Cambyses, King of Persia a tragedy ...
Settle, Elkanah, 1648-1724.
Scena Secunda. Scene, the Palace.
Enter Smerdis, leading Phedima.
Smerd.
My Faith's confounded by my happiness:
'Tis the height makes the object seem the less.
Have you this blessing really design'd?—
Not, Madam, that I doubt you can be kind:
But he—
Whose happy doom an Oracle has giv'n,
May doubt th' intent, though not the pow'r of Heav'n.
Phed.
You urge too much what I've too plain exprest:
And force my blushes to make out the rest.
Smerd.
Pardon my doubt. 'Twas my excess of joy
That did my sence of happiness destroy.
This day, fair Excellence, prepare to be
Possessor made, both of my Throne, and Me.
All glories do to Love inferiour prove;
As glory waits on Crowns, so Crowns on Love.
[Proffers to lead her out.
Phed.
But, Sir, to Heav'n I solemnly have vow'd,
That till the gods have their consents allow'd,
I ne're would yield my Love. Whom they design,
Must take his Title from their Voice, not mine.
Permit me then to execute my Vow,
First, pay my debts to Heav'n, and then to You.
Page 73
Smerd.
To th'• Temple then we instantly will haste,
And there I'le hear my happy sentence past.
To their consents I will the gods conjure;
What common charms can't do, yours will procure.
And Heav'n that does all lesser Victims prize,
Can't but accept a Lovers Sacrifice.
[Exeunt▪
Scena Ultima.
The Scene open'd, appears a Temple of the Sun, uncover'd according to the
Antient Custome, with an Altar in the middle, bearing two larg•
burning Tapers; and on each side a Priest standing.
Enter to them, Smerdis, leading Phedima.
1. Priest.
Hail, King of Kings, third of that Royal Name,
Heir to great Cyrus's Empire, and his Fame.
2. Priest.
Hail, Mighty Monarch, whose high Race begun
From the World's Conqu'rour, and our god the Sun.
Smerd.
Summon your god-heads. I demand from Heav'n,
In one Petition more than e're was giv'n.
I ask not Crowns, those I esteem less dear:
Crowns I can give,—for I bestow one here.
[Bowing to Phedima.
1. Priest.
Sir, since your greatness, and her Beauty is
So near alli'd to their Divinities,
You by such tyes do the gods Friendship bind,
Heav'n were unnatural, were it unkind.
Smerd.
I then would know whether the gods approve
That I should be made happy in that Love
Which they themselves inspir'd. If by their Voice
They will consent to this our Royal Choice;
I'le store their Altars, and I'le make'em shine
With the most glorious of all flames,—but mine.
All this, and greater things than this I'le do,
With such Magnificence, that Heav'n shall know
Who 'tis it has oblig'd.
1. Priest.
The Pow'rs of Heav'n
Need not these bribes: Their favour's freely giv'n.
Do but with patience, Mighty Sir, attend,
Untill our Rites, and Pow'rful Charms we end;
Page 74And you shall know, how kind their pleasures are,
When you, great King, are their Petitioner.
You subtle Spirits that do flye
Around the Regions of the Sky;
And as a spy, or as a Guest,
Can pierce into the closest breast,
And make discoveries of all
Events that in your Circuits fall;
Swift as your own wing'd Lightning send
Your nimblest Herauld to attend
This Royal Pair: That they may know
What Fate Heav'n does their Loves allow.
You who in borrow'd shapes appear,
And cheat the eye, but not the ear,
Within this Aiery Circle here,
[waves his wand round.
I do conjure you to appear.
Obey our Charms, as we obey your pow'rs,
And tell that Monarch's Fate, whose Fate tells ours.
A Glorious Spirit descends behind the Altar, and speaks.
Spir.
To shew how Heav'n does your desires approve,
Th' immortal gods in kindness to your Love,
Have for your wounded heart this Fate in store,
After this happy day to bleed no more.
For Persia's glory their high pow'rs design
Your Love shall like these sacred Tapers shine.
[Points to the Tapers on the Alt•r.
