University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Prusias, Nichomede, Flaminius, and Araspes, Guard, Attendants.
Flaminius.
Sir, e're I take my leave, Rome does command,
That I on her behalf make one Demand.
For Twenty years you to that Senate owe
For a Sons Tutorage, and you may know
By Vertues which his Education grace,
He in their Cares had not the meanest place.
'Bove all, he is instructed how to Reign,
Rome sais't and asks this Credence to obtain
From you, That as a Witness you esteem
Her Cares, you order now a Crown for him,
And you'l offend her Sir, if you appear
To slight, what she thought worthy of her Care.
Let me then to the Senate Tydings bring,
Where 'tis that you design he shall be King.

Prusias.
The Senates Cares for him shall never find
Me either, Sir, ungrateful, or unkind.
That he deserves a Crown I must believe,
Since Rome and you do that assurance give;
But Sir, you see a Prince his elder there,
By whose victorious Arms three Crowns I wear,
Who now a Lawrel at my Feet does throw,
Some Glory to such worthy Acts I owe.
To speak for me, let him the Grace obtain.

Nicho.
'Tis none but you Sir, can make Att'lus Reign.

Prusi.
Your Int'rest is most touch'd in this affair.

Nicho.
But to preserve yours, it shall be my Care.
What's Romes Concern? whence does the Senate take
Power, whilst you Live, and Reign o're your Estate?
Live Sir, and Reign, whilst Nature grants you breath,
And leave me then to deal with Rome, or Death.

Prusi.
We ought to have Respect for such good Friends.

Micho.
Who shares in Life your States, your Death intends.
And of such Friends in Policy—

Prusias.
Forbear!
I'le nothing against that Re-publique hear,
To such Allies you should more Reverence pay.

Nicho.
Must I see Monarchs stoop to what they say?
Since Rome does for this Prince so much pretend,
Back Sir, to her, the mighty Present send;
If he to Govern does so well deserve,
He is a Treasure which they should preserve,
That he in time might that Republique grace,
Either ith'Consuls, or Dictators place.

Flam.
Sir, this Discourse so much in scorn of Rome,
Not from your Son, but Hannibal does come;
That proud Abhorrer of the Roman Name,
Has fill'd his heart with Hatred and Disdain.

Nicho.
No, but he fix'd it as a Maxime there,
To value Rome, and not her Greatness fear.
He was my Master, which with pride I boast,
And when Flaminius does revile his Ghost,
He must know, he may do me Reason yet
For that dear Life, nor ought he to forget,
That by his Fathers Blood, that mighty Man
His Triumphs o're the Roman State began.

Flam.
This is Reproach!

Nicho.
Do not the Dead revile!

Prusi.
Nor you by Contests me with Rome embroyl.
Speak plainly to the King as 'tis propos'd.

Nicho.
Well Sir, since then it cannot be oppos'd,
Attalus must Reign, Rome has resolv'd it so,
And since what she wills, must for Mandates go;
If this dull World will stoop to such a Sway,
'Tis fit when she commands, Kings should obey:
But Sir, though Attalus a mind possest,
Brave as the Greatest, vertuous as the best;
Though he with all the Merit were endow'd,
Might grace a Throne, and make a Monarch proud;
Yet 'tis too much for you, Sir, to afford
Credit to it upon a Romans word:
If he such Vertue, and such Valour own,
They by their great Effects will best be known;
Give him your Army, let him try to do
That for himself, which I have done for you.
I'le lend him, Sir, if he think fit, my hand,
And gladly will march under his Command:
Let famous Scipio my Example be,
To justifie such a Lieutenancy;
Who when Antiochus was by Rome dethron'd,
The Orders of his younger Brother own'd.
The rest of Asia will to him afford,
Sufficient Employment for his Sword,
Where he may surfeit his ambitious Brest.

Flam.
Rome into her protection takes the rest;
Nor must you, Sir, your Conquests there extend,
Unless you will her mighty Powers offend.

Nicho.
I know not what to this the King would say,
But I my self perhaps may Reign one day,
Then the Effects we of these Threats shall see,
Mean time, go, and those places fortifie.
Prepare my now resolved Designes to oppose,
And in good time your Roman Aids dispose;
And if Flaminius shall their Leading take,
I'le finde for him a Thrasimenes Lake.

Prusi.
Prince, you my Kindness by these Taunts abuse,
You should a Legate with more Honor use;
The Soveraign Power which does to me belong—

Nicho.
Command me either speak, or hold my Tongue.
I cannot say less for a King to those,
Who whilst he Reigns, would Lawes on him impose.

