University of Virginia Library

SCENE. III.

Melechadel, Zichmi, Achmades, Moaron held by Guards.
Melech.
Am I to be out brav'd, Gods has my fate
Made me as oft victorious as great,
Seated my Throne upon the conquer'd heads
Of those that seek the paths ambition treads,
And shall I now stand tame when threatned by
A weak low Object of my Clemency,
Wars vassal, no my rage shall tempests grow
And the fierce pow'r of inrag'd Monarchs show.
Lead to the Scaffold, by my Crown I'le try,
If thus inspir'd you can submit to dye.
If in the Book of fate my doom appear
To be the next, I'le meet death void of fear
And smile to think thou art my harbinger.

Moar.
Tyrant! not all thy tortures nor the Hell
Fixt in thy Conscience shall my Courage quell:
My Spirit shall contemne thy basest deed,
And spite of torments dare thee to proceed,
The Bright all-seeing Sun when I shall dye
From Reeking Mists will draw my soul up high,
Where on a Star I shall with Glory shine
And in infernal Caverns see thee Pine.

Melech.
Dream on, dream on, of visionary joyes,
Your fancy quickens with these pleasing toyes,
Lead him away, alas, he weary growes,
These dull delayes, but hinder his repose
His power would conquer Crowns beyond the Sun
Did he not want a head to set 'em on,

Zichm.
Pardon, dread Sir, I If presume so far,
To tell your Majesty the chance of war
Is incident to all men, Kings have been
The subjects of disasters not foreseen;
Blur not the trophies then of victory,
With the black stain of so much infamy;
Kings are like Gods when vertue they obey,
But that once lost, they are but common Clay.

Melech.
Your Moral Phrase I cannot understand:
Vertue, do's it not ly in my command,
What I decree is just, although exprest
A Miracle to an inferiour breast;
Vent your dull sentences, where publick wrongs
Lye brooding to be judg'd by publick tongues;
My will the power of factious souls shall awe
A Monarchs mandate is his Subject 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.
'Tis 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.
[Shout within.
—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't 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.
'Tis past beleif she cannot be thus tame
[aside.
This sordid 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 strife,
In being a mediatour for his life;
Let this submission penitence supply
[kneels.
Since 'tis your will, 'tis 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,
Tis 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.
'Tis 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 'tis 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 unfathom'd lyes,
One I mislike, but t'other I dispise,
Nor doubts of Government will I dispute,
But onely urge you to perform my suit.

Phil.
Long my prophettick heart has fear'd this ill.

Melech.
Heaven thou hast done thy worst thy Lawless Will,
Proud of an unmatcht pow'r has made me wrong
A potent Nation with a lavish tongue:
Madam, your Souls intentions have out done
My duller prudence, but like Phaæton
Your fledg'd ambition will I fear too late
Reap the advice that might prevent his fate.
Be wise in time—

Zelm.
—let wisdome Zealots save.
My Heaven is to be fortunate and brave
I am resolv'd.—

Melech.
—Mount the Egyptian Throne:
My breath shall faster tye what cannot be undone,
To my past fatal promise I'le be just,
And will perform my Oath, because I must.
Affairs i'th' State determine and maintain
For three days space, I thus confirm your raign.
Seats her in the Throne.
In your free votes be your allegiance seen.

Omnes.
Long live Zelmura, Egypts mighty Queen.

Melech.
I have but done, what others did before,
Ambitious deputies more Crowns have wore,
Then all the Cæsars, cloy'd with Conquests bore
'Tis a disport for Kings sometimes to free
Their tyred necks from Regal Monarchy.
The rapting joyes of Heaven too cheap would grow
Should we continual pleasures reap below;
But triffling thus my cheif affairs I wrong,
And by delayes his life preserve too long.
[pointing to Maoron.
Away with him his death my breast will clear
And rid my anxious soul from doubts and and fear

Moar.
Can heaven permit thy insolence to act
This obesene crime this base infernal fact:
Curst Tyrant, traitor, Traitor that's too good,
The plagues of Stix lie reeking in thy blood:
If as a Monarch you decreed before
My death, your will was ballanc'd then by Power;
But since with Pow'r the Queen you have endow'd,
You are now but one of the insipped croud,
Whose slender fate to servile acts should bow,
I am a God, to what thy state is now.

