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What State and Dignitie's like that of Scepters? With what an awful Majesty resembles it the Powers above? the inhabitants of that Superior world are not more subject to them, then these to us; they can but tremble when they do speak in thunder; at our frowns these shake like Lambs at light 'ning. Can it be impie••y by any means to purchase this earthly Deity▪ Soveraignty▪ I did sleep
this night with as secure and calme a peace, as in my former innocence. Conscience, thou'••t but a terror, first devis'd by th' fears of Cowardise, a sad and fond remembrance, which men should shun, as Elephants clear springs, lest they behold their own deformities,
My Royal Lord!
Call me thy Friend, Mesithes, thou equally dost share our heart, best Eunuch; there is not in the stock of earthly blessings another I could wish to make my state completely fortunate, but one; and to atcheive possession of that bliss, thy diligence must be the fortunate Instrument.
Be it dangerous as the affrights Sea men do fain in Tempests, I'll undertake it for my gracious Soveraign, and perish, but effect it,
No, there is not the least shew of peril in't; 'tis the want of fair Caropia's long coveted beauties that doth afflict thy Abrahen. Love, Mesithes, is a most stubborn Malady in a Lady, not cur'd with that ••elicity, that are other passions, and creeps upon us by those ambushes, that we perceive our selves sooner in love, then we can think upon the way of loving. The old flames break more brightly from th'ashes where they have long layn hid, like the young Phenix that from her spi••le pile revives more glorious. Nor can I now extinguish't; it has pass'd the limits of my reason, and intend my wil, where like a fixt Star 't settles, never to be removed thence.
Cease your fears; I that could win her for your brother, who could not boast half your masculine Perfections, for you will vanquish her.
My Lord, the widow of slaughtered Mura, fair Caropia does humbly intreat access to your dread presence; Shall we permit her entrance?
With all freedom
and best regard. Mesithes, this arrives beyond our wish. I'll trie my eloquence in my own cause; and if I fail, thou then shalt be my Advocate.
Your humblest vassal.
With-draw and leave us, and give strict order none approach our presence till we do call. It is not fit her sorrows
Your Majestie is pleas'd to wanton with my miseries, which truly you, if you have nature in you, ought to bear equall part in your deer brothers untimely losse, occasion'd by my falshood, and your improvident counsel: 'Tis that calls these hearty sorrows up, I am his Murdresse.
'Twas his own destinie, not our bad intentions took him away from earth; he was too heavenly, fit only for th' societie of Angels, 'mongst whom he sings glad hymns to thy perfections, celebrating with such eloquence thy beauties, that those immortal essences forget to love each other by intelligence, and doat on the Idea of thy Sweetnesse.
These gentle blandishments▪ and his innocent carriage had I as much of malice as a Tigresse rob'd of her young, would melt me into meeknesse. But I'll not be a woman.
Sing out, Angel, and charm the world (were it at mortal diff'rence) to peace with thine inchantments. What soft murmurs are those that steal through those pure rosie organs, like aromatick west-winds, when they flie through fruitful mists of fragrant mornings dew, to get the Spring with child of flowers and spices? Disperse these clouds, that like the vail of night, with unbecoming darknesse shade thy beauties, and strike a new day from those orient eies, to gild the world with brightnesse.
Sir, these flatteries neitheir befit the ears of my true sorrows, nor yet the utt'rance of that reall sadnesse should dwel in you. Are these the fun'ral rites you pay the memorie of your roiall Father, and much lamented Brother?
They were mortall, and to lament them, were to shew I envi'd th' immortal joyes of that true happinesse their glorious souls (disfranchis'd from their flesh) possess to perpetuitie and fulnesse. Besides, (Caropia) I have other griefs more neer my heart, that circle 't with a sicknesse will shortly number me among their fellowship▪ if speedier remedie be not apply'd to my most desp'rate maladie.
I shall (if my hand fail not my determin'd courage) send you to their societie far sooner then you expect or covet. Why, great Sir, what grief, unlesse your sorrow for their losse, is't can afflict you, that command all blessings men wittie in ambition of excesse can wish, to please their fancies?
The want only of that which I've so long desird; thy love thy love, Caropia, without which my Empire, and all the pleasures flowing from its greatnesse, wil be but burdens, soul-tormenting troubles. There's not a beam shot from those grief drown'd Comets but (like the Sun's, when they break forth of showers) dart flames more hot and piercing. Had I never doated before on thy divine perfections, viewing thy beautie thus adorn'd by sadnesse, my heart, though marble, actuated to softnesse, would burn like sacred incense, it self being the Altar, Priest, and Sacrifice.
