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
the fear of punishment I dare my guilt confess and crimes repent Smerdis by me was murder'd Dar. And by you Smerdis th' Impostor is protected too Prex. My Lord he is and I so high am grown To be advanc'd and rais'd next to his Throne View here what large extent my pow'r affords Shews his Commission Their Arms are mine and all the Persianâ— Swords Be not surpriz'd at this I ne're before Points to his Guards at which the Lords start Till now my Lords the Sword of Justice bore Thus I proclaim that Justice I design 'T is your command shall rule their Swords and mine Otan Your gen'rous proffer does surprize us more Than the strange news of your large pow'r before Prex. But you shall wonder more at what I 'le do When I am lead by Loyalty and you Dar. But by what Arts have you th' Impostor won Prex. By the same Arts I 'le pluck him from his Throne Since my guilt 〈◊〉 from Smerdis's blood arise I 'le make his Rival's blood his Sacrifice The Noblest Valour from Allegiance springs Who was the fall will be the rise of Kings Otan Justice and Glory in this Act will joyn And as your Seconds in this brave design Our Lives and Fortunes shall assistant be To th' height of Courage and of Loyalty Dar. In order that we may this deed fulfill We first will execute th' Impostor's Will Cambyses's solemn Exequies whilst all Our Army waits upon his Funeral And all the Persian Subject's wand'ring eyes Are idly fixt on our Solemnities Then to the height we our design will bring Proclaiming you the Persian Heir and King To Otan And Smerdis the Uâ—urper then surprize The Royal Palace the Impostor seize The City Gates the Tow'r the Forts secure All that may strengthen or enlarge our pow'r And in one moment all their Force suppress That shall oppose our glory and success And by this brave design we in one day Shall Conquer and redeem all Persia. Dar. 'T is bravely spoken now you 're worthy grown To be proclaim'd Protectour of a Crown Prex. But one thing Sirs must not escape your ears You are the onely men that Smerdis fears But I to carry on our just design And that we might without suspition joyn Assur'd him that your Faiths I did convince That you believ'd him the true Persian Prince I told him you were Loyal and you wou'd In his defence venture your States and blood Pretending then 't will with his glory stand T'unite both Armies under one command It is his pleasure that you should resign Both your Commissions and subscribe to mine Otan Still we expected this 't is his pretence To force us to a blind obedience Prex. I therefore in compliance think it fit You to the Tyrant's pleasure should submit Lest he suspect your Loyalty and mine And by that means we frustrate our design Nor that I 'de have you think that 't is my aim To rob your glories to enlarge my fame No all that I aspire to is to be The Author of an Empire 's Liberty Otan We yield and hope resigning our command We do but place it in a Nobler hand Both give him their Commissions Prex. And with your Arms I will your Trophies raise The Conquest shall be mine the Triumph yours As men build Temples not for their own praise But dedicate them to some higher pow'rs Dar. Go instantly to our chief Officers To his own Train Tell them that 't is the Persian Kings design Consulting both his interest and theirs Both Armies should under one conduct joyn And bid them in our Prince's name and ours Proclaim Prexaspes Genâ—ral of our pow'rs Exeunt all the Trains of Otanes and Darius Prex. Now to assure you that this high command Is not plac'd idly in Prexaspes's hand I le give you this first trial of my pow'r Guards seize those Traitors Guards seize Otanes Darius and Artaban 'T is your Fatal hour Your Stars will have it so Otan Dar. and Artab Hold your rude hands To the Guards Prex. You do forget resigning your Commands You must obey Dar. Inhumane Treachery Otan False Traitor to the Persian blood and me All. Unhand us Villains Prex. Sirs it is too late You have no time to dally with your Fate Your Heads must off and I must see it done My Lords you all shall set before our Sun On my command let your obedience wait To the Guards Conduct them to th' appointed Scene of Fate I 'le add this honour to your destiny To them Prexaspes will in Person see you dye Otan Are we your pastime Dar. Bold Traitor how can you so salvage be To Act and then to smile at Cruelty Prex. No more be serious I 've no time for sport Consider that your dates of Life are short Otan Perâ—idious Murderer and may just Heav'n Prex. Be gone perform that charge which I have giv'n Exeunt Otanes Darius and Artaban forced out by the Guards Since both Commissions now are in my hand And I do all the Persian Arms command Those Swords which are committed to my trust Prexaspes will take care they shall not rust Exit Finis Actus quarti Actus quintus Scena prima The Sâ—ene drawn Otanes Darius and Artaban appear bound and Chain'd in a dark