_Amin_. No matter, thou canst not hate a Soldier, Since I am one; and you must be obedient, And learn to bear my Bow and Arrows now, It is the Duty of a _Scythian"s_ Wife.
_Ura_. She that can claim _Amintas_ by such Ties, May find a Safety wheresoe"er she flies.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE III. _A Prison_.
_Enter_ Orsames _joyful, and_ Geron.
_Ors_. Am I indeed a King?
And is there such a thing as fair _Olympia_?
Hadst thou not been the first had told me this, By Heaven, thou"dst dy"d for thus concealing it; Not all the Obligations of my Youth Should have preserv"d thee.
_Ger_. Till now I wanted Opportunity; For had you known your Quality before, You wou"d have grown impatient of the Crown, And by that Haste have overthrown your Interest.
_Ors_. And canst thou now provide against my Ignorance?
_Ger_. Sir, we have gain"d the Army on our side.
_Ors_. What"s that?
_Ger_. Those Numbers that I told you should adore you.
_Ors_. When shall I see them, _Geron_?
_Ger_. E"er long, Sir: should your Deliverance Be wrought by any other Means than theirs, It were to s.n.a.t.c.h a Glory from their Hands, Which they design their only Recompence.
_Ors_. Oh, how I am transported with the Joy!
But, _Geron_, art thou sure we do not dream?
_Ger_. Then Life it self"s a Dream-- Hark, I hear a noise-- [_Noise_.
_Within_] Kill the Dog--down with him!
_Ors_. Oh, how I"m ravisht with this unknown Noise!
_Within_.] Break down the Prison-Walls and Gates, and force your Pa.s.sage--
_Enter_ Vallentio, _followed by_ Gorel _and a Rabble of Citizens and Officers, tearing in the Keeper all b.l.o.o.d.y_.
_Val_. No killing to day, my Fellow-Soldiers, if you can help it; we will not stain our Triumphs in Blood-- [_They all stand and gaze_. Ors. _gazes on them_.
Ye G.o.ds, instruct me where to bow my Knee-- But this alone must be the Deity--
[_Kneels_, Ors. _lets him kneel, and gazes on him_.
_1 Cit_. Is that the King, Neighbour, in such mean Clothes?
_Gorel_. Yes, Goodman Fool, why should the Colonel kneel else?
_2 Cit_. Oh, pray, Neighbour, let me see a little, I never saw a King in all the days of my Life. Lord, Lord! Is that he the Colonel kneels to?
_Gorel_. What Questions this ignorant Fellow asks!
_3 Cit_. Good lack-a-day, "tis as a Man may say--"tis just such another Body as one of us, only he looks a little more terrably.
_Ger_. Sir, why do you let him kneel?
_Ors_. Rise, and let me look upon thee.
_Val_. Great Sir, we come to offer you a Crown, That long has waited for this great Support; It ought to have been presented in a more glorious order, But Time and your Affairs permit not that.
A thousand Dangers wait upon Delay; But though the World be yours, it is not safe Depending on a fickle Mult.i.tude, Whom Interest, and not Reason renders just.
_Ors_. Thou art a wondrous Man.
_1 Cit_. Good _Gorel_, stand back, and let me see a little; my Wife loves Newalties abominationly, ami I must tell her something about the King.
_Gorel_. What a Pox have we to do with your Wife? stand back.
_Val_. Now deign, great Sir, to arm your Hand with this-- [_Gtves_ Ors. _a Sword, he gazes on it_.
Nay, view it well, for though it be but homely, It carries that about it can make the Wearer proud; --An Edge--pray feel it, Sir,--"t has dealt Many a mortal Wound-- See how it dares the Sun for Brightness, Sir!
Or if there be a Stain, it is an Ornament, Dy"d in the Blood of those that were your Enemies: It never made a Blow or Thrust in vain.
--How do you like it, Sir?
_Ors_. So well, I know not whether this or thee Be most agreeable to me; You need not teach me how I am to use it, That I will leave for those that dare offend me.
Look, _Geron_, is it not a glorious Object?
There"s nothing but my bright _Olympia"s_ Eyes That can out-glitter this.
_1 Cit_. Hah, _Simon_, did he not talk bravely?
_Val_. Come, Sir, "tis time you left this Dungeon for a Throne; For now"s the time to make the World your own.
All shouting--Vive le Roy, Vive le Roy.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE IV. _A Tent_.
_Enter_ Cleomena _and_ Semiris, _drest as Women again_.
_Sem_. Dear Madam, I cou"d wish you"d sleep awhile.
_Cleo_. That Peace I have not been acquainted with Since my _Clemanthis"_ Death; Yet now methinks my Heart"s more calm and still, And I perhaps may thus expire in silence-- Prithee, _Semiris_, take thy Lute and sing to"t, Whilst I will try to sleep.
[_Lies down on a Couch, Sem. plays and sings_.
SONG, made by _J. Wright_ Esq:
_Fair Nymph, remember all your Scorn Will be by Time repaid; Those Glories which that Face adorn, And flourish as the rising Morn, Must one day set and fade.