University of Virginia Library

ACT. I.

SCENE, a Palace with a Throne.

SCENE I.

Zelmane Queen of Corinth seated on a Throne. The Prince Arbaces her Brother. The Lords Geronta and Pirotto, and several others.
Queen.
Once more, my Lords, we're free from dang'rous Foes,
And happy Corinth is with Conquest crown'd
But to whom we owe the verdant Lawrel
And the expected Peace is known to all,
Amphialus that Great, that Triumphant Man,
Whose Courage taught our Conquering Arms success;
'Twas to the Conduct of this Warlike Prince,
We owe this Glorious Victory.

Ger.
Great Queen!
Whose Fame out-shines the Heroes of your Race;
The Prince was by your Royal Father chose,
To lead his Soldiers in the chance of War,
As if his quick discerning Judgment saw
What mighty Deeds should be by him performed,
And who with candor can his actions trace,
But must conclude the blest Corinthian King
Lives now again in Prince Amphialus.

Queen.
Nor must his Brother, young Arcanes be forgot,
Who bred to all the softness of a Court,
In this late On-set played the Soldiers part.
Amphialus was ever nurst in Wars,
Inur'd to Camps, to Winter blasts and toil,
But th'Youth untrain'd performs the hardest lesson.

Pirot.
Your very praise o're-pays their greatest Deed.

Queen.
No, my Lords, my best and faithful Counsellors,
Esteem'd by all, and valu'd by your Queen;
Zelmane sure, would blush with Words alone,
To meet such vast transcendent worth as theirs,
Monarchs resemble the Immortals most,
When with a bounteous, liberal Hand they give;
'Twas for this cause, my Lords, I call'd you hither,
That in this full Assembly, the Warriours
Might be welcom'd for their brave discharge of Duty.

Ger.
They wait your Royal leave for their admittance.

Queen.
Be it now, Geronta—
These bold Arcadians long have vext our State,
By Land and Sea a tedious War maintain'd,
Threatning our Kingdom with severest want,
Caus'd by a sad depopulating War:
But now, Corinthians, these Invaders fly,
Fortune for us in this extream declar'd,
And gave their Princess Prisoner to my Crown.
Now let my Subjects reassume their smiles,
To welcome Peace, and the conquering Arm
That brought it.

Enter Amphialus, Arcanes, Geronta, and Officers.
Amph.
Success and Glory wait on Corinth's Queen,
(kneels.
And always when her Country wants relief,
May Fortune prove as kind to her as now.

Queen.
Welcome Victorious Prince,
Welcome thou succourer of thy Queen and Country,
Whose Warlike Arm brings liberty in view,
And glads my People with approaching Joy,
Rise, rise, to all the Honours Corinth can bestow.

Amph.
Above my merit you my Duty pay,
Nor could my Life, though lost in your defence,
Be worthy of such titles or such thanks:
I have serv'd my Queen, but as a Subject ought,
Nor am I, Madam, to be prais'd alone,
For all my brave Companions of this Day,
Deserve your favour equal with my self,
Had you but seen how emulation strove
In all their Souls to be the first in fight.
How like a Mistress each did danger court,
They fought like Rivals in the heat of Love,
And scatter'd Death like Harvest in the Field.

Queen.
Enough, I do believe them great and brave,
Brave as thy Description strives to show 'em,
And what Rewards are in my power to give,
With speed my Soldiers may expect to share.

Amph.
But above all, this good, this matchless Youth,
Whose gallant Valour I must here relate,
Your Pardon, Madam, if I after that
Must say, Nature bids me call him Brother.

Queen.
Go on my Soldier,

Amph.
Eager and hot as I pursued the Fight,
And forcing Conquest by my furious speed,
I chac'd the Enemy for two long Hours,
Vent'ring too far I found my self beset
By an Arcadian Squadron, which in Ambush lay,
And straight all turned their pointed Steels on me,
O'repower'd with Numbers, I had doubtless fell.
Had not my Brothers care out-strip'd the Wind,
And with Herculian Labour cut his way,
Forcing a passage where I fought on foot,
And in a moment mounted me again;
And e're I could my Benefactor know,
For he allow'd no time for Words, but dealt
Destruction from his conquering Sword around,
Till my own Troops saw their Generals danger,
And flew to my assistance.

