Atto

 1 Per|     noble, son-in-law to Felix. ~SEVERUS, a Roman Knight, favourite
 2 Per|       Felix. ~FABIAN, servant to Severus. ~CLEON, friend to Felix. ~
 3 1  |      which must Polyeucte fly;~ ~Severus was his name:—Ah! memory~ ~
 4 1  |      Love might have bound me to Severus’ heart,~ ~Had duty not enforced
 5 1  |           PAUL. Last night I saw Severus: but his eye~ 215~With anger
 6 1  |        his word;~ 230~They vouch Severus’ truth—and, to complete~ ~
 7 1  |         heart opprest?~ ~ FELIX. Severus lives!~ 265~ PAUL.Ah! this
 8 1  |         Rome gave her honours to Severus’ shade,~ ~Whilst he, her
 9 1  |       dearest friend,~ ~And doth Severus to Armenia send—~ ~To offer
10 1  |        learn’d from one of great Severus’ suite:~ ~Thence, swiftly
11 2  |                           Act II~SEVERUS. FABIAN~ SEV. Let Felix
12 2  |          last bitterness would I Severus save!~ ~ SEV. That word,
13 2  |       never!~ ~ PAUL. Too plain, Severus, I my torture show,—~140~
14 2  |      depart—where I adore! [Exit SEVERUS.~ ~ STRAT. Yes, it is hard—
15 2  |         is naught, is vain;~ 215~Severus pardons. Gone that cause
16 2  |          the night!~ 225~ STRAT. Severus he by name, yet noble in
17 2  |          Polyeucte’s welfare did Severus pray!~ ~ PAUL. Yes, yes,
18 2  |      true, and Fate is strong;~ ~Severus have I seen, who thought
19 2  |              PAUL.I cannot go;~ ~Severus flies my sight; to him I
20 2  |            275~In his sole hands Severus holds thy fate!~ ~ POLY.
21 3  |        to make fear more dark.~ ~Severus haunts me—oh, I know his
22 3  |      will ne’er undo:~ ~Let fate—Severus—passion—all combine~ ~Against
23 3  |              Twas He that nerved Severus’ arm,—His praise let Decius
24 3  |         save.~ ~ FELIX. So would Severus work my ruin quite—~ 325~
25 3  |          shield,~ ~Yet can I, by Severus, weapons wield,~ 350~Should
26 3  |          more true:~ ~What wills Severus—that will Decius do.~ ~Upheld
27 4  |         Go one, and beg of great Severus’ grace~20~That he would
28 4  |        lord, do I obey.~ ~ POLY. Severus must this kindly service
29 4  |          soon to thee thy prayer Severus brings. [Exit CLEON. GUARDSMEN
30 4  |        One moment feign. Ah, let Severus go!~ ~Let but my father
31 4  |    absence bring relief—~ ~Enter SEVERUS, FABIAN and GUARDS~~Who
32 4  |       not to cure my grief?~ 225~Severus! Who could guess that thou
33 4  |        thought, Pauline, for I~ ~Severus called, and he hath heard
34 4  |       that he will not refuse.~ ~Severus—this—the treasure that was
35 4  |    strange!~ ~Not thus, ye Gods! Severus had been blind~ ~To perfect
36 4  |          listen to thy praise:~ ~Severus, thou must know my inmost
37 4  |      despair embrace,—~ ~But wed Severus? Never! ’Twere disgrace!~
38 4  |      dares to crave~ ~That thou, Severus, shouldst my husband save!~
39 4  |  approved,~ 335~Yet not thus can Severus’ soul be moved.~ ~To Fate
40 5  |         CLEON.~ FELIX. Caught in Severus’ net thy Felix see!~ ~He
41 5  |       sought: his suit denied,~ ~Severus sues no more,—I know his
42 5  |          man betrayed betrays;~ ~Severus, and his gifts, alike I
43 5  |         reason close his ear,~30~Severus’ love is hate—his peace
44 5  |     entrapped, undone!~ ~ ALBIN. Severus’ promise—~ ~ FELIX.He can
45 5  |        If for that sect abhorred Severus plead,~40~He trebles loss—
46 5  |       every boor.~ ~Then, swift, Severus hears the welcome news,~
47 5  |        knight——~ ~ POLY. (aloud).Severus, thou wouldst say.~ ~ FELIX.
48 5  |    repaired—the remedy~ ~Find in Severus; he will take my place;~ ~
49 5  | cherished—fondled—now is flown~ ~Severus will be king, and I o’erthrown;—~
50 5  |       turns to POLYEUCTE~ ~ POLY.Severus wed!~ ~ PAUL. Ah, this is
51 5  |          distress~ ~Alone—unless Severus bring redress;~ ~His merit,
52 5  |          once more—~ ~‘Live with Severus, or—with Polyeucte die!’~ ~
53 5  |         do once more~ 240~Before Severus—Decius,—nay, before~ ~The
54 5  |          ah, let them rage!~ 260~Severus may in war of words engage.~ ~
55 5  |           305~Dread Decius! Fear Severus! Fear thy fall!~ ~Oh, speed
56 5  |         within the fold!~ ~Enter SEVERUS~~ SEV. Unnatural sire, whose
57 5  |         shalt see~ 330~All oaths Severus swears fulfilled shall be.~ ~
58 5  |        which alike we die!~ ~(To SEVERUS.) Then slay us both! Behold
59 5  |          this their awful cult~ ~Severus will protect, but ne’er
60 5  |  baseless as his fear.~ ~ FELIX. Severus—thou who hast the hearing