where Thunder has been toyl'd Now like our Sun when there remains no more Thither return whence we set out before Otan Returning thus Great Sir you have out-done All other glories which your Arms have won Inferiour Conquerours their Triumphs get When they advance but you when you retreat Dar. All Worthies now must yield to you alone And disappear as Stars before the Sun Thus Cyrus who all Asia did defeat Because so near you does not seem so great Prex. Cambyses no Your Honour there must yield Your Father Cyrus's fame has yours excell'd Since in one Act he did all yours out-do In leaving such a glorious Son as you Camb. Though th' utmost bounds of Earths large frame 's my right Where e're the Tributary Sun pays light Though the whole World has my great Triumph bin Yet still I have a Conquest left to win Mandana's heart Mandana cease to mourn Your tears do those fair eyes but ill adorn Mand. These eyes thus deckt in tears become her fate That wears e'm Camb. No you must your griefs abate Tears have like Tides their Ebbs And each kind flow'r After a sullen Cloud and stormy show'r Looks fresh and smiles at the next Sun Mand. That Sun Will never see my Father in his Throne That Sun that saw you Triumph in his blood That saw you who on Aegypt's ruines stood Deface our Temples and their Pow'rs defie That lent me Chains and gave you Victory As if you to such want of Foes were driv'n When th' Earth you'd Conquer'd to wage War with Heav'n Camb. Their pow'rs that made my greatness so sublime Have made my Glory and success my Crime Forgive me that my Conquest was my fault And what th' Impartial chance of War hath wrought Forget his Death and I 'le your fare retrive Your King and Father both in me shall live Mand. You vainly your untimely favours place Thus treacherous Serpents wound those they embrace A sudden trembling shoots through all my veins And in my breast his murder'd Image Reigns Such horror does my haunted soul affright That I must flye his cruel Murd'rers sight You by instinct who did his death design Assaulting of his blood laid siege to mine Exit Mand. and Ladies Camb. Ye subtle Pow'rs that humane passions rule That take your private walks within my soul Whence is your Title that this pow'r you have Thus to degrade a Monarch to a Slave And yet such charms from those bright Circles flow That I must thank her eyes that made me so Prex. A sudden sound of Trumpets strikes my ear Trumpets heard from within Artab It seems the Voyce of some new Triumph near Camb. Some Herauld or Embassador or some Poor petty Prince that does a supplyant come To beg his Crown Darius straight inquire From whence they come and what 't is they desire Give e'm such Entertainment as may shew Cambyses is their King and Conquerour too Exit Dar. What shouts are these Ha! louder yet Go forth Shouts from within And tell e'm that I will allay their mirth Exit Otanes Is 't my good nature makes the slaves grow proud To dare to be thus Insolent and loud Loud and ungovern'd mirth rash Acts performs Kind gales grown turbulent and high are Storms Enter Darius in haste Dar. A Cloud of People does your Camp surround And their Triumphant cryes eccho this sound Long live King Smerdis Camb. Ha! What 's this I hear Prex. What may provoke your Sword but not your fear Enter Otanes in haste Otan The Tumult 's loud Their guilty Joyes do shew They pay to Smerdis what to you they owe. Camb. Does Smerdis then Usurp my Throne My Lords We shall not want new Subjects for our Swords Though the rash Boy 's ambition does not know What dangerous height his pride has rais'd him to Yet I will make him know from whence he falls Advance my Standard then to Susa's Walls And the next Morning our bright Sun shall rise Ador'd with blood and Humane sacrifice Exeunt Omnes praeter Camb and Prex. Does Smerdis live still a reproach to be Both to my power and thy fidelity Subjects the breath of Monarchs should attend Obeying that on which their lives depend The wills of Princes who then dares dispute Whose Precepts as their Crowns are absolute Prex. It Smerdis Sir does any Scepter sway Neptune has lent him that which rules the Sea For there he lyes secure there where each Wave May proudly pass Triumphant o're his Grave Camb. How then Sir are the dead so pow'rful grown To make a Resurrection to my Throne Prex. You know I 'm Loyal and may trust he 's dead Camb. Thou lyest Slave one word more forfeits your Head How dare you tell me that he 's dead when I Think it kind fortunes greatest courtesie That he still lives and lives to wear my Crown For since the Conquer'd World's already won Thanks ye kind Fates that raise new Foes t' afford Fresh subjects still for my Victorious sword Though Smerdis live t' out-brave his Kings command 'T is but to fall by a more noble hand And that which does my willing sword invite I now shall Conquer in Mandana's sight I 'le Court her with the glory of my Arms Conquest and War like Beauty have their Charms Ex. Prex. How not believ'd Have I so oft for this Obey'd his rage and bloody Cruelties When Rapes and Murders were but common sin Such heats of blood have but my pastime bin And in requital I 'm thus far arriv'd I find a Tyrants Favourite's short-liv'd My Death he threatens Since he does distrust My faith and Loyalty it were but jâ—â—t That he should find me false who thinks me so Nor am I bred so tame or born so low To be out-brav'd by Kings Enter a Messenger who delivers a Letter to Prex. Mess. From Smerdis Sir and trust To find him grateful as he finds you just Prex. Happy occasion Now I may pursue Aside Both my Revenge and my Ambition too Opens the Letter Go tell your King I must not stop my ears When Monarchs thus are my Petitioners Exit Mess Assist him Pausing upon the Letter True Statesmen should not regard The Justice of the Act but the reward The Median Crown His promises are large And interest will greater faults discharge Now I will find fresh subjects for fame's wings To tell the World I rule the fate of Kings Though I can't boast of Crowns my glory is That Empires by my power do fall and rise Perhaps the Frantick zeal o th' World may say I injure Heaven when I my King betray Let Fools be just court Shrines have homage paid To Images those gods in Masquerade Religion Loyalty and th' aery scrowl Of gods are strangers to a Scythians soul. Exit Scena Seâ—unda The Scene continues Enter Mandana sola Mand. And will the angry gods for ever frown Have I not lost a Father and a Crown But that which most Heaven's cruelty does shew Who shares my heart does share
my fortune too The hand of War more cruel wounds ne're gave Osiris too is the proud Tyrant's Slave Could Providence this unjust deed design Osiris should wear any Chains but mine She Weeps Our Fate the malice of our Stars does prove If there be any Stars that envy Love Enter to her Osiris Osir. Do you remember those strict Vows you made And those soft Charms in whispers you convey'd When I and Egypt both did happy prove They in their King I in Mandana's Love Mand. I do Osiris And remember too I alwayes paid my promises to you Osir. Your Constancy confirms that happiness Which your high favour did at first confer But souls so much divine can do no less As gods are constant 'cause they cannot erre This day I hope our Mutual Loves shall crown Mand. Yes Sir it shall if Heaven will give us leave Osir. When you Mandana smile Heaven cannot frown Mand. No unkind fate does your fond hopes deceive You know Osiris that I made this Vow That with my Love I would my Crown bestow And from her Vow Mandana will not start I 'le give an Empire when I give a heart But since my Captive fate my Crown has lost Your hopes and mine thus equally are crost To give you less would seem too low a thing My heart alone 's too mean an Offering Osir. In this decree you do too cruel prove To think that Fortune can give Laws to Love And to your Beauty you 're injurious grown You cannot borrow lustre from a Crown No he who in Mandana's Breast does Reign Is taught all meaner Empires to disdain Mand. Osiris no your too fond zeal mistakes Love will admit no Slaves but what it