University of Virginia Library

THE FIFTH ACT.

The Scene is Nicanors Pallace.
The Scene opens.
Tryphon Demetrius Stratonice and Irene. Demetrius from behind Tryphon fixes his Eyes on Stratonice, folds his Armes the one Within the other, Sighs and goes out still gazing on her.
Try.
Nicanor and Demetrius having been
Imploy'd by me to Court you for my Queen,
And having found by both that my Address
Has not obtain'd the much desir'd Success;
I now am Come, Madam, to wait on you,
To pay that Love which to your Beautie's due.
A Love which 'twere Injustice to despise,
Since 'tis the pow'rful Influence of your Eyes.

Stra.
That Love which now is offer'd me by you
Is, Sir, to Cleopatra only due;
Th'Injustice then much Greater would appear,
Should I usurp that which belongs to her;
Then doe not, Sir, Sollicit me to do
A Wrong to Nature and to Justice too;
T'were Sin if such Desires were not deny'd.

Try.
Nature and Justice both are on my side;
Where Nature does most Liberally bestow
The Charmes of Beauty, there our Loves we Owe,
And I the Rules of Justice but pursue,
Paying a Debt where Nature showes 'tis due.

Stra.
Since your first Love you did to her afford,
Justice oblieges you to keep your Word;
And to my Sister, Sir, I am Confin'd,
By Natures Law to be both Just and kind.
Thus, Sir, the Right is on my side you see,
Fancy does Govern you but Reason me;

Try.
Such Cruel Words ought not from you to fall,
What you term Fancy I must Duty Call;
If you I first had seen, then her Ador'd,
By you most Justly I had been abhor'd,
But you being seen, I should my self abhor,
If after I Your Sister could Adore;
Your Justice into question will be brought,
If my Misfortune should be call'd my Fault;
Madam, it must be, sure, some other thing
Which makes you at this rate to use your King;
And from his Proffer'd Throne thus to Retire,
A Glory to which all but you Aspire.

Stra.
She does not Merit to a Throne to Clime,
Who does acquire that Glory by a Crime;
To be a Quen I would not wound my Fame.

Try.
Your only Crime is that you slight my Flame,
A Flame which, if by you Contemn'd it be,
Shall Ruine others as 'twill Ruine me.
Madam, take heed of being thus unkind,
Least you your Iudge should in your Lover find.

Stra.
Nothing can me to Unjust Actions move,
Nor will I, Sir, be threatned into Love.
Ah if true Love e'r in your Heart had Raign'd,
You would have known mine could not be Constrain'd;
Under Heav'ns Care Love above Life does stand,
Tyrants may Life but cannot Love Command;
Act what you said to me, t'will easier prove
T'indure your Sentence then indure your Love.

Try.
Mistake not what your Scorn forc'd me to say,
For to your Beauties such Respect I pay,
I'd Kill my self sooner then threaten you,
But with Revenge Nicanor I'l Pursue;
He to my Love, when told him, was unkind,
And then I fear'd th'Effects which now I find.

Stra.
This Menace is beyond your first severe,
You Threaten now what only I can feare,
But Feare to Love was never yet the Way.

Try.
I must not Credit that which now you say,
For of Loves Theory so much you show,
Stratonice seems disordered.
As I believe the Practick too you know;
This is a Truth your blushes now have shown,
Nor could you scorne my Passion and my Throne,
Had not some other prepossest your Heart;
To find him out I'l use my Pow'r and Art,
And, Madam, then it will perhaps appear,
You can for him as for Nicanor fear;
I am now certain you a Lover have,
Him and my hopes I'l bury in one Grave;
For since you make me Wretched, you shall know
I have the Pow'r to make you Wretched too,
And though my Rival might escape my Hand,
Yet still your Father's Life's at my Command,
Which he shall Lose, if by to morrow night
You value not that Love which now you slight.

