o're weaker foes But know my life is not at your dispose And 't is most safe though not for your renown Instead of seeking mine to guard your own Melech This insolence my honour cannot bear Guards go and bind 'em both Moar. Stir if you dare This ground is fatal he that first comes on Sets but the race which thou at last shalt run Cover'd with wounds I will thy pow'r oppose I' th' midst and thickest number of my Foes Though fatal yet some pleasure it will be To see thy mighty God head stoop to me Let the blind Queen of Chance her Envy shew And save thy life by some succeseless blow Deny'd all help and pass'd defence withstood I 'l rip my breast and drown thee with my blood Melech ' Dsdeath go take kill him to the Guards Zelm. Hold he shall not die stopping the guards I onely must dispose his destiny But that obedience to your will be shewn to the King Of my too great requests this shall be one Souldiers retreat I have the Kings whole power And leave me to appoint his fatal hour Melech Ask Something else this Suit I cannot grant Zelm. Your bound by Oath take heed how you recant Melech My Oath what 's that go go once more take sieze Zelm. He meets his death who his command obeys turning to Moarons side Perjur'd and poor send now your forces on By heaven we 'l cut the props from your weak Throne In his defence to my last drop of blood I 'le meet thy pow'r though through a crimson flood I wade to the atcheivement to make known A faithless King 's a traitor to his crown Unless immediately you pronounce peace And cause your factious multitude to cease Melech Retire a while to Guards and Souldiers Madam you have your will But what curst Feind seduc't you to this ill Surpasses knowledge but the Prince shall live Him you dare thus protect I dare forgive Moar. Forgive your words are still so arrogant Fit answers for such Epithites I want Forgive your slaves some impious offence Such as can crowch with humble penitence And know whilst valour in my breast does live She cannot me protect nor you forgive Melech Yet though your courage with your pow'r concur You now are glad to take your life from her Moar. 'T is false my life is at my own dispose Sprung from the stalk on which my courage grows Nor would I for a slow destruction stay But boldly run and meet death half the way Honours broad path my soul so well has known That now to live or dye to me 's all one Melech The rugged path of death few men would choose Had they the licens't power to refuse Which death your ransome Sir shall now excuse Live fearless in our Court and free from ill I 'me now your friend though much against my will aside Zelm. This grant has back my good opinion gain'd He forfeits worth whom perjury does stain Honour the Souls of Monarchs best does grace Contempt and rigour onely suite the base To morrow you shall know my last request 'Till when it must be treasur'd in my breast You 'l keep your vow Melech My oath has made it good And if I fail infection seize my blood Zelm. Disperse brave Prince the cloud upon your brow To fate not onely you but all must bow Heaven does mishaps for greatest souls create The bravest men are most unfortunate Moar. Heaven then 's a cheat so are the Gods and fate If there no difference be in punishment A Traitor is as happy as a Saint And may as soon a glorious blessing share As he that spends his life in sighs and prayer Melech Your rashness voted 'gainst heavens excellence Betray more haughty passion Sir than sense Motives of sorrows raign or love impure But in our Court your grief may find a cure Amas. Spiritual affairs be the Zealots care persued by such as dote on their dispair Your worth may Sir a fitter work improve Imploy'd in Acts of honour wit or Love Moar That love must then be yours what charms are here touching her hand My beating heart much alter'd do's appear And I the marks of unknown passion bear But I must hide it Since proud fate to day In my defeat its malice did display My life I 'le cherish with design to prove My soul the ills of Fortune is above The Plagues the Gods inflict with scorn I 'le bear And I will live cause sate shall see I dare Exeunt ACT. II. SCENE I. An Alcove Discovers Moaron and Amasis Enter Psamnis Psam MY happy wishes good success have met Yonder the Amourous Lovers smiling sit How greedily their darting eye balls rove Each look displayes the extasie of Love I knew She lov'd him though a modest Pride Which still with untaught Virgins do's reside Made her conceal it but of this no more I must to Syria to renew our power The Prince did so command and I will be Though not renown'd lov'd for fidelity Exit SONG within BEgon dull fear and servile duty fly Where mischeifs hourly rove Whilst here we own no other Deity Nor Monarch know but Souls ensnaring Love Love whose refreshing Ioys such rapture brings Such life such charming power 'T would warm the sinews of enervate