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
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
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
would say any thing who had done so much Otan We are convinc'd Dar. Long may thy Brother live and live to be Heir to thy Conquests but not Cruelty Prex. Prexaspos well by Treasons thou didst grow They made thee great and shall preserve thee so Aside Exeâ—nt Scena Secunda Scene the Palace Enter Smerdis and Patasithes Smerd. Cambyses dead The Heav'ns themselves two Suns at once can't beaâ— Not Earth below two Monarchs in one Sphar Persia's too narrow both for him and me His glorie 's shrunk to give mine Liberty Pat. No doubt 't is to Prexaspes that you owe Your Empire 's safety in this happy blow Smerd. To him the deed but to my self the cause State-interest binds stronger than State-laws With such high proffers I 've oblig'd his trust As can do more than make a Statesman just You know I 've promis'd him the Median Crown I give him Honours to secure my own We Monarchs to our selves our Fortunes owe Our Agents Act but what we bribe 'em to Poor Mortals thus may the Gods honour raise By building Temples to exalt their praise But 't is the gods themselves that do afford Those Mortals breath by which they are ador'd Enter to them Prexaspes My best of Friends Embraces Prex. Prex. Next to Cambyses He Leaves you his Empire for a Legacy Knowing how weighty Crowns and Scepters are I 've been so kind to ease him of that care But Sir he did before his death convince His Nobles that you were not the true Prince But by such Art I did their Storm asswage That for the present I have calm'd their Rage And in your cause such Arguments did bring That they believe you Brother to our King But Sir you know that Statesmens jealousie Does onely sleep then when it seems to dye At each distast and ev'ry small mistake Their Jealousie when 't is disturb'd will wake And then their fury will break forth to deeds You are not safe then whilst they wear their Heads Smerd. 'T is not consistent with my Empire 's good To stain my name with the chief Persian blood Pat. He by mild deeds must represent the King Sâ—btlâ— as Serpents but without their sting Smerd. That Act would seem too cruel the same Arts That won 'em must preserve my Subjects hearts Prex. To save your Honour then that deed I 'le do Smerd. Name it my safety shall depend on you Prex. Theramnes's late concealment gives you just Suspition of his Loyalty and trust If then your pleasure would confer that grace To constitute me Gen'ral in his place I will invite 'em to my Tent and they For th' entertainment all their Heads shall pay Then to suppress all future Mutinies That may from this Tyrannick Act arise Their Deaths I 'le publish and the cause proclaim Forging such hainous Treasons in their Name Persia shall do not less than think it just And to my Justice as their Guardian trust Smerd. But grant the Persians should not think it so But th' Act condemn Prex. Do you condemn it too And if your Subjects murmur or Rebell 'Cause by my hand the Persian Princes fell Then instantly to satisfie their rage And shew you did not in my guilt engage Degrade me from my Office and inflict All punishments that may seem just and strict And I 'le submit to th' Sentence thus you 'll seem As far from the consent as from the Crime Smerd. Well your Commission shall be forthwith sign'd My Army's conduct to your charge resign'd Prex. May Heav'n success to Persia's Crown afford Whilst you the Scepter bear Smerd. And you the Sword Exeunt Scena tertia Scene changes to the Garden Enter Phedina and Orinda Phed. Sister you now can by Experience prove What lately you defy'd the Pow'r of Love 'T is strange the dead Theramnes should obtain That Conquest whom alive you did disdain What rash Infection does your soul invade That you who scorn'd him living court his shade A Love like yours was never heard before T' embrace his Memory and Name adore Orind. Sister since I have all assaults withstood He by no common force my heart subdu'd Such glorious pains my Captive soul endures My Love 's beyond such abject thoughts as yours Your humble passions court each fond desire And your Breasts tamely of themselves take fire You make your hearts too mean a Sacrifice Taking infection from your Lovers eyes He did more Nobly to my heart aspire He gave me fuel e're he gave me fire His Wounds his Death his Glory and his Fame They mov'd my pity and that rais'd my Flame Nay of his Love he Nobler proofs has giveâ—n When his late wounds had made him ripe for Heav'n His dying breath before his soul retir'd Bequeath'd his Love to me and then expir'd His dying breath his passion did proclaim Thus Phoenix-like expiring in a Flame Then 't is but just that I should faithfull be Thus to preserve so brave a Legacy Phed. But your affection is from hopes debarr'd When you can Love and not expect reward Love's kindnesses are lent not giv'n for when There is no hopes to be repaid agen It should expire Dead Lovers bankrupt prove Death does exempt 'em from all debts of Love Orind. No Love is seated in their souls and they With them their passions to the Skyes convey For when kind Heav'n does entertain their souls And to the sacred list of Stars enrowls In Heav'n they pay those debts on Earth they owe They shine and smile on us that stay below They still their Loves and favours do dispense Acting their kindness in their Influence And when in Heav'n we both together meet There we out tyes for ever shall unite No objects then my passion remove Till it grows up to an Immortal Love Phed. Sister till now I thought there could not be A Love like mine but you out-rival me But stay my Father 's here let us retire And there hear out that passion I admire Exeunt Scena quarta Scene continues Enter Otanes Darius and Artaban Attended Otan 'T is strange our entrance to the King deny'd Dar. Now my Prophetick fears our doubts decide He durst not give us entrance since he knows He to his being unseen his safety owes Otan Then must we to his pow'r obedience yield As men to unknown gods do Temples build Let dull and credulous ignorance advance Faith and Religion not Allegiance Must we be onely govern'd by a Name Enter to them Prexaspes with Guards the Guards stand off at a distance unseen by Otanes and Darius Prex. Prexaspes must Prexaspes's Crimes proclaim And now my Lords I do confess my guilt The blood of Smerdis by my hand was spilt And 't is th' Impostor that Usurps the Throne Otan And dare Prexaspes his bold Treasons own Prex. Yes Sir he dares and thank Heav'n too that thus Has by my Treasons made me glorious Though my late fear did make my duty fail And from your knowledge Smerdis's Death conceal Now I'm above