University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Gengis, Octar.
Octar.
What orders do you give
Touching this infant they conceal from vengeance?

Gengis.
Any.

Octar.
You should command your faithful guards
To force the Infant e'en from Idamè.

Gengis.
O hurt not Idamè: but haste, good Octar,
To make her haughty husband know my pow'r.
This Infant's blood were poor and low revenge,
My rage demands a nobler sacrifice.

Octar.
Zamti?

Gengis.
Ay, Zamti.

Octar.
Oh! beware, my Lord;
Nor let a thought so mean debase your soul.
Would you new firmness add to his despair?

Gengis.
I would preserve my Idamè: the rest
I leave to thee. Away!

Octar.
What would you do?
What is your hope?

Gengis.
To talk with her again,
To see her, love her, and of her be lov'd;
Or else to be reveng'd, and give her death—
Alas! you see the weakness of my heart:
Spite of my haughty soul, weak passion's slave
I threaten, love, despair, and madly rave.