I utter it aside Moar. Silence bright Soul for Lovers is not fit Say what ill news Amas. Aid me ye Deities Then breifly thus our love with mutual ties Of firm affection oft has dar'd our fate And thereby made us both unfortunate This makes me conscious of what griefs arise From wilful love what plagues what Miseries As freind to your good fortune to request That you would change I cannot speak the rest aside Love charms my utterance and denies me power Zelm. behind Do it or do not hope to live an hour Moar. To change my Love how do not give my sense Cause to reprove such charming Excellence Your breath till now stand Roses in the bud The Western gales were not so sweet so good But this request has soild your lustre so What was divine does now but mortal shew Amas. Let not vain hopes too much beguile your Youth Our holy Prophet ne're spoke more truth For to make kind our future destiny You may suppress your love and so must I. Live happy therefore and past Joyes restore But from this moment never love me more 'T is out and now shroud me some gloomy cloud Exit Moar. Such words the Gods durst not have spoke so loud Rend Earth i' th' midst and split ye fatal Skies Whose Planets dare to appoint such prodigies To Caves immense let th' Ellements retire And mix together earth air sea and fire Till mingled in confusion all may be As first they were in natures infancy For since this age do's pristine ills surpass Oh happy Choas where no falshood was A barb'rous Princess who would beauty trust Who would believe in vertue or be just If vertue this allows in noble blood Vertue 's a crime and vice it self is good The Gods themselves if tamely this they see Are false and baser than mortallity Enter Zelmura Zelm. What Demon Sir hath alter'd thus your fate I met my Sister at the Castle gate Fire darting from her eyes her lovely face So chang'd with rage it banisht all her grace Calling you base perfidious false and then Musing a while she 'd fall to Curse agen Such rapid frenzies posted from her breast I could no less then think she was possest For she methinks whom passion did so blind Might have found words more gentle and more kind But ignorance of the truth me hither draws To know the reason and enquire the cause Moar. The Cause why Madam ' dsdeath I cannot tell 'T is the same Cause that damns the souls in Hell A Heaven lost for want of loving well Zelm. Come come dissemble not you slighted her That you to me your passion might prefer And though I 'me haughty vassals you Shall find a temper that to Love is due If without more delayes you prove your bliss And your long closely smoother'd Love confess Moar. What strange Chimera's Madam plague your mind Love you by Heaven I hate all woman kind Not you alone but all curst Crockadiles Ye couch damnation in seducing smiles I 've lost my faith to think 't is Heaven to Love My sense do's now i' th' contrary move For if a Hell there be as it is said 'T is felt when highth of passion is delay'd Zelm. Perhaps you 'r loth the Guard your words should hear Whisper Sir speak it softly in my ear Your merits soon will weigh the ballance down And make me cherish what deserves a frown Moar. Frown on your amorists that causeless dote For by the Azure Heavens I love you not To be your slave I never did consent Nor need I whisper what I never meant Zelm. Hah never meant it was it not for me You slighted thus my sisters amity Could for meaner Causes faith remove Then th' happiness that still attends my Love 'T is contrary to reason and you try My utmost patience if you this deny Moar. D'sdeath Madam do ye think I can be brought To cherish Passion by perswasions wrought Bereav'd of reason that should crimes reprove Forc't to affect and fool'd into a Love Your eyes my heart do rather freez than warm And your addresses rather vex than charm Fate makes me to despise what you propound If this be Love I have a Mortal wound Zelm. Gods can I hear this tamely die proud fool And with thy blood my boundless passion cool Goes to stab him he wrests the Dagger from her Zelm. Take it and boast thou hast more strength than I But fixt it here and see how I can die Moar. No live and o're such abject fate controul You merit it you have a noble soul. Zelm. Oh I could curse but it will do no good And tear this burning fever from my blood But Love the prouder Tyrant conquers me Enter Ptollomy hastily Hah whence proceed these suddain new Alarms Moar. Fate grant I guess aright Ptollo To arms to arms The Potent Syrians with a mighty host Are past resistance landed on our Coast The City trembles and the factions swarm And with their uncurb'd shouts augment th' alarm Use some swift means great Queen to stinct this strife Least the unruly tumult seek your Life Zelm. Curse on the faithless slaves but art thou sure The troops approaching are the Syrian power Ptollo Our Messengers affirm it and we may