Mistress but your second self a Friend Osir. My Rival Sir name him what Friend is he Dar. I am unknown to him and he to me Strangers to each Osir. This is a Riddle too A Friend and one you never saw nor knew Dar. But Sir I am no stranger to his Fame Theramnes's Virtues do my Friendship claim Osir. But whence arise this mystick sympathy Dar. 'T was Phedima's fair hand that made this tye His worth his deeds his service she commends That 't were unjust we should be less than Friends She gives him such a glorious Character That being his Friend I do but second her And then her Letters tell me how that she Has giv'n him such a Character of me That he already is impatient grown Till both of us are to each other known Osir. Friendship a stranger progress never made That by a Mediatour is convey'd You court Theramnes's Love a Friend unseen As Kings by Proxies Court a Forreign Queen Enter Messenger who delivers Darius a Letter Dar. From whence Mess. From Susa Sir Dar. Then may it prove Kisses the Letter Some kind and happy Embassy of Love Opens the out-side Letter and reads Auretta to her Lord Darius THe greatness of your generous favours and the confidence you have been pleased to place in me has obliged me having found this Letter escap'd from my Ladies hand to present it to yours as a token that I am still your most faithfull confident of your passion and Advocate in your Love Auretta Opens the inclosed and reads Theramnes to the Constant Phedima The Prologue 's strange but I 'le suppress my doubt And stay my wonder till I 've read it out Reades to himself and seems much disorder'd Osir. What sudden change does in his Face appear Such looks Darius brow ne're us'd to wear It must be something more than common blasts Of Fortune can raise storms within his breast Dar. Your most faithful and most happy adorer Theramnes Reads aloud Are these the plagues of Love Am I betray'd Has she a Contract with Theramnes made And can Heav'n suffer it Sir if you dare Ouâ—-face the worst of Treasons reade e'm there Gives the Letter to Osiris Try if your courage does not start to see A more inhumane Barb'rous cruelty Than Heaven or Hell Furies or Faâ—e or all Raginâ—â—â— But Woman can invent but these are small And petty sportive Crimes in them to prove False and disloyal to their Oaths and Love Is this the Man she prais'd Is Love so blind I could not see my Rival in her Friend Osir. She does your merits wrong But 't is the Fate Having read the Leâ—â—â— Of Lovers Sir to be unfortunate Dar. But since Darius such hard fortune beaâ—s I will out-do the malice of my stars I 'le be more cruel than my Fate I 'le make My just revenge my injur'd cause partake Revenge the onely pleasure of despair Him from her breast or her from his I 'le tear I 'le end my wrongs by his or my own Fate Losing her Love I will deserve her hate His blood or mine my fury shall aâ—one I 'le cause his fall or crush him with my own Exeunt Scena tertia Scene a private Walk Enter Phedima and Orinda Phed. Theramnes sure durst not commit a Fact Should forfeit all his Honour in one Act. The Virtues of his breast so numerous were He could not in one moment raze out all Great Virtues like great Empires ruin'd are They by degrees must sink before they fall To dare to write that which he needs must know Was false and I must needs resent it so Orind. No more I see Theramnes walk this way Phed. Then to resolve my doubt Orinda stay And tax him of his Love and by degrees Search out the grounds of his late injuries And sound his heart and how he does resent My Cruelty and his late banishment Exit Phedima within the Scenes to over-hear them Enter Theramnes Orind. â—heramnes let me but one question move Ther. Your pleasure Madam Orind. Did you ever Love Ther. What does she mean that she whom I adore Should ask me that I ne're durst speak before Assist me Courage that I may but prove So Valiant as to tell her that I Love Aside Orind. What does your answer need so great a pause Ther. And can you doubt th' effect who are the cause How can you think that he who sees your eyes Can be exemptd from their Victories To doubt I love you your own pow'r suspect From such bright charms who can his heart protect Strangers to Love must Strangers be to you Oâ—ind See how his confidence flatters me too But I perceive his Art he by this pause Seeks to divert me from my Sisters cause By forcing me t' a blush on my own score Aside That I may tax him in her name no more His guilt 's so great that he 's asham'd to hear But â—hall Sir these expressions needless are to him I know your Love Ther. What could my stars do more Then that Orinda knew my Love