thy deluding Sovereign woo my ear In these seducing words to steal my heart ? OTANES. Thy charge, fair Nymph, on Xerxes is unjust, 295 If I, the herald of his voice, offend. But know, my imperial master bade me call Arteynte to him ; for some great event Demands thy presence ; you will learn from him. ARTEYNTE. Go tell thy Monarch, that Arteynte comes, 300 But not to wed him, or to bind her hand In sacred fetters of connubial faith. OTANES. I dare not breathe these accents to his ear ; Thou, only thou, must tell him this resolve. I will announce thy visit, and depart. 305 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE VI. ARTEYNTE, MELISSA. MELISSA. Alas ! my Princess, what can Xerxes mean To summon thee at this untimely hour ? ARTEYNTE. What ! but to plunge the poniard in my bosom, And drive me to despair ! perhaps this morn. This very morn, I meet my instant doom. 310 my sweet Warriour, could I once embrace Thy lovely image in these circling arms, 1 would encounter death, nor shed a tear ! MELISSA. If Xerxes knew thy secret pangs, his heart, Though born for empire, might incline to pity ; 315 For he has felt the darts of powerful love. Behold, how strongly arm'd Amestris reigns O'er the fierce tyrant by her softer sway ! ARTEYNTE. There thou hast touch'd a chord, that thrills this frame. Panting with horror, to its vital base : 320 Eor dire Amestris reigns with jealous flames. And broods revenge within her murky breast: Her rage I fear more than the Monarch's frown, Since it is poison'd with the aspick's venom ; Ye, righteous Gods, avert this maddening fiend, 325 If Innocence and Virtue are your care ! 16 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE VII. The Palace of Xeroses. XERXES, OTANES. OTANES. Imperial master, I obey'd thy will, And to Arteynte^s ear thy sovereign voice Deliver'd with all energy and zeal. XERXES. She then will come, and crown my ardent prayer. 330 OTANES. She dar'd not to refuse to thee her visit ; But I was forced to soften my firm tone, And to solicit her reply in words From her own lips, and not from mine, O King ! XERXES. Fantastick damsel ! let her please herself; 335 But I know how to conquer modesty In such proud females, whose capricious whims For ever float and eddy in their brain. And, like the waves, depend upon the Moon, But as the flimsy gossamer they vanish. 340 OTANES. What ! can a virgin melting, as the dew In vernal rose, refuse a monarch's arms ? Can she, by Nature timorous as a fawn, THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 17 Resist the frown of thy triumphant brow? Perhaps Pallene may excite her daughter Thus to rebel. XERXES. There thou hast rousM suspicion ; 345 And I will know, Otanes, who dares this. No human power shall rescue the usurper From the commanding cimeter of Xerxes. But lo ! she comes : retire apart, Otanes ! SCENE vm. XERXES, ARTEYNTE. ARTEYNTE. This duteous homage of an humble maid, valiant Monarch, I submit to thee. XERXES. Arise, enchanting Fair ! this servile mien 111 suits the dignity of royal love. ARTEYNTE. Then I must ever kneel ; for I was born To serve, and not to reign. Let others share The envied stateliness of lofty pomp, And from the shrine of Pride inhale the incense ; My star inclines me to another doom (Perhaps more happy). For this virgin brow 1 court no diadem ; but here's no care. Like that which canopies imperial front, 350 (Kneels) (Rises) 355 360 18 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. And I can sleep upon my tranquil pillow, Nor start with tremblings at the midnight hour, When Conscience wakes, and then with horror calls. Didst thou, my Monarch, do the same last night? 365 And couldst thou slumber, when before thy bed Europa^s vision rose to ask of thee Where were her myriads gone, and also those Of thy own Asia ? XERXES. Away, away ! Thou mak^st me shudder like the aspen's leaf 370 Upon the quivering tree ; vibrations dire Reciprocating pour upon my soul. Think'st thou that I could answer all thy dreams Of frantick phantasy ? and were they real, I would not answer them. ARTEYNTE. Because thou canst not. 375 XERXES. Far other language did I want from thee, Ingrate Arteynte ! Thou art form'd by Nature To bless a Monarch's eye ; for Beauty throws O'er thee such charms as captivate mankind. ARTEYNTE. These flatt'ring accents might perhaps seduce 380 Those simple Virgins whose untutor'd hearts The airborn Vanity beguiles with lure ; But some there are e'en of our wavering sex, Whom no soft tongue with candied words could bribe To sell their native liberty of heart, 385 And for a crown barter their freeborn state. I am myself one of these illum'd females. And boast to be an heroine of my sex. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 19 XERXES. Is this the fiery spirit of Arteynte ? Am I confronted thus, when Xerxes asks 390 A boon, which Persia dares not to deny ? ARTEYNTE. If the surrender of my heart thou call Thy high prerogative of royal power. And fondly dream my sacrifice to thee. Then hear, thou Monarch of the Eastern Sphere, 395 That usurpation I must here deny, And thus appeal to Heav'n to judge the cause. XERXES. Is the tremendous Xerxes so debas'd. That one fair damsel should resist his sway, And I be brav'd by a fantastick girl ? 400 Then farewell to my power ! by that dread God Whose high vicegerent here on earth I reign. Thy sex alone now shields thee from mine ire. And curbs the vengeance of a king incensed. But I '11 be brief; thou wed'st me, or thou diest. 405 ARTEYNTE. Then shall I welcome death ; farewell, thou Monarch ! SCENE IX. XERXES, solus. O spell of beauty to enchant the soul, The captive soul of man, by loveshaft pierc'd ! So fair in form, and yet so fierce in words, 20 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. This nymph inflames with a redoubled lustre, 410 And like the Sun shoots a meridian ray. She must be conquered, and shall yield her charms To me alone ; Arteynte shall be mine. Amestris comes, and brings her mantle t© me. SCENE X. XERXES, AMESTRIS, and a Female Assistant bringing a Mantle. AMESTRIS. Behold this mantle, my imperial consort, 416 Which my connubial hands with curious art Have laboured for my lord ! see how the figures Are here embroidered with the ductile gold. That speaks Minerva^s toil in every web : Receive it, Xerxes, as my annual gift. 420 (She gives it to the King) « XERXtiS. My loyal Queen, on this auspicious day I will adorn myself at Tycta's feast With this thy mantle ; and tho' o'er my brow The rich tiara nods with peerless gems Emblazoning my front, yet more I prize 425 This precious token of thy plighted love. AMESTRIS. Then live, great Monarch, and be Persia's King For years unnumbered from this festive day. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 21 And now I must implore my gift from thee : When Ty eta's annual pomp proclaims thy birth, 430 And Persia stands with all her glittering train Of gorgeous pride; then, swear to me, my consort, Swear by yon radiant Orb illuming day Thou wilt indulge Amestris with a boon By Eastern custom and by Persia's law 435 Irrevocably fix'd, and e'en beyond Thy royal power to resume again. XERXES. I '11 swear, Amestris, by those sacred bonds, That fix my empire on its golden base With adamantean ligaments of strength, 440 Invincible, immortal, and eternal ; And I attest great Mithras to be witness, Who flaming rolls his starbespangled car, Whate'er thou ask'st, my Queen, thou shalt obtain On this my hallow'd day beyond recall. 445 SCENE XL AMESTRIS, sola. Ha ! have I caught thee, my inconstant man, And thee, O hated Rival, in my toils? O glorious artifice ! O charming triumph ! His solemn oath secures my fell design : How wondrous subtle is the female brain 450 Inflam'd with jealousy to plot revenge ! 22 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE xil. Palace of Masistes at Susa. MASISTES, PALLENE. MASISTES. my Pallene, who can count the toils, The various toils of War ? But now once more 1 am returned to my blest consort's arms, And to reward her love. PALLENE. My dear Masistes, 455 Welcome, thrice welcome to my panting arms; For danger hovered in the tented field Not only over thee, my martial husband, I too have scapM the foe. MASISTES. What means Pallene ? Who dar'd approach to hurt thee, virtuous wife, 460 Immured in Susans hospitable dome ? PALLENE. He, whom thou wouldst of all men last suspect. He who from others should have shielded honour, The tyrant Xerxes. MASISTES. Thou dost strike amazement Into my inmost soul : did he, did Xerxes 465 Solicit thee with his intriguing love. While I his warriour on Europa's plain For his curs'd cause exposed this valorous trunk ? THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 23 And shed my heartblood, Perfidy infernal ! Descend, thou hideous fiend, to Stygian cave, 470 Nor blast the Earth ! PALLENE. Compose thy ruffled spirit ! He did not dare invade with open force The honour of thy bed, and knew that I Did wear a dagger to protect me from him. MASISTES. If I forgive his insolence of soul 475 Be thou sepulchred here, my honest blade. (Pointing to his Sword) PALLENE. Revenge must yet be lull'd, and thou dissemble, Till time mature design ; then strike the poniard, I '11 wing the shaft myself : I see Arteynte, The lovely mourner comes to plead her cause. 480 SCENE XIII. MASISTES, PALLENE. ARTEYNTE. ARTEYNTE. O my dear father, let thy daughter clasp Thy lovM parental breast, and thus embrace ' With filial ecstacy of hallowed heart. MASISTES. Arteynte, what a joy supreme is this To fold thee once again ! O Nature, Nature, 485 How sweet thy transports in an hour like this ! 24 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. Who would not court on the ensanguined plain Millions of perils for this charming moment Of such reviving bliss? I thank thee. Heaven, For all my sufferings past, crown'd with this tear, 490 This tear reanimating vital glow. ARTEYNTE. How oft, my sacred Sire, have I implor'd The Gods of Persia to protect thy head • In the dread onset, and with midnight prayer By the blue taper and the glimmering flame 495 Breath'd my fond vows to every star of Heaven, But most to her, whose chaste protection shields Fair virgin honour, to Selene's orb, I pour'd my fervent strains of filial hymns. MASISTES. Thy piety has conquered, charming maid 500 And model of all virtue : may Mankind Learn from Arteynte, what a bliss divine To be the father of thy godlike soul ! In distant climes, and ages yet in night. The unborn damsel may derive from thee 605 The melting sympathy of filial love. If so perchance some future bard should tell In tragick melody the piteous fate Of injur'd Persia, our devoted country. ARTEYNTE. Then let him paint in love-inspiring lays 510 Arteynte's pangs that vibrate in her bosom ; For know, my parents, that I die to-day. : This is my last farewell ! THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 25 PALLENK How die today ? Who dares to crush such beauty in its bloom ? Speak, for my soul with indignation bursts. 515 ARTEYNTE. Imperious Xerxes threatens instant death, If I '11 not sacrifice my heart to him. But, if you ever nursed your infant child. And rock'd me in your arms to gentle slumber, Or tun'd my tender breast to virtuous love, 520 Hear me, kind Parents, hear me, I conjure you : No idle fancy, nor capricious whim Opposes majesty ; 'tis genuine love Resolv'd on death sooner than violate Its sacred cell : retire with me, Pallene, 525 And 1 11 reveal to thee my piteous tale. PALLENE. Come, my fond trembler, to thy mother's arm, I will support thy steps ; and to my ear Thou shalt unfold the tumults of thy bosom. SCENE XIV. MASISTES, solus, O Love, how wondrous is thy towering sway ! This virtuous heroine disdains the throne. Because another shaft has pierc'd her breast. O noble damsel, I admire thy spirit. E 530 26 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE XV. MASISTES, NARBAL. NARBAL. I come, Masistes, to reveal the cause, Why I refus'd this morn thy noble offer. 535 MASISTES. ^Tis now too late, I fear, to parley, Narbal, For Xerxes has resolv'd to kill my daughter. NARBAL. ruthless tyrant ! O inhuman monarch ! Where is the champion to avert the blow ? Where is the lover to defend her cause ? 540 MASISTES. 1 know not yet, but soon expect to learn. NARBAL. I tremble top for my devoted fair ; She too perhaps may claim my valiant aid. For know, Masistes, ere I saiFd for Europe, I left a nymph in Susa's lilied plain 545 The fairest flower of Hebe, and as bright As the refulgent star of orient morn : But where she 's now in Susa, or her lineage, I know not, since engaged to war with Xerxes I quitted daUiance for the wreath of Fame, 550 And left our Asia in the cause of Glory. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 27 Once, and once only, I beheld the fair With momentary joy ; but this one glance Transfix'd my heart, and planted mine in her's. I gave to her a solemn pledge, and swore, 555 If I returnM from Europe, to espouse This charming idol, who received my vow. Thou know'st at Susa, how sequesterM nymphs Here live immur'd from every roving eye ; And she perhaps in some sequestered shade 560 Here now may waft an amorous sigh to Zephyr, And call her Warriour with the voice of love. MASISTES. Perhaps this day thou may'st behold her, Narbal. NARBAL. Speak, tell me where, and elevate my soul, My drooping soul, at least with fancy^s hope. 565 MASISTES. At Tycta's Feast thou may'st discover her. NARBAL. blest occasion ! Expectation fair ! 1 'm on the pinnacle of flattering joy. And in this interval 'tween hope and fear. Oh ! what transporting moments we endure. 570 28 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE XVI. The Feast of Tycta. A magnificent Hall in the Palace of Xerxes , ivith Chairs of State for the King and Queen in the centre, and Seats on each side of the theatre for the Satraps and Nobles of Persia. All the Dramatis PersoncE (except Arteynte) are present. After the Procession, enter the Chorus of the Magi and Yirgins, preceded by their respective leaders, Archimagus and Harmonia, who sing alternately the following Stanzas in the Ode as numbered in the sequel. ARCHIMAGUS & MAGI. 1. Hail to yon radiant God of day, Whose flaming orb with streaming ray Illumes the gladsome morn ! HARMONIA & VIRGINS. 2. Awake, bright Joy, celestial guest, And hymning Tycta's annual feast 575 Proclaim great Xerxes born ! ARCHIMAGUS & MAGI. 3. Ye Magi now in sacred throhg Attune your deepton'd M^ondrous song. And sweep your sounding shell ! HARMONIA & VIRGINS. 4. Ye Persian Nymphs in fair array 580 Warble your melting Lydian lay. And breathe your vocal spell ! THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 29 ARCHIMAGUS & MAGI. 5. As near Maeander^s silver stream The royal plane with golden gleam Illumes the flowery spray ; 585 HARMONIA & VIRGINS. 