Statira now engrosses all his thoughts: The Persian queen, without a rival, reigns Sole mistress of his heart-nor can thy charms, Secure Roxana from disdain and insult. Rox. Oh, thou hast rous'd the lion in my soul! That must for ever jar, like clashing clouds Cas. Behold she comes in all the pomp of sorrow, Determined to fulfil her solemn vow. [They retire. Rox. Away, and let us mark th' important scene. Enter SYSIGAMBIS and STATIRA. Sys. Oh, my Statira! how has passion chang'd thee! Think, in the rage of disappointed love, Stat. Oh, fear not that! I know he will be kind, For my sake kind, to you and Parisatis. Tell him, I rail'd not at his falsehood to me, And sighing sent a last forgiveness to him. Sys. No, I can ne'er again presume to meet him, Never approach the much-wrong'd Alexander, If thou refuse to see him-Oh, Statira! Thy aged mother, and thy weeping country, Claim thy regard, and challenge thy compassion : Hear us, my child, and lift us from despair. Stat. Thus low I cast me at your royal feet, To bathe them with my tears; or, if you please, Nor hurry my wild thoughts to perfect madness: Rox. This fortitude of soul compels my wonder. And hide thee where bright virtue never shone; [Exit SySIGAMBIS. Ror. [Comes forward.] Forgive, great queen, the intrusion of a stranger: With grief Roxana sees Statira weep: I've heard, and much applaud your fix'd resolve Stat. Spare, madam, spare your counterfeited You know your beauty, and have prov'd its power: Rox, Affected girl, to some romantic grove's se- Thy sickly virtue, would, it seems, retire, To shun the triumphs of a favour'd rival: In vain thou fly'st-for there, even there, I'll haunt thee, Plague thee all day, and torture thee all night: And, as thou hear'st the rapt'rous scene recited, Thy own weak charms, that could not fix the rover. Stat. How weak is woman! at the storm she shrinks, Dreads the drawn sword, and trembles at the thunder; Yet, when strong jealousy inflames her soul, Rox. Sure the disdain'd Statira dares not mean it? And know, proud woman, what a mother's threats, A sister's sighs, and Alexander's tears, Could not effect, thy rival rage has done. I'll see the king in spite of all I swore, Though curs'd, that thou may'st never see him more. Enter ALEXANDER, HEPHESTION, CLYTUS, POLYPERCHON, THESSALUS, and EUMENES. Alex. Oh, my Statira!-thou relentless fair! Turn thine eyes on me-I would talk to them. What shall I say to work upon thy soul? What words, what looks, can melt thee to forgive ness? Stat. Talk of Roxana and the conquer'd Indies, Thy great adventures and successful love, And I will listen to the rapt'rous tale; But rather shun me, shun a desp❜rate wretch, Alex. Oh, I could die, with transport die before thee! Wouldst thou but, as I lay convuls'd in death, Rox. Am I then fall'n so low in thy esteem, Alex. Take, take that conquer'd world, dispose of crowns, And canton out the empires of the globe! But leave me, madam, with repentant tears, The wrongs I've offer'd to this injur'd excellence Enter SYSIGAMBIS. Stat. Alexander!-Oh, is it possible! Immortal gods! can guilt appear so lovely Yet, yet I pardon, I forgive thee all. [Exit. Alex. Forgive me all! oh, catch the heavenly sounds! Catch them, ye winds! and, as ye fly, disperse The rapt'rous tidings through th' extended world Stat. Yes, dear deceiver! I forgive thee all, Alex. Go then, inhuman! triumph in my pains, Feed on the pangs that rend this wretched heart, For now 'tis plain you never lov'd. Statira! Oh, I could sound that charming cruel name Till the tir'd echo faint with repetition. Oh, my Statira ! I swear, my queen, I'll not outlive our parting. My soul grows still as death. Say, wilt thou pardon? 'Tis all I ask. Wilt thou forgive the transports Stat. Rise, and may Heaven forgive you like Alex. You are too gracious-Clytus, bear me When I am laid i'th' earth yield her the world. Aler. Oh, let me press thee in my eager arms, Alex. Let her not be nam'd. Oh! how shall I repay you for this goodness? more; The banquets waits, and I invite you all. |