Kings And make 'em young once more II. Let sordid Mortals toil for Earths increase And Glory in their gains We with new charms will one another please And laugh to see the harvest of their pains In quiet let 'em share their happiness With hope and fortune great Whilst we each day each hour that Heaven possess Which they expect at last III. Then feed my flame bright Deity of Love With Lulling extasies That whilst I in this Orb of Beauty rove I in conceipt may Soar above the Skyes Reasons a term by drowzy Zealots fain'd Which rapting bliss destroys Nature do's always fiercest pleasures lend When freely sense enjoys Moar. Not all the Odours of those happy fields Where Cassia grows and the fain'd Phaenix builds Arabias treasures or the choice perfume Of India's fragrant entrals dare presume ' Ere to compare with thee thou softest fair Thy presence would extenuate despair In all the Damn'd below and make 'em live In hope Hells worst of Torments to survive Amas. If I not knowing my own power possess So large a portion of controwling bliss The greatest mandate you shall ere fulfil Shall an entreaty be to love me still But should my passion prove an injury I should not blame your will but I should dye And e're my death I 'de one kind thought implore Then rest assur'd I could deserve no more Moar. Never Oh never shalt thou see that day No sooner shall the Early Sun display His beams about the World but I will fly To visit thee the Idol of my eye Where by thy side I 'le sit for ever free And waste my life in endless extasie Thy looks my bodies hunger shall repreive For if Camelions blest by Nature
live Onely by Air Air then shall be my food A diet fit for our o'reflowing blood Refresht with smiles my heart shall baffle death And surfet on warm gusts of Rosie breath Amas. Oh no for though great Love our hearts controuls 'T is a repast fit only for our Souls A natural food our bodies it must supply And we refuting that shall surely dye And then the Gods too mindful of our fates Against our souls approach will shut heavens gates Moar. The Gods perhaps their wrath will shew on me But when they shall thy brighter spirit see They 'r ill weigh'd rage they will conceive a sin And from their Thrones hast to conduct thee in Then leading thee through the Coelestial Signs Whilst at thy sight each envious Goddess pines They 'l seat thee there in State whilst I shall be Seeing thee cherisht by each Deity In Heaven opprest with Earthly Jealousie Amas. In vain your fears do such disasters bode Were I a Goddesse you should be a God I would create new Laws in heaven for thee And never blush at the Impiety So great my love so strong my constancy Moar. Blest in each others arms we would despise The troops of the Inferiour Deities But let us now with soaring thoughts dispence And prove on earth loves precious influence Bear witness heaven that now our Actions veiw How Little life I prize compard with you You whose perfections can such blessings give That for your sake I onely with to live Amas. And I your vertues though I blush to tell Confess my Soul I love not halfe so well Moar. When to our blisse a pleasant Race we run How swift the minuits are how quickly gone The time seems envious of our happinesse And strives to put a period to our bliss By an unlookt for hast but let 'em fly Each project of curst Fortune I defie And glorying in your heavenly presence prove Noblessing e're can match the charms of Love Exeunt SCENE II. Zelmura Sola Zelm. IT shall be done it must nor can there be A pow'r but heaven to alter my decree And that I may have int'rest in heavens Love For a short time I will religious prove Kneel to the Gods adore their pow'r and state Be just and pious meerly to be great I'm Egypts Queen my pow'r like a huge stream O'reflows small shrubs yet I am not supream My will is limited my orders stand But as the Copies of the King command Who in security now tramples on Those wreaths which I in war with danger won Coheirs in Empire shines but dimly bright Whilst eithers lustre darkens t'others light But I like Titan fixt alone would shine And dare all other Beams to equal mine Nature begone thou faint soft hearted thing What though he be my husband and my King Ambition is my Soul and die he must And 't is sufficient that I think it just Had Providence ordain'd I should have been A theam of Pity a kind vertuous Queen I had submitted to that harmless name And followed Piety But as I am The Child of War all Courage and all Fire My deeds above the sense of good aspire Die then dull King for since no way is known But by thy death for me to mount thy throne I am Resolv'd all thoughts of good to quell And raign first here though I raign next in hell The cause of your unmanner'd hast declare Enter Ptolomy hastily Ptol. My news exacts your courage and your care The King has had some close intelligence How Psamnis sent