That jealousy, though just, is still a crime; To kill her on suspicion, ere he knew Love was her errand, but the hot-brain'd Spaniard, Instead of love-produc'd-a filthy poignardHad he been wise, at this their private meeting, The proof o'th' pudding had been in the eating; Madam had then been pleas'd, and Don contented, And all this blood and murder been prevented.Britons, be wise, and from this sad example, Ne'er break a bargain, but first take a sample. THE BROTHERS. BY YOUNG. PROLOGUE. WRITTEN BY MR. DODSLEY. THE tragic muse, revolving many a page And pity throbs in every feeling breast; Not he who cannot weep, but he who can, And from their frailties learn to mend your own. SCENE I. Enter CURTIUS and POSTHUMIUS. ACT I. Cur. I've partly heard Her smothered story. Post. Smothered by the king; And slew him, bold in vain; nor rested there, One child alone survived; a female infant, Cur. What of that infant? Post. Stung with sharp remorse, The victor took, and gave her to his queen. The child was bred, and honoured as her own; She grew, she bloomed; and now her eyes repay Her brothers' wounds, on Philip's rival sons. Cur. Is, then, Erixene that Thracian child? How just the gods! from out that ruined house He took a brand, to set his own on fire. Post. To give thee, friend, the whole in minia ture, This is the picture of great Philip's court: 'Tis their great day, supreme of all their year, Cur. Who comes? Post. O, that's the jealous elder brother; Irregular in manners as in form. Observe the fire, high birth and empire kindle! Cur. He holds his conference with much emo tion. Post. The brothers both can talk, and, in their turn, Have borne away the prize of eloquence Enter PERSEUS and PERICLES. Per. 'Tis empire! empire! empire! let that word Make sacred all I do, or can attempt! Per. Why does Rome court him? For his virtues? No. To fire him to dominion; to blow up His youth and valour second Rome's designs: Become all wise, all righteous, and almighty! Peri. And does that pain you? Per. O Pericles, to death! It is most true, Through hate to him, and not through love for her, I paid my first addresses; but became The fool I feigned: my sighs are now sincere. It smarts; it burns: O that 'twere fiction still! By Heaven, she seems more beauteous than dominion! Peri. Dominion and the princess both are lost, Unless you gain the king. Per. But how to gain him? Old men love novelties; the last arrived Still pleases best; the youngest steals their smiles. Peri. Dymas alone can work him to his plea sure; First in esteem, and keeper of his heart. Per. To Dymas thou, and win him to thy will. In the mean time, I'll seek my double rival; Curb his presumption, and erect myself In all the dignity of birth before him. Whate'er can stir the blood, or sway the mind, Is now at stake; and double is the loss, When an inferior bears away the prize. Peri. Your brother, dressed for the solemnity! Per. To Dymas fly! gain him, and think on this; A prince indebted is a fortune made. [Exit PERICLES. Enter DEMETRIUS. What pomps are due to this illustrious day? at: Some are designed by nature but for shew; Dem. Brother, of that no more: for shame, gird on Your glittering arms, and look like any Roman. But what is this, that dazzles my weak sight? Dem. 'Tis that helmet, Which Alexander wore at Granicus. Per. When he subdued the world? Ha! is't Our mother shudders at it in her grave! Dem. How, brother! unattired? Have you for- And how has Philip mourned? a dreadful foe, got And awful king; but, oh! the tenderest parent, That ever wept, in fondness, o'er a child. Per. Why, ay, go tell your father; fondly throw Your arms around him ; stroke him to your purpose, As you are wont: I boast not so much worth; To be surveyed, and hung about his neck; One way you may secure your father's peace; Dem. You flatter me, to think her in my power. We run our fates together: you deserve, And she can judge: proceed we, then, like friends; And he, who gains her heart, and gains it fairly, Let him enjoy his generous rival's too. Per. Smooth-speaking, insincere, insulting boy! Is, then, my crown usurped but half thy crime? Desist; or by the gods, that smile on blood, Not thy fine form, nor yet thy boasted peace, Nor patronizing Rome, nor Philip's tears, Nor Alexander's helmet; no, nor more, His radiant form, should it alight in thunder, And spread its new divinity between us, Should save a brother from a brother's fury! [Exit. Dem. How's this? the waves ne'er ran thus Resign thee! yes, Erixene, with life! But Perseus warns me to rouse all my powers. Which strike a damp through all my flames of [Exit. love! Enter King and ANTIGONUS. King. Kings of their envy cheat a foolish world: Fate gives us all in spite, that we alone Might have the pain of knowing all is nothing! The seeming means of bliss but heighten woe, When impotent to make their promise good: Hence, kings, at least, bid fairest to be wretched. Ant. True, sir; 'tis empty, or tormenting, all; The days of life are sisters; all alike, None just the same; which serves to fool us on Through blasted hopes with change of fallacy: While joy is like to-morrow, still to come; Nor ends the fruitless chase but in the grave! King. Ay, there, Antigonus, this pain will Conscience, what art thou? thou tremendous power! Who dost inhabit us without our leave; As with a peal of thunder, to strange horrors, The gods impose, the gods inflict, my thoughts, me, And pointed at their wounds! How throbbed my heart! How shook my couch! and when the morning came, The formidable picture still subsisted, Ant. My lord, I do confess the gods are with us ; King. Vain comfort! I this moment overheard My jarring sons, with fury, shake my walls. Ah! why my curse from those, who ought to bless me! The queen of Thrace can answer that sad ques tion. She had two sons; but two: and so have I. Misfortune stands with her bow ever bent Over the world; and he, who wounds another, Directs the goddess, by that part he wounds, Where to strike deep her arrows in himself. Ant. I own, I think it time your sons receive A father's awful counsel; or, while here, Now weary nature calls for kind repose, Your curtains will be shaken with their broils: And, when you die, sons' blood may stain your tomb! But other cares demand you now,-the Romans. King. O change of pain! the Romans? Perisk Rome! Thrice happy they, who sleep in humble life, Beneath the storm ambition blows. 'Tis meet The great should have the fame of happiness, |