University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

Arsinoe, Attalus.
Arsi.
To fear this Rout, I see no reason vvhy
What's in a moment born, as soon vvill dye
If darkness does increase its noise, the light
Will dissipate the vapours of the Night.
Less does the peoples tumult me disturb
Then to see, thou canst not thy passion curb.
But led, by love so fruitless and so vain
Contemn'st not her, did thee so much disdain
Let that ungrateful from thy thoughts be chac't,
Now thou above her art by Fortune plac't;
It was her throne, not eyes, thou shouldst adore;
Reigning without her: love her then no more.
Offer that heart to more obliging chains,
Now th'art a King, Asia has other Queens,
Who would not scornful of thy sighes appear,
But pay those vows to thee, thou payest to her.

Attal.
But Madam, if—

Arsin.
VVhy if she should prove kind,
Theirs danger in't not seen by love that's blind:
Assoone as of her Crown possest thou be
She will engage thee in her hate to me.
But Oh Gods! can her rage those limits keep.
Can'st thou in safety in her bosome sleep?
Thinkest thou that her resentments will not prove
The sword or poyson to revenge her love.
What is't a woman won't in fury do?

Atta.
You with false arguments conceal the true.
The Senate who no powerful King would see,
Feard that in Nicomede they fear in me.
To a queens bed I cannot now pretend,
Unless I will our soveraign Rome offend,
And since by it my Interests I betray,
To keep her favour still I must obey,
Those profound pollicies I understand,
By which she hastens to the worlds command.
If any Monarch grows too great and high,
His ruine must remove her jealousie.
Who makes a Conquest gives a wound to Rome,
Which can't endure too great a power in one.
But alwayes thinkes just cause of warr appears
'Gainst those whose greatness may or'e shaddow hers.
They who of Empire best the rules do know,
Will make us all things to their orders owe,
Their power or'e Kings to that vast height is grown
All stoop to them, while they depend on none,
Madam, too well I am instructed thus,
By th'fall of Carthage and Antiochus,
Least I be crusht like one of them, i'le bow,
And reasons which I can't oppose allow,
Fate this complyance from me now commands,
Since you give Nicomede into their hands,
That Ostage will secure my Faith or be,
A Lyon ready to let loose on me:

Arsi.
This is what I intended to advise
But with this prudence you my soul surprize
These things may change, but let it be your care
To wink at Jealousies which useful are.

SCENE II.

Arsinoe, Flaminius, Attalus,
Arsi.
Sir is it not a conquest worth the pain
That from a Lover I belief can gain,
Make him with duty that fierce flame controul
And seat again his reason in his soul,

Fla.
Madam, 'twere well such conquests to pursue
And make this people reasonable too
'Tis time their growing tumults to restrain
Or if you strive too late you'l strive in vain,
On a weak Basis you those Fancyes found
Make you believe they will themselves confound
Rome uses not commotions to oppose
With such tame Resolutions as those
But when to popular rage they'l sound retreats
That senate spares hot either prayers or threats
With resolution her affairs she steers
And from her seven hills drives her Mutineers.
Who would a horrible descent have made
If they had longer there regardless staid.
Left to the freedom to act what they please,
As you in this occasion give to these,

Arsi.
Since Rome does so, we'l to her rules submie.
Her great example doth authorize it.
And the King shall—but now himself is here.

SCENE III.

Prusias, Arsinoe, Flaminius, Attalus.
Pru.
The whole design does now to me appear:
These Mutineers are by Armenians led,
And have declar'd that Queen to be their head.

Flam.
I did at first that 'twas her plot suspect,

Atta.
For all your cares she pays you this respect.

Flam.
Sir now the times necessity obey,
Think what to do, talk does but breed delay.

SCENE IV.

Prusias, Arsinoe, Flaminius, Attalus, Cleone.
Cleo.
Nothing can now the peoples rage withstand
Madam they with loud cryes the Prince demand,
And have to such a height their Furies born
His two accusers are in pieces torn.