Stra.
Yes, Tyrant, thy Resentments more to move
I will Confess to thee I am in Love.
But yet to thee the Man shall ne'r be known
For whom I scorn thy Passion and thy Throne;
Act then thy Menaces that thou mayst see,
I too am more in Love with Death then thee;
To those who feel such Cruelties as these
Dying is not a Punishment but ease.

Try.
Know that to Morrow Night's the utmost date
Given to Nicanor's Life or to thy Hate.

Stra.
To Morrow Night In both it shall appear,
Who feares not Death does not a Tyrant fear.

[Exeunt severally.
Enter Seleucus Alone.
The Scene is the Garden of Tryphons Pallace.
Oh whether by my Passion am I Led?
My Love should die after my Hopes are dead;
She has her self declar'd to me that she
Has given to him that which is sought by me,
Nor is Aretus guilty of the Crime,
He does to me what I'd have done to him;
Because in Love I cannot reach my End,
Why should Revenge deprive me of my Friend?
Great Gods! how can I prove so Cold and tame,
As on a Rivall to bestow that Name?
And while Aretus does my Joyes Ingross,
Talke my self into Patience for my loss.
Since Friendship thus does plead for my Disgrace,
Revenge do thou ascend and take the place;
Thou more like Virtue dost to me appear
Then Friendship can, in this Affront I bear;
Since to the Brave nothing should be above
Revenge in Wrongs or Constancy in Love;
Therefore thy Death, proud Rivall, Ile pursue,
If I must Loose her, thou must Loose her too.

[Tryphon comes in to him.
Try.
Seleucus, now I feel a Matchless Paine,
My Perfect Love Meets with the like Disdaine;
'Twixt what her Beautie and her Scorn does doe,
At once I Hate her and Adore her too;
Ah when Provok'd by what to me she said
I Menac'd her to take Nicanor's Head,
So Bravely she the threatning did Despise,
Her Spirit I Admire above her Eyes:
Thus what I thought the speediest Way might be
To Conquer her, has the more Conquer'd me;
For to my Bondage I am now Confin'd,
Both by the Lustre of her Eyes and Mind,
But that which does my Highest Torment prove
Is, She Confest to me she was in Love,
And proudly said twas past my Pow'r and Art
To find him out to whom she gave her heart.

Sel.
This and the scorn which you from her Indure
Should make you to your Reason owe your Cure.

Try.
To one in Love do not of Reason speake,
For Love is never strong till Reason's weake;
My Passion is so Pow'rfull and so High,
As if I miss Enjoying her I Die;
But if by thy Assistance she be won,
Thou shalt with her devide my Heart and Crown.

Sel.
Wealth is a thing I never did regard,
To have your Favour is the best Reward,
Which I'l deserve since, Sir, to reach your Ends
I will expose my Mistress and my Friends;
Yes, Sir, to me alone, you now will know,
That both your Life and Mistress you shall owe,
Then summon all your Fortitude to hear
That which at once will wound your Heart and Ear;
Our Fortunes, Sir, with the like Malice move,
You Love one Sister, I the other Love;
You have a Rivall who her Heart has wonne,
To me my Rivall the like Wrong has done;
But that at which we justly should repine,
Your Friend's your Rivall and my Friend is mine,

Try.
What Friend of mine can dare affront me thus.

Sel.
That name you give but to Demetrius.

Try.
Oh Gods! what Horrors does my Soul invade?
Scorn'd by my Mistress, by my Friend betray'd?
This fatal Secret who disclos'd to thee?

Sel.
'Twas he himself that open'd it to me.

Try.
From me conceale it, and yet tell it you?
Can I believe Demetrius is untrue,
Oh do not take this way t'Usurp his Place.

Sel.
He durst not tell you he your Rival was,
But had you mark'd those Horrors he was in,
When him you prest to court her for your Queen,
You could not have been doubtfull of his Crime,
Your Eyes had told you what I learn'd from him.

