The Prince Of Parthia Part 2

Thy Father, conquer'd by her charms (for what Can charm like mourning beauty), soon struck off Her chains, and rais'd her to his bed and throne.

Adorn'd the brows of her aspiring Son, The fierce Vonones, with the regal crown Of rich Armenia, once the happy rule Of Tisaphernes, her deceased Lord.

GOTARZES.

And he in wasteful war return'd his thanks, Refus'd the homage he had sworn to pay, And spread Destruction ev'ry where around, 'Til from Arsaces' hand he met the fate His crimes deserv'd.

PHRAATES.

As yet your princely Brother Has scap'd Thermusa's rage, for still residing In peaceful times, within his Province, ne'er Has fortune blest her with a sight of him, On whom she'd wreck her vengeance.

GOTARZES.

She has won By spells, I think, so much on my fond father, That he is guided by her will alone.

She rules the realm, her pleasure is a law, All offices and favours are bestow'd, As she directs.

PHRAATES.

But see, the Prince, Vardanes, Proud Lysias with him, he whose soul is harsh With jarring discord. Nought but madding rage, And ruffian-like revenge his breast can know, Indeed to gain a point he'll condescend To mask the native rancour of his heart, And smooth his venom'd tongue with flattery.

a.s.siduous now he courts Vardanes' friendship, See, how he seems to answer all his gloom, And give him frown for frown.

GOTARZES.

Let us retire, And shun them now; I know not what it means, But chilling horror shivers o'er my limbs, When Lysias I behold.--

SCENE II. _VARDANES and LYSIAS._

LYSIAS.

That shout proclaims [_Shout._ Arsaces' near approach.

VARDANES.

Peace, prithee, peace, Wilt thou still shock me with that hated sound, And grate harsh discord in my offended ear?

If thou art fond of echoing the name, Join with the servile croud, and hail his triumph.

LYSIAS.

I hail him? By our glorious shining G.o.d, I'd sooner lose my speech, and all my days In silence rest, conversing with my thoughts, Than hail Arsaces.

VARDANES.

Yet, again his name, Sure there is magic in it, Parthia's drunk And giddy with the joy; the houses' tops With gaping spectators are throng'd, nay wild They climb such precipices that the eye Is dazzl'd with their daring; ev'ry wretch Who long has been immur'd, nor dar'd enjoy The common benefits of sun and air, Creeps from his lurking place; e'en feeble age, Long to the sickly couch confin'd, stalks forth, And with infectious breath a.s.sails the G.o.ds.

O! curse the name, the idol of their joy.

LYSIAS.

And what's that name, that thus they should disturb The ambient air, and weary gracious heav'n With ceaseless bellowings? Vardanes sounds With equal harmony, and suits as well The loud repeated shouts of noisy joy.

Can he bid Chaos Nature's rule dissolve, Can he deprive mankind of light and day, And turn the Seasons from their destin'd course?

Say, can he do all this, and be a G.o.d?

If not, what is his matchless merit? What dares he, Vardanes dares not? blush not, n.o.ble Prince, For praise is merit's due, and I will give it; E'en 'mid the croud which waits thy Brother's smile, I'd loud proclaim the merit of Vardanes.

VARDANES.

Forbear this warmth, your friendship urges far.

Yet know your love shall e'er retain a place In my remembrance. There is something here--

[_Pointing to his breast._

Another time and I will give thee all; But now, no more.--

LYSIAS.

You may command my services, I'm happy to obey. Of late your Brother Delights in hind'ring my advancement, And ev'ry boaster's rais'd above my merit, Barzaphernes alone commands his ear, His oracle in all.

VARDANES.

I hate Arsaces, Tho' he's my Mother's son, and churchmen say There's something sacred in the name of Brother.

My soul endures him not, and he's the bane Of all my hopes of greatness. Like the sun He rules the day, and like the night's pale Queen, My fainter beams are lost when he appears.

And this because he came into the world, A moon or two before me: What's the diff'rence, That he alone should shine in Empire's seat?

I am not apt to trumpet forth my praise, Or highly name myself, but this I'll speak, To him in ought, I'm not the least inferior.

Ambition, glorious fever! mark of Kings, Gave me immortal thirst and rule of Empire.

Why lag'd my tardy soul, why droop'd the wing, Nor forward springing, shot before his speed To seize the prize?--'Twas Empire--Oh! 'twas Empire--

LYSIAS.

Yet, I must think that of superior mould Your soul was form'd, fit for a heav'nly state, And left reluctant its sublime abode, And painfully obey'd the dread command, When Jove's controuling fate forc'd it below.

His soul was earthly, and it downward mov'd, Swift as to the center of attraction.

VARDANES.

It might be so--But I've another cause To hate this Brother, ev'ry way my rival; In love as well as glory he's above me; I dote on fair Evanthe, but the charmer Disdains my ardent suit, like a miser He treasures up her beauties to himself: Thus is he form'd to give me torture ever.-- But hark, they've reach'd the Temple, Didst thou observe the croud, their eagerness, Each put the next aside to catch a look, Himself was elbow'd out?--Curse, curse their zeal--

LYSIAS.

Stupid folly!

VARDANES.

I'll tell thee, Lysias, This many-headed monster mult.i.tude, Unsteady is as giddy fortune's wheel, As woman fickle, varying as the wind; To-day they this way course, the next they veer, And shift another point, the next another.

LYSIAS.

Curiosity's another name for man, The blazing meteor streaming thro' the air Commands our wonder, and admiring eyes, With eager gaze we trace the lucent path, 'Til spent at length it shrinks to native nothing.

While the bright stars which ever steady glow, Unheeded shine, and bless the world below.

SCENE III. _QUEEN and EDESSA._