University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Enter Mandana, Daranthe, Cydane, Renone, and other Women.
Mand.
The King may soon repent he gave our Treaty
Such neglect.

Cyd.
We doubt it not, most royal Madam—

Mand.
And for his Queen, whose fair desertion
Has the first place in our quarrel, would she
Were now alive, that we might with our arms
Impose her on his Love.

Daran.
'Twere to be wish'd.

Mand.
The proof we have now given by taking
This strong City of Daxata on the River
Volga, must make 'em know, their force
Must yield unto our Sexes power,
We lead—what thinks our chief
Commandress?

Daran.
I judge that victory will soon
Make offerings at your feet.

Mand.
This Pass we have
Secur'd must prove considerable, since it
Impedes all their recruits that way.

Daran.
And what's more,
Hinders provision might else arrive
Unto their Camp: nor can they forrage here
Much longer, environ'd on each side with
Mountains, where by your mighty conduct
All the passages stand seiz'd by us.

Mand.
I think
They dare not hope to force their passage.

Daran.
Our Womens hearts must fail 'em strangely then,
And make your greatness wear a blush,
To see them this day prove degenerate,
Who from your conduct glory many Victories.

Mand.
Spoke like the blood of Amazons.

Renon.
Nor do we doubt the issue of this day
Will make your Prowess far more fam'd
Then brave Thalestris (stories tell) was from
Great Alexander, (the Prince of Captains)
Held in highest admiration.

Mand.
I see
You are all resolv'd, as does become
This Cause I fight, by which we'll force even Nature
To confess she was a partial Mother
To our Sex, when she made man
First heir of Glory.

Daran.
Royal Madam—

Mand.
Enough, they serve
Our drudgeries, our pleasures, or embraces,
To create us Souldiers, that scorn their uses
But for our heroick ends.

Daran.
Did but the Women
Of this world besides hear this, they'd be asham'd,
To think they had not broke the yoke of men,
And such a fair and great Protectress in your self.

Mand.
An entertainment for our Greatness there,
That this haughty Prince, Tysamnes, (who dares
Make War against our Sex) may know that we
In this strong City, forc'd from his bold powers,
Keep our triumphant joys.

Ren.
Some Prisoners of War desire to present
Your Majesty with a Dance, after the
Manner of their Country.

Man.
We admit them.

Musick and a Dance.
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
A Moorish Lady desires admittance
To your presence.

Man.
She has our leave.

Enter Parisatis disguis'd like a Moor.
Man.
Your business Lady.

Par.
'Tis such, most Royal Madam, must beg
A pardon for my craving this access,
Who have journy'd far to see the glory
Of your Arms and Person, fam'd above all
The antient Amazons so much renown'd.

Mand.
The ambition of this visit we can pardon;
And glad we are our Actions have
Oblig'd the world and fame.

Par.
But more your Sex in this
Fair Cause your arms embrace.

Mand.
This language suits
Our greatness—

Par.
And though our swarthy clime
Cannot boast Natures Beauties in Rose
And Lilly cheeks; that gives us there as Daughters
Of the night; or that the kisses of the Sun
Were so unkindly spent, as it alone
Did darken us, and guild the world besides;
Yet we have there bright souls of honour.

Mand.
I find thou hast, above what I in this
Short view can read—thy Name?

Par.
Zeriffa, Madam—

Mand.
Thy extraction
I need not ask, I know it must be great
That represents thy self so full of noble grace
Unto our presence.

Par.
Your great esteem is
My ambition to improve, though with the
Greatest hazard of my life.

Mand.
And dost thou then love Arms?—

Par.
So far, most Royal Madam, as I would
Be glad to dye, though not so much as mention'd
In the lowest place, among the Annals
Of your fair Atchievments.

Mand.
I even dare
Already boast I have a Souldier in thee,
Worthy to lead with us, and these, whose veins
Are warm'd with blood of Amazons, inciting
Deeds, which but reported to the softer
Of our Sex, give tremblings to their hearts.

Par.
I should be loth to lose my share in honour,
Or miss the end I have design'd my life;
Yet must avow I never yet have fought.

Mand.
Though thy Complexion above all my Sex,
Nature has fitted most to deeds of War,
In which the scars, and wounds of arms, cannot
Dig furrows in the fair brow of Beauty,
So dear unto the vainer of thy kind.
Yet I must now require, whether no other
Motive has produc'd this inclination?

