Mistress but your second self a Friend Osir. My Rival Sir name him what Friend is he Dar. I am unknown to him and he to me Strangers to each Osir. This is a Riddle too A Friend and one you never saw nor knew Dar. But Sir I am no stranger to his Fame Theramnes's Virtues do my Friendship claim Osir. But whence arise this mystick sympathy Dar. 'T was Phedima's fair hand that made this tye His worth his deeds his service she commends That 't were unjust we should be less than Friends She gives him such a glorious Character That being his Friend I do but second her And then her Letters tell me how that she Has giv'n him such a Character of me That he already is impatient grown Till both of us are to each other known Osir. Friendship a stranger progress never made That by a Mediatour is convey'd You court Theramnes's Love a Friend unseen As Kings by Proxies Court a Forreign Queen Enter Messenger who delivers Darius a Letter Dar. From whence Mess. From Susa Sir Dar. Then may it prove Kisses the Letter Some kind and happy Embassy of Love Opens the out-side Letter and reads Auretta to her Lord Darius THe greatness of your generous favours and the confidence you have been pleased to place in me has obliged me having found this Letter escap'd from my Ladies hand to present it to yours as a token that I am still your most faithfull confident of your passion and Advocate in your Love Auretta Opens the inclosed and reads Theramnes to the Constant Phedima The Prologue 's strange but I 'le suppress my doubt And stay my wonder till I 've read it out Reades to himself and seems much disorder'd Osir. What sudden change does in his Face appear Such looks Darius brow ne're us'd to wear It must be something more than common blasts Of Fortune can raise storms within his breast Dar. Your most faithful and most happy adorer Theramnes Reads aloud Are these the plagues of Love Am I betray'd Has she a Contract with Theramnes made And can Heav'n suffer it Sir if you dare Ouâ—-face the worst of Treasons reade e'm there Gives the Letter to Osiris Try if your courage does not start to see A more inhumane Barb'rous cruelty Than Heaven or Hell Furies or Faâ—e or all Raginâ—â—â— But Woman can invent but these are small And petty sportive Crimes in them to prove False and disloyal to their Oaths and Love Is this the Man she prais'd Is Love so blind I could not see my Rival in her Friend Osir. She does your merits wrong But 't is the Fate Having read the Leâ—â—â— Of Lovers Sir to be unfortunate Dar. But since Darius such hard fortune beaâ—s I will out-do the malice of my stars I 'le be more cruel than my Fate I 'le make My just revenge my injur'd cause partake Revenge the onely pleasure of despair Him from her breast or her from his I 'le tear I 'le end my wrongs by his or my own Fate Losing her Love I will deserve her hate His blood or mine my fury shall aâ—one I 'le cause his fall or crush him with my own Exeunt Scena tertia Scene a private Walk Enter Phedima and Orinda Phed. Theramnes sure durst not commit a Fact Should forfeit all his Honour in one Act. The Virtues of his breast so numerous were He could not in one moment raze out all Great Virtues like great Empires ruin'd are They by degrees must sink before they fall To dare to write that which he needs must know Was false and I must needs resent it so Orind. No more I see Theramnes walk this way Phed. Then to resolve my doubt Orinda stay And tax him of his Love and by degrees Search out the grounds of his late injuries And sound his heart and how he does resent My Cruelty and his late banishment Exit Phedima within the Scenes to over-hear them Enter Theramnes Orind. â—heramnes let me but one question move Ther. Your pleasure Madam Orind. Did you ever Love Ther. What does she mean that she whom I adore Should ask me that I ne're durst speak before Assist me Courage that I may but prove So Valiant as to tell her that I Love Aside Orind. What does your answer need so great a pause Ther. And can you doubt th' effect who are the cause How can you think that he who sees your eyes Can be exemptd from their Victories To doubt I love you your own pow'r suspect From such bright charms who can his heart protect Strangers to Love must Strangers be to you Oâ—ind See how his confidence flatters me too But I perceive his Art he by this pause Seeks to divert me from my Sisters cause By forcing me t' a blush on my own score Aside That I may tax him in her name no more His guilt 's so great that he 's asham'd to hear But â—hall Sir these expressions needless are to him I know your Love Ther. What could my stars do more Then that Orinda knew my Love before Aside Orind. Since you your self a Captive do confess Theramnes then leave it to me to guess Your Conquerour Ther. How cunningly she would my passion hear Yet seems asham'd that I should tell it her Aside Well in such language I 'le my passion dress She shall not blush to hear what I 'le express Orind. But of what date has this your passion been Ther. Since the first day I had my Conqu'rour seen In a deep silence and as great a fear In vain I spent a long and tedious year And like that year now it 's whole course is run There find my self where I at first begun Orind. And could your passion to this height advance And you not dare to give it utterance Ther. My passion Madam I could ne're disguise So much but she might reade it in my eyes Beauties thaâ— in our hearts nourish a fire Like to the gods that do those flames inspire Their Servants silence seldom do mistake But know their wishes though they never speak Thus I have utter'd it Orind. And only thus Ther. Perhaps some few sighs an escape have made But those I checâ—t as too ambitious â—earing they had my high-plac'd Love betrai'd Orind. Did you ne're write to her whom you ador'd Ther. My passion ne're such courage could afford I never did nor durst Orind. Falseman I saw That Letter which you wrote to Phedima Where you so boldly did your Love defend And to heâ— heart so great a right pretend As if you there had been so long a guest That nothing could remove you from her breast Ther. What does she mean Unless she jealous be I Love else-where and tryes my constancy Aside If it be so how can I happier prove For where there 's jealousie there must be Love Orind. Speak did you not presume to tell her how You claim'd her Love by Contract and by Vow Can you deny 't or think I never saw Theramnes to the Constant
