do I then see you Nicho. Yes and you shall see Mithrobates too Arsinoe Oh that 's a Traitor Nicho. He talks something true You best know if it ought to trouble you Arsinoe This swift Return I cannot understand Where is your Army Nicho. Under good command Of my return you soon the Cause shall hear I left a Master and a Mistress here One Rome and you have taken frommy Cares T'other I 'le save both from your Hands and theirs Arsin Is this the Cause that does you hither bring Nicho. Yes and I hope you 'l serve me with the King Arsin Yes Sir I 'le serve you just as you hope so Nicho. Of your good will I the assurance know Arsin I 'le go and to the King this Business move Nicho. And I 'le go think how I may grateful prove Arsin Do so you may depend upon my Care Nicho. Whilst I know yours you guess what my thoughts are Atta. Madam is this Prince Nichomede Nicho. Yes Sir Who comes to see if Rome can you prefer To him Attalus Excuse me if I did not know Nicho. Your self Prince a deserving Rival show And if you dare design t' assault me here Still in your looks a noble boldness wear But as â— to her Aid am singly come Threaten me not with the Kings Power or Rome As I defend do you attempt alone I 'le set by all pretences to the Crown Try it thus Prince and we shall soon see then If Rome or Hannibal breeds braver Men. SCENE IV. Arsinoe Attalus and Cleone Arsin Go that Excuse of thine to him was base When thou beheldst him brave me to my Face Atta. Madam what could I do in this Surprize This quick return destroys your Enterprize Arsin No Attalus it gives it Life and Heart Go thou and finde Flaminius on my part Let him in private here conducted be And of thy Fortunes leave the Cure to me Atta. But Madam if Arsin Go no more if nor and When done thou these Intreagues shalt understand SCENE V. Arsinoe Cleone Cleo. Madam do you hide from him his own Concern Arsin Yes and have Reasons thou dost not discern I fear his heart would my Designes oppose I fear that vertue which to Rome he owes Has taught him there 's no Glory so sublime Can recompence the hazard of a Crime Cleon. Those should guess Rome less scrupulous who knew How Hannibal she did to death pursue Arsinoe Be not in charging Rome with Guilt deceiv'd 'T was I and but one Roman who contriv'd The whole Intreague of that great Heroes Fall Rome still had granted Life to Hannibal And would not for a more inviting Cause Have made a Breach of hospitable Lawes For though whilst she did his great Conduct know Prudence forbad his Sojourn with a Foe And therefore to make good his Peace with them Antiochus was forc'd to bannish him Yet freed both from Romes Envy or her Fear We being Allies he might have still liv'd here Had not Revenge prompted Flaminius too Things which the Senate would have blush'd to do Cleone What desperate Cause could raise his Hate so high That to allay it Hannibal must dye Arsin A Fathers Loss of Honor and of Life Hast thou not heard how in that fatal strife 'Twixt Rome and Cartâ—age in one bloody Scene Acted nigh to the Lake of Thrasimene Flaminius Father then Româ—s General Fell by the mighty Hand of Hannibal The Son since burning to revenge that shame A close Conspirator with me became And for to have the object of his Hate Deliver'd up procur'd the Roman State To send my Attalus from Hostage home And farther whisper'd Jealousies in Rome Of Nichomede's Conquests here which might Should he to them the Armenian Realm unite By Marriage with Laodice one day To Romes increasing Greatness put a stay On which the Senate who now jealous grew Of such an Empire and such Valour too Did him as their Ambassadour propound To break the Marriage and the Empire bound And this is what Rome undertook to do Cleone And this makes Attalus his Mistress woo But yet why did not Rome her self concern E're his Return had made her Love too firm Arsin No for whilst he a conquering Army led 'T had been too much to affront him at their Head Here we dare do 't and 't was my Plot at length By cunning slights to draw him from his Strength To Mithrobates I did teach the way Who seeming false to me did him betray Whisp'ring a thousand pannique Fears that he Had been to murder him suborn'd by me That fiery Spirit by degrees he won And gently leads him to destruction I know he 'l to the King for Justice call But from that Justice he shall finde his Fall His Accusations as my Engines move Will fortifie me in his Fathers Love At his first sight I did appear dismaid And by my change of colour seem'd afraid But he mistakes much that Surprize of mine Since his Return was wholly my Design Cleone But