Try.
'Tis true his Troubles as it were above
What any Passion could produce but Love.
My Error and thy Faithfulness I see;
Ah since Demetrius proves so false to me,
Sure 'tis he too that doth my Life pursue.

Sel.
No, Sir, that Guilt is to Aretus due,
With me he Cleopatra does Adore,
Who does so much your Leaving her Abhorr,
That she has made my Rivall promise her,
Charm'd by Loves Pow'r to be your Murtherer;
She ny'd my help in the Designe to win,
But, Sir, I did detest so base a Sin.

Try.
Thou art my Genius, and I owe to thee
All that I am, and all I hope to be,
Though Cleopatra's Guilt be rais'd so high
That, with Aretus, she deserves to Dye,
Yet if she'll marry thee I'le pardon her,
But I one hour will not his Death defer.

Sel.
This favour tyes me, while I live, to you,
But, Sir, in your own case what will you doe?

Try.
In that, Seleucus, I am doubtfull yet,
For on each side the difficultie's great;
I look with Horror on Demetrius guilt,
Yet tremble to pluck down what I have built;
Friendship and Love so in my Bosome strive,
As I yet know not which shall there survive;
I now am under an unheard of Fate,
My Friend and Mistress I both Love and Hate;
Ah would Aretus all my Blood had spilt,
That against either I might shun the Guilt;
In this sad freight I'de be advis'd by thee.

Sel.
The Resolution easy seems to me,
For to your Love if you can give an End,
You ought to pardon and make blest your Friend;
But if your Being to your Love you tye,
Then there's no doubt Demetrius, Sir, must Dye.

Try.
But if my Love while guiltless was deny'd,
I doubt when in her Lovers Blood tis dy'd,
That Cruelty may more her Hatred move.

Sel.
Yet 'tis a Cruelty produc'd by Love;
When by your Pow'r you make her be your Wife,
And when your Mercy spares her Fathers Life,
Both those joyn'd with the Charming Name of Queen
Over her Hate the Victory may win;
But if; when she's you Wife her Hate endures,
The Trouble, Sir, will be more hers then yours.

Try.
But since, when but to fright her I did say
That I Nicanor's Life would take away,
She told me to her Death she too would fly;
I feare if I should make her Lover Dye,
She in dispair to her own Death would run.

Sel.
Killing one's self is sooner said then done,
But if to him that Proof of Love shee'd give,
Think not shee'l marry you while he does live.

Try.
Ha! what thou say'st admits of noe reply,
And does on Love bestow the Victory:
Those Words have torn Demetrius from my Mind,
And for his Death the Orders they have sign'd;
He and Aretus instantly shall Dye;
Prepare the Guards with speed and secrecy;
Thy Care of me has made me judge it fitt
To thee this Execution to commit.

(They goe out severall wayes.
The Scene of Nicanor's Pallace opens.
Nicanor, Aretus, Demetrius.
Cleopatra and Stratonice both weeping
Stra.
Yes Sir, I scorn'd his Love and Anger too,
Till he with speedy Death did threaten you,
My Constancy he then did more than fright,
Yet I conceal'd my Terrors from his fight;
But, Sir, my Eyes, as soon as he was gone,
Wept as my Heart, while he was here, had done;
For if to morrow night I'm not his Wife,
He has declar'd hee'll take away your Life.

Nic.
I'l rather to his Rage submit my Head,
Than yield that you should such a Tyrant wed,
I'l sooner Die then I'l that Union see,
Such Hate I have for him such Love for thee.

Are.
to Cleo.
From your Fair eyes those Tears you ought to wipe,
This Crime for Heavens Revenge makes Tryphon ripe,
So ripe that through his Guards along I'l goe
To pay that Death which to his Guilt we owe;
The Danger does less then the Duty seem,
I'l dry your Tears or strive to merit them.

Dem.
to Stra.
I thought by Loue he would your heart have won,
And therefore I did yield to be undone;
But since to this vile way he hath recourse,
'Tis just to end such Tyranny by Force;
I'l now with much less Grief his Death pursue,
Then I resign'd to him my claim to you.

