VARDANES [_alone_].
Ha! my rival!
How knew she that?--yet stay--she's gone--my rival,
What then? he is Arsaces' rival too.
Ha!--this may aid and ripen my designs--
Could I but fire the King with jealousy,
And then accuse my Brother of Intrigues
Against the state--ha!--join'd with Bethas, and
Confed'rate with th' Arabians--'tis most likely
That jealousy would urge him to belief.
I'll sink my claim until some fitter time,
'Til opportunity smiles on my purpose.
Lysias already has receiv'd the mandate
For Bethas' freedom: Let them still proceed,
This harmony shall change to discord soon.
Fortune methinks of late grows wond'rous kind,
She scarcely leaves me to employ myself.