decrees I can move where I will act what I please Cambyses rules Cambyses's destiny Nor am I taught how to obey or dye Prexaspes see Mandana hither brought I 'le by my Love divert this sullen thought Prex. And must a Dream his Sanctuary be Protected by this Ridling Prophecy No though his stay has my designs o'rethrown I 'le take his Life though I expose my own Aside Exit Camb. Though they have thus foretold my destiny Perhaps my Stars have dreamt as well as I. Prexaspes enters with Mandana and Exit Mandana you 've my resolution heard The choice is easie speak are you prepar'd To be my Mistress or my Sacrifice Mand. When 't is your Royal pleasure Sir she dyes Camb. No no I will a milder sentence give It is my Royal pleasure you should live And live in my embraces too Mand. In his In his embrace that murder'd Amasis And more that bloody Tyrant that decreed Osiris's cruel Fate that barb'rous deed A deed enough t' infect the breath of Fame At which thy lesser treasons lose their name Camâ— And am I dallied with your doom is seal'd cambyses's sentence cannot be repeal'd Prepare to Love or dye choose and be free My speedy kindness or my cruelty Mand. Your cruelty my courage cannot bear Mandana then will in your kindness share I blush to say I offer up my heart But yet obedience is a Captives part Passionately Camb. Welcom kind Princess All the pow'rs above Shall envy at your kindness and my Love If there by any pow'rs above my own For they that call ' emselves the gods have none For if they had They had not to mankind this favour giv'n T' enjoy a blessing greater than their Heav'n We Princes to our selves our greatness owe They are but Kings above we gods below Now you are kind Mand. And why are not you so Camb. Can you my kindness doubt no you shall find 'T is you alone have taught me to be kind With the next Sun you shall your Reign begin To morrow you shall be proclaim'd my Queen Mand. No Sir that is not all Camb. Oh 't is not all Our Love does for a stricter kindness call The night the night Love's chief Triumphant hour When blushes o're our pleasures have no pow'r When Lovers Revel in each others arms Confining to one Circle all their charms To an embrace This to your Beauty's due First I will crown our Loves and then crown you Mand. Oh no Sir this is but a barren grant I still the crowning of my wishes want The favour I would have is this to dye Raising her voice at the two last words Tyrant your Love 's the greatest Cruelty Cambyses no you do mistake my part 'T is thus alone I 'le offer up my heart Not to your lust but Fury's Sacrifice Command my Death then though your Sword denies On Earth that Empire which my birth had giv'n Mandana will commence her Reign in Heav'n With my Osiris in that glorious seat Where Cruelty and Tyrants never meet Camb. How Captive am I scorn'd and scorn'd by you To shew what injur'd Majesty can do Your death to this dispute an end shall bring I 'le act no more your Lover but your King Your Beauty shall no more my Arm controul I 'le find a nobler passage to your soul. Proffers to draw his Sword to kill her Mand. Cambyses hold come I will milder be My kindness shall prevent your Cruelty Kindly Camb. Then use me thus no more and you shall know What Heav'n and Monarchs when they 're pleas'd can do Mand. Your Sword for nobler Actions is design'd To you then and my self I 'le now be kind I 'le rob you of my Death Draws her Dagger Camybses no Raises her voice Your Sword Sir shall not condescend so low To be a Womans Executioner My hand alone that guilty stain shall bear Rather then let a King that guilt contract Mandana her own murd'rers part will Act. In dying thus her kindness will be shown She 'le save your honour and defend her own Now Tyrant dare to violate her fame To stain her Virtue or to force her shame This this shall guard her from your injuries Pointing the Dagger tâ— her own Breast For when her Honour you attempt she dyes Enter Prexaspes Prâ—x Welcome this happy opportunity Aside Mandana hold you rob the World and Me. Runs to her and snatches the Dagger from her hand And to my Gracious Sovereign I bring This Present as a Subject's offering Advancing to Cambyses as if he design'd to present him the dagger Your Death proud Tyrant Dye Cambyses Dye Stabs him Camb. And by Prexaspes's hand â—roffering to resist but siâ—ks into his chair Prex. Yes Sir 't is I. Mand. Oh Murderer Help Guards Prex. That will not do Madam the Guards are safe and so are you Camb. Ungrateful Traytor must my glory be Unravell'd by so base a Slave as thee Did I for this my favours thus dispense And give thee being by my influence Prex. Ay Sir and 't was from you I understood This dextrous way of letting Monarch's Blood Camb. Oh that I could but so much pow'r recall As but to rise and crush thee in my fall Proffering to rise but cannot Or borrow so much kindness from my blood To swell so high to drown thee in a flood Oh lad I so â—uch