University of Virginia Library

The Fifth Act.

Valeriana is discover'd asleep on a Couch, with Doctors, and Ladies all asleep about her Ormasdes rises from the ground, at the Couch side.
Ormasdes.
All eyes are shut, all hearts can rest, but mine,
I've somthing here, that will not let me sleep:
—Tis Love, I am bewitch'd, or it is Love!
That thus disturbs my body, and distracts
My mind; no other passion works like this!
Well then, if it be Love! where's the wonder?
The wisest, bravest, and the greatest men,
Have been in Love as much, or more then I;
—But why then was I, thus long without it?
Why did not bright Cleandras beauty burn?
Why was not this fire kindl'd untill now?
How comes Valeriana by this power?
To wound me deeper, then Cleandra did!
My Kind, Loving Heart, how comes this to pass?

Valeriana sighs, and groans aloud.
Ormas.
Ha! Her spirit by that sigh informs me,
That doubl'd groan, struck through my wavring soul,
Oh thou Divinest power! what ere thou art!
I do submit, Valerianas groans
Are all sufficient arguments for Love!
It seems, my stony heart, was proof against
All charms, but deep fetch'd sighs, & dying grons;
By which, tis now made supple, and so soft,
That it is ready to take any form;
That sick Valeriana shall direct;—
—Great God of Love, forgive my past neglects,
And now restore this Lady to her health,
Then I with Insense will thy Altars load,
Thy Temple with those Trophies, now adorn,
Which my whole life prepar'd, for Mars and Jove.
Since they allow me to submit to Love!

Valeriana wakes, and calls.
Vale.
Drusilla.

Ormas.
Madam, your Servants do all sleep, but I.

Vale.
I would not have wak'd you, Ormasdes.

Ormas.
You have not Madam, I have not slept yet;
Pray let your Servant know what tis you want!

Vale.
I want assurance of a thing I doubt.

Ormas.
Can I give you that assurance?

Vale.
Yes.

Ormas.
And will you not lay that command on me?

Vale.
Do they all sleep?

Ormas.
They do.

Vale.
Ormasdes I would know, what I do fear,
You are pre-ingag'd never to tell me;

Ormas.
By your fair self, I swear, I'm not ingag'd
In any kind, but may, and will impart,
What ever in my knowledge, you inquire.

Vale.
My first doubts does still remain, that the Queen
Upon assurance of my suddain death,
Has won you, thus to flatter my last hours,
Like glittering Sun-shine upon dying Flowers.

Ormas.
Madam, by all thats holy, she has not:
What shall I say? what do? to gain your faith?

Vale.
You have done it now; I am satisfied.
And do believe all's truth, Ormasdes speaks,
But I do fear this truth appears too late.

Orm.
Why Madam? have you made vows against me?
Will no repentance? nor no pennance serve,
To wash away my Sins against your Sex
Will you, that Universal quarrel wed?
And bring distruction, on your Servants head?

Vale.
Vows Ormasdes, and those against you made!
Oh do not take away the Joy you gave,
By such a thought; I never wish'd, nor pray'd,
For blessing upon Earth, beyond your Love,
Which you in charity, so amply shew,
That I do doubt I dream, what I injoy.

Ormas.
Madam, you do now misjudge my passion,
To call that charity, which may be love
For ought I know; this so late acquaintance
With my new heart is short, and my transports
So great, it must be madness, if not love:
For, give me leave to swear, that I will know
No other Joys then yours, nor thoughts admit,
But with design to serve, and honour you.

Vale.
I do now wish the Gods my life would spare,
And make me worthy of Ormasdes care.

Ormas.
Madam, you speak a Language of respect
To me, who merrit nothing but neglect;
Your favours flow so fast, they over-whelm
My heart with joys, and raise my soul so high,
It turns amazement into extacy.

Vale.
I should not talk thus, if I did not see't;
Tis harder for you now to hide; then shew't:
I do not fear your passion, will go less,
But doubt by death to lose, what I possess.