And to compleat what Heav'n intended has,
Your Love and hopes shall end in an embrace▪
And to your Beauty the just gods ordein
[To Phed.
You onely for the Persian Monarch's Queen.
Your Merits have form Heav'n this favour found,
Your Love and You shall both this day be Crown'd.
But what my Message has not full exprest,
Your Fortunes and success shall speak the rest.
[Asceds again.
Smerd.
Let Heav'n and Fortune keep the rest in store,
Till my soul's large enough to wish for more.
Page 75Now, Madam, I with boldness dare declare
When Heav'n is kind, that I presume you are.
Phed.
If 'tis my Fate, that cannot be repeal'd
Which Heav'n has granted, and the gods have seal'd.
Sm•rd.
That our advancing joys may ne're retreat,
Now let our Nuptial tyes our Loves compleat.
As Smerdis advances, leading Phedima towards the Alter, a soft Musick
is heard, suppos'd, in the Air.
What pleasant Musick's this that charms my ears?
1. Priest.
Some Aiery Consort from the lower Sphears.
A sacred Tribute which the gods do pay,
To add a glory to your Nuptial day.
Here two glorious Spirits descend in Clouds, by whom this Song is sung.
1. Spir.
KIngs from the Gods, and from our Elements
Derive their greatnes, and descents.
Since they are sparks of Heav'n
'Tis just they have from us this Title giv'n,
To share our Pow'r and God-heads too,
As being Heav'ns Deputies of State below.
2. Spir.
No, no, 'tis otherwise decreed,
Heav'ns Councels do more cautiously proceed.
Monarchs, as Rivals to the gods, should find
Heav'n must not by State-laws be kind.
The gods for their own greatness sake,
None but themselves immortal make.
The glories and the pow'r of Kings,
Are fading things;
Like th' objects of soft dreams desir'd,
Courted, Enjoy'd, and in th' embrace expir'd,
And vanisht whilst they are admir'd.
Then Smerdis, Smerdis, Smerdis, 'tis high time to wake.
The Song ended, the Musick turns into an Alarm, at which a bloody Cloud
interposes between the Audience and the Spirits; and being immedi∣ately
remov'd, the Ghosts of Cambyses, and the true Smerdis
appear in the seats of the former Spirits.
Smerd.
Ha! Smerdis, and Cambyses! whom the one
I of his Title rob'd, to 'ther his Throne.
Page 76But sure the gods mistake 'emselves, to think
That Smerdis's courage can at shadows shrink.
Are these the Tragick Masquers of the Sky,
Whose Aiery nothing onely cheats the eye?
Let wandring fires and meteors make them stray
Who do not know their Guider, nor their way:
But such weak trifles cannot Smerdis fright:
Your gods too late my envy'd greatness spight.
I have out-done the utmost they dare do:
Mock on—Smerdis defies your gods, and you.
I am above your threats; such empty things
Borrow the form, but I the pow'r of Kings.
No, keep your thin and •eigned shapes; but know
It was my Treason that transform'd you so.
And for this Masque the gods may thank me for't;
'Twas I gave 'em the Subject for their sport.
Here the Alarm renews, and some flashes of fire flye cross the Stage, and
the bloody Cloud interposes again, and stays; the two Tapers on the
Altar flash, and expire; and [Treason] is heard from
within, and a noise of Swords.
What do I hear?
Enter Patasithes, amaz'd.
Pat.
Treason. We are betray'd.
Smerd.
And Heav'n it self too has the Traitor plaid.
Shall my Love thus like to these Tapers uhine?
Their light's gone out, and so I fear will mine.
Curse on their Riddles.
[Treason cryed again.
Pat.
Ha! the noise comes near.
My fears increase.
Smerd.
No, 'tis too late to fear.
But oh, that Smerdis could his Fate recall,
And Reign but one day longer er'e he fall,
To be reveng'd of Heav'n before he dyes:
Id'e turn their Temples to one Sacrifice.
Thus by our gods betray'd!
Can there be Treason harbour'd in that Name!
They're all Impostors, greater than I am.