makes Love by our miseries would sullied be Eclips'd and Clouded in Captivity Our Fate the Crowning of our Love controuls Osir. We have but Captives fortunes not their fouls Their fouls to th' highest pitch of greatness rise That can the empty frowns of Fate despise In our dark fortune Love will shine more bright As Diamonds borrow lustre from the night Mand. No no you must your hopeless Love forgo You must Osiris Love will have it so Osir. And can you give what I shall ne're enjoy Can Love a Lovers happiness destroy Mand. If e're my Stars my ravisht Crown restore She Sighs Till then expect that I can give no more Osir. You are too cruel Mand. No I am too kind This resolution in my breast is sign'd Proffers to go out at which Osiris offers to speak I do command you urge no more Osir. You may Command my Death you know I must obey Mand. No my Osiris live and live to be More happy then you can be made by me Yet from your Breast Let not Mandana be so far remov'd But still you may remember that we Lov'd Exit Osir. Oh my hard fate She does deny me Love yet bids me live Yet 't is her kindness does this sentence give How strangely is my Happiness destroy'd Her too much Love Love's ruine has decreed As Lamps that surfeit when they 're overcloy'd Do perish by that Oyl on which they feed Exit Scena tertia The Scene a Palace Enter Smerdis and Patasithes with Guards and Attendants Pat. 'T was by Heaven's pleasure and our wills decreed To place the Crown of Persia on your head Let dull successive Monarchs idly wait To be enthron'd by the flow hand of Fate And Phoenix-like expect their rise and power Onely from th' ashes of an Ancestour You by a Nobler force have Empire gain'd Wresting the Scepter from Cambyses hand Thus on his ruine you his Throne ascend And make the means as glorious as the end Smerd. The Fate of Crowns depends on common chance Fortune and pow'r may to a Throne advance But to confirm that Crown our pow'r affords Requires our souls more active than our Swords Pat. You must yet Act unseen and veile your pow'r Untill your Thunder 's in your hand secure Till then Sir you your Majesty must shrowd Like Lightning taking birth first from a Cloud Till you like that a full-blown glory wear And gain at once both reverence and fear Enter Theramnes Ther. Your Subjects joys grow loud as is your fame Persia speaks nothing now but Smerdis name And their excessive joys so high advance Their Piety's joyn'd with their Allegiance Rendring thâ—t Homage which to Heaven is due Adoring less the rising Sun than you Smerd. 'T is this must make my Sov'reignty compleat Those joys that speak them Loyal speak me great Ther. You Conq'rours have out-done your name affords The subject of more Trophies then their swords Great Cyrus glories must submit to you He Conquer'd Nations you their hearts subdue Smerd. This is but half a Conquest who defends A Crown conquers his Foes as well as Friends And now our cause for speedy action calls Cambyses is in sight of Susa's Walls Go then Theramnes muster all our Force Our Syrian Infantry and Persian Horse Pâ—epare such strength that it may be exprest That we can conquer if he dare resist Ther. I do not Conquest doubt whilst Monarchs are Themselves above plac'd in a higher sphear You like the Heav'ns your sacred pow'rs dispense You 'll give us Conquest by your Influence Exit Smerd. See how the fond deluded World mistakes And what false light my borrow'd glory makes Yet such as dazles Persia. This disguise Has rais'd so thick a mist before their eyes That my best Friends Theramnes and the croud Of wondring Subjects all are in one Cloud And their mistaken Faiths so far advance That they seem Rivals in Allegiance Like their Devotion who the gods implore Men first believe and then they do adore Pat. Thus Kings and Beauty in this Title share 'T is the adorers eye makes Beauty fair The Persians thus by their Allegiance show You 're the true Prince if they but think you so Smerd. I by such Arts do the Worlds Empire sway As the Worlds frame does Natures Laws obey Mov'd by a Cause admir'd but never known Secrets of State and Heav'n agree in One. Thus I and thus the gods themselves disguise Their high'st designs in darkest Mysteries Exeunt Scena quarta The Scene continues Enter Phedima and Orinda Orind. Love in my breast should with slow progress move Were there no other interest in Love Phed. Why what more can there be Orind. Yes I would have My Beauties Captive be my Honours slave Brave Conq'rours scorn the prize they win whilst they Aim onely at the fame of Victory But your too humble Love takes a low flight When you thus dote upon a Favourite Can your Darius Phed. Can Darius seem Unworthy then of Phedima's esteem 'T were Impious to wish my passion less His merits not my Love have their excess Orind. Love like a pleasant Dream disturb'd or crost The fancy wakes and then the pleasure 's lost My presence then will but injurious prove Scornfully Silence and privacy are fit for Love Exit Phed. And can she
in your looks some great design I reade Or some request â—or which your eyes do plead Name it it shall be done Nothing shall makâ— me from my promise shrink For I dare Act whatever you dare think Ther. You cannot Act that kindness which I want Smerd. You cannot ask that which I cannot grant At your request Ther. Sir in a Ladies cause I am engag'd by Honours sacred Laws In her Revenge to Act a Champions part To right her wrongs on her Offender's heart But I shall be as blind in my pursuit As is that Justice I would Execute Nor can your pow'r where th' Objects are unknown Direct my hand nor reach them with your own Smerd. Theramnes you a Prince's pow'r mistake Monarchs the secrets of the skyes can track And search Heav'ns counsels hoâ— then can mankind Act in a Cloud that which we cannot find I 'le find them if they live But Sir her name Who does this Justice and your courage claim The time the place where they did Act their Crime Ther. The Scene it was your Palace Sir the time This Morning and her name is Phedima Smerd. That onely name does all my spirits awe Aside Then as I promis'd in your cause I joyn Ther amnes draw your Sword as I draw mine Draws To give the blow will direct you where And that you may not misâ—his Heart strike here Points to his Breast That you more boldly may her cause defend Know her Offender is your King and Friend What does your courage shake and must you pause When Honour calls you in a Ladies cause Or is 't your fear that does resist your Vow Ther. Though Vows are sacred so are Monarchs too 'T is not Great Sir the want of Courage stays My hand 't is Reverence o're my Valour sways Theramnes dares not think much less act that Which the most salvage Lyons tremble at For Lyoâ—s dare not 'gainst their Prince Rebel They want the pow'r to hurt and I the will Smerd. These slight excuses are too weak you must Perâ—orm your Vow or be proclaim'd unjust Ther. A stronger â—ye that promise does remit And I am now more just in breaking it No tyes of Honour ever yet could be So strong as the strict bonds of Loyalty Smerd. Then on your Loyalty I command you do What Honour and your Vow has bound you to Ther. And can you give so cruel a Command 'T is Death against my King to lift my Hand Smerd. And what is worse 't is Death 〈◊〉 disobey Ther. But dying thus I dye the nobler way Theramnes dares not strike but he dares dye When you will have it so Smerd. My Cruelty You do mistake Theramnes you shall live For that which I command I can forgive Ther. But you command what Heav'n cannot permit Smerd. The wills of Kings and Heav'n together meet You 've made a Vow to reach my heart and Heav'n To that great act it 's free consent has giv'n Your friendship not your sword shall act that part For you unarm'd Theramnes reach my Heart Embraces him Ther. Your favours are advanc'd to that vast height I fear that I shall sink under the weight Smerd. Sir since you are engag'd by Honours Laws To perform Justice in this Ladies Cause Go use all Arts and Arguments to bring Her to the presence of the Persian King Inform her that He knows those Ravishers And that their