poison in my breath At once both to pronounce and give thee death I would râ—venge my wrongs but 't is too late And Heav'n it self is a Consederate I do forget 't was by your wills decreed I by that Dagger and that hand should bleed Buâ— since ye gods ye did my Fate proclaim And ravisht from me both my Life and Fame To let me tamely fall may you pursue That just revenge which is to murder due But if you fail to right my wrongs and me May you want Temples Altars Flames and be From Homage and from Sacrifice debar'd And that which makes you gods be never fear'd My passion with my blood now milder flows Your dying Prince for your last pardon sues To Mand. sinking his voice Now all your scorn and Cruelty must cease Death that disarms my Love concludes its peace He dyes Mand. His unjust Fate has o're my wrongs prevail'd Farewel dead Prince death has thy pardon seal'd Though thou wert wicked yet thou wert a King But Traitor whence did thy black fury spring To Pâ—ex Who in your Prince's blood your hands embrue Prex. Madam His Death must copyed be by you Now is the time proud Girle in which I 'le prove The just Revenger of my injur'd Love Holding the Dagger towards her breâ—st Since you a greater Tyrant are than He 'T is just that you should share his destiny Enter Otanes Darius and Artaban Otan 'T is some strange cause our King thus long has staid Prex. Return'd so suddenly ha I 'm betraid Yet my Revenge I 'le end Goes stab Mandana Dar. Prexaspes hold Stays him What unshap'd fury makes your Arm thus
my fortune too The hand of War more cruel wounds ne're gave Osiris too is the proud Tyrant's Slave Could Providence this unjust deed design Osiris should wear any Chains but mine She Weeps Our Fate the malice of our Stars does prove If there be any Stars that envy Love Enter to her Osiris Osir. Do you remember those strict Vows you made And those soft Charms in whispers you convey'd When I and Egypt both did happy prove They in their King I in Mandana's Love Mand. I do Osiris And remember too I alwayes paid my promises to you Osir. Your Constancy confirms that happiness Which your high favour did at first confer But souls so much divine can do no less As gods are constant 'cause they cannot erre This day I hope our Mutual Loves shall crown Mand. Yes Sir it shall if Heaven will give us leave Osir. When you Mandana smile Heaven cannot frown Mand. No unkind fate does your fond hopes deceive You know Osiris that I made this Vow That with my Love I would my Crown bestow And from her Vow Mandana will not start I 'le give an Empire when I give a heart But since my Captive fate my Crown has lost Your hopes and mine thus equally are crost To give you less would seem too low a thing My heart alone 's too mean an Offering Osir. In this decree you do too cruel prove To think that Fortune can give Laws to Love And to your Beauty you 're injurious grown You cannot borrow lustre from a Crown No he who in Mandana's Breast does Reign Is taught all meaner Empires to disdain Mand. Osiris no your too fond zeal mistakes Love will admit no Slaves but what it makes Love by our miseries would sullied be Eclips'd and Clouded in Captivity Our Fate the Crowning of our Love controuls Osir. We have but Captives fortunes not their fouls Their fouls to th' highest pitch of greatness rise That can the empty frowns of Fate despise In our dark fortune Love will shine more bright As Diamonds borrow lustre from the night Mand. No no you must your hopeless Love forgo You must Osiris Love will have it so Osir. And can you give what I shall ne're enjoy Can Love a Lovers happiness destroy Mand. If e're my Stars my ravisht Crown restore She Sighs Till then expect that I can give no more Osir. You are too cruel Mand. No I am too kind This resolution in my breast is sign'd Proffers to go out at which Osiris offers to speak I do command you urge no more Osir. You may Command my Death you know I must obey Mand. No my Osiris live and live to be More happy then you can be made by me Yet from your Breast Let not Mandana be so far remov'd But still you may remember that we Lov'd Exit Osir. Oh my hard fate She does deny me Love yet bids me live Yet 't is her kindness does this sentence give How strangely is my Happiness destroy'd Her too much Love Love's ruine has decreed As Lamps that surfeit when they 're overcloy'd Do perish by that Oyl on which they feed Exit Scena tertia The Scene a Palace Enter Smerdis and Patasithes with Guards and Attendants Pat. 'T was by Heaven's pleasure and our wills decreed To place the Crown of Persia on your head Let dull successive Monarchs idly wait To be enthron'd by the flow hand of Fate And Phoenix-like expect their rise and power Onely from th' ashes of an Ancestour You by a Nobler force have Empire gain'd Wresting the Scepter from Cambyses hand Thus on his ruine you his Throne ascend And make the means as glorious as the end Smerd. The Fate of Crowns depends on common chance Fortune and pow'r may to a Throne advance But to confirm that Crown our pow'r affords Requires our souls more active than our Swords Pat. You must yet Act unseen and veile your pow'r Untill your Thunder 's in your hand secure Till then Sir you your Majesty must shrowd Like Lightning taking birth first from a Cloud Till you like that a full-blown glory wear And gain at once both reverence and fear Enter Theramnes Ther. Your Subjects joys grow loud as is your fame Persia speaks nothing now but Smerdis name And their excessive joys so high advance Their Piety's joyn'd with their Allegiance Rendring thâ—t Homage which to Heaven is due Adoring less the rising Sun than you Smerd. 