University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 4.

Enter Princesse, Philena, Mironault.
Prin.
You're welcome now, my Lord, and I desire
No clowd may dwell on any brow;
Let no such prejudice happen amidst our sports.

Mir.
If you be not obey'd, admired Princesse,
Where you command, it is extreamly strange;
And yet, I fear, 'tis possible.

Prin.
As possible it is I may suspect my power.
But, my Lord, I had forgot to put you in remembrance
Of perfecting the storie you began,
As you then term'd it, of unhappy Lovers.

Mir.
The Princesse, Madam,
Was taken by Phylanter, whose great valour,
Shewn in that day, deserv'd all Prisoners:
To whom he nobly offer'd Liberty,
Without a Ransome, or Acknowledgment
Unlesse to you. Before she thank't him,
She made enquiry for the Prince, my Prisoner;
As if she knew not how to use
Freedom nor life without him; and by reason
That he was full of wounds, Phylanter
Waited upon her to my Tent; at the first sight
Of him she so much lov'd, cover'd with wounds,
She stood amaz'd, perhaps too wish'd her self
What she appear'd, but a dead Statue.
At the same time he rais'd his feeble eyes,
Which seem'd to take unkindly her delay.
At that she came, and kneeling by him,
Made such expressions of unfeigned grief,
That though we understood not what she said,
Yet that was plain enough. He now grew speechless,
(And she almost) yet still with signes,
That seem'd expressions of more trouble.
For leaving her then all the world
Within her arms, he died; she but stayed
To be assur'd that he was dead. Then with a haste,
That shew'd a willingnesse to follow him,
She drew a Viall from her bosom,
And drank it off, before that we could hinder her;
Whose violence, on an enfeebled heart
By so much grief, with unbelieved haste,
Wrought Execution.

Prin.
Poor Princesse! 'twas her hard fate to love;
She had been else no more concern'd,
Than those that now survive.

Mir.
And she perhaps as unconcern'd to dye.
Nothing but a deserving Love
Could have taught her a way so glorious
To end all cares. She now enjoys him too,
Or else insensible that e're she lost him.

Prin.
Did that young Prince command that day the Army?

Mir.
Yes, and, as we learnt, he was the Heir
To the Tartarian Empire.

Prin.
'Tis nothing but a Prince
Could have been so unhappy to lose at once
His Love, his Life, his Empire.

[Enter hastily Hyppasus, Lysander.
Hyp.
My Lord—

Hyppasus takes Mironault aside.
Mir.
Ha

Hyp.
Let not the Princesse see it:
The Castle is surrounded by a Troop of Souldiers,
Commanded by Phylanter; I fear you are their aim.

Mir.
I?

Hyp.
You may guesse the causes, Jealousie and Baseness.
Think, or you'r lost.

Mir.
Ha—'tis very happy.

Pys.
I don't understand that.

Mir.
I'le presse them nobly: Are they many?

Hyp.
They are divided, as we guesse. The gates are yet kept shut.

Pys.
I'le go view, and instantly return.

[Exit.
Mir.
The Devill on the mischief! if their aim
Be towards me, it must be for my life.
A Parly cannot save me, I am resolv'd
To sell it.

Phil.
Upon my life, Madam, there's some disorder.
View but the eyes of Mironault.

Prin.
My Lord, why are you mov'd?

Mir.
I, Madam?

Prin.
Pray, Sir, let me entreat of you the cause.

Hyp.
Nothing that ought to give you trouble, Madam,
There's something that requires
The presence of my Lord without.

Prin.
If there be any that would speak with him,
They shall be here dispatcht.

Hyp.
That cannot be, Madam.

Prin.
Come, my Lord.
There's something I can guesse at (if I be not deceiv'd)
That does assure me, I may command you.
What business breeds this alteration?

Mir.
I dare not disobey you;
The Castle is surrounded by Phylanter
With Troops of Soldiers; and, as we guesse,
My life's their aim.

Prin.
The Castle surrounded! and your life their aim?
It is impossible: they dare not think it.
I will go see their rudenesse.

Mir.
Not for the world, they know that you are here:
And their intents they'l act unto their power.

Prin.
Is there a better way?

Mir.
Yes any, rather than dye tamely,

Enter Pysander.
Pysa.
For heaven's sake, Sir, resolve: Phylanter's now,
Forcing the gates, being denied entrance
For all his Souldiers, who loudly now
Call you, A Traitor. Upon one side
Which I'le conduct you to, it is most probable
You may escape—.

Prin.
Ah me!

Mir.
May I believe, (fair wonder of your Sex)
That though your cruelty designes my fate,
Yet you're displeas'd, that these should be
The Executioners? I shall then dare
To oppose all their furies, that my Life
May be Love's sacrifice alone; forgive me too,
If I dare own that Love, you frown upon.
You need not scruple to grant this—,
To any that must aske no more.
And may that peace, you give my dying thoughts,
For ever live with yours—.

Prin.
Pray say no more, think of your safety,

Mir.
See, she weeps—.
With pitty ever dwells forgivenesse too,
My wishes then are crown'd, and I can have
No greater, unlesse that it were possible,
I might hope more and live.

Prin.
O Mironault!—
So much confusion mingles with my thoughts,
I know not what to say; and yet I wish
That you might live, and cannot be displeas'd,
Though hope should be the cause.

Mir.
So Saylers in a sinking vessell,
May see a calm begin—. This treacherous world,
Never wants mischiefs to prevent
The greatest blessings that are near-approaching,
To crown man's greedy wishes.—
But I mistake, to doubt that Life
Which you have given leave I should enjoy.
Who only have the power of it. This shall witnesse,
[Draw.
How much I covet to preserve,
What you wish safety to; nor is it possible,
That I should unsuccessfull prove,
That have no other use for life but love;

[Exeunt.
Prin.
The gods protect and guide you, O Phylena,
What's to be done?

Phy.
Collect your self, dear Madam, all may be well,
Let's to a window, that o're-looks that side,
Where they intended to break forth.

Prin.
I dare not see him fall.

Phy.
Fear not Madam, Heaven will preserve
So fair a Life, that has your prayers too.

Prin.
Hark, they are ingag'd, lets see if it be possible,
A noise of fighting.
To give him more assistance than our wishes.

[Exeunt.