The emperor of the moon a farce : as it is acted by Their Majesties servants at the Queens Theatre / written by Mrs. A. Behn.

SCENE The Last. The Gallery richly adorn'd with Scenes and Lights.

Enter Doctor, Elaria, Bellemante, and Mopsophil. Soft Musick is heard.

Bell.

HA—Heavens! what's here?—what Palace is this?—No part of our House, I'm sure.—

Ela.

'Tis rather the Apartment of some Monarch.

Doct.

I'm all amazement too, but must not show my Ignorance.—Yes, Elaria, this is prepar'd to entertain two Princes.

Bell.

Are you sure on't, Sir? are we not, think you, in that World above, I often heard you speak of? in the Moon, Sir?

Doct.

How shall I resolve her?—For ought I know, we are.

[Aside.

Ela.

Sure, Sir, 'tis some Inchantment.

Doct

Let not thy Female Ignorance prophane the high∣est Mysteries of Natural Philosophy: To Fools it seems Inchantment—but I've a Sense can reach it,—sit and expect the Event.—Hark—I am amaz'd, but must conceal my Wonder—that Joy of Fools—and appear wise in Gravity.

Bell.

Whence comes this charming Sound, Sir?

Doct.

From the Spheres—it is familiar to me.

The Scene in the Front draws off, and shews the Hill of Parnassus; a noble large Walk of Trees leading to it, with eight or ten Negroes upon Pedestals, rang'd on each side of the Walks. Next Keplair and Gallileus descend on each side, opposite to each other, in Chariots, with Per∣spectives in their Hands, as viewing the Machine of the Zodiack. Soft Musick plays still.

Doct.

Methought I saw the Figure of two Men descend from yonder Cloud, on yonder Hill.

Ela.

I thought so too, but they are disappear'd, and the wing'd Chariot's fled.

Enter Keplair and Gallileus.

Bell.

See, Sir, they approach.—

[The Doctor rises and Bows.

Kep.

Most Reverend Sir, we, from the upper World, thus low salute you.—Keplair and Gallileus we are call'd, sent as Interpreters to Great Iredonozor, the Empe∣ror of the Moon, who is descending.

Doct.

Most Reverend Bards—profound Philoso∣phers—thus low I bow to pay my humble Gratitude.

Kep.

The Emperor, Sir, salutes you, and your fair Daughter.

Gall.

And, Sir, the Prince of Thunderland salutes you, and your fair Neece.

Doct.

Thus low I fall to thank their Royal Goodness.

[Kneels. They take him up.

Bell.

Came you, most Reverend Bards, from the Moon World?

Kep.

Most Lovely Maid, we did.

Doct.

May I presume to ask the manner how?

Kep.

By Cloud, Sir, through the Regions of the Air, down to the fam'd Parnassus; thence by Water, along the River Helicon, the rest by Post, upon two wing'd Eagles.

Doct.

Sir, are there store of our World inhabiting the Moon?

Kep.

Oh, of all Nations, Sir, that lie beneath it in the Emperors Train! Sir, you will behold abundance; look up and see the Orbal World descending; observe the Zo∣diack, Sir, with her twelve Signs.

[Next the Zodiack descends, a Symphony playing all the while; when it is landed, it delivers the twelve Signs: Then the Song, the Persons of the Zodiack being the Singers. After which, the Negroes Dance and mingle in the Chorus.

A Song for the Zodiack.

LET murmuring Lovers no longer Repine, But their Hearts and their Voices advance; Let the Nimphs and the Swains in the kind Chorus joyn, And the Satyrs and Fauns in a Dance. Let nature put on her Beauty of May, And the Fields and the Meadows adorn; Let the Woods and the Mountains resound with the Joy, And the Echoes their Triumph return.

Chorus.

For since Love wore his Darts, And Virgins grew Coy; Since these wounded Hearts, And those cou'd destroy. There ne'er was more Cause for your Triumphs and Joy.

Hark, bark, the Musick of the Spheres, Some Wonder approaching declares; Such, such, as has not blest your Eyes and Ears This thousand, thousand, thousand years. See, see what the Force of Love can make, Who rules in Heaven, in Earth and Sea; Behold how he commands the Zodiack, While the fixt Signs unhinging all obey. Not one of which, but represents The Attributes of Love, Who governs all the Elements In Harmony above.

Chorus.

For since Love wore his Darts, And Virgins grew Coy; Since these wounded Hearts, And those cou'd destroy, There ne'er was more Cause for your Triumphs and Joy.

The wanton Aries first descends, To show the Vigor and the Play, Beginning Love, beginning Love attends, When the young Passion is all-over Joy, He bleats his soft Pain to the fair curled Throng, And he leaps, and he bounds, and Loves all the day long.

