Irene A Tragedy |
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| 4. | SCENE IV. |
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58
SCENE IV.
Cali, Abdalla.Abdalla.
How the new Monarch, swell'd with airy Rule,
Looks down, contemptuous, from his fancy'd Height,
And utters Fate, unmindful of Abdalla.
Cali.
Far be such black Ingratitude from Cali,
When Asia's Nations own me for their Lord,
Wealth, and Command, and Grandeur shall be thine.
Abdalla.
Is this the Recompence reserv'd for me?
Dar'st thou thus dally with Abdalla's Passion?
Henceforward hope no more my slighted Friendship,
Wake from thy Dream of Pow'r to Death and Tortures,
And bid thy visionary Throne farewell.
Cali.
Name and enjoy thy Wish—
Abdalla.
I need not name it;
Aspasia's Lovers know but one Desire,
Nor hope, nor wish, nor live but for Aspasia.
Cali.
That fatal Beauty plighted to Demetrius
Heav'n makes not mine to give.
Abdalla.
Nor to deny.
Cali.
Obtain her and possess, thou know'st thy Rival.
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Too well I know him, since on Thracia's Plains
I felt the Force of his tempestuous Arm,
And saw my scatter'd Squadrons fly before him.
Nor will I trust th' uncertain Chance of Combat;
The Rights of Princes let the Sword decide,
The petty Claims of Empire and of Honour:
Revenge and subtle Jealousy shall teach
A surer Passage to his hated Heart.
Cali.
O spare the gallant Greek, in him we lose
The Politician's Arts, and Heroe's Flame.
Abdalla.
When next we meet before we storm the Palace,
The Bowl shall circle to confirm our League,
Then shall these Juices taint Demetrius' Draught,
[Shewing a Phial.
And stream destructive through his freezing Veins:
Thus shall he live to strike th' important Blow,
And perish ere he tastes the Joys of Conquest.
| Irene | |