University of Virginia Library

Scene the First

Mariamnes Chamber.
Enter Mariamne, Cleophe, Philon.
Maria.
Then Heav'n has heard my pray'rs, and now I find,
Though I deserv'd it not, He has been kind.
If Heaven permits me but to fall alone,
My Breast shall not emit one sigh, or groan:
Now Tyridates is from Danger free,
I do not care what he decrees of Me:
Fly Prince from hence into a kinder clime,
Where to be good, and Vertuous is no Crime:

[Enter Sohem.
Sohem.
Prince Tyridates by the Roman Legat freed
And by him safe without the Citty led,
From his freind Sosius has made escape,
And is come hither in a borrow'd shape.

Mar.
Just Heav'n forbid: I cannot see him: Go,
And tell him so.—
His Folly would his Certain Ruine bring;
His Death would now be Justice in the King.

Sohem.
Madam; all my perswasions can't prevaile,
He onely beggs to take his last farewel.

Mar.
This may some blemish to my Honour give—

Philon.
Madam, his Thoughts from such pure Fountains flow;
They on your Innocence no spots can throw;

Sohem.
Without your leave he durst no nigher come,
But stayes without, and there expects his Doome.

Mar.
Well call him in—and pardon me this time:
For he shall never more repeat the Crime.
Philon and you Sohemus watch hard by
And give us warning when that danger's nigh.
Sohem. steps to the Dore and brings in Tyridates
[Exeunt. Phil. and Sohem.
Ah Prince! consider what you make me do
[Tyrid. kneels,
Hazard my Life and Reputation too!
Have I thus long my life with Caution led
The very shadow of all Corutship fled.
Now at the last to make my Honour bow!
By Night, and in disguise, to talk with You!

Tyrid.
Though my Intents with Innocence are clad,
The ills You suffer by them make em bad.

Mar.
Your business?

Tyrid.
Can I fly and leave you here,
Expos'd to Herods Rage, and jealous fear?
I'le break those Chaines my heedless Passions drew—
With such a black Ingratitude on You.
Herod, by Sword and Poyson sets me free
From all the Tyes of Hospitality!
I this without Ingratitude can doe
I owe not now my Life to Him, but You.
Reject not then the succour I propose,
Whence to You freedome, to me, Glory Flowes.

Mar.
I will no longer these Discourses hear.
Urge me no more. This Answer take for all!
Vertue shall ne're be blemished by my fall.

Tyrid.
Then give me leave to Die—I cannot see
You still have Fetters on whilst I am free.

Mar.
But whilst I thus my Innocence keep white;
Me-thinks I feel as yet my Chains too light.

Tyrid.
But I can never go.

Mar.
I for one boon must sue,
And sure I cannot be deny'd by you?

Tyrid.
'Twere impious to disobey that breath,
Though the Commands were to meet Wracks, or Death.

Mar.
But this performance must be bound by Vow

Tyrid.
By all the powers to which men kneel, and bow.
And what's as Sacred, by your self I swear—

Mar.
She craves one boon who never begg'd before:
Sir, I intreat you ne're to see me more.
Call your Obedience and your Courage up,
And the Carrere of your blind passion stop:
My Life and Honour both at Stake do lye,
And suffer, if you either stay, or dye.

Tyrid.
Can you condemn me, most Unfortunate,
To Banishment for ever, and not hate?

Mar.
Perhaps th'affection that I'ave shown to you,
Has not been such as you pretended to.
I to your Merits always gave their due,
As far as my Condition would allow.
Had I been free, and at my own dispose,
I before all had Tyridates chose.

Tyrid.
Oh all ye Gods! how dubious is my Fate!
At once how Glorious, and how Desolate!
I have now, 'tis true! no Reason to complain;
Yet in my former Wretchedness remain.
Those eyes must never more upon me shine,
Yet I can neither murmur, nor repine.

Mar.
Pitty begins too much to move my heart,
I find by these it is high time to part!
[Mar. Weeps.
I, Tyridates have some weakness shown;
And your Misfortunes move more than my own.
Let Mariamne your Example be,
Do you assume your Courage now like me:
Insensibly I do not part with you,
Yet dauntless act what I resolve to do.
If o're your Spirit any power I have,
Let it be shown—be patient and be brave:
And let this act of your obedience prove
The Candor, and the Greatness of your Love.
Take now my last Farewell.
[Tyrid. kneels.
—One kindness yet—
When you remember me, this fault forget.

Exit cum. Cleop.
[gives him her hand to kiss.
Tyrid.
Oh Gods! is there no other way to prove
The pureness and the greatness of my Love.
Must I to this hard Doom subjected be?
Yet 'tis a Just and Vertuous Cruelty!
Yes to remember Thee, I'le take this way,
I'le dye for Debts I cannot live to pay.

[Exit.