University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Prusias, Flaminius, and Laodice.
Prusi.
Queen, since that Title carryes so much Charms,
It's Loss, methinks should give you some Alarms;
Power if abus'd is seldom long preserv'd;

Laod.
This great Advice shall by me be observ'd,
And if I ever Reign, Sir, you shall see
The Practise of such Noble Policy.

Prusi.
Madam, to Reign you take but an ill way.

Laod.
You may direct me if I go astray.

Prusi.
You slight Rome, and too small respects you give
Unto a King, under whose Command you live.

Laod.
If you your Regal Power would better know,
You'l find I pay to both, Sir, what I owe;
If I as Queen receive Ambassies here,
I must as Soveraign before you appear.
Assume a Power which I cannot own,
And in your own Estates affront your Throne.
I them refuse out of Respect to you,
Honours, that in Armonia were my due.
There I might Romes Ambassudour receive,
And with fit splendor him an Audience give,
Their Answer, as a Queen to his Desires,
Or as the merit of the Cause requires.
Here Sir, I can't the Mistery understand,
Out of Armenia having no Command;
For all that Heaven does me else where allow,
Is that I live and no subjection know;
Reign o're my self, and have in all aboades
No Soveraign, but my Reason, and the Gods.

Prusi.
Those Gods your Soveraigns by your Father gave
To me the Power which over you they have,
And you perhaps my one day understand,
What's a Kings Reason where he does command.
For proof of it, let's to Armenia go,
I'le bring you thither, but attended so,
That since you stand so much upon your State,
You must prepare to see it desolate.
Wars utmost fury through your Land shall Reign,
Dead bodies shall make Mountains of a Plain.
And Rivers flow with Blood that I will spill.

Laod.
Losing my States, I'le keep my Glory still,
All those vast mischiefs wherewith you me brave,
Shan't make me subject, though they make me Slave:
My Life is yours, but not my Dignity.

Prusi.
This mighty Courage will reduced be,
When all these Miseries to a Head are grown,
And Attalus sits on your Fathers Throne;
Then, then perhaps, that Heart may stoop in vain,
To ask his Hand to seat you there again.

Laod.
If of your War such base Effects you find,
There must be a strange Change wrought in my Mind.
But Sir, perhaps you cannot get so far,
The Gods will of my Fortunes have a care.
And raise a man who may my Cause defend,
'Gainst all these Powers which Rome to you can lend.

Prusi.
You build your hopes on my presumptuous Son,
But know that both of you to Ruine run;
Think of that, Madam, and resolve to be,
Either a Queen, or else Laodice.
For 'tis the last Advice I'le give to you;
Make Attalus King if you would Reign. Adieu.

SCENE II.

Flaminius, and Laodice.
Flam.
Madam, in short, Vertues perfection.

Laod.
Follow the King, Sir, your Embassy's done,
Once more I tell you, that whilst here I live,
I cannot an Ambassadour receive.

Flam.
Madam, what I would say does proceed more
From one's your Friend, than an Ambassadour:
From one that of your Safety has a Care,
Touch'd with the Ills you for yourself prepare;
And whilst I do make this my sole Pretence,
You may admit me say with confidence;
Perfection of Vertue does require,
Prudence should be the Checque of your desire,
That of our Interest we should take a Care,
Consider in what times we live, and where,
Else height of Courage in a Royal Brest,
Is but a bruitish Vertue at the best.
Which, (by false light of Honor guided) blinds
With its own Merits, the sublimest minds:
Leads Heroes to such a violent Course,
That they from Happiness themselves divorce;
Grasping those Ills, which they should have prevented,
They grow admired, onely to be lamented;
Only hereafter with vain sighs to say,
I had Right to Reign, but Passions crost my way.

Laod.
Honor to me appears so fair and bright,
It cannot sure admit of a false Light;
Yet since 'tis out of kindness, that you do
Instruct me thus, as Friend I'le answer you;
And without asking by what jealous Fate,
You height of Honor prize at that low Rate;
I dare affirm you'l by experience finde,
Not brutish Vertue Mistress of my minde;
But such as will my Dignity defend,
And repulse those shall on it's Rights pretend.

Flam.
Consider Madam, whom you do oppose,
The Wise, and Valiant, make not them your Foes
Which are too strong, but you a King incense,
Who makes increase of Rule his whole pretence;
Whose Army now upon your Frontiers lies,
Numerous, Strong, and skill'd in Victories.

