 | The Siege of Memphis, or the Ambitious Queen |  |
Act. III.
Scene I.
Amasis and Saphrena.Amas.
Do's my affection then, her anger move.
Saph.
She has had notice, Madam, of your love.
And on your deeds through a false glass looks down,
But fearless seems to wink on all her own,
Charm'd with the state she is at present in,
She thinks herself too excellent to sin.
Amas.
'Tis well her Government so short appears.
How fares the King?
Saph.
—I dare not tell my fears,
'Tis whisper'd he's to morrow to be try'd
For treason to her Person.
Amas.
Headlong Pride
Debas'd, an Angel, and will prove her due,
My Nephew too imprison'd?
Saph.
'Tis too true.
Amas.
How do the Nobles brook her Tyranny.
Saph.
As men in tempests, when the winds blow high,
Fearing by each proud wave to be destroy'd,
With patience suffer what they can't avoid:
So they that willingly would peace inherit
With choice respect feed her ambitious Spirit,
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And not a Fabrick built of flesh and blood.
Amas.
Has she the Prince yet licens't to depart?
Saph.
I cannot tell the motions of her heart,
But by her cloudy looks it might be guest
Her will did not approve of his request.
The blood in her pale cheeks strove to oppose,
Whilst like the tide her colour comes and goes;
Doubtful to speak she his return delaid,
Pretending all his Ransome was not paid.
Amas.
'Tis strange such frailty should her breast inspire,
His going yesterday was her desire.
How look'd the Prince at his hopes overthrow?
Saph.
Like raging Neptune with a stormy brow,
Frowning he heard her words, his shaking head
Foretold his wrath, whilst rosie colour'd red
Flash'd in his cheeks with daring look reply'd,
'Twas 'gainst the Law of Arms she him deny'd,
Which she should find: This answer raising doubt,
He shook his head, and sullenly went out.
Amas.
I know she loves him, but her Cupids are
Mixt with soft passion, and the frowns of War:
She loves and scorns, though she in Secret own
Affection, she disdains to have it known,
But in my breast passions more dreadful move,
And Death sits coutch't on my despairing love.
Saphr.
Let such suspitions meaner Souls convince,
You are above all fear: But see the Prince.
Enter Moaron.
Moar.
Madam, as some poor heartless Mariner,
By factious States imprest to wander far,
Hastes to salute the Friends he holds most dear
With a kind farewel, and a parting tear,
So I my hasty steps thus rudely move,
To bid adieu to her I only love.
The ambitious Queen, her promise hath deny'd.
And my departure stopt through faithless pride:
'Tis true my life I to her kindness owe.
But honour wrong'd no gratitude can shew,
Therefore thus aided by the obscure night,
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Amas.
Ungrateful Queen, and more ungrateful they,
That want entreaties to prolong your stay;
Your suit deny'd, her passion did express,
She would have granted had she lov'd you less.
Moar.
Her love is then as dreadful as her hate,
And both to me as Messengers of Fate,
Besides the word from her sounds monstrous too:
Love has its beams and glorious dress from you.
Amas.
Rather from you, my Lord, whose worth has shewn
An excellence that Nature dare not own,
An Action in—How oft have I beheld
Your noble Person charging through the Field,
When the ambitious Sun have strove to grace
Your argent Arms with his refulgent face,
As proud to be an Ornament—How oft,
When flying Fame shouting applauses brought
To my glad ears, my heart with joy did flow
To hear you conquer'd, though my Countries Foe.
Moar.
Were you not lovely most excelling fair,
Sweeter than Balmy Gusts of western Air.
Had you not vertue to that large extent,
Would make a Goddess leave the firmament,
And pine with Envy, doubts my heart would move
To think you flatter, where you cannot love:
But as you are, your phrases do but shew
How much you merit, and how much I owe,
And I, unable yet to quit the score,
Am like poor Bankrupts, forc't to borrow more.
Amas.
How far your words do from Loves rules digress,
He needs not borrow that does all possess,
Though Misers bounty Obligation needs,
A bare Receipt in Love all Law exceeds.
Moar.
When Love rests happy, free; and unconfin'd,
Led by the fervent passions of the mind
To a safe Harbour: I confess the pow'r
Is charming blest, and the possession more.
But we, alas, a pair of restless hearts,
Fixt marks, where Fortune shoots her envious darts,
Fed with warm sighs must here unpitied live,
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Amas.