Prison Otan Prexaspes Oh tame easie Faiths that we Could trust that salvage Scythian's Loyalty A Monster worse than Africk ever bred Whose Breast like Deserts is inhabited By nought but Poysons Dar. Your mistake does seem Rather a gallant Virtue than a Crime For in great Minds this gen'rous instinct Rules They by their own Copy all others souls Acting like those diseases where the eye In its own colours does all objects dye Enter Prexaspes Prex. My Lords the King is gracious and hath sent To try how you can brook Imprisonment Otan Imprisonment we think our greatest bliss There we can see neither thy Crimes nor His. Prex. Am I by those that wear my Chains contemn'd I thank ye Sirs ye have your selves condemn'd Guards there within Dar. Yes Traytor thou shalt see That we despise our Deaths as much as thee Enter Guards and Executioner Otan Must we not know the cause for which we fall Prex. The cause ha ha Yes Sir you shall It is Prexaspes's pleasure you should dye Dar. Is this the Justice of your Cruelty Prex. Justice Justice is but the breath of pow'r When ev'ry rising King and Conquerour Does make that Justice which his Pow'r makes Laws My Pow'r proclaims the Justice of my Cause And in your deaths my pleasure I fulfill 'T is just you dye to satisfie my will Otan Is then your thirst of blood the onely cause Prex. These idle interruptions make a pause Onley to give you breath for dye you must And it is just you dye because 't is just Artab And is this all Prex. I can some reasonsshow You 're Traytors to your King and Countrey too You Sir have twice attempted to set fire On Susa. You Darius did conspire To
thin and â—eigned shapes but know It was my Treason that transform'd you so And for this Masque the gods may thank me for 't 'T was I gave 'em the Subject for their sport Here the Alarm renews and some flashes of fire flye cross the Stage and the bloody Cloud interposes again and stays the two Tapers on the Altar flash and expire and Treason is heard from within and a noise of Swords What do I hear Enter Patasithes amaz'd Pat. Treason We are betray'd Smerd. And Heav'n it self too has the Traitor plaid Shall my Love thus like to these Tapers uhine Their light 's gone out and so I fear will mine Curse on their Riddles Treason cryed again Pat. Ha! the noise comes near My fears increase Smerd. No 't is too late to fear But oh that Smerdis could his Fate recall And Reign but one day longer er'e he fall To be reveng'd of Heav'n before he dyes I d'e turn their Temples to one Sacrifice Thus by our gods betray'd Can there be Treason harbour'd in that Name They 're all Impostors greater than I am Enter Theramnes Otanes Darius and Artaban with their Swords drawn Theramnes making a pass at Smerdis they each missing their pass close whilst they struggle Patasithes engages with Otanes and whilst Darius and Artaban offer to thrust through Smerdis in Theramnes's Arms Theramnes Speaks Ther. Thrust through us both rather than miss his heart Darius stabs Smerdis and Otanes kills Patasithes Dar. Fortune to guide my Sword took Friendships part Smerd. Was this th' Embrace in which the gods intend My Love and Life should with my Empire end T' has reacht my heart This Fate Heav'n had in store That thus my Wounded Heart should bleed no more Dyes Otan Now Daughter you have for your Countries good Done what becomes your Duty and your blood To Phed. Phed. What I have done was in a Crown 's defence And ' t was an Act of my Obedience Dar. But I this deed an Act of Love must call When you 're an Actor in my Rival's fall To Phed. There 's wanting yet to th' Triumphs of this day To Otan That you accept the Crown of Persia. Otan My Age and Youth with different passions move I am above the charms of Pow'r or Love My thoughts flye higher than t' inherit Thrones Not to wear Diadems but dispose of Crowns But since my Birth makes me an Empires Heir Thus I accept the Crown to place it here To Darius Dar. Should I accept your birth's and merits due I should both injure Persia and You. No my Ambition Sir shall never climb Where the acceptance of a Throne 's a Crime Otan Since you so nobly do refuse a Crown I will this Title of a Monarch own I as your King this second proffer make On your Allegiance wear it for my sake Dar. No Sir my Honour pleads in my defence I should be guilty in Obedience Otan Since you at this command refuse a Throne Thus I command you Take it as my Son Gives him Phed. Enter Orinda and Ladies Dar. In this my Lord you do new charms infuse Love makes me take what Honour did excuse In this you give more than a Crown I dare Accept an Empire to divide it here Bows to Phed. Omnes Long live Darius King of Persia. Here the two Tapers on the Altar light again by two flashes of fire which descend and kindle them 2. Priest This omen Heav'n does to your Empire shew That light expir'd with him revives with you Thus gloriously the sacred Tapers shone That day when Cyrus did ascend the Throne 