Laod.
'Tis true, he has a Potent Army there,
But such a one, Sir, as I need not fear;
'Tis true, 't has with Success and Glory fought,
But when the King shall think by whom 'twas taught,
He'l either checque those Threats of using force,
Or finde perhaps that he mistakes his Course;
And e're with it he does attempt my Throne,
Levy another to secure his own.

Flam.
Though this were true, whilst in his Courts you live,
He'l force that Reason which you will not give;
He may do what he will, whilst you are here.

Laod.
I, now you have said all that I could fear,
But out of my own Realms and in his Court,
Vertue 'gainst Tyranny may find support.
Sir, these Encroachments on the publique good,
Are by the very people understood:
They know Prince Nichomede, and know the Queen,
Her obstinate Hate to him is plainly seen;
They see the King to all her Humors bends,
And can as well discern his dangerous Friends.
But for my self, whose Fall you think so nigh,
No humor makes me Attalus deny;
But will to spare these Scorns he must receive,
Though I to him the Stile of King should give:
I should regard him as a common thing,
One born to be my Subject, not my King;
My Vassals too, like me, would think him so,
And such Scorns generous hearts can't undergo;
'Tis out of Favour then I don't expose
Him, to such ignominious Slights as tho

Flam.
Madam, if this be so, 'tis you that Reign,
And o're both Camp, and Court are Soveraign.
The King's but an Idea, and does bear
No Sway, but what you him in pity spare.
To receive Embassies is now your due,
Then as Romes Legate let me speak to you;
Or if that Name disgust you here, you may
Still as a private Roman, let me say,
That in these dayes the only way to Reign,
Is Romes Alliance, and her Aid to gain;
By it to Neighb'ring States, Kings can give Law,
Quiet their own, and keep their Foes in Awe.
No Monarch better does his Crown defend,
Than whom she graces with the Name of Friend:
By it is Attalus more King, uncrown'd,
Than those whose Temples Diadems surround.

Laod.
I knew to what, Sir, this discourse would come,
Kings are not Kings longer than pleases Rome:
But if she have their Crowns at her dispose,
To Attalus she little kindness shows:
She with her Greatness does her self deceive,
Else she'l not beg for him what she might give.
Or if that Prince so much her Fav'rite be,
Why sends she him without a Crown to me?
Why for a Subject strives she thus in vain,
To move that heart, which would a King disdain;
Stoopt he to Rome, or suffer'd her Commands,
Sullye the Supream Power in his hands,
My Heart cannot my Glory, Sir, betray,
I scorn these Kings have learn't how to obey.
And since at large you see what my Thoughts are,
Spare for the future both your Threats and Prayer.

Flam.
But let me pity, Madam, your Mistake,
And beg you yet would from these slumbers wake;
Think but on Rome, think what her Power can do,
Let your own safety change those thoughts in you.
Carthage destroy'd, Antiochus o'rethrown,
To be oppos'd she is too mighty grown.
Both Sea, and Land, unto her Mandates bow,
And of the World Rome is the Mistress now.

Laod.
Mistress o'th'World! how would that Name affright,
Did I not know Armenia is my Right.
Did none to mighty Hannibal succeed,
Or he reviv'd not in Prince Nichomede;
Or had he not to him the Secret shown,
How your redoubled Powers may be o'rethrown.
That valiant Scholar of a Man so great,
May put his Lessons, Sir, in practise yet;
Asia by three Crowns gain'd, six Battels fought,
Has prov'd the Conduct which that Master taught;
But these were Stroakes he did for tryal show,
The Capital may fear his Master blow.
And he one day—

Flam.
That day is yet far off,
The Gods of Rome do at such threatnings scoff;
That God whose shade at Cannæ did appear,
And fill'd your conquering Hannibal with fear,
But see the Mighty Arm that must become,
One day so fatal to the Stars of Rome.

SCENE III.

Nichomede, Laodice, and Flaminius.
Nicho.
The Power Rome to her Agents gives is large,
Or in my judgment you exceed your Charge.

Flam.
Sir, if I act more than I ought to do,
The Senate may exact the Account, not you.

Nicho.
Go then, and let my Flame the freedom gain,
After your State Intreagues to entertain.
The Queen, whose thoughts perhaps suffer such force,
Under the mighty weights of your discourse,
That I the Expence of Time and Art must use,
T'expel those Maxims you would introduce.

Flam.
The miseries ill plac'd Love might bring on her,
Made me for pity be her Counsellor.

