University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Prusias, Arsione, Araspes.
Prus.
Araspes , bring the Prince—
[Exit Araspes.
And pray forbear,
Madam, those sighs which do my Bowels tear,
What need you thus with grief my Soul oppress?
Those Tears will nothing add to your Redress;
Nor is there need of them for your Defence,
Do I his Crimes doubt, or your Innocence?
Or in all I have said, what do you finde,
Should make you think that I can change my mind?

Arsi.
Ah Sir, what can repair those wrongs that be
Thrown on the Justest by base Calumny?
Virtue once charg'd with falshood, can no more
Be made so pure, so bright as 'twas before.
Still some reproachful mem'ry does remain,
Which to the brightest Glory brings a stain.
Whilst, Sir, Detraction harbours in your Court,
And People blindly would the Prince support;
Truth is too weak that Scandal to remove,
They'l think me freed from onely by your love;
And if the least Spot rest upon my Fame,
If your worst Subjects but suppose the same,
Can I deserve your love? or do these Fears
Concern too little then to merit Tears?

Prus.
You're scrupulous, and do too much mistrust
A Husbands love, that knows his love is just:
Glory by Calumny becomes more bright,
And from its darkness gains a greater light:
But here's the Prince, and you shall see to day—

SCENE II.

Prusias, Arsinoe, Nicomede, Araspes, Guards.
Arsin.
Pardon Sir, Pardon for our onely stay:
Pardon for Laurels are so fertile grown;
Pardon for the Supporter of your Throne,
Pardon—

Nico.
For what Madam? Three Kingdoms won,
Which my death must devolve upon your Son?
For having so far prest your conquering Arms,
That even Rome has taken the Alarms:
For having too much Regal Power sustain'd,
For that Renown I through the world have gain'd,
For having with Success and Glory fought,
Following the Maxims my great Master taught,
If I want Pardon choose 'mongst these my Crimes;
I know no more, Madam, unless you'l joyn,
That Villains (by some others gain'd) betraid
My easie Faith to credit what they said.
That having a clear Soul free from deceit,
I wanted light to see into their cheat.
'Tis glory this, and not a crime for one
Who lives in Camps, where no Court Tricks are known;
Who scorning baseness, does not Thunder fear,
And knows no Stratagems, but those of War.

Arsin.
Sir, I recant: he cannot guilty be,
Loading me with eternal Infamy,
He onely does that common Hate obey,
Men to the odious Name of Step-dame pay,
That Humour having in his heart took Root,
He does to me the strokes of Fate impute.
Does Hannibal his Master (having here
The Publique Faith) give up himself to fear,
And rather trust his Life and Liberty
To black Despair, than Hospitality?
Those Terrors which his doting Soul invade,
Are onely Plots by me before-hand laid.
Though he such Charms in Laodice espies,
'Tis I make Attalus see with the same eyes,
'Tis I the Aids of Rome against him gain'd,
And all that wounds him issues from this hand.
But though to blemish h' attempted have,
That Master to revenge, that Mistress save,
All might be pardon'd in a Jealous Lover,
But I do something more in this discover;
'Twas not his Love that foster'd this Design,
That I'm your Wife, Sir, is my greatest Crime.
From that Name onely springs this Calumny,
For else, in short, what can he charge on me?
Have I since first your Armies he did command,
Deny'd th'assistance both of Voice and Hand?
Have I refus'd him that Renown was due?
And when he stood in need of Aids from you,
And might have perisht had they been delay'd,
Who better prest that necessary Aid?
Sent him quick Succors, both of Men and Treasure.
And to supply his Wants, made it my pleasure;
You know this, Sir, but see he does return
For all that I have done, Reproach and Scorn.
To rob me of your love, has scandal us'd,
But still in Jealous Lovers all's excus'd:
I say't again—

Prus.
What answer canst thou make?

Nico.

Arsin.
How Sir, would you destroy 'um for that truth,
Which Heaven did suddenly put in their mouth,
That truth which does restore to you your Wife,
Cancels her Scandals, and secures her Life?
That truth which did your Sentence, Sir, suspend,
Whilst for my Int'rest he does this pretend?
You have no Cunning, Prince, no Court tricks know.

Prus.
Leave'um, and of your own Defence think now,
Purge your self of a Crime so base and low.

Nico.
I purge my self, you cannot Sir, think so,
You know too well those of my Dignity
When they grow guilty, aim at things more high;
Their Failings like their Glories are sublime,
And with their Pow'r they do protect their Crime.
T'have rais'd your People, brought your Army here,
In an opprest Queens In'trests to appear,
Snatcht her from hence in spite of Rome, or you,
Or all that Attalus Rivalship could do,
And of their Tyrannies have stopt the course,
With all your own, and all Armenia's Force,
Had been fit Crimes for such a Soul as mine,
If I a breach of Duty could design.
Mean Spirits for Revenge use to defame,
And 'tis most properly the Womans Game.
'Gainst those Impostors then your Sentence give,
For my sake, or the Queens they ought not live.
At the last moment, men with Heaven make peace,
Truth best appears when Worldly Int'rests cease,
And those base spirits when about to die,
Perhaps may once more what they said, deny.