1. Priest But e're we Crown you King 't is just you knew Our Laws are sacred next our gods and you Laws which by Monarchs too must be obey'd And in their right I now am bound to plead 'T is written Sir in Persia's strict Decrees If any Persian King by Treason dyes That day his Heir does his high seat supply His Predecessors Murderer must dye You therefore in Cambyses's cause are bound To Act his Justice first and then be Crown'd Dar. Ye gods that do to Kings this charge entrust You make us cruel when you make us just Bring in the Captive Princess Phed. What new Scene Is this that must your Justice entertain Dar. An object that had but her soul conform'd To that perfection which her eyes adorn'd Her Virtues glorious as her Beauty shown Madam she like your self deserv'd a Throne But since Cambyses's blood by her was spilt She by her own must expiate her guilt Justice and War in this alike partake The bloodiest spoyls the greatest Triumphs make Enter the Suppos'd Mandana in a Mourning Habit with a black Veil over her Face attended by Guards and Executioner Had we not ow'd that blood unto your hand Which does my Sentence and your Death demand You should not thus but a more noble way Have made a part i' th' Triumphs of this Day I then a milder Justice would have shown Not took your Life but have restor'd your Crown I 'm sorry then I 'm so ill taught by you By your Example to be cruel too Yet pardon me that Sentence I must give Which I want pow'r not pity to reprieve 1. Priest Her Sentence Sir is but too long deferr'd Dar. Then Executioner Phed. Hold till I 'm heard Darius I my duty should betray Not to shew pity where so much you pay Know then I am your Rival and dare own A share in this as well as in your Throne Princess your Birth and Fortune merits moâ—e To Mand. Than ev'ry common pity can deplore Heav'n to the great this cruel Fortune gives The gods have made you prodigal of your Lives To rob Mankind Enter Mandana lead in by Guards and Attendants Mand. At your command I come T' attend your Sentence and embrace my doom 1. Guards I was by that Impostor brib'd but loath Points to the other To violate my trust I brought'em both Dar. Your Fate is in such Mysteries involv'd That Riddle e're you dye must be resolv'd Points to the other Mand. What Friend or Ravisher robs me of my doom Borrowing my likeness to Usurp my Tomb To save my Life and Sacrifice their own Though Love may Rivals have sure Death has none Death has no charms or onely charms to me 'Cause dying I shall visit Heav'n and Thee My dear Osiris Osir. No he waits you here Undisguising himself and flinging off the Veil Osiris Madam has not left your sphear Mand. Osiris's soul and come to wait on mine Heav'n to our Loves this kindness does design Oh my dear Saint stay but till I am dead And from these Earthly Chains of Nature freed And then my soul shall go along with thine Whilst we in Aiery soft embraces twine We 'le like a mounting whirlwind upward move We 'le flye in Circles in the Arms of Love There the kind gods shall to our breasts inspire Such sparks of Heav'n such new and glorious fire That to that height we will
in your looks some great design I reade Or some request â—or which your eyes do plead Name it it shall be done Nothing shall makâ— me from my promise shrink For I dare Act whatever you dare think Ther. You cannot Act that kindness which I want Smerd. You cannot ask that which I cannot grant At your request Ther. Sir in a Ladies cause I am engag'd by Honours sacred Laws In her Revenge to Act a Champions part To right her wrongs on her Offender's heart But I shall be as blind in my pursuit As is that Justice I would Execute Nor can your pow'r where th' Objects are unknown Direct my hand nor reach them with your own Smerd. Theramnes you a Prince's pow'r mistake Monarchs the secrets of the skyes can track And search Heav'ns counsels hoâ— then can mankind Act in a Cloud that which we cannot find I 'le find them if they live But Sir her name Who does this Justice and your courage claim The time the place where they did Act their Crime Ther. The Scene it was your Palace Sir the time This Morning and her name is Phedima Smerd. That onely name does all my spirits awe Aside Then as I promis'd in your cause I joyn Ther amnes draw your Sword as I draw mine Draws To give the blow will direct you where And that you may not misâ—his Heart strike here Points to his Breast That you more boldly may her cause defend Know her Offender is your King and Friend What does your courage shake and must you pause When Honour calls you in a Ladies cause Or is 't your fear that does resist your Vow Ther. Though Vows are sacred so are Monarchs too 'T is not Great Sir the want of Courage stays My hand 't is Reverence o're my Valour sways Theramnes dares not think much less act that Which the most salvage Lyons tremble at For Lyoâ—s dare not 'gainst their Prince Rebel They want the pow'r to hurt and I the will Smerd. These