Ormas.
You cannot dye Madam, I have no fear
To find so great a curse, from Heav'n sent,
I onely doubt I sleep! and fear to wake
Least this abundant bliss should vanquish quite,
And so involve me in Eternal Night,
May I presume to beg a favour yet?
Which will my fancy fix, and so confirm
My doubtfull soul tis real, and no dream.

Vale.
You may.

Ormas.
I beg that Ring you wear; but if of price
Too great for me? pardon my Avarice.

Vale.
Tis a trifle, ask something of more worth.

Ormas.
Sure nothing can of greater value be
If you repent, what you now promis'd me.

Vale.
You ask, what is not in my power to give!
My dying Mother with this Ring bequeath'd
Her curse, if ever I did part with it!
But to the man I meant to make my Lord.

Ormas.
Tis a charm not to be dissolv'd by me;
Who dare not touch it, on the terms, you name;
I was ambitious to wear it Madam
But onely as your servant, not your Lord.

Vale.
It never can be had, on easier termes;
Ormasdes you must have this, and me together,
Alive or dead, you must have both, or neither.

Ormas.
All my Limbs do tremble, at what I hear,
I dare not understand the words you speak,
Least my mistakes do give you an offence,
Beyond a pardon, for such impudence.

Vale.
You do not mistake me, nor can you err!
If you'l avow, this kindness that you shew.

Ormas.
By all our Gods, I think my flame is Love,
I know no other name for what I feel,
But if you doubt? propose a way to try,
And as it proves, declare my destiny.

Vale.
I will consider on some way to try,
But must submit unto this drowsinesse,
For a minutes time, twill take me from you!
Pray Sir, command the musick now to play.

[He steps to the Door then.]
[Musick playes awhile.]
Ormas.
She has talk'd her self into a Repose,
Now I will try to get alittle Rest.
That my tir'd fancy, may at last be fixt.

Valeriana Counterfeits to sleep, Ormasdes lyes on the ground by her Couch, and while he sleeps, she puts the Ring on his finger; then the Musick ends.
Vale.
So—when he calls to mind, what I have said;
He can expect no more, then I now give;
—Great goddess of pure hearts, protect my fame,
And this rash act, forgive; which frights me now;
To such repentance, with such suddain pain,
I am resolv'd to take it off again,—
She offers to take it off, and cannot.
—His hand is so fast clos'd, I cannot do't;
And to wake him in the attempt, is worse;
Such boldness may a double censure get;
I blush to think how rashly I begun,
And now repent the folly I have done:—
—His hand opens:—
And now tis mine again,
Oh blest accident!

She takes off the Ring, Musick playes; she sleeps in earnest, while the Musick is.
Enter the Queen, and Train.
Queen.
Wake them not; has Ormasdes walk'd to night?
From that corner, hither, in his sleep?
Did any of you hear them talk ith'night?

Doctor.
Not I Madam.

First Lady.
Nor I.

Second Lady.
I heard none stir Madam.

Ormasdes wakes and stirs up.
Ormas.
The Queen; is it so late?

Queen.
You have had a hard Lodging my Lord.

Ormas.
I have had the happiest night Madam;
And am Richer far then both the Indies;—
Ormasdes starts, and looks distractedly for something lost.
—Ha! I am undone, undone for ever!

Qu.
What look you for my Lord? what have you lost?

Ormas.
I had it now, just now, on this finger!
I look for Treasure Madam, worth the World;
[He Searches.
—'Twas no dream, it must be here abouts!
—I beg your pardon Madam, for this search,
Which does concern my life, and honour too.

Queen.
This is the strangest passion, I ere saw,
Has your great loss, no name to know it by?

Ormas.
Yes, I have lost Valerianas Ring.

Queen.
You did but dream, see, tis on her finger:

Ormas.
How! tis so indeed, do I not dream now?
Or do the Gods us men with shadows mock?
When we do seek such great felicities,
As they allow us not to have below!
—What a strange height of bliss? am I fall'n from?