what e're Rome or Attalus pretend That Queen will never to his wishes bend Arsin The Love he showes to her I have design'd Only the King the Court and Rome to blinde Not that I would the Armenian Crown procure But our Bithinian for my Son secure That done I care not where the Queen espouse But freely leave her whom she please to chuse This Passion of my Sons if only prest To raise fresh Tempests in the Princes Brest Who when he sees the King set on by Rome An Advocate for Attalus become Will grow outragious and induced be To brave that Father is as fierce as he Whos 's Heaâ— by cunning ways to Flames I 'le blow And work this daring Lovers overthrow Before he blinded by his Love shall see The least intreague of this great Mistery By this thou see'st all that I do pretend But sure Flaminiuâ— does me now attend I 'le go the Secrets of thy Queen preserve Cleone My Faith long try'd does not a Doubt deserve ACT II. SCENE I. Prusias and Araspes Prusia WIthout my Orders durst he then come here Arasp Pardon Great Sir you wrong him if you fear Prince Nichomede's Thoughts are all â—o just 'T were injury to vertue to mistrust 'T is true you any other might suspect This quick return does seem to want respect And might give place to doubtful Thoughts to know The Springs from whence does such impatience â—low Prusi I see 'em well this Act appears to me A pure Attempt on my Authority His happy Victories have rais'd his Soul So high that now he does abhor Controul Scornes to depend and thinks he has a Right To Rule since he has purchas'd it by Fight Heroes like him believe when they obey Their Glories and their Greatness they betray And cast a shadow o're their mighty Deeds Arasp Sir heat of blood in youth that Humor feeds Their to wring Spirits are by success blown high And whilst Camps do their Fortunes deifie They of Command gain such a
such pure Vertue Rome can boast alone But Sir as to those fond conceits of State Your Power might Jealousies in Rome create Consult some graver heads you 'l quickly learn Your Greatness is too mean for her concern Respect unto the King does now restrain My saying more but think of this again Let less smoak from your Martial Fires arise And you perhaps may see with clearer Eyes Nicho. When time this difference shall 'twixt us decide Perhaps you may not what I said deride Flam. Mean time if you in fighting find such charms Press forward Sir the Glory of your Arms. For unto them no Progress Rome denyes But Sir she always succours her Allyes If you don't know it I give you this Advice Lest at first sight her Eagles should surprize But to the point all your ambitious Brest Claimes as your Right shall be by you possest Enjoy Bithinia as it is your due Poâ—tus Galatia Cappadocia too That Birthright nor that purchase of your Blood Shall not make Attalus his Title good But since you think they all to you belong Rome has not a Design to do you wrong A Crown is none of yours that Prince shall wear The Armenian Queen is still unmarried Sir To Prusias Th' Occasion does the thing it self propose You are her Guardian and of her dispose Nicho. To make him King is this then the Design Without infringing any Rights of mine The Piece with very curious Art is wrought And long Intreagues have worthy Issues brought But since no Right to me you here afford As unconcern'd I 'le answer but a word Only take Care that Princess treated be Like to a Queen press not on that degree Nor do in her the Rights of Crowns invade Or if you do I 'le perish in her Aid Know that no place can Laws to Soveraigns give But they 're at freedom wheresoe're they live And in these Courts she 's at her own dispose Prusi Is this all you to that Request oppose Nicho. Yes Sir that 's all save only that the Queen Knowing what I can do too sharp has been Prusi ' Gainst her Sir in my Courts what dare you do Nicho. Sir I could speak but can be silent too Only once more advise you if you please To Treat Laodice like what she is 'T is I that beg it SCENE IV. Prusias Flaminius Araspes Guards Attendants Flam. What! oppos'd too here Prusi This from a Lover is no Wonder Sir That fiery spirit heightned by Success Hopes to her heart to hinder our Access We 'l therefore seek that Passion to remove Kings Marriages are seldom made for love And I have Plots of Greatness and of Fame Will quench Loves Fires and blow out all it's Flame Flam. But loving him she 'l be capricious too Prusi If it should prove so I know what to do But she 's in fine a Queen and that Degree Seems to require some Formality And though my Power o're her be absolute And might constrain yet Prayers