Captain Bass. Your Servant Ladies Ex. Embassadresses Enter Fosearis and Andrages Tysam. You shall have all Commands become your valours I know as men you stand oblig'd to serve this Cause Fosc. To a man Sir Andr. And I excepting one Woman Dare act as much against the Sex but she I must confess Sir has the better on me In all Incounters Tysam. Your Wife I guess I am glad to hear I have a Subject who Is so kind a Husband No news yet of our Queen Bass. Not any as the best of my Intelligence can learn Tysam. My soul is on the torture Enter Toxaris Tox. I hope Sir I have brought you happy tidings in this Letter Tysam. 'T is Parisatis hand Tox. 'T was given me From an unknown person who would not stay To satisfie my further Queries Tysam. reads Let this assure you from Parisatis That she is remov'd from this Life before It meets your hand The means I have Resolv'd on for my end I will not give you the Grief to hear or charge you guilty of my death And to confirm you this preoedes my last being I have sent you this Jewel you must witness I vow'd should be kept to the death of Parisatis Oh Heavens my Parisatis dead read Here Bassanes Bassanes reads Bass. My tears are slow but credit me The death of Armies and the groans of War When made from gasping Friends just drowning Of their souls in streams of blood ne're shook My heart like this Tysam. Thy griefs are truly mine Bass. But hope that providence whose paths are Labyrinths may yet Enter Statyra Tysam. She 's dead she 's dead too certain Stat. The King 's disturb'd Tysam. Beyond expression Parisatis my Queen Stat. I hop'd was now return'd to your embrace Tysam. The other world contains her vertues she 's dead Stat. My eyes can ne're want streams to pour With yours for such a loss Tysam. Mine are too guilty to partake With thine and had I more then Niobe E're shed to drown my soul in or turn'd To Marble at this news like her 't were but Too gentle to express my crime or grief Stat. This passion 's glorious Tysam. What death can I devise or torments Give my soul enough that have at once To answer breach of faith to thee and death of her Stat. Your stain is deep in both though far more vile As you are a Prince who did unworthily Possess the love and glories Of so excellent a Queen that no pretence Of Power or Law can expiate But since by Heavens decree she 's thus remov'd To Stars for which did I but know her Urn I 'de visit it and pay my tears as an Oblation to her memory Yet now 't is fit you live for my sake Tysam. Thou hast some justice to my life But wilt not now oblige it Stat. I do and Claim it as the greatest blessing of my own Tysam. There 's nothing left me but in thee that can Invite a minutes breath Stat. You had my first love Sir So far you have an interest still Tysam. And for thy sake I will admit to live Nay more I 'le talk to thee of Love and with What penitence thou shalt require acknowledge My past vows to thee besides the guilt of my Ingratitude unto my Parisatis Stat. Heaven must absolve your crime to both For this your noble sorrow Tysam. Thy words are comforts to my soul But this is such an hour the Stars must mourn Or find new trepidations in their orbs To fright the earth with some calamity Besides an Enemy does threaten now to invade Our Kingdom Bassanes you shall command As General Bass. With my best duty Sir and 't was Your Queens command I should continue still your Faithful Subject Tysam. I have no other title here to reign but from her love Admit I leave thee fair Statyra in some place Of best security Stat. I am oblig'd to be companion in your dangers Tysam. That were an endless peril though thy vertue Be above what fate can injure Stat. My heart were else not worth the owning yours Tox. A brave and gracious Lady Alv. The King 't is sure affects her Aside Tysam. I feel a cloud upon my soul I know not when Or how 't will vanish Come Statyra my Love and thine must wait The calmer hours of time and kinder fate Ex. Omnes ACT IV. SCENE I. Enter Mandana Daranthe Cydane Renone and other Women Mand. THE King may soon repent he gave our Treaty Such neglect Cyd. We doubt it not most royal Madam Mand. And for his Queen whose fair desertion Has the first place in our quarrel would she Were now alive that we might with our arms Impose her on his Love Daran 'T were to be wish'd Mand. The