'T is this must make my Sov'reignty compleat Those joys that speak them Loyal speak me great Ther. You Conq'rours have out-done your name affords The subject of more Trophies then their swords Great Cyrus glories must submit to you He Conquer'd Nations you their hearts subdue Smerd. This is but half a Conquest who defends A Crown conquers his Foes as well as Friends And now our cause for speedy action calls Cambyses is in sight of Susa's Walls Go then Theramnes muster all our Force Our Syrian Infantry and Persian Horse Pâ—epare such strength that it may be exprest That we can conquer if he dare resist Ther. I do not Conquest doubt whilst Monarchs are Themselves above plac'd in a higher sphear You like the Heav'ns your sacred pow'rs dispense You 'll give us Conquest by your Influence Exit Smerd. See how the fond deluded World mistakes And what false light my borrow'd glory makes Yet such as dazles Persia. This disguise Has rais'd so thick a mist before their eyes That my best Friends Theramnes and the croud Of wondring Subjects all are in one Cloud And their mistaken Faiths so far advance That they seem Rivals in Allegiance Like their Devotion who the gods implore Men first believe and then they do adore Pat. Thus Kings and Beauty in this Title share 'T is the adorers eye makes Beauty fair The Persians thus by their Allegiance show You 're the true Prince if they but think you so Smerd. I by such Arts do the Worlds Empire sway As the Worlds frame does Natures Laws obey Mov'd by a Cause admir'd but never known Secrets of State and Heav'n agree in One. Thus I and thus the gods themselves disguise Their high'st designs in darkest Mysteries Exeunt Scena quarta The Scene continues Enter Phedima and Orinda Orind. Love in my breast should with slow progress move Were there no other interest in Love Phed. Why what more can there be Orind. Yes I would have My Beauties Captive be my Honours slave Brave Conq'rours scorn the prize they win whilst they Aim onely at the fame of Victory But your too humble Love takes a low flight When you thus dote upon a Favourite Can your Darius Phed. Can Darius seem Unworthy then of Phedima's esteem 'T were Impious to wish my passion less His merits not my Love have their excess Orind. Love like a pleasant Dream disturb'd or crost The fancy wakes and then the pleasure 's lost My presence then will but injurious prove Scornfully Silence and privacy are fit for Love Exit Phed. And can she
take Phed. The Persian Monarch's Love Now I 'le proclaim My Constancy to my Darius's flame My courage in this cause shall act such things Aside I 'le prove my Faith by my disdain of Kings I 'le treat him so that Fame shall witness be None ever Lov'd or ever scorn'd like me Are you the Judge to prosecute the Laws Of Justice in those bold Offenders cause Why then kind Judge do you forsake your Throne E're you 've the Tryal heard or Justice done Smerd. Your bold Offender does repent his Fact And I but ill his Judge's part could Act. To beg his pardon I resign my seat From being his Judge to be his Advocate Phed. But lest his Crime should want a just Revenge As you change yours I will my Office change From his Accuser to his Judge whilst I To Act your Justice will your seat supply Steps into the Throne Enter Patasithes unseen For since he Loves I 'le use a Mistress's pow'r With all the rigour of a Conquerour Pat. Ha! what strange Interlude must here be shown A Woman seated on the Persian Throne Aside Phed. This diff'rence Kings with common Captives have Onely the Title of a Royal Slave And how can Beauty rule a Nobler way Then to command thus whilst their Slaves obey Pat. 'T is she I 'le stop But stay I 'le use no force I 'le check her pride by a more subtle course Aside Phed. Although you Monarchs are exempt from Laws As wanting higher Pow'rs to Judge your cause Yet that you Smerdis may have Justice done Since you want Laws I 'le Judge you by my own Smerdis what can you say in the defence Of your late rude and salvage violence When Ravisher your guilt so high was grown T' attempt my Virtue and to blast your own Smerd You know I was not Author of that Fact Hâ—nour nor Love durst ne're such stains contract For they Heav'ns favour would but ill implore Who first prophane the Deity they adore Phed. Honour and Love are but respective things Greater or less in Subjects or in Kings In which if Kings transgress the more sublime Their greatness is the greater is their Crime And though you 're now transform'd into a Prince That Title does but heighten your offence Smerd. Such Beauty does so well become the Throne Be pleas'd fair Judge t' accept it as your own Where you shall Reign in glory and give Law To him that wears the Crown of Persia. Phed. I scorn your Throne and him that proffers it My pow'rs too great an equal to admit Descends from the Throne No Smerdis Phedima is not so low As to descend unto a Throne and You. Two lights together cannot equal shine Mine will Eclipse your glory or yours mine And 't would a lesser Honour be to have A King my Equal than a King my Slave Exit and after her Smerdis Pat. Is Love an object for his mind which shou'd Be now imploy'd with thoughts of War and Blood Cambyses now may his revenge pursue And eas'ly conquer where Love can subdue Love does debase all Courage and he is Like tame Beasts onely fit for Sacrifice But I 'le invent a Cure Studies Well I 'le remove Her safe enough both from his pow'r and Love Love is a Passion for luxurious peace When idleness indulges the disease But not for Active souls I 've found the way To turn that current which I cannot stay Exit Scena tertia Scene the Palace Enter Smerdis with a Letter Smerd. He that so well a King can counterfeit Should scorn to stick at any smaller