Page 77
Enter Theramnes, Otanes, Darius, and Artaban, with
their Swords drawn: Theramnes making a pass at Smerdis, they
each missing their pass, close; whilst they struggle, Pata∣sithes
engages with Otanes; and whilst Darius and
Artaban offer to thrust through Smerdis, in
Theramnes's Arms, Theramnes
Speaks.
Ther.
Thrust through us both, rather than miss his heart.
[Darius stabs Smerdis, and Otanes kills Patasithes.
Dar.
Fortune to guide my Sword took Friendships part.
Smerd.
Was this th' Embrace in which the gods intend
My Love and Life should with my Empire end?
T' has reacht my heart. This Fate Heav'n had in store,
That thus my Wounded Heart should bleed no more.
[Dyes.
Otan.
Now, Daughter, you have for your Countries good,
Done what becomes your Duty, and your blood.
[To Phed.
Phed.
What I have done, was in a Crown's defence,
And' twas an Act of my Obedience.
Dar.
But I this deed an Act of Love must call,
When you're an Actor in my Rival's fall.
[To Phed.
There's wanting yet to th' Triumphs of this day,
[To Otan.
That you accept the Crown of Persia.
Otan.
My Age, and Youth, with different passions move,
I am above the charms of Pow'r, or Love.
My thoughts flye higher than t' inherit Thrones:
Not to wear Diadems, but dispose of Crowns.
But since my Birth makes me an Empires Heir,
Thus I accept the Crown,—to place it here.
[To Darius,
Dar.
Should I accept your birth's and merits due,
I should both injure Persia, and You.
No, my Ambition, Sir, shall never climb
Where the acceptance of a Throne's a Crime.
Otan.
Since you so nobly do refuse a Crown,
I will this Title of a Monarch own:
I, as your King, this second proffer make,
On your Allegiance, wear it for my sake.
Dar.
No, Sir, my Honour pleads in my defence,
I should be guilty in Obedience.
[Gives him Phed.
Enter Orinda, and Ladies.
Dar.
In this, my Lord, you do new charms infuse,
Love makes me take what Honour did excuse.
In this you give more than a Crown, I dare
Accept an Empire, to divide it here,
[Bows to Phed.
Omnes.
Long live Darius, King of Persia.
[Here the two Tapers on the Altar light again by two flashes of fire, which descend and kindle them.
2. Priest.
This omen Heav'n does to your Empire shew,
That light expir'd with him revives with you.
Thus gloriously the sacred Tapers shone,
That day when Cyrus did ascend the Throne.
1. Priest.
But e're we Crown you King, 'tis just you knew
Our Laws are sacred next our gods, and you;
Laws, which by Monarchs too must be obey'd,
And in their right I now am bound to plead.
'Tis written, Sir, in Persia's strict Decrees,
If any Persian King by Treason dyes,
That day his Heir does his high seat supply,
His Predecessors Murderer must dye.
You therefore in Cambyses's cause are bound
To Act his Justice first, and then be Crown'd.
Dar.
Ye gods, that do to Kings this charge entrust,
You make us cruel when you make us just.
Bring in the Captive Princess.
Phed.
—What new Scene
Is this that must your Justice entertain?
Dar.
An object, that had but her soul conform'd
To that perfection which her eyes adorn'd;
Her Virtues glorious as her Beauty shown,
Madam, she, like your self, deserv'd a Throne.
But since Cambyses's blood by her was spilt,
She by her own must expiate her guilt.
Justice and War in this alike partake,
The bloodiest spoyls the greatest Triumphs make.
Page 79
Enter the Suppos'd Mandana, in a Mourning Habit, with a
black Veil over her Face, attended by Guards and Executioner.
Had we not ow'd that blood unto your hand,
Which does my Sentence, and your Death demand,
You should not thus, but a more noble way
Have made a part i'th' Triumphs of this Day:
I then a milder Justice would have shown,
Not took your Life, but have restor'd your Crown.
I'm sorry then I'm so ill taught by you,
By your Example to be cruel too.
Yet, pardon me, that Sentence I must give,
Which I want pow'r, not pity, to reprieve:
1. Priest.
Her Sentence, Sir, is but too long deferr'd.
Dar.