will better do 't You first as an Ambassadour shall move The Match I 'le second Rome and if this prove But to our Wish 't is better than Commands If not she will be still Sir in our Hands Come then let 's go and as this does succeed Take our Advantage further to proceed ACT III. SCENE I. Prusias Flaminius and Laodice Prusi QUeen since that Title carryes so much Charms It 's Loss methinks should give you some Alarms Power if abus'd is seldom long preserv'd Laod. This great Advice shall by me be observ'd And if I ever Reign Sir you shall see The Practise of such Noble Policy Prusi Madam to Reign you take but an ill way Laod. You may direct me if I go astray Prusi You slight Rome and too small respects you give Unto a King under whose Command you live Laod. If you your Regal Power would better know You 'l find I pay to both Sir what I owe If I as Queen receive Ambassies here I must as Soveraign before you appear Assume a Power which I cannot own And in your own Estates affront your Throne I them refuse out of Respect to you Honours that in Armenia were my due There I might Romes Ambassâ—dour receive And with fit splendor him an Audience give Their Answer as a Queen to his Desires Or as the merit of the Cause requires Here Sir I can't the Mistery understand Out of Armenia having no Command For all that Heaven does me else where allow Is that I live and no subjection know Reign o're my self and have in all aboades No Soveraign but my Reason and the Gods Prusi Those Gods your Soveraigns by your Father gave To me the Power which over you they have And you perhaps my one day understand Wâ—at's a Kings Reason where he does command For proof of it let 's to Armenia go I 'le bring you thither but attended so That since you stand so much upon your State You must prepare to see it desolate Wars utmost fury through your Land shall Reign Dead â—odies shall make Mountains of a Plain And Rivers flow with Blood that I will spill Laod. Losing my States I 'le keep my Glory still All those vast mischiefs wherewith you me brave Shan't make me subject though they make me Slave My Life is yours but not my Dignity Prusi This mighty Courage will reduced be When all these Miseries to a Head are grown And Attalus sits on your Fathers Throne Then then perhaps that Heart may stoop in vain To ask his Hand to seat you there again Laod. If of your War such base Effects you find There must be a strange Change wrought in my Mind But Sir perhaps you cannot get so far The Gods will of my Fortunes have a care And raise a man who may my Cause defend ' â—ainst all these Powers which Rome to you can lend Prusi You build your hopes on my presumptuous Son But know that both of you to Ruine run Think of that Madam and resolve to be Either a Queen or else Laodice For 't is the last Advice I 'le give to you Make Attalus King if you would Reign Adieu SCENE II. Flaminius and Laodice Flam. Madam in short Vertues perfection Laod. Follow the King Sir your Embassy's done Once more I tell you that whilst here I live I cannot an Ambassadour receive Flam. Madam what I would say does proceed more From one's your Friend than an Ambassadour From one that of your Safety has a Care Touch'd with the Ills you for your self prepare And whilst I do make this my sole Pretence You may admit me say with confidence Perfection of Vertue does require Prudence should be the Checque of your desire That of our Interest we should take a Care Consider in what times we live and where Else height of Courage in a Royal Brest Is but a bruitish Vertue at the best Which by false light of Honor guided blinds With its own Merits the sublimest minds Leads Heroes to such a
the Lustre of so fair a Life For me if other minds by ours be known Or we can guess of their thoughts by our own I must presume that I in him shall finde The self same Maximes and the self same minde With that great Rival I have fair play us'd Not sought his Ruine nor his Fame traduc'd Those Aids I have I did demand aloud And I think him with such brave thoughts endow'd That Glory onely his Designs inspires And but with Merit counters my Desires Arsin Intreagues of Court you never yet did prove Atta. Should Princes not like Princes treat of Love Arsin You treat and talk like one did little know Atta. Madam I speak those Vertues Rome did show Arsin From time perhaps you will the knowledge gain What Vertues should compose a Monarchs Train Mean time although that he your Brother be Think that you have a Mother still of me And to defeat what you of this conceive Come see how far the King does it believe ACT IV. SCENE I. Prusias