Arsin.
Ah Sir!

Nico.
Pray Madam, the true Cause declare,
Why you should press so hard these Lives to spare;
Or let us think you fear, lest dying they
Might out of conscience some close Plots convey.

Arsi.
What hate than this Sir, can more cruel be?
Whilst I'de acquit him, he accuses me.
But Sir, perhaps my presence whers his Rage,
I by my absence may these Heats asswage,
And quieting a Spirit soar'd so high,
Prevent those Crimes at which he yet may flie.
I will not ask that Pity should procure
For my protection, you a Crown secure.
Nor do I seek my Attalus to save,
That he should half of your Dominions have.
If that your Roman Friends request it so,
I never did of their Intentions know.
They with their Pow'rs may favor still my Son,
But I shall need no Aids when you are gone,
I love too well Sir, not to follow you,
When in these arms you pay to Fates their due,
Upon your Tomb my Love's last Duty, Grief,
At once shall sacrifice my Tears and Life.

Prus.
Ah Madam!

Arsin.
Yes Sir, when that time shall come,
Your Destiny and mine shall be but one.
Then since he never shall my Soveraign be,
What should I fear? what can he do to me?
All that I ask in favor of that Gage,
That Son, who does so much his hate engage,
Is that he may return to Rome, and there
Finish his days under that Senates care;
To whom you did commit his Youth, and be
A weak Remembrance of your love to me;
This Prince will serve you better than before,
When Jealousies shall wound his Thoughts no more.
And fear not Sir, though thus you Rome defie,
For all her Power his Valour is too high.
The Secrets of great Hannibal he knows,
From whom Rome did receive such mighty blows,
Africk and Asia yet admiring stand,
At those renown'd Advantages he gain'd
For Carthage and Antiochus. But now
I go Sir, and the liberty allow
To your Paternal Goodness, to improve
The tenderness of Nature, and of Love:
I must not longer in your Presence see
Myself unworthily reproached be.
Nor would I move your anger against one
Who is your Valiant, and your Conquering Son.

SCENE III.

Prusias, Nicomede, Araspes, Guards.
Prus.
This in my brest does strange disorders raise,
Yet Nicomede, I cannot think thee base,
But let's yield somewhat to the Senates Prayers,
And strive to reassure the Queen who fears;
Passion for her, Affection pleads for thee,
I would not have this Hate eternal be.
Yet though I prize them, cannot in my brest
Cherish these thoughts onely to break my rest.
I would make Love, and Nature, of accord,
Father, and Husband be; and in a word—

Nico.
If I may with you any credit win,
Be neither one, nor t'other.

Prus.
What then?

Nico.
King.
Bravely that Noble Character resume,
Passions in Monarchs hearts should finde no room,
Father and Husband are respects not known
To a true King, who should regard his Throne,
And nothing more. Reign as you ought then, Sir,
And Rome will fear you more, than you fear her.
See but how she who dares to threaten you,
With apprehensions does my Loss pursue,
Hoping by losing me, strange things to gain,
Cause she foresees I shall know how to reign

Prusi.
Thus then ungrateful i'le thy counsel use,
Laodice, or my four Kingdoms choose.
'Twixt thee and Attalus thy King does make
This dividend, thou one of them must take
No longer Father now, but King i'le be.

Nico.
Were you as well King of Laodice;
And could with Justice such a choice propose,
I should ask time e're I my thoughts disclose.
But now to show my will to pleasure you,
Yet with respect not to offend her too,
I answer without frivolous delay,
To your intentions not to what you lay.
To that dear Brother all those rights transpose
And let Laodice be free to choose.
By that see which is mine.

Prusi.
Poor abject mind,
VVhat fury makes thee for a woman blind,
Prefer'st thou her to all thy glorious fights?
To all thy valour to my Realm unites?
After such baseness, dost deserve to live?

Nico.
I follow that example which you give,
Prefer not you a woman to that son,
By whom those Victories those crowns were won?

Prusi.
Do you see me renounce a crown for mine,

Nico.
Do you imagine that is my design?
If to my brother what is yours I quit,
I nothing yeild having no right to it,
For what can I unto your Crowns pretend?
Till death shall to your Right and Reign give end.
Pardon me Sir the Hatshness of the Phrase,
Yet Fate in fine does limit Monarchs days
Your people then, wanting a King, will see
And choose perhaps betwixt that Prince and me.
Sir, our resemblance is not yet so high,
But dullest eyes a difference may espy.
And the old rights of birth have oft been known
To call an Exile back to fill the throne.
Or if your Subjects thoughts with yours agree,
Their's others brought under your yoke by me.
And though Rome still her jealousie pursue,
I can do for my self what's done for you:

Prusi.
I'le take a course for that!

Nico.
It may be done.
If to their Fears you sacrifice your son:
Else your Estates resign'd unto that Prince,
Shall not be his, when you are gone from hence
'Tis not in secret, that I this declare,
But speak it, that he may himself prepare.
He hears me now.