From Turrets easily discern 't is they Zelm. They 'r welcome and they 'r coming do's produce In me much Joy my rusting sword wants use All low thoughts vanish now to empty air I will no leasure for dull passion spare War may perhaps from my brave heart remove The agony of this tempestious Love Whilst my heroick fate once known before Shall guide my sword to conquer 'em once more Moar. This happy news do's with my wish comply And gives me present hopes of liberty Enter Achmades Phillopater Zichmi Achm. The foe 's already come so near that we From our high towers may their banners see The people trembling with a suddain fright Run through the streets and Curse the fatal light But th' factions I have with perswasions wrought And in good order to the Pallace brought Your presence Madam their mistrusts will clear And make them dare the foe they late did fear Zelm. That satisfaction they shall reap from me I knew they durst not long perfidious be My breath can lift 'em up or cast 'em down Save with a smile or Martyr with a frown Go and with speed draw up the Cavalry to Achm. And in Battalia place the infantry Exit Achm. Possess their minds with hopes of great reward And cull the choicest soldiers for my guard to Phillopater You to your charge and Ptollomy take care Exit Phillopater There be no tumult that may stint the war Zichmi thy faith so noble hath been shewn In the defence of my exalted Throne That to thy guard my sister I resign By careful and close pris'ner her confine Till you my Signet for her freedome see Zichmi I 'le not dispute but act your great decree Exit Zelm. And now one act of honour I
follow me To fetch the glorious palm of victory Death 's but a triffle unto those that dare Pain only seizes such as basely fear Slain in your Countries cause you shall possess The quintessence of heavenly happiness In green cool shady Grottoes you shall dwell And from your heaven see the Syrians hell That vext with tortures shall in caverns pine For aiming at a fate so high as mine Ptoll. Let your free votes your willing minds relate Omn. Long live Zelmura Goddess of our fate Enter a Souldier Souldier The foe great Queen is Marching within sight All resolute and ready for the fight The Souldiers only for your orders stay To try the happy fortune of this day Zelm. Now they are brave since Jointly they proclaim Their lives as vassals to immortal fame There is no bliss like honour 't is the Star That guides the noble Hero's from a far Draws him from earth where fear and horrour swims To dwell with Gods and radiant cherubims Whilst the poor soulless slave that do's possess Nothing but earth to frame a happiness Pines here below for dross and hourly dies For what bright honour makes my soul despise Beat an alarm raize our Banners high In such a Cause it is a bliss to die Exeunt SCENE II. Zichmi Amasis Zichmi MAdam in slighting thus my proffer'd Love You slight your bliss and happiness remove The Queen to me your person did assign With a strict charge to keep you still confin'd But your desert such cruelty withstands And makes me slight her arrogant commands If Gentle Fair my Joyes you would enthrone And grace my servent passion with your own Amas. Can Heaven such insolence unpunisht bear If by the Queens command Sir you appear My rude controuler and my Jailor here Perform your Duty with a careful breast But dare not thus my privacy's molest Least to my sister I declare at large How ill her Argus did perform his Charge Zichm These threats are vain the Queens whole pow'r I slight She is preparing for the dreadful fight Involv'd in blood and horrour but I mean In Love to prove a more delightful Scene 'T is true I am not lifted to that heigth To be a King and so reputed great Yet love makes me a Monarch in conceipt And in your arms I shall be nobler far Then Romans in their greatest triumphs were Amas. My arms was e're such arrogance yet seen D' you know me Sir I 'm sister to the Queen A Princess whose high fate you should admire And not molest with your abas'd desire Zichm I know your high estate and therefore move My suite thus humbly to request your Love I will not say I merit your high birth That were to set a price upon your worth But passion keeps my senses from dispair In Love and Death all mortals equal are Amas. By that ill rule you half mankind deprave And make a Monarch equal with a slave Since both may Love but canst thou hope to be Rais'd by unruly Love equal to me Recant dull fool before it be too late And draw not on your self a certain fate Zichm Fate afright those that fear some mighty power All firm allegiance I renounce this hour I hate the Queen and dare declare it too Thus boldly in my lawless Love to you My late observ'd fidelity was shewn Not for the Nations profit but my own Amas. And can you hope to live when this is known Zichm My thoughts reach not so far controuling Love