This is as unexpected, as unwelcome, Sir. Howere you're pleas'd to mock me and my griefs with these impertinent, unmeant discourses, I cannot have so prodigal a faith, to give them the least credit; and it is unkindly done; thus to deride my sorrows.
the virgin Tur••les hate to joyn their pureness with widow'd mates; my Lord, you are a Prince, and such as much detest to utter falshoods, as Saints do perjuries: why should you strive then to lay a bait to captivate my affections, when your greatnesse conjoin'd with your youths masculine beauties, are to a womans f••ailtie, strong temptations? You know the storie too of my misfortunes, that your dead brother, did with vicious loosenesse, corrupt the chast streams of my spotlesse vertues, and left me soiled like a long pluck'd rose, whose leaves dissever'd, have forgon their sweetnesse
Thou hast not (my Caropia;) thou to me art for thy sent stil fragrant, and as precious as the prime virgins of the Spring, the violets, when they do first display their early beauties, til all the winds in love, do grow contentio••s, which from their lips should ravish the first kisses. Caropia, thinkst thou I should fear the Nuptials of this great Empire, 'cause it was my brothers? As I succeeded him in all his glories, 'tis fit I do succeed him in h••s love. 'Tis true, I know thy fame fel by his practise, which had he liv'd, hee'd have restored by marriage, by it repair'd thy injur'd honors ruines. I'me bound to do it in religious conscience; It is a debt his incens'd ghost would quarrel me living for, should I not pay't with fulnesse.
Of what frail temper is a womans weaknesse! words writ in waters, have more lasting Essence, then our determinations.
Come, I know, thou must be gentle, I perceive a combat in thy soft heart, by th' intervening blushes that strive to adorn thy cheek with purple beauties, and drive the lovely liverie of thy sorrows, the Ivorie paleness, out of them. Think, Caropia, with what a setled unrevolting truth I have affected thee; with what heat, what pureness; and when upon mature considerations, I found I was unworthie to enjoy a tre••sure of such excellent grace and goodnesse, I did desist, smothering my love in anguish; anguish! to which the soul of humane torments,
compar'd, were pains not easie, but delicious; yet stil the secret flames of my affections, like hidden virtues in some bashful man, grew great and ferventer by those suppression••. Thou wert created only for an Empresse; despise not then thy destinie, now greatnesse, love, Empire, and what ere may be held glorio••s, courts thy acceptance like obedient Vassals.
I have consider'd, and my serious thought•• tel me, tis folly to refuse these profers: to put off my mortalitie, the pleasures of life, which like ful streams, do flow from greatnesse, to wander i'th' unpeopled air, to keep societie with ghastly apparitions, where's neither voice of friends, n••r visiting suitors breaths to delight our ears, and a••l this for the fame of a fell murdress. I have blood enough alreadie on my soul, more then my tears can e're wash off. My roial Lord, if you can be so merciful and gracious, to take a woman laden with afflictions, big with true sorrow, and religious penitence for her amiss, her life and after actions, shal studie to deserve your love. But surely this is not serious.
Not the vowes which votries make to the powers above, can be more fraught with binding sanctitie. This holy kiss confirms our mutual vows: never til now was I true Caliph of Arabia.
Ha, what tumult's that! Be you all furies, and thou the great'st of divels, Abrahen wil stand you all, unmov'd as mountains. This good sword if you be air, shal disinchant you from your borrow'd figures.
No, ill-natur'd monster, we're all corporeal, and survive to take revenge on thy inhumane acts, at name of which, the bashful elements do shake as if they teem'd with prodigies. Dost not tremble a•• thy inhumane villaines? Dear Caropia,
quit the infectious viper, lest his touch poison thee past recoverie.
No, she shall not; nor you, until this body be one wound. Lay a rude hand upon me! Abilqualit, how ere thou scapst my practises with life, I am not now to question; we were both sons to one father, whom, for love of Empire, when I beleev'd thee strangled by those Muts, I sent to his eternal rest; nor do I repent the fact yet, I have been titled Caliph a day, which is to my ambitious thoughts, honor enough to eternize my big name to all posteritie. I know thou art of valiant noble soul; let not thy brother fal by ignoble hands, oppress'd by number; draw thy bright weapon; as thou art in Empire, thou art my rival in this Ladies love, whom I esteem above all joyes of life: for her and for this Monarchie, let's trie our strengths and fates••: the impartial fates to him, who has the better cause, in justice must needs design the victorie.