Pru.
Ingrateful without blood.
I shall know how to make his titles good.
And you—

SCENE IV.

Prusias, Nicomedes, Attalus, Flaminius, Araspes, Guards.
Flam.
If my affront this anger draws,
Sir you might spare it to so light a cause
Rome may receive it with resentments due
But I have Friends that shall appease her too.

Pru.
I'le do her right, to morrow from this hand,
Attalus shall receive supream command:
I'le make him King of Pontus and my heir,
And for this Rebel who does so much dare,
Rome shall be Judge what his affronts deserve,
In Attalus stead, he shall for Hostage serve.
And to conduct him fit means shall be found,
So soon as he has seen his Brother crown'd,

Nico.
And will you send me then to Rome?

Pru.
Yes Sir:
Go, ask your dear Laodice from her.

Nico.
I'le go, i'le go Sir, and shall there appear,
A greater Monarch then you dare be here.

Flam.
Rome on your actions will true value set.

Nico.
Gently Flaminius we are not there yet
The Journey's long, and you may be deceiv'd,
Things well begun are often ill atcheiv'd.

Pru.
Away Araspes, double now his Guard.

Atta.
Sir.

Pru.
Thank Rome, and still have this regard.
That as her powers are the springs of yours,
'Tis her support alone your power secures.
But Sir I now must your excuse desire,
(to Flaminius.
The Queens disgusts some comfort do require.
I'le therefore go but leave him still with you,
Attalus once more give Rome those thanks are due.

SCENE V.

Attalus and Flaminius.
Atta.
What value shall I on these favours set
Which for the highest Merit are too great?
Your kindness does so far all bounds surpass
It has for my ambition left no place,
Yet Sir I needs must say my Fathers throne,
Would not compleat my happiness alone,
That which most charms my spirit is that now,
The Armenian Queen may to my wishes bow.
The scepter which does make me worthy her.—

Flam.
Will not your passion in her heart prefer?

Atta.
Sir resolutions are not always one,
Our thoughts are oft chang'd by occasion,
Besides it was her dying Fathers care,
She should be spouse to the Bithinian heir.

Flam.
She being Queen, that will's no order now,
Further then 'tis her pleasure to allow,
Besides what can she in a Crown respect,
Given in that Princes wrong she does affect,
In you who rob her of a Friend so dear,
And of his fall the only Authour are.

Atta.
That Prince sent hence, to whom shall she complain
Who can gainst Rome, and us; her cause sustain,
For still I promise to my self your aid,

Flam.
Counsels are different by occasions made
And to be plain, Prince I'le not promise it,

Atta.
At this Rate Sir you do confound me quite
By Soveraign power I am but wretched grown
If I must loose your Friendship with my crown.
But I Romes justice wrong in doubting thus
Han't you her orders?

Flam.
Yes for Attalus.
For that Prince whom she from his Cradle knew
But for the King of Pontus must have new,

Atta.
New orders Sir I can not understand,
Why Rome should crush the work of her own hand
Unless she jealous of my power become.

Flam.
What i'st you say Prince, what i'st you presume?

Atta.
Only from you Sir I would comprehend
To what this unequallity would tend.

Flam.
I would explain't and would recover you
From these destructive errors you pursue,
Rome courting for you the Armenian Queen,
Dispenc'd with Justice out of that esteem
She had for you, but since she does obtain,
You by more just and equal ways may Reign,
Glory does with her love to you dispence
And stops her acting further violence.
Then leaving that Queen to her own thoughts free
Your wishes must elsewhere directed be.
Rome will a sitting match for you provide.

Atta.
But if that Queen consent to be my bride?

Flam.
Twil hazard yet Romes Glory, and appear
As if some artifice of hers it were.
Prince if my words can any credit gain,
You must endeavour to suppress this flame.
Or if of my advice you take no heed,
Stay for the Senates e're you do proceed.

Atta.
Finding such coldness to such love succeed,
Rome lov'd not me, but hated Nicomede
And whilst to feed my Wishes she does Feign
Contrives my loss then when she makes me Reign.

Flam.
Sir that my answers may not be too rude,
To these essays of your ingratitude,
Follow your humour, and your Friends offend:
Your Soveraign now, and all things may pretend.
Yet since it is so fresh you can't disown
'Tis Rome which this day seats you in a throne,
Remember what the King but now did say,
You will be nothing when you loose her stay.

SCENE VI.

Atta.
Was it thus Attalus thy Grandsires reign'd?
Wilt thou be King to have thy power restrain'd
By such a World of Masters? Ah I find,
Titles thus bought are irksome to my mind.
If for such Masters I must gain a Crown
'Twere better to be subject still to one,
And heaven has given him so great and brave
'Twere base to slight him and become Romes slave,
Then to the Romans let us boldly show
Living amongst them we their Maximes know,
That all they do they to some ends apply
And all their Friendships yeilds to policy
Then in our turn let us be jealous too,
And act for us vvhat for themselves they do.