University of Virginia Library

Scena tertia.

Scene, the Palace.
Enter Smerdis, with a Letter.
Smerd.
He that so well a King can counterfeit,
Should scorn to stick at any smaller cheat.
From his own Copies too I have so near
Pursu'd Theramnes Hand, and Character,
That the most curious, nay, Theramnes's eye,
Did he but see't, could scarce the cheat descry.
Well, it must take. I shall so happy prove,
Both to find out, and to confound their Love.
Enter Theramnes, who seeing Smerdis, offers to withdraw.
Theramnes, stay.

Ther.
—I fear I am too rude.

Smerd.
Theramnes, no, a Friend cannot intrude.

Ther.
But I have prest into your privacies.

Smerd.
Friendship above all private business is;
Unless it be the high concerns of Love,
And Honour. But there we two equal prove
Rivals in both.

Ther.
What means my King?

Smerd.
—I mean
Onely one Beauty o're us both does Reign.

Ther.
No, you whose Empire's greatness is above
All Rivals, should admit none in your Love.
And think you that my confidence aspires
To Court that Beauty which my King admires.

Smerd.
Think you I can believe you never saw.
The eyes and charms of the fair Phedima.
Or can you utter so prophane a word,
To say she can be seen and not ador'd?

Ther.
Love, like Religion, never chose one way:
That all should to one object homage pay.
The Sun does to the World his sight afford,
But by the Persians onely is ador'd.

Smerd.
Because the rest oth'World are ignorant,
And do the knowledg of his God-head want.
But you who know how great Divinity
In Phedima's most sacred breast does lye,
Can't but adore her.

Ther.
—Yes, I can do more:
I am beyond her Beauties charms, and pow'r.
In this one glory I out-rival you;
Those eyes which did the Persian King subdue,
Their pow'rs too weak to Captivate my heart.

Smerd.
His Love's too strong to be compell'd by Art,
Or forc'd to a Confession.
[Aside.
—'Twas th'excess
Of passion made my jealousie transgress.
But now I'm satisfy'd. That I may prove
I don't suspect your Loyalty, nor Love,
I will intrust this Letter to your care,
But you must first on your Allegiance swear.

Ther.
I swear. And in obedience to your will,
Whatever you command I will fulfill,
That to a Subjects care you dare intrust:
Since your commands can be no less than just.

Smerd.
Present that Letter then to Phedima.
And if she chance to ask by whom 'twas writ,
Beware you do not tell her, but withdraw,
Lest that she should refuse the reading it.
Then carefully forbear to visit her
Untill such time that she an answer sends;
For by that means I shall my suit prefer;
And you will thus oblige your best of Friends.
And then, Sir, whatsoe're her answer be,
(For through your hands 'twill come) present it me.
Though he so resolutely did maintain
[Exit Theramnes with the Letter.
He did not Love, their Love is but too plain;
How could she else such cruelty have shown
To him who with his Love proffer'd his Throne?
Her passion has some more than common tye,
When proffer'd Crowns can't shake her constancy.
And that Theramnes is the Object too,
What was it else made him so rashly Vow,
When he but late Acted her Champions part,
To right her wrongs on her Offenders heart.
When the slight wrongs could onely cause afford
For a Womans anger, and a Lovers Sword.
But yet this Letter will my doubts remove.
I shall discover their intrigues of Love.
If so—
By treach'rous smiles I will his ruine Act,
As stranded Vessels in a calm are Wrackt.

[Exit.