In this offer, though it proceed from desperatenesse, not valor; thou showst a masculine courage, and we wil not render our cause so abject as to doubt, but our just arme has strength to punish thy most unheard of treacheries
But you shall not be so unjust to us and to your right, to try your causes most undoubted Justice, 'gainst the dispairing ruffian; Souldiers, pul the Lady from him, and disarm him.
Stay! though he doth merit multitudes of death, we would not murder his eternitie by sudden execution; yeild your self, and we'l allow you libertie of life, til by repentance you have purg'd your sin; and so if possible, redeem your soul from future punishment.
Pish, tel fools of souls, and those effeminate cowards that do dreame
of those fantastick other worlds: there is not such a thing in nature; all thesoul of man is resolution, which expires never from valiant men, till their last breath, and then with it like to a flame extinguisht'd for want of matter, 't dos not dy, but rather ceases to live. Injoy in peace your Empire, and as a legacy of Abrahens love, take this fair Lady to your Bride.
Inhumane Butcher! has slain the Lady. Look up, best Caropia, run for our surgeons: I'le give half my Empire to save her precious life.
She has enough, or mine aym fail'd me, to procure her passage to the eternal dwellings: nor is this cruelty in me; I alone was worthy to have injoy'd her beauties. Make good haste Caropia, or my soul, if I have any, will hover for thee in the clouds. This was the fatal engine which betray'd our father to his untimely death, made by Simanthes for your use, Abilqualit: and who has this about him and would be a slave to your base mercy, deserved death more than by dayly tortures; and thus I kiss'd my last breath. Blast you all.
Damn'd desperate villain.
O my dear Caropia, my Empire now will be unpleasing to me since I must lose thy company. This surgeon, where's this surgeon?
Drunk perhaps.
'Tis but needlesse, no humane help can save me: yet me thinks I feel a kind of pleasing ease in your imbraces. I should utter something, and I have strength enough, I hope, lest yet to effect my purpose. In revenge ••or your suppos'd death, my lov'd Lord, I slew my husband,
I'me sorry thou hast that sin to charge thy soul with, 'twas rumour'd by the souldiers.
Couzens mine, your necks are safe agen now.
And came hither with an intent to have for your sake slain your brother
Abrahen, had not his curtesie and winning carriage alter'd my resolution, with this poniard I'de struck him here about the heart.
O •• am slain, Caropia, and by thy hand. Heavens, you are just, this is revenge for thy dear honor which I murdred, though thou wer't consenting to it.
True, I was so, and not repent it yet, my sole ambition was to have liv••d an Empresse, which since fate would not allow, I was resolv'd no woman after my selfe should ere ••njoy that glory, you dear Abilqualit: which since my weak strength has serv'd me to performe, I dye willingly as an infant. O now I faint, life's death to those that keep it by constraint.
My dear Lord, is there no hopes of life? must we be wretched?
Happier, my Tarifa, by my death: but yesterday I playd the part in jest which I now act in earnest My Tarifa, the Empire's thine, I'me sure thou'lt rul't with justice, and make the subject happy. Thou hast a Son of hopefull growing vertues to succeed thee, commend me to him, and from me intreat him to shun the temptings of lascivious glances.
'Las good Prince! heele dy indeed. I fear, he is so full of serious thoughts and Counsels.
For this slaughtred body, let it have decent burial with slain Muras, but let not Abrahens corps have so much honor to come ith' royal monument: lay mine by my dear fathers: for that trecherous Eunuch, and Lord Simanthes, use them as thy justice tells thee they have merited; for Lord Selinthus, advance him (my Tarif••) ••••••'s of faithfull and well deserving vertues.
So I am, I thought t'would come to me anon: poor ••••ince, I e'ne could dy with him.
And for those souldiers, and those our most faithfull Muts, that my life once sav'd, let them be well rewarded; death and I are almost now
at unitie. Farewell.
Sure I shall not survive these sorrows long. Muts, take those Traitors to prison; we will shortly passe their sentence, which shall be death inevitable. Take up that fatal instrument of poisonous mischief, and see it burn'd, Gaselles. Gentlemen, Fate has made us your King against our wishes.
Long live Tarifa, Caliph of Arabia.
We have no time now for your acclamations▪ these are black sorrows Festival. Bear off in state that royal Bodie; for the other, since twas his will, let them have burial, but in obscuritie. By this it may, as by an ev'dent rule be understood, they're onely truly great, wh' are truly good.