6. ^ So glows our Monarch o'er the rest Of Asia's princes Lord confest, And tow'rs in regal sway. ARCHIMAGUS & MAGI. 7. At thy command the parting main, Great King, stood linked with naval chain, 690 And Persia rode the wave : HARMONIA & VIRGINS. 8. At thy behest his pineclad head Old Athos bow'd, and scoop'd his bed To bid the Ocean lave : ARCHIMAGUS & MAGI. 9. By the dark sleet of iron shower 595 Bright Sol eclips'd laments his power. And darts his feeble ray. HARMONIA & VIRGINS. 10. By the unnumber'd Persian host Exhausted Lakes their fountains lost, And vanished far away. 600 30 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. XERXES, rising, speaks from his Chair of State. Thro' all the ample round, and wide domain Of my extended empire of Persia, From Susa to Persepolis, and thence From Ecbatana to our Babylon, Be joy proclaim^ to hail this feast of Tycta ! 605 Bid nectar, sparkling from Choaspes' stream, Unite with Syrian grape to crown the goblet, And let each Persian guest assembled here Quaff the sweet antidote of human cares. Let Achaemenian nard with Cassia's balm eiO In aromatick shower perfume the palace. Each animal of costly pride shall bleed ; The patient camel, and the stately ox, The prancing steed, shall all be sacrificed To grace our banquet ; and shall fall beneath 615 The Magi's wand to light the hallowed flame. While chaste libations pour'd shall bathe the ground. Now I command the Herald's voice to sound With the loud rapture of convivial joy. And from my royal chest proclaim a prize, 620 Three thousand daricks, if ingenious art Shall be the inventress of a novel pleasure. Unknown, unfelt, yet unenjoy'd by man. (Sound of a Trumpet) Does no one answer to the Herald's voice ? Then, my Amestris, royal Queen, arise, 625 And ask me thy request, while all attentive Shall listen to thee ; and behold ! I give This sceptre to thy hand, this sacred pledge As the imperial symbol of my oath, Whate'er thou ask'st me, shall at once be granted. 630 (He gives a Sceptre to Amestris) THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 31 AMESTRIS, rising, speaks from her Chair of State. I hail the omen, my imperial Xerxes, And now implore the right which Custom gives And Law ordains on this our annual banquet. No female suit Amestris asks today Of necklace, diadem, of zone or veil ; 635 Nor the bright jewel from Pactolus' stream, Or Tmolus' golden sands ; nor tower'd city To swell my dow'r, and augment the train Of royal vanity ; nor chosen troops. Selected from the Army, for my nod, 640 And to obey my sovereign command. But here I claim before these noble Satraps, These sacred Magi with their hallow'd Chief, These venerable Matrons of our Court And these devoted Virgins of our Choir, 645 The royal present of Arteynte's life ! XERXES. Arteynte's life? Amestris, speak again. AMESTRIS. Again, O Xerxes, I repeat my words, And claim Arteynte, as my prize, today. XERXES. Dissolve the banquet! I will hear no more. 650 END OF ACT THE FIRST. Xeroses descends from the Throne, and is followed by the Satraps, Archimagus, and Magi, and all the Male Persons attending. Amestris afterwards descends from her Throne, and is fol- lowed hy Harmonia, Virgins, and Matrons attending. 32 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. ACT II. SCENE I. The Palace of Xeroses. XERXES, AMESTRIS. XERXES. Thou treach'rous consort of my royal bed, What hast thou done to plunge my soul in horror ? Oh ! thou hast stol'n a promise, that involves Perhaps the fate of Xerxes and his Throne. AMESTRIS. The Gods forefend, and shield their scepter'd Monarch 655 With Heaven's protecting pow'r ! Does Xerxes, The mighty Xerxes, for his safety plead Arteynte's cause, who now on me depends. On me alone, if Persia's Empire stand Fix'd on its solid base of ancient law ? 660 XERXES. Inhuman Queen ! thy jealousy has ruin'd The peace of Xerxes ; must Arteynte fall Devoted victim of thy merciless rage ? • AMESTRIS. Yes, she shall die ; my rival dies beneath My blade of vengeance, and shall teach a lesson, 665 THE PERSIA,N HEUOINE. 33 A fatal lesson, to those amorous glances, Who dare allure from me thy royal eye With .virgin witchcraft, and enchanting wiles. XERXES. By Cyrus' tomb, and by the reverend shade Of great Darius, thou behest her fame : 670 Arteynte never did seduce my love. AMESTRIS. Thy eyes have then been guilty ; oft I *ve seen What marked thy visage, and betray'd thy soul In characters too visibly pourtray'd : Is not this treason to your Queen Amestris? 675 XERXES. I swear, Arteynte is as chaste as Hebe, Or spotless Dian ; give me but her life. And ask what Persia's Empire can allow, I 'W yield to thee to crown this day's request. AMESTRIS. Thou plead'st in vain. I 'm deaf, as roaring waves 680 To the wrecked mariner ; my firm resolve, Like death, inexorable. XERXES. Must the cry Of blood atone thy hate ? must Jealousy Demand a human victim of her rage ? AMESTRIS. Yes, did I e'er know pity ? did those pangs, 686 Those female pangs of melting sympathy E'er soften my firm rock, or steal a tear From this relenting eye ? Have I not plung'd To the infernal Deity Areimanes Those living victims I once sacrific'd ? 690 F 34 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. Aghast they stood with supplicating arms And streaming visage, while their howling parents Clasped their fond knees, and cried aloud for mercy : But yet I tore them from their aged bosoms, And down they sunk in bottomless abyss 695 Never to rise again, a feast to Hell. XERXES. O fell hyaena in an human form ! How terribly art thou unsex'd by Nature ! For gentle woman was by Gods ordain'd To own a yielding bosom, finely fraught 700 With generous sympathy, relaxing pity, Angelick mildness, loveinwoven heart. And she was made the most excelling pattern To temper man, stern man, and softly breathe Into his fiercer soul the balm of mercy. 705 AMESTRIS. These are the whining arts and female tricks By purling brook or evening bower to lure The simple shepherd and the rustick swain. Far other stratagems Amestris knows To raise imperial woman to the height 7 10 Of man, her paramour, but not her lord. Then shall I pardon her, whom my fix'd soul Abhors like death ? No, let infernal Ate, Daemon of vengeance, from her murky cell Arise, and wing my fury; therefore give me, 715 Give me my victim, Xerxes, or proclaim That Persia's Empire is dissolved by thee. XERXES. Dilemma direful ! she must be yours. Sooner than Asia's pillar'd state shall fall. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 35 If nought can mollify thy savage breast 720 To soften destiny. AMESTRIS. Oh! nothing can Divert the storm, that thunders o'er the head Of my fair Rival, and release her doom. Hence I depart the sacrifice to speed. SCENE II. XERXES, DEMARATUS. XERXES. O Demaratus, welcome to my soul 725 In this tremendous momentary horrour ; For thou hast known the thorns that pierce the breasts Of Monarchs, and art train'd in sapient lore, Nurs'd by Adversity : O Spartan Sovereign, If e'er thou lov'dst thy Xerxes, now relieve him. 730 de'maratus. If e'er I lov'd thee I who, but Demaratus, Exalted to the throne of great Darius Atossa's son ? for when thy elder brother By birthright, Artabazanes, claim'd Thy royal sceptre, did not I at once 735 Dash his proud effort, and maintain by right, That no one, born a subject, could be King While Xerxes liv'd, sprung from the loins of Cyrus, Cyrus, the great deliverer of Persia. 36 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. XERXES. No time can e'er erase the memory 740 From the recording tablet of my breast. DEMARATUS. And did not I, when thy imperial pride Surveyed those millions, who embark'd with thee To vanquish Europe, venture to foretell, That Graece could ne'er be conquered by that host, 745 Who darkened Hellespont, and bridged the main. Then with an honest freedom I pronounced. That Spartan valour never could be tam'd, But rise triumphant over death and thee. XERXES. Too well, alas ! too well, my royal Exile, 750 I recollect the wisdom of thy counsel ; And had I followed thy divine advice. Oh ! what a world of woe had I escaped ! How many widows, orphans, had been blest, AVith husbands, fathers, all bereft by me ! 755 How many noble Persians then had bloom'd Now over Asia crushed in dark oblivion ! How sharp thy venom'd sting is, O Remorse ! But tyrant thought away, nor haunt my soul With hideous spectres, which create a hell 760 More horrible within this bosom's sphere. DEMARATUS. O perturbation, when the vital spirit Is vex'd with storms like these ! What tortur'd slave Would be a Monarch to possess a soul Thus sorely harrow'd, or exchange the oar 755 Of bondage for the lustre of a sceptre ? Soft slumber can revive the travell'd body. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 37 But where 's the opiate draught of Lethe's stream, That can compose the soul, when Agony, Thus, Hke a famished vulture, preys upon it ? 770 Tell me, O Xerxes, what can I now do ? XERXES. Oh ! shield Arteynte from Amestris' ire. Can I recall my oath, my fatal oath, In adamantine character engravM On the eternal tablet in the Heaven ?- 775 DEMARATUS. If thou wilt listen to the law of Sparta, I can produce an answer to my friend From the recorded annals of my race. XERXES. The fame of Sparta, so renown'd in Europe, Demands attention ; to my ear proclaim. 780 DEMARATUS. When brave Ariston reignM, my sacred sire. He was enamoured with Agetus* wife ; And to derive from her the future stem Of Spartan kings, this stratagem he plan'd. He bade the husband ask what boon he pleas'd 785 From the imperial treasures of his throne. But on condition that himself should give Whatever the Monarch ask'd ; the compact thus By mutual oath was solemnly confirmed : Agetus nam'd his present, and obtainM it. 790 Ariston then proclaimM his subject^s wife As his devoted prize ; and her first husband Was forc'd to yield, because impelled by oath. Hence I derive the fountain of my life. 38 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. XERXES. Alas ! too visibly this mirror shews 795 The image to my soul ; but Sparta's law Was not for Persia made ; nor Xerxes born To rule o'er Asia by those charter'd bands. DEMARATUS. O selfdeluded Monarch, let not fancy Thus smother conscience! Is not the race 800 Of mankind bound by one eternal chain To oaths, those awful and revered appeals Which Heaven has heard and seaFd upon its tablet ? X ERXE S. Yes, Demaratus, I confess thou plead'st Too eloquent for Xerxes to deny ; 805 And this internal monitor within me In strains more audible than Herald's voice, Tho' trumpettongued, now echoes to my breast. I feel, too late, I feel, that I am bound, E'en like a hampered lion in the toil, 810 By my imprudent oath, M^hich perjury Alone can cancel; therefore perish, Xerxes ; Perish Arteynte, ere the forked shaft Of the avenging God destroy my throne. DEMARATUS. Bravely resolv'd ; but let us try, my Monarch, 815 Some scheme to extricate thy hapless woe. Consult the Magi train'd in wisdom's lore. XERXES. Thy hint is just: I'll summon to my aid Those silver seers, those living oracles. And see if Xerxes can elude the snare : 820 Thou, Demaratus, shalt attend our council. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 39 SCENE III. The Palace of Masistes. MASISTES, PALLENE, ARTEYNTE. MASISTES. O my Arteynte, what a dreadful storm From curs'd Amestris thunders o'er our heads ! ARTEYNTE. It is not death I fear ; but thus to fall The victim of the tortures, which her wit, 825 Inspir'd by jealousy, will now devise ; There, there 's the pang, that startles human courage, And makes e'en virtue's sevenfold shield to shrink. PALLENE. Thou shalt not die, my daughter, if Pallene Can save her offspring : Here behold thy Mother, 830 Who offers to redeem thy precious hfe ! For virgin bloom is thine ; but I have pass'd The morning of my days, and am prepar'd To welcome fate, if thus the Gods ordain. ARTEYNTE. O generous offer of parental love ! 835 But know, Arteynte would refuse to live On such condition, were it e'en accepted : Sooner than e'er submit to save myself So dearly purchas'd, I 'd encounter death, Arm'd with ten thousand terrors, and relieve thee 840 From the dire fangs of that inhuman Vulture. 40 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. MASISTES. Was ever man more amply blest than I With such a Consort, and a peerless Child? Oh ! if my lot had been to some low sphere Confin d, how rich, ye Gods, with all your stores 845 Masistes would have liv'd, and never known Those cruel pangs, which agonize my soul ! ARTEYNTE. Ere I depart, let me discharge one vow, One tender vow, to alleviate despair. O wheresoever thou art, my absent Lover, 850 Whether thou tread 'st on earth thy devious way, A solitary Wanderer, or above Hover'st unseen with the celestial choirs. Know, I am still Arteynte, and this heart Shall beat, sweet Spirit, thine, tho' tyrant force — 855 Away ! for madness lurks in that dire image. And, ere rebellious fancy warps my soul, Let the infernal sentence be obey'd. SCENE IV. MASISTES, PALLENE. MASISTES. Illustrious Heroine ! has she departed ? But say, Pallene, is the clue unravelled, 860 Which winds the labyrinth of her soul, to thee ? THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 41 PALLENE. She has disclosed her secret of delay, And thou may'st learn her lover from this image. (Shews him a Picture) She gave me this to ask, if thou canst tell The portrait here by artist's hand depicted. 865 M A S I S T E S. Behold young Narbal, partner of my soul, And comrade, who preserved thy husband's life. SCENE V. MASISTES, PALLENE, NARBAL. MASISTES. How fares my guardian friend, my valiant Narbal ? NARBAL. As the benighted traveller, who roams Through some lone desert, shuddering at the brink 870 Of a rude precipice, nor finds repose. Thou, my Masistes, hast deceived me : where Is thy deluding promise, that today I should discover the refulgent star Of my celestial Fair ? In vain I looked 875 O'er all the virgin choir at Tycta's feast; But she, who rules my destiny, was absent. MASISTES. Hast thou no symbol, by whose friendly light We can explore this mistress of thy soul ? G 42 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. NARBAL. One ray of hope remains in this dear casket ; 880 For here imprisoned hes, invisible To every other eye, except mine own, A form divine ; but oh ! how oft, ye Gods, I gazM with fond dehght. (Produces his casket, containing Arteyntes portrait) PALLENE. Here, lend it me ; And in return receive this portrait too. 885 See, while I yours contemplate, if thou know^st The owner of this form. (She gives to him his own portrait from Arteynte, while she receives Arteyntes portrait from Narbal by exchange) NARBAL. Ha ! do I not view My image here ? it is the gift I gave To the beloved idol of my soul. PALLENE, viewing the Portrait. Her arched brow, her azure eye, her lips, 890 All, all betray the counterpart, it must, It must be she; yes, 'tis Arteynte's form. It is my daughter ; I expire with joy. Here, my Masistes, here behold a sight. That from thy lids will force the ecstatick tear. 895 (She shews the Porti\ait to Masistes) NARBAL. O blest discovery ! I now shall find My fair one ; but I see, Masistes too Is rapt in sweet confusion : THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 43 MASISTES. O my friend, My more than friend, receive my flowing soul. NARBAL. Speak, tell me where 's my love ; for she who claims 900 This portrait of thy Narbal is his idol. MASISTES. Regard her Father here ! PALLENE. And here her Mother ! NARBAL. Am I alive to hear it ? did I then Refuse my Charmer in thy Daughter's gift. MASISTES. Yes, and to thee, my Son, a Father's life 905 I owe; Arteynte's Lover rescued me. NARBAL. O ye just Gods ! is that Arteynte mine Who spurn'd the Tyrant, and resolved to die, Ere he embrac'd her hand ? Hence let me fly. And pour my soul in gratitude before her. 910 SCENE VI. MASISTES, PALLENE, NARBAL, ARTEYNTE. PALLENE. Behold, she comes ! O my divine Arteynte, Here see thy Warriour, and thy Lover too ! 