Cambyses, King of Persia a tragedy ...
Settle, Elkanah, 1648-1724.
Scena quinta.
Scene continues:
Enter Theramnes, and Phedima.
Phed.
Their rudeness was so great—
Ther.
—And do they live?
Not you nor Heav'n can this offence forgive.
Against you there can be no venial Crimes:
Your anger ought to kill where it condemns.
And I'le be th' Executioner. But teach
Me where I may those rude offenders reach:
And I will force their guilty blood to more
Than blush for their bold Crime.
Phed.
—That cannot be;
For they are men I never saw before,
Strangers alike to Honour, and to me.
Ther.
Do but describe e'm then, and you shall see,
Page 14To find e'm revenge shall, in your name,
Quick-ey'd as Envy be, and swift as Fame.
Phed.
By all I can describe I understood▪
Their Virtues are inferiour to their blood.
By th' Habit which they wore they seem'd to be
Some of the ••rsian chief Nobility.
Ther.
My •••'rest in the Persian Court shall shew
How much my zeal in your just cause can do:
To find those Ravishers such search I'le make,
That in their very eyes their guilt I'le track:
I on my honour •ow I'le use such Arts,
Who e're they are, to reach their guilty Hearts.
[Exit.
Phed.
Theram•es, stay—Alas, he's gon too far.
How fierce and swift the wings of Honour are!
I fear that he will some rash Act perform,
Hurried like waves that swell into a storm.
And yet his zeal I cannot but approve:
Friendship a second Rival is to Love.
Finis Act. primi.