Prusi.
You offend me Sir,

Nicho.
Just as Rome Honors you.

Prusi.
Dare you with boldness your Offence pursue?

Nicho.
Why? should I, Sir, behold your States confin'd,
And Stops to my victorious Course design'd.
Should I stand still, and hear Rome threaten you,
And be so tame as not to threaten too?
But kindly thank the imperious Tongues, that dare
Restrain my Glories, and my Conquests bare.

Prusi.
Excuse those Heats from youthful Blood do rise,
Reason and Time will render him more wise.

Nicho.
Reason and Time opened my Eyes before,
And Age, Sir, will but open them the more,
If I had liv'd as Attalus has done,
And but imaginary Vertue known,
For what's without effects I must term so,
And that which does from admiration grow
Of mighty men, and Deeds does lamely teach,
'Tis Imitation must Perfection reach;
If then my thoughts like his, had ne're soar'd higher,
Than only Romes great Heroes to admire,
They still would leave me the Bithinian Crown,
As from all times due to the elder Son.
Nor would have so much prest my Brothers Reign,
Had not I taught your Armies how to gain:
But since by three Crowns joyn'd to yours by me,
Too great a Power they do united see.
'T must be divided, and a Blot so gay,
Makes this Prince too well bred Sir, to obey.
To weaken me that he their Turn may serve,
He more than Alexander does deserve.
And I must quit to make his Title good,
My Birthright or the purchase of my Blood.
Thank Heaven my Fortunes past, and those to come
Have cast a Cloud of Doubts, and Fears on Rome.
You, if you please, those Mists away may drive,
But never think I my consent will give.
The Master to whose Rules I all things owe,
Did not, Sir, teach me how to stoop so low.

Flam.
By what you say Prince, it may well be guest,
You han't for Glory fought, but Interest.
And all those great Exploits which you have done,
Make but the Father Tennant to the Son.
The King's at best but Steward of your Right,
You for your self, and not for him did fight;
If those Dominions gain'd him by your Hand,
Are not to be dispos'd at his Command;
Those Romans Sir, whom you so much despise,
When they fight, fight for Glory, not for Prize.
Scipio, whose Courage you extoll'd so high,
Having overcome Romes stubborn'st Enemy;
Claim'd not for all the Kingdoms he had won,
More than the mighty Name of African;
But Glory so sublime's not elsewhere known,
And such pure Vertue Rome can boast alone.
But Sir, as to those fond conceits of State,
Your Power, might Jealousies in Rome create.
Consult some graver heads, you'l quickly learn,
Your Greatness is too mean for her concern.
Respect unto the King does now restrain
My saying more, but think of this again.
Let less smoak from your Martial Fires arise,
And you perhaps may see with clearer Eyes.

Nicho.
When time this difference shall 'twixt us decide,
Perhaps you may not what I said deride.

Flam.
Mean time, if you in fighting find such charms,
Press forward Sir, the Glory of your Arms.
For unto them no Progress Rome denyes,
But Sir, she always succours her Allyes;
If you don't know it, I give you this Advice,
Lest at first sight her Eagles should surprize?
But to the point—all your ambitious Brest
Claimes as your Right, shall be by you possest,
Enjoy Bithinia, as it is your due,
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia too.
That Birthright, nor that purchase of your Blood,
Shall not make Attalus his Title good.
But since you think they all to you belong,
Rome has not a Design to do you wrong.
A Crown is none of yours that Prince shall wear:
The Armenian Queen is still unmarried Sir,
[To Prusias.
Th'Occasion does the thing it self propose,
You are her Guardian, and of her dispose.

Nicho.
To make him King is this then the Design,
Without infringing any Rights of mine?
The Piece with very curious Art is wrought,
And long Intreagues have worthy Issues brought;
But since no Right to me you here afford,
As unconcern'd I'le answer but a word:
Only take Care that Princess treated be
Like to a Queen, press not on that degree,
Nor do in her the Rights of Crowns invade,
Or if you do, I'le perish in her Aid;
Know that no place can Laws to Soveraigns give,
But they're at freedom wheresoe're they live;
And in these Courts she's at her own dispose.

Prusi.
Is this all you to that Request oppose?

Nicho.
Yes Sir, that's all, save only that the Queen
Knowing what I can do, too sharp has been.

Prusi.
'Gainst her, Sir, in my Courts, what dare you do?

Nicho.
Sir, I could speak, but can be silent too.
Only once more advise you, if you please
To Treat Laodice like what she is:
'Tis I that beg it.