44 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. A R T ^Y N T E. It is my Narbal : Oh ! I faint, Pallene, Support me in this ecstacy of bhss, And let me now expire on thy bosom. 915 NARBAL. No, thou shalt Uve in mine, for ever hve ! (Embraces her) Nor War shall part us more, nor even death My longing arms, that panted to receive thee. ARTEYNTE. Silence alone can know the amorous transports Of this enchanting moment. O my Narbal, 920 Just now I pourM my virgin vow to Heaven, And sure celestial choirs have heard my prayer. And sent a Seraph in a Lover's form. NARBAL. Once more I bless my ardent eyes, and gaze On Nature's image : O my Arteynte, 92.5 My charming fair, thus, thus, I clasp thee to me : No portraits now shall we exchange together. Nor keep our pledges disunited now, For the originals shall part no more. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 45 SCENE VII. The Palace of Xerxes. XERXES, DEMARATUS, ARCHIMAGUS, AND MAGI. XERXES. Ye venerable seers, I ask your council, 930 Must I resign Arteynte to Amestris ? ARCHIMAGUS. We have explor'd the rolls of Persians Laws, And from inexorable Tycta^s oath No respite find, unless another Victim By voluntary death redeems Arteynte. 935 DEMARATUS. O fond ideal hope ! for who would quit These radiant beams of vivifying Sol For the cold terrors of the darkey ed Night ? All cling by Nature to the chains of life. The starving Peasant, and the tortur'd Slave, 940 The palsied Hermit, and the dying Eld ; Nor would exchange their momentary pangs To purchase freedom in an unknown sphere. • 46 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE VIII. (To them) AMESTRIS. AMESTRIS. Ye sacred Magi, I am come to hear The voice of your decree. ARCHIMAGUS. Imperial Queen, 945 We have pronounced ; Arteynte must be yielded. AMESTRIS. Blest be your hallowed accents, rev' rend Seers ! Blest be your cloudless days and peaceful nights ! May all your hours unruffled flow serene, And Death transport you to Elysian fields ; 950 Had the eternal laws of Asia's throne Conspired with weeping Xerxes, he had sav'd The captive minion, and forgot his oath. XERXES. I own, Amestris, I had rescued her ; For where must Suppliants fly for human aid, 965 If no Asylum from the throne is found. And mercy from the breasts of Kings is banish'd? AMESTRIS. 'Twas love, not mercy mov'd thee : Xerxes knows No pity, else the Myriads of the East Had not been massacred to glut thy pride ; 960 See'st thou, how yonder Ghosts in gloomy crowds THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 47 Unburied stalk by Acheron, and curse Thy fell ambition as their cause of death? Hear'st thou the groans of Widows shrieking loud, And plaints of Orphans yelling for their bread ? 965 Where are their vanish'd husbands, where their sires, To cheer their fainting spirits ? answer this. And talk of mercy with becoming grace. XERXES. O force of dastard guilt ! Abash'd by Woman ! Ye Magi, and Archimagus, retire ! 970 SCENE IX XERXES, DEMARATUS, ARTEYNTE. ARTEYNTE. If virtuous innocence may plead an audit, royal Xerxes, listen, and preserve me From the tremendous ire of Amestris, Thy harpyfooted Queen, my fell hysena. XERXES. Art thou, Arteynte, that hightowering damsel, 975 Who lately scorn'd the frown of Xerxes' brow ? ARTEYNTE. 1 am the same undaunted Heroine. DEMARATUS. Unhappy Princess, I lament thy fate ; But I must tell thee, that no mortal power 48 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. Can now avert the doom of Tycta's law, 980 Unless another falls for thee, Arteynte, A voluntary victim in thy stead ; So spoke Archimagus ; I heard his voice. ARTEYNTE. Thy fatal words, O Spartan King, are tempered With such humanity from those thy lips, 985 That they can soften horror ; therefore death Shall come, I '11 meet the blow with fortitude. To rival e'en the valour of thy Sparta : And unappaird Arteynte waits the hour. SCENE X. (To them) NARBAL. XERXES. What daring youth is this who thus intrudes ? 990 ARTEYNTE. I, Monarch, am the cause, why this young warriour Has burst his entrance to confront thee here. XERXES. Is this my rival, who usurps thy heart ? NARBAL. I ask thy royal pardon, but deny That contumelious title of Usurper, 995 For here the basis of my claim is built On free consent of independent love : Tho' I derive no blood from regal loins, THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 49 I own a soul of an imperial cast, That would disdain to yield his fair Arteynte 1000 To all the scepter'd tyrants of the earth : Her champion here I stand ; and he who claims her Shall claim my life precursor to that hour. XERXES. Such insolence I '11 curb : My Guards, arrest, And fetter this bold youth in Susa's castle 1005 Until tomorrow's dawn, and then perhaps He may behold his favourite expire. (Guards enter with Otanes, and seize Narbal) ARTEYNTE. Ye savage satellites, oh ! seize me too, I am the guilty partner of his crime : We'll live together, or together hail 1010 One common fate, for death is liberty With him, my Narbal. NARBAL. O my dear Arteynte, Let not my falling fabrick crush thee too. And heap destruction on thy lovely head. I am perhaps for ever lost : One look, 1015 One parting look, I ask ; and then, ye ministers, I will obey the mandate of your King. But envy not this last and farewell glance; I have enjoy 'd it, and I ask no more : Hence, Persians, lead me to my destin'd prison ! io20 H 50 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE XL XERXES, DEMARATUS, ARTEYNTE. ARTEYNTE. There will I follow too my captive Narbal. XERXES. Impetuous woman, thou shalt not pursue. ARTEYNTE. Wilt thou divide my lover from my arms, Perhaps my dying arms ? inhuman Xerxes, Now I confess, that thou art terrible, 1025 Too terrible indeed to nerves like mine ! At last Arteynte's courage now is fled. XERXES. Amestris' victim thou dost still remain. ARTEYNTE. I had forgot it : Love had rais'd my soul To yon bright Orb in that celestial sphere ; 1030 Your barbarous hint recalls my roving spirit, And I descend to earth, once more descend, Where Xerxes reigns, and where Amestris calls To instant doom ; ye shall be satisfied ; I '11 go, I '11 die ; then farewell to Arteynte. i035 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 51 SCENE XII. XERXES, DEMARATUS. XERXES. Demaratus, from thy royal eyelid Why drops a tear, that symbol of thy grief? DEMARATUS. Because, my royal friend, I am a man : 1 have beheld a melancholy scene, And can^t refrain these sympathetick drops 1040 That flow from me in teardistilling stream. XERXES. Such female rivulets disgrace our sex, And milky tenderness is not for Kings. I know no trickling showers, like these of pity. For I neW wept save on Abydos summit, 1045 And there I own, that once, and once alone, I stole a tear, when I beheld those troops Of countless myriads before my eye, Who in the petty period of years Must all be swept away by merciless Time, 1050 The fleeting phantoms of a transient hour. And then be found no more ; On this survey Of shortlived Man Xerxes did drop a tear. DEMARATUS. Thanks to the Star ascendent o'er my birth, That I was cast myself in softer mould 1055 By plastick Nature ; and implore thee now 52 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. To spare that gallant Narbal, who had grac'd Eurotas' banks, had he been born in Sparta. XERXES. Demaratus, do not ask that boon ; For here I swear by Oromasdes' name 1060 1 ne'er could grant it to my royal friend, Tho' bound in chains of gratitude like mine. Therefore, because 'tis painful to refuse. Indulge me, not to ask it now again. Adieu ! remember this my last resolve. io65 SCENE XIII. DEMARATUS, solus. Is this, thou Monarch of the East, my meed For all my former love bestow'd on thee ? Henceforth I '11 link with nobler souls than thine ; For when a King thus dares to do injustice, He then becomes a peasant in my eye. 1070 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 53 SCENE XIV. DEMARATUS. MASISTES. MASISTES. Where, Demaratus, where is Narbal gone ? DEMARATUS. To prison, by the mandate of the King. MASISTES. Ha ! shall the Warriour, who rescu'd me. Be thus illtreated ? O inhuman Monarch ! DEMARATUS. Here see a King, who tyranny abhors; 1075 Because humanity demands my aid, I am thy Narbal's friend, and thine, Masistes. MASISTES. O Spartan valour to forgive thy foes ! DEMARATUS. Yes, Demaratus scorns those local ties, Which fetter common mortals, and extends 108O His royal aid to all, whom Misery calls. Banish those narrow circumscribed lines, Which mark contracted minds, and vulgar souls ; Nor soil, nor climate, nor the colourM tints Can justify distinction : Earth 's one sphere, 1085 Where all who breathe, as men, should act, as brothers. MASISTES. Methinks thou speak^st the language of the Gods, How strong in wisdom is thy Spartan bosom ! 54 THE PERSIAN HEROINE; DEMARATUS. I '11 visit Narbal, and unlock his prison. MASISTES. Thou shalt not go alone, for I will share i09O The honour, and the danger ; he, who strikes At Demaratus, shall Masistes pierce. DEMARATUS. This honest weapon is derived from Graece, And shall be consecrate to Graece and thee. (Draws his Sword) MASISTES. Now valiant Narbal, if our fortune smile, 1096 I shall with equal boon my life repay. (Draws his Sword.) END OF ACT THE SECOND. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 55 ACT III. SCENE 1. A Prison in the Castle of Susa, N A R B A L, in Chains. Ye vaults of horrour and of darkness, speak, And echo to my ear ! ye galling chains. Are you the wreaths that should adorn my brow ? Had I been fetter'd thus by hostile Graece, 1 100 I could have borne my destiny in silence. But thou, O Xerxes, with the venom'd sting Of fell ingratitude hast pierc'd my brain. What vision do I see ? tell me, O Night, Is it an angel, or Arteynte's form ? 1105 SCENE II. NARBAL, ARTEYNTE. ARTEYNTE. A rteynte comes with teardistilling eye. To shed her tributary drops of woe. And clasp her Narbal in the folds of love. 56 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. N A R B A L. Thou model of divinity, oh ! see The prisoner shackled with those coward chains mo By him, for whom he bled in tented field. Is this dire dungeon our connubial chamber, These echoing cells the melody of lyres, And this sepulchral taper Hymen's torch ? ARTEYNTE. Banish these selfdevoted dreams of joy, 1115 Since poor Arteynte never can be thine. N A R B A L. Not mine? what power on earth shall rescue thee From these my longing idolizing arms ? ARTEYNTE. Amestris calls me to her funeral pyre. N A R B A L. Ha! hold, my brain, nor burst your frantick cell ! 1120 Thoughts battle here, that raise intestine war. Shalt thou then die, while I am thus imprisoned ? Ye ignoftiinious manacles, I '11 break Your links of adamant ; ye folding doors, Expand your avenues, and bow your pillars ! 1125 ARTEYNTE. These are the ravings of bewildering fancy ; But learn from me to bear our fate with calm : Have I noc cause to shudder, when that pile. Tremendous pile with naphta, strikes my eye ; Where, as I hear, Amestris bears the torch 1130 To light her ministers of flaming Hell ? NARBAL. Shall that celestial frame, which feasts the sense Of every gazer, and transports to Heaven, THE PERSIAN HEROINE, 57 Be doom'd to ravenous fire ? perhaps those hmbs So beauteous may be severed by the rack. 1135 It shall not be, while Narbal lives on earth. ARTEYNTK Compose thy tortur'd mind ; the soul survives Those pangs of bodies, and we must endure them With magnitude of courage and of spirit. Is it not this, which arms the patriot bosom, 1140 Adorns the martyr, and exalts the saint ? NARBAL. Thou more than human virgin, how I shrink Beneath thy nobler soul ; I thought just now My heart heroick, but I learn from thee Sublimer lore beyond all Persian valour. 1 145 Fate will allow us to expire together ; Then shall we clasp in death, and mount the skies With our congenial spirits closely linked. And soaring in one path to yonder sphere. ARTEYNTK Tho* partnership of pain, I grant, delights, 1150 And social harmony may smooth the pang. Yet I implore thee, Narbal, not to die. NARBAL. Canst thou imagine, that I '11 deign to breathe In this polluted spot, where Xerxes reigns. Nor seek thy kindred soul in realms above 1155 E'en to the throne of Jove ? ARTEYNTE. Must I then fall A victim unreveng'd ? and will not Narbal Survive to plunge a sabre in the breasts Of fell Amestris, and inhuman Xerxes ? I 58 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. NARBAL. There thou hast brought my fancy to thy will. neo I was before wafted above the thoughts Of sublunary cares, and earth was vanished : But now thou call'st my spirit down again. And bidst me to remember I 'm a man ! Yes, my Arteynte, ere I die, thy wrongs 1165 - Demand atonement, and no other hand. But mine, shall expiate the tyrant's guilt. Amestris too .shall bleed, for when a woman Is by herself unsex'd, she forfeits mercy. ARTEYNTi; Now, Narbal, I applaud thy godlike accents; 1170 They breathe the spirit of offended Heaven; And I shall die in peace. NARBAL. Oh! there again My resolution wavers, and I shudder Like a vile coward ; must Arteynte die ? ARTEYNTE. Part some few moments; then the curtain drops 1175 'Tween me and fate ; I seiz'd the happy instant Of parley, while allowed, and oped the gates Of this dark prison with a golden key. But hark ! a sound methinks assails my ear. Like the hoarse murmur of the Ocean's wave 11 80 Rolling to land ; still nearer it approaches. And makes my fears redouble ; an assassin May come to murder us : O Narbal, now My courage seems to melt ; I feel the woman. And tremble for my lover. THE PERSIAN HEUOINE. 