Par.
I'le soon confess I have not liv'd so much
Oblig'd by man, as that I may not justly
Be concern'd in your great cause and quarrel
To make an offering of my life.

Mand.
Thou hast won my confidence.

Par.
The command I ask from your great Majesty,
Shall be but mean, such as your prudence best
Will judge becomes a strangers trust.

Mand.
And thou shalt have it, worthy Moor.

Par.
But crave it may be hazardous and daring:
Heaven knows how willing
I am to be rid of life.

[Aside.
Mand.
Thou shalt have fit employment for thy valour—
And take care my valiant Women, that this
Moor, who promises such wonders of her Faith
And Vertue, does not in noble emulation
Match your Prowess.

Daran.
The Queen's soon taken with this stranger.

Cydan.
She seems to promise much.

Mand.
A suit of our best Arms and Quiver
For this Moor—
Enter one with Arms and Quiver.
Daranthe, and you Ladies,
See her according to our warlike mode
[They put 'em on.
Invested; nor do I doubt thou'lt use 'em
Nobly.

Par.
I should be else not worthy of that Soul
I would be thought to bear.

Enter Messenger.
Mess.
The Enemy prepares for
Battel, Mighty Queen.

Mand.
We will prevent 'em giving the onset first—
Mean while, let's hear a Martial Ode,
The Harmony our Womens ears delight;
While others of their Sex warble amorous
Notes to entertain their Lovers.

The Queen Mandana leads her Amazon Women in state round the Stage, making several pauses while the Ode is Singing; at the end of which they go off.
The Amazons are suppos'd to sing the Martial Ode.

[Exeunt.
Enter Bassanes, Foscaris, Andrages, Eumenes and Draxanes.
Bass.
Be couragious Gentlemen, the straight we are in,
I doubt not but my conduct with the Kings
Will find some brave expedient to relieve.

Omn.
We'l all dye at your command.

Bass.
And for the Souldiers wants, our valours soon
Shall feed, e're their pin'd bellies mutiny
For bread; my presence is requir'd to see
What order keeps our other wing.
[Ex. Bassanes.

Fosc.
Well Lads, we must fight it out to purpose,
I find there's no getting else a crum of sustenance.

Andr.
Or be made such drudges to these Amazonia
Furies, their Camp has not the like.

Drax.
In our late skirmish methoughts they fought
Like Dragons, and handl'd their Bows with more
Dexterity then Parthians.

Andr.
There's at least
A Legion of Women, or more Evil Spirits
In any one of them.

Eum.
And should we fall
Into their hands, what might they expect
After that rate?

Drax.
As I am a Souldier,
I think a Brigade of men would scarce do
The bus'ness of one Woman of this Generation,
If they have the same vivacity for Venus,
As for Mars.

Fosc.
This morning I could have been contented
To have broke my fast with one of the fair
Centinels next me; 'twas such a pretty
Hard-hearted Rogue.

Drax.
And if I starve for want
Of Bread and Women, let me perish unpity'd.

Eum.
Nay, we must venture on their bodies some way
Or other; there's not a passage left us else
So wide as man enters the world.

Drax.
'Tis said they hold
Intelligence with our Scythian
Women: and have made such furious resolves
If we fall into their hands.

Andr.
And for us Husbands—
If they Conquer—

Fosc.
Eunuch'd to a Man, Gentlemen—
I look to carry my quill in my hat,
To show I am wholly castrated;
For the rest of our Troops, perhaps they'l give 'em
Leave to spin in Boots, or serve their other occasions.

Enter Tysamnes with Statyra, Bassanes, Alvanes, Toxaris and Araxis.
Eum.
Here comes the King; we now shall be for
Action speedily.

Andr.
His looks seem troubl'd.

Tysam.
Our City taken on the Volga, and
Our Provisions, the Sinews of our Armies strength
Cut off before our eyes; nay more, inclos'd
By female powers—Can you be men and live
To this contempt?

Bass.
Spare your passion Sir.

Tysam.
I cannot, while I see I govern Souldiers
Scarce deserve the name of men, more fit,
By Heaven, to be converted to some other shape,
Or serve as Chamber Eunuchs to this female kind
Our Arms oppose.