Queen.
Now by our Guardian Stars 'twas Nobly done.
With this Jewel here thy Queen presents thee,
(he kneels.
Much for thy own Deserts, but more in that
Thou didst preserve thy Gallant Brother

Arca.
Oh Madam!—
What's my Life's best Blood compared with this.

Amph.
Ha! the Youth turns pale and faulters in his speech,
His Heart is sinking with the wondrous Grace,

Queen.
Now Prince Amphialus to thee. We here Create.

Ger.
Stay yet a Moment most ador'd of Queens,
And hear your faithful old Geronta speak.
This Will was by your Royal Father made,
Intrusted to my Care on solemn Oath,
Not to disclose what is therein contained,
Till Corinth should be free from threatning Foes,
From her long inveterate Arcadian Foes,
My Oath is now discharged, except one point,
Which was to have it read in publick State,
Which Boon I ask your Majesty to Grant.

Queen.
Open it, my Fathers last Commands shall be obey'd.

Ger.
You all see it is the Signet of the King.

All.
We do.

(he opens it and reads.)
[Geronta]

I Philemon King of Corinth, Dying without Male-Issue, Bequeath my Daughter and my Crown to Prince Amphialus, provided that it suits her Will, and he return Victorious. Be this in the first Dawn of Peace made known, and let the Lords concur to this our Pleasure, for I have thought on't well.

(A shout.)
All.
Long live Zelmane and Amphialus.

Arca.
Ha!

Arba.
Confusion blast him, 'tis now in vain to oppose it.
I know my Sister loves this Man I hate.

(aside to Pirot.
Pirot.
But see how unconcern'd the Traytor stands,
As if he thought the Crown too mean a gift,
To pay his boasted service in the War.

Arba.
And see Arcanes grows with envy pale.

Queen.
Oh my ravish'd Soul, the Gods have given me
The only thing I could have wish'd on Earth,
But hold my Heart, keep in the mighty Joy,
Let none be privy to this wondrous secret.
(aside.
My Lord Amphialus, this Paper makes
Strange alterations in our Fortunes, Sir,
I, who but now, was Corinth's Sovereign call'd,
Must learn to be the subject of your Will.
Ha! no flushing Joys their humid Fires force,
Nor dart with eager Wishes from his Eyes,
But like a Statue motionless he stands,
And only seems to be the thing he was.

(aside.
Ger.
My Lord, why fly you not t'embrace the Knees
Of our transcendent Queen.

Amph.
Can Man be rais'd to such prodigious heighth,
Without astonishing surprize of Sence,
Thus on my Knees, I'll Adoration pay,
But Duty awes my Love.

Queen,
My Father in his Will has left me free,
But I confirm his Choice.

Arca.
Would I had perished by Arcadian Swords,
Rather than lived to have seen this Day.

(aside.
Queen.
You Geronte, preserve the Will with care.
My Lords, this Princess whom Amphialus took
The last Campaign, is now become Arcadia's Heir;
We ought to way what propositions fit
To make when their Ambassadors arrive,
For doubtless they'll not fail to offer at her Freedom,
Therefore pray think what Towns, what Holds our State
Requires conducing to our Peace.

Arba.
Gracious Queen, my Sister and my Soveraign,
Whilst I in Corinth do remain, be pleas'd,
When Overtures are made, and that Fair One
Demanded back by the Arcadian Court,
To advance my suit, and tell the Noble Lords,
That Scythia's Prince is Antimora's Slave.

Amph.
'Twould ill become the Majesty of Corinth,
Whose conquering Arms has brought Arcadia low,
To treat of Marriage with her vanquish'd Slave:
Might I presume to advise my Gracious Queen,
Her Ransome should be paid another way;
And you great Prince may offers make of Love,
When Liberty shall leave her free to choose.

Arba.
My speech, proud Sir, was not addrest to you,
Methinks you King it, e're you wear the Crown.

Queen.
I yet command you both, then cease this strife,
No single Voice shall teach me what to do,
My Lords this politick debate be yours,
Let Corinths safety be your chief concern,
In the mean time Pirotto, guard the Princess well,
But treat her with all the Pomp a Prison can afford.

Amph.
Oh generous Queen thus low my thanks I pay,
And bless you for your kind indulging care,
And every Grace which you confer on her,
Shall by Amphialus be thus return'd,
Because she was my Prisoner, and I
Promis'd Captivity should easy prove,
For great Souls suit not with the gauling yoak
Of harsh constraint.

