University of Virginia Library

The Fourth Act.

Enter Cleandra, with Ormasdes, the Lords, and Ladies stand off.
Queen.
I shall allow your Argument for War,
If the Treconian do provoke so far!
But how shall I, Valeriana free?
From her fierce Brothers great barbaritie;
And how Estate her in her Mothers Land!
If her mad Brother, should that right withstand!
Though she do now desire but what's her own,
If he should dye; She must Ascend that Throne.

Ormas.
I have heard so, and that, by my rash Act,
She suffers, which makes me repent the Fact!

Queen.
Her virtues, do her beauty far excell,
And in my judgement, have no parallel;
What is your thought? will not the man be blest?
Whom Cods with such felicities invest!

Ormas.
I doubt not Madam, her perfections may
In hearts of Men; above her Scepter sway.

Queen.
She has won me, to a concern so high,
As if my own, were the same Desteny
With hers; my thoughts do labor where to treat
A Marriage with some Prince, worthy so great
A Queen; can you Ormasdes find me one
To recommend? will Greece afford us none?

Ormas.
Madam, if Citherea can produce
None fit! for Greece, there will need no excuse;—

Queen.
I think so too, unlesse Ormasdes will
Himself, thus my prophetick soul fulfill!
That does such glories, and such joyes foresee,
As may indure unto Eternitie.

Ormas.
Me Madam, does your Majesty think me
A man worthy of so great Felicitie?
Alas I am too old, now to begin
To Love! you may as soon learn me to spin;
—My Sword, and Armor, into Needles turn,
As teach my Age in Youthful flames to burn.

Queen.
Tis you Ormasdes, are the man so blest,
Her love to you, she has to me confest;
And me in honour has ingag'd to try,
If I can now perswade you to comply.

Ormas.
Madam, I hope you do not thus abuse
Your servant, cause my nature does refuse,
Such correspondence with your Sex, as might
Ingage a braver Man; Oh do not fight
Against my weakness! that must now confess,
I never unto Lady made Address;
And onely chose this solitary place,
That I might here some quiet thoughts imbrace.
—Sure Madam, you mistake; how can it be?
That she should covet such Antipothy!
—Can the good Gods to her be so unkind?
To let such excellence, become so blind?

Qu.
Think you her self knows? what her self desires?
Or that she has no sence, of those quick fires,
That do consume her! can you doubt such Love?
Which through dispair, did then so mortal prove!
That but to name Ormasdes, she did Dye,
Till you appear'd, to change that destiny;
—And when you all retir'd, she did confess,
Her life depended on her good success;
Your Glorious Acts had raised so loud a Fame,
That she was first in Love with your great Name!
Which brought her hither, with a full intent,
To Judge, and Justifie, that Argument.

Ormas.
Madam, I must believe what you avow,
And do so far your Argument allow,
That it has rais'd in me, a greater war,
Then I was ever in; and am so far
From slighting this affair, that I descry,
My certain Ruine, by this Victory.
The Gods cannot afford lesse punishment,
If I refuse to hear! and if consent!
I'm lost, to all my joyes on Earth; for Fate
Has not in store, nor can the Gods Create
An evill, I fear more, then to deny,
What you command; though a sad Desteny;
—Can nothing less then my destruction? save
This Excellence? from an untimely Grave!

Queen.
If I could see this danger you foretell?
Ormasdes harms, should make no other well!
Though Valeriana do my pitty move,
Ormasdes friendship, is before her Love
In my esteem; but if this match unite
Your hearts? it will our Children then invite,
To imitate our friendship, and so tye
Fast knots, for everlasting Ametie.

Ormas.
My mind can move my body any way,
But my hard heart, will not my will obey;
My utmost power, my soul to mourn shall teach,
Cause my Affection, is beyond my reach!

Queen.
If you oppose not, but your ear will lend,
I doubt not, but the Gods your heart will bend
This way, and your good nature in short time,
Will make you wish for, what you judge my crime.

Ormas.
Although I cannot, wish, and must not chuse,
I would not Madam, willingly refuse
What you advise; but boldly meet my Fate,
That no one thought, may a vain fear Create,
Lest you should judge my slackness, for neglect,
Because I graspe not, what I cann't affect.

