ZEMES

Scarce had I set my foot within these walls In expectation of a solemn hear e, Endue to the wandering Ghost of Mahomet; But loud alarms of abundant joy Ring in mine ears, and every servile groom Congratulates the Coronation Of Bajazet: hark how they roar it out. A cold disturbance Like a gelid ost Settles my blood within me, and I hate His cheerful triumphs, more then mine own Fa e. It's true indeed, I proved not the first fruits, And elder offspring of my Father's breed, Yet was it so that Bajazet and I Both tumbled in one womb, perhaps the Queen Of women's labours doted at our birth, And sent him first abroad, or else I slept, And he before me stole into the world, Must I then lose my glory, and be hurled A slave beneath his feet? no, I must be And Emperor as full as great as he. Thanks great Arm jan King, and when I am Wheeled to that height, which now my brother holds, I shall require these benefits, and vow That kindness, which I can but promise now. My waxed wings are melted, I will soar Against the sun, through such thick clouds no more. The middle Region shall contain my flight, Your counsel sways my wishes, my late deeds Were full of sin: now let my brother know Zemes repents; (and that's the greatest woe.) Pardon Sir, Your Holiness mistakes my malady, Another sickness grates my tender breast, And I am ill at heart: alas, I stand And abject now as well in Nature's eye, As erst I did in Fortune's: is my health Fled with mine honour? and the common rest Of man, grown stranger to me in my grief? Some unknown cause hath bred through all my blood A colder operation, then the juice Of Hemlock can produce: Oh wretched man: Look down propitious Godheads on my woes: Ph bus infuse into me the sweet breath Of cheerful health, or else infectious death. If there and Angel be whom I have crossed In my tormented boldness? and these griefs Are expiatory punishments of sin? Now, now repentance strike quite through my heart, Enough of pains, enough of bitter smart Have tied me to't. I have already been Bolted from joy, content can enter in, Not at the open passage of my heart, I neither hear, nor see, nor feel, nor touch With pleasure; my vexation is so much. My graven can only quit me of annoy; That prevents mischief, which can bring no joy. Time hath outstripped our hast, our foes do stand, Waving their golden plumes, as if the gods, Were come to meet great Zemes in the field, Their armies planted, and a distilling cloud, Hovers above their heads, as if it wept, At their approaching fate. Arm nia's King Lead you the vanguard, under your command The rearward shall march on, the Phalance Be your care brave Captains, as we're informed, Achmetes rules the left wing of our foe, I'll rule the right wing of ours, so when I meet, Him in his pride I'll prostrate at his feet. Achmetes? Opportunely met, Here staggers all the fortune of the field, This hour must bless me, and a single fight Purchase thee honour, and to me my right: Honour to thee, to die by Zemes hand, My right to me, and Empire to command. Submit? had I a right to Io es high Throne, And stood in opposition of his power, Should all the gods advise me to submit, I would reject their counsel: much more thine. Guard thee Achmetes, thy stroke abide, I cannot gore thy Prince but through thy side. The day be thine, and Zemes stand thy Fate; Strike home, In e l st the day, and life I hate. O! hold thy conquering hand, and give my soul A quiet pass age to her rest; my blood Begins to wast, and a benuming cold, Freezes my vital spirits: Achmetes go, Tell Bajazet that thou hast slain his oe. I have not lie worser, Achmetes thou hast slain, My Hope's, and therefore me, my wounds are shallow, But my state desperate, Would? what shall I do? Armenia's King is acke to his home, Cold enter ainment will attend me there; The field is empty, every man r tired, Only a few dead Can casses, and I, Then whither shall I bend my steps? to Room! To Room then let it be: Bishop I come, Th'art a religious thing, and I will trust, My life to one so innocently just.