slight excuses are too weak you must Perâ—orm your Vow or be proclaim'd unjust Ther. A stronger â—ye that promise does remit And I am now more just in breaking it No tyes of Honour ever yet could be So strong as the strict bonds of Loyalty Smerd. Then on your Loyalty I command you do What Honour and your Vow has bound you to Ther. And can you give so cruel a Command 'T is Death against my King to lift my Hand Smerd. And what is worse 't is Death 〈◊〉 disobey Ther. But dying thus I dye the nobler way Theramnes dares not strike but he dares dye When you will have it so Smerd. My Cruelty You do mistake Theramnes you shall live For that which I command I can forgive Ther. But you command what Heav'n cannot permit Smerd. The wills of Kings and Heav'n together meet You 've made a Vow to reach my heart and Heav'n To that great act it 's free consent has giv'n Your friendship not your sword shall act that part For you unarm'd Theramnes reach my Heart Embraces him Ther. Your favours are advanc'd to that vast height I fear that I shall sink under the weight Smerd. Sir since you are engag'd by Honours Laws To perform Justice in this Ladies Cause Go use all Arts and Arguments to bring Her to the presence of the Persian King Inform her that He knows those Ravishers And that their Insolence has reach'd his ears Since Justice to the right of Kings belongs Tell her He shall be proud to right her wrongs And as their Judge do Justice in defence Of Beauty and of injut'd innocence Ther. I go Smerd. And with success return and may Those Stars that govern Love direct your way Exit Theramnes This gen'rous contest gave me means to try Theramnes's Friendship and his Loyalty And happily I have contriv'd t' obtain The sight of my fair Conqu'rour once again But oh I can but think how I must now Be both the Judge and the Offender too But though I justly then deserv'd her frown Because she did not know I wore a Crown Now I more Nobly will her passion move I 'le make my Crown an Agent for my Love If she esteem her heart a gift too great I then will purchase what I can't intreat Enter to him Prexaspes in disguise lead in by the Guards Capt. of the Guards This Fellow Sir we in the Palace saw And that which we from his deportment draw His too suspicious looks and garb descry A guilty fear the mask of Treachery Smerd. Audacious Rebel Slave what bold design Prex. Sir my design is just Smerd. And so is mine And of my Justice thus I 'le give you proof See instantly the Traytor 's Head struck off To the Guards Enter Patasithes Prex. T' express that I dare dye for you that breath That rules Prexaspes life may give him death Undisguises himself Smerd. Prexaspes Pat. Ha! Prexaspes Smerd. Fatal chance Your care has witnest your Allegiance To the Guards Withdraw Exeunt Guards Dear Friend your doom is chang'd and now I must condemn my guilty self not you Embraces him Prex. In this disguise I from the Camp am come To tell you I have seal'd Cambyses doom Lead by my Counsel Sir he does design A three dayes Truce before the siege begin To which you must consent Things must appear as smooth as calmest Seas And Susa wear the flatt'ring smiles of peace Pat. Monarchs and Statesmen have these mutual â—yes They by each other do advance and rise Whilst he speaks they whisper Prex. I 'le gain you entrance Smerd. Well I do consent Prex. Your being unknown all dangers will prevent The Tyrants life shall with his Empire end Smerd. A Monarch's Patron and an Empire 's Friend Exeunt Scene continues Enter Theramnes and Phedima Ther. And Madam that you might see Justice done I promis'd to conduct you to his Throne But pardon me if I have gone too far When honour and my Friendship makes me erre Phed. Honour and Friendship too have their excess But since I may my Innocence express And in their Justice my revenge pursue Theramnes I submit to follow you Exeunt Scena Secunda The Scene open'd appears Smerdis seated on a Throne attended by Guards and other Attendants Enter again Theramnes and Phedima Ther. He to their tryal will th' Offenders bring Look there and see your Judge the Persian King Phed. Sure you mistake the Throne or I the Prince Ther. His Majesty that error will convince Exit Smerd. Fair Excellence Steps from the Throne 'T is true the name of Prince I changed have For that more glorious Title of your Slave But I recall that breath I should transgress Against your Beauty were my greatness less He must be more than Prince and Monarch too That so great Beauty dares adore as you Hence 't is your Royal Lover Persia's King Presumes to make his heart your Offering The Noblest Present that his Love can make And yet the lowest you can stoop to
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
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
