University of Virginia Library

Scena secunda.

Scene, the Camp.
Enter Darius, and Osiris.
Dar.
During this Truce we will to Susa go
To pay a debt I to my Princess owe.
Two Sovereigns, young Prince, have each their part,
The King my hand, and Phedima my Heart.
But, Sir, your Friendship shares part in my Breast:
I can't give y'all, but trust you with the rest.
This Visit too is not alone design'd
T'a Mistress, but your second self, a Friend.

Osir.
My Rival, Sir, name him, what Friend is he?

Dar.
I am unknown to him, and he to me,
Strangers to each.

Osir.
—This is a Riddle too;
A Friend, and one you never saw, nor knew.

Dar.
But, Sir, I am no stranger to his Fame:
Theramnes's Virtues do my Friendship claim.

Osir.
But whence arise this mystick sympathy?

Dar.
'Twas Phedima's fair hand that made this tye.
His worth, his deeds, his service she commends:
That 'twere unjust we should be less than Friends.
She gives him such a glorious Character,
That being his Friend, I do but second her.
And then her Letters tell me, how that she
Has giv'n him such a Character of me,
That he already is impatient grown,
Till both of us are to each other known.

Osir.
Friendship a stranger progress never made,
That by a Mediatour is convey'd,
You court Theramnes's Love, a Friend unseen;
As Kings by Proxies Court a Forreign Queen.

Enter Messenger, who delivers Darius a Letter.
Dar.
From whence?

Mess.
From Susa, Sir.

Dar.
—Then may it prove,
[Kisses the Letter:
Some kind and happy Embassy of Love.
[Opens the out-side Letter, and reads.

Auretta, to her Lord Darius.

The greatness of your generous favours, and the confidence you have been pleased
to place in me, has obliged me, having found this Letter escap'd from my Ladies
hand, to present it to yours, as a token that I am still your most faithfull confident
of your passion, and Advocate in your Love;

Auretta.

[Opens the inclosed, and reads.

Theramnes, to the Constant Phedima.

The Prologue's strange—but I'le suppress my doubt;
And stay my wonder, till I've read it out.

[Reades to himself, and seems much disorder'd.
Osir.
What sudden change does in his Face appear?
Such looks Darius brow ne're us'd to wear.
It must be something more than common blasts
Of Fortune can raise storms within his breast.

Dar.

—Your most faithful, and most happy adorer,

Theramnes.

[Reads aloud.
Are these the plagues of Love? Am I betray'd?
Has she a Contract with Theramnes made?
And can Heav'n suffer it? Sir, if you dare
Out-face the worst of Treasons, reade e'm there.
[Gives the Letter to Osiris.
Try if your courage does not start to see
A more inhumane Barb'rous cruelty,
Than Heaven, or Hell,—Furies, or Fate,—or all,
[Ragingly.
But Woman can invent,—but these are small,
And petty sportive Crimes in them, to prove
False, and disloyal to their Oaths, and Love.
Is this the Man she prais'd? Is Love so blind,
I could not see my Rival in her Friend?

Osir.
She does your merits wrong. But 'tis the Fate
[Having read the Letter,
Of Lovers, Sir, to be unfortunate.

Dar.
But since Darius such hard fortune bears,
I will out-do the malice of my stars.
I'le be more cruel than my Fate, I'le make
My just revenge my injur'd cause partake.
Revenge the onely pleasure of despair:
Him from her breast, or her from his I'le tear.
I'le end my wrongs by his or my own Fate;
Losing her Love, I will deserve her hate.
His blood, or mine, my fury shall atone:
I'le cause his fall, or crush him with my own.

[Exeunt.