University of Virginia Library

Fourth Scene

the City Jerusalem.
Enter Tyridates and Polites.
Tyrid.
Oh Gods! how can you thus unmov'd behold
The best peice ever made of humane mold;
The work of your own hands, giv'n up to be
A subject for a Monsters Cruelty.
She to whose eyes, my freedom I resign:
And she has right to all the Worlds, as mine.
Can she a Captive be?—

Pol.
Call in your Passion Sir, and give it Law.

Tyrid.
Of Thee Mariamne 'tis I stand in awe.
Great Queen! it is thy Vertue makes me fear—

Pol.
Sir stop your Passion till Arsanes come.
His news may calm't, or give it farther room.

Tyrid.
Now Herod is her Persecutor grown,
I him no longer my Protector own;
His Cruelties my Brothers have out-done;
I from one mischief to another run;
From Parthia bring my Life to lose it here:
And that which is a thousand times more dear.

Herod.
Herod in your distress has given you ayde.

Tyrid.
My Conquests have that Obligation payd.
I in Mariamne's wrongs am injur'd more
Then e're his Kindness had oblig'd before.
My thoughts no longer shall my mind divide:
Both against him, and the whole World beside,
I'le draw this Sword in the Queens just defence:
And succour Vertue and wrong'd Innocence.

Pol.
These thoughts disclos'd, wou'd Sir your self undo,
Bring certain Ruine to Mariamne too.
But see Arsanes is return'd again—

[Enter Arsanes.
Tyrid.
Quick, dear Arsanes, ease me of my pain.
What says Sohemes, is he still our Friend?

Arsan.
I judge him so, for so he does pretend.
He quickly granted part of your Request;
But a long time he did debate the rest:
He on Mariamnes anger did demur,
Not on the Dangers that she might incur.
At last the Friendship that he had for you
Prevail'd; and overcome that scruple too.
Now Night has spread her Sables, he does wait
Alone your coming at the Castle Gate.

Tyrid.
This is a Kindness I can ne're requite;
Assist me Darkness! Loves best Friend, is Night.

Enter Sohemes with a Disguise.
Sohem.
Put on this Souldiers Casque for your Disguise;
Thus Habited, you need not fear surprize.
Tyrid. dresses in a Disguise.
Philon is now to his Apartment gone,
And I have newly set the Watch alone.
Wee'l shun the Main-Guard lest your Face be spy'd,
At this back Gate you'l enter undiscry'd.
You two without, for our return must wait,
But at a little distance from the Gate.

[aside.
Tyrid.
What Tumult's this within my Breast appears!
There is a strugling 'twixt my Joys and Fears.
That Heart which Death and Horror did not daunt,
At its approaching Bliss begins to faint.

Arsan.
Let's find some shelter, that's not out of Call.

[Exeunt.