English

SCENE V.

Ara. Come forth, unhappy Prince; excuse my words:
'Tis with reluctance that I bring the message.
Your death 's at hand,
Soph. Death is the only friend
That I have left; thy message is most welcome.
My friend 's at hand; O how long I to meet him!
In him is all my hope, in him my refuge,
He shall disburthen me of all misfortune,
He shall wipe off calamity and sorrow,
And give me peace and everlasting rest.
I thank thee for the news.

SCENE IV.

Ara. Phraortes sends you life and liberty.
Twelve days are granted you to pass the confines
Of his Domains: to stay beyond that time
Annuls his pardon, and your life is forfeit.
You're now discharg'd. Be grateful for this mercy,
Pray for the peace of Media , and repent.
Hyd. Media , farewell. With all the wings of speed
I fly thy bounds. Let me forget thy name;
'Twill bring to my remembrance my lost friends.

SCENE III.

Hyd. What 's death to that I feel within! 'Tis nothing.
Tortures but tear the flesh, and crush the bones,
But guilt and horror tear my restless soul,
And ev'ry thought 's an arrow in my heart.
Sophernes is condemn'd, and I accused him.
For what? — For means to satiate my revenge,
And that's sufficient. — O Revenge, support me!
What, am I grown a coward? Does repentance,
Does vile contrition sink my boasted courage?
Does resolution stagger! Hence, away,

SCENE II.

Ara. Time presses on us, and your hour is come.
We must obey our orders. Lead them hence.
Torture and Death expect you.
1st Consp. Well. Lead on.
Ara. 'Tis your last moment.
1st Consp. We're impatient for it.
Ara. Stay here till my return. To you, my message
Is of a sweeter sound. 'Tis life, 'tis freedom.
I'll see them to the scaffold; then discharge you.

ACT IV. Scene I.

A Prison.

Hyd. I shall survive but for a little space;
Doubt not my plighted faith, and dye in peace.
What is an hour of life! an hour of torment.
Think then what I shall suffer for your sake,
How I shall long and pant to be among you!
To him who fears not death Revenge is sure,
To him who fears not death Revenge is speedy.
Soon as the chains are struck from off these hands,
I'll dye them purple in the royal blood;
I'll watch all time. The throne shall not secure him,

SCENE XI.

Ast. What, sue to her! and when I sued disdain me!
How my disgrace grows on me! Let him perish,
And perish by that woman. My resentment
Kindles and burns, to take her charge upon me.
Yet still would he relent, I could forgive him.
Dor. His wife is dead, on whom his heart was fix'd:
That obstacle's remov'd
Ast. And Death hangs o'er him.
That sight perhaps may shake his resolution.

SCENE XII.

Go, bid the priests prepare the sacrifice;
This ev'ning shall the fragrance of devotion
Smoak in our temples, and perfume the skies.
Phraortes shall attend the solemn rites,
To pay his grateful thanks in songs of joy.
Astarbe , come. — One glance of those bright eyes
Dispells all care, and empires are forgot.
In what is man superior to the brute?
Brutes eat, drink, sleep; like us, have all the senses.
The male and female meet, then coldly part,

SCENE X.

Phra. Arise, fair maid; and let thy suit be heard.
Cap. The King has done his prostrate servant justice.
Thus low I pay my thanks to Heaven and you.
Phra. Rise from that humble posture, and speak forth.
Cap. The Persian Prince, to whom we owe our bondage,
'Tis said, is doom'd to death for horrid treachery.
Phra. He well deserves it. If you fall before me,

SCENE IX.

Ara. I spoke the King's commands; when from the crowd
One of the Captives rose, and humbly pray'd
Admission to the throne.
Phra. I hear no suits.
Ara. She wish'd to speak a matter of importance.
Phra. Dismiss them all. Let us retire, my Queen.
Ast. Araxes , stay.
Phra. What is Astarbe 's pleasure?

SCENE VIII.

Phraortes. Astarbe.

Phra. Welcome, my Queen; how my heart springs to meet thee
Each day, each hour, thy beauty grows upon me,
Ev'n while I gaze some undiscover'd charm
Opens it self, and wounds my heart anew.
Rejoyce, Astarbe ; Media is deliver'd:
The gathering storm that threaten'd desolation
Is over-blown, and all is now serene.
Then let us give our future days to pleasure;
My ev'ry pleasure is compris'd in thee.