before Aside Orind. Since you your self a Captive do confess Theramnes then leave it to me to guess Your Conquerour Ther. How cunningly she would my passion hear Yet seems asham'd that I should tell it her Aside Well in such language I 'le my passion dress She shall not blush to hear what I 'le express Orind. But of what date has this your passion been Ther. Since the first day I had my Conqu'rour seen In a deep silence and as great a fear In vain I spent a long and tedious year And like that year now it 's whole course is run There find my self where I at first begun Orind. And could your passion to this height advance And you not dare to give it utterance Ther. My passion Madam I could ne're disguise So much but she might reade it in my eyes Beauties thaâ— in our hearts nourish a fire Like to the gods that do those flames inspire Their Servants silence seldom do mistake But know their wishes though they never speak Thus I have utter'd it Orind. And only thus Ther. Perhaps some few sighs an escape have made But those I checâ—t as too ambitious â—earing they had my high-plac'd Love betrai'd Orind. Did you ne're write to her whom you ador'd Ther. My passion ne're such courage could afford I never did nor durst Orind. Falseman I saw That Letter which you wrote to Phedima Where you so boldly did your Love defend And to heâ— heart so great a right pretend As if you there had been so long a guest That nothing could remove you from her breast Ther. What does she mean Unless she jealous be I Love else-where and tryes my constancy Aside If it be so how can I happier prove For where there 's jealousie there must be Love Orind. Speak did you not presume to tell her how You claim'd her Love by Contract and by Vow Can you deny 't or think I never saw Theramnes to the Constant
Exit Camb. Captive farewel Since you so stubborn prove I will take care you shall be taught to Love A gust of passion has uncalm'd my soul My blood does with a livelier motion roul A fierce assault my drowsie soul does storm And bids my Love wear a more manly form My Reason now shall my blind passion guide I 'le be a Vassal to her Eyes not Pride Since then my mildness could not win a smile I 'le learn to court her in a rougher stile Enter Oâ—anes Darius and Artaban My lab'ring thoughts must now make truce My Lords Will there be an imployment for our Swords How strong 's their Garrison how great their Force Otan Their number Sir is fifty thousand Horse And twice that number is their Infantrie Camb. Then they are fit to be o'recome by me You then must know from whence this War does spring And who would be my Brother and your King Dar. Who but your Brother durst your seat supply A baser blood could ne're have thoughts so high Camb. You are mistaken Sir he wears no Crown Unless that some kind god has lent him one Smerdis is dead Otan How dead And by whose hand Camb. It was by his and 't was by my command Points to Prex. Otan Then the War 's done you 've rob'd us of our Foe Camb. Ay Sir of him I rob'd you long ago 'T is not my Brother that does wear my Crown Artab Your Brother dead yet Smerdis in your Throne Dar. Who then is he dares that high Title claim Usurping both your Empire and his name Camb. False Patasithes whom I rais'd above Either my Subjects Envy or their Love Has in requital rob'd me of that Throne Under whose lustre he so bright was grown Thus the Moons kindness does the Suns requite Eclipsing him from whom she takes her light His Kinsman Smerdis he does subtly bring To represent my Brother and your King Enter to them Smerdis disguis'd What 's he that to our Presence does intrude Smerd. Sir 't is my Loyalty that makes me rude Prex. 'T is he Great Sir who in our cause does joyn The chiefest Agent in our Grand design Camb. And do you know that Smerdis Sir that wou'd Lay claim both to my Empire and my blood Smerd. Dread Sir to me he is so near ally'd He from my breast cannot his secrets hide Camb. But are you sure he is your trusty Friend To Prex. Prex. As sure as all the tyes on Earth can bind Smerd. On this great King we 've founded our design The charge of Susa's Western Gate is mine And that which to our safety does conduce You know the cons'quence of a lazy Truce Truces which seem but Martial Masques and are The Crimes of Peace drest in the garb of War Know then during this Truce his Forces be Arm'd onely for their ease and Luxurie You then this Night shall with your Army wait I 'le give you entrance at the Western Gate Then on the East I 'le give a false Alarm That e're his Party shall have time to Arm You shall have forc'd your Passage won the Town Seiz'd the Usurper and regain'd your