Arsione Araspes Prus ARaspes bring the Prince Exit Araspes And pray forbear Madam those sighs which do my Bowels tear What need you thus with grief my Soul oppress Those Tears will nothing add to your Redress Nor is there need of them for your Defence Do I his Crimes doubt or your Innocence Or in all I have said what do you finde Should make you think that I can change my mind Arsi Ah Sir what can repair those wrongs that be Thrown on the Justest by base Calumny Virtue once charg'd with falshood can no more Be made so pure so bright as 't was before Still some reproachful mem'ry does remain Which to the brightest Glory brings a stain Whilst Sir Detraction harbours in your Court And People blindly would the Prince support Truth is too weak that Scandal to remove They 'l think me freed from onely by your love And if the least Spot rest upon my Fame If your worst Subjects but suppose the same Can I deserve your love or do these Fears Concern too little then to merit Tears Prus You 're scrupulous and do too much mistrust A Husbands love that knows his love is just Glory by Calumny becomes more bright And from its darkness gains a greater light But here 's the Prince and you shall see to day SCENE II. Prusias Arsinoe Nicomede Araspes Guards Arsin Pardon Sir Pardon for our onely stay Pardon for Laurels are so fertile grown Pardon for the Supporter of your Throne Pardon Nico. For what Madam Three Kingdoms won Which my death must devolve upon your Son For having so far prest your conquering Arms That even Rome has taken the Alarms For having too much Regal Power sustain'd For that Renown I through the world have gain'd For having with Success and Glory fought Following the Maxims my great Master taught If I want Pardon choose ' mongst these my Crimes I know no more Madam unless you 'l joyn That Villains by some others gain'd betraid My easie Faith to credit what they said That having a clear Soul free from deceit I wanted light to see into their cheat 'T is glory this and not a crime for one Who lives in Camps where no Court Tricks are known Who scorning baseness does not Thunder fear And knows no Stratagems but those of War Arsin Sir I recant he cannot guilty be Loading me with eternal Infamy He onely does that common Hate obey Men to the odious Name of Step dame pay That Humour having in his heart took Root He does to me the strokes of Fate impute Does Hannibal his Master having here The Publique Faith give up himself to fear And rather trust his Life and Liberty To black Despair than Hospitality Those Terrors which his doting Soul invade Are onely Plots by me before-hand laid Though he such Charms in Laodice espies 'T is I make Attalus see with the same eyes 'T is I the Aids of Rome against him gain'd And all that wounds him issues from this hand But though to blemish h'attempted have That Master to revenge that Mistress save All might be pardon'd in a Jealous Lover But I do something more in this discover 'T was not his Love that foster'd this Design That I 'm your Wife Sir is my greatest Crime From that Name onely springs this Calumny For else in short what can he charge on me Have I since first your Armies he did command Deny'd th' assistance both of Voice and Hand Have I refus'd him that Renown was due And when he stood in need of Aids from you And might have perisht had they been delay'd Who better prest that necessary Aid Sent him quick Succors both of Men and Treasurâ— And to supply his Wants made it my pleasure You know this Sir but see he does return For all that I have done Reproach and Scorn To rob me of your love has scandal us'd But still in Jealous Lovers all 's excus'd I say 't again Prus What answer canst thou make Nico. That the Queens goodness I must wonder at I will not say that with those Aids she gave By which she did my Life and Honor save And which with so much Pomp she does repeat She sought by my hand to make Attalus great And by this Arm of mine those Glories heapt Which this day tells us should by him be reapt By what she was to so much kindness wrought I leave to Heaven to judge that knows her thought Those gods who heard the Vows she made for me Will of our Cause the best Deciders be Mean time since the appearance is so fair She spoke for me I ought to speak for her And for her interest I must let you know In punishing two Villains you 're too slow Zenon and Methrobates ought to be A Sacrifice to her wrong'd Dignity They both accus'd her first and that scarce done They made her faultless to accuse your Son But no way clear'd themselves their death is made Too just for having thus with Greatness