Usurps my heart and do's all doubts remove I shroud a fire that surpasses Hell Amas. Cannot the thought of death your passion quel Zichm Death no let such base fears weak souls annoy I love you and your beauty's will enjoy But I 'me too tame some women I have known Love to be forc't and perhaps you are one goes to seize on her Amas. Stand off what Demon do's thy breast inspire To use a Princess thus Zichm Love and desire Why do you look like one that is amaz'd takes hold of her To see a fury you your self hath rais'd Amas. Guard me good heavens have you no remorce to him Think you I ever can be won by force mildly Good Gods what flinty natures men possess Cruel as Tigers in the Wilderness And hungry Lyons thirsting after prey Though void of sense more pity have than they Can you e're think if mildness you remove Your threatnings ever can increase my Love Love a soft peircing motion should bequeath Known by the pulse an eye or short quick breath But you the utmost bounds of Passion shew And treat a Virgin as you treat a foe Zichm Forgive me then and think I did express Letting her go My late rash words but through my love excess I now too late repent the insolence And beg thus low a pardon for the offence Fair Lovely Kind I would be milder yet Can you my past unmanly Crime forget In other Acts our reason rules above But proves a vassal to our haughty Love Remember Madam fates controuling Laws And let your charming beauty plead my cause Amas. This yet is something better noble minds Humility not stubborn roughness binds Their uncurb'd souls forc't down still upward tends Like unwrought steel that breaks before it bends Oh cruel fate that thus can force my tongue Against my heart t' extenuate a wrong aside Forcing my nature driven to dispair To cherish Vipers that infect the air Exit Zichm So she begins to yeild when women pawse A little Courtship the agreement draws I 've long desir'd enjoyment of her Love But ne're till now durst my petition move Wanting occasion to perform my will And daring boldness for an act so ill Not that I own much passion but my spleen This way revenges me upon the Queen The Queen to whom I mortal hatred bear A hate deserv'd unbounded and severe Nor can a Petty Jar an abject strife In the depriving of her single life Abate the plague of my revengeful breath Her sisters rape must usher in her death That action will not only horrid be But fix a stain on her Posterity T is now the army 's are engag'd if fate Permits her once more to be fortunate And gain the conquest this shall launch her breast shewes a dagger But if the foe is with the palm possest I to her face this impious Act will own And to the Syrian King betray the town Till night I 'le leave her to consult but when Black misty Clouds shuts up the day from men If by disdain she slights a milder Course Deny'd like Roman Tarquin I will force Exit SCENE III. Alarm Both Army 's ingag'd Egyptians and Syrians after a skirmish the Assyrians beat the Egyptians over the Stage Enter Zelmura her Sword drawn Zelm. SHame and confusion sieze 'em how they run Their slow feet now outstrips the Postern Sun Oh Coward nature that with fear controuls Over the better half of humane souls Your Sex be ever branded for this deed A Sex that only
Law Zichm The beguil'd Citizens will factious grow When they your doom and breach of Promise know Melech Traitor these fears proclaim thy fell intent You wish those ills you so well represent You mean no doubt to their weak aid to run And with your Courage lead the factious on But e're that happen Zich If my erring breath Has given you cause dread Sir to doubt my faith My life prostrate thus low I offer here kneels 'T is only what I for your safety wear Melech For your first Crime my Clemency may plead But such another word forfeits your head Take him away I will here no replyes to guards He longs to sit on arches of the skyes Moar. Thou never shalt thy barbarous Conquest baost For day and night I 'le haunt thee with my Ghost When reeking blood my spirit steems to air Into thy fatal Pallace I 'le repair Through all thy Guards I 'le to thy presence Croud And Sit before thee in my bloody shrowd I will invent new shapes to vex thee more And in thy nightly visions make thee roar Till thou do'st feel by angry Pluto's doom A Hell on earth as well as Hell to come Melech ' Dsdeath drag him hence guards let your faith be seen Answer not but obey Shoutwithin Room for the Queen Melech Hah What curst Demon brought her to this place Her opposition will my power disgrace My lustre is excell'd when she is by Like a dim star when Cinthia rules the skie Curst Fortune do's my meaner actions sway But like a Monarch I will rule to day Tears nor intreaties shall his life reprieve I have decreed it and he shall not live Away with him As the Guards are carrying out Moaron Enter Zelmura Ptollomy Amasis Phillopater