University of Virginia Library

Scena Secunda.

The Scene continues:
Enter Mandana, sola.
Mand.
And will the angry gods for ever frown?
Have I not lost a Father, and a Crown?
But that which most Heaven's cruelty does shew,
Who shares my heart does share my fortune too.
The hand of War more cruel wounds ne're gave;
Osiris too is the proud Tyrant's Slave.
Could Providence this unjust deed design,
Osiris should wear any Chains—but mine?
[She Weeps.
Our Fate the malice of our Stars does prove;
If there be any Stars that envy Love.

Enter to her, Osiris.
Osir.
Do you remember those strict Vows you made,
And those soft Charms in whispers you convey'd,
When I, and Egypt both, did happy prove,
They in their King, I in Mandana's Love?

Mand.
I do, Osiris; And remember too,
I alwayes paid my promises to you.

Osir.
Your Constancy confirms that happiness
Which your high favour did at first confer:
But souls so much divine can do no less,
As gods are constant, 'cause they cannot erre.
This day, I hope, our Mutual Loves shall crown.

Mand.
Yes, Sir, it shall, if Heaven will give us leave.

Osir.
When you, Mandana, smile, Heaven cannot frown.

Mand.
No, unkind fate does your fond hopes deceive.
You know, Osiris, that I made this Vow,
That, with my Love, I would my Crown bestow.
And from her Vow Mandana will not start:
I'le give an Empire, when I give a heart.
But since my Captive fate my Crown has lost,
Your hopes and mine thus equally are crost.
To give you less, would seem too low a thing,
My heart alone's too mean an Offering.

Osir.
In this decree you do too cruel prove,
To think that Fortune can give Laws to Love.
And to your Beauty you're injurious grown;
You cannot borrow lustre from a Crown.
No, he who in Mandana's Breast does Reign,
Is taught all meaner Empires to disdain.

Mand.
Osiris, no, your too fond zeal mistakes,
Love will admit no Slaves—but what it makes.
Love by our miseries would sullied be,
Eclips'd, and Clouded in Captivity.
Our Fate the Crowning of our Love controuls.

Osir.
We have but Captives fortunes, not their souls.
Their souls to th'highest pitch of greatness rise,
That can the empty frowns of Fate despise.
In our dark fortune Love will shine more bright:
As Diamonds borrow lustre from the night.

Mand.
No, no, you must your hopeless Love forgo.
You must, Osiris,—Love will have it so.

Osir.
And can you give what I shall ne're enjoy?
Can Love a Lovers happiness destroy?

Mand.
If e're my Stars my ravisht Crown restore
[She Sighs.
Till then, expect that I can give no more.

Osir.
You are too cruel.

Mand.
No, I am too kind.
This resolution in my breast is sign'd.—
I do command you, urge no more.

Proffers to go out, at which Osiris offers to speak.
Osir.
You may
Command my Death, you know I must obey.

Mand.
No, my Osiris, live, and live to be
More happy, then you can be made by me.
Yet from your Breast,
Let not Mandana be so far remov'd,
But still you may remember—that we Lov'd.

[Exit.
Osir.
Oh, my hard fate!
She does deny me Love, yet bids me live:
Yet 'tis her kindness does this sentence give.
How strangely is my Happiness destroy'd?
Her too much Love Love's ruine has decreed:
As Lamps, that surfeit when they're overcloy'd,
Do perish by that Oyl on which they feed.

[Exit.