Then Executioner —
Phed.
—Hold, till I'm heard.
Darius,
I my duty should betray,
Not to shew pity where so much you pay.
Know then, I am your Rival, and dare own
A share in this as well as in your Throne.
Princess, your Birth and Fortune merits mo•e
[To Mand.
Than ev'ry common pity can deplore.
Heav'n to the great this cruel Fortune gives:
The gods have made you prodigal of your Lives
To rob Mankind.
Enter Mandana, lead in by Guards, and Attendants.
Mand.
—At your command I come▪
T' attend your Sentence, and embrace my doom.
1. Guards.
I was by that Impostor brib'd, but loath
[Points to the other.
To violate my trust, I brought'em both.
Dar.
Your Fate is in such Mysteries involv'd,
That Riddle, e're you dye, must be resolv'd.
[Points to the other.
Mand.
What Friend, or Ravisher robs me of my doom,
Borrowing my likeness to Usurp my Tomb;
To save my Life, and Sacrifice their own?
Though Love may Rivals have, sure Death has none.
Page 80Death has no charms, or onely charms to me;
'Cause dying, I shall visit Heav'n, and Thee,
My dear Osiris.
Osir.
No, he waits you here.
[Undisguising himself, and flinging off the Veil.
Osiris,
Madam, has not left your sphear.
Mand.
Osiris's soul, and come to wait on mine!
Heav'n to our Loves this kindness does design.
Oh, my dear Saint, stay but till I am dead,
And from these Earthly Chains of Nature freed;
And then my soul shall go along with thine,
Whilst we in Aiery soft embraces twine.
We'le like a mounting whirlwind upward move;
We'le flye in Circles in the Arms of Love.
There the kind gods shall to our breasts inspire
Such sparks of Heav'n, such new and glorious fire,
That to that height we will our Loves repair,
Till our kind flames shall kindle to a Star.
Now, Executioner.
Osir.
—Hold, you mistake,
Osiris lives; and had Heav'n for his sake
And yours been kind, he'd liv'd t' have dyed for you.
Mand.
Osiris lives! Oh, then, might I live too.
Osir.
Know then, that when you saw me last, when I
Was by Cambyses's rage condemn'd to dye:
It was the Tyrant's Fortune, to prefer
Lord Artaban to be my Murderer.
But he —
Pitying my Youth, and something which he read
Did in my looks for his compassion plead,
In a compliance to the Tyrant's breath,
Disguis'd me in a borrow'd Mask of Death:
And thence till now my Person did secure
To free me from the Tyrant's eye, and pow'r.
Mand.
Which does the greater wonder seem, to see
Osiris live, or come to dye for me?
Osir.
You need not wonder, since you know the cause,
Love has a pow'r above all Nature's Laws.
Dying for you I should so happy prove,
T' have done a deed worthy my self, and Love.
Page 81To shew your Friendship, let my Princess live▪
[To Darius.
Dar.
Oh, now you ask, what I want pow'r to give.
1. Priest.
The Persian Laws, like to their god, the Sun,
In one unalterable course must run.
And she must dye, no• must you favour show,
Because our gods, and Laws will have it so.
Osir.
If Heav'n delights in humane Sacrifice,
May not my Death those cruel gods suffice?
To save her Life, on me that Grace confer,
To fall a Sacrifice to Heav'n, and Her.
Mand.
Hold, Sir, your zeal your rashness does declare;
Lovers in all things but in Death may share.
Know then, kind Rival, that'tis only I
Mandana in Mandana's cause must dye.
Ther.
Mandana!
[Runs to her.
To see you, Madam, I must bless my eyes:
But I must curse'em when I see she dyes.
[Aside▪
Mand.
Prince Intaphernes, what strange Stars have sent
You here to see that Fate you can't prevent?
Ther.
I do conjure you spare this Princess's blood,
[Kneels to Dar.
By all that's Friendship, all that's great, and good.
Dar.
Theramnes, rise.—New wonders you create.
Ther.
'Tis Nature's tyes make me her Advocate.
2. Priest.
You need no Arguments to plead her cause,
For she must dye, to satisfie our Laws.