cheat From his own Copies too I have so near Pursu'd Theramnes Hand and Character That the most curious nay Theramnes's eye Did he but see 't could scarce the cheat descry Well it must take I shall so happy prove Both to find out and to confound their Love Enter Theramnes who seeing Smerdis offers to withdraw Theramnes stay Ther. I fear I am too rude Smerd. Theramnes no a Friend cannot intrude Ther. But I have prest into your privacies Smerd. Friendship above all private business is Unless it be the high concerns of Love And Honour But there we two equal prove Rivals in both Ther. What means my King Smerd. I mean Onely one Beauty o're us both does Reign Ther. No you whose Empire 's greatness is above All Rivals should admit none in your Love And think you that my confidence aspires To Court that Beauty which my King admires Smerd. Think you I can believe you never saw The eyes and charms of the fair Phedima Or can you utter so prophane a word To say she can be seen and not ador'd Ther. Love like Religion never chose one way That all should to one object homage pay The Sun does to the World his sight afford But by the Persians onely is ador'd Smerd. Because the rest o th' World are ignorant And do the knowledg of his God-head want But you who know how great Divinity In Phedima's most sacred breast does lye Can't but adore her Ther. Yes I can do more I am beyond her Beauties charms and pow'â— In this one glory I out-rival you Those eyes which did the Persian King subdue Their pow'rs too weak to Captivate my heart Smerd. His Love 's too strong to be compell'd by Art Or forc'd to a Confession Aside 'T was th' excess Of passion made my jealousie transgress But now I 'm satisfy'd That I may prove I don't suspect your Loyalty nor Love I will intrust this Letter to your care But you must first on your Allegiance swear Ther. I swear And in obedience to your will Whatever you command I will fulfill That to a Subjects care you dare intrust Since your commands can be no less than just Smerd. Present that Letter then to Phedima And if she chance to ask by whom 't was writ Beware you do not tell her but withdraw Lest that she should refuse the reading it Then carefully forbear to visit her Untill such time that she an answer sends For by that means I shall my suit prefer And you will thus oblige your best of Friends And then Sir whatsoe're her answer be For through your hands 't will come present it me Exit Theramnes with the Letter Though he so resolutely did maintain He did not Love their Love is but too plain How could she else such cruelty have shown To him who with his Love proffer'd his Throne Her passion has some more than common tye When proffer'd Crowns can't shake her constancy And that Theramnes is the Object too What was it else made him so rashly Vow When he but late Acted her Champions part To right her wrongs on her Offenders heart When the slight wrongs could onely cause afford For a Womans anger and a Lovers Sword But yet this Letter will my doubts remove I shall discover their intrigues of Love â—f so By treach'rous smiles I will his ruine Act As stranded Vessels in a calm are Wrackt Exit Scena quarta
Exit Camb. Captive farewel Since you so stubborn prove I will take care you shall be taught to Love A gust of passion has uncalm'd my soul My blood does with a livelier motion roul A fierce assault my drowsie soul does storm And bids my Love wear a more manly form My Reason now shall my blind passion guide I 'le be a Vassal to her Eyes not Pride Since then my mildness could not win a smile I 'le learn to court her in a rougher stile Enter Oâ—anes Darius and Artaban My lab'ring thoughts must now make truce My Lords Will there be an imployment for our Swords How strong 's their Garrison how great their Force Otan Their number Sir is fifty thousand Horse And twice that number is their Infantrie Camb. Then they are fit to be o'recome by me You then must know from whence this War does spring And who would be my Brother and your King Dar. Who but your Brother durst your seat supply A baser blood could ne're have thoughts so high Camb. You are mistaken Sir he wears no Crown Unless that some kind god has lent him one Smerdis is dead Otan How dead And by whose hand Camb. It was by his and 't was by my command Points to Prex. Otan Then the War 's done you 've rob'd us of our Foe Camb. Ay Sir of him I rob'd you long ago 'T is not my Brother that does wear my Crown Artab Your Brother dead yet Smerdis in your Throne Dar. Who then is he dares that high Title claim Usurping both your Empire and his name Camb. False Patasithes whom I rais'd above Either my Subjects Envy or their Love Has in requital rob'd me of that Throne Under whose lustre he so bright was grown Thus the Moons kindness does the Suns requite Eclipsing him from whom she takes her light His Kinsman Smerdis he does subtly bring To represent my Brother and your King Enter to them Smerdis disguis'd What 's he that to our Presence does intrude Smerd. Sir 't is my Loyalty that makes me rude Prex. 