even inflict upon the greatest Tox. It seem'd below her Soul and Love to make That caution some wise amongst us wish Bass. Tysamnes marry'd to the Queen if I Aside Forget not I had Advertisement upon his first Arrival at her Court and from a Persian hand Of trust that he there lov'd a Lady nay more Was thought to have assur'd himself to her Eum. The General 's a little discompos'd Drax. Perhaps some discontent relating to the Queens marriage Bass. If this prove true Heaven too soon may frown On all these joys what are these Ladies Enter Melvissa Clarina and four other Ladies each with a Paper in her hands Tox. They are come to wait upon the King and Queen This day of State on some concern of their Sex Bass. T is well Enter Araxis Arax The King and Queen are ready to come forth Alv. We must attend your Lordships pardon Bass. I have some orders to dispatch unto The Camp and then I 'le wait their Majesties Exit Bassanes c. Tox. Alv. Arax another way manent Mel. Clar. and four Ladies Melv. It behoves us now Ladies to weigh the force And effect of those Arguments we have prepar'd To assail so formidable an enemy as Men and Husbands fortify'd With that so invincible Champion Custom I hope you are all well provided 1 Lady Doubt it not Madam women seldom want wit To serve their desires and occasions Melv. Well said pretty one young and forward And for Illustrations and Metaphors of This hainous usage and tyranny of our Matrimonial Lords and Masters such were to be wish'd Are most pathetical and perswasive 1 Lady I have taken mine Madam from The example of Socrates that most grave Philosopher who not only endur'd the ill Humour but the supremacy of his Wife As worthy of imitation Melv. A famous president 2 Lady And I mine Ladies from that most dreadful Story of Andromeda chain'd to a Rock Is it not so my dear Tysamnes Tysam. Thou art above my wishes excellent Arax The Queen exprest her self most nobly Tox. If not too confiding in her choice Clar. We must submit 1 Lady Since there 's no remedy Melv. I 'le serve thee yet Clarina it shall go hard else Enter Bassanes Eumenes and Draxanes Par. Welcom as I can express Bassanes Thy Victories were early here on Rumors wing Which made the grim-look'd Tartars beg a peace From us and next my joys of love completed here To Tys. I must rejoyce thy safe return thou pillar Of thy Country and glory of my Crown To call thee both my Subject and Alliance Bass. My duty is best paid in the performance Of your services which I shall ever study Tysam. Let me embrace thee worthy man The title which I have to thy brave merit In my enjoyment of this beauteous Queen Obliges me to hold thy vertues dear That bring'st me Triumph home before I scarce Have warm'd this Throne Arax Our new King does caress him highly Tox. His interest is great Par. I understand You saw Mandana's Court our neighbour Queen on your return Bass. I did Madam Par. There Women govern all Bass. To wonder Madam Make War lead Armies with all transactions Of the highest Magnitude in State To whom the men are held subordinate Par. Their Queen 's a Lady Fame reports Wise Magnanimous and no less Beautiful Bass. I think all these may well be said to meet In her Par. But the manner of her rule seems strange To me Bass. If compar'd with ours here but they Lay claim to that prerogative from the Antient Amazons whence they derive descent Par. 'T was said Mandana did intend an Embassy Unto our Court in some short time Bass. She gave me so to understand Tysam. A beauteous one no doubt Bass. They are Women Sir Tysam. We 'll treat'm then as fairly Par. But credit me I should not like my reign So well were my Sex here alike in power Since nature and the worlds best Laws Have dignify'd the man superiour Tysam. Spoke like my Parisatis methinks we Are not chearful I have joys enough to raise A man above the world had he made forfeit Of his bliss You told me of a masque My Soul does want a little clearing up Aside Par. I did appoint one Tysam. By any means we 'll have it Musick plays a while after which the Masque begins the Scene a Grove in which Diana is beheld sleeping having at one of the sides next the Stage a Rock from which Enters Arethusa habited like a Water-Nymph Areth. Eccho if thou dost visit this fair Grove Where thou hast often mourn'd Narcissus love At