Crown Camb. Well I 'le this Night advancing in their head To Susa my Triumphant Forces lead None but my Sword my quarrel should decide Dar. Conquest and you Sir ever were ally'd But Sir the breach of Truce a stain will be To the bright glory of your Victory 'T will an Eclipse to your great Fame produce Camb. Why Sir was it not I that made the Truce Dar. It was Camb. Then what I made I may destroy In this design you must your Swords imploy Dar. When you command the cause we do not weigh You 've taught our Swords to Conquer and obey Camb. See that our entrance be with care prepar'd To Smerd. We shall not want success nor you reward Exit Cambyses Otanes Darius and Artaban Smerd. Nought but his death shall for reward suffice For when he enters Susa's Walls he dyes 'T is the last Conquest that his Sword shall have To win that ground on which he makes his Grave Brave Friend Prex. His death shall make our Friendship good No tyes so strong as what are writ in blood Exeunt Finis Act secundi Actus tertius Scena prima Scene The Palace Enter Smerdis Patasithes and Captain of the Guards Capt. THe Guards are set the Ambuscado laid Pat. All preparations for the deed are made Smerd. You know your charge in this design go wait And give him entrance at the Western Gate Exâ—unt Paâ—asithes and Capt. Enter Theramnes with a Letter Ther. Great Sir your Royal pleasure is obey'd Your Letter I with my own hand convey'd And this I guess her answer does declare For though it does no superscription bear From hence 't is yours I do the more presume Your Titles being too large for so small room Smerd. Yes they are large When they beyond the name of King extend To that more glorious Title of your Friend Embraces him You know your charge Sir in this Nights design Ther. Rivals in Empire can't together shine This Night Cambyses dyes Whilst Smerdis is Crown'd for our King he for our Sacrifice Exit Smerd. Now if I find he does her Love enjoy Opening the Letter Her kindness then her Lover shall destroy I know his courage and I will take care In this Nights cause he shall engage so far To meet his Death 'T is a small Crime to prove False to my Friendship to promote my Love Reades the Letter Phedima to Theramnes PRoud Traitor since your confidence has rais'd yoâ— to a pitch above fear or shame to dare to profane my eyes with such a scrowl of Blasphemies in taxing Phedima of a Contract to Theramnes Since your guilty passion has made this your first address know that you have rais'd your Love on the ruines of your Friendship and that your guilt may be your punishment may you Love still and to that height that I may triumph in my scorn and make my cruelty able to give deeper wounds than my eyes Love and dispair But since your eternal Banishment can onely give a stop to all future Crimes of this Nature never dare to see me more This does dissolve my fears These lines do shew Smerdis is happy now but cruel too To be thus jealous of so brave a Friend But since I did 'gainst Friendships Laws offend I 'le Act such things as shall my fault redeem Kings can both Act and expiaâ—e a Crime And though Theramnes Friend did the offence Theramnes King that Crime will recompense Exit Scena secunda Scene the Camp Enter Darius and Osiris Dar. During this Truce we will to Susa go To pay a debt I to my Princess owe. Two Sovereigns young Prince have each their part The King my hand and Phedima my Heart But Sir your Friendship shares part in my Breast I can't give y' all but trust you with the rest This Visit too is not alone design'd T' a
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
take Phed. The Persian Monarch's Love Now I 'le proclaim My Constancy to my Darius's flame My courage in this cause shall act such things Aside I 'le prove my Faith by my disdain of Kings I 'le treat him so that Fame shall witness be None ever Lov'd or ever scorn'd like me Are you the Judge to prosecute the Laws Of Justice in those bold Offenders cause Why then kind Judge do you forsake your Throne E're you 've the Tryal heard or Justice done Smerd. Your bold Offender does repent his Fact And I but ill his Judge's part could Act. To beg his pardon I resign my seat From being his Judge to be his Advocate Phed. But lest his Crime should want a just Revenge As you change yours I will my Office change From his Accuser to his Judge whilst I To Act your Justice will your seat supply Steps into the Throne Enter Patasithes unseen For since he Loves I 'le use a Mistress's pow'r With all the rigour of a Conquerour Pat. Ha! what strange Interlude must here be shown A Woman seated on the Persian Throne Aside Phed. This diff'rence Kings with common Captives have Onely the Title of a Royal Slave And how can Beauty rule a Nobler way Then to command thus whilst their Slaves obey Pat. 