proof we have now given by taking This strong City of Daxata on the River Volga must make 'em know their force Must yield unto our Sexes power We lead what thinks our chief Commandress Daran I judge that victory will soon Make offerings at your feet Mand. This Pass we have Secur'd must prove considerable since it Impedes all their recruits that way Daran And what 's more Hinders provision might else arrive Unto their Camp nor can they forrage here Much longer environ'd on each side with Mountains where by your mighty conduct All the passages stand seiz'd by us Mand. I think They dare not hope to force their passage Daran Our Womens hearts must fail 'em strangely then And make your greatness wear a blush To see them this day prove degenerate Who from your conduct glory many Victories Mand. Spoke like the blood of Amazons Renon Nor do we doubt the issue of this day Will make your Prowess far more fam'd Then brave Thalestris stories tell was from Great Alexander the Prince of Captains Held in highest admiration Mand. I see You are all resolv'd as does become This Cause I fight by which we 'll force even Nature To confess she was a partial Mother To our Sex when she made man First heir of Glory Daran Royal Madam Mand. Enough they serve Our drudgeries our pleasures or embraces To create us Souldiers that scorn their uses But for our heroick ends Daran Did but the Women Of this world besides hear this they 'd be asham'd To think they had not broke the yoke of men And such a fair and great Protectress in your self Mand. An entertainment for our Greatness there That this haughty Prince Tysamnes who dares Make War against our Sex may know that we In this strong City forc'd from his bold powers Keep our triumphant joys Ren. Some Prisoners of War desire to present Your Majesty with a Dance after the Manner of their Country Man We admit them Musick and a Dance Enter Messenger Mess. A Moorish Lady desires admittance To your presence Man She has our leave Enter Parisatis disguis'd like a Moor. Man Your business Lady Par. 'T is such most Royal Madam must beg A pardon for my craving this access Who have journy'd
victory thou know'st I have been a most submissive Husband Melv. You 'l soon know my conditions Andr. And if they prove but gentle I am conquer'd happily 1 Lad. You will not leave our Camp presently Clar. Not till the issue of this day be past 2 Lad. If you doubt obedience from your Husbands Command a Guard from us Fosc. By no means Ladies We acknowledge an absolute Conquest Melv. Otherwise you know our Commission Clar. Your servant fair noble Warriours Ex. Fosc. Clar. Andr. Melv. 1 Lad. The Queen Enter Mandana with Cydane and Renone Mand. You have taken those fierce Militants That did attempt to force their safeties In despight of our bold powers 2 Lad. We have most Royal Madam And in obedience to your great commands Have gratify'd two Ladies of the Enemies part By surrendring of their Husbands to their wills Mand. I am glad my victory Does give my name a Trophy in the Obligation of my Sex these men we war Have too injurious treated But where 's The Prince Bassanes their General 1 Lad. He forc'd his bold escape if not drown'd In passing of the Volga Mand. We could have Been content to have seen him made our Captive Renon And must have added Glory to your Victory Cyd. He much exprest himself your great Admirer Enter Messenger Mess. Glad tidings mighty Queen the King and all His power is now surrender'd to your General Mand. I knew the streight we had reduc'd 'em to Would soon compel 'em And where 's his fair Persian Mistress Statyra Mess. She is besides some Pris'ners of note Guarded by the valiant Moor. Mand. This Crowns our Conquest Enter Daranthe and Parisatis with Tysamnes and Statyra Araxis Toxaris and Alvanes Daranthe I must praise thy valour And all you my Women Souldiers For this glorious day Daran We are honour'd that our duties Serv'd your Greatness Mand. But thine my valiant Moor that gives Such noble emulation in thy worthy Deeds To all I know not how enough to magnifie But soon will raise thy merit to some higher Trust shall speak our great esteem both of thy Valour and fidelity Par. You oblige the humblest of your Servants Mand. The King 's a gracious person Looking on Tysam. Par. I fear too taking Mand. Now Mighty Sir Tysam. Your