plaid Offences done to those of our Degree Can no way but by blood repaired be For things unsaid you cannot pardon give The Blot remains whilst the Impostors live And sparing them you Royal Blood expose Unto the malice of such Tongues as those Th' examples ill your Life in hazard lies If you let scape such spreading Calumnies Arsin How Sir would you destroy 'um for that truth Which Heaven did suddenly put in their mouth That truth which does restore to you your Wife Cancels her Scandals and secures her Life That truth which did your Sentence Sir suspend Whilst for my Int'rest he does this pretend You have no Cunning Prince no Court tricks know Prus Leave 'um and of your own Defence think now Purge your self of a Crime so base and low Nico. I purge my self you cannot Sir think so You know too well those of my Dignity When they grow guilty aim at things more high Their Failings like their Glories are sublime And with their Pow'r
they do protect their Crime T' have rais'd your People brought your Army here In an opprest Queens In'trests to appear Snatcht her from hence in spite of Rome or you Or all that Attalus Rivalship could do And of their Tyrannies have stopt the course With all your own and all Armenia's Force Had been fit Crimes for such a Soul as mine If I a breach of Duty could design Mean Spirits for Revenge use to defame And 't is most properly the Womans Game ' Gainst those Impostors then your Sentence give For my sake or the Queens they ought not live At the last moment men with Heaven make peace Truth best appears when Worldly Int'rests cease And those base spirits when about to die Perhaps may once more what they said deny Arsin Ah Sir Nico. Pray Madam the true Cause declare Why you should press so hard these Lives to spare Or let us think you fear lest dying they Might out of conscience some close Plots convey Arsi What hate than this Sir can more cruel be Whilst I 'de acquit him he accuses me But Sir perhaps my presence whets his Rage I by my absence may these Heats asswage And quieting a Spirit soar'd so high Prevent those Crimes at which he yet may flie I will not ask that Pity should procure For my protection you a Crown secure Nor do I seek my Attalus to save That he should half of your Dominions have If that your Roman Friends request it so I never did of their Intentions know They with their Pow'rs may favor still my Son But I shall need no Aids when you are gone I love too well Sir not to follow you When in these arms you pay to Fates their due Upon your Tomb my Love 's last Duty Grief At once shall sacrifice my Tears and Life Prus Ah Madam Arsin Yes Sir when that time shall come Your Destiny and mine shall be but one Then since he never shall my Soveraign be What should I fear what can he do to me All that I ask in favor of that Gage That Son who does so much his hate engage Is that he may return to Rome and there Finish his days under that Senates care To whom you did commit his Youth and be A weak Remembrance of your love to me This Prince will serve you better than before When Jealousies shall wound his Thoughts no more And fear not Sir though thus you Rome defie For all her Power his Valour is too high The Secrets of great Hannibal he knows From whom Rome did receive such mighty blows Africk and Asia yet admiring stand At those renown'd Advantages he gain'd For Carthage and Antiochus But now I go Sir and the liberty allow To your Paternal Goodness to improve The tenderness of Nature and of Love I must not longer in your Presence see My self unworthily reproached be Nor would I move your anger against one Who is your Valiant and your Conquering Son SCENE III. Prusias Nicomede Araspes Guards Prus This in my brest does strange disorders raise Yet Nicomede I cannot think thee base But let 's yield somewhat to the Senates Prayers And strive to reassure the Queen who fears Passion for her Affection pleads for thee I would not have this Hate eternal be Yet though I prize them cannot in my brest Cherish these thoughts onely to break my rest I would make Love and Nature of accord Father and Husband be and in a word Nico. If I may with you any credit win Be neither one nor t'other Prus What then Nico. King Bravely that Noble Character resume Passions in Monarchs hearts should finde no room Father and Husband are respects not known To a true King who should regard his Throne And nothing more Reign as you ought then Sir And Rome will fear you more than you fear her See but how she who dares to threaten you With apprehensions does my Loss pursue Hoping by losing me strange things to gain Cause she