Ar.
Since we to kill the Tyrant are agreed,
I see the Gods his Ruine have decreed.

Nic.
Though that is just which is designed by you,
Yet Just things we should doe as Wise men doe;
Seleucus who th'Usurpers Guards commands,
When this new Tyranny he understands,
To join with us I hope may soon be won.

Cleo.
I dare assure you 'tis already done.

Nic.
Already done! by whom?

Cleo.
—tis done by me;
His Hate to Tryphon and his Tyranny
Is such, as I am sure in this Designe
He will with you, when you desire it, joyn.

Are.
Whoever does to Virtue but pretend,
To what we have resolv'd must be a Friend.

Enter Irene hastily
Ire.
I on your privacies would not intrude,
Did not my duty force me to be rude.
Some of the Servants from the Garden call,
To tell you many soldiers scale the Wall,
Arm'd for a Fight they every one appeare,
And all of them do Tryphon's Livery weare.

Hermione running in.
Herm.
Seleucus is into your Pallace come,
And does with Tryphon's Guards fill every Room.

Nica.
What may this Meane?

Her.
My Eyes are much mistooke.
If Rage and Horror dwels not in his Look.

Seleu,
Yeild up your Swords, in vain you'l fight or fly.

Aret.
Betray'd! then let us acting our Revenges die.
Seleucus forces open the doores, he runs in with several of the guards Nicanor Aretus and Demetrius draw their Swords, but ere they can make use of them, are opprest by Number and are disarm'd, Seleucus beckons to the Guards to retire, while they are going out Seleucus sayes.
Secure the Pallace Guards, if you Admit
Any t'escape, your Lives shall pay for it,
These orders read will let you understand,
That what I doe is by my Kings command;
he gives the orders to Nicanor.
You are my Prisoners all, Aretus you
Must bear the Fate which to your Sin is due,
For you the Murther of the King did plot.

Aret.
I Merit Death because I kill'd him not.

Seleu.
Demetrius too the like hard Fate must prove;
He does not only Rival Tryphon's Love,
But knew Aretus did his Death intend,
And yet Conceal'd it to preserve his Friend.

Deme.
Perfidious man, the Tyrant could not be
Told that he was my Rival but by thee.

Seleu.
Madam, the King in hope that you'l receive
His Love, does yet Nicanor's Life reprieve.

Nica.
Since these two generous Friends are doom'd to Die,
Sparing of me is but his Cruelty.

Stra.
Who would the loss of so much Worth survive,
Or by A Tyrant's Mercy who would Live?
Death is then either Welcomer to me.

Seleu.
to Cleo.
Here Prostrate, Madam, at your Feet you see
One who long since has paid to you his Heart,
And who by Love is forc'd to act this part;
For when I came to tell you of the Fire
Which your Bright Eyes did in my Soul inspire,
And, that it might more acceptable be
Did offer to revenge your injury,
You, e'r I could make you my great Request,
Told me Aretus Raign'd within your Breast;
Ah! When I found that he was Monarch there,
I did, Compell'd by Love and by Dispair,
Discover all to Tryphon with Design
Helping his Love to make him further mine;
This, Madam, you may Look on as my Sin,
But what you think my Guilt I Glory in;
For what more fully could my Passion prove
Then sacrificing of my Friends to Love.

Are.
Since Love makes no man Cruel or Unjust,
That which thou call'st thy Love is but thy Lust.

Cleo.
Seleucus, I have Listned unto you
At once with Horror and with Pitty too,
Horror that you this Falshood could Commit,
Pitty that Love seduc'd you into it;
Ah! to my Love what wrong could be so high,
As thinking 'twould be woon by Treachery?
No, No, though my affection for you were
Such as for me you would have yours appear,
Yet Honor, which of all things most I rate,
Would by this Falshood turn that Love to Hate;
And could I be obtain'd by what you doe,
That Crime would soon worke the like Change in you;
Oh doe not think that Love can ere be built
On such a false foundation as your Guilt.