Mand. Thus bruised Scorpions this Virtue have They yield a Cure to the same wounds they gave But whence Sir does your strange Alliance spring Ther. Sir I was Son to the late Syrian King Brother to the brave Amasis My Name Is Intaphernes Dar. I have heard his Fame What cause Sir was it and what happy chance That made you to the Persian Court advance Int. It was great Sir Revenge and Honours Charms My ill success against Cambyses's Arms I' th' Syrian Wars where my dear Father's blood Was spilt and mixt among the common flood My Army vanquisht and his Empire lost And all the hopes of my succession crost I saw Cambyses with my Lawrels Crown'd No other means for my Revâ—nge being found I came to Persia in a borrow'd Name To Right my wrongs and to repair my Fame By Acts of Chivalry and Martial sport I found acquaintance in the Persian Court With Patasithes I Alliance gain'd Who had the Persian Government obtain'd During Cambyses's Travels Him I won To place Cambyses's Brother in the Throne For he descending from the Median blood Which Empire Cyrus had so late subdu'd Took the Infection the design embrac'd But in the Throne he his own Kinsman plac'd Who in that borrow'd Name to th' Empire climbs Making my Sword a Parron to his Crimes And by that cheat abus'd the World and me Deluding both our Faiths and Loyalty Dar. Since Laws of Monarchy so rigid are That in my Throne my Friend 's forbid to share Accept an Empire in my Breast and here Gives him Orinda And may our Royal Sister in your Love As happy as I in your Friendship prove Otan Your worth brave Intaphernes makes her yours Int. Madam Orind. Obedience my consent procures Yet though a Father and a Brother too Have both bestow'd me as a gift on You I in that gift must grant the Nobler part They give Orinda I Orinda's heart Int. Yours in a Crown in Love's my happiness Mine may belower Sir than yours not less To Darius Dar. The Syrian Lawrels now shall fade no more Your Merits do your Ravisht Crown restore To Int. And for Those wrongs Cambyses has to Egypt done I give 'em back more than his Arms e're won Your self I to your Throne restore Thus Fate To Mand. Ordains that glory should on Beauty wait Osir. Do you remember now your Vows and Love Mand. Love of all Crimes cannot forgetful prove Since thus my calmer Fates restore my Crown Now the gods smile Mandana cannot frown Honour and Love now both perform their part I give an Empire where I give a heart Otan Though for your sake I do a Throne disdain Yet my Posterity with yours shall Reign To Darius And in your Heirs your blood shall mix with mine As divers Fountains in one Current joyn This to my Fame the only glory brings Not to wear Crowns but have a Race of Kings Dar. And this my onely glory I must own Adopted to your blood and to a Throne All that I am your Beauty rais'd me to I to a Crown aspire to merit you To Phed. Thus to a Throne no common wayes I move Others rise by Ambition I by Love EPILOGUE THe Persian Laws now cease to seem severe You have more cruel Laws that govern here Your undisputed pow'r who Iudges sit To Sentence all the trespasses of wit How can our Author then his doom recall He knows he must under your Iustice fall Being guilty of so capital a Crime As shedding so much Humane blood in Rhime Amongst ' you Wits such monstrous factions rage Such various censures that'tis thought the Stage Breeds more Opinions and produces far More Heresies than the late Civil war Nay Poets too themselves of late they say The greatest Hectors are that e're huff'd play Like the Issue of the Dragons teeth one brother In a poetick fury falls on t' other 'T is thought you 'll grow to that excess of Rage That Ben had need come guarded on the Stage Nay you have found a most compendious way Of Damning now before you see the Play But maâ—gre all your spight Poets of late Stand stoutly unconcern'd at their Play 's Fate Provided 't is their destiny to gain Like the fam'd Royal Slave a third dayes Reign Then sacrifice 'em as you please But if you 'll be so prodigal to give Our sawey Scribler a three dayes reprieve He impudently swears he 'll boldly sue When your hand 's in to beg your pardon too If this his first but prosperously hit And scape those Rocks where he sees others split He vows he 'll write once more only to show what your kind favour's influence can do Faith for once grant it that the World may say Your smiles have been the Authors of a Play Postscript I Would not be so ungrateful to the memorâ— of the Dead as not to acknowledge that mâ— fellow Student had some hand with me in thâ— beginning of this Tragedy but dying 〈◊〉 Moneths before the finishing of the Play 〈◊〉 did not live to see two Acts compleat nor arâ— there sixty lines of his remaining which littâ—â— concern has in the thoughts of some given hiâ— a Title to the whole And 't is the pleasure of others to accuse me of stealing out of an 〈◊〉 obsolete Tragi-Comedy called Cambyses Kiâ—â— of Persia a Play which I had never heard 〈◊〉 till this had been Acted but however thoâ—â— that have seen that may find that I might have borrow'd better language from Sternhold and Hopkins FINIS