'T is she I 'le stop But stay I 'le use no force I 'le check her pride by a more subtle course Aside Phed. Although you Monarchs are exempt from Laws As wanting higher Pow'rs to Judge your cause Yet that you Smerdis may have Justice done Since you want Laws I 'le Judge you by my own Smerdis what can you say in the defence Of your late rude and salvage violence When Ravisher your guilt so high was grown T' attempt my Virtue and to blast your own Smerd You know I was not Author of that Fact Hâ—nour nor Love durst ne're such stains contract For they Heav'ns favour would but ill implore Who first prophane the Deity they adore Phed. Honour and Love are but respective things Greater or less in Subjects or in Kings In which if Kings transgress the more sublime Their greatness is the greater is their Crime And though you 're now transform'd into a Prince That Title does but heighten your offence Smerd. Such Beauty does so well become the Throne Be pleas'd fair Judge t' accept it as your own Where you shall Reign in glory and give Law To him that wears the Crown of Persia. Phed. I scorn your Throne and him that proffers it My pow'rs too great an equal to admit Descends from the Throne No Smerdis Phedima is not so low As to descend unto a Throne and You. Two lights together cannot equal shine Mine will Eclipse your glory or yours mine And 't would a lesser Honour be to have A King my Equal than a King my Slave Exit and after her Smerdis Pat. Is Love an object for his mind which shou'd Be now imploy'd with thoughts of War and Blood Cambyses now may his revenge pursue And eas'ly conquer where Love can subdue Love does debase all Courage and he is Like tame Beasts onely fit for Sacrifice But I 'le invent a Cure Studies Well I 'le remove Her safe enough both from his pow'r and Love Love is a Passion for luxurious peace When idleness indulges the disease But not for Active souls I 've found the way To turn that current which I cannot stay Exit Scena tertia Scene the Palace Enter Smerdis with a Letter Smerd. He that so well a King can counterfeit Should scorn to stick at any smaller cheat From his own Copies too I have so near Pursu'd Theramnes Hand and Character That the most curious nay Theramnes's eye Did he but see 't could scarce the cheat descry Well it must take I shall so happy prove Both to find out and to confound their Love Enter Theramnes who seeing Smerdis offers to withdraw Theramnes stay Ther. I fear I am too rude Smerd. Theramnes no a Friend cannot intrude Ther. But I have prest into your privacies Smerd. Friendship above all private business is Unless it be the high concerns of Love And Honour But there we two equal prove Rivals in both Ther. What means my King Smerd. I mean Onely one Beauty o're us both does Reign Ther. No you whose Empire 's greatness is above All Rivals should admit none in your Love And think you that my confidence aspires To Court that Beauty which my King admires Smerd. Think you I can believe you never saw The eyes and charms of the fair Phedima Or can you utter so prophane a word To say she can be seen and not ador'd Ther. Love like Religion never chose one way That all should to one object homage pay The Sun does to the World his sight afford But by the Persians onely is ador'd Smerd. Because the rest o th' World are ignorant And do the knowledg of his God-head want But you who know how great Divinity In Phedima's most sacred breast does lye Can't but adore her Ther. Yes I can do more I am beyond her Beauties charms and pow'â— In this one glory I out-rival you Those eyes which did the Persian King subdue Their pow'rs too weak to Captivate my heart Smerd. His Love 's too strong to be compell'd by Art Or forc'd to a Confession Aside 'T was th' excess Of passion made my jealousie transgress But now I 'm satisfy'd That I may prove I don't suspect your Loyalty nor Love I will intrust this Letter to your care But you must first on your Allegiance swear Ther. I swear And in obedience to your will Whatever you command I will fulfill That to a Subjects care you dare intrust Since your commands can be no less than just Smerd. Present that Letter then to Phedima And if she chance to ask by whom 't was writ Beware you do not tell her but withdraw Lest that she should refuse the reading it Then carefully forbear to visit her Untill such time that she an answer sends For by that means I shall my suit prefer And you will thus oblige your best of Friends And then Sir whatsoe're her answer be For through