 | Zelmane : Or, the Corinthian Queen |  |
SCENE. A Prison.
Amphialus Solus.
Amph.
Again the bold Arcadians gather head,
And with strong Squadrons do molest our Peace.
And I the Queen must instantly obey,
Whose strict Command does send me to the Camp,
Yet e're I go, I must behold my Love,
And take one parting kiss to guard my Life.
Methinks I hover like a frighted Bird,
About the place where she has built her Nest,
When she suspects the danger of her Young.
Oh! all ye Powers that favour constant Love,
With kind auspicious smiles look down and bless
The justest Pair in all the numerous train.
(Knocks.
Enter Pirotto.
Pirot.
Prince Amphialus! what business brings
Your Highness hither.
Amph.
Thou know'st the Princess is my Prisoner,
To her this visit is intended now
Pirot.
My Lord, it was her Majesties Command,
That none should enter without her Signet.
Amph.
Am not I excepted?
Pirot.
None, my Lord, but Prince Arbaces.
Amph.
Ha! Prince Arbaces! Oh ye too partial Stars,
Why have you mark't that Monster out to pull
Destruction on me.
(aside.
Wilt thou Pirotto be my Friend in this,
Permit me enter, and conceal it from the Queen.
Pirot.
My gracious Lord, my King, I ought to say,
Since Great Zelmone's voice confirmed the Grant,
Pirotto's Interests, Sir, shall still be yours,
Though much I fear the rashness of this act,
And what resentment for't the Queen may shew.
Amph.
She shall not know how kind Pirotto is,
And this great favour binds me ever yours,
'Tis business of importance which I bear
To the Arcadian Princess, nor dare I
To impart it, or thou my Friend should know.
This on my Honour take, 'tis not to wrong
The Queen.
Pirot.
I do believe you, Sir, and will comply,
That way to her Apartment leads, your Visit must
Be short, least my breach of Duty be discover'd.
Amph.
Conclude me wholly thine.
(Exit.
Pirot.
Conclude from hence thy Ruin, haughty Prince,
I know he loves this Beautious Captive Maid,
Which Love shall cost him dear, if I can plot.
Oh Father! rest within thy silent Tomb,
Yet think not I forget the wrongs to thee,
Thou once like him wer't Corinth's General held,
Till proud Amphialus out-stript thy Age,
And from thy shaking Hand the staff did wrest,
And tower'd o're thee while but yet a Boy,
The thought of which cut deeper than thy Years,
And spur'd thee forward to thy dark Abode,
For which, and for the Indignities I suffer,
I'll glut me with revenge, Oh sweet revenge!
My Heart as much ambition holds as his,
Yes, and as great a Soul inhabits here,
As Prince Amphialus could ever boast,
I could have fought and conquer'd too like him,
Had I been honour'd with a Generals Name.
Confusion! what am I? a Jaylor, Oh!
But I will stifle all my rage, and listen to their fond Discourse.
I banish hence all thoughts, but such as may
Instruct my labouring Brain the surest way,
To make their Lives my want of Grandeur pay.
Amphialus Solus.
Amph.
Again the bold Arcadians gather head,
And with strong Squadrons do molest our Peace.
And I the Queen must instantly obey,
Whose strict Command does send me to the Camp,
Yet e're I go, I must behold my Love,
And take one parting kiss to guard my Life.
Methinks I hover like a frighted Bird,
About the place where she has built her Nest,
When she suspects the danger of her Young.
Oh! all ye Powers that favour constant Love,
With kind auspicious smiles look down and bless
The justest Pair in all the numerous train.
(Knocks.
15
Pirot.
Prince Amphialus! what business brings
Your Highness hither.
Amph.
Thou know'st the Princess is my Prisoner,
To her this visit is intended now
I fain would know how she her Fortune bears
in this strange turn of Fate.
Pirot.
My Lord, it was her Majesties Command,
That none should enter without her Signet.
Amph.
Am not I excepted?
Pirot.
None, my Lord, but Prince Arbaces.
Amph.
Ha! Prince Arbaces! Oh ye too partial Stars,
Why have you mark't that Monster out to pull
Destruction on me.
(aside.
Wilt thou Pirotto be my Friend in this,
Permit me enter, and conceal it from the Queen.
Pirot.
My gracious Lord, my King, I ought to say,
Since Great Zelmone's voice confirmed the Grant,
Pirotto's Interests, Sir, shall still be yours,
Though much I fear the rashness of this act,
And what resentment for't the Queen may shew.
Amph.
She shall not know how kind Pirotto is,
And this great favour binds me ever yours,
'Tis business of importance which I bear
To the Arcadian Princess, nor dare I
To impart it, or thou my Friend should know.
This on my Honour take, 'tis not to wrong
The Queen.
16
I do believe you, Sir, and will comply,
That way to her Apartment leads, your Visit must
Be short, least my breach of Duty be discover'd.
Amph.
Conclude me wholly thine.
(Exit.
Pirot.
Conclude from hence thy Ruin, haughty Prince,
I know he loves this Beautious Captive Maid,
Which Love shall cost him dear, if I can plot.
Oh Father! rest within thy silent Tomb,
Yet think not I forget the wrongs to thee,
Thou once like him wer't Corinth's General held,
Till proud Amphialus out-stript thy Age,
And from thy shaking Hand the staff did wrest,
And tower'd o're thee while but yet a Boy,
The thought of which cut deeper than thy Years,
And spur'd thee forward to thy dark Abode,
For which, and for the Indignities I suffer,
I'll glut me with revenge, Oh sweet revenge!
My Heart as much ambition holds as his,
Yes, and as great a Soul inhabits here,
As Prince Amphialus could ever boast,
I could have fought and conquer'd too like him,
Had I been honour'd with a Generals Name.
Confusion! what am I? a Jaylor, Oh!
But I will stifle all my rage, and listen to their fond Discourse.
I banish hence all thoughts, but such as may
Instruct my labouring Brain the surest way,
To make their Lives my want of Grandeur pay.
| Zelmane : Or, the Corinthian Queen | |