Queen.
Can you such pleasure tak, in this disguise?
Be thus retir'd? and all that's good despise,
When offer'd! do you fear? or scorn to meet
This Excellence, now fallen at your feet!
—Is your great heart Ormasdes, onely made
For dangerous attempts? shall it be said?
This Parragon of all our Sex! now dyes,
Because Ormasdes, does her Love despise!

Ormas.
No Madam, I do suffer more, then she
Does for her self! hers, is my miserie;
I dare not virtue, with vain hopes abuse,
I cannot love; and therefore do refuse
To dally with so bright a Saint, whose Shrine,
Compells all hearts to bow before't, but mine;
I am not capable of Love; not blest
That way! my heart's with other flames possest.

Queen.
All flames you feel, would vanish, did you see
Valeriana in such misery
As she endure! now fetching her last breath,
Enquiring your health, neglecting her own death.
Thus my compassion has her sorrows learn'd,
I weep her tears, while you stand unconcern'd!

Ormas.
Madam, your passion does my pitty move,
Though my dull heart cannot consent to Love;
My resolution is now fixt; I'le try
My self to vanquish, or her Martyr Dye!
—I swear, I did not hear that she was ill,
And now it does my soul with horrour fill,
For her concern; no danger is so great,
But I will rather dye in't, then retreat.

Queen.
Tis bravely said, but dare you try the effect,
Of one short visit? after such neglect!

Ormas.
Thus provok'd! if your Majesty stands by!
I will not such a visit now deny.

Queen.
You speak, and look, as if you meant to fright,
Much rather, then revive her by your sight!

Ormas.
Madam, to Complement, I have no skill,
Nor can be pleas'd, if lov'd against my will!
Yet sensible, and civil, I can be,
Though it do prove unfortunate, to me.

Queen.
When shall I bring this comfort? to revive
Her fainting soul; if she be still alive.

Ormas.
Is she really so weak; so soon grown
Thus ill? I have no skill, in this unknown
Mystery of love! but will boldly try,
What I can do, for her recovery.

Queen.
High passions do weak bodies sooner bring
To the Graves mouth, then any other thing;
Her despairs, are of a much longer date,
Though suddain sickness do break out thus late;
—When I your humour, did at first reherse,
And shew'd, how your whole life had been averse
To Love; she sigh'd, and presently grew pale,
Despair that minute, made her spirits fail;
And so transported by her fancy, fell
As if my doubts, had rung her passing bell.

Orm.
Though I cannot speak, nor do yet know how
To look; I'm ready to attend you now!

Queen.
I fear, so suddain, and so great a joy!
As your approach; may equally destroy!
Let me her heart prepare, that by degrees,
She may but hope retain, before she sees
The comfort, that your visit brings; and then
Ormasdes may ere long, prove best of Men.

Ormas.
Madam, I do my self to you submit,
Pray order me in all, as you think fit.

Queen.
You shall then stand unseen, while I do tell
This welcome story, which will make her well.
And then by what you'l see you may observe,
How my true friendship will from both deserve!
Who have no wish beyond Ormasdes good,
When time shall make me rightly understand.

Ormas.
Madam, I have now no more to say,
But that I will your Majesty obey.

Queen.
You shall not stir Ormasdes till I send.

Exit Queen and Train.
Enter to him Nearcus.
Ormas.
Did you not meet Cleandra going out?

Near.
Yes, but I have business of importance,
Pray let us withdraw, and be more private.

Ormas.
Come this way then:—

They go out, and Re-enter.
Ormas.
Why have you drawn me to this inner room?
Is the secret, of so piercing quality?
That fewer walls then these, cannot contain't!

Near.
It is my Lord of a high nature grown,
I must impart it to your self alone;
—You and I, must kill one another now;

Orma.
May not I live? though you are pleas'd to die?

Near.
No Sir, since tis decreed that I must die!
I am resolv'd to have your Company.
—There's a sword, the same wt h mine, defend you.