Insolence has reach'd his ears Since Justice to the right of Kings belongs Tell her He shall be proud to right her wrongs And as their Judge do Justice in defence Of Beauty and of injut'd innocence Ther. I go Smerd. And with success return and may Those Stars that govern Love direct your way Exit Theramnes This gen'rous contest gave me means to try Theramnes's Friendship and his Loyalty And happily I have contriv'd t' obtain The sight of my fair Conqu'rour once again But oh I can but think how I must now Be both the Judge and the Offender too But though I justly then deserv'd her frown Because she did not know I wore a Crown Now I more Nobly will her passion move I 'le make my Crown an Agent for my Love If she esteem her heart a gift too great I then will purchase what I can't intreat Enter to him Prexaspes in disguise lead in by the Guards Capt. of the Guards This Fellow Sir we in the Palace saw And that which we from his deportment draw His too suspicious looks and garb descry A guilty fear the mask of Treachery Smerd. Audacious Rebel Slave what bold design Prex. Sir my design is just Smerd. And so is mine And of my Justice thus I 'le give you proof See instantly the Traytor 's Head struck off To the Guards Enter Patasithes Prex. T' express that I dare dye for you that breath That rules Prexaspes life may give him death Undisguises himself Smerd. Prexaspes Pat. Ha! Prexaspes Smerd. Fatal chance Your care has witnest your Allegiance To the Guards Withdraw Exeunt Guards Dear Friend your doom is chang'd and now I must condemn my guilty self not you Embraces him Prex. In this disguise I from the Camp am come To tell you I have seal'd Cambyses doom Lead by my Counsel Sir he does design A three dayes Truce before the siege begin To which you must consent Things must appear as smooth as calmest Seas And Susa wear the flatt'ring smiles of peace Pat. Monarchs and Statesmen have these mutual â—yes They by each other do advance and rise Whilst he speaks they whisper Prex. I 'le gain you entrance Smerd. Well I do consent Prex. Your being unknown all dangers will prevent The Tyrants life shall with his Empire end Smerd. A Monarch's Patron and an Empire 's Friend Exeunt Scene continues Enter Theramnes and Phedima Ther. And Madam that you might see Justice done I promis'd to conduct you to his Throne But pardon me if I have gone too far When honour and my Friendship makes me erre Phed. Honour and Friendship too have their excess But since I may my Innocence express And in their Justice my revenge pursue Theramnes I submit to follow you Exeunt Scena Secunda The Scene open'd appears Smerdis seated on a Throne attended by Guards and other Attendants Enter again Theramnes and Phedima Ther. He to their tryal will th' Offenders bring Look there and see your Judge the Persian King Phed. Sure you mistake the Throne or I the Prince Ther. His Majesty that error will convince Exit Smerd. Fair Excellence Steps from the Throne 'T is true the name of Prince I changed have For that more glorious Title of your Slave But I recall that breath I should transgress Against your Beauty were my greatness less He must be more than Prince and Monarch too That so great Beauty dares adore as you Hence 't is your Royal Lover Persia's King Presumes to make his heart your Offering The Noblest Present that his Love can make And yet the lowest you can stoop to
cruel long Dar. Thus you repeat those Triumphs you have won Your mercy conquers as your eyes have done Phed. But see you pay such Honours to his Grave As may deserve that pardon which I gave Dar. Since pray'rs noâ— tears cannot his Fate recall But so much Virtue by my hand must fall This to his dust is but a lawful debt Who shin'd in glory shall in glory set I will erect new Trophies to his Fame What from his Life I took I 'le pay his Name Orind. My grief with yours as Rivals shall contend To Phed. I have a Lover lost you but a Friend Exeunt Scena quarta Enter Prexaspes and Mandana Prex. Can you refuse Cambyses's Love who wou'd To purchase yours wade to new Crowns in blood 'T is strange that he cannot your heart subdue To whom the Conquest of the World is due Mand. Thy soul and his in this were Rivals still You never overcome but when you kill Prex. But Madam what I reade in those fair eyes Has poyson in 't There 's something in that Form Aside Disturbs my soul and does my courage strom Madam your Beauty Oh turn it away Should â— on that bright Object longer stay Lead by my wand'ring fires I should my senses quit And lose my self by gazing after it Madam Continuing â—ith his eyes fixt upon her Mand. Is not your Message yet exprest Prex. Your eyes won't give me leave to tell the rest Mand. I must confess his Love I would not hear Death's frowns I can his smiles I cannot bear Prexaspes name no more Cambyses's flame Prex. Then Madam I may tell him in your name I am his Rival Aside Her subtle Darts have made my heart their Prize That sure my soul 's transparent as my eyes To let her Image in But tell me can your Breast so cruel prove To banish from your heart all thoughts of Love Mand. Now my Osiris I remember thee Aside Sighs Prex. Her alter'd Visage wears a Mystery A broken sigh joyn'd with a fainting look Just so my Love its sudden birth first took Her Actions copy mine sure my disease Aside Infectious is and does new Subjects seize For the fame signs argue the same desires Perhaps she feels my pains and meets my fires If so Thanks to my Stars Since nobly you My heart have won so nobly use it too What start You think it is Cambyses Mand. No. Both thee and thy inhumane deeds I know Could I but think that Love could be a guest To thy black soul and harbour in thy breast The very name of Love 't would odious make Prex. You must seem cruel for your honour's sake No more of this Advancing up to her Mand. Stand off Your aim you miss What stoop to him that Murder'd Amasis Prex. That was Cambyses's fault Mand. No Slave thy hand Thy hand did Act what he did but command Prex. But his command did to your Life extend Which I did from his cruelty defend And 't was my favour that you did not dye Mand. No Barb'rous Villain 't was thy cruelty Yee sacred Pow'rs above what was my guilt That with my Fathers blood mine was not spilt My Death Heav'ns Fatal kindness did prevent Reserving me for greater punishment Prex. What can it be a punishment to rest In the Protection of a Prexaspes's Breast It cannot be Mandana Come I see You 've learnt the Female slights of Modesty Advances up to her and proffers to kiss her hand at which she steps from him What a retreat As 't is in Natures Laws so 't is in Love Th' effect's the same if th' Earth or Sun do move And so our Love the same effect procures If your heart move tow'rds mine or mine tow'rds yours Come then Rudely stepping to her Mand. This Language Sir I cannot hear I can my Death not thy addresses bear To thee Mandana's Breast thus kind can prove To entertain thy Sword but not thy Love What art thou slow and dost thou sluggish stand When belov'd Murder does invite thy hand Prex. Captive take heed lest you provoke my hate 'T is but ill policy to tempt your Fate You trust my Love and therefore you presume But Madam know your scorn has chang'd your doom Nought but your Love your ruine shall recall For they who once from my high favour fall Never leave sinking till they reach their Graves Mand. 