At once Loves Courage and his Slavery In Taurus is express'd, Tho' o're the Plains he Conqueror be, The Generous Beast Does to the Yoak submit his Noble Breast, While Gemini smiling and twining of Arms, Shows Loves soft Indearments and Charms. And Cancer's slow Motion the degrees do express, Respectful Love arrives to Happiness. Leo his Strength and Majesty, Virgo his blushing Modesty, And Libra all his Equity. His Subtilty does Scorpio show, And Sagittarius all his loose desire, By Capricorn his forward Humour know, And Aqua. Lovers Tears that raise his Fire, While Pisces, which intwin'd do move, Show the soft Play, and wanton Arts of Love.

Chorus.

For since Love wore his Darts, And Virgins grew Coy; Since these wounded Hearts, And those cou'd destroy, There ne'er was more Cause for Triumphs and Joy:

—See how she turns, and sends her Signs to Earth.—Behold the Ram—Aries—see Taurus next descends; then Gemini—see how the Boys embrace—Next Cancer, then Leo, then the Virgin; next to her Libra—Scorpio, Sagittary, Capricorn, Aquarius,—Pisces. This eight thousand years no Emperor has descended, but In∣cognito, but when he does, to make his Journey more Magnificent, the Zodiack, Sir, attends him.

Doct.

'Tis all amazing, Sir.

Kep.

Now, Sir, behold, the Globick World descends two thousand Leagues below its wonted Station, to show Obe∣dience to its proper Monarch.

[After which, the Globe of the Moon appears, first, like a new Moon; as it moves forward it increases, till it comes to the Full. When it is descended, it opens, and shews the Emperor and the Prince. They come forth with all their Train, the Flutes playing a Sym∣phony before him, which prepares the Song. Which ended, the Dancers mingle as before.

A SONG.

ALL Joy to Mortals, Joy and Mirth Eternal IO'S sing; The Gods of Love descend to Earth, Their Darts have lost the Sting. The Youth shall now complain no more On Silvia's needless Scorn, But she shall love, if he adore, And melt when he shall burn.

The Nimph no longer shall be shy, But leave the jilting Road; And Daphne now no more shall fly The wounded panting God; But all shall be serene and fair, No sad Complaints of Love Shall fill the Gentle whispering Air, No echoing Sighs the Grove.

Beneath the Shades young Strephon lies, Of all his Wish possess'd; Gazing on Silvia's charming Eyes, Whose Soul is there confess'd. All soft and sweet the Maid appears, With Looks that know no Art, And though she yields with trembling Fears, She yields with all her Heart.

—See, Sir, the Cloud of Foreigners appears, French, English, Spaniards, Danes, Turks, Russians, Indians, and the nearer Climes of Christendom; and lastly, Sir, behold the mighty Emperor.—

[A Chariot appears, made like a Half Moon, in which is Cinthio for the Emperor, richly dress'd and Charmante for the Prince, rich, with a good many Heroes attending. Cinthio's Train born by four Cu∣pids. The Song continues while they descend and land. They address themselves to Elaria and Belle∣mante.—Doctor fallson his Face, the rest bow very low as they pass. They make signs to Keplair.

Kep.

The Emperor wou'd have you rise, Sir, he will expect no Ceremony from the Father of his Mistriss.

[Takes him up.

Doct.

I cannot, Sir, behold his Mightiness—the Splendor of his Majesty confounds me—

Kep.

You must be moderate, Sir, it is expected.

[The two Lovers make all the Signs of Love in dumb show to the Ladies, while the soft Musick plays again from the End of the Song.—

Doct.

Shall I not have the Joy to hear their Heavenly Voices, Sir?

Kep.

They never speak to any Subject, Sir, when they appear in Royalty, but by Interpreters, and that by way of Stentraphon, in manner of the Delphick Oracles.

Doct.

Any way, so I may hear the Sence of what they wou'd say.

Kep.

No doubt you will—But see the Emperor commands by signs his Foreigners to dance—

[Soft Musick changes.

[A very Antick Dance. The Dance ended, the Front Scene draws off, and shows a Temple, with an Altar, one speaking thorugh a Stentraphon from behind it. Soft Musick plays the while.

Kep.

Most Learned Sir, the Emperor now is going to declare himself, according to his Custom, to his Subjects. Listen.—

Sten.

Most Reverend Sir, whose Vertue did incite us, Whose Daughters Charms did more invite us; We come to grace her with that Honour, That never Mortal yet had done her, Once only, Jove was known in Story, To visit Semele in Glory. But fatal 'twas, he so enjoy'd her, Her own ambitious Flame destroy'd her. His Charms too fierce for Flesh and Blood, She dy'd embracing of her God. We gentler marks of Passion give, The Maid we love, shall love and live; Whom visibly we thus will grace, Above the rest of human Race. Say, is't your Will that we shou'd Wed her, And nightly in Disguises Bed her.