Ormasdes.
Hold a while:—
—May not I know the cause of this hatred?

Near.
I have no hatred, yet endeavor, must
That we together may revert to dust.
Though you by chance have rob'd me of my right
—I'de not out-live Ormasdes, if I might!

Or.
From whēce dos this strange kindnes to me grow?
Say, for I will not fight, untill I know!

Near.
This then, will teach you to defend your self:

Runs at him; he put his Sword by, and holds him.
Ormas.
I shall call my Servants, unless you now show
The cause of this distracted fury?

Near.
I will:—
[Lets him go
—Valeriana's my Quarrel;
She throws neglects on me, and dotes on you.

Ormas.
You are mistaken sure, and much abus'd!
It is not possible!—She dotes on me!
Who never Courted Lady in my life!

Near.
By all that's good, she told me so her self.

Ormas.
This must be some design, beyond my reach!
But if true? from whence does my guilt arise?
Who never heard of your pretence, till now!
Nor have a serious thought for hers, to me;
If such a folly, do her heart possess;
Am I to answer for her guiltiness?

Near.
I do accuse you, of no guilt at all;
But joy to think, if by my hand you fall;
It will Create in her such miserie,
As will adorn my death with Victorie.

Ormas.
If such revenge, and malice you intend?
Where is the Love, that you so much pretend?

Near.
We'l talk of that, as our two souls expire;
She flatter'd me with hopes, that blew my fire,
She threw out vowes to marry me, and now
In hope of you, disowns that holy vow.

Ormas.
Made vows to marry you! and yet love me!
Pray shew me how, this story does agree?
I swear, I never had a thought of Love
To Lady in my life; and will now quit
The intrest you pretend, rather then fight—
For such imaginary Dreams, as this.

Nearcus.
You must Fight.

Nearcus offers at him, he rings a Bell: Enter Servants.
Ormas.
No; disarm him,—so, now leave us alone,—
[Exeunt.
—Nearcus, I have lov'd you, and shall still,
If you'l permit!—what does this story mean?

Near.
By Hea—Valeriana did ingage
To marry me; if my birth equal'd hers!
But now repents, in hope to marry you.

Ormas.
This story grows stranger, and stranger still
Does your birth equal hers? on which you ground
Your Title, and on which her vow was made.

Near.
It does Ormasdes, and did hers exceed,
When I first urg'd that sacred vow she made;
She but a Subject, unto me appear'd.

Ormas.
And are you other now?

Near.
Yes, have you not heard that Prince Orontes,
Brother to our late King, had a young Son
Call'd Leonatus, who by sad mishap,
Fencing with the Prince, hurt him in the Eye,
Of which hurt he dyed; and the King, inrag'd,
Made vowes to Sacrifice the Murtherer;
As if the mischief, purposely were done!
In order to his own Succession;—
—(After Cleandra;) who was then married
To a young Prince in Greece, and setl'd there.

Orm.
I'ave often heard the Queen, with sighs lament
Her Brothers loss, by that sad accident:
And say, she pittied Leonatus death,
As innocent! for that unhappy youth,
She heard, was drown'd, endeavouring to escape
Her Fathers Vengeance, he unjustly vow'd.

Near.
She was mis-inform'd my Lord, he yet lives;
'Twas by this fatall hand, her brother fell;
And I accurs'd, that have thus long surviv'd!
To fall a mis-becoming Sacrifice,
To Love; by a disdainful Ladies Eyes.
After so long concealment, and so safe!
By Old Nearcus, put in this disguise,
Bred as his Son; but now, I Life despise;
And call to have that Justice on me done,
Which I have us'd much industry to shun.

Ormas.
You tell me wonders, of a different kind,
Of which I shall enquire; and if I find
Valeriana stands ingag'd to you?
And all this story of your self, prove True!
I will my best endeavors soon imploy,
This gross mistake of me, to rectifie.

Near.
If my address, do find no good success!
The business of my life, shall be to dye,
And whether by your hand, or by command
From our great Queen? it is the same to me,
The Princess must my Life, or Death decree.

