English

SCENE VII.

Ast. 'Twas downright arrogance. I saw his scorn,
A Lover reads the thought of every look,
And needs no comment or interpreter.
What woman can forgive that worst of insults?
Not ev'n the most deform'd of all our sex
Can bear contempt. And shall I pardon it?
To pardon it, is to insult myself,
And own that I deserve it. [ Aside ]. Know you ought
Of what the King in judgment has determin'd?
Dor. Sophernes was accus'd.

SCENE VI.

Dor. Inform me, what has past?
Ara. The Queen's conjectures
The King has now confirm'd. The Persian Prince,
That hypocrite is known, and prov'd a traytor,
And leader of that crew of vile assassins.
But see the Queen. — The King is gone to seek her.
Excuse my haste; for Duty calls me hence.

SCENE V.

Hyd. Safety now guards the throne, and Media 's happy.
Phra. I ratifie my word, and give you life,
I give you liberty; but on conditions.
Those I shall send you soon, and then you're free.
O Sun, I thank thee; thy all-seeing eye
Has trac'd the villain through his secret ways,
And now the hand of Justice is upon him.
Ara. Media rejoice.
All. May the King live for ever!

Ungrateful Prince!
Soph. Since 'tis the will of Heaven
To load me with calamities and shame,
Since the most searching eye cannot discern
The heart of man; O where shall I find justice!
I am a stranger, in adversity,
Bereft of wealth and power, without a friend.
Phra. Hence, base dissembler. Take him from my presence
When hypocrites are stript of Virtue's plumes,
Vice then appears most hideous and deform'd.
Back to thy dungeon, to remorse and death.

SCENE III.

The Aforesaid and Conspirators.

Know ye that man?
1st Consp. Would he had been unknown.
Hyd. The King has trac'd our mischief to the source.
Who was it prompted you to this attempt?
Had ye not views to set a nation free?
And to restore him to his crown and kingdom?
1st Consp. By him we fell, 'tis just that he fall with us.
2d Consp. So, now one ruin has involv'd us all.

SCENE VIII.

Be not surpriz'd that I have call'd you hither,
Most noble Prince, in this your hour of trouble;
For I ev'n bear a part in your misfortunes.
Who 's your accuser? — whence those shameful chains?
Soph. I'm charg'd with crimes of the most heinous nature,
If 'tis Heav'n's will to try me with afflictions,
I will not, like a dastard, sink beneath them,
But resolutely strive to stem the torrent.
Not the dark dungeon, nor the sharpest torture

SCENE II.

Ara. Make room; The Persian Prince attends his sentence.
Phra. Most noble Prince, I grieve that you were injur'd.
When foul conspiracy molests a state
The ear of Kings is open to suspicion,
And we grow jealous of our bosom friends.
When calumny would blast a virtuous man,
And justice has made clear his innocence;
It only throws a brighter lustre on him,
And serves to make his virtues more conspicuous.

ACT III. Scene I.

A Room of State with a Throne.

1st Conspirator . T HE information of those two vile cowards,
Who mingled with us brave and active spirits,
Hath giv'n us death. Let those mean creatures live,
They're fitter for the world.
2d Consp. Lead us to death.
Hyd. Death is pronounc'd on you, on me, on all.
Would I could take your guilt upon my self,
So to preserve some virtue in the world.

SCENE XIV.

How my heart bleeds, thus to pursue revenge
Against the man I love! But me he scorns;
And from my beauty turns his head away
With saucy arrogance and proud contempt.
I could forgive him ev'ry other crime,
Ev'n the base murder of my dearest friend;
But slighted love no woman can forgive.
For thro' our life we feel the bitter smart,
And guilt and shame lye festring at the heart.

SCENE XIII.

Astarbe. Hydarnes. Araxes.

Ara. Excuse this entrance,
The pris'ner must attend.
Ast. I'm satisfy'd.
This man seems open, and may be of service.