My love Surmounts all, for when you are gone
In silent groves, I'l waste my hours alone,
There court sweet Philomel to feast my sense
With the sad Theam of Tragick insolence.
I'le seek some widdow'd Turtle and debate
By that sad object my own hapless fate,
But when a thought of you my heart do's bless,
In flattering dreams of what I can't possess:
Though from the fading vision flow dispairs,
I'le sleep in bliss, although I wake in tears.
Moar.
Bright Angels will from heaven their aid dispence.
With Joy to guard such charming excellence
But should the pow'rs above deny thee aid,
And Fortune with disasters thee invade,
To desart Mountains I'de each Morn repair,
And catch the news from gusts of fluid air,
Then as a Cloud's dread issue breaking through
With pannick terrours charms Mankind below:
So danger and yourself I'de soar between,
And like fierce light'ning scorch to death unseen
But see the early star with glimmering light
Foretels the quick departure of the night,
This kiss bright Empress of my heart, and then
Farewel till the blest hour we meet agen.
Amas.
Till this sad minute I no grief could tell,
Moar.
And till this fatal night I ne're knew Hell.
Going to part severally are opposed at each door by the Queen and Guards. Moaron seeing the Queen, starts.
Moar.
The Queen.
Amas.
—Betraid, Oh Heavens!
Zelm.
Yes Sir, 'Tis I,
The jealous Queen from whom you meant to flie,
Do you not wonder at these Guards and me,
You see the strong effects of jealousie,
But want the leasure to mind others harms;
In the safe harbour of my Sisters arms,
And though her beauties snares your soul entwine,
You may no doubt in secret vaunt of mine,
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Saving your life was my chief act of Love,
But know, dull fool, my acts reputed ill
Sprung not from Love but to content my will,
My will, that now debars your liberty,
And when my will insites me, you shall dye;
Her punishment shall be some other time,
And such as suits the greatness of her crime.
Moar.
A crime to Love, injurious Queen, you give
An end to Nature, 'twere a crime to live,
So gross an errour past I must reprove
Souls are not Damn'd if they have grace to Love,
But blest with charms are fixt on Thrones above.
Zelm.
Since then for her you so much passion own,
I'le seat you where to vent your Love alone:
Her sight as fatal, men in feavors must
Be most deni'd, what most provokes their thirst,
Therefore your wonted temper to restore,
I am resolv'd you ne're shall see her more.
Moar.
Nay then I'le die this moment for to breath,
An hour without her were a double death,
Send on your Bravo's, bloud hounds that have known
How to snare lives and frankly pay their own.
For by the Gods, I will not fall alone.
My Sword above their slender fate shall sway
Confounding heaps that so my spirit may
When freed, have Souls to buffet by the way.
Zelm.
In your defence observe what I design'd
[to the guard.
Attack you first, wee'l seize on him behind.
Fight, Moaron is inclos'd by the guards and disarm'd.
Moar.
You basely, poorly, have the conquest won,
So shoals of flyes obscure the radiant Sun,
But yet, you cannot glory in my overthrow,
Nor boast your fate against a single foe.
Oh spiteful Gods, and Nature too unkind
To join frail strength to an immortal mind.
Adeiw, fair Saint, if here we meet no more
[to Amasis
My spirit shall to some new Region soar.
There search some flowry grot where we alone
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Zelm.
Away with him, hast, fly, or stay your Death,
Exeunt with Moaron.
My heart's not proof against such charming breath,
His words raise blushes that too much proclaim
My blinded passion and my growing shame,
You, from my clemency perhaps may find
[to Amasis.
A fate too gentle and reproof too kind,
But let not your too easie faith believe,
Though now I do, I always can forgive.
Despise the Prince and your past vows forget.
Goodness should die in them that would be great.
I am this hour to perform a deed,
Hell Imps may wonder at, but not exceed,
The Murder of the King, 'tis that alone
That Cements Romes strong Walls, must build my Throne.
[Exit.
Enter Saphrena.
Amas.
How came she hither, why were you so slow
That e're she came you could not let me know?
Saph.
Could I have done it and have sav'd my life,
I had been happy to prevent such strife.