foresees I shall know how to reign Prusi Thus then ungrateful I 'le thy counsel use Laodice or my four Kingdoms choose 'Twixt thee and Attalus thy King does make This dividend thou one of them must take No longer Father now but King i'â—e be Nico. Were you as well King of Laodice And could with Justice such a choice propose I should ask time e're I my thoughts disclose But now to show my will to pleasure you Yet with respect not to offend her too I answer without frivolous delay To your intentions not to what you say To that dear Brother allâ— those rights transpose And let Laodice be free to choose By that see which is mine Prusi Poor abject mind VVhat fury makes thee for a woman blind Prefer'st thou her to all thy glorious fights To all thy valour to my Realm unites After such baseness dost deserve to live Nico. I follow that example which you give Prefer not you a woman to that son By whom those Victories those crowns were won Prusi Do you see me renounce a crown for mine Nico. Do you imagine that is my design If to my brother what is yours I quit I nothing yeild having no right to it For what can I unto your Crowns pretend Till death shall to your Right and Reign give end Pardon me Sir the Harshness of the Phrase Yet Fate in fine does limit Monarchs days Your people then wanting a King will see And choose perhaps betwixt that Prince and me Sir our resemblance is not yet so nigh But dullest eyes a difference may espy And the old rights of birth have oft been known To call an Exile back to fill the throne Or if your Subjects thoughts with yours agree Their 's others brought under your yoke by me And though Rome still her jealousie pursue I can do for my self what 's done for you Prusi I 'le take a course for that Nico. It may be done If to their Fears you sacrifice your son Else your Estates resign'd unto that Prince Shall not be his when you are gone from hence 'T is not in secret that I this declare But speak it that he may himself prepare He hears me now Pru. Ingrateful without blood I shall know how to make his titles good And you SCENE IV. Prusias Nicomedes Attalus Flaminius Arasâ—es Guards Flam. If my affront this anger draws Sir you might spare it to so light a cause Rome may receive it with resentments due But I have Friends that shall appease her too Pru. I 'le do her right to morrow from this hand Attalus shall receive supream command I 'le make him King of Pontus and my heir And for this Rebel who does so much dare Rome shall be Judge what his affronts deserve In Attalus stead he shall for Hostage serve And to conduct him fit means shall be found So soon as he has seen his Brother crown'd Nico. And will you send me then to Rome Pru. Yes Sir Go ask your dear Laodice from her Nico. I 'le go I
'le go Sir and shall there appear A greater Monarch then you dare be here Flam. Rome on your actions will true value set Nico. Gently â—â—aminius we are not there yet The Journey 's long and you may be deceiv'd Things well begun are often ill atcheiv'd Pru. Away Araspes double now his Guard Atta. Sir Pru. Thank Rome and still have this regard That as her powers are the springs of yours 'T is her support alone your power secures But Sir I now must your excuse desire to Flaminius The Queens disgusts some comfort do require I 'le therefore go but leave him still with you Attalus once more give Rome those thanks are due SCENE V. Attalus and Flaminius Atta. What value shall I on these favours set Which for the highest Merit are too great Your kindness does so far all bounds surpass It has for my ambition left no place Yet Sir I needs must say my Fathers throne Would not compleat my happiness alone That which most charms my spirit is that now The Armenian Queen may to my wishes bow The scepter which does make me worthy her Flam. Will not your passiion in her heart prefer Atta. Sir resolutions are not always one Our thoughts are oft chang'd by occasion Besides it was her dying Fathers care She should be spouse to the Bithinian heir Flam. She being Queen that will 's no order now Further then 't is her pleasure to allow Besides what can she in a Crown respect Given in that Princes wrong she does affect In you who rob her of a Friend so dear And of his fall the only Authour are Atta. That Prince sent hence to whom shall she complain Who can gainst Rome and us her cause sustain For still I promise to my self your aid Flam. Couâ—sâ—ls are different by occasions made And to be plain Prince I 'le not promise it Atta. At this Rate Sir you do confound me quite By Soveraign power I am out wretched grown If I must loose your Friendship