Q.
Has this one night, such mutual friendship gain'd?
That the prophetick Ring, could be obtain'd!

Ormas.
I know not what to say, nor what to think!
I know not when I sleep, or when I wake!
Yet must believe that Ring, was mine this night;
And I have lost that Treasure Childishly:
Some kind friend strike me hard, that I may feel
I now am waking; your pardon Madam
For my disaster makes me almost mad.

[Valeriana wakes.
Queen.
How have you slept Valeriana?

Vale.
Very well Madam, for one so weak!

Ormas.
Did you not wake about mid-night Madam?

Vale.
Not that I remember.

Ormas.
Was ever man so much abus'd in's sleep?

Vale.
Ormasdes, what means your disorder'd looks?

Queen.
He finds his waking fancies are much less
Delightfull, then his sleeping happiness.

Orm.
I dream't Madam, that Ring you prize so much,
Was this night, by you, put on my finger;
When a thousand, thousand joyes fell on me,
Which now waking, I have no name for.

Vale.
My Ring Ormasdes! and on your finger!
And by me put on! twas a dream indeed!
I hope, you do not waking, think it fit,
That I, should waking do so bold an act.

Ormas.
Madam, it does not become me to say
I wish, what you do not allow; nor dare
I tell so great a lye, as to deny
The joy I dream'd of when I thought I saw,
And did believe I felt, it once was mine.

Vale.
Tis far from my serious thoughts Ormasdes,
After such high passion, as I have shew'd,
Now to raise any discontent in you,
But do not lessen your esteem of me,
By the acquisition of such favours,
As you your self in others would condemn!
Have we not both, at first sight, done enough?
To justifie, what we professe; I fear
Too much on my part, did not Cleandra
Own all that she has done, on my behalf.

Ormas.
I submit, and will wish, and think, and do
What the wise Queen, and you advise me to.

Queen.
Ormasdes has not lost his time I see,
Nor my design for your recovery
Fall'n short! the gods in their good time will bring
You to give, and him to accept the Ring.
May your new friendship never know decay,
But freely both command, and both obey:
—I must now leave you for an hour, or two.

Ormasdes leads the Queen to the Door, and returns.
Ormas.
Madam, is this a fit time to enquire
Nearcus Story? may I now desire
You, to unriddle the bold claim, he makes?

Vale.
You shall hereafter have it all at large,
Only know now, he us'd a violence,
In shew, with such unparallel'd deceits!
Such insolent demands, so cunning couch'd!
His threats, with humble looks, so plain disguis'd;
That at first sight, I found, I was surpriz'd;
Then, to avoid his purpose, I was forc'd,
To use such doubtfull word; to bring me off,
His madness did interpret his own way;
While I was safe, by what I wisely said,
To farther my escape, when so afraid!
Thus was Cleandras trust, and mine abus'd;
A baser treachery, was never us'd.

Ormas.
You have inform'd me fully of his fact.
I suddainly will find Nearcus out,
And hurle such vengeance, on his curs'd head,
[Aside.
That all the World shall say, tis well he's dead.

[They carry off Valeriana.]
[Exeunt omnes.
[Enter Nearcus.]
Near.
Tis strange, I hear not of Ormasdes yet!
If he oblige me really! I'm his,
If not! I shall resume my first resolves,
This his delay, begets more jealousies
Then my impatient burning heart, can bear.—

[Enter Ormasdes.]
Nea.
—Now Sir, how have I prosper'd in your hands?

Ormasdes.
Ormasdes. As you deserve.

Nearcus.
How is that?

Ormas.
With much scorn rejected.

Near.
Is that my merrit, in your opinion?

Ormas.
In mine, as in Cleandras, and in all!
Who have heard the ground of your false claim,
Which the fair Princess, and her Servants tell;
—A Treachery so base, an act so foul!
That all do think Nearcus has no soul.

Near.
This you dare justifie?

