1 Guard. True morality. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
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.