and Guards Zelm. Stay and bring back the Prince What do I see Is this your love to honour Sir and me Performance of the promise once decreed Your Kingly Oath forgotten and my deeds Dare you act contrary to humane Laws A Prince's murder without right or cause And not expect heavens dreadful vengeance due To all that dare such horrid crimes persue If as a foe to good you guilt prefer Insulting o're your chance remember Sir Monarchs sometimes are forc't to bend to fate Success not power makes men fortunate Melech In whose stale works did you these morals find Oh damn'd Hypocrysie in woman kind How like a low Ebb'd rivolet you flote As if you scorn'd th' applause my power has got When in your own design your Gulphy pride Outvies the force of the Seas swelling tide You seem to quake at actions done by me But dare the Fiends of Hell when you decree As if the severe sentences of Death Had onely their dependance on your breath But from this hour I do your aid disown One Monarch is sufficient for one Throne Phillo I like that well pray heaven that vote may stand Achma The Queen 's about to answer Zelm. The command I bear i' th' state I can with ease resign My fear is only that the Powers Divine When they this horrid crime have understood Will show'r their vengeance but the Gods are good Melech Yes now they are but should they ere deny Your suit they then were statues of the Sky Let them encrease in might and sway above Rule onely here do's my ambition move To purchase which content and excell you I dare be proud and irreligious too Zelm. Howe're my actions did my realm affright All know dread Sir I shone but with your light The power is yours and you may quickly have That lustre render'd back which first you gave My taper is extinct when you are gone Like the black Zodiack when it wants the Sun Phillo 'T is past beleif she cannot be thus tame aside This fordid meekness do's base fear proclaim Zelm. I aim'd not Sir your honour to defend For my own cause my own peculiar end My hopes and fears were always for your good In whose brave cause I freely shed my blood And since my words have set your thoughts at strise In being a mediatour for his life Let this submission penitence supply kneels Since 't is your will 't is reason he should die Ptollo Ungrateful Mother Oh that I durst speak Phillo Cease good my Lord passion is now too weak Achma The King begins to melt her policy Already hath atcheiv'd a victory Melech Rise my Souls better half the Gods design'd Thy excellency too good for humane kind Forget my censure let thy gentle breast Forbear to entertain so rude a guest What shall I do to gratifie thy Love Zelm. Your Clemency all merit is above But since your Royal bounty deins to place My actions in the Ballance of your grace Though far unworthy an estate so blest I will presume to unfold my last request And the hid secret of my heart declare Melech Do and by all our mighty Gods I swear By Apis our most powerful Deity Except his life I nothing will deny Pointing to Moaron Zelm. Bear witness good my Lords what he has said T is a Kings Oath and ought to obey'd Phil. It is as firm as Fate Achm. nor lyes it now In his own power to infringe his vow Phil. Heaven grant your will prove healthy for the State Zelm. You in your doubts too much your fear relate My nature from my Childhood has bin free Gentle and mild as Virgin modesty Nor durst I ere have climb'd ambitions Hill Had I not thus bin licenc't by your will bowing to the King 'T is true I long have wisht to reign alone But till this hour I nere durst make it known Though with my Nature it did well agree So great an awe I bore your Majesty Melech How 's this Phillo Some pow'rful God reject my fears Zelm. But since occasion shewes her silver hairs And bids me hold since Heaven and Earth or both Avouch my will by your confirming Oath Like a kind Wife share in your griefes I 'le own And on my own head fix your anxious Crown The Gods have destin'd you to live in peace To pass your term of life in rest and ease Oh happy state that uncontrowl'd lives free From the disturbing cares of dignity Whilst I I fear am doom'd to greifes unknown Few think what cares depend upon a Throne I durst not my intent so soon have told Had not your Kingly promise made me bold Nor should you my designs have understood But that I know 't is for the Nations good Ordain'd above therefore I boldly stand A suitor for the Kingdome and demand A Boon which may perhaps your wonder raize The sole command o're Egypt for three dayes Melech What heaps of wonders croud into my breast Have you considered Madam your request The care is great and weighty as the trust The People bloody headstrong and unjust Zelm. Their love or hate in me unsathom'd lyes One I mislike but t'other I dispise Nor doubts of Government will I dispute But onely urge you to perform
