title: Imperial Requiem: Four Royal Women and the Fall of the Age of Empires
author:  Justin C. Vovk 
description: Justin C. Vovk is the author of In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa. He is an independent journalist and historian who resides in Hamilton, Ontario.
zlib_text: ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
  
  ##### www.blackmask.com
  
  * * *
  
  
    
    
  The Second Maiden's Tragedy
  
  
    
    
  [Act I  
    
  ](The%20Second%20Maiden%27s%20Tragedy_split_001.html#filepos1997)[Act II  
    
  ](The%20Second%20Maiden%27s%20Tragedy_split_002.html#filepos36818)[Act III  
    
  ](The%20Second%20Maiden%27s%20Tragedy_split_002.html#filepos66329)[Act IV  
    
  ](The%20Second%20Maiden%27s%20Tragedy_split_003.html#filepos83025)[Act V
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  
  # The Second Maiden's Tragedy
  
  
  ### Thomas Middleton
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Dramatis Personae in order of appearance:
  
  
  The TYRANT, the usurping king
  
  
  GOVIANUS, the deposed king
  
  
  MEMPHONIUS }
  
  
  SOPHONIRUS } nobles
  
  
  HELVETIUS }
  
  
  FIRST and SECOND NOBLES
  
  
  The LADY, daughter to Helvetius, afterwards her spirit
  
  
  VOTARIUS, friend to Anselmus
  
  
  ANSELMUS, brother to Govianus
  
  
  The WIFE to Anselmus
  
  
  LEONELLA, her waiting-woman
  
  
  BELLARIUS, lover to Leonella
  
  
  A GUARD
  
  
  SERVANT to Govianus
  
  
  FIRST and SECO