Melech.
Must I stand tame and hear this insolence.
Attack you first, seize and then force him hence,

To Zichmi and guards.
Zelm.
He meets his Death that stirs,
[interposing.
—Slaves know ye me,
Place your attendance here, and set him free
Give up his Sword; do it without reply
[To Zichmi
My pleasure frees him, and he shall not dye
By whose authority officious Lord
They unbind Moaron.
Did you thus saucily your aid afford
—Ha, whose decree—

Zich.
—Reason an answer brings
To that demand, Madam, it was the Kings

Zelm.
Kings Slave, what Kings? where do's that Traitor live?
That dares encroach on my prerogative,
What soveraign power in Egypt is there seen
But I, Sure you forget I am the Queen.

Phillo.
—The Storm begins already.

Achm.
—Though this feed.
The growing flame, I'me glad the Prince is freed

Phillo.
—The King seems thunderstrook.

Melech.
—Unbound and freed,
What rash dull fearless fool has done this deed,
Am I not Monarch, he that dares deny
Damns his presuming Soul; who dares speak?

Zelm.
I.

Melech.
Art thou a God?

Zelm.
—No, but my soaring Fate,
Assumes a Godhead o're thy humble state.

Melech.
Thou art a Woman, and thou canst not be
Equal with men, much less a Deity.

Zelm.
Mankind my Vassals are, and Kings alone
The secure props on which I build my throne.
Thou, as an humble shrub, art happy made
By the cool umbrage of my Cedars shade,
And 'tis a clemency above thy fate,
That I thus long do suffer thee to prate.

Melech.
Unheard of insolence, though now I grace
Your fate, there's reverence due to what I was,
And the vast power I am to bear again,
Sure you forget the shortness of your reign

Zelm.
'Tis short indeed, and sets my thoughts at strife,
I would reign longer then, for term of life.

Melech.
See how your high flown pride, your reason swayes,
All know your power extends but for three dayes.

Zelm.
No more, in that then see my Modesty,
Yet Fate can stretch it to Eternity.
Let not large hopes too much your Judgement wrong,
For, Sir, perhaps you may not live so long.

Phillo.
Mark that.

Melech.
—How not so long!

Zelm.
Perhaps, I say.
Heavens power is great, you may not live to day.

Achm.
([Apart.)
'Twas clouded well, thus pollicy invents
[Apart.
And under fair words cover foul intents

Melech.
I can no longer brook this insolence,
My honour must with my past Oath dispence;
Her haughty pride all Monarchy would shame,
But I betimes will quench this raging flame,
Your loyalty above my Oath prefer,
Be a Kings friend, and seize both him and her.

[to the Guards.
Zelm.
Stir not, you know my power.

Melech.
Hah! not obey'd,
Can you be by a Womans threats dismuid,
A Traiteresse

Zelm.
Let my breath your duties wing,
Guards I command you straight to seize the King.
The King, How I his abject fortune grace,
Go straight and seize the King, I mean, that was.

Melech.
Inhumane Tigress.

[Guards seize Melech.
Zelm.
By my fame I'le try
Who bears the greatest power, you or I,
All thoughts of what thou wert, I blow to Air,
Thy humble Fate is now below my care,
For since all things subject to chance we know
In humane life, then why not Monarchs too,
His insolence declares himself to be
A Traitor to the State, the Gods, and me.

Ptollo.
Yet gracious Queen.

Zelm.
Who speaks in his defence,
Incurs my lasting hate, Guards bear him hence.

Ptollo.
I cannot hold, Madam, if you proceed,
The Powers above will curse you for this deed,
The World

Zelm.
Stop, stop his mouth, must I grow wise,
By the dull coldness of a boys advise,
Away with both it is my fixt decree
He for presumption, and for treason he,
Make no replies,

Melech.
I have no breath to spare,
Unless to curse thee: May rank Poys'nous Air
Infect thy blood, and blast thee every where,
May all the Plagues of Hell—

Zelm.
—Seize thee, Whats worse.
'Dsdeath go, must I allow him time to curse.

Melech.
May all Diseases, Plagues, Pains, Tortures dwell
Within thy bosome

Zelm.
—Drag him to his Cell.
Exeunt Guards with Melech and Ptollomy.
So looks a Gloud, whose sable Curtains drawn
Includes the glorious Monarch of the Dawn
But when displaid to thin and purer Air,
The radiant eye of Heaven looks bright and fair:
Many there are that large dominions owe,
Yet onely make a Pageant dazling shew.
But I the rights of Empire will maintain
And greatness shew to him that next shall reign.
Unactive Spirits from ambition free,
Live but to shame the joyes of Monarchy.
I must see bended knees to State most due,
And such, my Lords, I shall expect from you.
Erring presumption has distruction bred,
But few prove Tyrants, if by all obey'd:
I will contemn my future dubious fate,
Creating pleasure in my present state,
In spite of Traitors that my fall presage,
I'l make my three dayes Reign extend an Age.

[Exeunt.