Page 44
Scena quarta.
Enter Prexaspes, and Mandana.
Prex.
Can you refuse Cambyses's Love, who wou'd
To purchase yours wade to new Crowns in blood?
'Tis strange that he cannot your heart subdue,
To whom the Conquest of the World is due.
Mand.
Thy soul, and his, in this were Rivals still▪
You never overcome, but when you kill.
Prex.
But, Madam, what I reade in those fair eyes—
Has poyson in't. There's something in that Form
[Aside.
Disturbs my soul, and does my courage strom.—
Madam, your Beauty.—Oh, turn it away.
Should •• on that bright Object longer stay,
Lead by my wand'ring fires, I should my senses quit;
And lose my self by gazing after it.—
Madam—
[Continuing ••ith his eyes fixt upon her.
Mand.
Is not your Message yet exprest?
Prex.
Your eyes won't give me leave to tell the rest.
Mand.
I must confess his Love I would not hear:
Death's frowns I can, his smiles I cannot bear.
Prexaspes, name no more Cambyses's flame.
Prex.
Then, Madam, I may tell him, in your name,—
I am his Rival.—
[Aside.
Her subtle Darts have made my heart their Prize,
That sure my soul's transparent, as my eyes,
To let her Image in.—
But tell me, can your Breast so cruel prove,
To banish from your heart all thoughts of Love?
Mand.
Now, my Osiris, I remember thee.
[Aside.] [Sighs.
Prex.
Her alter'd Visage wears a Mystery.
A broken sigh, joyn'd with a fainting look!
Just so my Love its sudden birth first took.
Her Actions copy mine: sure my disease
Aside.
Infectious is, and does new Subjects seize.
For the fame signs argue the same desires:
Perhaps she feels my pains, and meets my fires.