Arsi.
Those victims paid unto the peoples hate
We with their Fury may our fears abate,
In those two Wretches blood, their hands being dy'd
They'l think the Prince is amply satisfy'd.

Flam.
Madam if this disorder had no chief,
I should incline to be of your belief.
The peoples rage no further might pretend
But form'd designs have seldom such an end,
They press at what they have contriv'd before
The first bloodshed opens the way to more,
Fleshes, and hardens, does all horror chace
And unto fear or pitty leaves no place.

SCENE V.

Prusias, Flaminius, Arsinoe, Attalus, Cleone; Araspes.
Aras.
The tumult towards the Court sir makes such hast,
And your false Guards do quit their Posts so fast,
I dying may my Loyalty assure,
But cannot longer sir the Prince secure.

Prus.
Lets go, lets go then to these rebels give
That head they seek to crown whilst wee'r alive
From off the battlements wee'l to them throw
That precious object which they covet so.

Atta.
Ah Sir.

Pru.
Yes, yes; 'tis thus we ought to give,
And they who so demand, should so receive,

Atta.
But sir you'l thus, these mutiners engage
To execute the utmost of their rage:
The Queen, Flaminius nor your Majesty
Cannot in any hopes of safety be.

Pru.
What shall I to these Rebells then go down
And with their darling, yeild them up my Crown,
Theres but that choice: their power outmatching mine
I must my Scepter or my Life resign.

Flam.
Though there were justice in what you propose.
Can you sir of that Princes life dispose?
The power you could pretend ore him is gone.
He's now Romes hostage and no more your Son.
And though a Father have forgot him quite,
I must remember what's the Senates right:
Which taking of his life you must invade,
Of which I will be no abettor made,
My Galley's now lye ready in the port
And theirs a private passage from the Court:
If then my counsels can'this fall prevent,
To my departure first give your consent,
That thereby to the word it may appear,
Rome is more just then you, and less severe,
Expose not her to that contempt and shame,
To see her hostage in her own sight slain.

Arsin.
Sir, may I speak what I think's fit to do?

Pru.
Yes for there can come nothing ill from you

Arsin.
Heaven then to me, a sure device has shown,
To purchase Romes contentment and your own
Since sir his Galleys ready are to go,
He may with ease take home his hostage too.
The designs favour'd by the private gate,
But all things better to facilitate.
Show yourself to the people appear kind,
And seem to their desires to be inclin'd.
And thas amuzing them give time till he
With all their hopes have gain'd the open Sea,
VVhen if they force the Court, and miss the Prince,
Appear confus'd, say Rome has stoln him hence,
Promise your just Revenge shall pursue her,
And all that in it her assistants were.
Send after him with the approaching morn,
Flatter them with the hopes of his return,
And with a thousand Arts you may devise,
Still give advantage to the enterprize
How high so e're their transports now appear,
They'l attempt nothing whilst for him they Fear.
Or whilst they shall perceive all force is vain
Thus you assured safety may obtain:
But if they find him we must fly this state,
For at first sight they'l him their King create.
You think so I believe sir?

Pru.
Yes, I do?
And think the Gods sent this advice to you.
Then this what better could contrived be?

Flam.
It gives you glory, life and liberty,
Besides Laodice's still Hostage here,
So that we nothing but delays can fear.

Pru.
Then talk no more let's follow the advice.

Arsi.
Araspes and three souldiers will suffice,
To guard him, numbers faithless oft appear
Ile to Laodice, and secure her.
Attalus where run you.

Atta.
I go to try, one project to appease then mutiny
'Twil add another to you stratagem,

Arsi.
Think your concerns and mine are still the same
'Tis for your sake if I in danger be.

Atta.
Madam, i'le perish or i'le set you free.

Ar.
Go then the Armenlan Queen I yonder see.

SCENE VI.