to Syria by the Prince To raise new Powers and get his Ransome paid Intends again our Nation to invade Knowledge of which hath so provok't his wrath He swore a no less Rash then mighty Oath Before the mornings dawn t' exault a flood And drown all Danger in the Princes blood Zelm. That breath has damn'd him hell has not endued The Fiends with half so much ingratitude He shall not no his doom I will recall By all the Gods if they permit his fall I will destroy the World kill and disrobe Nature of her perfections shake the Globe To its first Chaos and by actions prove Nothing can match a Womans hate or love Enter Amasis Amas. Ah! Sister can you thus your steps retard The noble Prince drag'd rudely by the guard Stands in the Presence bound Zelm. bound hell and death Here me you pow'rs above and shades beneath You that on Thrones of Day abhor the Night And you whom horrours of cold death delight Hear and assist my haughty enterprize For since controwling fate wears a disguise Since Nature takes a Pride Mortality To mould in Plots and Jugling villany I am resolv'd my influence to shew And fright the World with Natures overthrow Like some great conflagration I 'le appear And first with smoky flateries charm his ear Till I my hearts desire have obtain'd His his whole power by his promise gain'd That done from cloudy thickness I 'le aspire And Scorch opposers like consuming fire Exeunt SCENE III. Melechadel Zichmi Achmades Moaron held by Guards Melech AM I to be out brav'd Gods has my fate Made me as oft victorious as great Seated my Throne upon the conquer'd heads Of those that seek the paths ambition treads And shall I now stand tame when threatned by A weak low Object of my Clemency Wars vassal no my rage shall tempests grow And the fierce pow'r of inrag'd Monarchs show Lead to the Scaffold by my Crown I 'le try If thus inspir'd you can submit to dye If in the Book of fate my doom appear To be the next I 'le meet death void of fear And smile to think thou art my harbinger Moar. Tyrant not all thy tortures nor the Hell Fixt in thy Conscience shall my Courage quell My Spirit shall contemne thy basest deed And spite of torments dare thee to proceed The Bright all-seeing Sun when I shall dye From Reeking Mists will draw my soul up high Where on a Star I shall with Glory shine And in infernal Caverns see thee Pine Melech Dream on dream on of visionary joyes Your fancy quickens with these pleasing toyes Lead him away alas he weary growes These dull delayes but hinder his repose His power would conquer Crowns beyoad the Sun Did he not want a head to set 'em on Zichm Pardon dread Sir I If presume so far To tell your Majesty the chance of war Is incident to all men Kings have been The subjects of disasters not foreseen Blur not the trophies then of victory With the black stain of so much infamy Kings are like Gods when vertue they obey But that once lost they are but common Clay Melech Your Moral Phrase I cannot understand Vertue do's it not ly in my command What I decree is just although exprest A Miracle to an inferiour breast Vent your dull sentences where publick wrongs Lye brooding to be judg'd by publick tongues My will the power of factious souls shall awe A Monarchs mandate is his Subject
'le do more And therefore Sir your liberty restore Lead on your troops brave Prince nay all thanks spare Meet me i' th' Army's head and thank me there You cannot braver gratitude afford Then nobly there to thank me with your Sword Charm me Belona with thy chiefest good And to meet fame I 'le swim o're Seas of blood Contemn black danger with a threatning breath And Grasp at honour in the jaws of Death Exeunt Queen and Ptollomy Moar. Gods what a soul do's that weak fabrick hold Such courage ill befits so frail a mould Her Spirit a whole Legion would inspire And turn cold cowardize to Glowing fire I envy her methinks a heart so brave A mind so haughty none but I should have If man be the more brave and noble name Why should weak woman rob us of our fame I 'le to our troops and try if I can prove A kinder fate then I receav'd from Love If not the doom of Heaven I will reverse And my own bosome with my own hand peirce Exit Zichmi returns Zichm Her sister to my guard resign'd blest fate That to revenge givest so secure a state My too long smoother'd hate I now will shew And to my aid invoke the Fiends below Dull Queen couldst thou believe I faith e're knew For her whose barb'rous hands my Brother slew No Murdress to his soul I did bequeath Thy tainted blood and then decreed thy death But now thy sisters rape shall first begin The tragick scene and broach a greater sin Then in thy blood my bliss I will obtain Revenge is sweetest then when most obscean Exit SCENE V. Enter Selabdin Aldabar Psamnis and Syrian Soldiers Selab THus far our enterprize proves fortunate Favour'd by heaven and propitious fate Our happy forces