Ther.
If then your Laws such cruelty exact,
To save her Life, I'le justifie the Fact.
[To the Priests:
Oh, Sir, you must her Life reprieve; you know
[To Dar.
That to her Hand you do your Scepter owe.
Dar.
I from Cambyses's Death my Crown derive:
Not from her guilt that did his Death contrive.
Come then, Theramnes, plead her cause no more,
I want not Friendship, but I want the pow'r
To save her Life, though for Theramnes's sake;
Yet 'tis our Laws, not I, that life will take.
Our Laws which do this cruelty enjoyn,
I cannot save her Life for him who gave me mine.
Now, Executioner.—But hold—I see
No Kings of Persia from her pow'r are free.
She Murder'd him, and now she conquers me.
Page 82My pity tells me that she must not dye.
Mand.
Sir, your delays are but your cruelty.
And since my Death is by your Laws design'd,
A speedy Justice, Sir, is onely kind.
Osir.
Hold, Sir, I'le interpose' twixt her, and Death:
And in my Breast the Fatal weapon sheath.
Mand.
'Tis I must dye. You do your Princess wrong:
Live, though I dye,—But do not live too long.
For, dying, I to Heav'n a Stranger go,
Wand'ring alone, whilst you stay here below.
And wanting your kind presence, I shall be
A Pilgrim in that vast Eternity.
But that my Soul may not mistake her way,
I'le track your steps, and in your shadow play.
When I'm resolv'd to Air, a subtle guest
I'le hov'ring flye, and steal into your Breast.
And in my Aiery Pilgrimage I'le make
Mandana's Soul part of that breath you take.
I'le keep my Image in your brest entire,
Inspiring you with chast and jambent fire.
Sometimes I will with gentle whispers flow,
Sometimes I will a stormy murmur blow.
And in this Language my addresses make,
Breathing that Love which I want words to speak.
Osir.
O cruel Princess, now you are unkind,
To think, when you are dead, I'le stay behind.
For when Osiris sees Mandana dye,
Sorrow will Act that which their hands deny.
Mand.
My thoughts were fixt on Heav'n: But, for your sake,
Something, I know not what, does pluck'em back,
And I could wish to live.
1. Priest.
—Our Laws you wrong,
In the deferring of her Death thus long.
Dar.
Since Lives, and Laws depend upon my breath,
He meets his own, that does but name her Death.
1. Priest.
Great Sir, you do forget that Crown you wear.
Dar.
'Tis true, I do: And Scepters sacred are.
Act you my part: whilst I avert my eyes;
My pity shall pay homage when she dyes,
Page 83And since she suffers for my Empire's sake,
A Monarch's tears
Part of that Royal Sacrifice shall make.
1. Priest.
Now, Executioner —
Enter Prexaspes, lead in by Guards.
Prex.
—Hold, Sir, till I
Will give you leave to strike, and her to dye.
1. Guard.
He from the Prison an escape has wrought,
But we surpriz'd him in his flight, and brought
Him here before you.
Prex.
Think you a Prison could my pow'r controul,
When Empire was too narrow for my soul?
I from your Chains, Sir, have my self set free,
To tell you, You ascend your Throne by Me.
But be not proud, nor think Prexaspes has
On you alone confer'd his Acts of grace.
To shew the World that I am complaisant,
Her Life I as my gracious favour grant.
[Point to Mand.
For it shall ne're be said, a Woman's Name
Usurpt Prexaspes's Treasons, or his Fame.
A Woman shall not my great Rival be;
The Fate of Kings onely belongs to Me.
Cambyses, Amasis, and Smerdis, all
Those Pageant Princes by my hand did fall.
And had not Fortune my Ambition crost,
You had your Lives too with your Empire lost.
'Tis true, your Laws require my blood, but know
I'le rob you of the Honour of that blow.
High spirits have this Refuge, Sir, and I,
My greatness and my pow'r expir'd, can dye.
But he who did the Fate of Kings command,
Does scorn to fall by any common Hand.
Since my Life was unactive, Fame shall tell
Not how Prexaspes liv'd, but how he fell.
[Draws his Dagger.