pleasure Madam Mand. Is it not just that I who am the Mighty Warriour in my Sexes Cause Should frown thee dead Tysam. You cannot look me out of life nor would I turn my head aside though every beam Of yours were Darts of Basilisks that dare Behold you thus Mand. You are resolute I find And would to Heaven your Queen were yet in being That she might witness my concern in her Fair Cause or from my power Ask thee her Sacrifice Since thou hast been so much her Tyrant Lover Tysam. My ingratitude to her great vertue I acknowledge though I meet all your rage In pouring of revenge for her sake on my head And since she is no more for which Heaven knows How true I grieve I would not live but for This Ladies sake Looking on Statyra Mand. Your new made Mistress Tysam. And just possessor of my heart Mand. She has strange fascination in her eyes For which Aside Stat. If you pronounce me guilty speak my death Nay I 'le intreat it at your hand as royal mercy So you 'l spare the King For whose great safety Had I many thousand lives I 'd humbly Lay them as my offering at your feet Daran This Lady has a noble soul. Par. Too much the Kings I fear Aside Mand. I have cause enough to bid thee dye But will not cloud the glory of this day With Womans death and wer 't not for a sacred Resolution of my soul perhaps would grant Thy Loves enjoyment but I have now decreed Tysam. If death I am ready to embrace it Stat. Oh speak some milder Accent what can Become a Womans soul like yours so much As gracious mercy Mand. My resolution 's fixt irrevocable As when by Heaven's o're-ruling will we guide Our Justice for know Tysamnes I have vow'd Thy life a glorious victim of my Conquest Nor has it been unusual in the Wars we make For such a day as this to grace our Altars With the best of Captives of which I judge None worthy like thy self Stat. You will not be divinely cruel Mand. I 'le hear no more Zeriffa take these pris'ners to thy custody Thy Complexion is most fit to serve this Trust And be sure you have a watchful eye Upon this Lady the rest perhaps Shall find our mercy Par. I joy this trust Tysam. Grieve not Statyra since I dye thy Lover Stat. And might I bleed upon the Altar with you 'T were then my Loves true Sacrifice Mand. Thus far this day propitious does appear But from the end great Acts their Crowns must wear Ex. Omnes ACT V. SCENE I. Enter Mandana and Parisatis Mand. HOw bears Tysamnes his restraint and our Declar'd resolves I know they needs Must bow his lofty heart Par. As unconcern'd as Infants sleep Or as the Man you 'd chuse the object of Your mercy ought to be nay more Mand. What means that more Par. You are a Woman Mand. But a Conquerour Par. Had I like power Mand. What then Par. I 'd bid him live at least Mand. Thou would'st not have me love him Par. No by my life Though 't were a gracious Act to Heaven if you Vouchsafe him mercy since he 's oblig'd to fair Statyra's Love you else will kill two hearts at once Mand. Away with this fond pity I have fix't my Justice Par. Your pleasure Madam Mand. Bring forth the King I 'le make him know it Par. I am all confusion Ex. Parisatis Mand. This Moor is brave and loyal my Mother once Had such a Lady near her person she Would commend above what Faith can reach Enter Parisatis with Tysamnes Zeriffa admit none to our presence Par. I shall not but by your leave Queen Will here observe Pvr. Stands aside Mand. I hear Tysamnes You contemn the vow I 've made Nor does my eye Discern other then pleasing calms upon The brow you seem to wear Tysam. Such as become a King And every vulgar man when made a Sacrifice To womans passion Mand. Take heed Sir how You entertain a Summer in your hopes Or slight the Justice I decree Tysam. What mean you Madam Alas I look'd to meet the Miter'd Priest The Altar fixt where I should bleed your Victim And if you superscribe it With my crimes of Love Which caus'd at once my Parisatis death And fair Statyra's tears I 'le call it justice And due expiation of my sins to Heaven Mand. I 'le soon my self convey you to the Altar I intend Par. What means the Queen Aside Mand. Or say I bid thee live Tysam. 'T were then a mercy greater then I crave Or merit Mand. I 'd have thee judge it more Par. 'T is love most certain Aside Mand. What think you of this