with a noble hast High rocks and barren Mountains have o'repast Of this parcht climate desolate and waste Proud Queen success thou didst but ill divine When thou my Son ignobly didst confine Or that his fate e're long might turn to thine But by my deeds thy pride shall quickly see A Father's Courage Love and Piety Psamn The King late murder'd by her Tyranny Methinks should pluck down vengeance from the skie And to requite the worst of torture 's due Death will oblige her if receiv'd from you Adab Heroes alone by Monarchs hands should die Trophies most fit for sacred Majesty Which in this war your power might persue Were the brave Prince but here to second you But till his sword we in our troops have seen 'T is vain to think to captivate the Queen But we are tardy let us hence to night And charge their drowzy guards e're mornings light Selab Brave soul yet stay such hast our power may wrong Our men are tir'd and the Journey 's long Let therefore all our troops to night be drawn In order to be ready with the Dawn A mornings march will bring our army down To fix our tents in prospect of the town Amidst your bounty Gods grant but this one Give but my age pow'r to revenge my Son My incense smoke shall dim your azure skies And feast you with continual sacrifice shout What means this shout Enter a Messenger Messen. May heaven great Sir your Enemy's destroy As it do's now procure the general Joy The Prince Selab Hah what of him Mess. Thus low by me In humblest duty greets your Majesty Selab Thou darest not mock me Mess. Not and hope to live But him you cannot hope for there receive Enter Moaron and kneels Selab This Scene of Joy do's my past griefs asswage Welcome thou prop of my declining age Honour forget my weakness this blest day If nature makes my eyes some tribute pay By say what more then God did set thee free Or was it some transcendant Deity Whose pow'r we know not and must therefore pay A reverence fitting so supream a sway Moar. No Sir the Gods I have not found so just 'T was on a Cause much more miraculous No troops of daring Soldiers did I see Forcing their way through death to set me free Heaven for my succour no such aid decreed 'T was the brave Queen her self perform'd this deed Selab The Queen unheard of Nobleness Moar. 'T was she That scorning fate pronounc't my liberty Selab Wonder invades my breast but say what cause From her proud soul this generous action draws Honour or did her fear take safer course To render what my pow'r e're long might force Moar. Her haughty courage only fame persues Contemning fortunes ills for when the news Of your arrival came no signs of fear Or dull mistrust did in her face appear But with a look that did her heart express She heard the story of your good success Then rising from her seat and seeing where Her Nobles looks betray'd their doubtful fear With an undaunted voice She strove t' inspire Their freezing Courages with her own fire Her brave Oration past she turn'd to me And with a dauntless generosity Voting my liberty spoke thus Lead on your troops and there your thanks afford Where the rough Language of the reeking Sword Disputes in honours cause and only deeds Not words for grateful actions intercedes This said she from my Presence did retire And left me there to envy and admire Selab For this brave act all grateful thanks is due She do's at once slight and oblige me too Good Heaven direct my actions how to pay Her generous heart the best and noblest way And since the Gods decree no war in vain May the sublimest cause the Lawrel gain Moar. He that i' th' Battle dares to second me Reaps from my heart a Brothers amity A Cowards soul destructive fears surround Whilst the brave Soldier smiles upon his wound With brandisht Sword he cuts his way before Not fearing numbers or mistrusting pow'r Steel me thou daring God of Martial souls Whose blest unbounded influence controuls O're death despising Hero's make my arm Strong like my will to do and suffer harm That doing what a Nat'ral pow'r exceeds Proud death may gaze and wonder at the deeds His rigour could not equal but at last If through continued wounds my spirits haste To leave their Mansions Grant me this kind fate Within this arm fresh vigour to create Till from my heap of victims gushing blood Make on the barren Earth a swelling flood That like a Conquerour I may when dead Swim to Elizium through the blood I shed Selab Such vertue Heaven must guard or cease to be What Mortals think the seat of Piety If in this enterprize the Gods ordain A fate that puts a Period to my reign My happy Age shall yet this honour have To lie with victims pil'd upon my grave Exeunt ACT. V. SCENE I. Zelmura Phillopater Achmades Ptollomy and Egyptian Souldiers Zelm COmmand our Moors the onset first to give And bring the Caliphs troops to their relief If you would purchase to your heirs a name Ever adherent to the Parents fame Unsheath your willing Swords and
