University of Virginia Library

The Third Act.

Enter The Embassador, as at Coriola, with Cleon, Erillos, and Train.
Embassador.
This Piazzo Cleon, is Magnificent;
I have not seen any so Beautifull!

Cleon.
It shews the Princes Treasure, and their minds,
Are alike great, who can so soon Erect
So vast a City, which in every part
Deserves to be as much admir'd, as this!

Emba.
We may walk through it, ere my Sister comes!

Erillos.
You may, the River side is your best view;

Cleon.
There is a Boat now coming to the shore;

Erillos.
Those who land, seem to be of Quality!

Embassador.
I see no Woman yet with them appear!
They are very brave, and come towards us!
Do any of you know who these may be?

Cleon.
Young Titus landed first, but as I think
It is Ormasdes who now leads the Troop:

Embassa.
If so! I must expect some angry words,
From the Offended Queen.

Enter Ormasdes, and Young Titus, with Servants, who come up close to the Embassador without any respect.
Emb.
What means this kind of rudeness Gentlemen?

Ormasdes.
It speaks my business, who am hither come,
To scourge that pride, you so much glory in.
And with this hand that insolence chastise,
Which boldly durst indeavor to defame,
By base surmises, great Cleandras Name.—
[He turns to Titus.
—Titus, I beg as you love my Honour,
If I do fall! let none come in to help!
[To the Embassador.
—Sir, you shall have fair play, that we may see,
How Insolence, and Courage do agree!

[Titus makes room.
Embass.
I shall soon satisfie the doubt you make;
[To his Followers.
—Stand off; he dyes that stirs to my relief;
Or by a word let fall, does make me known!

They fight, Ormasdes hurts and disarms him.
Enter Mariana, and servants, who run in and part them.
Mariana.
Ormasdes hold; it is a King you wound!
It is Valerianus you fight with.

Ormas.
My self a Prince of Greece of the same blood
With our great Emperour, will justifie
What I have done; and to the World declare,
If any man do wrong me in disguise!
I do his Titles, and himself despise.

Exit Ormasdes, Titus and Train.
Mari.
Oh Gods! my prophetick soul, did long since
Fore-see this Evil! oh let not—

King.
Hold Valeriana; there are no Gods!
Nor shall one Altar in my Kingdome stand,
To honour those we foolishly call Gods!
I will Erect new Temples unto Chance,
Which guiddely, thus governs us below.

Val.
Take heed Sir, lest you do provoke those powers!
(You now despise!) to punish your contempt!

King.
I will not own those Gods, those empty names,
Who cannot shelter us from publick shames!

Vale.
The Gods be just, and you are much to blame,
'Twas not Ormasdes, who the King ore-came!
It was his Virtue conquer'd your offence,
Your Guilt gave Victory to Innosence.

Kin.
Will you, become my Judge? will you, cōdemn
My Life, and Honour? A fit Sacrifice
To your belov'd Ormasdes fatal Sword;
Fool, from this hour, I do thy blood disclaim,
And will forget, I ever knew thy Name;—
—Erillos, let my goods be sent aboard,
I will not stay a minute longer here,
Then my necessity compells me to.

Vale.
I have prevail'd with the much injur'd Queen,
To lay her anger by, and to forgive
Those rash words you spoke, and have her leave
To bring you to her sight again with hopes
She may her inclinations change, when known!
Your fury did proceed from Love alone.

King.
My Love is vanish'd, and my heart too full
Of my revenge, to think of my return;
Till I can pull Cleandra from her Throne!
I hope Ormasdes will take care of you,
Who plead his cause, and are to love, so true!

Men.
Sir, though yr wounds be slight, if you remove!
So soon? we cannot answer for your life.

King.
I'le rather dye at Sea, then live on shore,
Make hast good Cleon; lead me to my Boat.

Cleon.
Will you leave the Princess, in a strange land?
Thus unkindly cast her off; for ever?
Because her Love did argue for your good!

King.
And thee that dares so boldly her excuse,
Who does my honour, and her own abuse.

