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51
SCENE VI.
Arsinoe, Laodice, Cleone.Arsi.
Must she who caus'd these harms unpunish'd be
Laod.
No Madam, a fit punishment i'le find,
For the small Faults of her ambitious mind.
Arsi.
Speak you that punishment who know her crime
Laod.
A small abasement will serve for a Queen,
To see her plots prevented may suffice.
Arsi.
Say rather that her rashness to chastise,
Scepters and Crown she does deserve to loose.
Laod.
Great spirits seldom such revenges use,
When they have once o'recome they soon forget
And temperate bounds unto their anger set,
Arsi.
Those that believe you would be soon content
Laod.
Heaven gave not me a soul more violent,
Arsi.
To raise up subjects 'gainst their Soveraign
To hazard Kingdoms to the sword and flame,
Into the Court to press their insolence,
Call you this Madam, little violence:
Laod.
We're both mistaken, Madam, and I see,
VVhat I speak for you, you explain for me:
But for what touches me all cares are past
'Twas to serve you that made me hither hast,
Least Majesty might suffer something rude
From the inrag'd fury of a multitude,
Send for the King and Attalus that I
In them preserve the Royal Dignity.
VVhich else an angry people may assail.
Arsi.
Did ever pride o're woman thus prevail
You that the cause of these disorders were,
You that in my own courts my Captive are
You whose blood shall attone these crimes and be
A victim to affronted Majesty.
VVith confidence dare thus your crime pursue,
And talk as if I should ask grace of you.
Laod.
Madam, whilst you thus obstinate appear,
You don't believe tis I that command here,
52
Nor can this Tumult be a fault in me,
Your people are all guilty, and in them,
Justly these acts you may as crimes condemn.
But I'me a Queen and cannot be accus'd,
If for my safety I these Rebels us'd:
Since rights of War did never yet deny
Raising revolts against an Enemy
Who robs me of my spouse, I mine may call
Arsin.
I am so Madam, and what ere befall,
Be sure when ere these Rebels force the Court
That moment with your head you answer for't
Laod.
You'l falsely your threats, or on my tombe
Soon see a great and royal Heccatombe
But Madam, could you do't although there were.
Zenon and Mithrobates harbor'd here,
Think you my plots have bin so lamely fram'd
But I have likewise your domesticks gain'd.
Find out a man that would his life betray,
That's fond of dying, and hee'l you obey,
Yet o're Bythinia I pretend no sway,
Give me free passage to Armenia,
And that you may your own just power regain
Restore my spouse, whom you with hold in vain
Arsin.
That spouse of yours, you may towards Rome pursue
Flaminius has him, hee'l restore him you.
But pray make haste, you'l miss him else, for he
Is by this time at least a league at sea.
Laod.
Could I believe't—
Arsin.
You may do't if you please.
Laod.
Fly then those furies which my spirits seize,
After the knowledg of an act so foul,
All generous thoughts are bannisht from my soul
But rather as my hostage here remain,
Till with this hand, his freedom I regain,
I'le go and pluck him from the midst of Rome,
With all your subjects, and with all my own
At her own gates i'le give her my Alarmes,
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My rage shall their her tyrannies subdue.
Arsin.
Then you'l in fine reign ore Bethinia too?
And in that frenzy does possess you now
The King must of your Regency allow.
Laod.
Madam il'e reign, and yet not injure him,
Since he is but the picture of a King.
What need he care, who laws does here ordain
Or whether Rome or I for him does reign.
But see I have an other hostage yet.
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