University of Virginia Library

Scena prima.

Scene continues:
Enter Smerdis.
Smerd.
Let Heav'n whatever Fate for me design,
'Tis Smerdis must make Smerdis glory shine.
My stars can but their utmost pow'rs dispense:
Put I'le Act things above their influence.

Enter to him, Theramnes pensively, not seeing Smerdis.
Ther.
(Aside.)
It must be done. I'm bound by Honours Laws,
And more, 'tis in Orinda's Sisters cause.
I want not courage, and I dangers scorn:
Yet on mine Honour such an Oath I've sworn,
That I want power to perform my Vow.

Smerd.
What serious thought sits on Theramnes brow?
Come, in your looks some great design I reade:
Or some request for which your eyes do plead.
Name it, it shall be done.
Nothing shall make me from my promise shrink,
For I dare Act whatever you dare think.

Ther.
You cannot Act that kindness which I want.

Smerd.
You cannot ask that which I cannot grant
At your request.

Ther.
—Sir, in a Ladies cause
I am engag'd by Honours sacred Laws,
In her Revenge to Act a Champions part,
To right her wrongs on her Offender's heart.
But I shall be as blind in my pursuit,
As is that Justice I would Execute.
Nor can your pow'r, where th'Objects are unknown,
Direct my hand, nor reach them with your own.

Smerd.
Theramnes, you a Prince's pow'r mistake,
Monarchs the secrets of the skyes can track,
And search Heav'ns counsels; how then can mankind
Act in a Cloud that which we cannot find?
I'le find them if they live.—But, Sir, her name
Who does this Justice, and your courage claim;
The time, the place where they did Act their Crime?

Ther.
The Scene it was your Palace, Sir, the time
This Morning, and her name is Phedima.

Smerd.
That onely name does all my spirits awe.
[Aside.
Then as I promis'd in your cause I joyn:
Theramnes, draw your Sword, as I draw mine.
[Draws.
To give the blow I will direct you where;
And that you may not miss his Heart—strike here.
[Points to his Breast.
That you more boldly may her cause defend,
Know her Offender is your King and Friend.
What, does your courage shake, and must you pause
When Honour calls you in a Ladies cause?
Or is't your fear that does resist your Vow?

Ther.
Though Vows are sacred, so are Monarchs too.
'Tis not, Great Sir, the want of Courage stays
My hand, 'tis Reverence o're my Valour sways.
Theramnes dares not think, much less act that
Which the most salvage Lyons tremble at.
For Lyons dare not 'gainst their Prince Rebel.
They want the pow'r to hurt, and I the will.

Smerd.
These slight excuses are too weak: you must
Perform your Vow, or be proclaim'd unjust.

Ther.
A stronger tye that promise does remit,
And I am now more just in breaking it;
No tyes of Honour ever yet could be
So strong, as the strict bonds of Loyalty.

Smerd.
Then on your Loyalty I command you do
What Honour and your Vow has bound you to.

Ther.
And can you give so cruel a Command?
'Tis Death against my King to lift my Hand.

Smerd.
And what is worse, 'tis Death to disobey.

Ther.
But dying thus I dye the nobler way.
Theramnes dares not strike, but he dares dye
When you will have it so.

Smerd.
—My Cruelty
You do mistake. Theramnes, you shall live:
For that which I command, I can forgive.

Ther.
But you command what Heav'n cannot permit.

Smerd.
The wills of Kings and Heav'n together meet.
You've made a Vow to reach my heart, and Heav'n
To that great act it's free consent has giv'n.
Your friendship, not your sword shall act that part,
For you unarm'd, Theramnes, reach my Heart.

[Embraces him.
Ther.
Your favours are advanc'd to that vast height,
I fear that I shall sink under the weight.

Smerd.
Sir, since you are engag'd by Honours Laws,
To perform Justice in this Ladies Cause;
Go use all Arts and Arguments to bring
Her to the presence of the Persian King.
Inform her that He knows those Ravishers,
And that their Insolence has reach'd his ears.
Since Justice to the right of Kings belongs,
Tell her He shall be proud to right her wrongs;
And, as their Judge, do Justice in defence
Of Beauty, and of injur'd innocence.

Ther.
I go.

Smerd.
—And with success return, and may
Those Stars that govern Love direct your way.
[Exit Theramnes.
This gen'rous contest gave me means to try
Theramnes's Friendship, and his Loyalty.
And happily I have contriv'd t'obtain
The sight of my fair Conqu'rour once again.
But oh, I can but think how I must now
Be both the Judge, and the Offender too.
But though I justly then deserv'd her frown,
Because she did not know I wore a Crown:
Now I more Nobly will her passion move,
I'le make my Crown an Agent for my Love.
If she esteem her heart a gift too great,
I then will purchase what I can't intreat.

Enter to him, Prexaspes in disguise, lead in by the Guards.
Capt. of the Guards.
This Fellow, Sir, we in the Palace saw;
And that which we from his deportment draw,
His too suspicious looks, and garb descry
A guilty fear, the mask of Treachery.

Smerd.
Audacious Rebel, Slave, what bold design—

Prex.
Sir, my design is just.

Smerd.
—And so is mine.
And of my Justice thus I'le give you proof:
See instantly the Traytor's Head struck off.

[To the Guards.
Enter Patasithes.
Prex.
T'express that I dare dye for you, that breath
That rules Prexaspes life, may give him death.

[Undisguises himself.
Smerd.
Prexaspes!

Pat.
Ha! Prexaspes!

Smerd.
—Fatal chance!
Your care has witnest your Allegiance.
[To the Guards.
Withdraw.
[Exeunt Guards.
Dear Friend, your doom is chang'd, and now
I must condemn my guilty self, not you.

[Embraces him.
Prex.
In this disguise I from the Camp am come,
To tell you I have seal'd Cambyses doom.
Lead by my Counsel, Sir, he does design
A three dayes Truce before the siege begin.
To which you must consent.—
Things must appear as smooth as calmest Seas;
And Susa wear the flatt'ring smiles of peace.

Pat.
Monarchs and Statesmen have these mutual tyes,
They by each other do advance, and rise.

[Whilst he speaks, they whisper.
Prex.
I'le gain you entrance.

Smerd.
—Well, I do consent.

Prex.
Your being unknown all dangers will prevent:
The Tyrants life shall with his Empire end.

Smerd.
A Monarch's Patron, and an Empire's Friend.

[Exeunt.
Scene continues:
Enter Theramnes, and Phedima.
Ther.
And Madam, that you might see Justice done,
I promis'd to conduct you to his Throne.
But pardon me, if I have gone too far,
When honour and my Friendship makes me erre.

Phed.
Honour and Friendship too have their excess;
But since I may my Innocence express,
And in their Justice my revenge pursue,
Theramnes, I submit to follow you.

[Exeunt.