[The Princess sound.
Cleon.
Look Sir, she dyes! your unkindness kills her,

King.
She cannot do her self, and me more right,
Then to dye now! but she cannot depart,
While great Ormasdes Triumphs in her heart!—
[She Recovers.
—See how his Name, her fainting soul Revives!
Lead on, or I shall laugh to see her dye!
That can raise Trophies for my infamy.

Exit King and Train.
Valeriana.
What cruelty is this? to leave me here!
Who love him better, then he loves himself;
—You'l be all ruin'd, if you stay with me!

Cleon.
What we have said, has ruin'd us enough,
If his unruly rage, can reach so far?

Mene.
I think 'twere best, that you return to Court,
And do Cleandras proffer'd friendship try,
I have all your Brothers Jewells here,
Which will defray your charges while you stay.

Valeriana.
Tis a plentifull provision for us;
But where is young Nearcus, all this while?

Cleon.
He has not yet appear'd, since we Arriv'd.

Enter to them Ormasdes, young Titus, Nearcus, and Servants, Ormasdes stands off.
Nearcus.
Madam, can you forgive, what I have done?
And own the Author of so great a crime?
Who saw not then a Princess in disguise,
But was captiv'd by Marianas eyes!

Valeriana.
My Lord, I do forgive, and shall forget,
So you repent! and I will serve you to,
With all my power, and interest in the Queen.

Nearcus.
If that be all, would I had guilty been
Of greater crimes, then my good natur'd sin.

Young Titus.
Madam, we hear your Brother is unkind,
But by Cleandras favours you may find
Some means to reconcile you unto him.

Valeriana.
I am most happy in Cleandras love.

Yo. Tit.
Will you permit Ormasdes in your Boat?
Or shall he seek some other passage home?

Maria.
I could have wish'd Ormasdes less concern'd,
Or that his courage had not been so great;
But cannot quarrel him on this account;
He was oblig'd to right Cleandras wrongs;
And must in Justice be applauded for't.

Ormas.
Madam, I thank the Gods for my success,
And now with the same breath, can humbly beg,
That you'l forgive, what they so late approv'd?

Valeriana.
Sir, it will not become me, his Sister,
—Now to congratulate your Victory,
Who have just cause to mourn my Brothers Fate;
From whence my own misfortunes have their date

Ormas.
Madam, shall we attend you to your Boat?

Valeri.
Let Titus order all, as he thinks fit!
I am ready now for my remove.

Exeunt.
Titus leads off Valeriana, the rest follow.
Enter Cleobulus and Chyron.
Chy.
The Queen is troubled, and her Guards are sent
With speed, Ormasdes Quarrel to prevent:

Cleob.
She must secure th'Embassadors return,
Lest all our Neighbour-Nations do complain,
And say, we give occasion for a War;
Which the Treconians claim cannot pretend,
Nor the rejected Marriage, Justifie.

Chyron.
Valerianus has an antient claim
To Zelnia, which may beget a War!
If the Treconians do a quarrel seek?
There wants no Title to a Prince provok'd

Cleob.
Ormasdes will rejoyce, to see that day!

Chy.
He is our Nations Darling, and deserves,
Cleandras favour; but methinks, he lookes,
As if his heart, were higher, then his head!

Cleo.
I have been lately chid for juggling looks,
And dare not say, what I believe I see.

Enter to them Cleandra. Old Titus, and Ladies.
Queen.
You tell such wonders from Coriola,
That I want faith for it! how comes this Newes?

Admiral.
Madam, a Messenger but now Arriv'd,
Saw the Combate done, and heard Nearcus say,
They would attend Valeriana back
Unto your Majesty; (whereas the wonder?)
Princes have been in forreign Courts disguis'd!

Que.
But have you ever such strange humors found?
A Prince where Vice, and Virtue, is so mixt!

Admi.
No, I have not, nor such a president!
As now Ormasdes gives us to correct
Such impudence, as near before was known.

Queen.
If I were not concern'd, I should approve.
What he has done, though now I must not own?