Nicho.
Whilst you to pity her such Causes find,
You're an Ambassadour extreamly kind
But I must doubt those Counsels which you teach.
Madam, what Treacheries did this Roman preach?

Flam.
You grow outragious.

Nicho.
Sir, I should do so.

Flam.
Yet to Ambassadors Respect you owe.
All Countreys to so sacred a Degree.

Nicho.
Boast not so much your Rank and Quality;
Who Counsels, is Ambassador no more,
He has renounc'd the Charge he had before—
Did he his Answer, Madam, yet receive?

Laod.
Yes, Sir, and such as became me to give.

Nicho.
Then know, I prize you for no more than thus,
Attalus Agent, and Flaminius;
Or if you force me, I shall add to all,
The Poysoner of my Master Hannibal.
Behold what Honors you from me obtain,
If you'ld have more, go to the King complain.

Flam.
Hee'l do me Justice, when I make't my Suit,
Or if he fail, yet Rome knowes how to do't.

Nicho.
You may of both go ask it if you please.

Flam.
Prince, think what may ensue such wrongs as these.

SCENE IV.

Nichomede, and Laodice.
Nicho.
That Counsel for the Queen had been more fit,
My generous Thoughts now to her hate submit;
These thoughts to which my Justice did appeal,
And made me long her murdrous Plots conceal.
Till forc'd by new designs, I now did bring,
Zenon and Mithrobates to the King;
Who knowing something will surprize his Ear,
He does himself their informations hear.

Laod.
I know not what, Sir, the event maybe,
But this proceeding's not approv'd by me;
Nor what should force you to 't I cannot guess,
The more the Queen should fear, she fears the less;
And still the more she is disgrac'd by you,
She with more fierceness will her Hate pursue.

Nicho.
Fain would she make my just Complaints appear,
The effects of my Resentments against her,
But that false Mask of Courage which she wears,
Shrouds but her Doubts, and does disguise her Fears.

Laod.
Court Myst'ries are oft so close and fine,
We but at Random of their Aimes divine;
Whilst to defend me, Sir, you were not here,
Rome never did for Attalus appear;
Nor to our Loves the least disturbance gave,
But now, whilst you but one dayes freedom have,
That day, and in your sight the Roman State,
Presses for an Alliance, which I hate;
So that there's nothing which I can perceive,
But urges you with speed to take your leave;
For whilst you still within their Pow'r remain,
Strange Throngs of Fears over my Spirits reign.
The King dotes on his Wife, Fears, Rome, and you,
By your Renown have made him jealous too.
I scarce dare think what I am forc'd to say,
There's too much Reason to expect foul play.
And you—but I see Attalus appear,
What Projects, what Designs can bring him here?
Perhaps the search of me is his Intent,
If so, retiring I'le that Game prevent.

SCENE V.

Nichomede, Attalus, and Laodice.
Atta.
Madam, that converse was so sweet before,
Now mine is interpos'd, is so no more.

Laod.
Your importunity that's so extream,
Me in my second self my entertain;
Knowing my heart my Spokesman he'l become,
And answer you as he has answer'd Rome.

SCENE VI.

Nichomede, and Attalus.
Atta.
If, Sir, my presence drives the Queen away will retire—

Nicho.
No, no, Prince you may stay,
For I have something still to say to you,
I laid by all these Rights that were my due;
The Thoughts of being destin'd to a Throne,
Resolving to maintain my Love alone;
And did request you would attempt her so,
And nothing to the Kings, or Romes Aid ow;
But I must either think your memory's bad,
Or you make no account of what I said.

Atta.
You force me ill, Sir to remember this,
Whilst yet between us nothing equal is.
'Tis true, you with some Rights of Birthright part,
But will you, Sir, give up the Princess Heart.
Those Vertues did create his Love, decline
And quit those Glories make you seem divine,
Six Battels gain'd, three mighty Kingdoms won,
The glorious Assault of many a Town.
Sir, with such Seconds, what can equal you?
Make then the Queen indifferent 'twixt us two,
Let her no more that Mass of Glory see,
Heapt on you by Success and Victory.
At once, Sir, let her from heart remove
Your mighty Deeds, your Vertues and her Love,
Or else 'gainst all that odds, let me prevail
To place the King, and Rome in t'other Scale;
You may by what already is obtain'd,
Judge there will little by their aid be gain'd.

Nicho.
Prince, this Excuse is very bravely fram'd
I see you han't lost all your time at Rome,
And if not Courage, have brought Cunning home.

SCENE VII.

