University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Zichmi, Amasis.
Zichmi
Madam in slighting thus my proffer'd Love,
You slight your bliss and happiness remove,
The Queen to me your person did assign,
With a strict charge to keep you still confin'd
But your desert such cruelty withstands,
And makes me slight her arrogant commands,
If, Gentle Fair, my Joyes you would enthrone,
And grace my servent passion with your own.

Amas.
Can Heaven such insolence unpunisht bear,
If by the Queens command, Sir, you appear
My rude controuler, and my Jailor here,
Perform your Duty with a careful breast,
But dare not thus my privacy's molest,
Least to my sister I declare at large,
How ill her Argus did perform his Charge.

Zichm.
These threats are vain, the Queens whole pow'r I slight,
She is preparing for the dreadful fight,
Involv'd in blood and horrour, but I mean,
In Love to prove a more delightful Scene.
'Tis true I am not lifted to that heigth,
To be a King, and so reputed great,
Yet love makes me a Monarch in conceipt.
And in your arms I shall be nobler far,
Then Romans in their greatest triumphs were.

Amas.
My arms, was e're such arrogance yet seen.
D'you know me, Sir, I'm sister to the Queen,
A Princess, whose high fate you should admire,
And not molest with your abas'd desire.

Zichm.
I know your high estate, and therefore move
My suite thus humbly to request your Love,
I will not say I merit your high birth,
That were to set a price upon your worth,
But passion keeps my senses from dispair,
In Love and Death, all mortals equal are.

Amas.
By that ill rule you half mankind deprave,
And make a Monarch equal with a slave,
Since both may Love, but canst thou hope to be,
(Rais'd by unruly Love) equal to me,
Recant, dull fool, before it be too late,
And draw not on your self a certain fate.

Zichm.
Fate afright those that fear some mighty power,
All firm allegiance I renounce this hour,
I hate the Queen, and dare declare it too
Thus boldly in my lawless Love to you,
My late observ'd fidelity was shewn,
Not for the Nations profit but my own.

Amas.
And can you hope to live, when this is known.

Zichm.
My thoughts reach not so far, controuling Love
Usurps my heart and do's all doubts remove,
I shroud a fire that surpasses Hell.

Amas.
Cannot the thought of death your passion quel.

Zichm.
Death no, let such base fears weak souls annoy,
I love you, and your beauty's will enjoy,
But I'me too tame, some women I have known?
Love to be forc't, and perhaps you are one,

[goes to seize on her.
Amas.
Stand off, what Demon do's thy breast inspire,
To use a Princess thus?—

Zichm.
—Love and desire,
Why do you look like one that is amaz'd,
takes hold of her.
To see a fury you, your self hath rais'd,

Amas.
Guard me good heavens, have you no remorce,
to him.
Think you I ever can be won by force,
[mildly
Good Gods what flinty natures men possess,
Cruel as Tigers in the Wilderness,
And hungry Lyons thirsting after prey,
Though void of sense, more pity have than they,
Can you e're think if mildness you remove,
Your threatnings ever can increase my Love,
Love a soft peircing motion should bequeath,
Known by the pulse, an eye, or short quick breath,
But you the utmost bounds of Passion shew,
And treat a Virgin as you treat a foe.

Zichm.
Forgive me then, and think I did express,
Letting her go.
My late rash words but through my love excess,
I now too late repent the insolence,
And beg thus low a pardon for the offence,
Fair, Lovely, Kind, I would be milder yet,
Can you my past unmanly Crime forget,
In other Acts our reason rules above
But proves a vassal to our haughty Love,
Remember, Madam, fates controuling Laws,
And let your charming beauty plead my cause.

Amas.
This yet is something better, noble minds,
Humility not stubborn roughness binds,
Their uncurb'd souls forc't down still upward tends,
Like unwrought steel that breaks before it bends.
Oh cruel fate, that thus can force my tongue,
Against my heart t'extenuate a wrong,
[aside.
Forcing my nature, driven to dispair,
To cherish Vipers, that infect the air.

[Exit.
Zichm.
So she begins to yeild, when women pawse
A little Courtship, the agreement draws,
I've long desir'd enjoyment of her Love,
But ne're till now durst my petition move,
Wanting occasion to perform my will,
And daring boldness for an act so ill,
Not that I own much passion, but my spleen,
This way revenges me upon the Queen,
The Queen, to whom I mortal hatred bear,
A hate deserv'd, unbounded, and severe:
Nor can a Petty Jar, an abject strife,
In the depriving of her single life
Abate the plague of my revengeful breath,
Her sisters rape must usher in her death,
That action will not only horrid be
But fix a stain on her Posterity,
Tis now the army's are engag'd, if fate
Permits her once more to be fortunate,
And gain the conquest, this shall launch her breast,
shewes a dagger.
But if the foe is with the palm possest,
I to her face this impious Act will own,
And to the Syrian King betray the town,
Till night I'le leave her to consult, but when
Black, misty Clouds shuts up the day from men,
If by disdain she slights a milder Course,
Deny'd, like Roman Tarquin I will force.

[Exit.