Poems by the most deservedly admired Mrs. Katherine Philips, the matchless Orinda ; to which is added Monsieur Corneille's Pompey & Horace, tragedies ; with several other translations out of French.

SCEN. I.

Cleopatera, Charmion.

CLEOPATRA.

I Love him, but a Flame so much refin'd, How bright soever, dazles not my mind: For Vertue makes my inclination know, What Caesars Mistress does to Pompey owe: And none dares own a passion so sublime, But she that scorn's the shaddow of a crime. I should but smal Respect to Caesar pay, To seek his liove in an unhandsom way.

CHARMION.

Can you love Caesar, Madam, and advise That Egypt should in Armes against him rise? That they should Pompey against him Protect, And his Pharsalian Triumphs should be checkt, Sure Love in you does lttle Empire shew,

CLEOPATRA.

This to their high extraction Princes owe, That by th' Assistance, of their Royal Blood, Their Passions are more easily subdu'd. Their honour still the Victory will have, And whilst they trust themselves, they still are brave.

All the Disorders, which in Kings we see, To others Councels must imputed be. This I the cause of Pompey's ruine Deem; The King would help, but Photin murthers him. Whose Coucel hath his Masters faith o'rethrown, Which still had sway'd, had he observ'd his own.

CHARMION.

You then who Caesar love, and yet oppose.

CLEOPATRA.

The Love I cherish no dishonour knows, But worthy him.

CHARMION.

Are you of his secur'd?

CLEOPATRA.

I think I am.

CHARMION.

But are you well assur'd?

CLEOPATRA.

Know that a Princess by her glory mov'd, No Love confesses till she be belov'd. Nor the most noble passion ever shows, When it shall her to a Contempt expose. At Rome, I first did Caesars Heart invade, Where he the first expression of it made; And ever since, he did to me renew, The Tribute of his Vows and Laurel too. He march'd through Italy, through Gaule and Spain, With Love in's Brest, and fortune in his Train: Nor did he ever make so brave a Price, But he pay'd Homage for it to these Eyes. With the same hand, which did that weapon quit Wi'th' Blood of Pompey's party reeking yet, He writ complaints, and put my fetters on, Ev'n in the Field, which he had newly won. Yes from Pharsalia his submissions came, And if his speed be equal to his flame, Or rather, if the Sea be friend his Fleet, Egypt shall see him shortly at my feet.

He comes my Charmion, and from me alone, Seeks the reward of all that he hath done. And all his glory to my Shrine he brings, With the same hand that gives the law to Kings, So that ev'n in his Triumphs, my disdain Can make the Man, that rules the World complain.

CHARMION.

Yet I dare swear, your charms a pow'r enjoy, Which though they boast of, they will ne're employ. And the great Caesar shall no trouble know, If it can only from your rigour grow. But what can you expect from Caesar's flames, Wherein such right another Woman claims, His freedom he by marriage hath resign'd, And only to Calphurnia is confin'd.

CLEOPATRA.

But a Divorce, at Rome so common now, May remove her, and my desires allow: Caesar's Experience him to that may lead, Since 'twas Calphurnia's passage to his bed.

CHARMION.

But the same way may you at length remove.

CLEOPATRA.

Perhaps I better shall secure his love, Perhaps my passion may find out an Art Better to manage that illustrious Heart. But let's to Heaven leave what may arrive, And this Alliance (if we can) contrive. Were it but one day, 'twere enough for me, One day, the Mistress of the World to be. I have Ambition, and be't good or ill, It is the only Sovereign of my Will. And 'tis this noble passion sure, or none, A Princess may without a blemish own. But yet with Glory I would it enflame, Nor would buy Greatness with the loss of Fame, For I the brightest Crown can scorn to touch, When 'tis attended with the least Reproach.

Wonder not then, that I so much pursue Pompey's defence, and would my Duty do. His injur'd vertue, since I cannot right, My secret wishes must invoke his flight: That some kind storm may so his Ships disperse, As may preserve him from his Murtherers. But faithful Achoreus comes, and he Will quickly tell us Pompey's Destiny.