Seleu.
In my sad case what could I else have done?
To me you'r lost, or this way must be wonne.

Cleo.
This way be Won! Oh Gods let me not see
That you can have so Low a thought of me;
For then I'l rather my own Death Pursue,
Then owe the saving of our Lives to you;
I would have had you to my Love pretend
By ways which were proportion'd to the End,
And would have had you, though your Hopes were Crost,
Yet to have Merited what you have Lost;
More Grief in such Revenge I might then find,
Then in this mean one you have now design'd;
For where true Honor in a Soul does Raigne,
To be ingratefull is the fowlest Staine,
And she must in her Breast feel more Remorse
That is orecome by Merit then by Force.

Seleu.
Merit would have but plaid a Hopeless part,
When he by Inclination had your Heart;
Madam it would have much encreast my woe
To have Deserv'd you and have Lost you too.

Cleo.
And yet both these had been an Easier Fate
Then not to Merit me and Merit Hate;
Ah! when you thought that he my Heart had won
By that which you call Incination,
You then should by Desert and not Despaire
Have cast him thence and fixt Seleucus there,
This might perhaps have been perform'd by you,
Had you reveng'd my Wrongs and Syria's too;
And this Perhaps though Late may yet be done.

Sel.
Ah, Madam, I to your Revenge will run,
If you to me will now a Promise give,
That when 'tis acted you'l my Love receive.

Cleo.
Ah Run not thus into another Fault,
Love would not be what tis could it be bought.

Are.
Why Madam should he now rewarded be
For doing that from which he hinders me?
Pay not so high a price for our Repreive.

Cleo.
My Love, Aretus, is my own to give.

Aret.
Yet to your Love give him not a pretence
By that which cannot wash off his Offence.

Cleo.
Death would to me, Seleucus, happier prove
Then if I made a Bargain for my Love.

Seleu.
Madam, I beg that it your Gift might be.

Cleo.
Doing your Duty you should trust to me.

Stra.
Alass why should you her Unkindness dread,
When so much Merit on your side shall plead?

Nic.
Consider, should you run your Fatal way,
The present Times and Times to come will say,
Because Seleucus in his Love had fail'd,
He on his Country Tyrannie Intayl'd,
A Sin so black t'were better to submit
To slighted Love, then bear the Guilt of it.

Cleo.
But though to sell my Love I do abhorr,
She offers to kneel and he hinders her.
Yet on my knees your Virtue I Implore.
To free your Country and remove our Fears,
And to those Pray'rs behold I add these Tears,
[She weeps.
Since t'was your Love forc'd you to doe these Wrongs.
This Reparation to your Love belongs

Seleucus Muses a while gazing on Cleopatra.
Seleu.
Love still with a resistless Power appears,
When Beauty Pleads the Cause and speaks in Tears;
The fiercest storms which over Souls has Pow'r
Cannot but be supprest by such a Show'r;
I Can no Longer my hard Temper keep,
'Tis less to Loose you then thus make you weep;
In you and in my Services I'l trust,
They shall be Great, and you I know are Just;
Thus Clouds a while may the Suns Light Confine,
But when they Vanish it does brighter shine.

Sel.
to Are.
Now brave Aretus wee'l together prove
Who has the Highest Title to her Love.

Are.
When of most Merit you can truly boast,
Then I deserve she should to me be Lost.

Dem.
to Stra.
Madam your Wrongs call me with them to go,
So does the Duty I to Syria Owe.

Sel.
Then against Tryphon Let us all declare;
The Guards which I have brought my Creatures are,
And I even Long till I his Blood have spilt,
The Victim due both to my Love and Guilt;
We must this Moment kill him by surprise,
Our Safety now in Expedion Lies.

