_Zemp_. Kill him--hold, must he die?--why, let him die;-- Whence should proceed this strange diversity. In my resolves? Does he command in chains? What would he do, Proud slave, if he were free, and I were so? But is he bound, ye gods, or am I free? 'Tis love, 'tis love, that thus disorders me. How pride and love tear my divided soul! For each too narrow, yet both claim it whole: Love, as the younger, must be forced away.-- Hence with the captives, general, and convey To several prisons that young man, and this Peruvian woman. _Trax_. How concerned she is! I must know more. _Mont_. Fair princess, why should I Involve that sweetness in my destiny? I could out-brave my death, were I alone To suffer, but my fate must pull yours on. My breast is armed against all sense of fear; But where your image lies, 'tis tender there. _Inca_. Forbear thy saucy love, she cannot be So low, but still she is too high for thee. _Zemp_. Be gone, and do as I command; away! _Mont_. I ne'er was truly wretched till this day. _Oraz_. Think half your sorrows on Orazia fall, And be not so unkind to suffer all: Patience, in cowards, is tame hopeless fear, But, in brave minds, a scorn of what they bear. [_Exit Inca_, MONTEZUMA, ORAZIA, _and_ TRAXALLA. _Zemp_. What grief is this which in your face appears? _Aca_. The badge of sorrow, which my soul still wears. _Zemp_. Though thy late actions did my anger move, It cannot rob thee of a mother's love. Why shouldst thou grieve? Grief seldom joined with blooming youth is seen; Can sorrow be where knowledge scarce has been? Fortune does well for heedless youth provide, But wisdom does unlucky age misguide; Cares are the train of present power and state, But hope lives best that on himself does wait: O happiest fortune if well understood, The certain prospect of a future good! _Aca_. What joy can empire bring me, when I know That all my greatness to your crimes I owe: _Zemp_. Yours be the joy, be mine the punishment. _Aca_. In vain, alas, that wish to Heaven is sent For me, if fair Orazia must not live. _Zemp_. Why should you ask me what I cannot give? She must be sacrificed: Can I bestow What to the gods, by former vows, I owe? _Aca_. O plead not vows; I wish you had not shown You slighted all things sacred for a throne. _Zemp_. I love thee so, that, though fear follows still, And horror urges, all that have been ill, I could for thee Act o'er my crimes again; and not repent, Even when I bore the shame and punishment. _Aca_. Could you so many ill acts undertake, And not perform one good one for my sake? _Zemp_. Prudence permits not pity should be shown To those, that raised the war to shake my throne. _Aca_. As you are wise, permit me to be just; What prudence will not venture, honour must; We owe our conquest to the stranger's sword, Tis just his prisoners be to him restored. I love Orazia; but a nobler way, Than for my love my honour to betray.