due But haughty Courage from your blood I drew Zelm. My will unquestion'd power shall express Hell shall not daunt nor heaven make it less What fools think pride my Judgement calls divine A Soaring essence that like Jems does shine In the Ambitiou's souls of such as love Abliss from nature glean'd not from above We should not differ from the common Crowd Were not our greatness lycens't to be proud Though adoration to mortallity Be counted vain by dull hypocrisie I think it reason if adrest to me My state as worthy is of Sacrifice As Ioves with all his troops of deities Phillo On what prodigious pride her Spirit soars That thus she dars blaspheme the heavenly powers aside Ptoll. Since then your Clemency is pleas'd to place Me once more in the Sun beams of your grace Let me not too too insolent apear In tendring a petition to your ear Whose grant my grateful heart with thanks will store And what I now admire I shall adore Zelm. Haste to declare your Suit I will not say 'Ts your unknown but yet I think it may Ptoll. In your attention I am far more blest Than in that vote by which I was releas't But can I in your favour basking lye Lul'd with delight and see my Father die Unatural unkind and Cruel too Therefore thus low most mighty Queen I sue To your reviving breath for a reprieve Though he be still confin'd yet let him live Think what a horrid Crime it is to shed Queen Starts His blood who is the part'ner of your bed Kind nature cannot but dispute his Cause Plead his desert Religion and the Laws Besides his fortune may his Crime defend His Soul was great and knew not how to bend Brave minds like Palmes do most themselves advance When most deprest by the strong hand of Chance And his uncurb'd Soul till that moment free Soon felt the shame in losse of Majesty The nations love will flow if your forbear But if persist they 'l onely love for fear Cheer then their drooping hearts and save the King Zelm. Away thou daring fool base fordid thing Gods can strong prison walls men vertue teach The Boy 's grown Zealous and has learn't to preach And with grave Morals that all sense disown Thinks from my lofty head to charm the Crown Did I this frozen Snake from bondage bring Warm'd by my grace so soon to shew his sting Have I oft nourisht him with my one blood To leave the track of glory and grow good Degenerate wretch what blisse could'st thou divine From his raign that thou mayst not reap in mine What though he shar'd my bed without controul His Rival brave Ambition shares my Soul And when brave spirits glory to be great Religion's uselesse and the Law a cheat The blessings others Covet I despise The Gods and nature equally I prize Had I with patience liv'd so long alone Till providence had help't me to this Throne In spite of all its pow'r I might I see Have mourn'd the loss of royal dignity But by ambition rais'd my pow'r I know And from my Throne dare laugh at all below Therefore recal that breath pronounc't before And here a Pardon instantly implore Or never stir from the cold Pavement more Ptoll. Prostrate beneath your foot I bend thus low kneels It is a Posture I in duty owe But to repent and my past suit recal Were abject base and most unnatural Nor can I quell my soaring thoughts so soon Let it suffice it was a fruitless boon Zelm. Though your denial insolent appear It shews you share my blood despising fear Live and your hearts ambition to regain I give you leave to wish nay hope to reign Ptol. Unconstant hope and full of flattery You are immortal sure you cannot dye Zelm. Though Death proves vassal to my soaring fate My pow'r is boundless and I may create I in your reign may disspate my fears My youth being past and some few hundred years But could your tongue request the Kings reprieve Knowing I must not reign if he should live By his decease succession I dare own And by your nonage can command the Throne But had he liv'd fate had my power beguil'd Ill fare those Realms where Monarchs are too mild My will shall now the charms of greatness prove Respect and fear best shews a subjects love And womens courage by ambition warm'd Dares laugh at danger though all Hell stood arm'd Exeunt ACT. IV. SCENE I. Zelmura Sola Zelm. HE 's dead and thus far my designs are blest Since of the Throne I solely am possest The name of Goddess bright divinely fair Has charm'd me so methinks I am all air The Gods why have not I more pow'r then they Men dare not me but most them disobey This head that never wanted a design To satisfie ambition shall divine Into the peoples hearts when factious grown And wrest out their intentions with a frown But whilst my mind in these affairs I move I play the tyrant with my Smoother'd Love My heart with Passion for the Prince it warm'd And he is with my Sisters beauty charm'd But thrive my Plots that bud with tender growth And what he now admires he then shall loath Mileta Milet. Maddam Zelm. Set Amasis free Exit