'Twixt Love and â—age like meeting â—ides he raves Aside That Death he threatens gladly I 'de obey That Life I owe to Amasis â—'de pay Yet Amasis Do but this fault if it be one forgive If for Osiris I could wish to live Enter Cambyses who meets Prexaspes going off Camb. Prexaspes is Mandana yet more kind Prex. I cannot meet her in so good a mind Camb. Since my late frowns and threaâ—ings could not move Your Breast I 'le treat you with a milder Love To Mand. Prex. She thinks I 'm some tame Lover of the common sort Whom they use cruelly to make 'em sport Aside No she shall find my Love does higher flye I 'le either â—each her how to Love or dye Exit Camb. I of my frowns a Nobler use should make To awe the trembling World make Empires quake And check Heav'ns Thunder 'T is not fit my brow â—he terrour of the World should threaten you No you shall find Cambyses for your sake As mild and calm as Loves soft charâ—s can make Mand. Cambâ—ses no rage and be cruel still Tyrants are only kind then when they kill My Death 's the only kindness you can do My life I hate since 't is preserv'd by you Camb. Hold You 're ungrateful Though you 've 〈◊〉 Thus thus Cambyses will your favour win You shall enjoy Osiris Do not start 'T is he alone that lodges in your heart To win your favour this brave deed I 'le do Be cruel to my self and kind to you Fame shall no longer to the World impart That I want pow'r to win a Ladies heart For since all other means succesless prove To gain your kindness I 'le resign my Love â— to my Rival will with Honour yield As the retreating Parthians win the field Osiris Madam is for you decreed He is I and the gods have so agreed Mand. Oh now I fear Camb. Now for his Arms prepare Draw back that Curtain The Scene opens and on a Table appears the Body of Osiris beheaded an Executionâ—â— with the suppos'd head in a vessel of blood Take your Lover there Since you all lesser offerings despise Take there take there your Beauty's sacrifice Mand. Osiris murder'd And can Heaven be An idle gazer on his destiny Gods can you suffer this and yet lay claim To this low'â— World Or is your Thunder tame To let the Tyrant live Are not y' afraid Who here below all Virtue has betray'd When there 's none left on Earth he may pursue The next blow he intends will be at you Oh no this stroke by your consent was given To rob the World to add new
Stars to Heav'n Weeps O Tyrant Tyrant is a name too good For him whose soul 's so deeply stain'd in blood Inhumane Murd'rer had you learnt the sence Of Virtue from Osiris's Innocence Or borrow'd so much blushes from his blood You had not rob'd the World of all that 's good But Sir I hope you don't this Virtue want Sinking her voice But what you 're pleas'd to promise you will grant You promis'd that Mandana should this day Enjoy Osiris Camb. Ay and so you may Mand. Tyrant why then does not Mandana fall To mix her blood with his Camb. Madam you shall Unless you instantly resolve to prove More just to the great Persian Monarch's Love Maâ—d I Will do more than Love let but your breath Pronounce my Fate I 'le thank you for my death And Iâ—le embrace it too as your kind gift And th' onely happiness on Earth that 's left Weeps Come in my Death let me your favour find What must Mandana court you to be kind Raising her Voice I do conjure you strike by all your guilt Your cruelties the blood your Rage has spilt By all that sacred debt of Love I owe Osiris nay and more my Hate to you What are the furies vanishâ— from your soul What sudden tameness does your arm controul Or is your fierceness calm'd your rage subdu'd Stifled with Murders and or'e-cloy'd with blood My Virtues are not ripe enough t' afford A Subject for a bloody Tyrant's Sword Weeps Camb. Since Death would such a signal favour be You shall wait longer for your destiny Monarchs should not their favours rashly place But Consider e're they pass their Acts of Grace No you shall live and live till you have known The infl'ence of an angry Monarch's frown Your tears shall otherwise b' imploy'd to mourn That your Pride durst Cambyses's favour scorn Exit Mand. I dare not look my soul 's so much amaz'd Where I before for ever could have gaz'd Oh that I could but weep away my sight To share with Thee in an eternal Night Or that I could but melt in tears away That when our rising Sun proclaims the day With Morning dew I by his Rays might be Exhal'd and snatcht up to his Heav'n and Thee Exit Finis Actus Tertii The Curtain falls Actus quartus Scena prima The Scene drawn Cambyses is discover'd seated in a Chair sleeping The Scene representing a steep Rock from the top of which descends a large Cloud which opening appear various shapes of Spirits seated in form of a Councel to whom a more glorious Spirit descends half way seated on a Throne at which the former Spirits rise and Dance In the midst of the Dance arises a Woman with a Dagger in her hâ—nd at which the Scene shuts In the time of this Representation this Song is sung from within as Suppos'd by Spirits YE subtle Pow'rs that rule below Onely where â—orrour dwells Whose deep dark Cells Admit no other light Then that by which you mortal Fates do write Th' events of all your knowledge does foreknow The Prince of Fate 's already set That Prince who does in Constellations write Those glorious Characters of light The destinies of all that 's great Chorus To councel then to councel strait With all your Ministers of State T' attend the â—igh decrees of Fate Cambyses rises from his Chair as newly waking and seems disorder'd Camb. A Fatal Dagger and a Womans hand Enter to him Prexaspes Prex. This Night great Sir your Presence does demand 'T is now th' appointed hour your Forces wait To gain admission at the Western Gate Sir you forget your self one moments stay Hazards your Crown and loses you the day Camb. Tell me no more of hazards nor of Crowns Cambyses threatn'd by a Woman's frowns Prex. Remember Sir your Honour 't is does call Your Empire 's safety and th' Impostor's fall And now 's the time What can you tardy be To wait on Triumph Camb. Let Triumph wait on me I will not go Prex. Not go what pow'rful cause Can force your courage to retreat or pause Or can you leisure rof debate afford When Conquest and revenge invites your Sword Camb. No I shall meet my Fate but thanks to Heav'n My Friends above have timely notice giv'n Prex. Ha! meet his Fate He dreams of Treason too Some superstitious god has told him so aside Can you fear dangers or can dangers be An envious Cloud 'twixt you and Victorie Or is the pow'r of Heav'n so dreadful grown That fearing that you can forget your own No Sir you must this glorious deed fulfill Let gods be gods you are Cambyses still Since you are with Prophetick thoughts possest Seeing Cambyses make no answer he proceeds What mystick fears have thus disturb'd your breast Camb. My lab'ring fancy lead me to the brow Of a steep Rock that shaded all below From thence I saw a low-hung Cloud appear Swoln big with mists and loaded with the Air Which with ingender'd Tempests seem'd to roar Reel'd sunk and stagger'd with the weight it bore A num'rous issue from its bowels flew Whilst the Cloud broke and melted to a dew In which the wanton Spirits bath'd and plaid And greedily upon their Mother prey'd Then from above I saw the Prince of Fates his Arm display Lightning and Thunder usher'd in his way His Scepter mov'd bow'd his Imperial head The lower Fates with Reverence obey'd Their Volumns instantly were brought and He Op'ning the Fatal Legend pitcht on Me. Then in the Councel a dispute did grow Whether Cambyses mortal were or no. But they in vain their arguments did bring The Prince of Fates said No I was a King Straight in the midst I saw a Woman stand Grasping a bloody Dagger in her hand She by her looks their Sentence did condemn And by her posture threaten'd Me and Them Then as I wak'd methought I saw the dart Snatcht from her hand and levell'd at my heart Prex. And can a dream Cambyses's spirits daunt Riddles as dark as are the Nights they haunt Your groundless jealousies unjust appear Thus greatest Valours smallest dangers fear As Lyons tremble at a spark of fire Shall it be said Cambyses did retire Or shrink from that brave cause he should maintain Dreams are but th' unshap'd Monsters of the brain And Monster-like should onely be abhorr'd No more delays you must imploy your Sword Camb. Urge me no more Should I to Susa go Fate has design'd I from a Woman's hand my death should find Are these your stratagems you had forgot To keep your projects close I 'le spoil your plot My Pow'r has o're their policy this odds I 'le stay at home and disappoint the gods I 'le baffle your Divinity And since They have resolv'd it I'lemy Stars convince Their borrow'd infl'eâ—ce common Fates may sway Cambyses has a greater pow'r than they Stars are like Galley-slaves chain'd to a sphear And Subject-like onely Heav'ns Vassals are To move by Laws act what th' higher pow'r
