 | The Siege of Memphis, or the Ambitious Queen |  |
SCENA Ultima.
Zichmi, Amasis.Zich.
These dull delayes do only bliss remove,
Coucht in the essence of united Love,
Madam, you too much time in thought have spent,
Dull thought a friend to passion ne're was meant,
Dispeirce those frowns that fatal storms presage,
And by consenting make this hour an age.
Amas.
Consider, Sir what torments will succeed,
The Curst persuance of so foul a deed.
Zichm.
I have consider'd on my certain fate,
I know my death this crime must expiate,
But e're I dye in Heav'ns bright Sphere I'le rove,
And reach an immortallity by Love,
Each minuit will our bliss make more sublime,
And put new Sands into the Glass of time.
Amas.
I cannot Love you thus, this rudeness bears
So strange a shape, it do's increase my fears,
Calm your fierce passion let the Love yon own
To my desert, in your respect be shewn,
Be milder Sir soft kindness may proclame,
My free consent, to what I dare not name,
But your impatience do's my passion charm,
And 'gainst your hateful suit my fancy arm,
No succour yet approaching, no blest aid.
Ye Heav'nly pow'rs releive an injur'd Maid,
[aside.
Hem'd in with horrour, and past help distrest.
Zichm.
In this your sexes frailty is exprest,
Thus you with glossing Phrases hope to blind,
And then deceive with falshood half mankind,
But this gross pill must then be swallowd by
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'Tis true I Love you, but my grosser flame,
Burns not so clear, and has a Courser name,
Then that which dotards Court you with, a fire
Sprung from hot blood, and nourisht with desire,
And therefore I, that am not blinded yet,
Can look through the thin vail of your deceipt,
And find that you my passion have delay'd,
In expectation of some posting aid,
Perhaps because you do mislike my hair,
I am not as you wish me fat or fair,
For 'tis not vertue or dull modesty,
That makes your stubborn tongue my suit deny,
No sense of ruin'd Honour is embrac't
But only grief the pleasure will not last,
Since then I know your Sex prone to be kind,
Since your denials plainly shews your mind,
I am resolv'd thus the effects to prove,
And make revenge my cheifest act of Love,
[goes to seize her.
Amas.
—Help help, oh help.
Zelm.
Enter Zelmura.
—Hah, our high blood defam'd,
Sink Impious slave, to Hell, perjur'd, and damn'd,
Rushes in and e're he can get his Sword that leys on the Table wounds him mortally.
Zichm.
'Tis done, thy bloody Sword has forc't its way,
Hell, and curst fate still traitors thus repay,
Oh that I could but lift my arm so high,
To strike one stroke, though I were doom'd to lye
Ever in flames, and in Hells Sulphure fry.
I would thy soul through thy life blood persue,
And to revenge my Brother, stab that too.
But 'tis too late, I'me gone.—
[dies.
Zelm.
—Hast then and die,
A horrid Scene of lasting infamy,
Amas.
Oh, let me kiss the Sword, that did the deed,
And my dear honour from that traitour freed,
Heaven of my injur'd innocence took care,
'Twas the effects of a chast Virgins pray'r.
Zelm.
Our base Egyptians, lives dishonour'd choose,
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I only hither fled to thy defence,
Least you should suffer by their insolence,
'Tis true I think the Syrian Prince retains
Of his late love, to you some small remains,
And might be brought his forces to remove,
And to restore the Crown, a prize to Love,
But deeds wherein your fame and honour lies,
I would do nothing without your advice,
Her secret thoughs will now be Straight exprest,
aside.
And by this Plot I soon shall sound her breast.
Amas.
Let not such blest Events be then withstood,
My life's too little for the Nations good,
Instruct me sister what I have to do,
To save the State I'd fate it self persue.
Zelm.
No action our great danger can convince,
By your consent again to love the Prince.
Amas.
To Love the Prince, what tides of blessings meet,
I love him more, than Angels do their Seat,
An ardent passion do's my breast inspire,
My life is not so dear.
Zelm.
—Furies and fire.—
[aside.
Amas.
If that blest action can extend your sway,
Lets hence, and see, how gladly, I'le obey.
Zelm.
—Oh horrid.
Amas.