59 NARBAL. I am Narbal, 1185 And will confront the danger ; let him come ; We '11 smile at fate, clasp'd in each other's arms. (Embraces her) ARTEYNTE. The distant din augments its awful noise : Another still, and more distinctly heard ! NARBAL. Alas ! no longer the affrighted senses 1190 Can doubt the certainty ; it comes, it comes, And like the billow echoes on the shore. ARTEYNTE. No phantasy, but truth, attends thy voice, I hear some steps resound ; they pierce my ear Through the dark labyrinth. NARBAL. Ye midnight guests, 1195 Who are ye ? speak ! Assassination lurks Perhaps in murky bosoms leagued with Xerxes. ARTEYNTE They cannot all combined form one Amestris. I challenge Hell to send another fiend Like that Tisiphone of jealous woman. 1200 • 60 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE III. AKTEYNTE, NARBAL, MASISTES, DEMARATUS- MASISTES. A female voice with harmony divine Vibrates upon my ear. ARTEYNTE. It is Masistes ; What guardian angel brings my father here To this dread mansion of infernal horror, And thee too, Spartan Monarch, Demaratus ? 1205 DEMARATUS. The cause of Innocence and love of Virtue. I and thy Sire to liberate Narbal come. N A R B A L. Does mercy flow from thy imperial lips ? Art thou a Monarch, and a friend to man ? DEMARATUS. I was a Monarch once, but now am more, 1210 Because I feel the misery of woe ; And I have learn'd from mild phdanthropy. That Nature's Sons were never born for vassals ; And he who lords, as paramount of power, Tramples on millions of his fellow creatures. 1215 MASISTES. Thanks to the enlightened hemisphere of Europe, And to thy Spartan lips, whence nectar flows. And teaches us, that Law is built on base THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 61 Of Reason, Justice, Equity, and Truth. These are the columns for our human Kings, 1220 Those delegated viceroys of the Earth. ARTEYNTE, I venerate such godlike sentiments, And shrink with awe divine before thy shrine, Demaratus ; and with humble homage Implore thee to accept a virgin^s grace ; 1225 But no reward can crown such royal goodness In this spot here below : Search it above ! DEMARATUS. Come let us seize the momentary hour, While we can call it ours. MASISTES.. Heroick Narbal, 1 will unlock thy ignominious fetters, 1230 And give thee liberty once more for life. (Releases his Chains) NARBAL. An equal gift, since liberty is life. Are we not all, when prisoners, human slaves ? DEMARATUS. Hence from this dungeon, we '11 aspire to find A stratagem of bliss to aid our cause. 1235 MASISTES. Fate hovers o'er us with impending horror ; Revenge must wing the blow. ARTEYNTE. The glorious blow, And grateful incense shall ascend to Heaven. 02 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE IV. The Palace of Masistes. ARTEYNTE, MELISSA, ARTEYNTE. Alas ! these purling tears, O fond Melissa, Superfluous flow ! Can the distilling dews ^ 1240 Of April morns dissolve the frozen bed Of icy Caucasus congeal'd by time, Or the faint bleatings of the plaintive lamb Soften the tigress of Hyrcanian breed ? MELISSA. Too well, my Mistress, thy Melissa knows 1245 These female show'rs are vain to melt the rock Of stern Amestris' Amazonian bosom ; But Nature wrings from me this gushing torrent. ARTEYNTE. Thy sensibility of soul I know ; But thou hast often heard from me, that Death 1250 Has nothing terrible indeed to Virtue, Unless the guilty Conscience appalls The shuddering sinner with her pangs of horror. MELISSA. Thy courage, noble Virgin, I applaud; But few can imitate Arteynte/s spirit. 1255 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 63 SCENE V. ARTEYNTE, MELISSA, AMESTRIS. AMESTRIS, Where is the Heroine, who mocks my pow'r ? See yonder pile ! it soon shall glow for thee. ARTEYNTE. Insatiate Queen ! I could have spared thy vaunts In this tremendous moment ; but thou com'st In vain to daunt my courage, for Arteynte 126O Is still herself, and triumphs o'er thy ire. AMESTRIS. This vaunted apathy, pridepamper'd Maid, 111 suits our sex ; but I shall feast my eyes. When I behold thy agonizing pangs. SCENE VI. ARTEYNTE, MELISSA, AMESTRIS, NARBAL. NARBAL. I here demand the respite for Arteynte ; 1255 And come myself, the voluntary hostage. To claim the sacrifice of death for me. AMESTRIS. What means this frantick mood, thou desperate youth ? 64 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. NARBAL. I have just learned the sentence of the Magi , That Ty eta's Oath may yet be still redeemed ; 1270 And here, O Queen, I stand your victim novt^. ARTEYNTE. Forbear! he shall not die, I will not suffer him To bleed for me, Amestris, I 'm your Captive. AMESTRIS. Yes, thou art mine, my Rival is my prize. NARBAL. Proud Queen, 'tis false ; and I appeal to Law. 1275 ARTEYNTE. Thy arbitrary claim shall not avail ; My own consent forbids this vain attempt. NARBAL. Behold the Monarch ! he shall judge the contest. SCENE VIL ARTEYNTE, MELISSA, AMESTRIS, NARBAL, XERXES. XERXES. Ha ! do I see my prisoner escap'd ? Who dar'd to liberate him from Susa's TowV ? 1280 ARTEYNTE. My love, O Monarch, was the guilty cause. NARBAL. I '11 pay the forfeit of my life for hei's. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 65 ARTEYNTE. That were a torture far beyond the engines Of fierce Amestris ; all her piles of fire Were beds of roses to that racking thought ; 1285 I '11 not consent to live by NarbaFs death. AMESTRIS. I scorn his offer too ; and now demand My victim, that usurper of thy heart. If this rash champion aspires to die, Can he not gratify his amorous whim, 1290 And throw his dainty body on her pyre ? There he may perish o'er his minion's corse. NARBAL. O fiendlike Queen ! but, Xerxes, thou art King ; On thee I call for thy imperial justice : If thou dare cancel law, thy sceptre falls. 1295 AMESTRIS. 'Tis a vile stratagem to steal my right ; But I '11 prepare the fatal blow with speed ; Nor give her dalliance time to play with fate ; Away, Arteynte ! ARTEYNTE. I obey thy signal ; Conduct me where thou lead'st; I '11 follow thee. 1300 XERXES. No ; she is mine, since Narbal is thy victim, Amestris, now ; Archimagus thus spoke ; Hence will my oath of Tycta be aton'd. Ye Guards, conduct this Princess to my tent. (The Guards enter, and seize Arteynte) ARTEYNTE. O Narbal, Narbal, now I 'm lost indeed. 1305 (ETeunt Xerxesy Arteynte^ and Melissa,) K • 66 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE VIII. AMESTRIS, NARBAL. AMESTRIS. Thus is she rescued from me? have I lost My rival gone to grace her Monarch's arms ? perjur'd Xerxes ! now 'tis clear indeed, 1 am betrayed, deluded, and disgraced, By a mock barter made the fool of woman 1310 And scorn of man ? Arise, arise, Revenge ! NARBAL. Behold thy victim ready to obey ! AMESTRIS. Intrepid heroe, thus to sacrifice Thy gallant spirit ! I confess 'tis pity That for a woman, Narbal, thou shouldst die, 1315 And throw away those more than princely charms That Nature gave thee to adorn thy sex, And woo too female hearts. NARBAL. She gazes on me. And views my person with an amorous look. (Aside) AMESTRIS. O fortunate idea ! I '11 try to make 1320 An instrument of Fate : revolting Xerxes, Thy perfidy shall rue thy treasonous love. (Aside) THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 67 Approach me, Warriour, and tell me now, If thou couldst do a deed, a glorious deed, To purchase life, and be redeemed by me ? 1325 NARBAL. I do not fathom this demand : O Queen, Unfold the labyrinth of its mazy clue. AMESTRIS. Were liberty thy own reward, couldst thou Aspire, young champion, and win the meed ? NARBAL. Ambition is the idol of a soldier ! 1330 AMESTRIS. Yes, 'tis the essence of a noble soul, That kindles valour, and illustrates honour. Then thou couldst wing a shaft, a fatal shaft, To grace thy lineage, and exalt thy name. The name of Narbal, with eternal lustre ? 1335 NARBAL. Thy words are veil'd in a mysterious cloud. But thou hast rous'd the fervour of my soul. AMESTRIS. Then listen ! NARBAL. I do listen with amaze ! AMESTRIS. Couldst thou not dare a Tyrant to dethrone ? NARBAL. Perhaps in such a cause I might be tempted ; 1340 And were he Xerxes, I would not delay. AMESTRIS. Thy gallant spirit is already mounted. Soaring aloft with eaglepinion'd flight ; 68 TH*E PERSIAN HEROINE. And with a royal aspect on thy brow I will now arm thee for the glorious effort. 1345 NARBAL. Speak ! I will execute. A M E S T R I S. Here take this poniard. (She gives him a poniard) NARBAL. What must I do with it ? instruct me, Queen. AMESTRIS. Is not my wish in harmony with yours, And does it not accord with your ambition ? NARBAL. Where wouldst thou have me then to strike the blow ? L35O AMESTRIS. E'en to the centre of the heart of Xerxes. NARBAL. Amazement ! do I hear Amestris now ? Is this the mandate of thy royal lips ? AMESTRIS. Yes, thou dost hear a Queen^s command, and then I shall release thee from impending fate. 1355 NARBAL. I must accept thy terrible commission. AMESTRIS. Away ! be gone ! dispatch ! return again ! And I will seat thee on the throne of Persia, Where thou shalt reign in concert with Amestris. Away ! and when thou giv^st the blow, remember 1360 To tell him, that Amestris sent him that, As the reward of his perfidious love. And his atonement for his cancell'd oath. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 69 SCENE IX. The Palace of Xerxes. Two Sofas apart from each other. XERXES, ARTEYNTE. XERXES. Now, my imperious damsel, know I 'm Xerxes ; If thou dost still oppose my royal pleasure, 1365 I will obtain a victory by force. Where is thy champion to protect thee now ? ARTEYNTE. Perhaps in yonder sphere he soars aloft. Where never tyrant shall molest him more; Perhaps he lives with those immortal Spirits, 1370 Who quaff the nectar in empyreal bliss. XERXES. There let him revel, while on earth I feast. And taste the charms divine from lips like thine : Vain is delay ; I '11 conquer virgin pride. And triumph victor in the field of love. 1375 ARTEYNTE. Never by my consent shalt thou succeed. Nor stain the sanctity of virgin honour. XERXES. Fantastick sophistry ! obey, and yield. ARTEYNTE. Arise, O Narbal, to defend my cause ! I call on thee in this tremendous moment. 1380 70 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. SCENE X. XERXES, ARTEYNTE, NARBAL. NARBAL. Behold ! I come to execute thy will. ARTEYNTE. Art thou escaped to save me in this crisis ? NARBAL. I am, and by Amestris was I sent To thee, O Xerxes ; but I scorn to act As she commanded ; there I throw away 1385 This fatal instrument, her gift to thee. (Throws the poniard on' the ground) ARTEYNTE. generous rival ! O heroick warriour ! NARBAL. Yet tho' I scorn to act the vile assassin, 1 here must challenge thee to honest combat, And thou must take thy Rival's life, or die : 1390 Thus arm to arm, and sword to sword we 11 fight. (Draws his Sword) XERXES. Impetuous madman to contend with me ! Am I not Monarch of my Persian throne ? NARBAL. Thy vaunts are impotent, and cannot wound ; Thy satraps now, and lackeying slaves are absent, 1395 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 71 And your " Immortal Guards," as they are call'd, Avail thee not. XERXES. Kings bear a sacred shield, And Heaven, I hope, in their defence is arm'd. NARBAL. Thou must await the hazard of the die. Now for the glorious prize of fair Arteynte. 1400 (Xer.ves and Narbal Jight : Arteynte takes the poniard thrown away by Narbal, and conceals it in her bosom.) ARTEYNTE. If Narbal fall, this poniard enters here, And it shall waft my dying spirit with him. (Aside) That's nobly done, brave youth : another blow. And we shall all be free ; Triumphant thought ! (Xer. res falls) ARTEYNTE. O victory, O Narbal ! (Embraces him) NARBAL. O my Arteynte, 1405 For now at last I may proclaim thee mine. There lies the mighty despot on that spot. ARTEYNTE. And all his vast dominions will be shrivelFd Into that compass, which his body covers. XERXES. My evil Genius has prevaiFd ; I die. 1410 Where is my empire now ? ah ! where indeed ? Tremendous vision ! there I see a gulph. 72 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. Where murderM myriads of departed Spirits Stand at the Throne of Vengeance crying justice. Spare me, O injured Phantoms, I conjure ye, 1415 And harrow not my soul with such convulsions ! Vultures, and scorpions, and wheels of torture. Are light as air to hellborn pangs like these. The dream of greatness fades, and Xerxes now Is leveird with the dust; the Earth seems vanish'd, 1420 And nought remains, but darkness, dread, and death ! (Dies.) SCENE XL AMESTRIS, ARTEYNTE, NARBAL. AMESTRIS. Is then the fatal blow already past? O brave young Narbal, I applaud thy courage. And will reward thee. Ha ! Arteynte here ? Now, now, thou art my prisoner again. 1425 NARBAL. No, she is free ; for Xerxes' death has cancelled The oath of Tycta, and absolved her doom. AMESTRIS. Ha ! say'st thou so ? have I then sav'd my Rival ? O fool, deluded by thyself! Thou youth. Is this thy grateful meed for life bestow'd? 1430 But this remember, if Arteynte live. Thou art my victim, and shalt die thyself. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 73 ARTEYNTE. Imperious Queen, that right I here deny, For since 1 have escaped thy dire revenge, Narbal, my hostage, is releasM from thee. 1435 AMESTRIS. No, my insulting Rival ; were it true, That warriour I shall claim, by ties more strong Than thy weak love: Amestris will bestow, Perhaps, a sceptre with her royal hand. NARBAL. lllfated Woman ! couldst thou dream, that Narbal 1440 Would e'er desert Arteynte, for the gems Of Persia's diadem, and Asia's throne ? AMESTRIS. Have I then murder'd Xerxes for my rival ? O bane of Jealousy, misleading Fiend ! Hast thou beguil'd me thus? Revenge, forbid it, 1445 My darling idol ! He who mocks me thus Shall die : O royal Shade, accept the victim ! And thee, O Narbal, thus I send to Hell. (She attempts to dab Narbal with a poniard: A rteynte seizes her uplifted arm, and plunges her poniard, concealed, into the breast of Amestris, who falls on the other Sofa, opposite to that where Xeroses lies) AMESTRIS, falling. Accurs'd event ! I feel the dying pangs Of ebbing life from this ensanguin'd wound : 1450 In my own snare I fall ; my Rival gives The blow of Death, recoiling on my bosom From that fell instrument I sent for Xerxes. O righteous Heaven, I see thy justice now. And rue too late the horrours of my life. 1453 L 74 THE PERSIAN HEROINE. If my repentance can solicit mercy, Forgive me, Power Supreme, forgive me ! (Dies) N A R B A L. Thy valour, Persian Heroine, crowns our bliss ; And at the sacred shrine we '\\ knit our hands In concert with our hearts. ARTEYNTE. Hence we may learn, 1460 That Heaven protects us with celestial aegis. Behold ! our venerable parents come In happy moment to confirm our joy. SCENE XII. rTo ^Am; MAS ISTES, PALLENE, D EM AR ATIJS. N A R B A L. There our imperial tyrant Xerxes lies. I saved Arteynte ; and Amestris there 1465 In happy moment by Arteynte fell. Or her uplifted poniard w ould have kilFd me. MASISTES. This scene of horrour is a sight of joy : Thus are we conquerours, and Earth released From these terrestrial tyrants in her sphere. 