University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Enter Laodice.
Laod.
Haste, my king! the palace
Is now encompass'd by a rebel-band
That call for Siroes.

Cos.
They shall have their wish:
They shall—already to a faithful arm
His death is given in charge: perhaps even now
Through many a wound his treacherous soul is fled,
And thus I give him to his friends.

Laod.
O Heaven!
Wretched Laodice!—What have you done?

[to Cos.
Cos.
What have I done? Aveng'd offended majesty,
Aveng'd offended love, thy wrongs and mine.

Laod.
O! you are deceiv'd! Reverse the cruel order,
The prince has never injur'd you in love—
'Twas falsehood, falsehood all.

Cos.
What say'st thou—ha!

Laod.
In vain I strove to win the heart of Siroes,
Till fir'd with rage, to punish his disdain,
I forg'd the tale.

Cos.
Hast thou betray'd me too?

Laod.
Yes, Cosroes, here behold the criminal:
Let me be slain, but let the guiltless live.

Cos.
What, guiltless! he who sought a father's life?
Who kindled in thy breast the flame of love?
He's guilty, guilty of the worst of treason;
Guilty of pleasing thee—and he shall die.

Laod.
To obtain the life of a devoted son,
And from a father, was a gift so mighty
I ought not to have hop'd it.—What avail
These hapless charms, that fail to move your pity?
You never lov'd me, 'twas deception all.

Cos.
Ungrateful maid! I lov'd thee but too well:
I meant to seat thee on the Persian throne;
Nor is this all: within my bosom brood
A thousand cares: I know that thou art false,
And yet, (O! shame to think!) I could confess
That many pangs I feel are caus'd by thee.

Laod.
Then yield, my lord, to my entreaties yield:
O! save the prince, and let my death appease you,
Most happy if my blood—

Cos.
Laodice,
Depart: by seeking thus to save his life,
Thou mak'st his guilt the more—thy suit offends me.

Laod.

[Exit.