—that all doubts I may remove,
I long to see the Object of my Love.
Zelm.
—Behold it then,—
[drawing her Sword.
This is thy Lover, this relucent toy,
The latest bliss, thou ever shalt enjoy,
Dull fool, my Jealousie, was strong before,
But this confession has inflam'd it more,
I did expect, that when I had remov'd
Your passions cause, you would forget to Love,
But your late words have rais'd my fears again,
And in my heart caus'd an unusual pain:
A pain so feeling that compar'd to this,
Tortures are Joys, and Hell a Paradice,
Therefore prepare to die.
Amas.
—To die, oh, no.
Zelm.
Stand firmly now, and bravely meet the blow.
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I cannot, oh such horrid thoughts remove,
I will perform your will renounce my Love,
I'le hate the Prince his proffer'd Love defie,
Rail, slight, I can do any thing, but die,
Confine me to some Dungeon wanting light,
Whose obscure Walls inclose perpetual night,
Or place me here, do any thing to give
Your self a choice content, but let me live:
You in my death all cruelty surpass,
Alas, I yet ne're knew what woman was,
Take pity of my Youth and spare my breath,
Heaven knows, as yet, I am unfit for death.
Zelm.
Unfit for Death, how vainly you remove,
My Cautious doubts, were you unfit to Love,
I might believe your argued policy,
But being fit to Love, you'r fit to die,
Amas.
Nature our hearts to passion do's bequeath.
Zelm.
But nature always must submit to death,
Within few years the tyrant will grow bold,
Amas.
Then Sister do but stay till I am old,
Zelm.
Oh fit, should lifes reprieve so tedious be,
Your death would be an act of charity,
By dying young fame Lawrels will provide,
And tell succeeding ages how you dy'd.
Amas.
A fatal glory that no fame can have,
But in the gloomy Mansion of the grave.
Zelm.
Besides some comfort 'tis, you do not die
Alone, for I will keep you company,
When my brave sword hath sent thee to thy rest,
Warm with thy blood it then shall peirce my breast,
But should you live and fervently renew
His Love, that only to my merit's due,
I my revenge, in t'other world would boast,
And daily haunt thee, with my restless Ghost,
But in your Death, I rest shall find, and you
A happiness unthought of shall pursue,
[shout.
These shouts declare the Enemy's intent.
I must make hast least fate the deed prevent,
Love guide my hand.—
[wounds Amasis.
Amas.
Hold, hold, look how I bleed,
Let this suffice, oh do not now proceed.
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Fond foolish Girle, why dost retard thy bliss,
Hadst thou stood still thou hadst been dead e're this,
And free from danger, there
[wounds her again.
Amas.
—will nothing do,
Gods must I die thus poorly, basely too,
Assist me Heaven.
Runs and snatches up Zichmi's Sword and then comes to the Queen.
Zelm.
—Is your courage warm'd?
Amas.
So now, thanks fate, as well as you I'me arm'd,
Infernal fury come if I must die,
I'le give my self a noble destiny,
If death to nature, be a debt, we owe,
I'le meet it bravely, come, you move too slow.
Zelm.
'Twas bravely done this act I must commend
It saves your life if you can well defend.
Amas.
'Tis gone, yet in my Death my tongue shall move,
fight and Amasis falls.
Upon no theam but my unspotted Love,
I feel my life in lukewarm streams depart,
And natures palefac't tyrant gripes my heart,
Take Cruel Queen, and by my death receive
In him the Quintessence of all that's brave,
Whilst I surrender heaven that life it gave.
[Dies.
Zelm.
Farewell, to pity thee is now too late,
A stubborn heart best suits a wretched State,
And I that scorn'd the ills of destiny,
Will dare its worst effects and fearless die.
But what is death, or whither do I go?
To heaven, or some dark Region plac't below,
If any State or government serene,
Be where I am, should hell encrease its spleen,
And strive to oppose yet I would be their Queen,
Stay thou bright soul of my dear sister stay,
And be my star to guide me on the way,
She's cold as earth no greifs her Spirits seize,
Her pain is vanisht and she sleeps in peace,
And I too long delay, now she is gone
But my past promise straight I will make known,
And thus revenge her Murder, by my own.
[Stabs her helf.
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Moar.
entring.