Ormas.
I had not dar'd to tell it else! me thinks
My looks might shew, my business was to find
You out, and now to let you know, I must
Defend the Princess, in a cause so just.
—Before I knew Valerianas heart,
Or was at all acquainted with my own;
I Judg'd your cause, against her innocence.
But now inform'd the right from all, I find
No argument, in Justice to compell,
Such a forc'd promise to Nearcus made,
Should now to Leonatus be perform'd.
Your juggling Arts, and your disguised Name,
With your unworthy force, ore-throws your claim

Near.
You are become a subtle Orator,
Since you convers'd with Ladies; but I shall
Your great Eloquence, with this steele convince;
I am not to be frighted by big words,
We now must try the temper of our swords.

Ormas.
We must indeed, though I lament, my hand
Should harm a man, unto the Queen aly'd.

Ne.
Shall that scruple, & this good sword once more
Teach you to call for help? as heretofore!

Ormas.
I may change your opinion, with my own.

Near.
Come then.

They Fight, Ormasdes runs him through, Disarmes him.
Ormas.
Get Surgeons for Nearcus presently;
My hurt is slight.
[Exit Ormasdes.

Enter Surgeons, or Servants, who carry off Nearcus.
Enter the Queen, in Valerianas Chamber, with her, and attended by Old Titus, Old Nearcus, Lords and Ladies, a full Train.
Queen.
Tis by your good nature Valeriana,
That this mans evil spirit threatens us,
Had you reveal'd Nearcus treachery!
His punishment had suted with his crime.

Vale.
Madam, I do confess my lenity.
May have imbolden'd him to higher ills,
Which my just complaint, might have prevented;
But then, how hard a censure should I gain?
By ruining so Eminent a man.
Who from his principles of honour fell,
Through love to me; though I cōtemn'd his hopes,
His passion made me pitty his distress,
So far, as his first errour to forgive,
In hope he might in better order live.

Queen.
You argue well, and ought to justifie
Your gentle disposition, to forgive.
Mercy, does a young Princess, much adorn,
But I am bound to vindicate my self,
My Nation suffers if I be not just,
To punish crimes like this! I break my trust;
He is the first, that ever dar'd asperse
The Citherean Name, by such a fact,
As no past Chronicle, can parallel!
I shake to think, how great your danger was!
And how much greater might have been my shame
To trust a man, who values not his fame.

Vale.
Let not his faults your anger higher raise,
The punishment he feels, by ill success,
Is a just doom, for his unworthiness.

Queen.
His sentence must, to after times appear,
Least my story be blemish'd with a thought,
That I, did wink at such a crime as this!
My people will exclaim, the Gods will frown,
If such a wickedness unpunisht pass!
He must dye Valeriana, his house
Be burnt, the ashes scatter'd in the Ayre,
With prayers t'appease our Citherian Gods,
We cannot offer a less Sacrifice.

Vale.
For my sake, let his doom, be banishment.
If I have any favour in your Eyes?
Make not me guilty by that Sacrifice.

[She kneeles
Queen.
Rise Madam, you shall govern as you please.

Enter to them Ormasdes, and Young Titus.
Queen.
Ormasdes, are you hurt, by that vil'd man?

Ormas.
It is too little, to be call'd a wound!
I come now, to beg Nearcus pardon;
Twas I that did inforce him to this fight.

Vale.
And I, most wrong'd, who freely do forgive;

Queen.
The wrong was done to me Valeriana,
I put you in his power, my trust, he broke;
My honour, for your safety, was ingag'd!
Our Nation suffers by his Villany;
The Citherean honour calls for Justice,
Against so barbarous a breach of Faith;
Nor was it you provok'd, but were compell'd
By him to fight, for innocence aspers'd!

Ormas.
Madam, though I shall never justifie
Nearcus actions; his misfortune may
Admit excuse; Because humane nature
Is subject to passions, which the best men
Can never mannage, as they ought! how then;
May Valeriana's beauty guilty be?
That did excite Nearcus love; and led
Him into this distraction, past his power!
To manage his own heart, (as we think best;)
If so! tis she has turn'd him to a Beast;
But when your Majesty shall call to mind,
The gallant service by this Mad-man done;
You will then pitty his Distraction.