Law Zichm The beguil'd Citizens will factious grow When they your doom and breach of Promise know Melech Traitor these fears proclaim thy fell intent You wish those ills you so well represent You mean no doubt to their weak aid to run And with your Courage lead the factious on But e're that happen Zich If my erring breath Has given you cause dread Sir to doubt my faith My life prostrate thus low I offer here kneels 'T is only what I for your safety wear Melech For your first Crime my Clemency may plead But such another word forfeits your head Take him away I will here no replyes to guards He longs to sit on arches of the skyes Moar. Thou never shalt thy barbarous Conquest baost For day and night I 'le haunt thee with my Ghost When reeking blood my spirit steems to air Into thy fatal Pallace I 'le repair Through all thy Guards I 'le to thy presence Croud And Sit before thee in my bloody shrowd I will invent new shapes to vex thee more And in thy nightly visions make thee roar Till thou do'st feel by angry Pluto's doom A Hell on earth as well as Hell to come Melech ' Dsdeath drag him hence guards let your faith be seen Answer not but obey Shoutwithin Room for the Queen Melech Hah What curst Demon brought her to this place Her opposition will my power disgrace My lustre is excell'd when she is by Like a dim star when Cinthia rules the skie Curst Fortune do's my meaner actions sway But like a Monarch I will rule to day Tears nor intreaties shall his life reprieve I have decreed it and he shall not live Away with him As the Guards are carrying out Moaron Enter Zelmura Ptollomy Amasis Phillopater and Guards Zelm. Stay and bring back the Prince What do I see Is this your love to honour Sir and me Performance of the promise once decreed Your Kingly Oath forgotten and my deeds Dare you act contrary to humane Laws A Prince's murder without right or cause And not expect heavens dreadful vengeance due To all that dare such horrid crimes persue If as a foe to good you guilt prefer Insulting o're your chance remember Sir Monarchs sometimes are forc't to bend to fate Success not power makes men fortunate Melech In whose stale works did you these morals find Oh damn'd Hypocrysie in woman kind How like a low Ebb'd rivolet you flote As if you scorn'd th' applause my power has got When in your own design your Gulphy pride Outvies the force of the Seas swelling tide You seem to quake at actions done by me But dare the Fiends of Hell when you decree As if the severe sentences of Death Had onely their dependance on your breath But from this hour I do your aid disown One Monarch is sufficient for one Throne Phillo I like that well pray heaven that vote may stand Achma The Queen 's about to answer Zelm. The command I bear i' th' state I can with ease resign My fear is only that the Powers Divine When they this horrid crime have understood Will show'r their vengeance but the Gods are good Melech Yes now they are but should they ere deny Your suit they then were statues of the Sky Let them encrease in might and sway above Rule onely here do's my ambition move To purchase which content and excell you I dare be proud and irreligious too Zelm. Howe're my actions did my realm affright All know dread Sir I shone but with your light The power is yours and you may quickly have That lustre render'd back which first you gave My taper is extinct when you are gone Like the black Zodiack when it wants the Sun Phillo 'T is past beleif she cannot be thus tame aside This fordid meekness do's base fear proclaim Zelm. I aim'd not Sir your honour to defend For my own cause my own peculiar end My hopes and fears were always for your good In whose brave cause I freely shed my blood And since my words have set your thoughts at strise In being a mediatour for his life Let this submission penitence supply kneels Since 't is your will 't is reason he should die Ptollo Ungrateful Mother Oh that I durst speak Phillo Cease good my Lord passion is now too weak Achma The King begins to melt her policy Already hath atcheiv'd a victory Melech Rise my Souls better half the Gods design'd Thy excellency too good for humane kind Forget my censure let thy gentle breast Forbear to entertain so rude a guest What shall I do to gratifie thy Love Zelm. Your Clemency all merit is above But since your Royal bounty deins to place My actions in the Ballance of your grace Though far unworthy an estate so blest I will presume to unfold my last request And the hid secret of my heart declare Melech Do and by all our mighty Gods I swear By Apis our most powerful Deity Except his life I nothing will deny Pointing to Moaron Zelm. Bear witness good my Lords what he has said T is a Kings Oath and ought to obey'd Phil. It is as firm as Fate Achm. nor lyes it now In his own power to infringe his vow Phil. Heaven grant your