Classic Poem

ACT . V. S CEN. II.

Adraste, Lucasia, Charistus, Olyndus, Eumela, Florina, Malthora , in Myrtle wreathes. Adr .

Was all the Treasure ship'd? Eum .
All, but the Pictures,
And Statues, they'r reserv'd. I saw the Luxury,
And wealth of Cyprus sail. The Souldier doth
By this time gaze upon't. Adr .
The news, Charistus ,
Of your Adventures here. I dare presume
Hath joyn'd both Armies now. Me thinks I see
The Cyprians standing here, the Cretans there,
And, in a space between them, both Kings meeting
In a most strong Embrace, and so provoking
Clamors and shouts from both sides, and a joyfull
Clattring of Weapons. Cha .
Beautious Queen, your Vertues
Are greater far than Fame; and you your self
Greater than them! Though Gold and Purple do
Adorn your head, yet you have Wove your self
Far richer Diadems from your Royall Acts,
And made your self Immortall by producing
Immortall things. But though your wreath of Vertue
Hath made what e'r the Sun beholds in all
His course enamor'd by you, yet if I
May pull one single one from out the rest,
There's none, for which you have more Altars rais'd
Unto your Name, than for that Noble Love,
Whose flames you keep still burning in your self.
And cherish in all others. Adr .
Sir, you have Conquer'd
A Princess, and in her a Queen: I am
Th' addition to your Triumph. We ow much
To you Olyndus . Olyn .
I can challenge nothing
But my Charistus Friendship. 'Tis to him
You ow these seeds of Peace. Although his Father
Appear'd so tender of him, that when he
Came hither secretly to view the Rites
Of Venus , which Lucasia then perform'd,
The aged Man hasted to th' Oracle
To know what Fortune should attend his Son,
And, for an unexpected answer, did
Banish those Priests for which our King now fights:
Yet for all this, ev'n in this heat of danger,
H'hath made another Venture, and the Kingdom
Now grieves his second loss. Adr .
Do you know the answer
That the God gave to his enquiring Father,
For which the King did banish all the Priests? Olyn .
I may repeat it now, th' Event assures me
It meant you no Misfortune. It was this;
Charistus shall his Country save ,
If he become his Enemies Slave. Adr .
I hope th' Event will not fulfill it. Olyn .
'Tis
Fulfill'd enough to make an Oracle true. Adr .
I hope you have no Enemies, and for Slave
The Gods avert it! Olyn .
He's Lucasia 's Servant,
There's that fulfill'd; Cyprus is now reputed
The Enemy to Crete ; but as for true
And reall Enemies to you Charistus ,
The World hath none so Barbarous; your Vertues
Have under this disguise shew'd so much Prince,
That they betrai'd you still to any Eye
That could discern. Cha .
Honour'd Olyndus , you
Outdo me still. Friends should be alwaies equall:
You must take off, and pare your Vertues, that
You may go even with me. I ow much
To you, Eumela , too. Adr .
Her service hath
Preserv'd the Kingdom, and refounded Cyprus . Cha .
Two Scepters are her Debters. Adr .
But, Eumela .
You might have told me sooner, that Lucasia
Began to feel a Passion; you ne'r knew
That I destroy'd true vertuous Loves; it is
A pleasure to me to perceive their Buddings,
To know their Minutes of Encrease, their Stealths,
And silent Growings; and I have not spar'd
To help, and bring them on. Eum .
You have so favour'd
Agreeing Souls, that all the World confesseth
Your own is perfect Harmony. But where
The God is Blind, should not the Creature be
Silent, and Close? That which is bred by whispers
Would dye if once proclam'd. Luc .
If it were any,
It was a fault of Trust; 'tis more Injustice
To betray secret Love, than to make known
Counsels of State. Cupid hath his Cabinet,
To which, if any prove unfaithfull, he
Straight wounds him with the Leaden Shaft, and so
They live tormented, and dye scorn'd. Adr .
No more;
'Tis well: I meant not to Accuse, but Praise.
Have you set some to watch, and signifie
The King's Return? Eum .
Three peaceful Courtiers,
Lerinus , and Ganyctor , and Iringus ,
Desir'd that they might bring the News, and so
Are gone unto the Port. Adr .
My Ladies, you
I hope will clear up now. Flor .
I have too much
Joy to express it. Mal .
Could you see my heart,
You'd view a Triumph there.