Thus he your greatness, and your pow'r defies▪
And thus Prexaspes by Prexaspes dyes.
[Stabs himself, and falls.
Dar.
Thus may all Traytors fall.
Page 84
Prex.
—Ye gods, I come;
For since the World could not afford me room:
Since all the barren Fates could not supply
My hand with blood, I'le mount into the Sky,
And hang a blazing Comet in the Air:
That thus the World Me when I'm dead may •eat.
Whilst o're the Earth new horrours I contract,
Still threatning, what I cannot live to act.
[Dyes▪
Dar.
This mighty work of Fate we must admire,
Thus the gods guard those Virtues they inspire.
His blood thus spilt has this kind Justice done,
It saves your Life, and punishes his own.
[To Mand.
Thus bruised Scorpions this Virtue have,
They yield a Cure to the same wounds they gave.
But whence, Sir, does your strange Alliance spring?
Ther.
Sir, I was Son to the late Syrian King;
Brother to the brave Amasis. My Name
Is Intaphernes.
Dar.
—I have heard his Fame.
What cause, Sir, was it; and what happy chance,
That made you to the Persian Court advance?
Int.
It was, great Sir, Revenge and Honours Charms:
My ill success against Cambyses's Arms
I'th' Syrian Wars, where my dear Father's blood
Was spilt, and mixt among the common flood.
My Army vanquisht, and his Empire lost,
And all the hopes of my succession crost,
I saw Cambyses with my Lawrels Crown'd.
No other means for my Rev•nge being found,
I came to Persia in a borrow'd Name,
To Right my wrongs, and to repair my Fame▪
By Acts of Chivalry, and Martial sport,
I found acquaintance in the Persian Court;
With Patasithes I Alliance gain'd,
Who had the Persian Government obtain'd,
During Cambyses's Travels. Him I won
To place Cambyses's Brother in the Throne.
For he descending from the Median blood,
(Which Empire Cyrus had so late subdu'd,
Page 85Took the Infection, the design embrac'd,
But in the Throne he his own Kinsman plac'd.
Who in that borrow'd Name to th'Empire climbs,
Making my Sword a Parron to his Crimes.
And by that cheat abus'd the World, and me,
Deluding both our Faiths and Loyalty.
Dar.
Since Laws of Monarchy so rigid are,
That in my Throne my Friend's forbid to share:
Accept an Empire in my Breast—and here;
[Gives him Orinda.
And may our Royal Sister in your Love,
As happy as I in your Friendship prove.
Otan.
Your worth, brave Intaphernes, makes her yours.
Int.
Madam —
Orind.
Obedience my consent procures.
Yet though a Father, and a Brother too,
Have both bestow'd me as a gift on You;
I in that gift must grant the Nobler part;
They give Orinda, I Orinda's heart.
Int.
Yours in a Crown, in Love's my happiness;
Mine may belower, Sir, than yours, not less.
[To Darius.
Dar.
The Syrian Lawrels now shall fade no more:
Your Merits do your Ravisht Crown restore.
[To Int.
And for —
Those wrongs Cambyses has to Egypt done,
I give'em back more than his Arms e're won.
Your self I to your Throne restore. Thus Fate
[To Mand.
Ordains that glory should on Beauty wait.
Osir.
Do you remember now your Vows, and Love?
Mand.
Love, of all Crimes, cannot forgetful prove.
Since thus my calmer Fates restore my Crown,
Now the gods smile, Mandana cannot frown.
Honour and Love now both perform their part,
I give an Empire where I give a heart.
Otan.
Though for your sake I do a Throne disdain,
Yet my Posterity with yours shall Reign.
[To Darius.
And in your Heirs your blood shall mix with mine▪
As divers Fountains in one Current joyn.
This to my Fame the only glory brings,
Not to wear Crowns, but have a Race of Kings▪
Page 86
Dar.
And this my onely glory I must own,
Adopted to your blood, and to a Throne.
All that I am, your Beauty rais'd me to:
I to a Crown aspire to merit you.
[To Phed.
Thus to a Throne no common wayes I move,
Others rise by Ambition, I by Love.