will prove healthy for the State Zelm. You in your doubts too much your fear relate My nature from my Childhood has bin free Gentle and mild as Virgin modesty Nor durst I ere have climb'd ambitions Hill Had I not thus bin licenc't by your will bowing to the King 'T is true I long have wisht to reign alone But till this hour I nere durst make it known Though with my Nature it did well agree So great an awe I bore your Majesty Melech How 's this Phillo Some pow'rful God reject my fears Zelm. But since occasion shewes her silver hairs And bids me hold since Heaven and Earth or both Avouch my will by your confirming Oath Like a kind Wife share in your griefes I 'le own And on my own head fix your anxious Crown The Gods have destin'd you to live in peace To pass your term of life in rest and ease Oh happy state that uncontrowl'd lives free From the disturbing cares of dignity Whilst I I fear am doom'd to greifes unknown Few think what cares depend upon a Throne I durst not my intent so soon have told Had not your Kingly promise made me bold Nor should you my designs have understood But that I know 't is for the Nations good Ordain'd above therefore I boldly stand A suitor for the Kingdome and demand A Boon which may perhaps your wonder raize The sole command o're Egypt for three dayes Melech What heaps of wonders croud into my breast Have you considered Madam your request The care is great and weighty as the trust The People bloody headstrong and unjust Zelm. Their love or hate in me unsathom'd lyes One I mislike but t'other I dispise Nor doubts of Government will I dispute But onely urge you to perform
I utter it aside Moar. Silence bright Soul for Lovers is not fit Say what ill news Amas. Aid me ye Deities Then breifly thus our love with mutual ties Of firm affection oft has dar'd our fate And thereby made us both unfortunate This makes me conscious of what griefs arise From wilful love what plagues what Miseries As freind to your good fortune to request That you would change I cannot speak the rest aside Love charms my utterance and denies me power Zelm. behind Do it or do not hope to live an hour Moar. To change my Love how do not give my sense Cause to reprove such charming Excellence Your breath till now stand Roses in the bud The Western gales were not so sweet so good But this request has soild your lustre so What was divine does now but mortal shew Amas. Let not vain hopes too much beguile your Youth Our holy Prophet ne're spoke more truth For to make kind our future destiny You may suppress your love and so must I. Live happy therefore and past Joyes restore But from this moment never love me more 'T is out and now shroud me some gloomy cloud Exit Moar. Such words the Gods durst not have spoke so loud Rend Earth i' th' midst and split ye fatal Skies Whose Planets dare to appoint such prodigies To Caves immense let th' Ellements retire And mix together earth air sea and fire Till mingled in confusion all may be As first they were in natures infancy For since this age do's pristine ills surpass Oh happy Choas where no falshood was A barb'rous Princess who would beauty trust Who would believe in vertue or be just If vertue this allows in noble blood Vertue 's a crime and vice it self is good The Gods themselves if tamely this they see Are false and baser than mortallity Enter Zelmura Zelm. What Demon Sir hath alter'd thus your fate I met my Sister at the Castle gate Fire darting from her eyes her lovely face So chang'd with rage it banisht all her grace Calling you base perfidious false and then Musing a while she 'd fall to Curse agen Such rapid frenzies posted from her breast I could no less then think she was possest For she methinks whom passion did so blind Might have found words more gentle and more kind But ignorance of the truth me hither draws To know the reason and enquire the cause Moar. The Cause why Madam ' dsdeath I cannot tell 'T is the same Cause that damns the souls in Hell A Heaven lost for want of loving well Zelm. Come come dissemble not you slighted her That you to me your passion might prefer And though I 'me haughty vassals you Shall find a temper that to Love is due If without more delayes you prove your bliss And your long closely smoother'd Love confess Moar. What strange Chimera's Madam plague your mind Love you by Heaven I hate all woman kind Not you alone but all curst Crockadiles Ye couch damnation in seducing smiles I 've lost my faith to think 't is Heaven to Love My sense do's now i' th' contrary move For if a Hell there be as it is said 'T is felt when highth of passion is delay'd Zelm. Perhaps you 'r loth the Guard your words should hear Whisper Sir speak it softly in my ear Your merits soon will weigh the ballance down And make me cherish what deserves a frown Moar. Frown on your amorists that causeless dote For by the Azure Heavens I love you not To