But the sad story will such truth declare,
Will shew I wanted pow'r, not will or care,
For in yone passage sitting in th'Alcove,
Reading the story of Leanders Love,
I heard a rushing and then listning more,
The Queen came guarded to the Chamber door,
Who seeing me in that amazement start,
Straight sets her dreadful weapon to my heart,
Swearing by Apis, if a word I spoke,
Not all the Gods my ruine should revoke,
Fear charm'd my tongue, alas, what should I do,
Betray my life, or els' be false to you:
I could not speak, so great was my surprize,
Till she was plac't in ambush by the spies,
Who since I've heard, forc't by her Jealous fear,
Watching the Prince, observ'd him enter here.
Amas.
Heaven has to Cruel been thus to prevent
A harmless Love, so true, so innocent,
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He still ador'd my vertues, and I his,
But th'Envious Gods have mixt our bliss with cares,
'Cause our Elizium was more blest then theirs.
[Exeunt.
SENE II.
Zelmura in state seated on a Throne, Phillopater, Zichmi, Achmades, and other Lords standing beneath, guards waiting.Zelm.
Though to the Gods above our prayers we owe,
The Monarchs of the earth are Gods below,
Great Souls are Ideas of their heavenly might,
Sparks of their own ambition, rage, and spite,
And when we climb to Empires lofty ranks,
Engrossing Majesty we pay them thanks,
But on this Theam we have too long digrest,
You now have leave to offer your request.
Phillo.
Most mighty Empress, thou resplendant Star,
Of Eagle Ey'd perfection, Soul of War;
Thou glorious emblem of Divinity,
Bright as Apollo's beams.
Zelm.
—This pleases me,
This has some sound, and well befits my State.
Phil.
Remember those that groane beneath their Fate,
Curst in your wrath, let your Diviner breath,
Release 'em from the Mansion of pale death,
Gloomy dispair their tired sense beguiles,
Depriv'd of th'Radiant glories of your Smiles.
Achm.
They have no doubt with sorrow purg'd th'offence,
And curst their sinning 'gainst such excellence,
The Gods whose power you scorn to imitate,
By this excel in mercy as in State.
Zichm.
This were too great presumption were not we
Licens't by your confirming Clemency,
But Heavenly minds all Mortal thoughts exceeds,
The Sun's still glorious, though he shine on weeds
In your bright Aspect bliss and horror lyes,
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Zelm.
Still this I like, the more they flatter me,
The more they publish my Authority,
Precedent Monarchs State too midly sought,
I am the first, men to subjection brought.
They dread like thunder my controuling breath,
And he that slights my frown, incurs his death,
Neglected duty fatal ruine bodes,
Whilst grand respect still equals us with Gods,
Whose boundless pow'r do's with my fate comply,
They can do what they will, and so can I,
Do all your wills in this joynt suite remain.
Omn.
'Tis all, great Queen, we covet to obtain.
Zelm.
Heavens with what fear, the Motion they relate,
I am transported with my glorious state,
Mild Majesty abreviates its bliss,
But what that wants of Power I possess,
I have consider'd on your Joynt request,
Your suits conjoyn to have the King releas'd
Perhaps you think the conquests you obtain,
Are all disgrac't in a weak womans raign
And weary of my Yoke, think it well done,
To wish a King to put more setters on,
Like Æsops frogs you grudge your gentle thrall,
Yet sue for Storks that would consume you all,
But know I rise not thus, so soon to fall,
My power is yet unblemish'd, Lords, and know,
Since I am Queen, I still will keep me so,
Therefore I have decreed it constantly,
That e're the Sun decline, the King shall dye.
Omn.
—Yet gracious Madam
Zelm.
Hold, I've sworn his Death,
Tis dang'rous to controul my fatal breath,
His treason and the horrour of the deed,
Justice would say, he do's deserve to bleed
But if her Zeal this act as good denyes,
My will shall weigh the deed, and Justice lyes.
Zichmi in this be your allegiance shown,
Take this, and see the execution done,
[gives a Ticket.
Yet that to your great comfort you may see,
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By vertue of this Ring, set my Son free.
[give a ring
Haste and ere twilight see the Pris'ner dead,
Or for a brave neglect forfeit your head.
Zelm.
Your will, great Queen, is not to be withstood,
For done by you the worst of Crimes is good.
Achma,
Since fate and ignorance permits us still
By errours to disturbe your Godlike will,
Let us your grancious pardon share, since we
Incur'd the fault through too much Loyalty;
Your wise regreet perhaps some ill do's save
So Gods deny mankind the things they crave.
[shout.
Enter Ptollomy and kneels.
Zelm.
Rise Sir, and let your future Acts declare
You my high fate as well as courage share,
Your past offences we will now forget,
But henceforth studdy things more brave and great.