Enter to them Nearcus, brought in a Chair.
Queen.
What means this boldness?

Near.
Madam, I come not to beg your pardon,
But to justifie my actions, and my self;
Against Ormasdes, who does now with-hold
Valeriana, my betroathed Wife,
Confirm'd by vows, in presence of the Gods.

Queen.
Now Ormasdes! is he fit for pardon?

Ormas.
Yes Madam, s a distracted person!

Near.
Why do you wrong my person, and my cause?
To call my just Title, a distraction;
Do me Justice Cleandra, or give me death!

Queen
You may have both your wishes in good time:
Cleobulus guard him to the Castle.

Vale.
Pray Madam, let his doom be banishment,
Because his Crime, went not beyond intent.

Queen.
Madam, he must thank you, for his life then;
—Cleobulus see him a close prisoner,
Untill his wounds, permit his banishment.

Near.
I do your proffer'd mercies, all refuse,
And either Death, or Valeriana chuse.

Queen.
Lead him to banishment: make him obey.

Near.
Hold alittle:—Cleandra looke, this way,
Tis Leonatus calls; he who at foyles,
The young Prince your Brother, slew;
And fled your Fathers rage, (untill his death!)
Then shelter'd by this borrow'd Name, return'd,
And in Nearcus Family secur'd,
By this disguise; liv'd as his onely Son,
Who dyed, as I return'd;—is it death yet?

Qu.
No, this insolence, shall not change your doom,
Nor your confest disguise, (long known to me,)
Force a punishment beyond the merrit
Of that sad mishap! which I believe
Was fatall accident! no purpos'd crime!
Though my Father look'd on his onely Son,
By your hand slain, with such revenging rage!
As might his loss become, and him ingage
To throw out vows, that Justice should persue
So great a Traytor, as he then thought you;
For your succession after me, became
His fancies object, which encreas'd your blame.
—But I, who have exactly been inform'd,
Of my dead Brothers love, and yours, now must
For that sad accident, to you be just.

Near.
I'le rather quit my innocence, then own
Your mercy, when you Justice do deny;
Give me the fair Princess, or give me death.

Queen.
I cannot with Justice, give you either;
How can I, a free Princes will compell?
Or how Ormasdes true pretence deny,
Or how afford you death, for that offence,
Which your unluckie hand, did act by chance.

Near.
Wou'd I had dyed, the day of my return,
Since great Cleandra dares not do me Right;
But suffers false Ormasdes to possess,
What is my due; I all your mercy scorn,
And will the worst of Tyranny endure.

Queen.
I have imploy'd you as my Brothers friend,
Thus long not at his Murtherer conniv'd!
And untill now, by force compell'd my face
To frequent smiles, in favor of your worth,
While my heart ak'd, to think what you had done!
But you of late, unworthy our great Name,
Have scandaliz'd the Citherean Fame
Boldly to own a Crime so great! as may insence,
The world to question your first innocense.
Which clearly shews, you are for mischief built,
That dar'd to entertain so base aguilt!
—My mercy may prove sin, unless betimes,
My Justice do prevent your farther crimes.

Near.
Must I be held? and baited thus to death!
Be torn, and tortur'd by a womans breath?

Queen.
See my Command obey'd Cleobulus.
—I shall take order for an Equipage
Fit for your great birth, and shall now confine
You to an Island near, from whence you may
Return, if you out-live me, and mine!
—Remove him hence.

Ne.
Hold a while!—curse on, curse light on you all,
For this unjustice, which you mercy call;
Tyrants, cruel Tyrants, your juggling Art
Lay by, and strike a Dagger through my heart;
—If Ormasdes any honour have in store?
He'l fight another bout upon the Shore,
As I take ship; and if I chance to Dye!
My soul shall then applaud thy Victory,
And sing thy praise to the infernal Ghosts,
That they may chuse thee Captain of their Hosts,—
When thou com'st down!—Let not a Ladies word
Destroy, by piercing deeper then thy sword!—
—Will you not answer? cruel, and unjust!
Ye gods! why put you Scepters into womens trust?
Who crushes me to raise a Cowards Name!
Whom I will in the Elizium fields Defame,
No honor'd Ghost of Troy, shall there own thee,
The Grecian, and the Roman Souls, with me
Will trample on thy Cowards neck with scorn,
—Poor shadow of a gallant man, only born
To lye in Ladies laps, perfum'd, and curl'd!
—I'le Post thee Coward, in the other World.
They force him away, on the Queen beck with her hand.