1470 Here must I clasp ye in a father's arms. (Embraces Narbal and Arteynte) THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 75 FALLEN E. And here receive the transports of a mother. (Embraces Narbal'and Arteynte) DEMARATUS. I too must join in symphony of triumph. And raise to Heaven my tributary hymn : Thou, Europe, art aveng'd ; thou, Asia, free ! 1475 FINIS. LONDON : PRINTED BY S. AND R. BKNTLEY, DORSET STREET, MDCCCXXII. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PERSIAN HEROINE A TRAGEDY BY RICHARD PAUL JODRELL ESQ, ADAPTED TO THE THIRD EDITION PRINTED IN DORSET STREET LONDON BY SAMUEL AND RICHARD BENTLEY MDCCCXXII. PREFACE The initial part of this Preface, as annexed to the preceding Second Edition of this Drama, is here omitted, because it regards characters now deceased, and events which I could wish were buried in oblivion, for the honour of the British Theatre. I have also enlarged the sequel of that Preface, in the parts which I have here selected, and, on revisal, have improved it in the form now presented. That Dramatick Genius may be protected in every civilized government, the office of selecting plays for publick exhibition ought to be invested in men of distinguished fame and superior erudition. This was the venerable opinion of Horace, as delivered in his Ars Poetica: " Si quid tamen olim Scripseris, in Maeci descendat judicis aures." v. 387. 4 . ILLUSTRATIONS OF I have here adopted the proposed emendation of 'Bentley in this Une, by the substitution of Maeci, instead of Metii, which he has supported on the testimony of Cicero : " Nobis autem erant ea perpetienda, quae Sp. Maecius pro- bavisset/^ Epist. Fam. vii. 1. Cited in Horatius ed. Cantab. 1711. Vol. iii. p. 434. The Roman poet also alludes, in another passage, to the judgment of Tarpa sanctioning the Dramas for performance : '' Haec ego ludo ; Quae nee in aede sonent certantia judice Tarpa, Nee redeant iterum atque iterum spectanda theatris/^ Sat. 1. i. 10. V. 39. We learn from Suetonius in his Life of the Emperour Augustus Caesar, how much he was devoted to all publick spectacles : Himself was a poet, and in his own name caused to be executed four different games, and twenty-three others for different ma- gistrates. *' Spectaculorum et assiduitate et varietate atque magnificentid omnes antecessit : Fecisse ludos se ait suo nomine quater ; pro aliis magistratibus, qui aut abessent, aut non sufticerent, ter Sc vicies.'' Lib. ii. c. 43. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 5 The last words of this monarch, as recorded by the same biographer, had a striking reference to this dramatick affection. He asked his surrounding friends on his death-bed, " Ecquid iis videretur mimum vitae commod^ transegisse V Have I well acted thro' my farce of life ? "Adjecit et clausulam,'' — he then added this appendage, — *' Acre y,^oTov xoci TrocpTSS vf^iic, /mera ^xocci TcruTrnarccTe. Suetonius, 1. ii. c. 99- Applaud me then, my friends, and shout with joy ! The same Roman historian has also conveyed to posterity a corresponding attachment of the Emperour Domitian, in his life of him, to literary objects sanctioned by his royal patronage : '* Spectacula assidu^ magnifica et sumptuosa edidit non in amphitheatro modo verum et in circo.^' L. xii. c. 4. The mode adopted in France, preparatory to the reception of dramatick pieces on the Theatre, is mentioned in my former Preface ; and I have here extracted it, as it stands printed in a book, entitled, Etat Actuel de la Musique du Roi et des Trois Spectacles de Paris, mdcclxx. " De la Lecture et Reception des Pieces Nouvel/es. p. 86. ** Aucune piece ne sera lue, qu'un Comedien ne certifie qu'il la connoit, et qu'elle pent etre entendue. Ensuite elle sera apportee 6 * ILLUSTRATIONS OF a Tassembl^e ; le comit6 prendra le titre de la piece et le nom de rexaminateur afin d'6viter qu'aucun ouvrage ne s'^gare. Si Texaminateur trouve, que la piece ne doive pas ^tre admise a la lecture g6n6rale, il en donnera les raisons par 6crit le plus honnete- ment qu'il sera possible. Le premier semainier les remettra a I'auteur en lui rendant sa pi^ce. Si au contraire elle est trouv^e en 6tat d'etre lue, elle sera inscrite a son rang. Le jour convenu pour la lecture g6n6rale on previendra I'auteur, qui seul aura le droit d'etre present a cette assemblee. Quand une pi^ce aura 6t6 refue, et que son tour sera venu pour etre jou6e, I'auteur aura soin de se munir de I'approbation de la Police. Les Comediens ne pourront se dispenser de jouer une pi^ce qu'ils auront repue sous quelque pretexte que ce soit (sinon pour des choses graves) ni meme en retarder les representations sans le consentement de I'auteur.^* To this most interesting article I shall here subjoin, from the same book, the following article, which is there printed, but which was omitted to be inserted in the preceding edition of my Tragedy : " Produit des pieces pour leurs Aiiteurs. ** II revient aux auteurs du produit de leurs pieces ; sfavoir, pour les Tragedies ou Comedies en cinq actes, le neuvieme de la recette nette, apr^s qu'on aura pr^leve les frais journaliers et ordi- naires ; pour les pieces en trois actes, le douzieme ; et pour les pieces en un acte, le dixhuiti^me/' P. 87- THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 7 I will annex to this valuable information another anecdote on the same subject in France, which must strike the reader with novelty and astonishment. It has been lately communicated to us by Mr. Herv6, in his Guide to the Visiter of the French Metropolis, as follows : " The manner of remunerating an author is very preferable to ours. He is allowed a fixed share of the profits, whenever his piece is performed during his life ; and his widow, his children, or his executors, for ten years after his decease. This advantage accrues from every Theatre in the French dominions. An author of the first celebrity in modern times sometimes enjoys six or eight pounds per night when his piece is played in Paris, and two pounds or three pounds from the other Theatres/* Vol. I. Letter viii. p. 188. Ed. 1818. ♦ILLUSTRATIONS OF PROLOGUE TO THE PERSIAN HEROINE WRITTEN BY THE AtTHOR IN I8I9. Hard is the lot of him, who born to Fame Must toil thro' Tyranny to build his name ; But harder still is that severe decree, When law forbids a Briton to be free ; Denies to Nature, what is Nature's right, 5 And clips the wing of Genius in his flight. Yet such (alas !) in scenick days of yore Was once the fate of him, who stands before This bright tribunal, and now dares to sue A patriot boon from this your patriot crew. 10 He consecrates to you his Muse in trust. And craves alone this patronage, " be just !" Implores alike, from gallery, boxes, pit. Your honest judgment, nor will dread your wit. From sacred records of the Grgecian page 15 He draws materials to illume our age. In Persians kingdom he now plants his scene. And brings his fair Circassian to be seen THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 9 By those fair eyes, who in this Drama's room Encircled here enchant with rival bloom, 20 And dart their radiance of celestial ray ; Thus he invokes his destiny to day. Yet tho' our author opes the classick mine^ He calls his Muse to deck the British shrine : Here soars with Fancy in her brilliant sphere, 26 And culls the roses of the vernal year. If you applaud his play, he then may speed In oup newfangled term velocipede : But if your judgment should indignant pour A condemnation in this evening hour, 30 Perhaps tomorrow will our Drury's door Here close upon us, and ne'er open more ; One common exit then will all await, Alike the author's and the actor's fate. REMARKS. The allusions in the first lines of this Prologue refei to the events contained in the Edition of The Persian Heroine printed in 1786. The fair Circassian, mentioned in the 18th line of this Prologue, was founded on the example of the Turkish Ambassa- dour in London, who had brought with him a beautiful favourite, to be an invisible incognita. The velocipede was a new instru- ment of mechanism for acceleration. And the tragedy was per- formed in 1819> on the last night of the season, in Drury lyane Theatre, prior to its new management. 10 'ILLUSTRATIONS OF EPILOGUE TO THE PERSIAN HEROINE WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR IN 1819 AND TO BE SPOKEN BY ARTEYNTE. MY Spectators, now the storm is o'er, And I am landed on Elysian shore. Like shipwreck'd mariner, emerg'd from shock, 1 panting cHmb, and kiss my guardian rock. Conspire, ye Fair, with me, and all combine 5 To give your plaudits to our poet's line. No bribe I offer to allure your heart, Save your own wishes, and all claim a part. It must be, sure, your mutual wish to wed One favourite Narbal in connubial bed : ^0 And all, I 'm sure, will never find a queen Like my Amestris you have this night seen. O bane of Jealousy ! our gentler sex Such hideous maladies should never vex. But if fantastick hearts these whims invade, ^^ Poetick justice should at last be paid. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. ll This task the author has designM for me, And I your Heroine wish'd you all to see How by Arteynte's blow to save her lover The fatal stroke was given : I could discover 20 No plea sufficient to disarm my hand In such a cause, where Nature did demand. But some softhearted friend behind the scene Wanted to step 'tween me and Persia's Queen To steal my poniard, and to make my part 25 Less tragick to the nerves of female heart. This I forbad him ; and your verdict pray, To crown the triumph of this happy day. 12 • ILLUSTRATIONS OF NOTES TO THE PERSIAN HEROINE. N° 1. ARCHI MAGUS. Hence from yon Mountain's starry view Be paid to thee all honours due, O Mithras, Sire divine ! Verse 3. It appears from the united testimonies of Herodotus*, Xeno- phon-f*, and Strabo J, that the ancient Persians sacrificed on high eminences. This mode of adoration is illustrated by Archbishop Potter in his Notes on Lycophron§, and in his Archa^ologia. It is also mentioned by Hyde||. Justin observes, that the Persians con- sider the Sun, as the only God, and offer consecrated horses to him**. He represents Aspasia, in another passage, as Priestess of the Sun, appointed by Artaxerxes'^-|' : but this I conceive a mis- take, since Plutarch describes her M'ith more probability as Priestess of Diana J J. Xenophon, Strabo, Plutarch, jElian, Quin- tus Curtius, and Hesychius, correspond in asserting that the Sun was worshipped by the Persians under the title Mithras, yet Hyde has denied this historical fact§§. Philippus a Turre|||| and Re- land*** have both refuted the English Professor. According to Porphyry -f-f-f, Eubultis related, that Zoroaster first consecrated * L. 1. c. 131. t Cyropffidia, 1. 8. p. 233. | L. 15. p. 1064. Ed. 1707. § On V. 42. II Hist. Rel. Vet. Pers. c. 31. p. 427. Ed. 1700. ** L. 1. c. 10. ft L. 10. c. 2. X+ Vol. 5. p. 305. Ed. Bryan. §§ De Rel. Vet. Persar. c. 4. p. 108. Ed. 1700. nil In Monuraentis veteris Antii. *** De Vet. Ling. Persar. tit Mithra. p. 197. ttf De Antro Nympharum. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 13 a cave to Mithras, the Creator of all things. There is an inscrip- tion in the Thesaurus of Gruter " Deo Soli invicto Mithrse*/'' What would Hyde have said to this inscription, who declares he would not attempt to vindicate the Persians, if he could have dis- covered, that thej called either the Sun or Fire Gods-f. I con- clude he would have given the same answer, which he has annexed to his plate from the Mausoleum of Persepolis representing the King standing before the altar of Fire and the Sun, and would have said, as he does there. Quasi adoraturus J. N« 2. HARM ONI A. Whate'er thy features, form,, or face. We, groveling mortals, dare not trace Such lineaments as thine. Verse 6. We have the testimony of Herodotus, that the Persians did not imagine their Deities ccy^pco7ro(puicci, invested with an human form, as the Graecians represented them§. N^ 3. ARCHIM AGUS. Let other Nations thee adore In lowly roofs pavilionM o'er. And bound with human line. HARMON I A. We hail thee. Power unconfinM, The Lord of Light, the sovereign Mind, In universe thy shrine. ' i >,. . Verse 12. We read in Cicero, that Xerxes burned the Graecian Temples by the advice of the Magi, because they confined their Deities in * L. 33. t Rel. Vet. Pers. c. 8. p. 153. Ed. 1700. X Id. c. 23. tab. 0. p. 305. §L. I.e. 131. 14 ILLUSTRATIONS OF walls : It was their exalted opinion, that they ought to be uncir- cumscribed in space, and that the whole world was their proper temple ; Nee sequor Magos Persarum, quibus auctoribus Xerxes in- flammasse templa Graeciae dicitur, quod parietibus includerent deos, quibus omnia deberent esse patentia ac libera, quorumque hie mundus omnis templum esset & domus*. Thus Herodotus affirms, that the Persians had neither images, temples, or altars, but con- sidered the customs of such institutions as originating in foUy-f*. Strabo corresponds with this idea in regard to images and altars, but he has omitted temples :J:. And Diogenes Laertius, omitting temples and altars, records, that the Magi rejected images of their Gods§. Notwithstanding these authorities, there are some passages even in the same Writers, which represent the Persians as having temples. In Persis (says Cicero) augurantur & divinant Magi, qui congregantur in fano commentandi causa atque inter se collo- quendi||. Strabo speaks of Persian Temples at Susa and in Cap- padocia**, and altars in the shrines of Anaitis and Omanusf"f~. Pausanias asserts, that among the Persian Lydians there were shrines in the cities of Hieroceesarea and Hyp3epa;J;;|:- ^^ read in Arrian of the Temple of Belus at Babylon, which Xerxes is said to have destroyed on his return from Graece, as well as the other consecrated shrines in that country |§. Hyde asserts that the Persians had pyrea, or shrines to contain the consecrated fire, which would have been otherwise extinguished in the open air; but he denies that they had ever temples |1||. We have however the authority of the Old Testament as well as the Heathen Authors * De legibus, 1. 2. c. 10. f L- 1. c. 13L % L. 15. p. 1046. Ed. 1707. § In Prooemio, p. 2. || De Divinat. 1. 1. c.41. ** L. 15. p. 1059 & 1065. tt L. 15. p. 1066. X+ L. 5. c. 27. p. 448. Ed. 1696. §§ De Exped. Alex. 1. 7. p. 480. Ed. 1668, || || Rel. Vet. Pers. c. 8. p. 151. Ed. 1700. &c. 29. p. 354. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 15 to contradict him. Antiochus is recorded to have been driven by the ancient Persians from PersepoHs, because he attempted to spoil the Temple and take the City*. N° 4. ARCHl MAGUS. And, next to thee, O lovely Queen, In silent night Selene seen. We hail thy cheerful ray. Verse 15. That the ancient Persians adored Selene or the Moon, appears from Herodotus -f- and StraboJ. Diogenes Laertius§ and Epipha- nius|| also include the Sun and Moon among the Deities reve- renced by the Magi. Aristophanes has burlesqued with his accustomed raillery this mode of worship in his comedy of Eipnvri or Peace : He there makes Mercury assert, that the Sun and Moon conspired to betray Graece, because the Barbarians sacrificed to them : H yocp asAvvn ^' co Travapfos riAios Tfjuv eTriCsAevaai 7ro?