Ormas.
I shall conceal your Name, untill I see,
I may reveal it, with securitie;
And in few hours, if my desires succeed!
You shall from all your doubts, and fears be freed.

Near.
You will oblige me ever, if you do!
[Exit Nearcus.

Ormas.
My hour is come, to wait upon the Queen,
Unto Valeriana, where this Newes,
I hope will bring me off, from the first Rock:—
—By Valeriana to be thus lov'd!
And by Cleandra, for another woo'd!
And by Nearcus kill'd, I know not why!
To me is a new kind of Misterie.

[Exit.
Enter Valeriana, brought in very weak, lying in a Couch, with Physitians, and Servants; She speaks very faintly.
Valeri.
Is not the Queen return'd to Court yet?

Lady.
No Madam.

Valeri.
I wish she were; my heart dessolves so fast!
That I do find, I shall few minutes last.

[She faints.
Doct.
Your fancy, does your weakness much increase,
This passion, is the worst of your disease.

Enter Queen, and Ormasdes, she sets him to stand unseen.
Doctor.
Oh Madam! you are much wish'd for here;

Queen.
Let all withdraw, I must be private now,
Onely do you Ormasdes stand unseen;—
—How is it with my friend?

Vale.
I'm glad that you are come to close my Eyes,
My spirits wast so fast, that I must dye!

Queen.
I hope not yet Valeriana.

Vale.
Alass Madam, I had not liv'd till now,
But for the joy my broken heart conceives
In hopes to hear Ormasdes is grown well.
Before I leave this world.

Queen.
Twas the distemper of an Ague fit,
And he is now so far from being sick,
That he without, begs leave to visit you.

Vale.
Me, did you say? to visit me Madam!
Will Ormasdes visit me? is it so?

Queen.
Yes, He's without, and does by me desire
You will admit him;—Why are you silent?
Now my endeavours prosper to your wish!

Vale.
Does wise Cleandra think it will be fit?
That I in such a passion leave this World!
As I shall do, if I see Ormasdes!—
—I shame to think that he should see me dye,
Yet cannot chuse, but wish it heartily!

Queen.
Shall I call him in then? why do you doubt?

Vale.
Oh Madam, I dare not see him, must not!
You have said something, to bring him hither!
Makes me fear to see him; it must not be!

Que.
Pray see him, and let this great crime, be mine;
His presence, may your troubl'd heart revive.

Vale.
He cannot Madam, for tis now too late!
I do feel here, the heavy hand of Death
Is crushing me to Ayre.

She faints in the Queens Armes.
Queen.
Ormasdes your help! she dies, she dies!

He draws, and proffers to kill himself.
Ormas.
By all our Gods, I will dye with her then!

Queen.
She lives again! Ormasdes your help now;—
He flings away his Sword, and helps.
—So let her head lye a little from us.

He kneels, and holds her hand.
Ormas.
For Heav'n sake Madam, tell what I must say?
Or what now must do? is she not dead still?

Queen.
Does not her hand inform you, that she lives?
Is it not warm?

Ormas.
Oh yes! tis warm, but I, who never dar'd
Thus boldly touch a Ladies hand till now;
Understand not how to use it, as I ought!

[He Kisses her hand.
Que.
There needs no other kindness, then you shew,
—How is it now Valeriana?

Vale.
Well Madam to well, I fear, to last so:
I dare not look that way, because I blush
To think how I have scandaliz'd my Sex!
And how Ormasdes now is justified!
In his contempt of Women, for my sake!
I have no power to take away my hand,
Yet dare not own, to leave it with him longer.

Ormas.
Oh why? what has Ormasdes ever done?
Justly to merrit this dissertion?

Vale.
Pray Madam, say something in my behalf;
Either to hide, or to excuse my shame.

Queen.
Turn this way then, and let your Eyes excuse
That guilt, which will Ormasdes disabuse.

[They turn her.]
Ormas.
She looks desperately ill!

Queen.
Tis only weakness, and no danger in't;
Pray call her Servants, and let us retire.

Ormas.
Retire! you have engag'd me now so far,
That I must see the Battle won, or lost!
Before I can consent, to a Retreat.