Arsinoe, Nichomede, Araspes, Attalus.
Arasp.
'Tis the Kings pleasure, Sir, you him attend.

Nicho.
What I?

Arasp.
Yes, Sir, he sent me to that end.

Arsin.
Prince, calumnies are easily o'rethrown.

Nicho.
Madam, that Truth by me is so well known,
I wonder you instruct me in a thing
I never doubted—

Arsin.
Why then did you bring,
Swell'd with vain hopes which will your self ensnare
Zenon, and Methrobates from so far,

Nicho.
I was resolv'd the whole should be conceal'd,
And you have forc'd it, if it be reveal'd.

Arsin.
Truth forc'd it; and did o're your Gifts prevail,
Such Undertakings, Sir, do often fail.
They both said somewhat more than what you taught.

Nicho.
If you're displeas'd you that displeasure sought.

Arsin.
I cannot be displeas'd at what I find,
Save that it blemishes so brave a mind,
That to those mighty Titles which you had,
We must the base one of Suborner add;

Nicho.
Then to accuse you, they are subornd by me

Arsin.
Prince, mines the trouble, yours the shame will be?

Nicho.
And thus their Credit you would take away.

Arsin.
No Prince, I rather stand to what they say.

Nicho.
What have they said which your belief can gain?

Arsin.
Two mighty Words which will augment your Fame.

Nicho.
May not I know these words of so much weight?

Arasp.
The King expects, Sir, your Attendance straight.

Arsin.
From him you'l hear them, go know his command.

Nicho.
Madam, I now begin to understand
His love to you, chasing his love to me,
Will make you faultless, and me guilty be.
But—

Arsin.
What? continue what that But does mean?

Nico.
Two weighty words which Ile think of again.

Arsin.
Those words of so much weight may not we know?

Nico.
You'l hear them from the King, to whom I go.

SCENE VIII.

Arsinoe and Attalus.
Arsin.
My son, we Triumph; this great Nicomede
Begins to see how his Deceits succeed,
Those two Accusers by himself produc'd,
Which should to kill him, be by me seduc'd;
But to defame me were suborn'd by him,
Being startled at so foul and black a sin.
Both accus'd me, but did declare as soon
They to it by the Princes Gifts were won:
How mighty's Truth before the face of Kings,
It from the Souls dark parts, a secret brings.
That Presence does all Falshood soon confound.
They've lost their own, who sought my Fame to wound.

Att.
Madam, I joy to see such a Deceit
Has left your Glories yet more pure and great.
But put this Business to a closer Test,
And lay aside a while your Interest,
You'l less indulgence to a Humor give,
Makes you those Villains with such ease believe,
Their story twice this day has alter'd bin,
Subor'nd by you, and then suborn'd by him.
Against a man in whom such Vertues reign,
Such treacherous Souls should no belief obtain:
A confess'd Traitor does not faith deserve.

Arsin.
You're generous, Attalus, and I observe,
That even a Rivals Glory's dear to you.

Att.
If I'm his Rival, he's my Brother too,
We're of one blood, and that blood in my veins,
Forbids me think him guilty of such stains.

Arsin.
And does that blood of yours forbid you less,
To think your Mother is a Murtheress?
Your Mother, whose Destruction must be sure,
Unless his Loss her Safety does procure.

Atta.
If I 'gainst him such witness scarce believe,
To them 'gainst you I can no credence give;
But yet your Vertue that's above all Crime,
May let me keep for him a just Esteem.
His Glory has those jealous Spirits rais'd,
Which are best pleas'd when Vertue is disgrac'd,
Who with base acts (spur'd on by Envy) strive
To dark the Lustre of so fair a Life
For me, if other minds by ours be known,
Or we can guess of their thoughts by our own,
I must presume that I in him shall finde
The self same Maximes, and the self same minde.
With that great Rival I have fair play us'd,
Not sought his Ruine, nor his Fame traduc'd.
Those Aids I have, I did demand aloud,
And I think him with such brave thoughts endow'd,
That Glory onely his Designs inspires,
And but with Merit counters my Desires.

Arsin.
Intreagues of Court you never yet did prove.

Atta.
Should Princes not like Princes treat of Love?

Arsin.
You treat and talk like one did little know.

Atta.
Madam, I speak those Vertues Rome did show.

Arsin.
From time perhaps you will the knowledge gain,
What Vertues should compose a Monarchs Train.
Mean time, although that he your Brother be,
Think that you have a Mother still of me,
And to defeat what you of this conceive,
Come see how far the King does it believe.