the blest Instrument of your escape; the Honour
will be ample recompence for any hazzard I shall
run: I have Madam, a strong Castle within the
Forrest, about a League from hence, thither I can
convey you first, and then whither you please.

Selin.

Pray my Lord, leave me a few minutes,

[Exit Cleonel.]

that I may consider this great concern:—'tis
very like, that he who would have ravish'd, may
consent to poyson twenty such as I, rather then
loose his hopes of Hungary:—I like well to fly
from this near death, but I like not to trust my
self to Cleonel, there may be more danger at his
Castle, then in the Death I would fly from, If I
discover my self unto Ordella, she will solicite me
for Phillocles (who I must never hate) this will prove
more desperate then all the rest:—I must trust
Cleonel, though he be of a fiery Spirit, his honour
was never yet tainted:—I will loose gently on

[She calls Cleonel.]
[He Enters.

him, and ingage him if I can to be true to me:—
My Lord, I have weighed my dangers, and your
counsel to avoid them, and I will trust my self to
you, so you will swear to carry me directly unto
Belgrad (and not to your Castle) I have friends in
Hungary, who will protect me, and there I shall
have time to consider of your hazzards for me.

Cleo.

By our House-hold gods I swear to do it,
by this fair hand, I will observe my Oath, and

what ever else you shall command me:—
though it be late, we must this night depart, you
must make ready, while I take order for my Servants,
and my Horses.

Selin.

May I not see the Princess e're I go? will
not to morrow night be time enough?

Cleo.

To morrow night brings death beyond all
power to hinder; we should be going while we
talk:—Let no fears disturb you Madam, I
can command the opening of the Ports at any
hour; all shall be according to your wish.

Selin.
Heaven grant it Cleonel—
When I remember the strict vow you have made,
It were Impiety to be afraid.

[Exeunt severally.
Enter Phillocles, and Guard.
Phill.

Let the Boy only stay, and sing the Song
I like.

[Boy.]
The SONG.

Enter Ordella, to visit him as in her Chamber, the Guard at the door appearing.
Phill.

Thou art welcome Ordella, let us fit, and
talk sadly.

Ordella.

My coming is to divert this sadnesse
which you too much indulge.

Phill.

Does not my sorrow become me Ordella?
canst thou wish me merry, when thou considerest
my Condition? who is there now in Greece more
scorn'd then Phillocles.

Admi.
Tis strange, that none of us should know him!

Young Titus.
The general opinion he was drown'd,
Made us not see through his disguise;

Admir.
But his strange passion does amaze me most.
Ormasdes wedding, will his frenzy cure;
When love does see no possibility,
Desires, and hopes, will vanish by degrees.

You. Titus.
We see dispairs, work often other wayes.

Queen.
He has disturb'd me, but I'le forget him;
—Valeriana come, let us consult
The Ceremony of your Wedding day,
Ormasdes joys, and yours, will blow away
The farther thought, of Leonatus crimes.

Vale.
Our Wedding Madam! I see no reason
For so great a hast! now we are secure.

Or.
Madam, since you have rais'd my hopes so high!
It were a sin, to doubt my destiny.
Yet say, when shall my thoughts so sixt remain?
That I may never think I dream again.

Vale.
Ormasdes, not too fast, we must proceed
With much discretion, to so great a deed!
The eyes of all this Nation, do behold
Our actions, and may think my part too bold,
If I again shall do; what I repent!
It would deserve a double punishment;
My over-hasty Love, was once my crime,
I must redeem that fault, by taking time
To finish, what so violent begun,
Least into greater errours, I do run;—
—A year or two's delay, will add much grace
To our young Love, which Time cannot deface.

