Wits led by the nose, or, A poets revenge a tragi-comedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal.

SCENE the Court.

Enter Antellus, Glorianda and Guards.

King.

URge me no more, the Gods have so decreed, Amasia and her Brother both must bleed.

Glo.

Consider Sir the Nature of the Crime, And for my sake withdraw your Rage this time; Look on Amasia's Charms, and then declare, If Zeal and Beauty are not both at War. The Cruel Tyrant to secure his own, Usurps this beauty to enrich his Throne.

King.

You sue in vain for what must be deni'd, The Gods prescrib'd this way to scourge their pride.

Glo.

Call not that Pride which was Revenge alone, Nor is it Justice Sir to Kill the Son. Your veng'ance scourg'd the Rebels as they flew, And ev'ry factious man your Valour slew: You strong Rebellion hunted out of breath, Which Sir expir'd in brave Zoranzo's death.

King.

The fathers fall did but foment him more, Proving a greater Rebel then before; Still he grew on and in Rebellion mov'd,

Glo.

Your self Sir by a Son would be belov'd: His Fathers Death new veng'ance did implore, Could he do less for one had sought before:

Rebellious Nature did the faction head, And he fought only to revenge the Dead: His Army weak, wounded on ev'ry part, Fought not to Conquer, but Revenge their smart.

King.

Why for the bold Usurper do you move, I shall grow angry, and believe you love.

Glo.

You gave me leave, and made a worthy choice, Brave Oroandes had my Brothers voice; But he, as well as I, preserves a flame For dead Zoranzo's Issue.

King.

— Dare you name An Act so base, to love your Countries foe, He dies, and never shall your pashions know. The Gods expect their Sacrifice with care, And 'cause you shall not languish in dispair, Against to morrow for their Deaths prepare.

Glo.

What have I said that should your anger move? If you will save his Life, I will not love; Let him but live, and I'le forget the wrong, Though love is grown too pow'rful and too strong With ease to be remov'd; in youth when first Kind conversation in each eye had nurst A gentle Cupid, and our hearts though poor, Wanting th' effects of love could love no more; Down with content we by each other sate, Weeping to think upon our Childish fate, Till he, forc'd by a Fathers pride did flie From me, and honour to your Enemy: Though then he lost obedience to the Crown, A mutual love did our Souls Current drown Within one Silver stream; and shall I now Cause his dejected state to fate doth bow Kill him with pride, whose noble growth would be A joyful Harvest of felicity? No, let his Titles Sacrifices fall To his first Guilt, his Vertue merits all.

King.

Call Treason Vertue, and the Traytor just: Rebellion's a desire to Rule, and Lust Of Empire makes 'em break their trust.

ill Acts committed, by success made good, And Nations staggering for want of blood Drawn out by Civil strifes and unjust fears, Are only debts to Nature in Arrears: You know my Vow which I will ne're evade.

Glo.

Heav'n blushes when that bloody Vow is paid: If he must fall, the worthiest of men, Heav'n will be pleas'd with Sacrifices then; My blood and his shall mount up to the Skys, And feed the Nostrils of our Deities, Till they in Rage to see such goodness fall, Rain down our blood on veng'ance on ye all: Amasia's Charms shall with such swiftness move The Gods out of meer pity from above Shall plague you all, when 'tis too late, with Love.

Exit Glorianda.

King.

Amasia's Charms shall with such swiftness move The Gods out of meer pity from above Shall plague you all, when 'tis too late, with Love. What can she mean? 'Twas spoke as she did spy The little Tyrant dancing in my eye. Something unruly doth about me wait, Like hidden Charms my anger to rebate; The surly motion tells me I do ill, Can I pretend to be a King and kill? Amasia was no Rebel to the State, Why therefore should she share a Brothers Fate? 'Tis true, her life did from that spring take head, And she may own those factions which they bred; How ere — If she can love she lives, if not she dies, Bring then a Rebel fit for Sacrifice, Call in Amasia, — though her Charms appear

Exit some Guards.

So uncontroul'd, they must submit to fear, Fearful to try what joy or bliss would be Found while they'r strangers in Eternity.

Enter Amasia.