your hands 't will come present it me Exit Theramnes with the Letter Though he so resolutely did maintain He did not Love their Love is but too plain How could she else such cruelty have shown To him who with his Love proffer'd his Throne Her passion has some more than common tye When proffer'd Crowns can't shake her constancy And that Theramnes is the Object too What was it else made him so rashly Vow When he but late Acted her Champions part To right her wrongs on her Offenders heart When the slight wrongs could onely cause afford For a Womans anger and a Lovers Sword But yet this Letter will my doubts remove I shall discover their intrigues of Love â—f so By treach'rous smiles I will his ruine Act As stranded Vessels in a calm are Wrackt Exit Scena quarta
Scene a Chamber Enter Phedima and Orinda with Aâ—ossa Auretta and other waiting Ladies Orind. Sister you are so fortunate to have The Persian Monarch for your Beauty's Slave Phed. No in my Love Ambition has no part Monarchs may rule an Empire not a heart Whilst my Darius lodges here my breast Too narrow is for any other guest May Smerdis still the Persian Scepter bear And may he still Reign ev'ry where but here Points to her Breast Orind. Does then your Breast no other thoughts produce Love like Wars Combats should admit some truce Your pardon Sister if so bold I prove To tell you what Oriâ—da thinks of Love Atossa sing the Song I taught you Aâ—ossa sings She that with Love is not possest Has not for that the harder heart I think the softer and more tender breast Would dull would dull would dull and damp the dart Away with melancholy fits Whose strange effect our eyes disarms Deposes Beauty and distracts our wits Whilst we grow pale grow pale and lose our charms Love does against it self conspire Such languishing desires imparts That quench the fuel yet preserve the fire Clouding those eyes those eyes whence Love takes darts Enter Theramnes with a Letter Ther. This Letter your perusal asks Phed. From whom Do you Theramnes in Embassage come Ther. My message Madam you will find writ there Both in the Subject and the Character Exit Phedima opens the Letter and reads to her self and seems disorder'd Orind. What strange disorders in her looks arise How she casts darts of fury from her eyes Phed. Shame and confusion has so fill'd my breast That I want patience to reade out the rest Sister do you proceed look and see there What you will blush to reade and I to hear Orinda reades the Letter Theramnes to the Constant Phedima SInce our mutual Vows of Love have rais'd me to a pitch above hope or fear to such an assurance of your affection that I find the greatest Monarch in the World cannot supplant me in your esteem nor raise his Love on the ruines of mine You then who have given my passion life have given it also confidence to request the speedy crowning of our desires to avoid the trouble of more numerous Rivals which your Beauty cannot but daily add to your former Conquests But since the immediate service of my King will not permit me as yet to wait upon you be pleas'd to send me an Answer but such an one as I doubt not but you will as shall proclaim me as I am your most faithful so your most happy adorer Theramnes Phed. Proud Traytor to my Honour and his own His confidence swells to a height unknown To dare Orind. Why Sister Lovers dare do more Phed. Lovers why did he ever speak before Or utter the least syllable or word T' express I was the object he ador'd Contracts and promises which I have giv'n Perâ—idious Lyar both to Me and Heav'n Orind. But perhaps he your kindness has mistook For Lovers track their Fates in ev'ry look Their Ladies do impart and ev'ry glance Does to an unknown height their hopes advance The Languages of Ladies smiles suffice For Lovers to reade contracts in their eyes Did you ne're smile or some kind favours show Phed. Yes what my Friendship did oblige me to But could his proud thoughts so ambitious prove To dare to think my Friendship was my Love No Traytor no. Theramnes you shall find Choosing a Mistress you have lost a Friend But that which my disdain and anger moves Is not so much because Theramnes Loves Th' effects of Beauty Beauty can forgive And we can pity those we can't relieve But that which merits my just scorn is this That he should think my Conquest easie is Whilst in this Letter which you now have read He does for Triumph not for Conquest plead As if a Ladies breast no courage held But our â—ame souls were onely taught to yield Orind. Your furious anger too much freedom finds Silence becomes the passions of great minds Phed. Sister I 've done Auretta go and burn This