Arethusa's call appear Eccho Appear Areth. Once more 't is Arethusa calls thee here Eccho within Here Areth. That 's but thy voice thy person I would see Once known a Nymph of highest dignity Enter Eccho as out of t'other side of the Grove Eccho Behold bright Arethusa I resume My long lost Figure since Heavens fatal doom Depriv'd me of my dear Narcissus flames Areth. I bear as great a grief confin'd to streams Could never yet with lov'd Alpheus join Think if thy loss can greater be then mine Eccho Fair Nymph with yours I 'le not compare my woe Since with thy tears thy chrystal fountains flow And by a wondrous constancy do glide Through veins of earth unmixt with other tide Which Thetis for thy glory did decree And great Diana Honours Constancy Areth. I wait to see her bathe in my cool floods Having a long chase follow'd in these Woods Eccho She in this Grove with her fair Nymphs does sleep While with my wakeful voice her watch I keep Lest Mortals here Actaeon like should pry And ravish blushes from her Deity Behold she wakes She wakes The Song in the Masque 1 Nym. See see our Goddess wakes Whilst we harmonious notes prepare Such as bright Phoebus makes When to salute Aurora 's car The Musick of his sphere he takes Diana rises and enters with her Nymphs 2 Nym. Or as before her Curtains drawn We welcom in the grey-ey'd dawn When for the Chase Diana bends her matchless bow And gives her self the first hollow 1 Nym. Then through Plains Lawns and Woods Over Mountains and Floods Nymphs tripit Nymphs trip it apaâ—e 2 Nym. Whilst the Hart Deer or Roe They swiftly pursue Their Goddess best pleaseth to chase 1 Nym. See she appears More bright then Hesperus does rise Whose beams Stars borrow for their eyes Dian. Belov'd of Nymphs whose chaste and constant stream Shall give thy Love an everlasting name More dear to me then Zanthus floods so bright Or my own Cynthia's beams that guild the night Art thou to tread a Chorus come with me As once a Nymph of my society Areth. Bless'd Goddess know from Thetis I am sent To wait thee first with her great Complement Who if not too much Neptunes Billows rave Will soon pass hither in a Chrystal wave Dian. She shall be welcom But first Nymph on thee Diana to renown thy constancy Does
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
service Par. I have I see a Subject great brave and faithful In spight of all adversity Bassanes Thou wilt obey me strictly Bass. Be danger what it will Nor need you question but the arm I shall apply Is strong enough to right or else revenge Your injuries nor want I means prepar'd Even at this minute that shall soon perform The least breath of your commands Par. Then know I do enjoin you all obedience To the King Bass. How Madam Par. I mean Tysamnes Who has thrown me from his heart and that far More strict if possible then had he met My Love with equal constancy I would Not live and underact the part of virtue Bass. You oblige me now to be your enemy Who knows how soon you may be taken from The world by him that thus has cast you from His bosom Par. 'T is not inglorious if I die Or split on any rock This storm shall throw me on If Innocence be my harbour Bass. The Worm that 's trod on bows in some displeasure When it 's griev'd what should then do your Greatness Par. But vertue 's yet more gentle whose value's Most refin'd by suffering I know You will obey me Bass. Since 't is your pleasure Par. And be sure give out 't was Act of State Or Crime in me or any thing thou can'st devise Most plausible to assure the people To Tysamnes And more that 't is my strict Enter Eumenes and Draxanes Eum. The Queen Sir is withdrawn Tysam. How 's that Drax. Remov'd Sir none knows whither Tysam. I fear she has taken some precipitate resolve Bass. The joys this news will bring Must soon cause her appearance Where e're she is retir'd Tysam. Make strict and speedy search He wants no wealth brings happy tidings first Eum. Drax. We 'll use all diligence Ex. Eum. Drax. Tysam. Bring forth Statyra Bass. I 'le wait her to you Sir Ex. Bassanes Tysam. 'T is fit she know How much I have offended for her sake Enter Bassanes and Statyra Statyra I must beg a pardon of thy vertue Stat. Sir you have prov'd I can forgive Tysam. Thy goodness I have injur'd next my Queens And I am making of my peace with Heaven And her Stat. 