Bass.
This stratagem of theirs
Was unexpected; in all my time of war,
I ne're was so surpriz'd.

Tysam.
Think, dear Bassanes,
How we may redeem some part of this dishonour.

Bass.
I judge the way must be to attacque
Their left wing with a brisk assault.

Tysam.
Be it thy command. Foscaris, Andrages,
Draxanes and Eumenes, be you assisting
In this enterprise with such Troops you lead.

Omn.
To our utmost, Royal Sir.

Bass.
And hope I shall soon give your Majesty
A good account of this attempt—Madam,
I have your happy wish.

Stat.
And more, my Prayers for your safety.

Tysam.
The other wing (my worthy Chiefs) I'le lead
To assist your valours.

Omn.
We all are ready with our Duties.

Tysam.
And if our Swords cannot yet subdue these
Women Warriours; let them triumph,
And tell Dame Nature
'Twas her fond erroneous act,
Entituled Man Superiour.

Stat.
Consider, Sir,
For my sake, as you love Statyra's being,
That have no small concern in every danger,
Threatens you.

Tysam.
'Tis for thy sake I'de only live
To crown this day with victory.

Stat.
'Twere too much hazard for my Love.

Tysam.
Thou would'st not have me tamely gaze upon
These Foes, and see thee pine for food?
Or yield our selves to this imperious womans will,
That may, perhaps, give Laws unwelcom to
Our Loves, or take thy Beauty Captive for
Her slavish Handmaid, whom but to circle thus,
Is joy to me above the world and conquest.

Stat.
Admit I intercede for some fair peace,
She is a Woman fam'd of Royal worth,
And cannot be so cruel you express.

Tysam.
I know thou would'st not save my life by
Womans mercy; besides, 'twould fright thy gentle
Person, to behold thy Sex in Armour,
And their breasts (while thine's Loves tender sphere)
Inclos'd in Ribs of Steel, with one cut off,
More furiously to wield their Martial Bows,
With other Warlike horrors to afflict thy eyes.

Stat.
I fear no danger, so I serve but yours.

Tysam.
Admit I leave thee in my Tent,
Attended with my best reserves of Force—
Enter an Officer.
What news?

Officer.
Your Army, Sir, is in outragious Mutiny
For Bread.

Alvan.
I look'd for this.

Tox.
I fear as much the Consequence.

Tysam.
A sign they are sons of Cowardise
That cannot take it from their Women-foes,
Or make them knead us more.

Officer.
Your presence, Sir, may possibly allay
Their fierce disorder.

Tysam.
We'le see who dares not fight,
Or starve if we command it—or else
We'le look e'm dead—your hand my dearest—
This Mutiny we'le soon compose—

[Exeunt.
He leads Statyra to his Tent, & exit with the rest.
Enter Foscaris, Andrages, Eumenes and Draxanes, disarm'd and led Prisoners by three Amazon Ladies and other Women holding their spears at 'em.
Fosc.
Nay, good Lady Errants some mercy—

Eum.
As we are Souldiers—

1 Lady.
'Tis below our Amazon honour to afford it
To such Knights of Chivalry as you are.

Andr.
As we are Gentlemen of good Nature to your Sex.

Drax.
Or as you have had kindness to man.

Fosc.
Or for Loves sake, of which I have store at your
Service.

2 Lady.
You are Spirits indeed of Cupid.

Fosc.
I am more than an ordinary man that way,
And have Venus about me in abundance.

Enter Daranthe.
1 Lady.
Here comes our General.

2 Lady.
We must not further act without her.

Daran.
You have done bravely, valiant Ladies;
But where's their General Bassanes, who
Forc'd your Squadrons? the Queen would have been glad
To have led in triumph such a famous Chief.

1 Lady.
He fought his way with many wounds unto the
Volga; in whose rough streams we judge him drown'd.

Daran.
The Queen will give his loss some pity—
For you Gentlemen, who have not been
Injurious to our Sex in practising
Your Scythian custom; the Queen proclaims
She'l think of mercy; and for such pris'ners
Who have Wives—

Fosc.
What will be our Fate?

[Aside.
Daran.
It is her Royal Pleasure
They be surrender'd to their wills—
I must attend and give her notice
Of your brave success.
[Ex. Daranthe.