Letter Thus I 'le Triumph in my scorn Auretta Condemn'd to th' fire That Sentence which you give Aside Too cruel is I 'le grant it a reprieve Exit Auretta with the Letter Phed. But seeing he an answer does require I 'le be so kind I 'le grant him his desire But such an answer as shall make it known I understand his merits and my own Exâ—unt Scena quinta Scene a Pavilion Royal. Enter Cambyses and Prexaspes Camb. Enough I am convinc'd of Smerdis Fate 'T is well my blood does not disturb my State How sits the Cloud upon Mandana's brow Prex. She does no time but to her tears allow Camb. Marble sheds tears but cannot softer grow Her heart's still hard and ever will be so You said you for her griefs a cure design'd Prex. Sir to divert these troubles from her mind I have design'd after a Martial dance A masque of Captive Princes shall advance Adorn'd with Chains and Coroners of gold Seated upon whose necks you shall behold A Prince Triumphant deckt with Martial spoyls Amidst your Trophies and great Cyrus toyls Hid in the Trophies of this Pageant King An Eagle on the sudden shall take wing A Crown fixt to her Talons As she flyes And hov'ring mounts still nearer to the Skyes When at the utmost height she finds her Chain Does her intended Liberty restrain Her Fetters shall her tow'ring flight recall Forc'd down she at Mandana's feet shall fall And there depose her Crown Camb. Conduct her in And let this glorious Scene of Love begin Exit Prex. Thus I 'le describe my passion Love sounds best Like â—racles in Mysteries exprest Enter Prexaspes and Mandana The King and Mandana seated a Martial Dance is perform'd the Dance ended the Scene opens and the Masque is represented at which Mandana rises and offers to go out at which Cambyses follows her and the Scene shuts Camb. Stay cruel Princess stay Are your fair eyes Afraid to look on their own Victories Or are you startl'd at your own great pow'r To see your Slave in the Worlds Conquerour Who from your influence does his greatness take And Conquers onely for Mandana's sake Mand. O Fatal Beauty was 't Mandana's eyes That made you win her Crown and Sacrifice Her Fathers blood Camb. Your losses I 'le restore With Crowns more bright than Amasis e're wore Mand. No Tyrant know my soul 's not sunk so faâ— To stoop to my great Fathers Murderer Have I my self no better understood Then thus to found my greatness on his blood Your proffer'd Crowns cannot my thoughts controul You have subdu'd my Empire not my soul. Camb. Madam how dare you thus provoke his hate Who 's the disposer of your Crown and Fate Mand. Ay Sir you of my Life and Throne dispose And those are trifles I could wish to lose But know proud King my Virtue I 'le secure My Honour is above a Tyrant's pow'r
Phedima Did I not see 't by your own hand convey'd Ther. Too late I find I 'm by my King betray'd Aside 'T was from another hand that Letter came To her I neither th' Author nor the Subject am Orind. False man did it not bear your name and caâ— Your confidence deny you are the man Ther. O pardon me if Arguments I want To clear my self of what I 'm ignorant As well as innocent That I may prove I ne're aspir'd to your fair Sisters Love Nor ever could nor durst let this suffice I owe my Conquest to Orinda's eyes Orind. Oh now I find this answer merits more Than all your rudeness on my Sisters score Since thus your guilt too must extend to me Know I can frown and scorn as well as she Proffers to go out Ther. Stay cruel stay and frown again so fair A Beauty charms ev'n in her frowns does wear Orind. Since your Audacious folly 's grown so great Yes I will stay but onely to repeat That sentence which my Sister gave before Theramnes never dare to see me more Exit Ther. Condemn'd never to see Orinda more And am â— banisht on my Princes score To which of these two shall I faithful be Thus streighten'd betwixt Love and Loyaltie For there I to my King have silence sworn Performing which I gain my Mistress's scorn On th' other side should I in my defence Accuse my King and prove my innocence Shouldâ— disclose by whom those lines were writ And by mine my Kings Treachery requite On this side then Theramnes would but prove False to his Honour to promote his Love But I 'le be true to both and act such things As shall express that I can out-do Kings Exit Enter Phedima and Orinda Phed. Sister his Conquest to your eyes is due And Loving you he cannot Love me too Enter two Villains unespied by Phedima and Orinda 1. Vil. We are to seize the Princess Phedima And she has took a private Walk this way 2. Vil. And Patasithes gave us charge that we Should take the safest opportunity 1. Vil. Oh