\.vv riS'yj ^oovov. Tois Cocp^ccpoiat Trpooiooiov tw EAAaoct. . The Scholiast here observes, that the Barbarians did not pollute the Temples of Delos and Ephesus, because Apollo was considered by them as the Sun, and Diana as the Moon -f-]- : These were the guardian Deities of these Temples. We read in Hyde's version of the Sadder, or sacred book of the Magi, this precept : Quartum est Solem celebrare ter quovis die : 5. Lunae celebrationem facere ter quovis mense. * Mace. c. 9. V. 2. f L. 1. c. 131. + L. 15. p. 1064. § In Prooemio. p. 3. || Cited from Hyde de Rel. Vet. Persar. c. 8 p. 154. Ed. 1700 ** V. 407. ft On V. 409. 16 * ILLUSTRATIONS OF N° 5. HARMONIA. Our deepzon'd dames and virgins fair . Salute thy gentle orb with pray'r, And strew the myrtle way. Verse 1 8. The Persian Women are by ^schylus called ^oc^u'^wpcov., or deep- zonM*. To strew the way with branches of myrtle on occasions of festivity was a Persian Custom, Thus Herodotus relates, that this ceremony was practised at Susa when Athens was said to have been taken by Xerxes-^- : The same was done over the bridges, when the Army of this Monarch marched into Graece J. We read in Quintus Curtius, that Bagophanes had ordered Babylon to be strewed with chaplets of flowers, when Alexander made his entry into it§. And this Conqueror commanded himself the same comphment to be paid to him in Judea||. Arrian records in his Indian History, that when Nearchus returned froni his naval expe- dition in the Indian Ocean, he was strewed with flowers and garlands by Alexander's Army, whenever he marched through the camp**. N'' 6. ARCHI MAGUS. Be Ocean too our raptur'd theme, Prolifick fount of ev'ry stream. Who rolls his lucid way. Verse 2 1 , Herodotus not only includes Water among the Persian Deities, but informs us, that Rivers were reverenced, and that all violation of them was forbidden •!•+. Strabo corresponds in these assertions, and mentions sacrifices offered to Water as a Persian GodJJ. * PersEe, v. 165. f L. 8. c. 49. X ^' '^' C' ^4. § L. 5. c. 3. II L. 9. c. 34. ** Rerum Indicaruni Liber, p. 578 & 589. Ed. 1668. ft L. L c. 131 & 138, ■i;X L. 15, p, 1064, 1065, 1066. Ed. 17G7. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 17 That the Magi adored this object appears from Diogenes Laertius, who adds, that some Historians denied on this ground the fable of Xerxes throwing chains into the Sea*. Clemens Alexandrinus asserts on the authority of Dinon, that Fire and Water were considered as the sole images of the Gods by the Persians, Medes, and Magi-f-. Tiridates is recorded in Tacitus to have sacrificed an horse as a propitiatory victim to the Euphrates J. Alexander is mentioned by Arrian, when he travelled into India, to have offered sacrifices to the Gods and the River Hydaspes, after the custom of the Country, and to have poured libations from a golden cup invocating both the Acesines and Hydaspes §. When this Con- queror launched into the Ocean, having passed the mouth of the Indus, he threw bulls into the sea, having sacrificed them to Nep- tune, and a golden goblet with other vessels, having poured forth a libation in honour of the God||. On another occasion he sacrificed to Neptune, Amphitrite, the Nereides, Ocean, the Rivers Hydaspes and Acesines**. According to Hyde, a particular day was consecrated to Rivers by the Persians when they threw aromatick perfumes into them-f-'f-. N*' 7. HARMONIA. Nor shall the Earth her gifts in vain Bestow, unsung in grateful strain, Or court the thankless lay. Verse 24. The Earth is included among the Persian Divinities both by Herodotus ;|: J and Strabo§§ : And Diogenes Laertius mentions this Goddess as adored by the Magi||||. Xenophon describes libations * In Prooemio, p. 2 & 3. f In Protreptico. :|: Annal. 1. 6. c. 37. § De Exped. Alexan. 1. 6. p. 382. Ed. 1668. || Id. p. 415. ** Rerum Indicarum liber, p. 546. Ed. 1668. * ft Rel. Vet. Pers. c. 8. p. 260. tX L. 1- c. 131. §§ L. 15. p. 1064. |||| In Prooemio, p. 2. C 18 * ILLUSTRATIONS OF offered to her and victims sacrificed in his Institution of Cyrus*. iEschylus represents the Persians, escaped from Salamis, worship- ping the Earth on their arrival at the river Strymon-f-; and Atossa in the same Tragedy declares her resolution of offering presents to this Divinity:!.. N° 8. ARCHIMAGUS. And ye, whose rapid whirlwinds fly. Impetuous tyrants of the sky, Protect this hallow'd day. Verse 27- The Winds are enumerated by Herodotus and Stral)0 among the Persian Deities : ©vBai Of r]Xict) re xcti ore^rivriy xa,\ yri -itcci rnrupi x.a\ vcocri x.a.1 avi- fjLOKTi, Herodotus, Clio, Lib. 1. c. 131. p. 56. Ed. 1679. Tifjt.(aci OS Ttcci HAjoj/ op jtaAso-/ M/Gpai^, 5c \ epami aai avros yimcti. Herodotus, Clio, Lib. 1. c. 132. p. 57. Ed. 1707. N° 10. Hail, domes of Susa, hail Memnonian Towers ! Verse 31. The city of Susa was the metropolis of the Persian Empire, and is here the scene of the Drama. In this was an ancient palace and citadel called Memnonian from the Founder Memnon, son of Tithonus, who was an auxiliary Ally of Priam at the time of the Trojan War : yie^f^i Xbo-wp* Tyro ya^ MsfxvoveiQV cccttv xccAeSTcci- Tv^iiv ey 'Xva-oia-i roTai Mifjivoviioiai. Herodotus, 1. 5. c. 53, & 1. 1 . c. 151. Xerxes, the liberty of Greece to yoke, From Susa his Memnonian palace high Came to the sea, and, over Hellespont Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd. And scourged with many a stroke th' indignant waves. Milton, Paradise Lost, b. 10. v. 311. "^ouaa, iroXis e'n-Knj/uLOi Uhpaixr)^ Meuvovos XTiajnot. Stephanus Byzantinus, p. 679- Ed. l694. N° 11. Such is the meed, which Gods bestow on earth. To teach the monarchs of this little ball They are but men, the heirs of mortal woe. Verse 45. Thus Themistocles tells the Athenians, in Herodotus, that they ought not to impute their success to themselves, but to the Gods, who envied the sovereignty of a single Monarch over Asia and Europe : 20 .ILLUSTRATIONS OF Tade yap bx, 7\fxs7i xccre^yacaocfi^QOiy aAAa ©go/ le xoc) riFCu^B^i o/ ((pQOvnaocv ocvopcc evct top le Acr/ws y,cci tov ^v^cairns CoLaihevaoii. Herodotus, L 8. c. IO9. p. 499- Ed. l679. N° 12. I Far diff'rent are the Sons of Europe formed In her more Northern chme a generous race, From those voluptuous and silken minions Which gentler Asia breeds. Verse 6I. Herodotus informs us, that Cyrus told the Persians, that effe- minate men are produced from soft countries ; nor are the finest fruits and men of military talents to be found in the same region of the earth : ^ih^uv yap eye tcov fjicchaycoov '^oopccv fjt.aAa>cvg yivsa^ai' cv yd^ roi Trig avTris yrig sTvai, aapirov ts oavfjLaaTOv (pveiv^ xa,t av^pas oiya,^vi Ta TToAefAia. L. 9- c. 121. p. 557- Ed. 1679. Thus Tasso, in his Gierusalemme Liberata, conforms with this idea : La terra molle, e lieta, e dilettosa Simili a s^ gli abitator produce. Canto 1. St. 62. V. 6. N" 13. Dost thou remember, How that tremendous watchword, " Liberty,'* Struck, like a thunderbolt, Ionia's bands ? Verse 63. We learn from Herodotus, that the Spartan King, Leutychides, when he approached the encampment of the Persians at Mycale, commanded his herald to proclaim to the lonians to remember "Liberty" when the onset began: 'ETredv avfxfJLiayojfxiv, fxefjivm^ai Tiva p^ori fAgoOg^iWs fxtv iravToov tt^utov. L. 9* C. 97* p. 549* Ed. 1679- " Liberty'' was also the watchword of Brutus at the battle of Phihppi, as we read in Dion Cassius, L. 47. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 21 N'' 14. There brave Mardontes, there Tigranes fell. Verse 69. The death of Mardontes and Tigranes, two Persian com- manders of eminence at the battle of Mycale, is recorded by Herodotus : Moc^S'ovTtjs Bocyais os Iv Myx.aA>i ar^ocviiyicav S'evTSPCtj srsi rovrecov ereAevTuaev h> f^f^xV' ^* 7* *"• ^^* Ear^ocrriyee S's o^vry Tiypccvng xuA^ef re xa) f^eyeQei V7:ep^hoov Ue^o-eoov. L. 9- c. 9^- Ma^cToj/TWs (/g, xa) ry tts^v arouTvyog Tiypocvni fxa^ofjuvoi reAeurcoa-i. L.9. c. 101. N° 15. While Athens, Corinth, Sicyon, Troezene, Reveng'd their cause. Verse 71. We learn from the testimony of Herodotus, that the Athenians, Corinthians, Sicyonians, and Troezenians, were the most dis- tinguished Graecians in the battle of Mycale against the Persians. They pursued them to their entrenchments, and entered the walls : Aowj^aoi ^erra,i Ue^crixoi o^vic cctto rm ot^^ns eT Weivm Rirt TJis ice(p(xArii rw y,upCccaiocv, toov oppiumv fJiovoi op^riv. V. 487* Here the Scholiast observes, that all the other Persians wore a folded tiara projecting on the forehead, but the kings an erect one. Hesychius, in his definition of ticcois calls it Ao(po ^ When Ty eta's annual pomp proelaims thy birth. Verse 430. Herodotus and Athenaeus have both recorded, that a royal feast was given annually by the Persian King on his birthday. This was called Tycta in the Persian and Teleion in the Graecian language, as they both inform us. Herodotus, 1. 9. c. 109? & Athenaeus, 1. 4. c. 10. Though Plato does not mention by name this festival, he probably alludes to it in the following passage of his first book on Alcibiades : " When the Persian King^s eldest son, entitled to the succession of the throne, is born, all the Persians at first celebrate the day with festivity ; and Asia afterwards with sacrifices and feasts observes this birthday of their monarch.'' Tom. 2. p. 120. Ed. 1578. Xenophon in his Cyropaedia makes Cyrus allude to the same institution of this festival, when he remarks to Astyages, " that he was afraid to taste the wine, since he observed, that the Cupbearer poured such poison into it on that day of solemnity, that the guests tottered both in their minds and bodies." Histor. 1. 1. p. 10. Ed. 1625. It is a remark of Reland in his chapter on Tycta (De Vet. Ling. Persar. p. 255) that this Persian festival was probably the origin of that celebrated by Herod on his birthday ; and his corresponding promise to the daughter of Herodias, recorded by the two Evangelists, seems to confirm this idea. St. Matthew, c. 14. v. 6. & St. Mark, c. 5. v. 21. Reland is convinced of it, and thus exclaims, " Quis non videt vestigia hujus rit^s Persici in facto Herodis V Dissertatio 8, p. 258. (1713.) THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 35 N° 30. Thou wilt indulge Amestris with a boon By Eastern custom and by Persia's law Irrevocably fix'd ? Verse 436". This request of Amestris is founded on Herodotus, but the object of it in the sequel of the drama is diversified from the account of the Historian, where it occurs in his Calliope, or book the ninth (c. 107 to 113). Plutarch records the Persian custom of demanding a gift, and the obligation, that the donor should con- sent to confirm the engagement at all events. No'^e S'g ovTog Iv rii^a-ccis S'oopiotv ocnuv Tov (x.voc<^ei^oevTccy xcci S'lSovoii rov puycov hiySTcti. Vox asaiov, p. 722. Ed. 1594. Stephanas Byzantinus calls Susa the celebrated Persian city, and the work of Memnon. Its appellation, continues he, is derived from the numerous lilies growing in it, which the Barbarians term Xyo-a. Vox 2»a-a, p. 678. Ed. l694. Athenaeus asserts, that the Persian Kings always passed their winter in Susa, which, as Aristobulus and Chares declared, was so called from the amenity of its site, for the x^ivov, or lily, was in the language of the Graecians announced arZa-^v. L. 12. c. 2. p. 513. Ed. 1612. We probably ought to trace the original name of Susa still higher, since it is called Shushan in the book of Esther (c. 2. v. 3 & 5.) And Buxtorf defines Shushan, in his Hebrew Lexicon, to imply a lily. It is curious, that Herbert, in his Travels, should have com- municated to us, that the Duke of Shiraz, lord of Susiana in his time, yearly celebrated a feast of lilies. P. 140. Ed. 1634. And the modern Persians have a quantity of lilies, as reported by Harris in his Description of the Empire of Persia. Collection of Travels, vol. 2. p. 883. Ed. 1764. <• N*' 34. As near Maeander's silver stream The royal plane with golden gleam Illumes the flowery spray. Verse 585. The resemblance of a monarch to a beautiful tree is sanctioned by Oriental poetry in the Old Testament: Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh King of Egypt, and to his multitude : Whom art thou like in thy greatness ? Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature ; and his top was among the thick boughs. 38 ILLUSTRATIONS OF To whom art thou hke in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Ezekiel, c. 31. v. 2, 3, & 18. And thus Daniel interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar : The tree that thou sawest, which grew and was strong, whose height reached unto the Heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth : It is thou, O King, that art grown and become strong. Daniel, c. 4. v. 20 & 22. This comparison of Xerxes to a plane has still a more peculiar connexion, founded on the testimony of Herodotus: this historian records in his Polymnia, or seventh book, that as Xerxes was tra- velling through Lydia, he saw a planetree so beautiful, that he adorned it with gold near the river Maeander, and assigned the custody of it to a noble Persian of the immortal band : Tolvtyiv 'loov Se^^ws T'Tv oS'ov svpe TrXaLraviarov rrw xaAAgos g/Vsxa S'ccpina-a.fJiivoi "KoajJiCfi ^pvaeu x.a.i fjie^sdwvca ct^ccvuTCt) avS'pi fTrnps-^ocs. Li. J- C. 31. And Xenophon in his Graecian History has mentioned this cele- brated golden plane: 'E-Trel y.acl rw uixx'SfAvrw oiv ^^vavv -Tr/yaTccvov 4^ ix-ocvm scpYi eTvcti rerTtyi a")ciciv Trccpe^eiv. L. 7. p« o22. Ed. lo25. Athenaeus also mentions both a golden plane and vine, adorned with emeralds, and other precious stones, under which the Kings of Persia gave audience. Herodotus relates, that when Xerxes asked who Pythius was, he received this answer : " Pythius,^' said they, " is the person who presented your father Darius with a planetree and vine of gold, and after you is the richest man we know m the world." fl ^aaiMv, «to5 1(TTI os roi rov TTccTe^a Acc^siov eS^oopriaccro tv TrKocTctviaTCt) Tin ^pvaev) xa< t>i a/w.7rfA(W* cs y-oci vvv eaTi TrpooTOi dvupooTrMv TrAexct; rcov rf/uieTi 'idiJLi /otctp^w, xa) 8x h yiAio). L. 7. c. 226. In Himerius we find a corresponding imagery, when he says, T« fxev yao ro^euoov to (x.a-l ya.^ ras dewdss TroTocjuL^i S'la rvv ra TrAv^di (Tvve^eiccp e7n?\.i7re?v^ to. S^i 7i&hccyr\ ro7i iu>v vlcuv lariois xaTaxaAucpGwj'ai. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 43 L. 11. c. 5. torn. 1. p. 408. Ed. 1746. The Roman historians confirm the same evidence. In Justin we read : " Jam Xerxes septingenta milha de regno armaverat, et trecenta milHa de auxihis, ut non immerito proditum sit, flumina ab exercitu ejus siccata^ Graeciamque omnem vix capere exercitum ejus potuisse.'' L. 2. c. 10. And Quintus Curtius makes Alexander say, " These were the people that had made war upon Greece through the insolence of Darius first, and then of Xerxes ; who required no less than all the water as well as land, even to drinking their very fountains dry, and consuming all their provisions.^^ Digby^s Version of Quintus Curtius, vol. 1. p. 176. 1. 3. Ed. 1726. The poetical authority of Juvenal must be added to this testimony : Credimus altos Defecisse amnes, epotaque flumina Medo Prandente. Satyra 10. v. 178. N° 39. From Susa to Persepolis, and thence From Ecbatana to our Babylon, Be joy proclaimed ! Verse 605. These Cities of Susa and Ecbatana are coupled together twice by iEschylus in his Tragedy of Ui^acci : O/Tg TO 'X^crsov, iicT' 'Ey.CctrocvOi}v. V. 16. "Ao-tu to Xbo'cwj', ricT' EycCccTccvoov. V. 535. And Milton in his Paradise Regained has united Persepolis, Ecbatana, and Susa together, in the following lines of the third book : Persepolis His city there thou seest, and Bactra there ; Ecbatana her structure vast there shows. And Hecatompylos her hundred gates. There Susa by Choaspes amber stream. V. 289- 44 ILLUSTRATIONS OF Hence it appears both from iEschylus and Milton, that the antepenultima of Ecbatana is short, and must consequently be so pronounced in my drama where I have so used it. There were two great Cities denominated Ecbatana : the one in Media, and the other in Persia. This appears from Herodotus in his Thalia or third book of his history, and is proved by the following event : *' Cambyses, being thus wounded, asked the name of the City, and was informed, that the place was called Ecbatana : He had formerly received an Oracle from Butus, that he should end his life in the City of Ecbatana ; and therefore imagined he should die an old ;man in the place of that name in Media, where all his treasures were ; but the Oracle meant no more than the Syrian Ecbatana : Thus, having heard the name of the City, though vexed with the injury of the Magi, and afflicted with the wound, he recovered his understanding, and rightly interpreting the sense of the Oracle said, Fate has decreed that Cambyses son of Cyrus shall die in this place.'' Littlebury's Herodotus, vol. i. p. 286. Ed. 1723. According to Strabo, Ecbatana was the residence of the Persians in the winter season. Kai w rd E-jc^octccvcc ^eijULuS'iov rolk flfc-^o-a/s. L. 11. p. 795. Ed. 1707. As to Persepolis, Diodorus Siculus calls it the metropolis of the Persian Cities. Trv S's Ui^aiirohiv [jlyit^ottoMv Zaav tcov Ue^a-oov Cccai^sixs aV/cTgifg to?5 Maxg-^oo"/. L. 17* vol. 2. p. 214. Ed. 1746. And Phny calls it Caput Persici regni. L. 6. c 25. And Justin records, that Alexander " expugnat et Perse- polim, caput Persici regni, urbem multis annis illustrem, refertam- que orbis terrarum spoliis quae interitu ejus primum apparuere/' L. 11. c. 14. We read in Quintus Curtius, that Alexander declared to his Macedonians, " That no City had been more mis- chievous to the Greeks, than this seat of the ancient Kings of Persia : From hence came all those vast armies ; from hence Darius first, and then Xerxes made their impious wars upon Europe : It was therefore necessary to raze it, to appease the manes of their THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 4.? ancestors/' Digby's Translation of Quintus Curtius, vol. 1. b. 5. c. 6. p. 293. Ed. 1726. The immense treasures, arising from the spoliation of Persepolis, are then described by this historian in the same chapter ; and in the subsequent one he informs us, " that Thais, heated with wine, told Alexander that he could not do any thing that would more oblige all the Greeks, than if he burnt the palace of the Kings of Persia : that they expected this by way of reprisal for those Towns which the Barbarians had destroyed." Do. c. 7. p« 297. " The King not only heard it with patience, but, eager to put it into execution, said, * Why do we not revenge Greece? Why do we delay setting fire to the Town?^ The King shewed them the example, and was the first that set fire to the palace, after which his guests, servants, and concubines, did the same.'' Do. c. 7- p- 298. Such was the unparalleled catastrophe of this venerable monument of antiquity, which had been built by Cyrus, that I must insert the words of the author in the powerful and apposite language adopted by him and his Translator. " This was the end of the noblest City of the East, from whence so many Nations received their Laws ; which had been the birthplace of so many Kings ; formerly the chief Terror of Greece ; had fitted out a Fleet of a thousand sail of Ships, and sent out Armies, that like an inundation almost covered all Europe, had laid bridges over the Sea, and hollowed Mountains to make the Sea a passage ; and in so long a time, as has elapsed since its destruction, never was rebuilt.'' Do. c. 7- p- 298. In regard to the City of Babylon, I must refer the reader to the full and entertaining account of it, as inserted in the first book, or Clio of Herodotus, and extending from Chapter 178 to 188 in the original, or from page 111 to page 117 in the first volume of the Translation of it by Littlebury, and the third Edition of it in 1723. He will there find the architecture and dimension of this magnificent City, with its circumference and all its appendages. 46 ILLUSTRATIONS OF minutely described ; and its division into two parts, as separated by the River Euphrates, together with the Towers and Temples, Chapels and Statues, Works, Lakes, and Canals, of the two Queens Semiramis and Nitocris; and the monumental Sepulchre of the latter, with the inscription over the gate of the City, and that found in the reign of Darius, when the tomb and treasure were disclosed. The future fate attending this imperial City, I will here endeavour to state concisely. It was taken for the first time by Cyrus, as Herodotus, after recording the events and stratagems of the siege, has informed us. L. 1. c. 191. The same Historian, in his Thalia, or third book, will furnish us with the sequel of the sub- sequent capture of this great City, as follows. " Zopyrus acquired so great credit in Babylon, that he was constituted general, and had the guard of the City committed to his care. But when Darius advanced with his whole Army to surround the body of the place, pursuant to the agreement they had made, then Zopyrus disco- vered his treachery; for whilst the Babylonians were defending themselves from the walls against the Army of Darius, Zopyrus opened the gates of Belus and Cissia, and introduced the Persians into the City : Those who saw this traitorous action fled into the Temple of Jupiter Belus, and those who perceived nothing of what passed, continued in their several posts, till they were informed in what manner they had been betrayed. Thus Babylon was taken a second time ; and Darius becoming master of the place, not only demolished the walls and gates, which had been left entire by Cyrus, but commanded about three thousand of the principal Leaders to be impaled, and then gave leave to the rest to continue in their habitations : And because the Babylonians had strangled their women, as I said before, in order to prevent the consumption of their provisions, he took care to furnish them with wives, that they might not be destitute of children, and to that end enjoined the neighbouring Provinces to send a certain number of Women to THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 47 Babylon, amounting in all to fifty thousand." L. 3. c. 159. After this period, we are told by Strabo, that Xerxes destroyed the celebrated tomb of Belus at Babylon, which Alexander wished to restore, but died before the accomplishment of the object which required such an enormous expense and labour to execute. No one afterwards attempted it. The remainder of the City was then destroyed, partly by Time and partly by the Persians, and by the negligence of the Macedonians, but particularly by the City of Seleucia being built so adjacent by Seleucus Nicator near the river of Tigris, which rivalled it in magnitude and eminence ; so that Babylon became a very desert, and that poetical verse might be applied to it, as had been done by a dramatick author to the City of Megalopis. 'Ep«/>c/a f/.€ya.\Yi lariv w Mg^/aAw ttoAis. Strabo, 1. l6. p. 1073. Ed. 1707. Pliny has given of Babylon a corresponding account as Strabo in the following passage : " Caeterum in solitu- dinem rediit, exhaust^ vicinitate Seleuciae ob id conditae ^ Nicatore intra nonagesimum lapidem in confluente Euphratis fossa perducti atque Tigris.'' Hist. Nat. 1. 6. c. 26. Strabo also mentions, that another cause greatly contributed to the spoliation of Babylon, which arose from the csf uA/a, or want of timber, in the country ; the architects constructed houses from the beams and columns arising from the palmtrees, and bituminated portals with the asphaltos are consumed for the sake of procuring fire. A/a ^f rrii vAm a-irctviv ex, (poiviyccov ^vAmv cci oixoS^o/Liai avvTsXZvTcti ttcci S'ox.ois xai aivKoi;' jreoi <^g Tys CTuAtfs aTpe(povT€5 ex, t»5 xocAa.fJL'ns a^oivicc 7repiTi\isoe,aiv sit eiroiASf (povTSS ^poufjictai X!X.Toe,yo(x(piiai' Tas ce ©vpoci ao"(paATa; v>fiiActt S'e xcci ctunrcti ■KOLi 01 oTxoi xauctoMTo) TTOivres S'la tvv oi^vAictv. Strabo, 1. lO. p. 107'*» Ed. 1707. Hence we must proceed to Pausanias, who says, that at Babylon, the greatest City which the Sun ever beheld, there remained nothing but a wall. Ka^uAwfos ^l tccvth^ vvtivoc eTS'e iroAieov TMV TOTS fjnyiarYiv ^Aios^ ov^h in riv si io-ri rs^^os. L. 8. C. S3, p. O08. Ed. 1696. 48 ^ILLUSTRATIONS OF N° 40. Bid nectar, sparkling from Choaspes^ stream, Unite with Syrian grape to crown the goblet. Verse 607. We read in the Clio of Herodotus, that when the great King leads his Army in person, he has with him cattle and other provi- sions in abundance. The water he drinks is brought from the River Choaspes, which runs by Susa, for the Kings of Persia drink of no other. This water, being first boiled and preserved in vessels of silver, is loaded on many waggons drawn by mules, and carried after him wheresoever he goes. Cited from Littlebury^s Herodotus, vol. 1. p. 118. Ed. 1723. And JEAian, in a chapter of his Various History, speaking of Xerxes, says, that the water of Choaspes was a constant companion always in his tour ; and, when once by accident this water failed, he esteemed a man as his benefactor and preserver of his life, who brought to him a little supply from the stream of Choaspes, although it was not clear of impurity. L. 12. c. 40. vol. 2. p. 786. Ed. 1731. From this favourite attach- ment to this distinguished River by royal indulgence, we find in Tibullus, that he calls it Regia lympha Choaspes. L. 4. Carmen 1. V. 140. And Milton has dignified it in his Paradise Regained, by pronouncing it, Choaspes, amber stream, / The drink of none but kings. B. 3. v. 289. The excellence of the Syrian grape is supported by the testi- Oiony of Strabo, who tells us, that the Persian Kings had fallen into great luxury from their opulence, and he includes their Cha- lybonian wine from Syria under this article. L. 15. p. 1068. Ed. 1707. Athenaeus asserts, that the Monarch of Persia drank the Chalybonian wine alone, which came from Damascus in Syria, where the Persians had planted it, according to Posidonius. L. 1. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 49 c. 22. p. 28. Ed. I6l2. Plutarch too enumerates the Chalybonian wine among the objects of Persian luxury. Vol. 2. p. 342. Ed. 1620. N'' 41. And let each Persian guest assembled here Quaff the sweet antidote of human cares. Verse 609. According to Herodotus, the Persians were much attached to the indulgence of wine. O'ivm ^Ts xa^ra 7r^o(rx,eocrai. L. 1. c. 133. We read in Athenseus, that Darius, who slew the Magi, had this inscription on his monument, 'HS'wciiu.ijv xa) oTvov iriveiv iroXw, ycai ^Ztov (psoeiv xocXm<;. " I was enabled to drink much wine, and to support it well.'' L. 10. p. 434. Ed. I6l2. But Ctesias and Douris are both cited by Athenaeus to prove, that the Persian Monarch was only indulged with the freedom of intoxication at the annual festival of Mithras. This passage immediately follows the preceding one. iE,Han records, that the Persians are very much accustomed to excess of wine, and they challenge each other with rivalry in potation. Oiovei ir^og top ttotov, ws tt^os avriirctKov diroSvofxevou Varia Historia, tom. 2. p. 712. Ed. 1731. Quintus Curtius also relates, that the Kings and Noblemen of Persia take great delight in licentious entertainments ; and the Babylonians are very much addicted to wine, and the consequences of drunkenness. Digby's Version of Quintus Curtius, vol. 1. p. 27o. Ed. 1726. And Xenophon, painting the violation of former institutes among the Persians, compared with their degenerate corruption, observes, ** that they drink so much, that they themselves are exported in- stead of having any importation, since they are disabled from leaving the banquet in an erect posture." ToaZrov ^s Trivouaiv, coare CX.VTI T» iiaCpepeiv ocuroi syccpsoovrxi, eTreioocv junTCSTi ^uvuvToci oo^ov^evoi e^dvai' Xenophon, p. 240. Ed. 1625. 50 ILLUSTRATIONS OF N** 42. Let Achaemenian nard with Cassia's balm In aromatick shower perfume the palace. Verse 6ll. The Goddess of Pleasure, Voluptas, exhaling Achaemenian odour, is thus painted by Silius Italicus : Altera Acha^menium spirabat vertice odorem. L. 15. V. 23. The one breathed Persian odours from her head, Her amber hair upon her shoulders spread. Ross's Translation, b. 15. p. 420. Ed. l66l. Horace twice refers to this Oriental article of luxury : Nunc et Achaemenio Perfundi nardo juvat. Epod. 13. v. 13. Nee Falerna Vitis, Achaemeniumque costum. Odae, 1. 3. 1. v. 44. He also tells us the origin of this word, by alluding to the Persian Monarch Achaemenes : Num tu quae tenuit dives Achaemenes ? Odae, 1. 2. 12. v. 21. Arrian records, that Alexander in Asia found such a prodigious quantity of the odoriferous nard, that the most delightful fragrance was diffused when it was trampled by his Army. De Exped. Alex. 1. 6. p. 422. Milton has united cassia with nard in his Paradise Lost, when the Angel came Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh. And flow 'ring odors, cassia, nard, and balm. Book 5. V. 293. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. , 51 N° 43. Each animal of costly pride shall bleed ; The patient camel, and the stately ox. The prancing steed, shall all be sacrificed To grace our banquet. Verse 6 15. These animals were not only sacrificed, but devoured by the Persians. *' They are persuaded,^' says Herodotus, " that every man ought to celebrate his birthday above all other days, and on that day more than others they have a greater abundance of pro- visions : The most opulent of them have then an ox, camel, horse, and ass, roasted entire in furnaces of their dwellings, and set before them.