Nica. Deme. Aret. and Seleucus goes out.
Cleo.
Sure 'tis the Gods that thus their Hearts Incline.

Stra.
And may the Gods smile too on their designe.

Cleo.
to Hermione and Irene.
You both must to the Tyrants Pallace go,
And Let us hourly all that Passes know.

Cleopatra, Stratonice, Hermione and Irene goe out.
The Scene is Tryphons Pallace.
Tryphon
alone.
Demetrius Knowes 'ere now that tis a thing,
Too bold to be a Rival to a King,
And in his Ruine Stratonice shall see
Nothing is dearer then her Love to me,
Nor dare Nicanor my Address detest,
Whn by such Proofe he finds I'm not in Jest;
Aretus still so proud A heart did show,
As I long ow'd him what I pay him now;
My faithfull Freed Man Arcas I have sent,
Sooner to learn of my Revenge th'Event.

Arcas Runs in hastily and affrighted.
Arcas,
Sir you are lost.

Try.
What makes thee so affraid?

Ar.
Oh Sir, you by Seleucus are Betray'd.

Try.
This News my Soul do's with Amazement fill.

Arcas,
He's Joyn'd with those whom he was sent to kill?
My hast hath almost robb'd me of my Breath,
And, Sir, with them your Guards conspire your Death;
The People too call for your head aloud,
And to those Traitors in whole troops they croud.

Try.
Arcas, who told this fatal news to thee?

Ar.
Sir what I tell you I my self did see,
And through the streets they March'd at such a rate,
As they must now be near the Pallace Gate,
Which is abandon'd, Sir, by all the Guards,
Brib'd by Seleucus Arts or his Rewards;
If you would fly, you should not loose your time.

Try.
Death's but a Punishment, but Flight a Crime,
I'l rather Loose my Life then they shall see
That ought which they can do can frighten me;
The name of King by no base act I'l Blot,
Nor Dying loose the Fame my Life has got.

Arcas,
Were but these Words, Sir, to the Syrians known,
They yet would grant that you deserve the Throne;
To me they seem so Generous and High,
That fighting by your side I mean to Die.

Try.
Dost thou then think I will with Traytors fight?

Ar.
Sir you disdain to save your self by Flight.

Try.
But who like me a Kingdom did Command,
Should scorn to Die by any Subjects hand;
No, No, he Merits not to fill a Throne
Who when Fate calls, dares not imploy his own;
'Twould be the Traytors Glory as their Guilt,
If they could say that they my Blood had spilt:
Go watch their coming in the outward Roome,
And, when they Enter, say aloud they Come;
Mean while for such a Death I will prepare,
As shall Deserve thy kindness and thy care.
Arcas stays weeping and fixes his eyes on Tryphon.
Will Arcas then my last Request deny?

Ar.
Sir I but begg that I with you may Dye.

Try.
They will surprise me by this fond delay.

Arc.
Since you will have it so I must obey.

[Arcas goes out.
Try.
This turn I owe to Cleopatra's Eyes;
Yet since I am depriv'd of Stratonice,
My Death which they united do conspire,
Is not my Fear but that which I Desire.
Tryphon goes to an elevated place like a Throne, seats himself in it, then draws a Ponyard, and viewing it saith,
My Hand is yet of this Bright Scepter sure,
Which for my Sufferings is a Certain Cure:
Thus arm'd I will my Enemies outbrave,
And, spight of Fate, deserve a Glorious Grave.
Ah Stratonice, if thou my Heart couldst see,
Thou'dst find I only grieve at losing thee;
Such Charmes are in thine Eyes.

(Arcas cryes within.
Arcas
They come, they come.

