Harpax. At your pleasure. Theoph. Yet when I call to mind you never fail'd me In things more difficult, but have discovered Deeds that were done thousand leagues diftant from me, When neither Woods, nor Caves, nor fecret Vaults, Or from my reach or punishment, but thy Magick To be as confident as heretofore. Enter a Prieft with the image of Iupiter, Califte, Christeta. Harp. Look on these vestals, The holy pledges that the Gods have giv'n you, I could fay this, in fpite of your prevention, h. 'Twas a benefit h I ever owe you. Hayl Ioves Flamen: afide. Have these my daughters reconcil'd themselves (Abandoning for ever the Chriftian way) Το your opinion? Prieft. And are constant in it : They teach their teachers with their depth of judge ment; And are with arguments able to convert The enemies to our gods, and answer all They can object against us. Theoph. My dear daughters. Califte. We dare dispute against this new sprung fect In private or in publick. Har. My best Lady, Perfever in it. Chrifteta. And what we maintain, We will feal with our bloods. Harp. Brave resolution : I ev'n grow fat to see my labors prosper. My prayers be present with you. Theoph. Oh my Harpax. Exeunt Prieft and daughters. Thou engine of my wifhes, thou that steeld'st My eyes 'gainst womanish tears and foft compaffion, Babes torn by violence from their mothers breasts That grace the hands of kings made into one, The strongest champion of the Pagan gods, And rooter out of Chriftians. Har. Oh mine own, Mine own dear Lord, to further this great work I ever live thy flave. Enter Sapritius and Sempronius. Theo. No more, the Governour, Sapr. Keep the Ports clofe, and let the guards be doubl'd, Difarm the Chriftians, call it death in any To wear a sword, or in his house to have one. Sap. It will well become you. To any of our gods, put to the torture, Semp. You pour oil On fire that burns already at the height. I know the Emperours Edict and my charge, Theop. My good Lord, This care is timely, for the entertainment Of our great mafter, who this night in perfon Comes here to thank you. Sap. Who, the Emperour? Har. To clear your doubts, he does return in triumph, Kings lackying by his triumphant Chariot ; You have an ample fhare: for know your fon, Sap. I would know No mean in thine, could this be true. There was fome rumour, but it was assured, Har. It was fo determin'd; But for the further honor of your son, And to obferve the government of the City, Trumpets afar off. Sap. Hafte good Sempronius, draw up our guards, And with all ceremonious pomp receive The conquering army. Let our garrison speak Their welcome in loud fhouts, the City fhew Her State and Wealth. Semp. I am gone. Sapritius. O I am ravish'd Exit Sempronius. With this great honour! cherish good Theophilus I will present them to the Emperour, And in their sweet converfion, as a mirror, A guard brought in by Sempronius, fouldiers leading in three Kings bound, Antoninus, and Macrinus carrying the Emperors Eagles, Dioclefian with a guilt laurel on his head, leading in Artemia, Sapritius kiffes the Emperors hand, then embraces his fon, Harpax brings in Caliste and Chrifteta, loud fhouts. Diocle. So, at all parts I find Cæfarea Compleatly govern'd, the licentious fouldier Confin'd in modeft limits, and the people Harpax. At your pleasure. Theoph. Yet when I call to mind you never fail'd me In things more difficult, but have discovered Deeds that were done thousand leagues diftant from me, When neither Woods, nor Caves, nor fecret Vaults, Or from my reach or punishment, but thy Magick To be as confident as heretofore. It is not poffible thy powerfull art Enter a Prief with the image of Iupiter, Califte, Christeta. Harp. Look on these vestals, The holy pledges that the Gods have giv'n you, I could fay this, in fpite of your prevention, Theoph. 'Twas a benefit For which I ever owe you. Hayl Ioves Flamen : afide. |