Arsinoe, Laodice, Cleone.
Arsi.
Must she who caus'd these harms unpunish'd be

Laod.
No Madam, a fit punishment i'le find,
For the small Faults of her ambitious mind.

Arsi.
Speak you that punishment who know her crime

Laod.
A small abasement will serve for a Queen,
To see her plots prevented may suffice.

Arsi.
Say rather that her rashness to chastise,
Scepters and Crown she does deserve to loose.

Laod.
Great spirits seldom such revenges use,
When they have once o'recome they soon forget
And temperate bounds unto their anger set,

Arsi.
Those that believe you would be soon content

Laod.
Heaven gave not me a soul more violent,

Arsi.
To raise up subjects 'gainst their Soveraign
To hazard Kingdoms to the sword and flame,
Into the Court to press their insolence,
Call you this Madam, little violence:

Laod.
We're both mistaken, Madam, and I see,
VVhat I speak for you, you explain for me:
But for what touches me all cares are past
'Twas to serve you that made me hither hast,
Least Majesty might suffer something rude
From the inrag'd fury of a multitude,
Send for the King and Attalus that I
In them preserve the Royal Dignity.
VVhich else an angry people may assail.

Arsi.
Did ever pride o're woman thus prevail
You that the cause of these disorders were,
You that in my own courts my Captive are
You whose blood shall attone these crimes and be
A victim to affronted Majesty.
VVith confidence dare thus your crime pursue,
And talk as if I should ask grace of you.

Laod.
Madam, whilst you thus obstinate appear,
You don't believe tis I that command here,
That when I please you shall my victim be
Nor can this Tumult be a fault in me,
Your people are all guilty, and in them,
Justly these acts you may as crimes condemn.
But I'me a Queen and cannot be accus'd,
If for my safety I these Rebels us'd:
Since rights of War did never yet deny
Raising revolts against an Enemy
Who robs me of my spouse, I mine may call

Arsin.
I am so Madam, and what ere befall,
Be sure when ere these Rebels force the Court
That moment with your head you answer for't

Laod.
You'l falsely your threats, or on my tombe
Soon see a great and royal Heccatombe
But Madam, could you do't although there were.
Zenon and Mithrobates harbor'd here,
Think you my plots have bin so lamely fram'd
But I have likewise your domesticks gain'd.
Find out a man that would his life betray,
That's fond of dying, and hee'l you obey,
Yet o're Bythinia I pretend no sway,
Give me free passage to Armenia,
And that you may your own just power regain
Restore my spouse, whom you with hold in vain

Arsin.
That spouse of yours, you may towards Rome pursue
Flaminius has him, hee'l restore him you.
But pray make haste, you'l miss him else, for he
Is by this time at least a league at sea.

Laod.
Could I believe't—

Arsin.
You may do't if you please.

Laod.
Fly then those furies which my spirits seize,
After the knowledg of an act so foul,
All generous thoughts are bannisht from my soul
But rather as my hostage here remain,
Till with this hand, his freedom I regain,
I'le go and pluck him from the midst of Rome,
With all your subjects, and with all my own
At her own gates i'le give her my Alarmes,
Supported with ten hundred thousand armes,
My rage shall their her tyrannies subdue.

Arsin.
Then you'l in fine reign ore Bethinia too?
And in that frenzy does possess you now
The King must of your Regency allow.

Laod.
Madam il'e reign, and yet not injure him,
Since he is but the picture of a King.
What need he care, who laws does here ordain
Or whether Rome or I for him does reign.
But see I have an other hostage yet.

SCENE VII.

Attalus, Arsinoe, Laodice, Cleone.
Arsi.
Saws't thou them Attalus make their retreat?

Attalus.
Ah Madam!

Arsi.
Speake!

Atta.
Ah Madam! what is done
Summes up all our preceding feares in one.
The Prince is scap'd.

Laod.
Then Madam fear no more,
I'me now as generous as I was before.