Admi.
For publique thanks on his behalf, I move.—
—Why should we thus, our honest thoughts disguise?
When Virtuous Actions, Virtue Justifies.

Queen.
Had not Ormasdes stird! by Armes I might
Compell his Master to have done me right.

Admi.
By war, thousands of guiltless persons might
Have suffer'd, for one mans over-sight.

Queen.
You have reason Titus, and I shall Judge
Ormasdes Act, as he deserves from me;
Who with my Nation, am so much oblig'd,
I must approve, whatever he will own!
—Let the young Princess lodgings be prepar'd,
Fit for my Friend, and Sister to a King.

Enter to them, Valeriana, Young Titus, Nearcus, and Servants.
Queen.
You are welcome Madam, and I am glad
To have you on these terms; do not weep
To part with, what your virtue could not keep!

Valerian.
I am happy, by my unhappiness,
For by your favour Madam, I may find
Some remedy for my afflicted mind.

Queen.
Be sure, what Citherea can afford,
Is yours; and all Cleandra does command
With me rejoyce, to see you safe return'd;
—But where is Ormasdes? I must chide him.

Nearc.
He is retir'd Madam, to avoid your sight.

Titus.
Ormasdes thinks it duty, and respect,
Not to appear at Court, till you direct!

Queen.
Pray fetch him hither now; I hope you can
Exit Titus.
With me, forgive so Excellent a man!
Whose passion never does his reason sway,
But follows on, when virtue leads the way.

Valeriana.
I have no anger to Ormasdes, since
Young Titus did my Brothers crime relate,
I hope this letting blood, will do him good,
When this affront, at home, is understood!

Queen.
Your Justice, and your Charity is great,
And I do see no reason but you may
Admit Ormasdes, in my company;
I am inform'd, he has a slght hurt to!

Valeriana.
My furious Brother will be glad indeed!
That brave Ormasdes, by his hand does bleed.
This accident, if you'l be pleas'd, to call
My Brother back? may reconcile us all.

Queen.
I never shall consent to his desires,
Though I my anger, and revenge remove,
In complement to you, whom I do love.

Enter to them Ormasdes, and Young Titus.
Ormas.
Madam, if doing Justice, have displeas'd!
I do repent, and now your pardon beg.

Queen.
Since his great insolence, and your revenge,
No Age can parallel! both must submit
To such a censure as the World thinks fit.

Ormas.
Your pardon Madam, is not all my sute,
I beg your interest to obtain like grace
From this sad Lady! my whole Soul is vext,
To see such innocence, so much perplext.

Queen.
I can now secure you there Ormasdes,
She does discreetly Judge, what you have done,
Was, what a man of honour could not shun.
—Is not this truth Valeriana? speak?

[Valeriana stands surpris'd.
Valeri.
Yes Madam, I do think, I did say so!

[She sighs, and weeps.
Q.
What suddain change is this? can your soft heart,
Conceal a thought of ill? towards the man
You have excus'd? and seem'd to smile upon!

Nearcus.
She does love Ormasdes, and I am lost!

Aside.]
[Valeriana weeps.
Qu.
Pray leave us, all with-draw! to the next room:—
[Exeunt.
—What have I said? that can disturb you thus?
Impart your griefs, and I will share in them.

Valeriana.
I dare not shew 'um with an open face!

Queen.
And why, you cannot have a guilt so great
That I cannot forgive; speak it freely.

Vale.
Has not my face, my guilty heart betray'd?

Queen.
I understand you not!

Vale.
—I am safe then, and may my sorrow hide.

[Aside.
Queen.
Madam, what means this talking to your self?
While I stand by neglected! is your trust
So great? that you can doubt I will be just?