Tryphon rises lifting up his Hand with the Ponyard in it.
Try.
Then I no longer will deferr my Doom.
Nicanor, Demetrius, Aretus, Seleucus rush in with their Swords drawn, followed by the Guards; All make a stand seeing Tryphon in that Posture.
Though of my Death your Treacheries may boast,
The Triumph yet of your Revenge is lost;
Since Heaven designs this my last hour shall be,
Thus I my self act what the Gods decree:
(Stabs himself.
Pleas'd that my Fate within my own Pow'r lyes,
And that in Death I can my foes despise;
I dye content, since my last breath can boast,
That I your Plot of Murth'ring me have crost.

Tryphon dyes.
Nic.
The Tyrant with himself has been at strife
To make his Death as Guilty as his Life.

Dem.
'Twas Just this Execution he should doe,
That as he wrong'd us he may right us too.

Are.
Yet I must Grieve at that which all Rejoyce,
Death should have been his Punishment, not Choice.

Sel.
His thirst of Humane Blood so great was growne,
As he, rather then spare it spilt his owne.

One of the Guard leads in Arcas bound.
Guard,
Arcas confesses 'twas he cry'd they come.

Arc.
I do expect, but doe not Fear your Doom.

Dem.
Let him in safety to his Country goe.

Are.
For our Revenge this Object is too low.

Sel.
See how he shakes, Guard let him be unbound.

Nic.
We should prize Faithfulness where e'r 'tis found.

The Guard unbind Arcas.
Are.
To show I merit what I now enjoy,
The Freedome you bestow I thus imploy.
Arcas runs to Tryphon, takes the Bloody Poniard which lay by him, and with it stabs himself.
That Death you thought I fear'd, I run to meet
And dye content since at-my-Masters—feet

[He fals dead at Tryphons feet.
Nic.
Arcas deserv'd, who could so bravely Doe,
A better Fate and better Master too.

Are.
Tryphon deserved his Gratitude to have,
Him he did free and all the rest enslave.

Sel.
Arcas I wrong'd thinking he shook for Feare.

Enter Cleopatra, Stratonice, Hermione and Irene.
Cleo.
The news of Tryphon's Death hath brought us here,
We heard that he by his own Hand did Dye.

Sel.
See where he now Pale as his Guilt does lye.

(They all goe towards the dead Body.
Cleo.
This sight at once my Joy and Grief does raise.

Stra.
'Tis an ignoble Triumph thus to gaze,
Sir, let his Body be from hence convey'd;
He by his Death for all his Crimes has paid.

Sel.
Since by the Justice done by Tryphons Hand
The Throne of Syria does now empty stand,
And since the Tyrant, to confirm his sway,
The Royall Line at once did make away,
Princes, 'twere for we instantly agreed,
Who is the Worthiest Person to succeed,
And, since his Merit only can pretend,
I judge Nicanor should the Throne ascend.

Dem.
Seleucus you my motion but prevent.

Are.
I to what both propose with Joy consent,
To you alone the Syrian Crown is due.

Nic.
Excuse me, Sir, it does belong to you.
Nicanor kneels to Aretus
Admire not that my self I prostrate thus,
Since now I kneel before Antiochus:
(They all start and seem amazed.
Preserv'd by Heaven from Tryphons bloody Pow'r,
To all the blessings of this glorious Hour;
Your Father, Sir, who found he did designe
[Are. takes Nica. up.
T'Usurp the Crown and kill the Royall Line,
Sent you that night by a safe hand to me,
Hoping that I shut up in privacy,
(For when the King revoak'd the Generals place
I in Retirement mourn'd out my Disgrace)
Might best protect you from the Tyrants Rage;
This noble Trust did all my Griefs asswage.

Dem.
'Twas a high Proof that he your Virtue knew,
Since whil'st he Wrong'd you he did trust you too.

Nic.
Out of my House but still within my Care
You by the Gods till now protected were,
Under the name of Zeno's son you went,
The Prince by whom you first to me were sent,
Who when your Father and the King was kill'd,
O'recome by Greif his Life to Death did yeild;
In reading this short Letter, Sir, you'll know,
Why what you are till now I durst not show.