Arsin.
Does Attalus delight to affright me too?

Atta.
Hope not so well, as to presume it so,
Wretched Araspes led by his ill sate,
With his weak guard no sooner reach't the Gate
Through which Flaminius had past to his fleet
But he fell wounded at the Princes feet,
And his few followers danted at that sight
Fearing the like fate took a speedy flight.

Arsin.
But who, alas! could wound him in that gate?

Atta.
Ten or twelve soldiers who as guards did wait
The Prince.—

Arsin.
Ah son there Traytors every where,
Few subjects to their Masters faithful are,
But whence of this could you informed be

Atta.
Araspes self did dying tell it me.
But hear what only causes my despair,
To joyn me with my Father I took care.
But all in vain for coming to the shore.
I saw that Monarch to his fears gin o're.
In a small skiff after the Roman flee,
VVho was perhaps no less afraid then he.

SCENE VIII.

Prusias, Flaminius, Arsinoe, Laodice, Attalus, Cleone.
Pru.
No, no, beleive us yet too brave to fly,
Here we'l defend your gloryes or we'l dye.

Arsi.
Lets dye, lets dye sir, and not victims be
Unto the fury of an enemy.
'Tis better we of our own fate dispose
Then leave it to the Pleasure of our foes:

Laod.
By this dispair you that great man offend
Much more then when you him to Rome would send.
Since in my breast he such an Empire hath
You should believe him worthy of my Faith,
I should disown him, had he not a mind
Revenge can't animate nor passion blind.
Did not in him all that is generous dwell,
But here he comes see if I know him well.

SCENE LAST.

Prusias, Nicomedes, Arsinoe, Laodice, Flaminius, Attalus, Cleone:
Nico.
All's quiet sir, my sight did soon asswage
The peoples fury and has balm'd their rage.

Pru.
Rebel in my own Pallace do'st me brave

Nico.

Arsin.
Ah sir! why do you farther press this strife,
Y'ave in your power my glory and my life,
Can't your ambition their receive an end,
But you'l your conquest ore my heart extend.
Against such vertue there is no defence,
My brest to yield bleeds with impatience.
Joyn then this victory to three Kingdoms won
And I in you shall gain another son

Pru.
Madam, then I yeild too, and must beleive,
My glories do in such a son revive,
But for this happiness which we receive
Man't we Prince know to whom our thanks to give

Nico.
The Author of it would not sir be known
But took a pledge from me, which I must own
'Twas here he said it should restored be.

Atta.
Sir if you please accept that pledg from me

Nico.
By this brave action you best let me know
That in your veins, true royal blood does flow
You are no more th'ambitious slave of Rome
But the Redeemer of a Crown become
Brother with my chains others off are throne,
The Kings, the Queens, Bythinias and your own,
But why conceal your self and save the state?
To see your vertue at the highest rate,
I thought against our injustice 'twould act best,
VVhen not by this weak service prepossest,
And I on one of us reveng'd might be,
If I had judg'd ill of what now I see.
But Madam

(to Arsinoe.
Arsin.
Tis enough I now divine,
VVhat was the stratagem you'd add to mine,
And sir my spirits pleas'd to see my Son
(to Nicomede
Has stopt that course of ills I would have run.

Nico.
to Fla.
Sir to be plain I think each generous mind,
Might happiness in your alliance find.
But with those Laws which Rome to Kings would give
We can't from her the stile of Friend receive,
Let us then have it free from servitude
Or Enemy will be a name less rude.

Fla:
This I must leave sir to the Senates care
But thus much can with confidence declare,
That at the least Prince you'l find that respect
Such an Heroick spirit can expect,
And if the name of friend they can't allow,
They'l think to have found in you a worthy Foe.

Pru.
Since thus our civil Jarrs composed are
To render thanks to Heaven let us prepare
And that our happiness may firm become
Pray to the Gods to grant us peace with Rome.