Vale.
I doubt my self great Queen, and fears not you;
[Aside.
She's jealous of me, and my thoughts too true!
She loves Ormasdes, and most unhappy I,
Am forc'd to smile on my own Tragedy;
I know no way to hide my broken heart,
Unless I do immediately depart!—
—Madam, I beg your Pardon, and your Pass,
I must begon, least I too late alass!
By my distempers here, deserve your blame,
And raise my memory, eternal shame

Queen.
You are not well sure, this distracted talk,
Requires Physitians to consult; I'le send;—

Vale.
Oh no! there needs no more consult for this,
You only can restore me unto bliss!

Queen.
And can you doubt, that I will not?

Vale.
I fear so!

Queen.
What I can do, be you assur'd, I will.

Vale.
What I desire, may be more priz'd by you,
Then is the Citherean Diadem!
—Will you know now? and if not grant! forgive?
For I am desperate on the suddain grown,
And am resolv'd to make my weakness known.

Queen.
Speak it aloud, or in my bosome breath,
[Imbraces her.
The troubles of thy soul, let not a thought
Be hid, but freely shew, how much you trust
My love, and you shall find me kind, and just.

Vale.
Do not you Madam, value Ormasdes
Person? and his service above all mens?

Queen.
Yes, I do.

Valeri.
You are Just, and Worthy;—and I am—

[Valeriana faints.
Queen.
Help, help, some help there!

Enter Ormasdes, Titus, Nearcus, and Ladies, who take up Valeriana.
Nearcus.
Tis love, upon my life!

[Aside.
Queen.
Leave us again, the dangers over now;

Ormas.
I beg your permission to retyre.

Queen.
My best wishes still attend Ormasdes.

Exit Ormasdes, with the rest.
Valeria.
What can I say, t'excuse what I have done?

Qu.
Speak plainly your full thoughts, & I'm yr friend;
But if you longer dally with my love!
You will my friendship, unto anger move.

Valeri.
I know you have discover'd by my words,
That your Esteem of him, you boldly own,
Becomes the ground of my distraction;

Que.
You love him then! that look declares it now!
And so do I, or I would ne're consent
To give him unto you; if this cure grow
Within my reach! Ormasdes shall be yours.

Valeri.
Is not your Majesty ingag'd to him?

Queen.
Indeed, I am not so in love with him,
But I can second your desires; and will
With all my power endeavor to perswade
Ormasdes that he meet with open armes,
So great a blessing by the Gods design'd;
Though I must part with what I value most,
Your passion, never shall by me be crost.

Valeri.
Madam, your kindness to me flows so fast,
That I am now in danger to be lost,
By my abundant joy for this success
You give, of unexpected happiness.

Que.
Remove these sullen clouds from thy fair Eyes,
And be thy self again, for I will shew
Ormasdes suddainly how great a bliss,
The Heav'ns prepare to Crown his Virtue with.

Valer.
The Gods reward you with your highest wish!
That you may never want what you desire,
My spirits fail so fast! I must retire.

[Exit.
Her Maids lead her off, leaning on them, and shewing much weakness.
Queen.
Do so; what's this, I have so rashly done!
Thrown off Ormasdes I depend on!
Must I perswade him quit that Interest here,
Which for my sake, he purchased so deare!
—How ill shall I repay his service past?
If I advise, this banishment at last;
What a rash promise, has my pitty made?
By thus proposing my improper Ay'd!
Though by the secret charms of sympathy,
Her passion won my reason to comply,
I must on this imployment Titus use,
My Honour will my active part excuse.
—But if his Arguments should not prevail?
And by my nicety, the business fail?
—If she should perish so? and I repent
To late, that ill! which I may yet prevent;
—I must about it then, and loose no time,
Lest my nice complements do prove a crime!
—My faith is past, and I will now proceed,
Though brave Ormasdes do condemn the Deed.

Exit with Train.
Enter Nearcus, with Valeriana, in her Chamber, her Ladies stand off, but go not out.
Nea.
Madam, my desperate State, and high transport,
You may complain of, though not blame me for't;
Your eyes, like bright misguiding fires, betray
My wandring soul, and make me lose my way.
Tis now too late, to see that I am lost,
Led by those guides, to this obdurate coast,
Where neither Rocks appear, nor crossing Tides;
Yet this expected safety, ruine hides!
—But I must claim you by a solemn vow,
Made in the sight of Heav'n; and am come now,
To prove my Birth, which you will not deny,
Is with your own, of equall Quality;
These are such Arguments for your consent,
I cannot think, you dare your vowes repent.