Doct.

The Glory is too great for Mortal Wife.

[Kneels with Transport.

Sten.

What then remains, but that we consummate This happy Marriage in our splendid State?

Doct.

Thus low I kneel, in thanks for this great Blessing.

[Cinthio takes Elaria by the Hand; Charmante, Bel∣lemante; two of the Singers in white being Priests, they lead'em to the Altar, the whole Company di∣viding one either side. Where, while a Hymeneal Song is sung, the Priest joyns their Hands. The Song ended, and they Marry'd, they come forth; but before they come forward,—two Chariots de∣scend, one on one side above, and the other on the other side; in which, is Harlequin dress'd like a Mock Hero, with others, and Scaramouch in the other, dress'd so in Helmets.

Scar.

Stay mighty Emperor, and vouchsafe to be the Umpire of our Difference.

[Cinthio signs to Keplair.

Kep.

What are you?

Scar.

Two neighbouring Princes to your vast Domi∣nion.

Har.

Knights of the Sun, our Honourable Titles. And fight for that fair Mortal, Mopsophil.

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Mop.

Bless us!—my two precious Lovers, I'll war∣rant; well, I had better take up with one of them, than lye alone to Night.

Scar.

Long as two Rivals we have Lov'd and Hop'd, Both equally endeavour'd, and both fail'd. At last by joynt Consent, we both agreed To try our Titles by the Dint of Lance, And chose your Mightiness for Arbitrator.

Kep.

The Emperor gives Consent.—

[They both, all arm'd with gilded Lances and Shields of Black, with Golden Suns painted. The Musick plays a fighting Tune. They fight at Barriers, to the Tune.—Harlequin is often Foil'd, but advances still; at last Scaramouch throws him, and is Con∣queror; all give Judgment for him.

Kep.

The Emperor pronounces you are Victor.—

[To Scar.

Doct.

Receive your Mistriss, Sir, as the Reward of your undoubted Valour—

[Presents Mopsophil.

Scar.

Your humble Servant, Sir, and Scaramouch, re∣turns you humble Thanks.—

[Puts off his Helmet.

Doct.

Ha,—Scaramouch—

[Bawls out, and falls in a Chair. They all go to him.

My Heart misgives me—Oh, I am undone and cheated every way.—

[Bawling out.

Kep.

Be patient, Sir, and call up all your Vertue, You're only cur'd, Sir, of a Disease That long has raign'd over your Nobler Faculties. Sir, I am your Physician, Friend and Counsellor; It was not in the Power of Herbs or Minerals, Of Reason, common Sense, and right Religion, To draw you from an Error that unman'd you.

Doct.

I will be Patient, Gentlemen, and hear you. —Are not you Ferdinand?

Kep.

I am,—and these are Gentlemen of Quality, That long have lov'd your Daughter and your Neece. Don Cinthio this, and this Don Charmante, The Vice-Roys Nephews, both.—— Who found as men—'twas impossible to enjoy 'em, And therefore try'd this Stratagem.—

Cin.

Sir, I beseech you, mitigate your Grief, Altho' indeed we are but mortal men, Yet we shall Love you,—Serve you, and obey you—

Doct.

Are not you then the Emperor of the Moon? And you the Prince of Thunderland?

Cin.

There's no such Person, Sir. These Stories are the Fantoms of mad Brains, To puzzle Fools withal—the Wise laugh at 'em,— —Come Sir, you shall no longer be impos'd upon.

Doct.

No Emperor of the Moon,—and no Moon World!

Char.

Rediculous Inventions. If we'd not lov'd you, you'd been still impos'd on; We had brought a Scandal on your Learned Name, And all succeeding Ages had despis'd it.

[He leaps up.

Doct.

Burn all my Books, and let my Study Blaze,

Burn all to Ashes, and be sure the Wind

Scatter the vile Contagious Monstrous Leys.

—Most Noble Youths—you've honour'd me with your Alliance, and you, and all your Friends, Assistances in this Glorious Miracle, I invite to Night to revel with me.—Come all and see my happy Recantation of all the Follies Fables have inspir'd till now. Be pleasant to repeat your Story, to tell me by what kind degrees you Cozen'd me—

I see there's nothing in Philosophy—

[Gravely to himself.

Of all that writ, he was the wisest Bard, who spoke this mighty Truth.— He that knew all that ever Learning writ, Knew only this—that he knew nothing yet.