EMPEROR

The Gods are angry with us, and their arrows Stick in our bosoms, though we have inhausted The glory of our Isles, and paid oblations on their Altars, We remain regardless and forsaken. Ancetes are our Proclamations forth, And a reward proposed to those bold men Dare undertake their ruin? Ancetes, thou hast told us deeds of wonder, And, but our eyes convince our doubtful thoughts, We could not give belief too't: Now their death's, That ran on danger for their Countries good, Have ample recompense: what power, for none But a Celestial one, could arm your hands, And give your spirits vigor to overcome So much of danger? What a bold spirit he moves with! Noble youths; we glory that our Countries earth Now bears so much of man upon her. Make me not so unworthy by your absence, To my own Subject's, and to foreign Nations, Who shall read the story of your deeds, And my requital, but they will brand me with ingratitude. Can you maintain the good of charity In your own actions, yet tie mine in bonds, When she should stretch her silver wings, And pay back thanks for so large benefits: No, take the meed your valours have deserved, And let us crown our Hope's, in that we long Have wished your fair aspects: Nor shall your stay exceed our one nights welcome, And then a fair farewell. You make sure work sirs, Every light justle leaves you not defenceless, And I commend your care in it. Now worthy Knights, mine eye is pleased In viewing your fair presence, I would gladly know what Country owes ye, For the place is happy that first gave ye being. It pleases us: but now sir we must crave The Like from you, and then to Court we High To gratulate your welcome. And both are lost I fear, unhappy men: Whom in my piety I should respect, The gods in justice causes me reject. Lay hands on they. Your honour or your valour now will be of small assum rance: What ill-fated star guided your hapless feet Into this land? these eyes that shot forth welcome, Now must send Ambassadors of death to your cold hearts, No acclamations now must fill your ears With joyful conquest: Apollos Garland, That should grace your brows, Must deck your Coffins, the grave your chambers, And the worms must be The sad companions of your destiny. Boldly then prepare, For in your journey you have equal share. Then in your death this favour we will show, Because your valour hath so showed you both, To be born High and Noble, we give this privilege, To choose your executioners. Bind them fast: Now Violeta, arm thy feeble hand, Strike sure and fearless, for thou sendest the gods A pleasing Sacrifice. Are you of that opinion too Carintha? O my unbounded passion, give they vent, The flame will else consume me: Fallen from me all respects of nature; I will forget that I had such a thought, As to believe thee mine: farewell the hours I often spent in contemplation of thy beauty, Youth, and breeding; thou and these shall be Like things Forgotten, and if thy hand refuse to act our will, Expect the utmost of all sad afflictions Our hate can cast upon thee. Bind them then, since you are so resolved, We'll give you cause to express your fortitude: They shall suffer first. We agree to't, and by our Gods I swear my promise To perform without all doubt or fraud. Unbind they strait, and arm they. Are ye prepared? 'Tis well. Tears not avail, but gives woes balance weight, Which of himself's too heavy: this last Edict Will spur our youthful Gallants to the Chase Of this untamed Monster: o we want those Gretian youths those former Ages bred; A bold Alcides, whole unequaled strength Tired a Stepmothers sharp invention: Deeds, whose relation frighted other men, Were but his pleasure and his pastime then: What Knights this morning are prepared To encounter the dreadful Dragon? O be propitious heaven to their designs, Give double vigour to their able nerves, Inflame their hearts with matchless charity. Ancetes haste you to the Temple strait, Give order to Apollo's sacred Priests, To make his Altars smoke with hallowed fumes, Let neither prayers nor Sacrifice be scant, To move the Gods to hear our just complaint, Good daughter be it your charge to summon all The Virgin Votaries of Diana's train, Attired in all the choice habiliments, To gratulate these warlike youths return, It's our last hazard, and Like Gamesters now, We venture all at one uncertain throw: If we prevail, immortal Verse shall crown And memorise their happy victory; But if they fallen, their ruins shall be song In Elegiacke strains, recorded fit For such untimely fatal overthrows: How ever, honour shall adorn their Hearse, And they still live by never dying Verse. Perform our will, in the delay is death. I'll ease your doubts, though not your misery; You both are Christians? In being so, you post to your own ruin: The holy Gods, whom piety commands us to obey, Have from their Oracles sent this decree, What ever Christian sets his hapless foot On this forbidden ground unless he instantly Recant his faith, let him be made A bloody sacrifice to appease our wrath: Now here lies before ye the riches Of our kingdom, glory, and honour, The benefits of sweet and happy life, All the most choice delights, that with our love May be proposed to you; even these our beauty's, Turn your amorous eyes, please your own fancies, And enrich your selves where you best affect, Only relinquish the religion which now you hold, And turn unto our Gods; that done, As we are Emperor of Trebizon, All these shall be performed: but if through Pride, and hated wilfulness, you shall refuse Our proffer, a present death attends you.