University of Virginia Library

Scene the Second.

Cleopatra, Cornelia, Philip, Charmion.
Cleop.
I come not here, to interrupt the Course
Of those just Tears your powerfull Griefs inforce;
Madam, I can no more than you neglect
What this Urn justly may from me expect;
Your Hero's Reliques by a pious hand
Restor'd, this duty too from me Command;
Be pleas'd t'admit to these his Funeral Rites
A fellow Mourner whom true Grief invites,
And had my Power been equal to my Will,
This bewail'd Hero had been Living still,
I had preserv'd the Owner of your Heart,
If cruel Heav'n had let me play my part;
Yet if the sight of what it now does send
Could for a while your Sadder thoughts suspend,
If by Revenge your Sorrows might decrease,
I bring you News that cannot fail to please,
If yet you know it not, Photinus's Head.

Cornel.
Yes, Princess, I have heard the Traitor's Dead.

Cleop.
His hastned Suffering makes the more amends.

Cornel.
Perhaps to you, who in that meet your ends.

Cleop.
Wish't for Success to all must pleasant be.

Cornel.
Where Interests differ how can Thoughts agree?
If false Achillas the same Course should run,
Your Vengeance ends when mine is scarce begun.
I Blush to think that to my Hero's Shade,
So poor a Sacrifice as that is made:
No, if in order my Revenge succeed,
Till Cæsar's turn, your Ptolomey must bleed.
I know that Cæsar by your Love inclin'd,
To save him though unworthy has design'd,
But the just Gods will make his Labour vain,
For one deserving neither Life, nor Reign,
And to my Prayers perhaps this grace afford,
That both may perish by each others Sword;
Then joy once more might be a welcome Guest,
VVhich else for ever is forbid this Breast;
But if my Bolder wishes fly too high,
May your King bleed, if only one must Dye.

Cleop.
The Gods not always give what we expect.

Cornel.
Yet by the Cause we hope for the Effect,
And seldome 'tis the Guilty miss their due.

Cleop.
Though Gods have Justice, they have Mercy too

Cornel.
Yet by the Course they have begun to Chuse,
'Tis not their Clemency they mean to use.

Cleop.
Though Angry once, they often Milder grow.

Cornel.
Our wishes only our Concernment show.
An injur'd VViddow may have other Thoughts,
Than a kind Sister for a Brothers faults;
But when 'tis known what Blood is spilt, you'l see
VVhose Prayers are Juster, and with Heav'n agree.
Here comes Achoreus.