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
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
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
Mand. Thus bruised Scorpions this Virtue have They yield a Cure to the same wounds they gave But whence Sir does your strange Alliance spring Ther. Sir I was Son to the late Syrian King Brother to the brave Amasis My Name Is Intaphernes Dar. I have heard his Fame What cause Sir was it and what happy chance That made you to the Persian Court advance Int. It was great Sir Revenge and Honours Charms My ill success against Cambyses's Arms I' th' Syrian Wars where my dear Father's blood Was spilt and mixt among the common flood My Army vanquisht and his Empire lost And all the hopes of my succession crost I saw Cambyses with my Lawrels Crown'd No other means for my Revâ—nge being found I came to Persia in a borrow'd Name To Right my wrongs and to repair my Fame By Acts of Chivalry and Martial sport I found acquaintance in the Persian Court With Patasithes I Alliance gain'd Who had the Persian Government obtain'd During Cambyses's Travels Him I won To place Cambyses's Brother in the Throne For he descending from the Median blood Which Empire Cyrus had so late subdu'd Took the Infection the design embrac'd But in the Throne he his own Kinsman plac'd Who in that borrow'd Name to th' Empire climbs Making my Sword a Parron to his Crimes And by that cheat abus'd the World and me Deluding both our Faiths and Loyalty Dar. Since Laws of Monarchy so rigid are That in my Throne my Friend 's forbid to share Accept an Empire in my Breast and here Gives him Orinda And may our Royal Sister in your Love As happy as I in your Friendship prove Otan Your worth brave Intaphernes makes her yours Int. Madam Orind. Obedience my consent procures Yet though a Father and a Brother too Have both bestow'd me as a gift on You I in that gift must grant the Nobler part They give Orinda I Orinda's heart Int. Yours in a Crown in Love's my happiness Mine may belower Sir than yours not less To Darius Dar. The Syrian Lawrels now shall fade no more Your Merits do your Ravisht Crown restore To Int. And for Those wrongs Cambyses has to Egypt done I give 'em back more than his Arms e're won Your self I to your Throne restore Thus Fate To Mand. Ordains that glory should on Beauty wait Osir. Do you remember now your Vows and Love Mand. Love of all Crimes cannot forgetful prove Since thus my calmer Fates restore my Crown Now the gods smile Mandana cannot frown Honour and Love now both perform their part I give an Empire where I give a heart Otan Though for your sake I do a Throne disdain Yet my Posterity with yours shall Reign To Darius And in your Heirs your blood shall mix with mine As divers Fountains in one Current joyn This to my Fame the only glory brings Not to wear Crowns but have a Race of Kings Dar. And this my onely glory I must own Adopted to your blood and to a Throne All that I am your Beauty rais'd me to I to a Crown aspire to merit you To Phed. Thus to a Throne no common wayes I move Others rise by Ambition I by Love EPILOGUE THe Persian Laws now cease to seem severe You have more cruel Laws that govern here Your undisputed pow'r who Iudges sit To Sentence all the trespasses of wit How can our Author then his doom recall He knows he must under your Iustice fall Being guilty of so capital a Crime As shedding so much Humane blood in Rhime Amongst ' you Wits such monstrous factions rage Such various censures that'tis thought the Stage Breeds more Opinions and produces far More Heresies than the late Civil war Nay Poets too themselves of late they say The greatest Hectors are that e're huff'd play Like the Issue of the Dragons teeth one brother In a poetick fury falls on t' other 'T is thought you 'll grow to that excess of Rage That Ben had need come guarded on the Stage Nay you have found a most compendious way Of Damning now before you see the Play But maâ—gre all your spight Poets of late Stand stoutly unconcern'd at their Play 's Fate Provided 't is their destiny to gain Like the fam'd Royal Slave a third dayes Reign Then sacrifice 'em as you please But if you 'll be so prodigal to give Our sawey Scribler a three dayes reprieve He impudently swears he 'll boldly sue When your hand 's in to beg your pardon too If this his first but prosperously hit And scape those Rocks where he sees others split He vows he 'll write once more only to show what your kind favour's influence can do Faith for once grant it that the World may say Your smiles have been the Authors of a Play Postscript I Would not be so ungrateful to the memorâ— of the Dead as not to acknowledge that mâ— fellow Student had some hand with me in thâ— beginning of this Tragedy but dying 〈◊〉 Moneths before the finishing of the Play 〈◊〉 did not live to see two Acts compleat nor arâ— there sixty lines of his remaining which littâ—â— concern has in the thoughts of some given hiâ— a Title to the whole And 't is the pleasure of others to accuse me of stealing out of an 〈◊〉 obsolete Tragi-Comedy called Cambyses Kiâ—â— of Persia a Play which I had never heard 〈◊〉 till this had been Acted but however thoâ—â— that have seen that may find that I might have borrow'd better language from Sternhold and Hopkins FINIS