Queen.
How earnestly he pleads the Princess cause,
There must be more in this than bare respect.
(aside.
Your late request, Brother, shall be thought of,
You have leave to wait upon the Princess,
And if in her you meet returns of Love,
We will not be unaiding to your suit.

Amph.
Oh! Torture and Confusion!
A thousand Scorpions issued from that Word
That stings me to the Soul

(aside.
Queen.
Thro' the City proclaim a general Joy,
And mortal punishments on them inflict
That dare to disobey our strict Command.
Great Favours, Prince, should still with joy be ta'en,
'Tis dangerous trifling with a Queens esteem.

Amph.
I'm lost in thought of my stupendious Bliss,
And beg forgiveness at your Royal Feet,
The want of Words expressive to my Mind,
But time, I hope, will teach my Tongue the way.

Queen.
You shall have time allow'd your Love to grow,
What alterations do I feel within,
Now grief, then Joy, do with alternate sway,
Command my Heart, and conquer as they please,
Methought I was not Queen when thou wert gone,
So much do Princes their Protectors love,
I fear'd each Couriers hast least he should tell,
Amphialus my General, was no more,
But when my Ears the distant Fame receiv'd,
My Heart, with bounding transports met the News,
And Victory and Thee fill'd all my Soul.

Amph.
Oh hold Madam, you sink me with your praise,
For Glory, Honour, and for Fame I fought,
But more than Cæsars Fortune you confer,
And to the Lawrel, add a splendid Crown,
A Gift which my Ambition never reach'd,
Nor dare I think my Duty should aspire,
Where all the Gods command me to obey.

Queen.
My Father judg'd thee worthy of this Crown,
(To Amph.
Depending on his Choice, I cannot err,
But to the Temple streight proclaim our way,
To thank the Gods for this victorious Day,
With Holy Fires let all our Altars shine,
Whilst Iopeans cleave the Roof Divine.

(Exeunt all but Amphialus and Arcanes,
Arca.
Hail, happy Prince, since I no longer must
Salute you by the dear Name of Brother.
Fate has lifted you above the tye of Nature,
What crowds of emulating Blessings strive,
To crown your Life with bright transcendent Honour,
Renown and Fame and Titles all combine
To make you great, nay more, Oh fatal thought!
Zelmane too is yours.

Amph.
Curst, curst Amphialus

(walks about.
Arca.
He minds me not, but wrapt in extasie,
Forgets all ties, but those of Love and State.
Oh happy Brother! and Oh wretched me!

Amph.
I'll tell Arcanes from my Soul a truth,
The Arcadian Duke sunk with his last defeat,
Nor he that suffers on the wracking Wheel,
Can half express the anxious grief I bear.

Arca.
Then are we the most wretched Pair alive,
I feel the wrecks of disappointed Love,
I feel the gnawing Hell of black Despair:
Zelmane, Brother, Oh! that charming Maid,
Reigns in my Breast with more than Sovereign sway,
I from my Youth, did suck the Poyson in,
My early Years obey'd her ready Call,
I watch'd her Eyes, and at her nodd I fled.
And all my study was to please the Queen,
But Oh! like Sun-shine playing on a Rock,
Unalter'd did her stony Heart remain,
Nor could I e're perceive impression there.

Amph.
Unhappy Youth! Oh would to all the Gods
Her Soul were bent on thee.

Arca.
Then when the Silver Trumpet call'd to Arms,
That way I strove to gain immortal Fame,
But thou in Mars's Field out-soared my heighth,
And left me but a second Name in War.
Brother,
No, I conjure thee by a dearer Name,
By that of Friend, which sure you han't forgot,
If we have lov'd beyond the common rate,
If Parents to their darling growing Sons
Have pointed them the Paths that they should run,
Now with thy Sword perform a friendly act,
And with thy conquering Hand set free my Soul,
That my complaints no more may reach thy Ears.

Amph.
What means my Brother, Oh! Arcanes Oh!
'Tis I am curst, thou wilt have better Fate.

Arca.
No, all my cous'ning hopes have left me now,
All my gay Dreams of fancied Bliss are fled.
Here, strike least multiplicity of thought
(beating his Breast.
Bury my Sence in mad fomented rage,
And I be guilty of some desperate Deed,
When you Procession to the Temple make,
For which all Ages shall abhor my Name.

