University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Cosroes, Medarses.
Med.
'Tis wondrous, sure, to find such loyalty
In one a stranger born; but yet, my king,
All this suffices not: our destiny
Demands a stronger pledge.

Cos.
Before this day
Declines, thou shalt be partner in my throne:
Then little can one madman's pride prevail
Against the power of two united kings.

Med.
Your love to me will but incense him more:
Already Siroes has seduc'd the people,
And numbers own his cause: seditious threats
Are heard on every hand.—Alas! my lord,
Unless the plant is rooted from the soil,
It still must grow and spread to our annoyance.
A remedy is sure—but harsh to speak—
The head once sever'd, faction in the vulgar
Soon loses all its vigour.

Cos.
Oh! my heart
Recoils from such a deed—

Med.
'Tis true, the thought
Congeals my blood.—No other way remains
To ensure your safety, but to pardon Siroes,
And raise him to the throne.—To him, my father,
I gladly yield the now contested sway,
To wander far an exile from my country,
And ease his fears of me: should this be little,
My vital blood shall gladly flow to appease him:
Strike here, and deem me happy in the wound
That renders peace to him who gave me being.

Cos.
I feel my eyes o'erflow with tenderness:
Ah! dear Medarses, let me hold thee thus,
Close to my heart. Why did not Heaven bestow
Two sons like thee!

Med.

[Exit.