Excellence Enter Bassanes with Renone and Cydane the Embassadresses Now Ladies your Queens pleasure Renone Who does by us most Royal Sir congratulate Your great accession to this Throne and more your joys In this your fair and vertuous Queen who scarce Has equal in her Sex to which if possible Her wishes do yet adde more happiness Tysam. This is but usual form of State proceed Cyd. 'T is what our Queen expects you 'l welcom Who waves dispute of Territories The usual great concerns of Thrones And has but one demand instead of all To make your Greatness whence may spring A lasting league betwixt her mighty Crown And yours Tysam. Speak it then Par. I hope 't will find reception Cyd. Then know our Mighty Mistress does demand By us an Abrogation of that most Rigid usage here from which the Husbands will Is too much Lord of love Tysam. Sure you mistake your Embassy Ren. Nor can she reign without a blush must stain Her glories should she not if deny'd Compel by arms her Sexes fair relief Clar. Nobly urg'd Melv. Methinks I could fight in this Cause my self Arax The King is mov'd Aside Alv. Observe the Queen Tysam. Your Queen 's too bold with us in this demand But she 's a Woman Cyd. And soon you 'l find she 'l slight All dangers in this Cause nor is the world Unknowing that her arms though guided By the conduct of our Sex has oft gave Wars rough Laws to men Par. Let me then intercede my Royal Husband I would not have a quarrel in this Cause Although I doubt not from your love security The world I know would say you but defend A most unkind prerogative and since 't is thus Bestow it as a bounty on the Sex for my sake Tysam. Can this proceed from Parisatis Par. As truly as I wish your peace and love Tysam. Thou dost mistake in both Par. Besides what honour wer 't in such a Cause To be a Conquerour or on your Warlike Trophee to Inscribe you did subdue the force of Women Led by a neighbour Queen whose bravery Of soul deserves esteem and wonder I know you 'l condescend Tysam. Away thou dost abuse thy Love and me Par. Is 't possible Tysam. Or else endeavour'st by compliance with This Embassy to betray the honour of This Crown and People take which you like And know thou hast forfeited thy Being In my soul. Par. Heaven defend Tysam. And tell your Queen I 'le reign To the Embassadresses A King of men in spight of all her power Of Spinsters whose honour by this grant would be The mock of Women Nor do I doubt their hearts And swords will join with mine to assert this Nations right Tox. The King is much incens'd Aside Alv. I hope 't will not reflect upon the Queen Tysam. And by my Act to assure the world how much I 'le own my Subjects priviledge behold my Queen Cyd. A Lady full of Grace and Vertue Par. Oh my fears Tysam. Who with no more concern I 'le cast away Then Indians do a Pearl that ne're did know It's value and from this hour no more my Wife Par. Must it be so Bass. Consider Sir this Act May prove a rash one Tysam. My resolution 's fixt nor do I fear What Law can act though hence I reign not jointly With this Queen while by the power I possess I can create a right above it Par. Nor shall I plead a word Against your Will though it severely fall Upon my Love or mention what should be Your gratitude to me that gave you both My self and Crown and yet will give my life If your concern require it You 'l give me time convenient to withdraw Tysam. Thou shalt to any place retire within My Crowns Dominion where thou shalt live In state and greatness of a Queen And so farewel Par. Adieu my dearest Alv. This action of the King was unexpected Aside Arax Such as must breed some strange distemper here Tox. I wish our Almanacks were all burnt else Tysam. To morrow you shall have our Letters to your Queen Renone And as becomes her she 'l resent this Act. Tysaem Bassanes Ex. Tysamnes and Bassanes Cydan Madam you have our pity Ex. Embassadresses Clar. The Queen deserves a sorrow From all Hearts Melv. She has deeply mine Par. Though life has many ways to lose it's comforts Few hinder the distressed means of death And let my sad example teach my Sex That when they love embarque with men 't is like A vessel that with guilded streamers sails On dangerous Seas and in each calm must think This smooth-fac'd Ocean may their Barques soon sink Exeunt ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Parisatis in a Mourning Vail led by Bassanes Bass. I Want no sense of your afflictions Madam Par. 