Queen.
Tis late, and she must sleep.

Ormas.
Why Madam, so she may, though I be by!
I'le sit as silent, as the God of sleep,
And here attend, while her tir'd servants rest.

Queen.
You will not watch all night Ormasdes?

Ormas.
Oh but I will Madam; watch night, by night,
Till she recover! This is my fixt Post,
Appointed by the Gods; not your command,
Nor any force, has power to take me hence;
While this good sword will hold for my defence.

[Takes up his Sword.
Queen.
Why so fierce, and violent Ormasdes?
I am much joy'd to see you thus concern'd!
And on this quarrel, am not like to fight
With such a man at Armes, by candle light!

Or.
For Heav'n sake Madam, pardon my rash words,
And disrespect unto your Majesty;
For I do scarce know what I say, or do;
I am become a stranger to my self,
So suddainly transform'd, that I would hide
Me from your sight, if I durst stir from hence!

Queen.
I will forgive, so you'l let me direct
Your future actions, I'le your Love protect!

Ormas.
If you'l command?—I gladly will obey.

Queen.
You must submit, to what she does appoint.

Ormas.
Most willingly.

Valeriana, sighs aloud, and weeps.
Qu.
Does our discourse, these sighs, & tears produce?

Vale.
You have said nothing that will need excuse.
These tears flow from joy, and gratitude,
To you great Queen, who by this act, include
More pious pitty, then past stories tell;—
To make Ormasdes counterfeit so well!
—This thought raisd those unruly sighs you heard.
And Madam, now it makes my soul affraid,
To see so great a courage thus submit,
To flatter me, because you think it fit;
—At your command, to put on this disguise,
In kindness unto one, he does despise.

Queen.
Do you then think his kindness counterfeit?
Can his great soul consent, to such deceit?

Vale.
I can yet find no argument, for ground,
To change so great contempt, as I have found,
Into so high esteem! as he does now,
By your advice, in charity allow;
That my last minutes, may some pleasure have,
He yields to send me smiling to my grave.

Queen.
You cannot judge so ill, of him you love;
Nor can so brave a man, so worthless prove!

Vale.
I do confess, I should be glad to find
All real that I see; and his great mind
The same brave Character he had, maintain
Through his whole life; and not that glory stain
But if't be real, this comes now too late,
His kindness cannot change the course of Fate!

Queen.
Think not of Death, for if you will endure
The Tryall? I will undertake the cure;
I see your sufferings do compassion move,
Which in most genrous hearts, does turn to Love.

Ormas.
Madam, I know not what, you do call love,
Nor how in that fantastick Sphear to move!
I cannot talk the language Lovers use,
When they design fair Ladies to abuse;
Nor can I yet, by this experience guess,
If Love, or a distraction, does possess
My heart? give me but leave to watch this night,
That while you sleep, I may my heart invite,
To tell me what it ails! if it be Love?
What all the World allows! I shall approve:
And then, I'le rather dye, then e're forsake
What I avow, or what I undertake.

Q.
Pray Madam, give him leave to watch this night,
Some serious thoughts may set his fancy right.
He has lyen often on the frozen ground,
On less occasion, and more danger found.

Vale.
I shall not rest then, though you think it fit,
I shall condemn my self, if I submit.

Queen.
Tis somewhat more then custome does allow,
I must confess; but how to help it now,
Who knows? you see he is resolv'd to beat
Us all, if we but mention his Retreat.

Ormas.
Pray let not this my first sute be deny'd,
But give me leave to sit on yonder side,
As silent as sleep self; my body shall
Be fixt, as is that figure on the wall.

Queen.
Let him Valeriana, pray consent,
'Twill prove his honor, or his punishment!

Ormas.
Who can have more care? who so fit as I
To watch? who am resolv'd with her to Dye.
—Good rest unto your Majesty.

He leads off the Queen.
Queen.
He'l turn me out, if I refuse to go!
—But why Ormasdes do you tremble so?

Ormas.
This shaking fit may to a Feavor turn,
And I, e're day, in Loves bright flames may burn.

[Exeunt Omnes.