Orma.
Why have you led me forth, with gentle gales?
Into this dangerous deep? why fill'd my sailes,
With such propitious winds? as would convey
Me safe to my wish'd Port, the nearest way.
Why do you now abstruct this happy course?
As if you wish'd for storms! or somthing worse!
Why thus forsake the Light? to sail ith'dark,
As if you sought out hazzards, for this Bark,
In which, you are the onely fraight, that I,
Can fear to lose; by my mortality.
Oh! do not then my Joyes to time betray,
Least you do ruine all, by your delay!

Queen.
How Valeriana! must this Scene of Love,
Fall from its height? and now no farther move!
Does your quick conquest of Ormasdes? make
Him less worthy? when we such pris'ners take,
As might ourselves command! if they will serve!
We cannot give them more, then they deserve;
Consider well, least you, your self destroy,
If thus, you do defer Ormasdes joy!

Vale.
Madam, you, and the world too well do know,
My Love to him, can now no higher grow!
I onely thus stand off, least he despise,
A conquest gain'd, without an enterprize.
And that my injur'd Sex, hereafter may
Judge of my innocence, by this delay;
Honour forbids, that we in hast ingage,
Rash actions often, ill events presage.
Though I, (like a tall ship that spreads her sails
When she is carried on, with prosperous gales;
To her wish'd Port!) do sigh, to be delay'd,
And blame the Remora, by which I'm staid.

Ormas.
Honour, and Fancy, at great distance stand,
You have no argument for this command,
But your own nice, unnecessary thought,
By which your virtue, may become a fault!
Tis true, that my neglects to woman kind,
May urge, that I should now no favour find;
Till my whole life be spent, to gain a bliss,
To crown my latests hours with joyes, like this!
I do confess such judgement were my due
From all the women in the world, but you,—
Who have no argument, nor a pretence,
Why you, should prove the Rod for my offence.

Vale.
Ormasdes true, I only now would prove
By some short time, the temper of your Love;
And shew the world, that mine was not in hast,
Though its first motion mov'd so fierce and fast!
It makes me blush to think, that this great Queen,
And her whole Nation, have such weakness seen!
As all commanding Love, forc'd me to show,
Oh! tis a bold attempt, when women wooe!

Ormas.
What ere the vulgar think, great Princes may
The dictates of their greater souls obey;
Tis a self-doubting sin, when you alone,
Dare not avow, what gods, and men do own.

Queen.
These cautious wayes, are only fit for such
As have suspected virtues; you are much
Above the reach of Censures;—twas I,
That woo'd him first, mine be the infamy,
Who boast the active part, with the successe,
And would not for the world, it had been lesse!
It does become me, now to see your hands
United, as your hearts!—If my commands
Be slighted! and my self not understood!
When I require what's for your mutuall good,
I shall repent the kindness, I have shown.
And wish, you never had Ormasdes known.

Vale.
Madam, when you command, I must submit;
—But will Ormasdes waking think it fit?
Now to accept this Ring? and safer keep
What he desires, then when h'last did sleep;
I had some pleasure, and no little pain,
To put it on, and steal it off again.
But now, since gods and you, do all agree!
Receive this bond of my Captivity.

Ormas.
I kiss the hand, that freely gives it now,
May Thunder strike me dead, when I do bow
To other Earthly Power, or wish a bliss,
That Heaven can give, the Gods allowing this!
Ormasdes heart, shall into insence turn,
And in bright flames, before this Altar burn;
So long as my fair Saint, does not despise,
To look upon so mean a Sacrifice—
—To you great Queen, I know not what to say,
How to express a gratitude, that may
Declare the glory of your life to be
A perfect pattern, for Posterity.

Qu.
Brave Lord, your Triumphs, & your Trophies still
Increase our wonder! and our Nation fill
With such Esteem, as all my people may,
With Honour, keep your Wedding, Holy-Day.
And in our Story, after Ages show,
Friendship, and Virtue, did together grow.