Amph.
Cease, cease thy own tumultuous griefs and hear
The sorrows of thy Friend in more distress,
Like thee I Love, like thee I too despair,
For Oh! what hopes remain to flatter me,
When Great Zelmane is my mortal Foe.

Arca.
Why dost thou treat thy Friend with riddles thus,
Has not the Queen declared the choice is hers.

Amph.
Ay, there's the source of all my wrecking woe,
I have no Heart to pay her in return,
For Antimora has engross'd it all,
E're since Philemon to the Arcadian Court,
Sent me an Arbitrator of a Peace;
Our Souls by Love were tun'd to equal pitch,
And by the Sacred Sympathy we move,
Her Eyes the animating Fire by which I live,
The rest are sparks that die in ambient Air.
My Antimora, yes, I'll call thee mine,
For all the Gods forbid a separation.
Fate seems alike to deal our Lots of Life,
She as my self when first our Loves began,
Could only claim a Kindred to the Throne,
Our Births the same, the same too were our Flames
For the kind Maid with pity crown'd my Vows,
Farther yet the inseperate Chain gives way,
I'm rais'd to Power, and she's Arcadia's Heir.

Arca.
Unhappy wretched Brother,
Yet blest Amphialus, doubly blest,
In that we are not Rivals in our Love:
But Oh! the Grandeur of a Queen and Crown,
Has Charms to shock the firmest resolution.
Forgive my doubts, since 'tis excess of Love
Creates them in thy Brothers Heart.

Amph.
Forgive thee, yes, and grant thee all I can,
To calm the tempest of thy jealous Mind,
So dear I prize the quiet of my Friend,
To whose care I owe my Life and Safety,
That did I love the Queen, I think I could,
To make thee happy, quit the Beautious Maid.

Arca.
Thou unexampled piece of Humankind,
Will you to ease Arcanes troubled Soul,
Promise me ne'er to wed the fair Zelmane.

Amph.
Oh never! by our Guardian Stars I swear,
And all the bright Inhabitants above,
Never to joyn in Wedlock with the Queen;
She my Life and trust at pleasure may dispose,
But for my Love 'tis lodg'd above her reach,
From whence no mortal Hand can wrest it forth,
For Antimora is the Guard of that,
And well I know she'll ne'er resign it up,
Or if she did, I could be only hers,
But 'tis impossible that we should change.

Arc.
Oh blessed sound, may'st thou be happy there,
As my wishes or thy own can make thee.

Amph.
Alas, there hangs a black impending Cloud,
Whose hateful influence threatens our mutual Loves,
With tempest bearing fears. The Queen, Arcanes,
Of this does nothing know, nor dare I speak,
Till time shall ripen things to more maturity;
The Prince of Scythia's Love is now become
The Great Zelmane's care, that haughty Man,
Whose cruel fierce and bloody Mind does shew,
The barbarous Climate well from whence he sprung.

Arca.
He neither shares the virtue of the Queen,
Nor yet her Blood, why does her favour here
Protect him.

Amph.
You know our King Philemon wedded with
The Scythian Dowager, this Prince was Son to her
Before our King espoused her, his pretence
Of coming here, was to assist us in our Wars.

Arca.
Pretence, you well may say, for when he came.
He went not to the Field.

Amph.
All I have now to ask my Friend of thee,
Is, that when absence calls me from my Love,
As none can tell how soon it may be so;
Do thou with watchful Eye guard Antimora.

Arca.
I will with utmost diligence attend,
Th'Lieutenant of the Royal Tower's mine;
If Pirotto the Governour deny
That way my entrance I can still secure;
But what dangers do you dread, my Brother?

Amph.
I know not what, my boading Soul, methinks,
Fears every Wind that rudely blows on her;
But Oh! Arbaces, treacherous and vile,
When she refuses, as I know she will,
His bold audacious suit, 'tis then, I fear
How far his brutal passion may transport him.

Arca.
Should he but dare to whisper an Offence
In Antimora's Ear, so much I love
The interest of my Brother, my Sword should
Reach his Heart.

Amph.
We shall be miss'd, lets to the Temple move,
There offer Prayers to all the Powers above,
That they would bless us with the Maids we love.

Arca.
Come then, my Brother, we'll together go.

(Exeunt.