University of Virginia Library

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,
And Heaven and Fate triumph in both your eyes.

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,
You have a Queen oreflows with clemency
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,
Whose grant my grateful heart with thanks will store,
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.
The blessings others Covet I despise,
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.