decrees I can move where I will act what I please Cambyses rules Cambyses's destiny Nor am I taught how to obey or dye Prexaspes see Mandana hither brought I 'le by my Love divert this sullen thought Prex. And must a Dream his Sanctuary be Protected by this Ridling Prophecy No though his stay has my designs o'rethrown I 'le take his Life though I expose my own Aside Exit Camb. Though they have thus foretold my destiny Perhaps my Stars have dreamt as well as I. Prexaspes enters with Mandana and Exit Mandana you 've my resolution heard The choice is easie speak are you prepar'd To be my Mistress or my Sacrifice Mand. When 't is your Royal pleasure Sir she dyes Camb. No no I will a milder sentence give It is my Royal pleasure you should live And live in my embraces too Mand. In his In his embrace that murder'd Amasis And more that bloody Tyrant that decreed Osiris's cruel Fate that barb'rous deed A deed enough t' infect the breath of Fame At which thy lesser treasons lose their name Camâ— And am I dallied with your doom is seal'd cambyses's sentence cannot be repeal'd Prepare to Love or dye choose and be free My speedy kindness or my cruelty Mand. Your cruelty my courage cannot bear Mandana then will in your kindness share I blush to say I offer up my heart But yet obedience is a Captives part Passionately Camb. Welcom kind Princess All the pow'rs above Shall envy at your kindness and my Love If there by any pow'rs above my own For they that call ' emselves the gods have none For if they had They had not to mankind this favour giv'n T' enjoy a blessing greater than their Heav'n We Princes to our selves our greatness owe They are but Kings above we gods below Now you are kind Mand. And why are not you so Camb. Can you my kindness doubt no you shall find 'T is you alone have taught me to be kind With the next Sun you shall your Reign begin To morrow you shall be proclaim'd my Queen Mand. No Sir that is not all Camb. Oh 't is not all Our Love does for a stricter kindness call The night the night Love's chief Triumphant hour When blushes o're our pleasures have no pow'r When Lovers Revel in each others arms Confining to one Circle all their charms To an embrace This to your Beauty's due First I will crown our Loves and then crown you Mand. Oh no Sir this is but a barren grant I still the crowning of my wishes want The favour I would have is this to dye Raising her voice at the two last words Tyrant your Love 's the greatest Cruelty Cambyses no you do mistake my part 'T is thus alone I 'le offer up my heart Not to your lust but Fury's Sacrifice Command my Death then though your Sword denies On Earth that Empire which my birth had giv'n Mandana will commence her Reign in Heav'n With my Osiris in that glorious seat Where Cruelty and Tyrants never meet Camb. How Captive am I scorn'd and scorn'd by you To shew what injur'd Majesty can do Your death to this dispute an end shall bring I 'le act no more your Lover but your King Your Beauty shall no more my Arm controul I 'le find a nobler passage to your soul. Proffers to draw his Sword to kill her Mand. Cambyses hold come I will milder be My kindness shall prevent your Cruelty Kindly Camb. Then use me thus no more and you shall know What Heav'n and Monarchs when they 're pleas'd can do Mand. Your Sword for nobler Actions is design'd To you then and my self I 'le now be kind I 'le rob you of my Death Draws her Dagger Camybses no Raises her voice Your Sword Sir shall not condescend so low To be a Womans Executioner My hand alone that guilty stain shall bear Rather then let a King that guilt contract Mandana her own murd'rers part will Act. In dying thus her kindness will be shown She 'le save your honour and defend her own Now Tyrant dare to violate her fame To stain her Virtue or to force her shame This this shall guard her from your injuries Pointing the Dagger tâ— her own Breast For when her Honour you attempt she dyes Enter Prexaspes Prâ—x Welcome this happy opportunity Aside Mandana hold you rob the World and Me. Runs to her and snatches the Dagger from her hand And to my Gracious Sovereign I bring This Present as a Subject's offering Advancing to Cambyses as if he design'd to present him the dagger Your Death proud Tyrant Dye Cambyses Dye Stabs him Camb. And by Prexaspes's hand â—roffering to resist but siâ—ks into his chair Prex. Yes Sir 't is I. Mand. Oh Murderer Help Guards Prex. That will not do Madam the Guards are safe and so are you Camb. Ungrateful Traytor must my glory be Unravell'd by so base a Slave as thee Did I for this my favours thus dispense And give thee being by my influence Prex. Ay Sir and 't was from you I understood This dextrous way of letting Monarch's Blood Camb. Oh that I could but so much pow'r recall As but to rise and crush thee in my fall Proffering to rise but cannot Or borrow so much kindness from my blood To swell so high to drown thee in a flood Oh lad I so â—uch poison in my breath At once both to pronounce and give thee death I would râ—venge my wrongs but 't is too late And Heav'n it self is a Consederate I do forget 't was by your wills decreed I by that Dagger and that hand should bleed Buâ— since ye gods ye did my Fate proclaim And ravisht from me both my Life and Fame To let me tamely fall may you pursue That just revenge which is to murder due But if you fail to right my wrongs and me May you want Temples Altars Flames and be From Homage and from Sacrifice debar'd And that which makes you gods be never fear'd My passion with my blood now milder flows Your dying Prince for your last pardon sues To Mand. sinking his voice Now all your scorn and Cruelty must cease Death that disarms my Love concludes its peace He dyes Mand. His unjust Fate has o're my wrongs prevail'd Farewel dead Prince death has thy pardon seal'd Though thou wert wicked yet thou wert a King But Traitor whence did thy black fury spring To Pâ—ex Who in your Prince's blood your hands embrue Prex. Madam His Death must copyed be by you Now is the time proud Girle in which I 'le prove The just Revenger of my injur'd Love Holding the Dagger towards her breâ—st Since you a greater Tyrant are than He 'T is just that you should share his destiny Enter Otanes Darius and Artaban Otan 'T is some strange cause our King thus long has staid Prex. Return'd so suddenly ha I 'm betraid Yet my Revenge I 'le end Goes stab Mandana Dar. Prexaspes hold Stays him What unshap'd fury makes your Arm thus
bold Prex. The King the King Dar. Otan and Artab Speak what Prex. There murder'd lyes Oh Fatal blow both to our hearts and his Weeps Dar. and Otan Cambyses Murder'd Prex. Oh inhumane deed For which all Persia with our King does bleed Weepâ— See here the Fatal Dagger and see there Mandana's hand Cambyses's Murderer Weeps again Oh horrour Envious Heav'n Dar. Mandana's hand In our great Monarch's bloody Murder stain'd Mand. Perfidious Lyar must my innocence Be thus abus'd and made thy Crime 's defence Ye gods Prex. What does she mean The dismal horror of a deed so soul Has rais'd so black a Cloud over her soul That she forgets the Royal blood she spilt Stifled and stupify'd with her own guilt What fury made you this black deed pursue To Mandana 'Gainst him that had no fault but Loving you How could your hand Weepâ— Maâ—d How can your impudence Accuse Mandana of your own offence Did not thy hand thy hand proud Traitor give That wound he from no other could receive None but thy hand that cursed deed durst do To shake all Persia at one Fatal blow Otan Ha! this stange parley and dispute does breed More wonder then the strangeness of the deed Prexaspes let the story then be told That may this cruel Mystery unfold Prex. Know then my Lords entring this fatal place I saw distraction painted in a Face 'Twixt guilt and horrour as I nearer drew By this faint light I straight Mandana knew I saw her in a trembling posture stand Grasping this bloody Dagger in her hand 'T was then 't was then my eyes the Night abhoâ—'d The Night which did her guilty