'T is he Great Sir who in our cause does joyn The chiefest Agent in our Grand design Camb. And do you know that Smerdis Sir that wou'd Lay claim both to my Empire and my blood Smerd. Dread Sir to me he is so near ally'd He from my breast cannot his secrets hide Camb. But are you sure he is your trusty Friend To Prex. Prex. As sure as all the tyes on Earth can bind Smerd. On this great King we 've founded our design The charge of Susa's Western Gate is mine And that which to our safety does conduce You know the cons'quence of a lazy Truce Truces which seem but Martial Masques and are The Crimes of Peace drest in the garb of War Know then during this Truce his Forces be Arm'd onely for their ease and Luxurie You then this Night shall with your Army wait I 'le give you entrance at the Western Gate Then on the East I 'le give a false Alarm That e're his Party shall have time to Arm You shall have forc'd your Passage won the Town Seiz'd the Usurper and regain'd your Crown Camb. Well I 'le this Night advancing in their head To Susa my Triumphant Forces lead None but my Sword my quarrel should decide Dar. Conquest and you Sir ever were ally'd But Sir the breach of Truce a stain will be To the bright glory of your Victory 'T will an Eclipse to your great Fame produce Camb. Why Sir was it not I that made the Truce Dar. It was Camb. Then what I made I may destroy In this design you must your Swords imploy Dar. When you command the cause we do not weigh You 've taught our Swords to Conquer and obey Camb. See that our entrance be with care prepar'd To Smerd. We shall not want success nor you reward Exit Cambyses Otanes Darius and Artaban Smerd. Nought but his death shall for reward suffice For when he enters Susa's Walls he dyes 'T is the last Conquest that his Sword shall have To win that ground on which he makes his Grave Brave Friend Prex. His death shall make our Friendship good No tyes so strong as what are writ in blood Exeunt Finis Act secundi Actus tertius Scena prima Scene The Palace Enter Smerdis Patasithes and Captain of the Guards Capt. THe Guards are set the Ambuscado laid Pat. All preparations for the deed are made Smerd. You know your charge in this design go wait And give him entrance at the Western Gate Exâ—unt Paâ—asithes and Capt. Enter Theramnes with a Letter Ther. Great Sir your Royal pleasure is obey'd Your Letter I with my own hand convey'd And this I guess her answer does declare For though it does no superscription bear From hence 't is yours I do the more presume Your Titles being too large for so small room Smerd. Yes they are large When they beyond the name of King extend To that more glorious Title of your Friend Embraces him You know your charge Sir in this Nights design Ther. Rivals in Empire can't together shine This Night Cambyses dyes Whilst Smerdis is Crown'd for our King he for our Sacrifice Exit Smerd. Now if I find he does her Love enjoy Opening the Letter Her kindness then her Lover shall destroy I know his courage and I will take care In this Nights cause he shall engage so far To meet his Death 'T is a small Crime to prove False to my Friendship to promote my Love Reades the Letter Phedima to Theramnes PRoud Traitor since your confidence has rais'd yoâ— to a pitch above fear or shame to dare to profane my eyes with such a scrowl of Blasphemies in taxing Phedima of a Contract to Theramnes Since your guilty passion has made this your first address know that you have rais'd your Love on the ruines of your Friendship and that your guilt may be your punishment may you Love still and to that height that I may triumph in my scorn and make my cruelty able to give deeper wounds than my eyes Love and dispair But since your eternal Banishment can onely give a stop to all future Crimes of this Nature never dare to see me more This does dissolve my fears These lines do shew Smerdis is happy now but cruel too To be thus jealous of so brave a Friend But since I did 'gainst Friendships Laws offend I 'le Act such things as shall my fault redeem Kings can both Act and expiaâ—e a Crime And though Theramnes Friend did the offence Theramnes King that Crime will recompense Exit Scena secunda Scene the Camp Enter Darius and Osiris Dar. During this Truce we will to Susa go To pay a debt I to my Princess owe. Two Sovereigns young Prince have each their part The King my hand and Phedima my Heart But Sir your Friendship shares part in my Breast I can't give y' all but trust you with the rest This Visit too is not alone design'd T' a
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
Stars to Heav'n Weeps O Tyrant Tyrant is a name too good For him whose soul 's so deeply stain'd in blood Inhumane Murd'rer had you learnt the sence Of Virtue from Osiris's Innocence Or borrow'd so much blushes from his blood You had not rob'd the World of all that 's good But Sir I hope you don't this Virtue want Sinking her voice But what you 're pleas'd to promise you will grant You promis'd that Mandana should this day Enjoy Osiris Camb. Ay and so you may Mand. Tyrant why then does not Mandana fall To mix her blood with his Camb. Madam you shall Unless you instantly resolve to prove More just to the great Persian Monarch's Love Maâ—d I Will do more than Love let but your breath Pronounce my Fate I 'le thank you for my death And Iâ—le embrace it too as your kind gift And th' onely happiness on Earth that 's left Weeps Come in my Death let me your favour find What must Mandana court you to be kind Raising her Voice I do conjure you strike by all your guilt Your cruelties the blood your Rage has spilt By all that sacred debt of Love I owe Osiris nay and more my Hate to you What are the furies vanishâ— from your soul What sudden tameness does your arm controul Or is your fierceness calm'd your rage subdu'd Stifled with Murders and or'e-cloy'd with blood My Virtues are not ripe enough t' afford A Subject for a bloody Tyrant's Sword Weeps Camb. Since Death would such a signal favour be You shall wait longer for your destiny Monarchs should not their favours rashly place But Consider e're they pass their Acts of Grace No you shall live and live till you have known The infl'ence of an angry Monarch's frown Your tears shall otherwise b' imploy'd to mourn That your Pride durst Cambyses's favour scorn Exit Mand. I dare not look my