University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

SCENE A Palace.
Enter Thomyris, Orontes, and a Captain of the Guards.
Tho.
By Time most Vict'ries lose their Fame,
But yours the common Fate disclaim.
The conscious Foes, with Grief, confess
How great their Loss, and your Success.
They miss their brave Allie, Tigranes.

Oron.
Among the Slain
For him they've sought in vain.
Fin or tra j morti l'han cercato in vano.

Tho.
Perhaps a Pris'ner, here unknown,
He may himself disown.

Oron.
Let Search be made.
[To the Captain, who bows and goes out.
Ite a cercarlo.

Tho.
Since thus, my Son, ev'n Sov'raigns are
Subject to the Chance of War,
Your Nuptials must, without Delays,
Secure our Empire, and our Race.
To such an Hymen must I press you?
Must I sue so long, to bless you?

“Oron.
Oh! Mis-call not disobeying,
“Gracious Queen, a short delaying!
“War commands an instant Duty.
“Let your Soldier strive to prove
“Worthy Honour, worthy Love,
“And, by Glory, rise to Beauty.

“Tho.
Oh! Grieve me not with more Delays!
“By all the Heroes of our Race,
“By the dear, the moving Name
“Of thy great Father, by his Fame,
“By a Nation's Love, and Fears,
“By thy widow'd Mother's Tears;
“Mother's Tears, that yet disgrace
“A Royal Face!
“Oh! no more, no more delay me!
“Kill at once, or now obey me.
AIR.

Oron.
Ah! too too much my Soul you move.
Ye cruel Pow'rs!—Oh Tyrant Love!
[Aside.
Oh Queen! Oh Mother! I for Pity sue:
I plead against my stubborn Heart for you;
I'm rack'd, I'm torn in the Debate:
I struggle with Aversion strong as Fate.
I dread Complying,
I dread Denying,
More than Dying.
Ahi, potenze all' Alma mia
Troppo fiere! Ahi! crudo Amore!
Deh! Pietà, Regina, e Madre!
Quell' Oggetto, ch'io combatto
Sol per voi, dentro il mio seno,
E'piu forte del mio fato.
Temo Ubbidire,
E negar, piu che morire.
AIR.
[Orontes leads out Thomyris.

Da capo.
[Exeunt.
“The SCENE changes to a Garden.
“Cleora
is discover'd by a Fountain.
“AIR.

Enter Media, with a Letter, which she delivers to Cleora.
“Med.
A Fellow Captive, in Distress,
“This by his Keeper sends you.
“Not suffer'd nearer you to press,
“At Distance he attends you.

“Cleo.
What do I read!—Ye Pow'rs, 'tis too severe!
“Armenia's King, unknown, in Fetters here!
“The Man I cannot love, nor hate,
“Striving to save me, shares my Fate.
“Unhappy Prince! too late, alas! you move:
“Fortune has intercepted Love.
“The Heart is gone, for which you sue.
“Yet some Ease I'll strive to bring;
“And show how I revere in you
“The Choice of Cyprus, and the King.
“Sure I some Pity may discover
“To the Friend, tho' not the Lover.
[Exit Cleora.

Enter Baldo. He stops Media who is following Cleora.
Bald.
My Charmer!

Med.
My Tormenter.

Bald.
Stay.

Med.
I dare not.

Bald.
You may venture.
Tell me, Queen of my Desire,
When will Love reward the Fire
Of the Prince, and of the Squire?

Med.
For the Prince, all may go well:
But for you—I cannot tell.

Bald.
Don't you love me?

Med.
No, not I.

Bald.
How? not love me! That's uncommon!
What's the Reason?

Med.
I'm a Woman.

Bald.
Give a better.

Med.
Why, thou Creature,
Must a Woman give you many,
And you Lover's ne'er have any?

Bald.
Prithee tell me!

Med.
In good Nature, now I will—
Know, I value Reputation;
And by thy Looks, and by my Skill I foresee
What a Monster thou'rt to be.
Thy Wife, spight of Inclination,
Must be kind—to all the Nation.
AIR.

Bald.
I will prevent it, if you're my Spouse
Tho' now Husbands never mind it,
Nothing, when you're mine, will pain me.
I'll so ply you, Child, you'll find it
Work enough to entertain me.
AIR.

Med.
Prithee, Fellow, why so pressing,
Yet so negligent of Dressing?
So strangely needing
Air, and Breeding,
You disgrace one with Caressing.
AIR.

Bald.
A better way I'll please my Dear.
Sighs and Glances,
Foppish Fancies,
Soft and tender
Might offend her:
Honest Roughness gains the Fair.
AIR.
[He bows in an affected manner.
[Baldo dances.
[The Musick striking up in the middle of the Song.

Med.
No, no, no Dressing, no Possessing.

[Media runs off, and Baldo follows her.