HYDASPES

Thus far have we marched by the banks of Nile, And conquered Philae, and the Smaragd mines, Thus far hath fortune favoured our attempts, And stern Bellona set our conquering feet Deep in the bosom of the Egyptian Land; Are we not now revenged Sysimethres For thy uncivil barbarous entertainment, When we employed thee our Ambassador To Oroondates Deputy of Egypt? How think you, do they not repent the wrongs And disrespect they gave thee, contrary Unto the laws of Nations? do they not Wish that they had surrendered to our Crown Those lands we justly challenged for our own? 'Tis fit they suffer for their usurpation; But where lurks Oroondates since his flight In our last battle, no news yet of him? Will not the Town yet come to composition? Will it hold out yet longer notwithstanding Our waterworks to drown them? What a e they? What a fool is he To make his own conditions, or to argue Of such a matter? does he not conceive He is not in his own power, but in ours, To live or die, why what a madness is it For conquered men to argue of conditions? But 'tis not noble to destroy a number For one men folly, go Sysimethres, Take here our seal and sign their articles, F r pity works upon a noble spirit. Exit Sysimethres. If I could entertain ambitious sparks Within my royal breast, or never enter Into examination with my self Of right or wrong, (as many politicians And proud usurpers do not) what should let me From adding this large kingdom to my own, Stretching my Empire to the mouth of Nile ; But justice sets down limits to my thoughts, Bounds my ambition in, so that I dare not Advance one foot beyond it, sacred goddess, Divine Astraea, though all kings rebel And pay no reverence to thy deity, Hydaspes shall adore thee, and his might shall never be more potent then his right. Exit. Persina welcome to our camp, how durst Our fairest Queen adventure forth to see The angry face of Mars? this is no object For Ladies eyes, dame Ʋ enus sport's more proper. This was a favour we expected not; I must embrace thee; Oh Sysimethres, What is there wanting in the curious model Of this rare Architecture, built by nature, That mortal or immortal eye can see To add more beauty to it then it hath? Nothing, I know you'll grant it, then what pity Think you it is, so beautiful a frame And building should contain within it's womb No living creature, no inhabitant That might support it's ruins, but stand rather For prospect then for benefit? Let them be brought forthwith into our presence, They may be found a fitting sacrifice And and oblation to be offered Unto our gods for this our victory, Being the first fruits of the wars. Ye gods The king raiseth himself from his throne, And sits down again in a study. Be merciful unto me! I had a dream last night Sysimethres, That did present unto my fantasy A beauteous virgin, such as is this maid Telling me that she was my natural daughter: But whence are you, and of what country born? What judgement may this be? or what have I To do with her? by what means should I come Into her danger? But the Law permits You only to determine controversies Between the King and Subject's, not with strangers. Well let her speak, since good Sysimethres Will have it so, but it is manifest, She will say nothing to the purpose, but Some forged devise to shun the stroke of death. Strangers. Thou liest. This woman's mad, Away I'll hear no more such lunacy. Sysimethres and grave Gymnosophists, How long shall she abuse my patience? This maid's distracted, and the fear of death Makes her speak any thing how false soever, How bold and impudent; I know I had Sometime a daughter, but she died assoon As she was born, this is a false impostor, Wherefore away with her, and let's delay The sacrifice no longer. What means this Persina, that thy blood Thus comes and goes, and that thy countenance Wears such and alteration? is there ought Contained in this writing troubles thee? Persina do you own this character As your own hand, and know the birth to be Legitimate and true? Although you told me that my daughter died. I yet believe she was exposed forth As here is mentioned but who was the man That took her up and carried her to Egypt, How shall I know that he was taken with her, Or this is she, or whither the exposed Be dead or no, beside whither some man When he happed to find this might his good luck Abuse, and make her play this famed partly, Mocking the great desire we have of issue By the suborning of some changelinge and Colouring the truth with this devised Fascia. All these doubts must be cleared ere I believe. What are they? do you know them? I do and all the rest, but whither you Came by them as my daughter, that I know not, You might have God them by some other means, For to omit all other needles questions, Your colour's strange and the Like never seen In Aethiopia. Sysimethres In my opinion you have showed your self And advocate in this cause, not a judge, Beware least while you strive to clear this doubt, I may suspect Persina hath been false, For how is't possible that such a thing Should be in nature, we two being black To have and issue white? this is against All humane sense, and reason natural. admit him straight. Enter Caricles with the gentleman. Grave Sir can you declare Ought of this matter, do you know this maid And that young man? We have herd and seen enough, I'm yet unmoved; Bring in the picture of Andromeda. You strive to wash me white and Aethiopian In hin ering this sacrifice, you shall Do one aswell as tother, for although I now believe she is my natural daughter Sprung from my loins (as I have seen it proved By many arguments) yet I so much Fear justice and the gods, and owe such love Unto my country, as i'll lay aside All natural respects, and all regard To the succession of my blood, and offer My daughter to the gods for your behoof, (As Agamemnon did his Iphigene) Regarding more the public benefit Then my own private profit and respect. Well since You'll have it S , though loath I am content; And now I turn to thee my daughter deer With armefuls of my love; but what is he That was taken with thee, whom you called your brother? I trow he shall not too be proved my son. Whatsoever He be, he's destined to be sacrificed, Some women too must bear him company. This maid that waits on you shall serve the turn. Oh noble Greece, that still Producest what is good, and at this time Hast given us such fair offerings to present Unto our gods; but Oh thou beauteous maid, Why dost thou hold thy peace, and answerest not Unto my question? So am I, Beyond imagination, but you know The Law requires the first fruits of the war Should be the gods oblation, to the Sun Therefore we'll offer him, she to the Moon, The gods must be obeyed, the laws fulfilled. But take heed that this You do, be no true judgement, but plain wrong, If I that am a King must stand to plead My cause with any prisoner whatsoever. I praise your courtesy and gentle nature Unto this Grecian stranger, who hath been Companion of your journey, but we cannot Break so the custom of our Country, as To save his life. What will you counsel me to do herein, Sysimethres and thou most reverend Priest, I will be guided by your wisdoms wholly In this affair, Since things are thus appointed by the will And pleasure of the gods, since this fair couple Have been preserved by fate from many dangers By Land and Sea, and as should seem reserved For Hymen's instigation, isle no longer Resist the will of heaven, heavens send you joy, puts their hands together. And a most plenteous offspring to succeed you, This is our firm decree, which we'll confirm By sacrifice, and worshipping the gods. Oh Sun and Moon, whose sacred deities We most adore, since it is fallen out thus By your decrees, that young Theagines And fair Cariclea are made man and wife, Accept their offerings, and vouchsafe to take them Into the order of your holy Priesthood. Theagines, I do resign unto thee My office, be thou Priest unto the Sun, Wear this white Miter. Taken S his Miter and puts it on Theagines his head. The gods forbid, Why say you so?