shades affor'd To that black deed at which our rising Sun Must blush to see what her bold hand has done Weepâ— Then from her hand I straight the Dagger snatcht And soon a speedy Justice had dispatcht But that your entrance did my Arm restrain And stay my zeal to my dead Sovereign 〈◊〉 Else I 'ad perform'd the second Tragick part Righting his wrongs upon his Murd'rers heart Mand. Oh perjur'd Slave dare you tempt Heav'n and know The gods and Justice have â— Pow'r below Thus to out-face their vengeance Prex. Ha! Was this murder then a bastard guilt To Father thus on me that blood she spilt But I forget they who dare kill their King Want not the Face to dare say any thing Well since I must my Loyalty dispute Let this my Lords all jealousies confute Shews them the Dâ—ggâ—â— Dar. Mandana's Dagger Oh prodigious Fate Otan The sacred Relique of th' Egyptian State Worn by Succession from their Kings of old Of which their Priests a wond'rous rise have told Which their Religious Legends do pretend God Ammon did to their first Monarch send Which since has by his Heirs been kept to be A Badge of the Egyptian Majesty Prex. What caus'd her rage is plainly understood The deep resentments of her Father's blood Her Slavery and her lost Crown and more The hate she to Cambyses's Passion bore Dar. Mandana Oh ye gods that men should be So much mistaken in Divinity Who could have thought that she who is adorn'd With Divine Beauty has a soul deform'd Otâ—n Guards there within Oh Madam have you so ill understood The tyes of Majesty and your high blood To shed his blood and thus prophane your own Remembring you were born unto a Throne Enter Guards But now forgive me Madam that I must To our dead King and to our Laws be just Impute my Rigour to my Loyalty That forces me to tell you you must dye Mand. To shew how gladly I accept that breath I 'le rob you of the Sentence of my Death Guards I 'm your Prisoner Conduct me straight There where Mandana may embrace her Fate Death is the only happiness I court Prex. The plot was well then since she likes the sport Aside Mand. Osiris now Fate has this favour giv'n To let me dye to visit thee and Heav'n Yet though the name of Death has made me proud When I am dead may Heav'n remove the Cloud And may my better Stars restore my Fame To its first whiteness that my injur'd Name May grow unsullied as my Innocence Dar. And may kind Heav'n forgive you your offence The mildness Madam of your Death shall show What pity we to such perfections owe. Conduct her safely there where she may be To the Guards Debarr'd from nothing else but Liberty Untill her Death your Office shall discharge Mand. Untill her Death shall her freed soul enlarge I come Osiris and may some kind Star That smiles on Lovers guide me to they sphear There our divided souls shall meet and be A part of the Coelestial Harmony Exit lead out by Guards Dar. The Fares are still malignant to the great They rise in glory but in blood they set Exeâ—nt Artaban and Guards bearing out Cambyses Otan The ashes of a King 's no common dust Nor is it fit their memories should rust It is not just Cambyses's wrongs should be Idly recorded to Posterity Since the World needs his injuries must hear They shall be utter'd in the voice of War His Empire 's freedom and th' Impostor's fall Summons our courage and to Arms does call But since his Brother by your hand did bleed To Prex. Before we further in this cause proceed 'T is just we first from you more fully know When 't was and where you gave that Fatal blow Surpriz'd Prexaspes starts Prâ—x It needs my wonder must create Never to know and yet to Act his Fate Otan Did you not hear it from our Kings own breath And yet are ignorant of Smerdis's death Prex. By all that 's true no more to me is known Then that he lives and wears the Persian Crown Dar. Can we believe Cambyses would disclaim His only Heir that should preserve his Name Besides it against Natures Laws would be T' accuse himself of a false Cruelty Prex. The Laws of Nature and the â—yes of blood Are things Cambyses never understood No 't was his Brother that he would destroy He envied him that Crown he did enjoy He then would have you that revenge pursue Which now Death will not give him leave to do Smerdis still lives but you a Waâ— must bring And out of Loyalty depose your King Take heed Otan We know too well Cambyses's breast Was sway'd by passion and false Interest But could he before you and us declare You were his Brother Smerdis's Murderer If it were false he could not but suspect To cleare your self you would his guilt detect Prex. Then to convince you I with shame confess My Loyalty was great and Virtue less To quench his thirst I blood too oft have spilt The Confident and Actor of his guilt And he might think who blood for him had shed Would not refuse barely to say I did Thus he t' assure you of his Brothers death Took this advantage to confirm your faith He knew Rather than any stain his fame should touch I
would say any thing who had done so much Otan We are convinc'd Dar. Long may thy Brother live and live to be Heir to thy Conquests but not Cruelty Prex. Prexaspos well by Treasons thou didst grow They made thee great and shall preserve thee so Aside Exeâ—nt Scena Secunda Scene the Palace Enter Smerdis and Patasithes Smerd. Cambyses dead The Heav'ns themselves two Suns at once can't beaâ— Not Earth below two Monarchs in one Sphar Persia's too narrow both for him and me His glorie 's shrunk to give mine Liberty Pat. No doubt 't is to Prexaspes that you owe Your Empire 's safety in this happy blow Smerd. To him the deed but to my self the cause State-interest binds stronger than State-laws With such high proffers I 've oblig'd his trust As can do more than make a Statesman just You know I 've promis'd him the Median Crown I give him Honours to secure my own We Monarchs to our selves our Fortunes owe Our Agents Act but what we bribe 'em to Poor Mortals thus may the Gods honour raise By building Temples to exalt their praise But 't is the gods themselves that do afford Those Mortals breath by which they are ador'd Enter to them Prexaspes My best of Friends Embraces Prex. Prex. Next to Cambyses He Leaves you his Empire for a Legacy Knowing how weighty Crowns and Scepters are I 've been so kind to ease him of that care But Sir he did before his death convince His Nobles that you were not the true Prince But by such Art I did their Storm asswage That for the present I have calm'd their Rage And in your cause such Arguments did bring That they believe you Brother to our King But Sir you know that Statesmens jealousie Does onely sleep then when it seems to dye At each distast and ev'ry small mistake Their Jealousie when 't is disturb'd will wake And then their fury will break forth to deeds You are not safe then whilst they wear their Heads Smerd. 'T is not consistent with my Empire 's good To stain my name with the chief Persian blood Pat. He by mild deeds must represent the King Sâ—btlâ— as Serpents but without their sting Smerd. That Act would seem too cruel the same Arts That won 'em must preserve my Subjects hearts Prex. To save your Honour then that deed I 'le do Smerd. Name it my safety shall depend on you Prex. Theramnes's late concealment gives you just Suspition of his Loyalty and trust If then your pleasure would confer that grace To constitute me Gen'ral in his place I will invite 'em to my Tent and they For th' entertainment all their Heads shall pay Then to suppress all future Mutinies That may from this Tyrannick Act arise Their Deaths I 'le publish and the cause proclaim Forging such hainous Treasons in their Name Persia shall do not less than think it just And to my Justice as their Guardian trust Smerd. But grant the Persians should not think it so But th' Act condemn Prex. Do you condemn it too And if your Subjects murmur or Rebell 'Cause by my hand the Persian Princes fell Then instantly to satisfie their rage And shew you did not in my guilt engage Degrade me from my Office and inflict All punishments that may seem just and strict And I 'le submit to th' Sentence thus you 'll