Having consider'd Madam your Estate, And how each Title now submits to Fate, I could not chuse but rob the Gods of one, One only fit for Siracusia's Throne.

Ama.

To say I've no desire to live, would prove A Barren Gratitude for Royal Love; Death though a debt, which is to Nature due, We all would fain prolong, and so would you: But how I am thus blest, being so nigh The welcome brink of Immortality, Staggers my Faith and strikes my Reason blind.

King.

You'l make all perfect by your being kind.

Ama.

I know so well you love that Conquerour, Who made us Captive to your mighty Pow'r; You'd not deny, might it with safety be My Brothers Life, my Love and Liberty.

King.

Your Liberty without dispute I grant, Yet all those Graces must your Brother want; His Life must be to Heav'n a Sacrifice, Your own is Ransom'd by your Charming eyes.

Ama.

What have I heard, shall Zannazarro find His Sister prov'd so weak to stay behind? Must he alone stoop to the Cruelty? I was a Rebel Sir as well as he.

King.

In acts of Love you but a Rebel prove, Conqu'ring the Conquerour, yet scorn to Love: He — Wading through blood to Massacre did run, Outdid the Father, to undo the Son.

Ama.

My Fathers Crimes he never did partake, Kill me, and spare him then for Honours sake: Nature can never consent to stay behind, He is my Brother, and in that I find Some secret motion, though my love be strong, Which tells me that I needs must go along: Thus Love and Nature struggle in desires,

King.

Consider Madam who it is admires, And the vast gift I give to quench my fires.

Ama.

You give me life which I would gladly take, (Might he live too) for brave Or'andes sake: Affections 'twixt the Victor and the Slave So strong are knit, they both will share one Grave; Then if he die, Or'andes too must fall, And Heav'n will blush to see the Funeral: The Gods made drunk with such a vast expence Of Royal blood, will pardon us from thence.

King.

You love Or'andes then, and for his sake, This tedious Pilgrimage of Death will take; Charm'd by your Charms, I gave Reprieve for life, In hopes you would consent to be my Wife; But since to him your faith's already giv'n, This day you keep your Nuptial feast in Heav'n; You by the Law must fall a Sacrifice; He only out of duty to your eyes, May if he please translate himself from hence, Death will confirm what now is but pretence. Guards bring this Prisoner to the Temple streight, My Love shall end when she receives her Fate.

Exit King and attendants.

Enter Glorianda.

Glo.

Go Cruel Brother, who at once withstood His Friend, his Sister, and his Countries good, And all to satisfie the Gods with blood. You weep Amasia, and those pearly tears Confirm my Brothers rage, and my own fears; His Cruel heart will no impression take From bended Knees, kind Words, or Natures sake.

Ama.

Yes he is kind, too kind alas for me, He gen'rously gave me Liberty, Urging, my Crime so little did appear, Heav'n could not see't, and he'd forget it here; But then the recompence I was to give, Prov'd so severe, my Justice could not live. Brave Oroandes I must dispossess, And make him rich in my unhappiness,

Which once deny'd, he then my Death decreed.

Glo.

The Chast Amasia not alone shall bleed, For Zannazarro I, Oroandes You, Dying together will proclaim us true; He in our fall shall so much vertue see, When we'r extracted from humanity, As Heav'n shall turn to smooth felicity.

Ama.

My Cares are many for your noble life, Since you ought not to suffer in the strife, Earth will be Rob'd when so much goodness dies, And Heav'n be too much stor'd with Sacrifice. Live and be happy in a second choice, Or'andes once has had your Brothers voice; Let him possess in Zannazarro's stead, All the enjoyments of a Nuptial Bed; I can resign that blessing up to you, And I am sure you'r satisfi'd he's true.

Glo.

In Life and Death so generous you prove, In Heav'n you'l be rewarded for your Love. Know fair Amasia, though you did resign Your int'rest, I can never remove mine; Death's but a toy, a moments fear, and then We Launch into a World of Bliss again.

Ama.

I for that World must instantly prepare, And how to know you there shall be my care. Shrouded in Clouds of glorious innocence, And Angels waiting on each petty sence, Shall draw our Souls through Clouds of bliss from hence.