with my crown But I Romes justice wrong in doubting thus Han't you her orders Flam. Yes for Attalus For that Prince whom she from his Cradle knâ—w But for the King of Pâ—ntus must have new Atta. New orders Sir I cannot understand Why Rome should crush the work of her own hand Unless she jealous of my power become Flam. What i' st you say Prince what i' st you presume Atta. Only from you Sir I would comprehend To what this unequallity would tend Flam. I would explain't and would recover you From these destructive errors you purâ—ue Rome courting for you the Armenian Queen Dispenc'd with Justice out of that esteem She had for you but since she does obtain You by more just and equal ways may Reign Glory does with her love to you dispence And stops her acting further violence Then leaving that Queen to her own thoughts free Your wishes must elsewhere directed be Rome will a sitting match for you provide Atta. But if that Queen consent to be my bride Flam. â—Twil hazard yet Romes Glory and appear As if some artifice of hers iâ—â— were Prince if my words can any credit gain You must endeavour to suppress this flame Or if of my advice you take no heed Stay for the Senates e're you do proceed Atta. Finding such coldness to such love succeed Rome lov'd not me but hated Nicomede And whilst to feed my Wishes she does Feign Contrives my loss then when she makes me Reign Flam. Sir that my ansvvers may not be too rude To these essays of your ingratitude Follow your humour and your Friends offend Your Soveraign now and all things may pretend Yet since it is so fresh you can't disown 'T is Rome which this day seats you in a throne Remember what the King but now did say You will be nothing when you loose her stay SCENE VI. Atta. Was it thus Attalus thy Grandsires reign'd Wilt thou be King to have thy power restrain'd By such a World of Masters Ah I find Titles thus bought are irksome to my mind If for such Masters I must gain a Crown 'T were better to be subject still to one And heaven has given him so great and brave 'T were base to â—light him and become Romes slave Then to the Romans let us boldly show Living amongst them we their Maximes know That all they do they to some ends apply And all their Friendships yeilds to policy Then in our turn let us be jealous too And act for us vvhat for themselves they do The end of the Fourth Act. ACT V. SCENE I. Arsinoe Attalus Arsi TO fear this Rout I see no reason vvhy What 's in a moment born as soon vvill dye If darkness does increase its noise the light Will dissipate the vapours of the Night Less does the peoples tumult me disturb Then to see thou canst not thy passion curb But led by love so fruitless and so vain Contemn'st not her did thee so much disdain Let that ungrateful from thy thoughts be chac't Now thou above her art by Fortune plac't It was her throne not eyes thou shouldst adore Reigning without her love her then no more Offer that heart to more obliging chains Now th' art a King Asia has other Queens Who would not scornful of thy sighes appear But pay those vows to thee thou payest to her Attal But Madam if Arsin VVhy if she should prove kind Theirs danger in 't not seen by love that 's blind Assoone as of her Crown possest thou be She will engage thee in her hate to me But Oh Gods can her rage those limits keep Can'st thou in safety in her bosome sleep Thinkest thou that her resentments will not prove The sword or poyson to revenge her love What is 't a woman won't in fury do Atta. You with false arguments coâ—ceal the true The Senate who no powerful King would â—ee Feard that in Nicomede they fear in me To a queens bed I cannot now pretend Unless I will our soveraign Rome offend And since by it my Interests I betray To keep her favour still I must obey Those profound pollicies I understand By which she hastens to the worlds command If any Monarch grows too great and high His ruine must remove her jealousie Who makes a Conquest gives a wound to Rome Which can't endure too great a power in one But alwayes thinkes just cause of warr appears ' Gainst those whose greatness may or'e shaddow hers They who of Empire best the rules do know â—ill make us all things to their orders owe Their power or'e Kings to that vast height is grown All stoop to them while they depend on none Madam too well I am instructed thus By th' fall of Carthage and Antiochus Least I be crusht like one of them I 'le bow And reasons which I can't oppose allow Fate this complyance from me now commands Since you give Nicomede into their hands That Ostage will secure my Faith or be A Lyon ready to let loose on