University of Virginia Library

SCENE VIII.

Arsinoe and Attalus.
Arsin.
My son, we Triumph; this great Nicomede
Begins to see how his Deceits succeed,
Those two Accusers by himself produc'd,
Which should to kill him, be by me seduc'd;
But to defame me were suborn'd by him,
Being startled at so foul and black a sin.
Both accus'd me, but did declare as soon
They to it by the Princes Gifts were won:
How mighty's Truth before the face of Kings,
It from the Souls dark parts, a secret brings.
That Presence does all Falshood soon confound.
They've lost their own, who sought my Fame to wound.

Att.
Madam, I joy to see such a Deceit
Has left your Glories yet more pure and great.
But put this Business to a closer Test,
And lay aside a while your Interest,
You'l less indulgence to a Humor give,
Makes you those Villains with such ease believe,
Their story twice this day has alter'd bin,
Subor'nd by you, and then suborn'd by him.
Against a man in whom such Vertues reign,
Such treacherous Souls should no belief obtain:
A confess'd Traitor does not faith deserve.

Arsin.
You're generous, Attalus, and I observe,
That even a Rivals Glory's dear to you.

Att.
If I'm his Rival, he's my Brother too,
We're of one blood, and that blood in my veins,
Forbids me think him guilty of such stains.

Arsin.
And does that blood of yours forbid you less,
To think your Mother is a Murtheress?
Your Mother, whose Destruction must be sure,
Unless his Loss her Safety does procure.

Atta.
If I 'gainst him such witness scarce believe,
To them 'gainst you I can no credence give;
But yet your Vertue that's above all Crime,
May let me keep for him a just Esteem.
His Glory has those jealous Spirits rais'd,
Which are best pleas'd when Vertue is disgrac'd,
Who with base acts (spur'd on by Envy) strive
To dark the Lustre of so fair a Life
For me, if other minds by ours be known,
Or we can guess of their thoughts by our own,
I must presume that I in him shall finde
The self same Maximes, and the self same minde.
With that great Rival I have fair play us'd,
Not sought his Ruine, nor his Fame traduc'd.
Those Aids I have, I did demand aloud,
And I think him with such brave thoughts endow'd,
That Glory onely his Designs inspires,
And but with Merit counters my Desires.

Arsin.
Intreagues of Court you never yet did prove.

Atta.
Should Princes not like Princes treat of Love?

Arsin.
You treat and talk like one did little know.

Atta.
Madam, I speak those Vertues Rome did show.

Arsin.
From time perhaps you will the knowledge gain,
What Vertues should compose a Monarchs Train.
Mean time, although that he your Brother be,
Think that you have a Mother still of me,
And to defeat what you of this conceive,
Come see how far the King does it believe.