University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Arsinoe, Attalus.
Arsi.
To fear this Rout, I see no reason vvhy
What's in a moment born, as soon vvill dye
If darkness does increase its noise, the light
Will dissipate the vapours of the Night.
Less does the peoples tumult me disturb
Then to see, thou canst not thy passion curb.
But led, by love so fruitless and so vain
Contemn'st not her, did thee so much disdain
Let that ungrateful from thy thoughts be chac't,
Now thou above her art by Fortune plac't;
It was her throne, not eyes, thou shouldst adore;
Reigning without her: love her then no more.
Offer that heart to more obliging chains,
Now th'art a King, Asia has other Queens,
Who would not scornful of thy sighes appear,
But pay those vows to thee, thou payest to her.

Attal.
But Madam, if—

Arsin.
VVhy if she should prove kind,
Theirs danger in't not seen by love that's blind:
Assoone as of her Crown possest thou be
She will engage thee in her hate to me.
But Oh Gods! can her rage those limits keep.
Can'st thou in safety in her bosome sleep?
Thinkest thou that her resentments will not prove
The sword or poyson to revenge her love.
What is't a woman won't in fury do?

Atta.
You with false arguments conceal the true.
The Senate who no powerful King would see,
Feard that in Nicomede they fear in me.
To a queens bed I cannot now pretend,
Unless I will our soveraign Rome offend,
And since by it my Interests I betray,
To keep her favour still I must obey,
Those profound pollicies I understand,
By which she hastens to the worlds command.
If any Monarch grows too great and high,
His ruine must remove her jealousie.
Who makes a Conquest gives a wound to Rome,
Which can't endure too great a power in one.
But alwayes thinkes just cause of warr appears
'Gainst those whose greatness may or'e shaddow hers.
They who of Empire best the rules do know,
Will make us all things to their orders owe,
Their power or'e Kings to that vast height is grown
All stoop to them, while they depend on none,
Madam, too well I am instructed thus,
By th'fall of Carthage and Antiochus,
Least I be crusht like one of them, i'le bow,
And reasons which I can't oppose allow,
Fate this complyance from me now commands,
Since you give Nicomede into their hands,
That Ostage will secure my Faith or be,
A Lyon ready to let loose on me:

Arsi.
This is what I intended to advise
But with this prudence you my soul surprize
These things may change, but let it be your care
To wink at Jealousies which useful are.