seem As far from the consent as from the Crime Smerd. Well your Commission shall be forthwith sign'd My Army's conduct to your charge resign'd Prex. May Heav'n success to Persia's Crown afford Whilst you the Scepter bear Smerd. And you the Sword Exeunt Scena tertia Scene changes to the Garden Enter Phedina and Orinda Phed. Sister you now can by Experience prove What lately you defy'd the Pow'r of Love 'T is strange the dead Theramnes should obtain That Conquest whom alive you did disdain What rash Infection does your soul invade That you who scorn'd him living court his shade A Love like yours was never heard before T' embrace his Memory and Name adore Orind. Sister since I have all assaults withstood He by no common force my heart subdu'd Such glorious pains my Captive soul endures My Love 's beyond such abject thoughts as yours Your humble passions court each fond desire And your Breasts tamely of themselves take fire You make your hearts too mean a Sacrifice Taking infection from your Lovers eyes He did more Nobly to my heart aspire He gave me fuel e're he gave me fire His Wounds his Death his Glory and his Fame They mov'd my pity and that rais'd my Flame Nay of his Love he Nobler proofs has giveâ—n When his late wounds had made him ripe for Heav'n His dying breath before his soul retir'd Bequeath'd his Love to me and then expir'd His dying breath his passion did proclaim Thus Phoenix-like expiring in a Flame Then 't is but just that I should faithfull be Thus to preserve so brave a Legacy Phed. But your affection is from hopes debarr'd When you can Love and not expect reward Love's kindnesses are lent not giv'n for when There is no hopes to be repaid agen It should expire Dead Lovers bankrupt prove Death does exempt 'em from all debts of Love Orind. No Love is seated in their souls and they With them their passions to the Skyes convey For when kind Heav'n does entertain their souls And to the sacred list of Stars enrowls In Heav'n they pay those debts on Earth they owe They shine and smile on us that stay below They still their Loves and favours do dispense Acting their kindness in their Influence And when in Heav'n we both together meet There we out tyes for ever shall unite No objects then my passion remove Till it grows up to an Immortal Love Phed. Sister till now I thought there could not be A Love like mine but you out-rival me But stay my Father 's here let us retire And there hear out that passion I admire Exeunt Scena quarta Scene continues Enter Otanes Darius and Artaban Attended Otan 'T is strange our entrance to the King deny'd Dar. Now my Prophetick fears our doubts decide He durst not give us entrance since he knows He to his being unseen his safety owes Otan Then must we to his pow'r obedience yield As men to unknown gods do Temples build Let dull and credulous ignorance advance Faith and Religion not Allegiance Must we be onely govern'd by a Name Enter to them Prexaspes with Guards the Guards stand off at a distance unseen by Otanes and Darius Prex. Prexaspes must Prexaspes's Crimes proclaim And now my Lords I do confess my guilt The blood of Smerdis by my hand was spilt And 't is th' Impostor that Usurps the Throne Otan And dare Prexaspes his bold Treasons own Prex. Yes Sir he dares and thank Heav'n too that thus Has by my Treasons made me glorious Though my late fear did make my duty fail And from your knowledge Smerdis's Death conceal Now I'm above
thin and â—eigned shapes but know It was my Treason that transform'd you so And for this Masque the gods may thank me for 't 'T was I gave 'em the Subject for their sport Here the Alarm renews and some flashes of fire flye cross the Stage and the bloody Cloud interposes again and stays the two Tapers on the Altar flash and expire and Treason is heard from within and a noise of Swords What do I hear Enter Patasithes amaz'd Pat. Treason We are betray'd Smerd. And Heav'n it self too has the Traitor plaid Shall my Love thus like to these Tapers uhine Their light 's gone out and so I fear will mine Curse on their Riddles Treason cryed again Pat. Ha! the noise comes near My fears increase Smerd. No 't is too late to fear But oh that Smerdis could his Fate recall And Reign but one day longer er'e he fall To be reveng'd of Heav'n before he dyes I d'e turn their Temples to one Sacrifice Thus by our gods betray'd Can there be Treason harbour'd in that Name They 're all Impostors greater than I am Enter Theramnes Otanes Darius and Artaban with their Swords drawn Theramnes making a pass at Smerdis they each missing their pass close whilst they struggle Patasithes engages with Otanes and whilst Darius and Artaban offer to thrust through Smerdis in Theramnes's Arms Theramnes Speaks Ther. Thrust through us both rather than miss his heart Darius stabs Smerdis and Otanes kills Patasithes Dar. Fortune to guide my Sword took Friendships part Smerd. Was this th' Embrace in which the gods intend My Love and Life should with my Empire end T' has reacht my heart This Fate Heav'n had in store That thus my Wounded Heart should bleed no more Dyes Otan Now Daughter you have for your Countries good Done what becomes your Duty and your blood To Phed. Phed. What I have done was in a Crown 's defence And ' t was an Act of my Obedience Dar. But I this deed an Act of Love must call When you 're an Actor in my Rival's fall To Phed. There 's wanting yet to th' Triumphs of this day To Otan That you accept the Crown of Persia. Otan My Age and Youth with different passions move I am above the charms of Pow'r or Love My thoughts flye higher than t' inherit Thrones Not to wear Diadems but dispose of Crowns But since my Birth makes me an Empires Heir Thus I accept the Crown to place it here To Darius Dar. Should I accept your birth's and merits due I should both injure Persia and You. No my Ambition Sir shall never climb Where the acceptance of a Throne 's a Crime Otan Since you so nobly do refuse a Crown I will this Title of a Monarch own I as your King this second proffer make On your Allegiance wear it for my sake Dar. No Sir my Honour pleads in my defence I should be guilty in Obedience Otan Since you at this command refuse a Throne Thus I command you Take it as my Son Gives him Phed. Enter Orinda and Ladies Dar. In this my Lord you do new charms infuse Love makes me take what Honour did excuse In this you give more than a Crown I dare Accept an Empire to divide it here Bows to Phed. Omnes Long live Darius King of Persia. Here the two Tapers on the Altar light again by two flashes of fire which descend and kindle them 2. Priest This omen Heav'n does to your Empire shew That light expir'd with him revives with you Thus gloriously the sacred Tapers shone That day when Cyrus did ascend the Throne 1. Priest But e're we Crown you King 't is just you knew Our Laws are sacred next our gods and you Laws which by Monarchs too must be obey'd And in their right I now am bound to plead 'T is written Sir in Persia's strict Decrees If any Persian King by Treason dyes That day his Heir does his high seat supply His Predecessors Murderer must dye You therefore in Cambyses's cause are bound To Act his Justice first and then be Crown'd Dar. Ye gods that do to Kings this charge entrust You make us cruel when you make us just Bring in the Captive Princess Phed. What new Scene Is this that must your Justice entertain Dar. An object that had but her soul conform'd To that perfection which her eyes adorn'd Her Virtues glorious as her Beauty shown Madam she like your self deserv'd a Throne But since Cambyses's blood by her was spilt She by her own must expiate her guilt Justice and War in this alike partake The bloodiest spoyls the greatest Triumphs make Enter the Suppos'd Mandana in a Mourning Habit with a black Veil over her Face attended by Guards and Executioner Had we not ow'd that blood unto your hand Which does my Sentence and your Death demand You should not thus but a more noble way Have made a part i' th' Triumphs of this Day I then a milder Justice would have shown Not took your Life but have restor'd your Crown I 'm sorry then I 'm so ill