Ptollo.
Madam it lyes not in the power of fate
To make me Coward or degenerate.
To heaven for health and knowledge thanks is due,
But haughty Courage from your blood I drew.
Zelm.
My will unquestion'd power shall express,
Hell shall not daunt nor heaven make it less:
What fools think pride my Judgement calls divine,
A Soaring essence, that like Jems does shine
In the Ambitiou's souls of such as love
Abliss from nature glean'd, not from above:
We should not differ from the common Crowd
Were not our greatness lycens't to be proud,
Though adoration to mortallity
Be counted vain by dull hypocrisie
I think it reason if adrest to me,
My state as worthy is of Sacrifice,
As Joves with all his troops of deities.
Phillo.
On what prodigious pride her Spirit soars,
That thus she dars blaspheme the heavenly powers.
[aside.
Ptoll.
Since then your Clemency is pleas'd to place
Me once more in the Sun beams of your grace,
Let me not too too in solent apear
In tendring a petition to your ear,
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And what I now admire, I shall adore.
Zelm.
Haste to declare your Suit I will not say,
'Tis your unknown, but yet I think it may.
Ptoll.
In your attention I am far more blest,
Than in that vote by which I was releas't,
But can I in your favour basking lye,
Lul'd with delight, and see my Father die:
Unatural, unkind, and Cruel too.
Therefore thus low most mighty Queen I sue
To your reviving breath for a reprieve,
Though he be still confin'd yet let him live.
Think what a horrid Crime it is to shed,
[Queen Starts.
His blood; who is the part'ner of your bed.
Kind nature cannot but dispute his Cause,
Plead his desert, Religion, and the Laws,
Besides his fortune may his Crime defend,
His Soul was great and knew not how to bend;
Brave minds like Palmes do most themselves advance,
When most deprest by the strong hand of Chance,
And his uncurb'd Soul till that moment free.
Soon felt the shame in losse of Majesty,
The nations love will flow if your forbear,
But if persist they'l onely love for fear,
Cheer then their drooping hearts, and save the King.
Zelm.
Away thou daring fool, base, sordid thing,
Gods can strong prison walls men vertue teach,
The Boy's grown Zealous, and has learn't to preach,
And with grave Morals that all sense disown
Thinks from my lofty head to charm the Crown:
Did I this frozen Snake from bondage bring,
Warm'd by my grace, so soon to shew his sting,
Have I oft nourisht him with my one blood,
To leave the track of glory and grow good,
Degenerate wretch what blisse could'st thou divine
From his raign that thou mayst not reap in mine,
What though he shar'd my bed without controul,
His Rival, brave Ambition, shares my Soul,
And when brave spirits glory to be great
Religion's uselesse, and the Law a cheat.
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The Gods and nature equally I prize,
Had I with patience liv'd so long alone,
Till providence had help't me to this Throne,
In spite of all its pow'r I might, I see,
Have mourn'd the loss of royal dignity,
But by ambition rais'd, my pow'r I know,
And from my Throne dare laugh at all below.
Therefore recal that breath pronounc't before,
And here a Pardon, instantly implore,
Or never stir from the cold Pavement more.
Ptoll.
Prostrate beneath your foot I bend thus low,
It is a Posture I in duty owe,
[kneels.
But to repent and my past suit recal,
Were abject, base, and most unnatural,
Nor can I quell my soaring thoughts so soon,
Let it suffice it was a fruitless boon.
Zelm.
Though your denial insolent appear,
It shews you share my blood, despising fear,
Live, and your hearts ambition, to regain,
I give you leave to wish, nay hope to reign.
Ptol.
Unconstant hope and full of flattery,
You are immortal, sure you cannot dye.
Zelm.
Though Death proves vassal to my soaring fate,
My pow'r is boundless and I may create.
I in your reign may dissipate my fears,
My youth being past, and some few hundred years,
But could your tongue request the Kings reprieve,
Knowing I must not reign if he should live,
By his decease succession I dare own,
And by your nonage can command the Throne,
But had he liv'd, fate had my power beguil'd,
Ill fare those Realms where Monarchs are too mild,
My will shall now the charms of greatness prove,
Respect and fear best shews a subjects love.
And womens courage by ambition warm'd,
Dares laugh at danger, though all Hell stood arm'd.
[Exeunt.
| The Siege of Memphis, or the Ambitious Queen | |