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
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
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
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
the fear of punishment I dare my guilt confess and crimes repent Smerdis by me was murder'd Dar. And by you Smerdis th' Impostor is protected too Prex. My Lord he is and I so high am grown To be advanc'd and rais'd next to his Throne View here what large extent my pow'r affords Shews his Commission Their Arms are mine and all the Persianâ— Swords Be not surpriz'd at this I ne're before Points to his Guards at which the Lords start Till now my Lords the Sword of Justice bore Thus I proclaim that Justice I design 'T is your command shall rule their Swords and mine Otan Your gen'rous proffer does surprize us more Than the strange news of your large pow'r before Prex. But you shall wonder more at what I 'le do When I am lead by Loyalty and you Dar. But by what Arts have you th' Impostor won Prex. By the same Arts I 'le pluck him from his Throne Since my guilt 〈◊〉 from Smerdis's blood arise I 'le make his Rival's blood his Sacrifice The Noblest Valour from Allegiance springs Who was the fall will be the rise of Kings Otan Justice and Glory in this Act will joyn And as your Seconds in this brave design Our Lives and Fortunes shall assistant be To th' height of Courage and of Loyalty Dar. In order that we may this deed fulfill We first will execute th' Impostor's Will Cambyses's solemn Exequies whilst all Our Army waits upon his Funeral And all the Persian Subject's wand'ring eyes Are idly fixt on our Solemnities Then to the height we our design will bring Proclaiming you the Persian Heir and King To Otan And Smerdis the Uâ—urper then surprize The Royal Palace the Impostor seize The City Gates the Tow'r the Forts secure All that may strengthen or enlarge our pow'r And in one moment all their Force suppress That shall oppose our glory and success And by this brave design we in one day Shall Conquer and redeem all Persia. Dar. 'T is bravely spoken now you 're worthy grown To be proclaim'd Protectour of a Crown Prex. But one thing Sirs must not escape your ears You are the onely men that Smerdis fears But I to carry on our just design And that we might without suspition joyn Assur'd him that your Faiths I did convince That you believ'd him the true Persian Prince I told him you were Loyal and you wou'd In his defence venture your States and blood Pretending then 't will with his glory stand T'unite both Armies under one command It is his pleasure that you should resign Both your Commissions and subscribe to mine Otan Still we expected this 't is his pretence To force us to a blind obedience Prex. I therefore in compliance think it fit You to the Tyrant's pleasure should submit Lest he suspect your Loyalty and mine And by that means we frustrate our design Nor that I 'de have you think that 't is my aim To rob your glories to enlarge my fame No all that I aspire to is to be The Author of an Empire 's Liberty Otan We yield and hope resigning our command We do but place it in a Nobler hand Both give him their Commissions Prex. And with your Arms I will your Trophies raise The Conquest shall be mine the Triumph yours As men build Temples not for their own praise But dedicate them to some higher pow'rs Dar. Go instantly to our chief Officers To his own Train Tell them that 't is the Persian Kings design Consulting both his interest and theirs Both Armies should under one conduct joyn And bid them in our Prince's name and ours Proclaim Prexaspes Genâ—ral of our pow'rs Exeunt all the Trains of Otanes and Darius Prex. Now to assure you that this high command Is not plac'd idly in Prexaspes's hand I le give you this first trial of my pow'r Guards seize those Traitors Guards seize Otanes Darius and Artaban 'T is your Fatal hour Your Stars will have it so Otan Dar. and Artab Hold your rude hands To the Guards Prex. You do forget resigning your Commands You must obey Dar. Inhumane Treachery Otan False Traitor to the Persian blood and me All. Unhand us Villains Prex. Sirs it is too late You have no time to dally with your Fate Your Heads must off and I must see it done My Lords you all shall set before our Sun On my command let your obedience wait To the Guards Conduct them to th' appointed Scene of Fate I 'le add this honour to your destiny To them Prexaspes will in Person see you dye Otan Are we your pastime Dar. Bold Traitor how can you so salvage be To Act and then to smile at Cruelty Prex. No more be serious I 've no time for sport Consider that your dates of Life are short Otan Perâ—idious Murderer and may just Heav'n Prex. Be gone perform that charge which I have giv'n Exeunt Otanes Darius and Artaban forced out by the Guards Since both Commissions now are in my hand And I do all the Persian Arms command Those Swords which are committed to my trust Prexaspes will take care they shall not rust Exit Finis Actus quarti Actus quintus Scena prima The Sâ—ene drawn Otanes Darius and Artaban appear bound and Chain'd in a dark Prison Otan Prexaspes Oh tame easie Faiths that we Could trust that salvage Scythian's Loyalty A Monster worse than Africk ever bred Whose Breast like Deserts is inhabited By nought but Poysons Dar. Your mistake does seem Rather a gallant Virtue than a Crime For in great Minds this gen'rous instinct Rules They by their own Copy all others souls Acting like those diseases where the eye In its own colours does all objects dye Enter Prexaspes Prex. My Lords the King is gracious and hath sent To try how you can brook Imprisonment Otan Imprisonment we think our greatest bliss There we can see neither thy Crimes nor His. Prex. Am I by those that wear my Chains contemn'd I thank ye Sirs ye have your selves condemn'd Guards there within Dar. Yes Traytor thou shalt see That we despise our Deaths as much as thee Enter Guards and Executioner Otan Must we not know the cause for which we fall Prex. The cause ha ha Yes Sir you shall It is Prexaspes's pleasure you should dye Dar. Is this the Justice of your Cruelty Prex. Justice Justice is but the breath of pow'r When ev'ry rising King and Conquerour Does make that Justice which his Pow'r makes Laws My Pow'r proclaims the Justice of my Cause And in your deaths my pleasure I fulfill 'T is just you dye to satisfie my will Otan Is then your thirst of blood the onely cause Prex. These idle interruptions make a pause Onley to give you breath for dye you must And it is just you dye because 't is just Artab And is this all Prex. I can some reasonsshow You 're Traytors to your King and Countrey too You Sir have twice attempted to set fire On Susa. You Darius did conspire To
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