University of Virginia Library

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.