Melet. And bid her wait me in the Gallery Shall theams of Vertue make Zelmura pine All ills of womens frailty I resign I bear a Spirit brave and masculine My pleasures are my Gods and passions birth Uncurb'd and lawless is my Heaven on Earth Exit SCENE II. Enter Ptollomy Phillopater Achmades Ptol. The injur'd peoples murmurs now grow loud And many into Private factions croud So look't the sick and fester'd state of Rome By mighty Iulius Tyranny o'recome Phillo Their fate though bad was better far then ours Caesar and Pompey though their fame and powers Were mighty and divided ye both stood As potent Champions for the Publick good But in Zelmura's actions 't is made known She vallues no disasters but her own Achm. Unvallued Sumes of Gold she hourly heaps And by oppressing taxes treasure reaps Whilst helpless Age in holes unpittied lye Forc't by the dearth of food to starve and dye Enter Zelmura and Amasis See where she comes Zelm. Fate has decreed it so And I in vain should a resistance shew Phillo I read a storm in her reverted Eyes aside Zelm. How dare you interrupt my pryvacies to them Have we no passage free this insolence Merits the worst of my displeasure Hence Phillo What throngs of Demons her ambition sway aside Zelm. What 's that your murmur Phillo Nothing but obey Exeunt Zelm. That I do Love him is as certain true As that he Loves and is belov'd by you And as the pow'r is boundless that is due To my high state so is my passion too Your glimmering Love do's in small embers shine But a consuming Aetna flames in mine Forget him then since mildly at you hand I beg what I have power to command
'le do more And therefore Sir your liberty restore Lead on your troops brave Prince nay all thanks spare Meet me i' th' Army's head and thank me there You cannot braver gratitude afford Then nobly there to thank me with your Sword Charm me Belona with thy chiefest good And to meet fame I 'le swim o're Seas of blood Contemn black danger with a threatning breath And Grasp at honour in the jaws of Death Exeunt Queen and Ptollomy Moar. Gods what a soul do's that weak fabrick hold Such courage ill befits so frail a mould Her Spirit a whole Legion would inspire And turn cold cowardize to Glowing fire I envy her methinks a heart so brave A mind so haughty none but I should have If man be the more brave and noble name Why should weak woman rob us of our fame I 'le to our troops and try if I can prove A kinder fate then I receav'd from Love If not the doom of Heaven I will reverse And my own bosome with my own hand peirce Exit Zichmi returns Zichm Her sister to my guard resign'd blest fate That to revenge givest so secure a state My too long smoother'd hate I now will shew And to my aid invoke the Fiends below Dull Queen couldst thou believe I faith e're knew For her whose barb'rous hands my Brother slew No Murdress to his soul I did bequeath Thy tainted blood and then decreed thy death But now thy sisters rape shall first begin The tragick scene and broach a greater sin Then in thy blood my bliss I will obtain Revenge is sweetest then when most obscean Exit SCENE V. Enter Selabdin Aldabar Psamnis and Syrian Soldiers Selab THus far our enterprize proves fortunate Favour'd by heaven and propitious fate Our happy forces with a noble hast High rocks and barren Mountains have o'repast Of this parcht climate desolate and waste Proud Queen success thou didst but ill divine When thou my Son ignobly didst confine Or that his fate e're long might turn to thine But by my deeds thy pride shall quickly see A Father's Courage Love and Piety Psamn The King late murder'd by her Tyranny Methinks should pluck down vengeance from the skie And to requite the worst of torture 's due Death will oblige her if receiv'd from you Adab Heroes alone by Monarchs hands should die Trophies most fit for sacred Majesty Which in this war your power might persue Were the brave Prince but here to second you But till his sword we in our troops have seen 'T is vain to think to captivate the Queen But we are tardy let us hence to night And charge their drowzy guards e're mornings light Selab Brave soul yet stay such hast our power may wrong Our men are tir'd and the Journey 's long Let therefore all our troops to night be drawn In order to be ready with the Dawn A mornings march will bring our army down To fix our tents in prospect of the town Amidst your bounty Gods grant but this one Give but my age pow'r to revenge my Son My incense smoke shall dim your azure skies And feast you with continual sacrifice shout What means this shout Enter a Messenger Messen. May heaven great Sir your Enemy's destroy As it do's now procure the general Joy The Prince Selab Hah what of him Mess. Thus low by me In humblest duty greets your Majesty Selab Thou darest not mock me Mess. Not and hope to live But him you cannot hope for there receive Enter Moaron and kneels Selab This Scene of Joy do's my past griefs asswage Welcome thou prop of my declining age Honour forget my weakness this blest day If nature makes my eyes some tribute pay By say what more then God did set thee free Or was it some transcendant Deity Whose pow'r we know not and must therefore pay A reverence fitting so supream a sway Moar. No Sir the Gods I have not found so just 'T was on a Cause much more miraculous No troops of daring Soldiers did I see Forcing their way through death to set me free Heaven for my succour no such aid decreed 'T was the brave Queen her self perform'd this deed Selab The Queen unheard of Nobleness Moar. 