'T is like your worth Bass. And dare express it more Then entertaining of your griefs by naked Accents That were too low and common for Bassanes heart Each vulgar ear that hears from rumours breath Will do as much and glory in the hope Of making stubborn Heaven bend to hear Your sufferings Par. You are a Prince ally'd unto my Crown Nor can I doubt but every vein of yours Ha's many streams of honour Bass. Know Madam Since you are pleas'd to call me worthy of Your great Alliance I want no heart to tell The King your Husband though sitting on the Throne His ingratitude Par. I wish I had been truly charg'd with any crime That might have given his Act in my desertion Some vizard to out-face the world I dare believe The Law that first here gave this liberty to man Did tacitely imply the Husband should Not be a lawless Tyrant to the Wife Bass. The injustice is too palpable and Fitter 't were this Law had no more being Or the Sex of women against Natures Made supreme then thus to be imbitter'd 'Gainst your vertue Though smooth'd and guilded over with pretexts He calls State Policy and Marriage Interest But simply Artifice to bring another To his Throne and Bed Par. I fear 't is too much a truth Bass. Statyra is no doubt design'd to shine In this Meridian by your fair remove But think not Madam that your Eclipse of Glory can pass without your Subjects due Remorse and vindication he is a King here But as you made him so in giving him Your self a Queen and from your love has only Title to your Subjects hearts Par. And had the world Been mine in Kingdoms with as many Hearts My affection had dispos'd 'em all to him Bass. You have given proof above parallel Par. But this ingratitude does combate with my soul Bass. Permit I serve your Royal Vertue Par. I know thou dar'st revenge my wrong and hast An interest in thy blood and merits that Can guide this Nations Arms and raise a stream Of vulgar force enough to sink Tysamnes Even to the depth of ruine though fortify'd with All the power he now enjoys Bass. I will imploy my utmost in your
look She smiles Tysam. 'T is somewhat gentler then I did expect Mand. And what of this Smiles again Tysam. It seems more kind then common smile Mand. Is it not welcom to thy heart Tysam. 'T were too much to bestow such beams on me And gives me greater wonder then should Lights Orb Contract its glory to the Artick Pole To quicken there some frozen spot of earth Mand. He does perceive thy pardon now is written In my heart Zeriffa Enter Parisatis See thou respect Tysamnes Above observance of a Pris'ner I have Some motives of a near concern require it Ex. Mandana Par. Is this your vow oh Parisatis Didst thou walk as undiscern'd as Ghosts That cloath themselves in bodies of the Air This must affright thee more then timorous hearts Scar'd with such pale horrors Admit Sir I congratulate this Grace Tysam. 'T was unexpected And I with glader eyes could have beheld Thee made my deaths black Hand-maid Par. You do not slight the Queen that with her Gracious beams of mercy quickens you to live Nay more if I discern that have some trust From her fair thoughts is giving of her self A conquest to your Love methinks This should awake your apprehension Tysam. It does but find my self Unshaken to Statyra and could have wish'd Your Queens more rigid vow were unrepeal'd That I might bleed her Sacrifice Par. She is your Crime And therefore does deserve to be your Fate Or else embrace the same with her Tysam. Though thy dark visage is most fit to be The messenger of death and all it's horrors I may enquire what cause incites thee To appear thus cruel Par. It breaks like clearest justice From my Soul that am oblig'd to be Your Queens Revenger Tysam. Thou art not sent from t'other world To be my Executioner where she 's adorn'd With Crowns and smiles of Angels still interceding My forgiveness Par. I have griev'd his Soul too much Pardon me Sir I was too bold to urge Your penitence Aside Tysam. It proves thee worthy Par. One word and I have done were your Queen living Nay more Sir wer 't soon as manifest she Hazarded her life repriev'd on purpose For your safety would you receive her To your embrace and love Tysam. She is too dear to Heaven To be given thence and Stars which frown'd upon That