'T is worthy of your Soul But you 'l consider Sir Tysam. I do that 't was my sin of love to thee Which did induce this Act to whom I first Dispos'd my heart and would to Heaven I had Two souls that I might give one to thy vertue And make thee twin in my affection with my Queen Excepting whom the world and womankind Are but trifles to my heart Stat. Mine is as truly yours And let this blush excuse my boldness If I claim you now my own Tysam. How 's this Statyra Stat. You are made free by Law If such a one this Country owns and can That less then plead for my enjoyment now So much your Lover Bass. I did not look for this Aside Tysam. Tempt me not fair Statyra lest I fall Below the sin of the Apostate Angels And call thy love my second crime Stat. I did but mention mine to prove your constancy May you for ever live most happy in Your Queen and for your sake I 'le beg of Heaven That she may late be taken thither Tysam. Thou art a pattern of perfection Stat. And since you now have made me free I 'le crave Your leave to respite my return till I Congratulate your happy meeting with Your Queen and so to Persia where I 'le Spread your joys Bass. This centers with my wish Aside Tysam. Each syllable of thine does give my soul new wonder Since not alone thou can'st my Crime forgive But yield I may anothers Lover live Ex. Tysamnes leading Statyra Bassanes Enter Melvissa with two Courtiers Melv. You are pleas'd to like my entertainment Gentlemen and I am apt enough to be Proud of your good opinion 1 Court You are all diversion Madam our Court Has not such another Lady 2 Court I hope you 'l Give me leave to spend some hours with your converse Melv. You may be welcom as I please Jointly and severally Both. We understand you Madam Melv. But methinks you are a little dull though Courtly bred since you speak praises of my Wit But have little to say for my Beauty 1 Court Oh Madam that 's granted the Court has no such Star bating the Queen 2 Court Besides your Ladyship Cannot so far mistake our inclinations As to suppose we pay adorations To the ugly though ne're so witty They are only fit to eat with provided They keep good Tables Melv. Now I perceive you 1 Court But for you Madam so perfectly taking The day is too short to admire you and The night to enjoy you Melv. You aim well and 't is odds But I guess the mark you 'd hit pray sit a while I can afford you some minutes They sit by her 2 Court There 's no time Long enough we are not in haste 1 Court 'T is fit we wait your leisure Enter Andrages Melv. I keep my lodgings free enough for entertainment And live without the fear of Prying Watchers or the Jealous Husbands eye Andr. Oh my torment she dares me to be jealous too Aside 2 Court I suppose Madam you allow the Gentleman His times of hawking and hunting in order To your more private Recreations 1 Court Let me be so happy I beseech you As to have notice when he is absent 2 Court Or I Madam I should endeavour to serve you Andr. I 'le try whether I have so much courage Left as to mark these things made up of perfumes And Perriwigs in the fore-head with a Draws his Sword Jealous token of mine e're I am convicted I wear a horn there my self now Gentlemen 1 Court Your Husband Madam we are in haste Melv. You need not make so much 2 Court Your Humble Servant Sir 1 Court The King expects me Madam Melv. You shall not part with any apprehension Hence how now Sir Hot Spur I must curb you I faith if you offer to take such Careers as these Andr. You may command me Madam a Lark is not So dar'd as I am by this Hobby of mine Aside Melv. Put up your Tool and remove your appearance Was more unseasonable then I look'd for Andr. Each word she speaks is a Charm I have not So much valour in me as to oppose her tongue What e're I have done or dare do otherwise Ex. Andrages Melv. You may now withdraw Gentlemen the King expects you Both. Your Servant Lady Melv. There is no need of the expression I did but act a little of the most to show my prerogative I hope you 'l say there 's one Woman amongst us Has wit enough to rule her Husband In spight of Law Both. We 'll witness it to wonder Madam Exeunt Enter Clarina hastily Clar. Oh Madam your experiment has done Wonders my Husband Melv. Loves thee now to purpose Clar. Beyond expression Melv. My mother prov'd Such a