Oraz. How love and nature may divide a breast,
At once by both their powers severely prest!
Yet, sir, since love seems less, you may forgive;
I would not have you die, nor have him live;
Yet if he dies, alas! what shall I do?
I cannot die with him, and live with you.
Mont. How vainly we pursue this generous strife,
Parting in death more cruel than in life!—
Weep not, we both shall have one destiny;
As in one flame we lived, in one we'll die.
Trax. Why do we waste in vain these precious hours?
Each minute of his life may hazard ours:
The nation does not live whilst he enjoys
His life, it is his safety that destroys.
He shall fall first, and teach the rest to die.
Zemp. Hold!—
Who is it that commands;—ha! you, or I?—
Your zeal grows saucy!—sure, you may allow
Your empress freedom first to pay her vow.
Trax. She may allow—a justice to be done By him, that raised his empress to her throne.
Zemp. You are too bold,—
Trax. And you too passionate.
Zemp. Take heed, with his, you urge not your own fate.— For all this pity is now due to me.
Mont. I hate thy offered mercy more than thee.
Trax. Why will not then the fair Orazia give Life to herself, and let Traxalla live?