soul 's so much amaz'd Where I before for ever could have gaz'd Oh that I could but weep away my sight To share with Thee in an eternal Night Or that I could but melt in tears away That when our rising Sun proclaims the day With Morning dew I by his Rays might be Exhal'd and snatcht up to his Heav'n and Thee Exit Finis Actus Tertii The Curtain falls Actus quartus Scena prima The Scene drawn Cambyses is discover'd seated in a Chair sleeping The Scene representing a steep Rock from the top of which descends a large Cloud which opening appear various shapes of Spirits seated in form of a Councel to whom a more glorious Spirit descends half way seated on a Throne at which the former Spirits rise and Dance In the midst of the Dance arises a Woman with a Dagger in her hâ—nd at which the Scene shuts In the time of this Representation this Song is sung from within as Suppos'd by Spirits YE subtle Pow'rs that rule below Onely where â—orrour dwells Whose deep dark Cells Admit no other light Then that by which you mortal Fates do write Th' events of all your knowledge does foreknow The Prince of Fate 's already set That Prince who does in Constellations write Those glorious Characters of light The destinies of all that 's great Chorus To councel then to councel strait With all your Ministers of State T' attend the â—igh decrees of Fate Cambyses rises from his Chair as newly waking and seems disorder'd Camb. A Fatal Dagger and a Womans hand Enter to him Prexaspes Prex. This Night great Sir your Presence does demand 'T is now th' appointed hour your Forces wait To gain admission at the Western Gate Sir you forget your self one moments stay Hazards your Crown and loses you the day Camb. Tell me no more of hazards nor of Crowns Cambyses threatn'd by a Woman's frowns Prex. Remember Sir your Honour 't is does call Your Empire 's safety and th' Impostor's fall And now 's the time What can you tardy be To wait on Triumph Camb. Let Triumph wait on me I will not go Prex. Not go what pow'rful cause Can force your courage to retreat or pause Or can you leisure rof debate afford When Conquest and revenge invites your Sword Camb. No I shall meet my Fate but thanks to Heav'n My Friends above have timely notice giv'n Prex. Ha! meet his Fate He dreams of Treason too Some superstitious god has told him so aside Can you fear dangers or can dangers be An envious Cloud 'twixt you and Victorie Or is the pow'r of Heav'n so dreadful grown That fearing that you can forget your own No Sir you must this glorious deed fulfill Let gods be gods you are Cambyses still Since you are with Prophetick thoughts possest Seeing Cambyses make no answer he proceeds What mystick fears have thus disturb'd your breast Camb. My lab'ring fancy lead me to the brow Of a steep Rock that shaded all below From thence I saw a low-hung Cloud appear Swoln big with mists and loaded with the Air Which with ingender'd Tempests seem'd to roar Reel'd sunk and stagger'd with the weight it bore A num'rous issue from its bowels flew Whilst the Cloud broke and melted to a dew In which the wanton Spirits bath'd and plaid And greedily upon their Mother prey'd Then from above I saw the Prince of Fates his Arm display Lightning and Thunder usher'd in his way His Scepter mov'd bow'd his Imperial head The lower Fates with Reverence obey'd Their Volumns instantly were brought and He Op'ning the Fatal Legend pitcht on Me. Then in the Councel a dispute did grow Whether Cambyses mortal were or no. But they in vain their arguments did bring The Prince of Fates said No I was a King Straight in the midst I saw a Woman stand Grasping a bloody Dagger in her hand She by her looks their Sentence did condemn And by her posture threaten'd Me and Them Then as I wak'd methought I saw the dart Snatcht from her hand and levell'd at my heart Prex. And can a dream Cambyses's spirits daunt Riddles as dark as are the Nights they haunt Your groundless jealousies unjust appear Thus greatest Valours smallest dangers fear As Lyons tremble at a spark of fire Shall it be said Cambyses did retire Or shrink from that brave cause he should maintain Dreams are but th' unshap'd Monsters of the brain And Monster-like should onely be abhorr'd No more delays you must imploy your Sword Camb. Urge me no more Should I to Susa go Fate has design'd I from a Woman's hand my death should find Are these your stratagems you had forgot To keep your projects close I 'le spoil your plot My Pow'r has o're their policy this odds I 'le stay at home and disappoint the gods I 'le baffle your Divinity And since They have resolv'd it I'lemy Stars convince Their borrow'd infl'eâ—ce common Fates may sway Cambyses has a greater pow'r than they Stars are like Galley-slaves chain'd to a sphear And Subject-like onely Heav'ns Vassals are To move by Laws act what th' higher pow'r
