University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Prusias, Flaminius, and Laodice.
Prusi.
Queen, since that Title carryes so much Charms,
It's Loss, methinks should give you some Alarms;
Power if abus'd is seldom long preserv'd;

Laod.
This great Advice shall by me be observ'd,
And if I ever Reign, Sir, you shall see
The Practise of such Noble Policy.

Prusi.
Madam, to Reign you take but an ill way.

Laod.
You may direct me if I go astray.

Prusi.
You slight Rome, and too small respects you give
Unto a King, under whose Command you live.

Laod.
If you your Regal Power would better know,
You'l find I pay to both, Sir, what I owe;
If I as Queen receive Ambassies here,
I must as Soveraign before you appear.
Assume a Power which I cannot own,
And in your own Estates affront your Throne.
I them refuse out of Respect to you,
Honours, that in Armonia were my due.
There I might Romes Ambassudour receive,
And with fit splendor him an Audience give,
Their Answer, as a Queen to his Desires,
Or as the merit of the Cause requires.
Here Sir, I can't the Mistery understand,
Out of Armenia having no Command;
For all that Heaven does me else where allow,
Is that I live and no subjection know;
Reign o're my self, and have in all aboades
No Soveraign, but my Reason, and the Gods.

Prusi.
Those Gods your Soveraigns by your Father gave
To me the Power which over you they have,
And you perhaps my one day understand,
What's a Kings Reason where he does command.
For proof of it, let's to Armenia go,
I'le bring you thither, but attended so,
That since you stand so much upon your State,
You must prepare to see it desolate.
Wars utmost fury through your Land shall Reign,
Dead bodies shall make Mountains of a Plain.
And Rivers flow with Blood that I will spill.

Laod.
Losing my States, I'le keep my Glory still,
All those vast mischiefs wherewith you me brave,
Shan't make me subject, though they make me Slave:
My Life is yours, but not my Dignity.

Prusi.
This mighty Courage will reduced be,
When all these Miseries to a Head are grown,
And Attalus sits on your Fathers Throne;
Then, then perhaps, that Heart may stoop in vain,
To ask his Hand to seat you there again.

Laod.
If of your War such base Effects you find,
There must be a strange Change wrought in my Mind.
But Sir, perhaps you cannot get so far,
The Gods will of my Fortunes have a care.
And raise a man who may my Cause defend,
'Gainst all these Powers which Rome to you can lend.

Prusi.
You build your hopes on my presumptuous Son,
But know that both of you to Ruine run;
Think of that, Madam, and resolve to be,
Either a Queen, or else Laodice.
For 'tis the last Advice I'le give to you;
Make Attalus King if you would Reign. Adieu.