be your slave I never did consent Nor need I whisper what I never meant Zelm. Hah never meant it was it not for me You slighted thus my sisters amity Could for meaner Causes faith remove Then th' happiness that still attends my Love 'T is contrary to reason and you try My utmost patience if you this deny Moar. D'sdeath Madam do ye think I can be brought To cherish Passion by perswasions wrought Bereav'd of reason that should crimes reprove Forc't to affect and fool'd into a Love Your eyes my heart do rather freez than warm And your addresses rather vex than charm Fate makes me to despise what you propound If this be Love I have a Mortal wound Zelm. Gods can I hear this tamely die proud fool And with thy blood my boundless passion cool Goes to stab him he wrests the Dagger from her Zelm. Take it and boast thou hast more strength than I But fixt it here and see how I can die Moar. No live and o're such abject fate controul You merit it you have a noble soul. Zelm. Oh I could curse but it will do no good And tear this burning fever from my blood But Love the prouder Tyrant conquers me Enter Ptollomy hastily Hah whence proceed these suddain new Alarms Moar. Fate grant I guess aright Ptollo To arms to arms The Potent Syrians with a mighty host Are past resistance landed on our Coast The City trembles and the factions swarm And with their uncurb'd shouts augment th' alarm Use some swift means great Queen to stinct this strife Least the unruly tumult seek your Life Zelm. Curse on the faithless slaves but art thou sure The troops approaching are the Syrian power Ptollo Our Messengers affirm it and we may From Turrets easily discern 't is they Zelm. They 'r welcome and they 'r coming do's produce In me much Joy my rusting sword wants use All low thoughts vanish now to empty air I will no leasure for dull passion spare War may perhaps from my brave heart remove The agony of this tempestious Love Whilst my heroick fate once known before Shall guide my sword to conquer 'em once more Moar. This happy news do's with my wish comply And gives me present hopes of liberty Enter Achmades Phillopater Zichmi Achm. The foe 's already come so near that we From our high towers may their banners see The people trembling with a suddain fright Run through the streets and Curse the fatal light But th' factions I have with perswasions wrought And in good order to the Pallace brought Your presence Madam their mistrusts will clear And make them dare the foe they late did fear Zelm. That satisfaction they shall reap from me I knew they durst not long perfidious be My breath can lift 'em up or cast 'em down Save with a smile or Martyr with a frown Go and with speed draw up the Cavalry to Achm. And in Battalia place the infantry Exit Achm. Possess their minds with hopes of great reward And cull the choicest soldiers for my guard to Phillopater You to your charge and Ptollomy take care Exit Phillopater There be no tumult that may stint the war Zichmi thy faith so noble hath been shewn In the defence of my exalted Throne That to thy guard my sister I resign By careful and close pris'ner her confine Till you my Signet for her freedome see Zichmi I 'le not dispute but act your great decree Exit Zelm. And now one act of honour I
follow me To fetch the glorious palm of victory Death 's but a triffle unto those that dare Pain only seizes such as basely fear Slain in your Countries cause you shall possess The quintessence of heavenly happiness In green cool shady Grottoes you shall dwell And from your heaven see the Syrians hell That vext with tortures shall in caverns pine For aiming at a fate so high as mine Ptoll. Let your free votes your willing minds relate Omn. Long live Zelmura Goddess of our fate Enter a Souldier Souldier The foe great Queen is Marching within sight All resolute and ready for the fight The Souldiers only for your orders stay To try the happy fortune of this day Zelm. Now they are brave since Jointly they proclaim Their lives as vassals to immortal fame There is no bliss like honour 't is the Star That guides the noble Hero's from a far Draws him from earth where fear and horrour swims To dwell with Gods and radiant cherubims Whilst the poor soulless slave that do's possess Nothing but earth to frame a happiness Pines here below for dross and hourly dies For what bright honour makes my soul despise Beat an alarm raize our Banners high In such a Cause it is a bliss to die Exeunt SCENE II. Zichmi Amasis Zichmi MAdam in slighting thus my proffer'd Love You slight your bliss and happiness remove The Queen to me your person did assign With a strict charge to keep you still confin'd But your desert such cruelty withstands And makes me slight her arrogant commands If Gentle Fair my Joyes you would enthrone And grace my servent passion with your own Amas. Can Heaven such insolence unpunisht bear If by the Queens