here 's the prize let 's seize'em 2. Vil. Stay I le go And see first if the Coast be clear or no Lest by some sudden rescue they escape Exit second Vil. 1. Vil. They 'r object 's more for pity than a rape Had not our Patrons bounty made us bold Beauty wants pow'r when we 're first charm'd with gold Phâ—d Denying that he writ it does express He has no hopes in 't nor expects success Then Sister the design must only be A deed of malice in affront to me But that he scorns No 't is some counterfeit And by some other envious hand 't was writ Enter again the second Villain 2. Vil. I 've view'd around and I can onely spye One man within the prospect of my eye 1. Vil. One single man shall not disturb our prize For if he chance to come this way he dyes They rush and seize the Ladies Both Ladies Help help Inhumane Ravishers Enter Theramnes Ther. What sudden cry's this that invades my ears Ha! Ravishers and my Orinda too My Sword must plead what my Love could not do Draws Unhand 'em Villains Beauty never is Ordain'd for such a rude embrace as this Unhand 'em or you dye 1. Vil. That you shall do Our Swords shall act that kindnes Sir for you Both Villains draâ— upon him The Ladies step in between them to part them Phed. Hold Villains Hold. Ther. Give me leave My Title their base number does surpass I need no other Second but your cause Puts the Ladies by and fights Phedima and Orinda run out crying help Enter to them fighting Darius Dar. Since Honour does to th' weakest part incline Against such odds it makes the Quarrel mine Draws and fights on Theramnes's side the two Villains are worsted Give them their Lives 1. Vil. We scorn a base Repriâ—ve We 'le either Conquer'd dye or Conqu'rours live Fights on two Villains fall Ther. 'T is your assistance has the glory won Your generous aid Sir has my Sword out-done Dar. I 'm happy in performing Honours Laws But shall be happier when I know the Cause Ther. 'T was in two Ladies Quarrels that I drew That Sword that 's now made fortunate by you Beauties whose pow'â—ful infl'ence is so great To guide our Swords we could not but defeat An Army in their Cause Dar. Know you their Name Ther. Strangers to that are Strangers too to Fame Phedima and Orinda Dar. Ha! in their cause Ther. Fortune could ne're afford A cause more Noble to Theramnes's Sword Dar. Theramnes Oye gods Thanks to my Faâ—e Aside That at this hour has made me forâ—unate Ther. The happiest chance that our kind stars could send That we their Lives and Honours should defend Dar. In their defence you have your courage shown But you will shew it better in your own 〈◊〉 Ther. This strange assault I cannot understand Dar. My meaning 's legible here in my hand Ther. That Language is too hard to b'understood Dar. It will be plainer when 't is writ in blood Draw Traytor Ther. First you 'l give me leave to know From what strange â—oot this sudden rage does grow Dar. Your parky does but my Revenge delay Ther. Then take your Conquest this more humble way Prâ—ffers his Sword For Honour holds my hand from a design Against his Liâ—e who bravely gave me mine Dar. Honour a Refuge for your fear procures That debt you owe my Sword pay it with yours Ther. Such a rude payment Dar. Such a weak pretence Serves but to yield a Coward a defence Ther. My patience cannot to that name submit I 'm sorry you must have the proofs of it Both fight Theramnes drâ—ws off from Darius in fighting and offers to speak Ther. Sir do but hear Dar. Must you a parley make Thus to take breath when 't is the last you 'll take Fights on and gives Theramnes a mortal woâ—nd Enter to them fighting Osiris Phedima and Orinda Phed. What new assault is this Osâ—r Darius hold Your fury ' gainst this Stranger is too bold Ther. Darius The onely man on Earth whom I design'd To be my Friend my Murderer I find Aside Phed. Darius What Fatal cause enrag'd you to this strife To use your Sword ' gainst my Protector 's Life Ther. My Blood runs slow Fate now Acts it's last part Aside And Deaths cold hand moves faintly o're my heart Phed. I 'm bound in Honour for that aid you lent Ther. That Bond you Cancel in th' acknowledgment Phed. My freedom you releast a gift so great That I must owe a Ransom not a Debt To Ther. But Sir what rage arm'd you to this bold deed To Dar. Against Theramnes whom the Fates decreed Dar. Against Theramnes whom you have decreed Should in your Love too happily succeed Phed. Are these the gronds Your jealousie remove He 's Rival to your Courage not youâ— Love His Valour 't was that did my Honour guard Which
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
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