He gives Aretus a Letter.
Aretus
reads.
Antiochus to Nicanor.
Since Heaven this Ruine throwes on us,
I trust you with Antiochus;
Let him by you with Care be bred,
But till you see the Tyrant dead,
(Oh I conjure you grant me this)
Let not himself know who he is,
Th'Affront my Father cast on you forgive,
And let me still in your Remembrance live.

ANTIOCHUS.

Aretus gives the Letter to Demetrius and Seleucus.
Sel.
If 'tis the Prince's hand, the hand I know,
It is his writing;

Dem.
His subscription too.

Nic.
My Testimony were enough alone,
Since I thereby doe lose the Syrian Throne,
To which by all your Votes you would me bring.

Sel.
We all acknowledge that you are our King.

Are.
Though a lost Crown the Gods to me restore,
Two things there are which yet I value more;
Oh would to Heaven, Seleucus, that I knew
How to be just both to my Love and you.

Sel.
Under such loads of Guilt my self I find,
That I though forc'd by Love your Death design'd,
As I the Greatest Sufferings ought to bear,
And therefore yield t'indure the loss of Her;
A hopeless Love to the best End I bring,
Pleasing by it my Mistress and my King;
Bless'd if the Sin caus'd by my Love and Fate
By this Atonement I can expiate.

Are.
This Generous Act which now you for me doe
Does both obliege me and Amaze me too.
(Embracing him.
To Cleo.
Now, Madam, I dare humbly beg of you
To take that Heart which to your Eyes is due,
They make me know that 'tis a greater thing,
To be a Captive then to be their King;
A King who does as his chief Glory own
The Power of laying at your feet a Crown;
In taking it you'l Raise his Joys above
All things except your Beauty and his Love;
Nicanor who to me does Empire give,
I hope will yield that you should let me Live,
Which I shall not till I your Pleasure know.

Nic.
That Duty, Sir, she to her King does owe.

Cleo.
That Love for which so Generously you sue,
I give not to your Title but to you.

Are.
Though from your Father I receive a Throne,
Yet now you give me more then he has done;
Amidst these Joys which Heaven on me does send,
I dare not be Unmindful of my Friend;
Demetrius, Sir, Adores Fair Stratonice.

Nic.
Sir, I with Joy consent that she be his.

Dem.
to Stra.
Madam, so Guilty I have been to you,
That I scarce dare for your Forgiveness Sue,
Mercy it self but rarely does bestow
At the same time Rewards and Pardons too.

Stra.
to Dem.
Since what you did, Honor did lead you to,
Love shall forgive what Honor made you doe;
And since your Guilt I thus have took away,
Tis fit that I Nicanor should Obey.

Dem.
None by Excess of Joy can Death receive,
Since after this which you have done I live.

Are.
to Nic.
Sir, I have now but one Request to make,
'Tis that the General's Place you now will take,
This is the Lowest Reparation due,
For that affront the King did caston you.

Nic.
Since I have liv'd to Place you in the Throne,
The only Duty made me Live is Done.
Besides a Solemn Oath I once did swear,
That I would never Publick Office bear;
Think how Seleucus, Sir, Oblig'd may be,
You have already done too much for me.

Ar.
Then for Seleucus I that place Design,
To which all Tryphon's Forfeitures I joyn;
'Tis just since all our Lives to you we owe,
That you should have the Pow'r to guard them too.

Sel.
These Gifts not for their Greatness I esteem,
But that the Evidence of trust they seem:

Are.
to Nic.
Is there then nothing in my Pow'r to doe,
Which, Sir, may show my Gratitude to you.

Nic.
You've given me all the Honor I desir'd:

Are.
You for your self a Nobler have acquir'd.
The Way in which me to the Throne you bring,
Is Greater then to be your self a King.
Now let us to the Gods Oblations pay,
For all the Blessings of this Glorious day:
To them a Double Debt from me is due,
Much for my Crown I owe them, more for You.

(Taking Cleo by the Hand.
The Curtain falls