Hold, hold, Oh baleful object dismal fate.
Snatches the dagger from her.,
Zelm.
No Sir, 'tis done, your triumph comes too late,
Too late you think my glory to defame,
And fix a blemish on Zelmura's name;
Besides, this hand that did but lately bear,
The lofty Scepter, ill would fetters wear,
These two my Sword did late from life remove,
Pointing to Amas. and Zichm.
One for his Lust, t'other for too much Love,
Phillo.
Unconstant chance that could permit this deed,
See here, great Queen, your Son and subjects freed,
Your Cruel hand has rob'd you of your bliss,
For at Moarons suit you now possess,
Your fertil Land your Crown, is back restor'd,
By him that won it with his conqu'ring Sword.
Zelm.
To my lost fame they ill their bounty use,
To give what I for ever must refuse.
Moar.
What envious demon, did your rage incite,
This to eclipse your sisters glorious light,
Oh, Cruel Queen, how could you peirce her breast,
In whose Angellick sight mankind was blest,
Her excellence made heaven appear a shade,
And had not a frail mind her Mortal made,
She would have been a Goddess more divine,
Then e'r in Starry robes do's yonder shine.
Zelm.
Let not your fancy faithless thoughts persue,
Know Sir, she to your Love, was heavenly true,
It was my pow'r made her your flame withstand,
Nor durst she disobey my fierce command,
So strong a jealousie my heart did greive,
I could not die in peace, and let her live,
But now I know no Rivals in my Love,
My daring Soul shall vaunt i'th' Clouds above?
Blow, blow, ye winds, and mount my spirit high,
Above the azure Mountains of the skie,
And Since no longer I am mortal here,
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Crown'd in bright Cassiopeas Starry Chair,
Farewell the pleasing cares of Majesty,
Now lost for ever, late possest by me,
The glittering pleasures that with state do dwel,
And crouds of crouching Vassals, all farewel;
I faint, methinks cold mists my eyes subvert,
And envious death sits crown'd upon my heart,
But Tyrant know thy pow'r, I still defie,
Thus dare thy greatest rigour, and thus die.
Selab.
Farewel, thou type of never dying fame,
Whose lamp of honour shall for ever flame.
Moar.
Injurious Gods, and too tyrannick fate
That givest to noble lives so short a date,
That rob'st divine perfection of her store,
Which thus at wast consum'd makes Nations poor
Was't not enough, Oh Envious, to subdue,
A Queen whose Second, Affrick never knew,
But you must stop this Princess amber breath,
And proudly triumph in a Virgins death,
Heaven now, methinks, ungrateful do's appear,
These deeds had ne're be done, had I sat there.
Selab.
Reclaim, your passion, 'tis a Peasants curse,
That never quells our grief but makes it worse,
You, to my yet unquestion'd pow'r must own,
to Phil. and Achm.
Obedience and pay tribute to my Crown.
Omn.
Ye must obey our fate,
Selab.
—That done wee'l cease,
From hostile actions and conclude a Peace.
Ptollo.
My Mother slain, my Country lost, and fame,
Take Gods that life you lend with so much shame.
Goes to stab himself but is hindred.
Selab.
Convey him hence, and him your Monarch own,
And next successor, to the Egyptian throne,
Great Spirits in distress must Courted be,
Disdain or pity, augments misery
Omn.
May heaven still your sword with conquest bless,
Exeunt Achm. with Ptollo.
Selab.
My age no greater glory can possess,
Then using Mercy when I may controul,
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Moar.
From henceforth drossy passions I'le remove,
And guard my self from the Curst baits of Love,
Honour shall be my Mistriss now I'le trye,
Remoter Regions where the dusky sky,
For want of Phœbus Luster hinders me,
Of light to grace a glorious victory,
Soft Passion feels afflictions smarting Rod,
Whilst glorious honour makes a man, a God,
Gives him a Will to dare, and pow'r to do,
Strength to engage, and courage to persue,
Lead to the Temple, and to Earth translate,
These mighty Trophies of must pow'rful fate,
That done in Glittering arms I'le to the field,
First wear a Cypress wreath and next a sheild.
[Exeunt Omnes.
FINIS.
| The Siege of Memphis, or the Ambitious Queen | |