command Sir you appear My rude controuler and my Jailor here Perform your Duty with a careful breast But dare not thus my privacy's molest Least to my sister I declare at large How ill her Argus did perform his Charge Zichm These threats are vain the Queens whole pow'r I slight She is preparing for the dreadful fight Involv'd in blood and horrour but I mean In Love to prove a more delightful Scene 'T is true I am not lifted to that heigth To be a King and so reputed great Yet love makes me a Monarch in conceipt And in your arms I shall be nobler far Then Romans in their greatest triumphs were Amas. My arms was e're such arrogance yet seen D' you know me Sir I 'm sister to the Queen A Princess whose high fate you should admire And not molest with your abas'd desire Zichm I know your high estate and therefore move My suite thus humbly to request your Love I will not say I merit your high birth That were to set a price upon your worth But passion keeps my senses from dispair In Love and Death all mortals equal are Amas. By that ill rule you half mankind deprave And make a Monarch equal with a slave Since both may Love but canst thou hope to be Rais'd by unruly Love equal to me Recant dull fool before it be too late And draw not on your self a certain fate Zichm Fate afright those that fear some mighty power All firm allegiance I renounce this hour I hate the Queen and dare declare it too Thus boldly in my lawless Love to you My late observ'd fidelity was shewn Not for the Nations profit but my own Amas. And can you hope to live when this is known Zichm My thoughts reach not so far controuling Love Usurps my heart and do's all doubts remove I shroud a fire that surpasses Hell Amas. Cannot the thought of death your passion quel Zichm Death no let such base fears weak souls annoy I love you and your beauty's will enjoy But I 'me too tame some women I have known Love to be forc't and perhaps you are one goes to seize on her Amas. Stand off what Demon do's thy breast inspire To use a Princess thus Zichm Love and desire Why do you look like one that is amaz'd takes hold of her To see a fury you your self hath rais'd Amas. Guard me good heavens have you no remorce to him Think you I ever can be won by force mildly Good Gods what flinty natures men possess Cruel as Tigers in the Wilderness And hungry Lyons thirsting after prey Though void of sense more pity have than they Can you e're think if mildness you remove Your threatnings ever can increase my Love Love a soft peircing motion should bequeath Known by the pulse an eye or short quick breath But you the utmost bounds of Passion shew And treat a Virgin as you treat a foe Zichm Forgive me then and think I did express Letting her go My late rash words but through my love excess I now too late repent the insolence And beg thus low a pardon for the offence Fair Lovely Kind I would be milder yet Can you my past unmanly Crime forget In other Acts our reason rules above But proves a vassal to our haughty Love Remember Madam fates controuling Laws And let your charming beauty plead my cause Amas. This yet is something better noble minds Humility not stubborn roughness binds Their uncurb'd souls forc't down still upward tends Like unwrought steel that breaks before it bends Oh cruel fate that thus can force my tongue Against my heart t' extenuate a wrong aside Forcing my nature driven to dispair To cherish Vipers that infect the air Exit Zichm So she begins to yeild when women pawse A little Courtship the agreement draws I 've long desir'd enjoyment of her Love But ne're till now durst my petition move Wanting occasion to perform my will And daring boldness for an act so ill Not that I own much passion but my spleen This way revenges me upon the Queen The Queen to whom I mortal hatred bear A hate deserv'd unbounded and severe Nor can a Petty Jar an abject strife In the depriving of her single life Abate the plague of my revengeful breath Her sisters rape must usher in her death That action will not only horrid be But fix a stain on her Posterity T is now the army 's are engag'd if fate Permits her once more to be fortunate And gain the conquest this shall launch her breast shewes a dagger But if the foe is with the palm possest I to her face this impious Act will own And to the Syrian King betray the town Till night I 'le leave her to consult but when Black misty Clouds shuts up the day from men If by disdain she slights a milder Course Deny'd like Roman Tarquin I will force Exit SCENE III. Alarm Both Army 's ingag'd Egyptians and Syrians after a skirmish the Assyrians beat the Egyptians over the Stage Enter Zelmura her Sword drawn Zelm. SHame and confusion sieze 'em how they run Their slow feet now outstrips the Postern Sun Oh Coward nature that with fear controuls Over the better half of humane souls Your Sex be ever branded for this deed A Sex that only