Cambyses, King of Persia a tragedy ...
Settle, Elkanah, 1648-1724.
Scena quarta. Scene continues:
Enter Otanes, Darius, and Artaban, Attended.
Otan.
'Tis strange! our entrance to the King deny'd!
Dar.
Now my Prophetick fears our doubts decide!
He durst not give us entrance, since he knows
He to his being unseen his safety owes.
Otan.
Then must we to his pow'r obedience yield,
As men to unknown gods do Temples build?
Let dull and credulous ignorance advance
Faith and Religion, not Allegiance.
Must we be onely govern'd by a Name?
Enter to them, Prexaspes with Guards, the Guards
stand off at a distance, unseen by Otanes and Darius.
Prex.
Prexaspes must Prexaspes's Crimes proclaim.
And now, my Lords, I do confess my guilt,
The blood of Smerdis by my hand was spilt.
Page 64And 'tis th' Impostor that Usurps the Throne:
Otan.
And dare Prexaspes his bold Treasons own?
Prex.
Yes, Sir, he dares; and thank Heav'n too, that thus
Has by my Treasons made me glorious.
Though my late fear did make my duty fail,
And from your knowledge Smerdis's Death conceal:
Now I'm above the fear of punishment:
I dare my guilt confess, and crimes repent.
Smerdis by me was murder'd.
Dar.
—And by you
Smerdis th' Impostor is protected too.
Prex.
My Lord, he is: and I so high am grown,
To be advanc'd and rais'd next to his Throne.
View here what large extent my pow'r affords:
[Shews his Commission.
Their Arms are mine, and all the Persian• Swords.
Be not surpriz'd at this, I ne're before
Points to his Guards, at which the Lords start.
Till now, my Lords, the Sword of Justice bore.
Thus I proclaim that Justice I design,
'Tis your command shall rule their Swords, and mine.
Otan.
Your gen'rous proffer does surprize us more,
Than the strange news of your large pow'r before.
Prex.
But you shall wonder more at what I'le do,
When I am lead by Loyalty, and you.
Dar.
But by what Arts have you th' Impostor won?
Prex.
By the same Arts I'le pluck him from his Throne.
Since my guilt 〈◊〉 from Smerdis's blood arise,
I'le make his Rival's blood his Sacrifice.
The Noblest Valour from Allegiance springs:
Who was the fall, will be the rise of Kings.
Otan.
Justice and Glory in this Act will joyn:
And as your Seconds in this brave design,
Our Lives and Fortunes shall assistant be,
To th' height of Courage, and of Loyalty.
Dar.
In order that we may this deed fulfill,
We first will execute th' Impostor's Will,
Cambyses's solemn Exequies: whilst all
Our Army waits upon his Funeral;
And all the Persian Subject's wand'ring eyes
Are idly fixt on our Solemnities;
Page 65Then to the height we our design will bring;
Proclaiming you the Persian Heir, and King;
[To Otan.
And Smerdis the U•urper; then surprize
The Royal Palace, the Impostor seize;
The City Gates, the Tow'r, the Forts secure:
All that may strengthen or enlarge our pow'r.
And in one moment all their Force suppress
That shall oppose our glory, and success:
And by this brave design we in one day
Shall Conquer, and redeem all Persia.
Dar.
'Tis bravely spoken, now you're worthy grown,
To be proclaim'd Protectour of a Crown.
Prex.
But one thing, Sirs, must not escape your ears:
You are the onely men that Smerdis fears.
But I, to carry on our just design,
And that we might without suspition joyn,
Assur'd him that your Faiths I did convince,
That you believ'd him the true Persian Prince;
I told him you were Loyal, and you wou'd
In his defence venture your States, and blood.
Pretending then 'twill with his glory stand,
T'unite both Armies under one command;
It is his pleasure that you should resign
Both your Commissions, and subscribe to mine.
Otan.
Still we expected this; 'tis his pretence
To force us to a blind obedience.
Prex.
I therefore in compliance think it fit
You to the Tyrant's pleasure should submit,
Lest he suspect your Loyalty, and mine:
And by that means we frustrate our design.
Nor that I'de have you think that 'tis my aim
To rob your glories to enlarge my fame.
No, all that I aspire to, is, to be
The Author of an Empire's Liberty.
Otan.
We yield, and hope, resigning our command
We do but place it in a Nobler hand.
[Both give him their Commissions.
Prex.
And with your Arms I will your Trophies raise:
The Conquest shall be mine, the Triumph yours.
As men build Temples not for their own praise,
But dedicate them to some higher pow'rs.
Page 66
Dar.
Go instantly to our chief Officers,
[To his own Train.
Tell them that 'tis the Persian Kings design,
Consulting both his interest and theirs,
Both Armies should under one conduct joyn.
And bid them, in our Prince's name, and ours,
Proclaim Prexaspes Gen•ral of our pow'rs.
Exeunt all the Trains of Otanes and Darius.
Prex.
Now to assure you that this high command.
Is not plac'd idly in Prexaspes's hand,
Ile give you this first trial of my pow'r.
Guards, seize those Traitors—
[Guards seize Otanes, Darius, and Artaban,
—'Tis your Fatal hour;
Your Stars will have it so.
Otan. Dar. and Artab.
Hold your rude hands.
[To the Guards.
Prex.
You do forget resigning your Commands;
You must obey.
Dar.
Inhumane Treachery!
Otan.
False Traitor to the Persian blood, and me.
All. Unhand us, Villains.
Prex.
—Sirs, it is too late:
You have no time to dally with your Fate.
Your Heads must off, and I must see it done;
My Lords, you all shall set before our Sun.
On my command let your obedience wait:
[To the Guards.
Conduct them to th' appointed Scene of Fate.
I'le add this honour to your destiny,
[To them▪
Prexaspes will in Person see you dye.
Otan.
Are we your pastime?
Dar.
Bold Traitor, how can you so salvage be,
To Act, and then to smile at Cruelty?
Prex.
No more, be serious, I've no time for sport:
Consider that your dates of Life are short.
Otan.
Per•idious Murderer, and may just Heav'n—
Prex.
Be gone, perform that charge which I have giv'n.
[Exeunt Otanes, Darius, and Artaban, forced out by the Guards.
Since both Commissions now are in my hand,
And I do all the Persian Arms command;
Those Swords which are committed to my trust,
Prexaspes will take care they shall not rust.
[Exit.
Finis Actus quarti.
