_Enter_ Cosroe, Cassana, _Persians; and_ Charinus,
Maximinian, Aurelia, _bound, with Souldiers_.
_Cos._ Now by the _Persian_ gods, most truly welcome,
Encompass'd thus with tributary Kings,
I entertain you. Lend your helping hands
To seat her by me; and thus rais'd, bow all
To do her honour; O my best _Cassana_,
Sister, and Partner of my Life and Empire,
We'll teach thee to forget with present pleasures
Thy late Captivity; and this proud _Roman_,
That us'd thee as a Slave, and did disdain
A Princely Ransome, shall, if she repine,
Be forc'd by various Tortures, to adore
What she of late contemn'd.
_Cas._ All greatness ever
Attend _Cosroe_; though _Persia_ be styl'd
The Nurse of Pomp and Pride, we'll leave to _Rome_
Her native Cruelty. For know, _Aurelia_,
A Roman Princess, and a _Cæsars_ Sister
Though late, like thee captiv'd, I can forget
Thy barbarous usage; and though thou to me
(When I was in thy power) didst shew thy self,
A most insulting Tyranness, I to thee
May prove a gentle Mistriss.
_Aur._ O my Stars,
A Mistriss? can I live and owe that name
To flesh and blood? I was born to command,
Train'd up in Soveraignty; and I, in death
Can quit the name of Slave; she that scorns life,
May mock Captivity.
_Char. Rome_ will be _Rome_
When we are nothing; and her power's the same
Which you once quak'd at.
_Max. Dioclesian_ lives;
Hear it and tremble; Lives (thou King of _Persia_)
The Master of his Fortune, and his Honour;
And though by devilish arts we were surpriz'd,
And made the prey of Magick and of Theft,
And not won nobly, we shall be redeem'd,
And by a _Roman_ War; and every wrong
We suffer here, with interest, be return'd
On the insulting doer.
_1 Per._ Sure these _Romans_
Are more than men.
_2 Per._ Their great hearts will not yield,
They cannot bend to any adverse Fate,
Such is their Confidence.
_Cos._ They then shall break.
Why, you rebellious Wretches, dare you still
Contend when the last breath, or nod of mine
Marks you out for the fire? or to be made
The prey of Wolves or Vulturs? the vain name
Of _Roman_ Legions, I slight thus, and scorn;
And for that boasted bug bear, _Dioclesian_,
(Which you presume on) would he were the master
But of the spirit, to meet me in the field,
He soon should find that our immortal Squadrons,
That with full numbers ever are supply'd,
(Could it be possible they should decay)
Dare front his boldest Troops, and scatter him,
As an high towring Falcon on her stretches,
Severs the fearful fowl. And by the Sun,
The Moon, the Winds, the nourishers of life,
And by this Sword, the instrument of death,
Since that you fly not humbly to our mercy
But yet dare hope your liberty by force;
If _Dioclesian_ dare not attempt
To free you with his Sword, all slavery
That cruelty can find out to make you wretched,
Falls heavy on you.
_Max._ If the Sun keep his course,
And the Earth can bear his Souldiers march, I fear not.
_Aur._ Or liberty, or revenge.
_Char._ On that I build too. [_A Trumpet._
_Aur._ A _Roman_ Trumpet!
_Max._ 'Tis; comes it not like
A pardon to a man condemn'd?
_Cos._ Admit him.
_Enter_ Niger.
The purpose of thy coming?
_Nig._ My great Master,
The Lord of _Rome_, (in that all Power is spoken)
Hoping that thou wilt prove a noble Enemy,
And (in thy bold resistance) worth his conquest,
Defies thee, _Cosroe_.
_Max._ There is fire in this.
_Nig._ And to encourage thy laborious powers
To tug for Empire, dares thee to the field,
With this assurance, if thy Sword can win him,
Or force his Legions with thy barbed horse,
But to forsake their ground, that not alone
Wing'd Victory shall take stand on thy Tent,
But all the Provinces, and Kingdoms held
By the _Roman_ Garrisons in this _Eastern_ World,
Shall be deliver'd up, and he himself
Acknowledge thee his Sovereign. In return
Of this large offer, he asks only this,
That till the doubtful Die of War determine
Who has most power, and should command the other,
Thou wouldst entreat thy Prisoners like their Births,
And not their present Fortune; and to bring 'em,
Guarded, into thy Tent, with thy best strengths,
Thy ablest men of War, and thou thy self
Sworn to make good the place. And if he fail
(Maugre all opposition can be made)
In his own person to compel his way,
And fetch them safely off, the day is thine,
And he, like these, thy Prisoner.
_Cos._ Though I receive this
But as a _Roman_ Brave, I do embrace it,
And love the sender. Tell him, I will bring
My Prisoners to the field, and without odds,
Against his single force, alone defend 'em;
Or else with equal numbers. Courage, noble Princes,
And let Posterity record, that we
This memorable day restor'd to _Persia,_
That Empire of the World, great _Philip_'s Son,
Ravish'd from us, and _Greece_ gave up to _Rome_.
This our strong comfort, that we cannot fall
Ingloriously, since we contend for all. [_Exeunt._
[_Flourish. Alarms._