Vale.
It cannot well be thought, and much less said,
That I repent a promise, never made;
How could such hasty words, strict vowes appear?
Which my surprise, then made me speak in fear!
When you to seize me, stretch'd those Lions paws,
And threatn'd 'gainst all Hospitable Laws!
Worse then Death to me; what might I not do?
To get from such a Monstrous Beast as you!

Near.
Did my humility such danger threat?
Or my submission, with such horror treat!
Were it even so, as you your self have said!
I might my own conditions, then have made.

Vale.
Did you not all my Servants first exclude?
And me into a loneness so delude,
As that no rescue could be had! to free
Me from your Trayterous Captivity.
When you with humble looks, strong fetters laid,
And words let fall, which made my soul afraid;
And caus'd me use some little Art, to gain
Your trust, that I my freedom might obtain.

Near.
Tis true indeed, and you reproach me well,
Or else you might another story tell!
For I confess, I did too much! to prove
The humble passion of a gentle Love;
And much too little, now to justifie
My high affections, or my fact denie.
Had I with vigour my first step persu'd,
You might have wish'd my vows, with yours renew'd.

Vale.
You talk, as now, I at your mercy were;
As if you still might threat; and I must fear!
But I shall make you know your self, and me,
If you proceed not with more modesty!
And shall soon let Cleandra understand,
How well you Treated me! on her command.

Near.
Though I do shake, and tremble at your frown,
Cleandras anger, cannot bow me down.
For if my suffering no compassion move,
Nor your past vowes, make you regard my Love!
You shall then see, how little I esteem
This Life, you will not with a smile redeem!

Valeriana.
I am not thus ingratefull as you say,
So I may be secur'd another way;
—I did not threat, till you aspers'd my Name,
By this false promise, you unjustly claim.
For though your Birth flow from a Noble Spring,
Tis something less, then Daughter to a King.
And more, I must the secret now impart,
That brave Ormasdes long since, had my heart.

Near.
Madam, I have no Plea beyond my Love,
If that, do of too mean a value prove!
Think how your honour stands ingag'd by vow,
And that my all depends upon it now!
Yet here I do before the Gods profess,
To quit my Title, if my birth be less!

Vale.
From Nearcus, the Gods will me protect,
Who boldly must a subjects claim, reject.

Near.
Which I am not; but a Prince Nobly born,
As is Cleandra! though you now do scorn
The Man, who lay'd his greatness at your feet,
Without a thought, of Royalty to meet!
Your Virtue, and your Beauty did engage
My heart to Love; and did create that rage,
You now so much condemn; and makes me shame
I did no more, who was so much to blame!

Vale.
You do amaze me! knows Cleandra this?

Near.
She yet does not, but must do, when I plead
My Title to Valerianas Bed.
For Madam, you can onely now be mine,
Made so by humane Lawes, and by Divine.

Vale.
What ere you are! I do much scorn to think
Of being compell'd and will strong poyson drink,
Rather then be by such a trick betray'd,
Or of your scandalous reports, afraid;
Your first attempt was base; and now as vain
Your hopes are; you are a Prince! I do disdain
To have a thought for him, who poorly can,
Demand, what's given to another man.
I must this Injury at last reveal,
And to the Queen, for Justice now appeal.

Near.
I am content, then let Cleandra Judge,

Vale.
I'le hear no more.

[Exit with Ladies.
Near.
What a strange heat I feel, that alwayes burn,
Yet do not wast, cannot to Ashes turn!
But like a fire-flaming Statue stand,
To warn the World, not to approach this Land;
Ye Gods! how cruel is your doom? that she
Melts not; but should an Icie Mountain be,
Of power to kindle such tormenting fires,
Where her own frozen heart has no desires.

[Exit.