Trax.  No:  but from whence is all this passion grown?

Zemp.  ’Twas a mistake.

Trax.  I find this rash unknown
Is dangerous; and, if not timely slain,
May plunge your empire in new wars again.

Zemp.  Thank ye; I shall consider.

Trax.  Is that all? 
The army doat on him, already call
You cruel; and, for aught I know, they may
By force unchain, and crown him in a day.

Zemp.  You say, I have already had their curse For his bad usage; should I use him worse?

Trax.  Yet once you feared his reputation might Obscure the prince’s in the people’s sight.

Zemp.  Time will inform us best what course to steer, But let us not our sacred vows defer:  The Inca and his daughter both shall die.

Trax.  He suffers justly for the war; but why Should she share his sad fate?  A poor pretence, That birth should make a crime of innocence.

Zemp.  Yet we destroy the poisonous viper’s young, Not for themselves, but those from whom they sprung.

Trax.  O no, they die not for their parents’ sake,
But for the poisonous seed which they partake. 
Once more behold her, and then let her die,
If in that face or person you can see
But any place to fix a cruelty. 
The heavens have clouds, and spots are in the moon;
But faultless beauty shines in her alone.

Zemp.  Beauty has wrought compassion in your mind!

Trax.  And you to valour are become as kind.  To former services there’s something due, Yet be advised—­

Zemp.  Yes, by myself, not you.

Trax.  Princes are sacred.

Zemp.  True, whilst they are free: 
But power once lost, farewell their sanctity: 
’Tis power, to which the gods their worship owe,
Which, uncontrouled, makes all things just below: 
Thou dost the plea of saucy rebels use;
They will be judge of what their prince must chuse: 
Hard fate of monarchs, not allowed to know
When safe, but as their subjects tell them so. 
Then princes but like public pageants move,
And seem to sway, because they sit above. [Exit.

Trax.  She loves him; in one moment this new
guest
Has drove me out from this false woman’s breast;
They, that would fetter love with constancy,
Make bonds to chain themselves, but leave him free
With what impatience I her falsehood bear! 
Yet do myself that, which I blame in her;
But interest in my own cause makes me see
That act unjust in her, but just in me. [Exit.

SCENE II.

ISMERON asleep.—­Enter ZEMPOALLA.