be so cruel to reprove Her heart which to Darius does incline Whom all the World can do less than Love At least if I may judge all hearts by mine Enter Smerdis who having a while gaz'd upon her advances to her she seeing him draws her Veile over her Face Smerd. Madam too late you do my sight deprive What 's in a moment born an Age may live This makes you think that since your pow'r is such Where an assault has won a siege too much Having th' assurance of your Conquest found You hide the Weapon now you 've given the wound Enter Patasithes unseen Pat Ha! this strange language does mysterious sound It is a Riddle which I can't expound Smerd. Yet you must pity those chaste flames you raise The gods themselves smile on their Voâ—aries And yet the Heav'ns when they vouchsafe to smile Suffer no Clouds to interpose the while But your injurious Veile permits no glance Should my fond hopes with the least glimpse advance Phed. Stranger what means this language and how dares Your ill-bred confidence assault my ears This boldness merits more than my disdain And frowns can punish Smerd. Yet your self restrain The Pow'r of both whilst you thus Veil'd confuâ—e That punishment your frowns should execute The 〈◊〉 Lightning never wounds when thus A 〈◊〉 of Clouds is drawn 'twixt that and us Unveiles her Phed. A Persian Ladies honour is profan'd Who bears this usage from an unknown hand What frenzy has possest your soul Smerd. Your eyes Do ill to make my heart their sacrifice And then condemn him who does offer it Phed. My scorn 's too little where th' affronts so great Proffers to go Smerd. Hold cruel fair and your just anger stay With such repentance I 'le my fault repay That I will shew my Love is so sublime That it can expiate a Lovers Crime Pat. Ha! how does his distracted fancy rove Prefer'd to Empire to submit to Love Aside Smerd. I prest too far I must confess yet though Your coyness threaâ—ned it invited too Thus curious we in t ' angry Comets pry Which but at best threaten ill destiny When our inquiry does not reach so far To know the aspect of a milder Star Pat. Th' Infection spreads No longer I endure To see that which I must prevent or cure Love like the stars that rule 't should active move You are too idle Sir to be in Love To Smerd. Come Sir she 's yours Phed. Ye gods Smerd. Hold Sir you wrong Pat. I only tell you that you talk too long Lovers should not such tedious treaties hold Love is a thing that 's sooner done than told But you mistake Love takes a Nobler course Conquests are not by parley won but force Here take her then Thrusts her rudely to Smerd. Phed. Defend me Heavens Smerd. Rash Man Hold your rude hands you all that 's good profane Phed. Audacious To Pat. Oh I understand you now To Smerd. Have you Confed ' rates and Assistants too How dares your salvage fury grow so rude To force that Virtue which you can't delude Smerd. Dispell your fears your Virtue is secure Since your protection is in your own pow'r Thus doubly guarded by the pow'rs of Heav'n And by those pow'rs Heav'n to your charms has giv'n Phed. No Ravishers no more this language use The success failing you the guilt excuse Your sting-less fury wants the pow'r to hurt You know you are within the Persian Court Your Violence chose an improper stage This sanctuary guards me from your rage Exit Pat. See with what courage she her cause protects You but the King but she the Tyrant Acts. But she derives her pow'r from your tame fears She knows that Lovers dare not give offence Thus fear makes gods who deify'd the stars But onely those who fear'd their Influence If you then Lov'd why did you not enjoy Can a Kings Modesty his hopes destroy Smerd. Such base and unjust deeds would but proclaim Mean Impostor greater than I am Pat. 'T is Kings make Justice and not Justice Kings And in that name you may Act greater things And still be just The Persian King's design No Woman more than for a Concubine And in that onely name she should not have The Courtship of a Mistress but a Slave You then should force her whom you could not move Smerd. Force may support my â—mpire not my Love Beauty like Majesty is sacred too And must it then be thus profan'd by you Pat. Your thoughts and passions are too humble grown You do forget you 're seated on a Throne Exit Smerd. Can Patasithes so inhumane prove He gave me Empire but destroys my Love This is that Phedima I 've seen before What I then but admir'd I now adore My privacy my passion then confin'd A flame too noble for so low a mind Now nothing my Love's freedom can controul My Empire 's limits do enlarge my soul. Exit Scena quinta Scene continues Enter Theramnes and Phedima Phed. Their rudeness was so great Ther. And do they live Not you nor Heav'n can this offence forgive Against you there can be no venial Crimes Your anger ought to kill where it condemns And I 'le be th' Executioner But teach Me where I may those rude offenders reach And I will force their guilty blood to more Than blush for their bold Crime Phed. That cannot be For they are men I never saw before Strangers alike to Honour and to me Ther. Do but describe e'm then and you shall see To find e'm revenge shall in your name Quick-ey'd as Envy be and swift as Fame Phed. By all I can describe I understood Their Virtues are inferiour to their blood By th' Habit which they wore they seem'd to be Some of the â—â—rsian chief Nobility Ther. My â—â—â—'rest in the Persian Court shall shew How much my zeal in your just cause can do To find those Ravishers such search I 'le make That in their very eyes their guilt I 'le track I on my honour â—ow I 'le use such Arts Who e're they are to reach their guilty Hearts Exit Phed. Theramâ—es stay Alas he 's gon too far How fierce and swift the wings of Honour are I fear that he will some rash Act perform Hurried like waves that swell into a storm And yet his zeal I cannot but approve Friendship a second Rival is to Love Finis Act. primi Actus Secundus Scena prima Scene continues Enter Smerdis Smerd. LEt Heav'n whatever Fate for me design 'T is Smerdis must make Smerdis glory shine My stars can but their utmost pow'rs dispense But I 'le Act things above their influence Enter to him Theramnes pensively not seeing Smerdis Ther. It must be done I 'm bound by Honours Laws And more 't is in Orinda's Sisters cause I want not courage and I dangers scorn Aside Yet on mine Honour such an Oath I 've sworn That I want power to perform my Vow Smerd. What serious thought sits on Theramâ—â—s brow Come