seize the Palace and the Treasury You Otanes have sworn Confed'racy With Persia's Enemy the Scythian King All these and other Treasons I could bring But you shall dye then to the World they all Shall publisht be to justifie your fall Otan Blasphemous Lyar Artab Is not our Murders which you have decreed Sufficient but our honours too must bleed Prex. Your Lives and Honours must no longer shine But be extinguisht to make way for mine Smerdis must be depos'd by me alone And then Prexaspes steps into his Throne That my ambition may arrive to this First I 'le take off your Heads then strike at His. Otan Though Smerdis be he whom I most do hate Could I but beg one dayes reprieve of Fate I 'de be the first should thy designs betray Prex. Ay Sir so in the other World you may These will be pretty stories for the dead And for that end you first shall lose your Head Strike him The Executioner bows down his Scymitar in sign of denial What disobey'd Or is it blood you fear To the Executioner Since my design wants an Interpreter And your tame soul can't construe my intent Slave thou shalt dye to trye th' experiment To you my Lords this Honour I 'le afford To fall by me and this Almighty Sword Draws his Scymitar Stand fair Stay one thing I forgot I 'm told You leagues of Friendship with Theramnes hold Darius hearing Theramnes's Name â—ight A sigh I know to such a Friend is due But be not troubled he shall follow you Friends must not part I 'de thoughts t' have had him here And for your sakes and mine I wish he were That he might see this Arm. Advances to strike off Otanes's head at which the Executioner undisguises himself and appears to be Theramnes at which the Guards seize Prexaspes disarm him and unbind Otanes Darius and Artaban and restore their Swords and bind Prexaspes Ther. Thou hast thy wish He sees that Arm and so shalt thou feel his Prex. Traytors unhand me slaves what do you know Who'tis you should obey Ther. Yes Sir they do And so shall you know too Your Guards are mine And your life Traytor Prex. Curse on your design And curst be all the Stars that rul'd this day That could or durst Prexaspes's life betray Am I at once of all my hopes depriv'd Ther. Your greatness grew too fast to be long-liv'd Dar. Theamnes living and preserv'd to be The Author of our Lives and Liberty What sudden change does all my thoughts surprize Or dare I trust the witness of my eyes How stiff I am and undispos'd to move These pleasant charms unwilling to disprove Like him who Heav'n in a soft dream enjoys To stir and wake his Paradise destroys Otan As Ship-wrackt men who on some shoar are cast Look back upon the dangers they have past Their horror so much of the wrack retains The scarcely know their safety nor the means This miracle of Honour done by you Kind Sir obliges and confounds us too The explication we from you must know Ther. To Love and Friendship you your safeties owe. Theramnes could not see him â—all nor I Points to Darius Could live to see Orinda's Father dye Hearing that you in Prison were detain'd By my Usurper by Prexaspes's Hand His bâ—ack intentions rouâ—'d my soul alarm'd My sleeping spirits and my courage arm'd I was resolv'd in spight of Fortunes hate Either to follow or prevent your Fate But being from all other means debarr'd My onely means was left to win the Guard Which their old General with ease did sway They had not quite forgot whom to obey 'T was by their help I am so happy grown To save your Lives on which depends my own Dar. The greatest wrack my wond'ring soul endures Is how you have preserv'd your Life not ours Ther. Know then when you did of my Life despair And left me to brave Megabyses's care That fam'd Physitian whose great skill can prop Mens sinking Frames and Humane ruines stop His Art the pow'r of Destiny controuls Gives Laws to Nature and Reprieves to souls When he had by his subtle knowledge found My parting Life still struggled in my wound Then what strange skill what unknown Arts he us'd What pow'rful balms he to my wounds infus'd Great Miracles are still great Mysteries That were too hard to tell let it suffice He forc'd my flying soul to a retreat And re-inforc'd my senses in their seat But then hearing your dangers I prevail'd T' have my death publisht and my Cure conceal'd Till in your Service I a proof could give I had done something to deserve to live Dar. You do too much my burden'd soul o'recharge For to bear this I must my soul enlarge My joys are but too weighty for my heart Artab To make 'em lighter let us bear a part Dar. No Sir this is so great a happiness Dividing of it cannot make it less Brave Friend Embraces Theramnes Otan But now I have a cause affords A Nobler Subject for all Loyal Swords Ther. Name it for what cannot Theramnes do When he 's imploy'd for Loyalty and You Otan 'T is the deposing Smerdis Ther. How beâ—ray Him who the Scepter and my Sword does sway Otan Whaâ— an Impostor Ther. Hold this must not be Can you forget what 's due to Majesty Were 't not from you Do not abuse your Friend He is my King and him I must defend Dar. He whom you serve that borrow'd Title wears Shame to a Throne and to the Name he bears Alas that Traytor the true Smerdis slew Points to Prex. Prex. Ay and intended the same Fate for you Ther. And what is an Impostor then maintain'd To wear a Crown and by my guilty hand A base low Traytor too and could my Sword A Sanctuary to his Crimes afford But Sir can you forgive me this offence Otan Your Sword can your Sword 's errours recompense Ther. Once more the Executioner's my part My Sword shall now do Justice on his heart To right my wrongs I in your cause will joyn Otan We cannot fail in such a brave design Dar. But for this Action we must be prepar'd To strike like Thunder e're the blow be heard Otan But e're I go I must his sentence give Traytor thy punishment shall be to live To Prex. Thou in this Prison and these Chains shalt lye I love you not so well to let you dye Exeunt all but Prexaspes Prex. Curses pursue Theramnes All is gone I 'm faln into a Prison from a Throne And what 's the worst of miseries I still Keep the desire though not the pow'r to kill I should not wish my ruine to recall Had I but sunk an Empire in my fall And made all Persia in my ruine â—hare That when Posterity my deeds should hear It should such horror from my name contract Trembling to heaâ— what I made sport to Act. But now must calmly dye Had I but first Like Earthquakes through the trembling World disperst Shook
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