taught by you By your Example to be cruel too Yet pardon me that Sentence I must give Which I want pow'r not pity to reprieve 1. Priest Her Sentence Sir is but too long deferr'd Dar. Then Executioner Phed. Hold till I 'm heard Darius I my duty should betray Not to shew pity where so much you pay Know then I am your Rival and dare own A share in this as well as in your Throne Princess your Birth and Fortune merits moâ—e To Mand. Than ev'ry common pity can deplore Heav'n to the great this cruel Fortune gives The gods have made you prodigal of your Lives To rob Mankind Enter Mandana lead in by Guards and Attendants Mand. At your command I come T' attend your Sentence and embrace my doom 1. Guards I was by that Impostor brib'd but loath Points to the other To violate my trust I brought'em both Dar. Your Fate is in such Mysteries involv'd That Riddle e're you dye must be resolv'd Points to the other Mand. What Friend or Ravisher robs me of my doom Borrowing my likeness to Usurp my Tomb To save my Life and Sacrifice their own Though Love may Rivals have sure Death has none Death has no charms or onely charms to me 'Cause dying I shall visit Heav'n and Thee My dear Osiris Osir. No he waits you here Undisguising himself and flinging off the Veil Osiris Madam has not left your sphear Mand. Osiris's soul and come to wait on mine Heav'n to our Loves this kindness does design Oh my dear Saint stay but till I am dead And from these Earthly Chains of Nature freed And then my soul shall go along with thine Whilst we in Aiery soft embraces twine We 'le like a mounting whirlwind upward move We 'le flye in Circles in the Arms of Love There the kind gods shall to our breasts inspire Such sparks of Heav'n such new and glorious fire That to that height we will
our Loves repair Till our kind flames shall kindle to a Star Now Executioner Osir. Hold you mistake Osiris lives and had Heav'n for his sake And yours been kind he 'd liv'd t' have dyed for you Mand. Osiris lives Oh then might I live too Osir. Know then that when you saw me last when I Was by Cambyses's rage condemn'd to dye It was the Tyrant's Fortune to prefer Lord Artaban to be my Murderer But he Pitying my Youth and something which he read Did in my looks for his compassion plead In a compliance to the Tyrant's breath Disguis'd me in a borrow'd Mask of Death And thence till now my Person did secure To free me from the Tyrant's eye and pow'r Mand. Which does the greater wonder seem to see Osiris live or come to dye for me Osir. You need not wonder since you know the cause Love has a pow'r above all Nature's Laws Dying for you I should so happy prove T' have done a deed worthy my self and Love To shew your Friendship let my Princess live To Darius Dar. Oh now you ask what I want pow'r to give 1. Priest The Persian Laws like to their god the Sun In one unalterable course must run And she must dye noâ— must you favour show Because our gods and Laws will have it so Osir. If Heav'n delights in humane Sacrifice May not my Death those cruel gods suffice To save her Life on me that Grace confer To fall a Sacrifice to Heav'n and Her Mand. Hold Sir your zeal your rashness does declare Lovers in all things but in Death may share Know then kind Rival that'tis only I Mandana in Mandana's cause must dye Ther. Mandana Runs to her To see you Madam I must bless my eyes But I must curse'em when I see she dyes Aside Mand. Prince Intaphernes what strange Stars have sent You here to see that Fate you can't prevent Ther. I do conjure you spare this Princess's blood Kneels to Dar. By all that 's Friendship all that 's great and good Dar. Theramnes rise New wonders you create Ther. 'T is Nature's tyes make me her Advocate 2. Priest You need no Arguments to plead her cause For she must dye to satisfie our Laws Ther. If then your Laws such cruelty exact To save her Life I 'le justifie the Fact To the Priests Oh Sir you must her Life reprieve you know To Dar. That to her Hand you do your Scepter owe. Dar. I from Cambyses's Death my Crown derive Not from her guilt that did his Death contrive Come then Theramnes plead her cause no more I want not Friendship but I want the pow'r To save her Life though for Theramnes's sake Yet 't is our Laws not I that life will take Our Laws which do this cruelty enjoyn I cannot save her Life for him who gave me mine Now Executioner But hold I see No Kings of Persia from her pow'r are free She Murder'd him and now she conquers me My pity tells me that she must not dye Mand. Sir your delays are but your cruelty And since my Death is by your Laws design'd A speedy Justice Sir is onely kind Osir. Hold Sir I 'le interpose ' twixt her and Death And in my Breast the Fatal weapon sheath Mand. 'T is I must dye You do your Princess wrong Live though I dye But do not live too long For dying I to Heav'n a Stranger go Wand'ring alone whilst you stay here below And wanting your kind presence I shall be A Pilgrim in that vast Eternity But that my Soul may not mistake her way I 'le track your steps and in your shadow play When I 'm resolv'd to Air a subtle guest I 'le hov'ring flye and steal into your Breast And in my Aiery Pilgrimage I 'le make Mandana's Soul part of that breath you take I 'le keep my Image in your brest entire Inspiring you with chast and jambent fire Sometimes I will with gentle whispers flow Sometimes I will a stormy murmur blow And in this Language my addresses make Breathing that Love which I want words to speak Osir. O cruel Princess now you are unkind To think when you are dead I 'le stay behind For when Osiris sees Mandana dye Sorrow will Act that which their hands deny Mand. My thoughts were fixt on Heav'n But for your sake Something I know not what does pluck'em back And I could wish to live 1. Priest Our Laws you wrong In the deferring of her Death thus long Dar. Since Lives and Laws depend upon my breath He meets his own that does but name her Death 1. Priest Great Sir you do forget that Crown you wear Dar. 'T is true I do And Scepters sacred are Act you my part whilst I avert my eyes My pity shall pay homage when she dyes And since she suffers for my Empire 's sake A Monarch's tears Part of that Royal Sacrifice shall make 1. Priest Now Executioner Enter Prexaspes lead in by Guards Prex. Hold Sir till I Will give you leave to strike and her to dye 1. Guard He from the Prison an escape has wrought But we surpriz'd him in his flight and brought Him here before you Prex. Think you a Prison could my pow'r controul When Empire was too narrow for my soul I from your Chains Sir have my self set free To tell you You ascend your Throne by Me. But be not proud nor think Prexaspes has On you alone confer'd his Acts of grace To shew the World that I am complaisant Her Life I as my gracious favour grant Point to Mand. For it shall ne're be said a Woman's Name Usurpt Prexaspes's Treasons or his Fame A Woman shall not my great Rival be The Fate of Kings onely belongs to Me. Cambyses Amasis and Smerdis all Those Pageant Princes by my hand did fall And had not Fortune my Ambition crost You had your Lives too with your Empire lost 'T is true your Laws require my blood but know I 'le rob you of the Honour of that blow High spirits have this Refuge Sir and I My greatness and my pow'r expir'd can dye But he who did the Fate of Kings command Does scorn to fall by any common Hand Since my Life was unactive Fame shall tell Not how Prexaspes liv'd but how he fell Draws his Dagger Thus he your greatness and your pow'r defies And thus Prexaspes by Prexaspes dyes Stabs himself and falls Dar. Thus may all Traytors fall Prex. Ye gods I come For since the World could not afford me room Since all the barren Fates could not supply My hand with blood I 'le mount into the Sky And hang a blazing Comet in the Air That thus the World Me when I 'm dead may â—eat Whilst o're the Earth new horrours I contract Still threatning what I cannot live to act Dyes Dar. This mighty work of Fate we must admire Thus the gods guard those Virtues they inspire His blood thus spilt has this kind Justice done It saves your Life and punishes his own To