Fosc.
'Twere best to be afore-hand with this Act
Of Grace—I humbly lay hold on your Queens mercy.

And.
And I, Madam.

Eum.
And I.

Drax.
And I.

Enter Melvissa and Clarina.
2 Lad.
Have none of you Wives in being, Gentlemen?
What say you, Sir?

Fosc.
Who I, Madam? I would not be so unfortunate
For a world; and would you
But espouse us to some of your Masculine
Generation, we'd get your Queen such Heroines.

Melv.
Dost hear how abominably these Creatures
[To Clar. aside.
Of our Loves dissemble?

Clar.
They are oblig'd, it seems, to
Change the complexion of their hearts.

Melv.
Let it be for life's sake, or love's, I'le have
My due acknowledgments—

Andr.
Do not own us, dear Wives,
[Aside.
We beseech you.

Melv.
How, not own our just proprieties?

Fosc.
As you are Women, and have mercy,
We are coming off, and on the fairest terms
Heart can wish—withdraw awhile,
And we'll be with you in a trice, and
Handle things kindly, as men and wives should do.

Melv.
You shall excuse us, we'll reprieve you
Our own way now.

Clar.
And for you, Sir, whose Conversion,
I hop'd, my better stars had wrought—

Fosc.
Alas! my sweetest, I love thee with a flame
As warm as thou can'st wish; but was forc'd to
Dissemble for some motives of danger,
Which I know thoul't pardon.

1 Lad.
'Tis fit we understand
Your business, Ladies.

2 Lad.
You are not Spies.—

Melv.
By your fair leaves,
We come to claim a pair of Husbands
By vertue of your Queens Proclamation.

Clar.
Of which, one of them had the good manners
To part with his Wife, witness my self.—

Omn.
How's this?

Andr.
What will become of us?

Fosc.
Or me, that have provok'd
Fate and Woman together?

Andr.
I am like to suffer under both, that must again
Endure the insupportable, and endless
Civil war of wedlock.

Fosc.
O, the star of Venus has had a strange influence
In our Horoscopes; there's no resisting destiny,
And she the Ascendant.

Andr.
Might I chuse, I had rather once more charge the
Amazonian Battel, and all the Viragoes
Of woman-kind together.

[The Ladies compass them in holding their Spears at them.]
Both Lad.
Shall we kill e'm to revenge your injuries?

Clar.
By no means, we beg their lives.

Melv.
And having thus cull'd out our Cocks,
I doubt not, but we shall manage the game
Advantagiously enough.

1 Lad.
You have e'm at your mercy.

Clar.
Thanks to your Queens.

Melv.
She has mine likewise in abundance Ladies—
But for you Husbands.—

Fosc.
Nay, prethee we'll compose differences as you please.

Drax.
Now for our Capitulations.

[Drax. and Eum. aside.
Eum.
If we do not make fair ones for our selves
With such Victors as these,
We may curse our Nativities.

Fosc.
What terms of composition, good sweet Wife?
Thou know'st I love thee above imagination.

Clar.
Perhaps I may give you fair quarter.

Fosc.
Let it be but in thine, and I will dye
Upon the spot, e're part with thee again;
I am thine now without a charm.

Clar.
I promise nothing, though you see I have took
Some pains for your safety.

Andr.
What says my Spouse?

Melv.
'Tis odds she'll proceed as occasion serves.

Andr.
Be not proud of thy victory, thou know'st
I have been a most submissive Husband.

Melv.
You'l soon know my conditions—

Andr.
And if they prove but gentle,
I am conquer'd happily—

1 Lad.
You will not leave our Camp presently?

Clar.
Not till the issue of this day be past.

2 Lad.
If you doubt obedience from your Husbands,
Command a Guard from us.

Fosc.
By no means Ladies,
We acknowledge an absolute Conquest.

Melv.
Otherwise, you know our Commission.

Clar.
Your servant, fair noble Warriours.

[Ex. Fosc. Clar. Andr. Melv.]
1 Lad.
The Queen.

Enter Mandana with Cydane and Renone.
Mand.
You have taken those fierce Militants
That did attempt to force their safeties
In despight of our bold powers.