^' L. I.e. 133. According to Athenaeus, a thousand of victims is daily sacrificed for the Persian King. These consist of horses, camels, oxen, asses, stags, and sheep. L. 4. p. 145. Ed. I6l2. Strabo asserts, that the Magi who guarded the sepulchre of Cyrus, had the allowance of a sheep daily, and an horse monthly, for their provisions. L. 15. p. 1Q.62. Ed. 1707. We learn from Polyaenus, that Alexander saw, in the Palace of Persia, the number of thirty horses engraved on the brazen pillar among the articles for the royal dinner. L. 4. c. 3. p. 356. Ed. l6*91. We read in Xenophon, that Cyrus sacrificed to Jupiter an holocaust of bulls, and an holocaust of horses to the Sun. De Inst. Cyri, 1. 8. p. 2l6. Ed. 1625. And we are informed by the same author, that Cyrus intended to honour Abradatus with a sacrifice of oxen and horses to his memory. De Inst. Cyri, 1. 7. p. 184. Ed. 1625. It is curious, that the modern Persians should have festivals and sacrifices of camels, as well as repasts from them. Tavernier, in his Travels, declares it. Persian Travels, b. 4. c. 7- Ed. 1684. Herbert asserts, that in some Buzzars camel, or mutton, cut in mammocks or small bits, put upon scuers and 52 ILLUSTRATIONS OF carbonaded, or rested in the fire, they sell. Oriental Indjes, p. 150. Ed. 16*34. Thevenot describes a festival at Ispahan called the sacrifice of the Camel ; and tells us, that the inhabitants in the several quarters of the City fight with each other for their respec- tive portions, and some fall annual victims themselves to their own devotion of appetite for this food. Voyages, tom. 5. p. 379. Ed. 1689. Fryer in his Account of his Travels in East India and Persia thus relates : "At the beginning of April they have a proper feast of their own, where the Emperor is to give the People of SufFohaun a Camel to be slain, which they lead about the streets with a confused noise, being dressed very fine with flowers and garlands for the altar ; and being brought to the Priest, he cuts the throat, and burns the entrails, distributing to each principal ward of the City the several quarters, to be eaten publickly after they are roasted.'' Travels in Persia, Letter 5. p. 401. (I698.) N° 44. And shall fall beneath The Magi's wand to light the hallow'd flame. While chaste libations pour'd shall bathe the ground. Verse 617. The presence of a Magus at a Persian sacrifice was essentially requisite ; for without one, says Herodotus, it is not legal to make It. Avev yap o-n jxaya s 0-9/ vofjioi i(n\ Qvalccg TroiseaQcci. L. I.e. 132. It appears from Strabo, that the Magi, making their imprecations, use wands compacted of fine materials formed from the ^u^/jcw, or tamarisk tree. Tas ^' eTruS'ccs ttoiowtoh ttoKw ^^ovov poc^Suv julv^ixIvoov Ai-TTToov S'eafJLiip ytocrsxovTig. L. 15. p. 1065. Ed. 1707- Hyde in his History of the Religion of the ancient Persians and their Magi has a long dissertation De Virgarum Usu in his twenty-seventh chapter, (P. 345. Ed. 1700) but has cited neither the testimony of THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 53 Herodotus nor Strabo herein mentioned ; but he describes the tree of the tamarisk as now used and existing in Persia : " Estque arbor in Perside frequens simihs arbori Ghez seu Myricae, & cum ejus- modi nodis ; foha autem simiUa sunt fohis Jasmini, sc. Jasmini faciem habet. Hujus etiam Virgas tempore Mussitationis manibus tenent Magi. P. 346. The hbations of the Magi have also the historical sanction of Strabo. L. 15. p. 1065. Ed. 1707- N° 45. And from mj royal chest proclaim a prize, Three thousand daricks. Verse 621. The darick was a Persian coin of gold, so denominated from Darius, who first coined it. We are informed by Xenophon, that this sum of three thousand daricks was equivalent to ten talents, and it was the royal present of Cyrus to the Soothsayer Silanus. EvTocv^cc Kvpoi ^lAavov xochiacci tov AfxCpccxicoTijv fxccvTiv e^cojcev ocvtm Accoeiicovi r^KTx^hiovi, De Exped. Cyri, 1. 1. p. 262. Ed. 1625.' According to Suidas, when Xerxes sent Ambassadors to Aristides, he offered to him three thousand daricks, but he refused them with this reply, " that he did not want Persian riches, while he could enjoy such a homely diet.'^ The Lexicographer adds, that he probably alluded at that time to common bread. OvS'h e-Tria-T^scpsa- 9ai t(pii Ty riepaiicv 7rABT», Toiocvrri ^ooofjuvoi S'lctLTtf Eru^s S^e ax, eTrifAS^n TOV aPTov 7rpoa(p€^oix€voi' Vox Aa^g/jcos. ' N° 46. If ingenious Art Shall be the inventress of a novel pleasure. Verse 622. We have the authority of Athenaeus, who supports it on the testimony of Theophrastus, that the Persian Kings, under the influence of luxury, proclaimed a great sum of money by a herald 54 iLLUSTRATIONS OF to the inventors of a new pleasure. Us^g-mv (prxn Qaaihiii uVo r^vqmi TT^oy.vpvrreiv roii e(pevpi(rycs'^g' tS SiP^soo Sobrlvcci o'l Tri^ Macr/crTgw yvvcc7x.cc. L. 9- c. 109. Since Arteynte was my Heroine, I thought it necessary to make this poetical deviation, and to represent the daughter, instead of the mother, as the victim de» manded. This event suggests a striking analogy with the daughter of Herodias, who requested the head of John the Baptist, when she danced before Herod on his birthday, as stated by St. Matthew (c. 14. V. 6. to V. 11.) and St. Mark (c. 6. v. 21. to v, 28). THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 5^- NV50. I swear by Mithras' ever sacred light, * By Cyrus' tomb, and by the rev' rend shade Of great Darius, thou behest her fame. Verse 670. The first of these hues is by accident omitted to be printed in the last edition of this Play in this year ; but is inserted in the former edition of 1786, together with the Note, and ought to be adopted. This appeal to Mithras, or the Sun, has the sanction of historians. Artabazus in Xenophon thus uses it : Ral />ca: rov M/6^wi' syoo Toi g;y6g$, ei fxin iroAAoii ^leirvx.Tevaa..^ ouy, ctv (toi eS'vpotuiJv irpoaeAuetv* De Exped. Cyri, 1. 7- p. 195. Ed. 1625. " I swear by Mithres, that I could not have come to you yesterday, unless I had fought with many :" And Cyrus, in another passage of the same author, says to Lysander : Sccvuoi^ei^ t«to, g(pw, &> AvaocvS'pe ; ouvvm a-oi toy MiGpyjv, crav 7r€P vyioctvM /ui.r) ttcottots duTrvYta-cti. Memorabll. 1. O. p. 830. Ed, 1625. " Do you wonder at this, O Lysander? I swear to thee by Mithres, that I will never, when I am well, taste of food/' And in Plutarch Darius says, ETtts fxgi ai^ofxivos M/G^a Tg (pMs fxiyot, 3ca) S'e^ioiv CxatAeiov, Plutarchi Vita?, vol.4, p. 44. Ed. 1723. " Speak to me with reverence to the great luminary of Mithras, and to my royal hand.'' And in another passage of the same author, speaking of Artaxerxes, we find Nri toj/ M/Qpa?-, f(pw, «T05 ccvvp y,oci TToAiv oci' ex. fxi-KPcti Toi^v TToi-naeie fxsyctAm -Triarevrieis* Plutarchi Vita?, vol. 5. p. 280. Ed. 1723. *' I swear by Mithras, if this man had been trusted with a small City, he would soon have rendered it a great one." In Quintus Curtius we find Darius invoking the same Deity before his whole Army: " Solem Mithren, sacrumque & aeternum invocans ignem, ut iUis dignam vetere gloria majorumque monumentis fortitudinem inspirarent/* L. 4, K 6S ILLUSTRATIONS OF c. 50. And Claudian thus alludes to the same object of Oriental adoration : Rex ipse niicantem Inclinat dextra pateram, secretaque Beli, Et vaga testatur volventem sidera Mithram. Carmen 21, v. 63. The next invocation of Xerxes in this speech is the tomb of Cyrus. This was situated at Pasargadae, and is recorded by Strabo, and Plutarch, as follows: *' The4nscription on it, from the authority of Aristobulus, is thus entered in Strabo. Outco fjch gvv 'Apia-roCou^os u^myti^ xocl to iTrly^ctfjt.fxa. tT? aTrofxvinfxovevei tZto. 'fl dv^owTTi tyoo Kvpoi ilyt.1 tinv ocp^-nv to/$ Dgpffais x-TMcaftgros, jcai t»)$ 'Ao-i'as QoLdiXtvi. Mr) ovv (p^ovnam fJ^oi Ty fxvvfxccTQS. L. 15. p. 1062. Ed. 1707. O Man, I Cyrus was alive, but now Here lies the founder of the Persian throne. And Asia's monarch : Envy not .this stone ! But Plutarch has diversified this epitaph, as follows : "Ci Ai- SptoTT?, oo"T(5 eT y.oc\ TTG^ev weig {on fx.ev yot^ ri^sis, oT^ct) eyoi Ku^os iif/.i c rif^a-ais KTVarafJLevoi T^y dp^rtv' Mri ovv Trii ohiyni Tocvrrs yrii ^SovWvif* t) rovfjLov aoofjioc Tre^i-tcoLKuimi. Plutarchi Vitae, vol. 4. p. 90. Ed. 1723. Whoe'er thou art, or whence, or how derived. That lead'st thy step to this my tomb arrived, Know, Traveller, He, who founded Persia's throne. Here Cyrus lies : Oh ! envy not this stone. This earthy pittance for my corse alone ! The other particular circumstances regarding this tomb ot Cyrus, are to be found in the sixth book of Arrian, and in the tenth book of Quintus Curtius ; or the extracts from both of them , may be seen in Brissonius De regio Persarum Principatu. L. 1. THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 59 p. 195 & 196. Ed. 1591. To them I must refer the Reader who is solicitous of more information on this historical subject. N° 51. Have I not plung'd To the infernal Deity Areimanes ? Verse 689- Laertius Diogenes, describing the religious customs of the Magi, declares on the authority of Aristotle, Hermippus, Eudoxus, and Theopompus, that the Persian Sages maintained a good and evil Daemon: the former was called by them Jupiter, or Oromasdes, and the latter Ades, or Areimanius. Proemium Laertii Diogenis, P. 3 & 4. Ed. 1664. Plutarch in his Treatise on Isis and Osiris tells us. There are others again who call the good principle only God, giving the name of Demon to the evil Being, in which number is Zoroaster, the Magian, who is reported to have lived five thousand years before the Trojan war. Now this philosopher calls the good principle Oromazes, and the evil one Areimanius; adding moreover, that as of all sensible Beings the former bore the greatest resemblance to light, so the latter was most like darkness. Squire's Translation of Plutarch's Treatise of Isis and Osiris, p. 63. Ed. 1744. Plutarch also records, in his Life of Themistocles, that Xerxes, after hearing the Athenian Exile, esteemed himself fortu- nate, and supplicated Areimanius, that he would always inspire his enemies with similar sentiments of expelling from their country their most excellent citizens ; and it was reported, that the king through excess of joy thrice exclaimed*in his dream, 'E^m Sefjt.ia- iQ-KXicx. TQv A^rwtxlov, " I grasp Themistocles, the Athenian!" Plu- tarchi Vitae, vol. 1. p. 278. Ed. 1729- Instead of Areimanius, I have substituted Areimanes in the verse of my drama; but I have the sanction of Hesychius and Suidas to support this abbreviation^ as a synonymous term. The former says in his Lexicon, 'Apeijuccvk <60 ILLUSTRATIONS OF e aUw Ta^a, Us^a-ais, and the latter lexicographer, * A^nfj-cLvios o Iv ru "Apsi fjiocivojULevou 'A^eifjiocvyis S'b gvojuloc xv^iov. The first of these words he makes to signify one who is inspired with martial courage, while the last denotes a proper name. The Oriental etymology, and the various appellations of this evil deity, may be read in the Historia Religionis veterum Persarum eorumque Magorum by Hyde, where they are collected in the ninth chapter of that learned book; Unde fit apud Graecos Persicarum Rerum Scriptores 'Apei/xdvio?, P. I6l. Ed. 1700. And Reland in his Miscellaneous Disserta- tions has a chapter De Reliquiis Veteris Linguae Persicae, where he treats of Arimanes. C. 8. p. 131. Ed. 1713. And Brissonius in his De Regio Persarum Principatu has a chapter, where he dis- cusses this subject ; and refers to those authors whom I have cited in this Note. P. 208. Ed. 1591. N° 52. Those living victims I once sacrificed. Verse 69O. This barbarous custom of interring victims alive prevailed in ancient Persia. According to Herodotus, Cambyses commanded twelve Persians of the first rank to be seized without any just cause, and to be buried alive. L. 1. c. 35. And in another passage of the same historian we learn, that when the Persians near the river Strymon were informed, that the place was called by the name of the Nine Ways, they took nine of the sons and daughters of the Inhabitants, and buried them alive in conformity with the Persian custom. ^'Ewea S'e oS'vs iruv^ocvofjt.ivoi rov x^S°^ TtfTOf JtaAggcrGott too-stss ey ccvtco ttocjS'ccs t€ xa) vcc^uevas avd^poov tmv eTTi^cDpicap (^caovTcLi xocTOopvaaov' nepaix-ov S^f to ^ooovToci x.acropu(r(reiy. (L. 7 - c. 114.) The historian adds to this intelligence the very anecdote regarding the same person, Amestris, who speaks in my drama. ^' I have heard,'' continues he, *' that Amestris, the wife of Xerxes, THE PERSIAN HEROINE. 61 Tiaving attained to a considerable age, caused fourteen children of illustrious Persians to be interred alive on her account, as a sacri- fice of thanks to that god, who, they say, is beneath the earth.'* *E7rei x.ai ' AfJLiia-TPiv Tr\p He^fgfio yvvxiKct iruv^oivofjiOLi yr)pacraaocv J^is «7rTa eovTcop eTrKpaveoov riepcricov Trctid^ccs vyrep Iwutms t^ vjto y-nv hiyofjuvci) eivoci Ggctj avTi^ccpi^ea^oLi x-ccro^vaaraa-ctp, L. 7« c. 114. In my second Edition, I printed it with a reference to the historical number, as stated : Have I not plung d Twice seven youths at once, alive and breathing, To the Infernal God Areimanes ? Verse 684. This I prefer to the passage, as curtailed in the Third Edition of the present year. This infamous act of the most barbarous cruelty, imputed to Queen Amestris, is sanctioned also with the authority of Plutarch with this variation alone, that he has reduced the number of victims to twelve instead of fourteen, as in Herodotus, and he calls the victims men instead of children. A/mnarpii S"? r\ Si^^eco yvvri J^w/gxoc ocacTcopv^ev arop&jTras (^ouvraci vTrep aCr'^i tf aJ^>i. Plutarchi Opera, tom. 2. p. 171. Ed. l620. Amestris is recorded in Ctesias to have inflicted this horrid execu- tion on Apollonides, the physician of her daughter Amytis, after torturing him for two months. 'H S'l AacCvaa tSva-e rov 'A7roAA(wr/(5wf, ^Ttxj) fjLva-t ycoAa^aacc* sTreira (^mptoc >cacTco^i>^ev. Ex Ctesiae Persicis Historiae Excerptae. In Herodoto, p 649. Ed. 1679. This His- torian also represents Parysatis to have ordered the interment of the mother of Terituchmes with two brothers Metrostes and Helicus, and two sisters, all alive, to be executed, and Roxane to be cut alive into pieces. 'H ^£ riccpvaixrig tyiv t€ /mnrB^cc tZ Te^ire^imecdy ,j^«< 7«5 aVgA(py$ Mur^axTT/iv -itoLi "HA/x.oj', tccci Tai ctS'e?\(pai Svo saoci (^^oocroci ex?Aguj5 wzcros* IGwgiTo jta) TOV TTg^oj/ xai tacs veas' SaevjuLivos Si i/xep^r) raJv viuv ccfJiiAhoiV yivofjiiVYiv iS'ea^ai' eyrei cT' eyhero Tg xa) Iviycctiv ^oivixes 'XiS'uvioiy >?<7D« ts rrt oc^/AA>i xa/ rvi (ttm.tiv, Cls cTf copoc iravrcc fJHv irou EKXrt