'T was she That scorning fate pronounc't my liberty Selab Wonder invades my breast but say what cause From her proud soul this generous action draws Honour or did her fear take safer course To render what my pow'r e're long might force Moar. Her haughty courage only fame persues Contemning fortunes ills for when the news Of your arrival came no signs of fear Or dull mistrust did in her face appear But with a look that did her heart express She heard the story of your good success Then rising from her seat and seeing where Her Nobles looks betray'd their doubtful fear With an undaunted voice She strove t' inspire Their freezing Courages with her own fire Her brave Oration past she turn'd to me And with a dauntless generosity Voting my liberty spoke thus Lead on your troops and there your thanks afford Where the rough Language of the reeking Sword Disputes in honours cause and only deeds Not words for grateful actions intercedes This said she from my Presence did retire And left me there to envy and admire Selab For this brave act all grateful thanks is due She do's at once slight and oblige me too Good Heaven direct my actions how to pay Her generous heart the best and noblest way And since the Gods decree no war in vain May the sublimest cause the Lawrel gain Moar. He that i' th' Battle dares to second me Reaps from my heart a Brothers amity A Cowards soul destructive fears surround Whilst the brave Soldier smiles upon his wound With brandisht Sword he cuts his way before Not fearing numbers or mistrusting pow'r Steel me thou daring God of Martial souls Whose blest unbounded influence controuls O're death despising Hero's make my arm Strong like my will to do and suffer harm That doing what a Nat'ral pow'r exceeds Proud death may gaze and wonder at the deeds His rigour could not equal but at last If through continued wounds my spirits haste To leave their Mansions Grant me this kind fate Within this arm fresh vigour to create Till from my heap of victims gushing blood Make on the barren Earth a swelling flood That like a Conquerour I may when dead Swim to Elizium through the blood I shed Selab Such vertue Heaven must guard or cease to be What Mortals think the seat of Piety If in this enterprize the Gods ordain A fate that puts a Period to my reign My happy Age shall yet this honour have To lie with victims pil'd upon my grave Exeunt ACT. V. SCENE I. Zelmura Phillopater Achmades Ptollomy and Egyptian Souldiers Zelm COmmand our Moors the onset first to give And bring the Caliphs troops to their relief If you would purchase to your heirs a name Ever adherent to the Parents fame Unsheath your willing Swords and
innocence took care 'T was the effects of a chast Virgins pray'r Zelm. Our base Egyptians lives dishonour'd choose Whilst the fierce foe victoriously persues I only hither fled to thy defence Least you should suffer by their insolence 'T is true I think the Syrian Prince retains Of his late love to you some small remains And might be brought his forces to remove And to restore the Crown a prize to Love But deeds wherein your fame and honour lies I would do nothing without your advice Her secret thoughs will now be Straight exprest aside And by this Plot I soon shall sound her breast Amas. Let not such blest Events be then withstood My life 's too little for the Nations good Instruct me sister what I have to do To save the State I 'd fate it self persue Zelm. No action our great danger can convince By your consent again to love the Prince Amas. To Love the Prince what tides of blessings meet I love him more than Angels do their Seat An ardent passion do's my breast inspire My life is not so dear Zelm. Furies and fire aside Amas. If that blest action can extend your sway Le ts hence and see how gladly I 'le obey Zelm. Oh horrid Amas. that all doubts I may remove I long to see the Object of my Love Zelm. Behold it then drawing her Sword This is thy Lover this relucent toy The latest bliss thou ever shalt enjoy Dull fool my Jealousie was strong before But this confession has inflam'd it more I did expect that when I had remov'd Your passions cause you would forget to Love But your late words have rais'd my fears again And in my heart caus'd an