2 Lad.
We have, most Royal Madam,
And in obedience to your great commands,
Have gratify'd two Ladies of the Enemies part,
By surrendring of their Husbands to their wills.

Mand.
I am glad my victory
Does give my name a Trophy in the
Obligation of my Sex; these men we war,
Have too injurious treated—But where's
The Prince Bassanes, their General?

1 Lad.
He forc'd his bold escape, if not drown'd
In passing of the Volga.

Mand.
We could have
Been content to have seen him made our Captive.

Renon.
And must have added
Glory to your Victory.

Cyd.
He much exprest himself your great Admirer.

Enter Messenger.
Mess.
Glad tidings, mighty Queen, the King and all
His power is now surrender'd to your General.

Mand.
I knew the streight we had reduc'd 'em to,
Would soon compel 'em—
And where's his fair Persian Mistress, Statyra?

Mess.
She is, besides some Pris'ners of note
Guarded by the valiant Moor.

Mand.
This Crowns our Conquest.
Enter Daranthe and Parisatis, with Tysamnes and Statyra, Araxis, Toxaris and Alvanes.
Daranthe, I must praise thy valour—
And all you my Women Souldiers
For this glorious day.

Daran.
We are honour'd that our duties
Serv'd your Greatness.

Mand.
But thine, my valiant Moor, that gives
Such noble emulation in thy worthy Deeds
To all, I know not how enough to magnifie,
But soon will raise thy merit to some higher
Trust, shall speak our great esteem, both of thy
Valour and fidelity.

Par.
You oblige the humblest of your Servants.

Mand.
The King's a gracious person.

[Looking on Tysam.
Par.
I fear too taking.

Mand.
Now, Mighty Sir?

Tysam.
Your pleasure, Madam?

Mand.
Is it not just, that I, who am the Mighty
Warriour, in my Sexes Cause,
Should frown thee dead?

Tysam.
You cannot look me out of life, nor would
I turn my head aside, though every beam
Of yours, were Darts of Basilisks, that dare
Behold you thus—

Mand.
You are resolute I find;
And would to Heaven your Queen were yet in being,
That she might witness my concern in her
Fair Cause; or from my power
Ask thee her Sacrifice,
Since thou hast been so much her Tyrant Lover.

Tysam.
My ingratitude to her great vertue
I acknowledge; though I meet all your rage
In pouring of revenge for her sake on my head;
And since she is no more, for which, Heaven knows,
How true I grieve, I would not live, but for
This Ladies sake.

[Looking on Statyra.
Mand.
Your new made Mistress—

Tysam.
And just possessor of my heart.

Mand.
She has strange fascination in her eyes,
[Aside.
For which—

Stat.
If you pronounce me guilty, speak my death;
Nay, I'le intreat it at your hand as royal mercy,
So you'l spare the King,
For whose great safety,
Had I many thousand lives, I'd humbly
Lay them, as my offering, at your feet.

Daran.
This Lady has a noble soul.

Par.
Too much the Kings I fear.

[Aside.
Mand.
I have cause enough to bid thee dye,
But will not cloud the glory of this day
With Womans death; and wer't not for a sacred
Resolution of my soul, perhaps would grant
Thy Loves enjoyment; but I have now decreed—

Tysam.
If death, I am ready to embrace it.

Stat.
Oh speak some milder Accent! what can
Become a Womans soul, like yours, so much
As gracious mercy?

Mand.
My resolution's fixt irrevocable,
As when by Heaven's o're-ruling will, we guide
Our Justice: for know Tysamnes, I have vow'd
Thy life a glorious victim of my Conquest;
Nor has it been unusual in the Wars we make,
For such a day as this, to grace our Altars
With the best of Captives, of which I judge
None worthy, like thy self.

Stat.
You will not be divinely cruel?

Mand.
I'le hear no more—
Zeriffa—take these pris'ners to thy custody;
Thy Complexion is most fit to serve this Trust;
And be sure you have a watchful eye
Upon this Lady; the rest, perhaps,
Shall find our mercy.

Par.
I joy this trust.

Tysam.
Grieve not, Statyra, since I dye thy Lover.

Stat.
And might I bleed upon the Altar with you,
'Twere then my Loves true Sacrifice.

Mand.
Thus far this day propitious does appear,
But from the end great Acts their Crowns must wear.

[Ex. Omnes.