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Scena quinta. Scene, a Pavilion Royal.
Enter Cambyses, and Prexaspes:
Camb.
—Enough—I am convinc'd of Smerdis Fate.
'Tis well my blood does not disturb my State.
How sits the Cloud upon Mandana's brow?
Prex.
She does no time but to her tears allow.
Camb.
Marble sheds tears, but cannot softer grow▪
Her heart's still hard, and ever will be so.
You said you for her griefs a cure design'd.
Prex.
Sir, to divert these troubles from her mind,
I have design'd, after a Martial dance,
A masque of Captive Princes shall advance,
Adorn'd with Chains, and Coroners of gold:
Seated upon whose necks you shall behold
A Prince Triumphant, deckt with Martial spoyls,
Amidst your Trophies, and great Cyrus toyls.
Hid in the Trophies of this Pageant King
An Eagle on the sudden shall take wing,
A Crown fixt to her Talons. As she flyes,
And hov'ring mounts still nearer to the Skyes;
When at the utmost height she finds her Chain
Does her intended Liberty restrain;
Her Fetters shall her tow'ring flight recall,
Forc'd down, she at Mandana's feet shall fall,
And there depose her Crown.
Camb.
—Conduct her in,
And let this glorious Scene of Love begin.
[Exit Prex.
Thus I'le describe my passion. Love sounds best,
Like ••racles in Mysteries exprest.
Enter Prexaspes and Mandana. The King and Mandana seated,
a Martial Dance is perform'd; the Dance ended, the Scene opens, and the
Masque is represented; at which Mandana rises, and offers to go out: at
which Cambyses follows her, and the Scene shuts.
Camb.
Stay, cruel Princess, stay. Are your fair eyes
Afraid to look on their own Victories?