fatal Act already have enroll'd her In their first of bright Societies But this is all thy dream Par. Believe it such Yet so far I dare represent her self As to assure you for her sake I 'le dye To purchase your just freedom Let this tear confirm you as 't were shed from her Enter Statyra Ex. Parisatis Statyra Sir Tysam. The carriage of this Moor Is honours riddle to my thoughts Oh my Statyra I have yet a hope of thy Enjoyment Stat. Does the Queen Incline to mercy Tysam. She has receded from her vow Stat. That 's happy And more cruel in decree seeks To divide my soul from thine Thou understand'st me Stat. I do too sadly Tysam. But this Moor employ'd by Heaven To be a Guardian of our Loves or as The night or Hymen gave her this complexion To be a sober guide unto his rights Devotes her self to serve our safeties Stat. This means of happiness was above my hope While through each vein of mine my blood had ebbings From my heart in apprehension of your dangers Nor did I view her with less horror Conceiving her the Queens most cruel instrument Tysam. I thought her so but she has given me such Assurance of her Faith and Love that had Thy beauteous figure took a veil like her Or were my Parisatis Represented such I would not have expected A more strict concern for me Stat. It seems too much To credit from a stranger or else 't is but Loves kinder Labyrinth Enter Parisatis Tysam. She 's here salute her With thy kindest beams she does deserve Our near regards Stat. Madam the King has given me such a character Of your worth as I must beg to joyn Acknowledgments with his Par. I 'le venture all that 's dear to serve him And your vertue but this is not a time For Words Things call to action Please you withdraw Ex. Tysam. Stat. Enter Draxanes Draxanes come Drax. I hope most happily Par. And hast thou found him Drax. Yes Madam and have brought him Par. This place is safe from ears wait him to me Ex. Drax. If fortune be not peevish now the Scene I have laid shall Crown my Acts. Enter Bassanes disguis'd I am wondrous glad to see thee live Bass. And I like to some man that 's Struck with Extasies of joy Could even resign my soul as thus I kiss the ground I tread in adoration Of your being here when fear'd beyond a doubt You had snatch'd your self away to make its Bosom in your grave more sacred Par. Draxanes told thee all Bass. He did Madam As I was levying of Recruits to free the King From this restraint he suffers here Par. Then we 'll spare further circumstance And only know I have prepar'd to do him Signal service for which end I took this Cloud Either to dye unknown or live a means Of his lov'd preservation Bass. This deed must ravish Men and Angels To express who must admire at once Your most heroick constancy and vertue Par. Enough Bassanes and pardon me that I Sent my summons to joyn thee as companion In the dangers I embrace Bass. You shall command My utmost peril though every man I meet Could look me into Atoms Par. And know to my More cruel Fate the King not only has A Mistress in Statyra but the Queen Mandana his fair Conquerour has vow'd Him for her own enjoyment Bass. What can be thought on To resist this high injustice Par. I have resolv'd upon the means in which I 'le use thy Conduct not more approv'd to act Then sage in resolution nor do I doubt The instruments we 'll use are less then cordial To embrace the end we shall propose which must Be swift in execution Bass. I would not waste a minute e're I act to serve it Par. The Guards are here at my devotion besides A considerable number of our bravest Officers By the Queen Mandana set at liberty Bass. They may be serviceable to your design Par. The honour of their King obliges it Within we 'll debate more at large particulars Exeunt Enter Toxaris Alvanes Araxis Tox. Well Gallants we are all Freemen now Alv. 'T is a seasonable mercy to us Courtiers Not us'd to this kind of belly duty We otherwise must have been living Anatomies By this time Arax And so perhaps Metamorphiz'd Into starv'd Ghosts to walk with hideous Lamentations these Fields of Victory Tox. I do not think All th' Infernal Region can fright these Victrices should they appear in Arms There 's not an Image of Mars but does raise Their fury above Miracle Alv. And yet For all their being thus couragious and hardy Which must be acknowledg'd