unusual pain A pain so feeling that compar'd to this Tortures are Joys and Hell a Paradice Therefore prepare to die Amas. To die oh no. Zelm. Stand firmly now and bravely meet the blow Amas. I cannot oh such horrid thoughts remove I will perform your will renounce my Love I 'le hate the Prince his proffer'd Love defie Rail slight I can do any thing but die Confine me to some Dungeon wanting light Whose obscure Walls inclose perpetual night Or place me here do any thing to give Your self a choice content but let me live You in my death all cruelty surpass Alas I yet ne're knew what woman was Take pity of my Youth and spare my breath Heaven knows as yet I am unfit for death Zelm. Unfit for Death how vainly you remove My Cautious doubts were you unfit to Love I might believe your argued policy But being fit to Love you 'r fit to die Amas. Nature our hearts to passion do's bequeath Zelm. But nature always must submit to death Within few years the tyrant will grow bold Amas. Then Sister do but stay till I am old Zelm. Oh fie should lifes reprieve so tedious be Your death would be an act of charity By dying young fame Lawrels will provide And tell succeeding ages how you dy'd Amas. A fatal glory that no fame can have But in the gloomy Mansion of the grave Zelm. Besides some comfort 't is you do not die Alone lot I will keep you company When my brave sword hath sent thee to thy rest Warm with thy blood it then shall peirce my breast But should you live and fervently renew His Love that only to my merit 's due I my revenge in t'other world would boast And daily haunt thee with my restless Ghost But in your Death I rest shall find and you A happiness unthought of shall pursue shout These shouts declare the Enemy's intent I must make hast least fate the deed prevent Love guide my hand wounds Amasis Amas. Hold hold look how I bleed Let this suffice oh do not now proceed Zelm. Fond foolish Girle why dost retard thy bliss Hadst thou stood still thou hadst been dead e're this And free from danger there wounds her again Amas. will nothing do Gods must I die thus poorly basely too Assist me Heaven Runs and snatches up Zichmi's Sword and then comes to the Queen Zelm. Is your courage warm'd Amas. So now thanks fate as well as you I 'me arm'd Infernal fury come if I must die I 'le give my self a noble destiny If death to nature be a debt we owe I 'le meet it bravely come you move too slow Zelm. 'T was bravely done this act I must commend It saves your life if you can well defend Amas. 'T is gone yet in my Death my tongue shall move fight and Amasis falls Upon no theam but my unspotted Love I feel my life in lukewarm streams depart And natures palefac't tyrant gripes my heart Take Cruel Queen and by my death receive In him the Quintessence of all that 's brave Whilst I surrender heaven that life it gave Dies Zelm. Farewell to pity thee is now too late A stubborn heart best suits a wretched State And I that scorn'd the ills of destiny Will dare its worst effects and fearless die But what is death or whither do I go To heaven or some dark Region plac't below If any State or government serene Be where I am should hell encrease its spleen And strive to oppose yet I would be their Queen Stay thou bright soul of my dear sister stay And be my star to guide me on the way She 's cold as earth no greifs her Spirits seize Her pain is vanisht and she sleeps in peace And I too long delay now she is gone But my past promise straight I will make known And thus revenge her Murder by my own Stabs her helf Enter Selabdin Moaron Aldabar Ptollomy Psamnis Phillopater Achmades Saphrena And Guards Moar. entring Hold hold Oh baleful object dismal fate Snatches the dagger from her Zelm. No Sir 't is done your triumph comes too late Too late you think my glory to defame And fix a blemish on Zelmura's name Besides this hand that did but lately bear The lofty Scepter ill would fetters wear These two my Sword did late from life remove Pointing to Amasand Zichm One for his Lust t'other for too much Love Phillo Unconstant chance that could permit this deed See here great Queen your Son and subjects freed Your Cruel hand has rob'd you of your bliss For at Moarons suit you now possess Your fertil Land your Crown is back restor'd By him that won it with his conqu'ring Sword Zelm. To my lost fame they ill their bounty use To give what I for ever must refuse Moar. What envious demon did your rage incite This to eclipse your sisters glorious light Oh Cruel Queen how could you peirce her breast In whose Angellick sight mankind was blest Her excellence made heaven appear a shade And had not a frail mind her Mortal made She would have been a Goddess more divine Then e'r in Starry robes do's yonder shine Zelm. Let not your fancy faithless thoughts persue Know Sir she to your Love was heavenly true It was my pow'r made her your flame withstand Nor