[Weeps.

Inca.  Fond girl! to let thy disobedient eyes Show a concern for him, whom I despise.

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?

Mont.  Orazia will not live, and let me die; She taught me first this cruel jealousy.

Oraz.  I joy that you have learned it!—­ That flame not like immortal love appears.  Where death can cool its warmth, or kill its fears.

Zemp.  What shall I do? am I so quite forlorn,
No help from my own pride, nor from his scorn! 
My rival’s death may more effectual prove;
He, that is robbed of hope, may cease to love:—­
Here, lead these offerings to their deaths.

Trax.  Let none Obey but he, that will pull on his own!

Zemp.  Tempt me not thus; false and ungrateful too!

Trax.  Just as ungrateful, and as false, as you.

Zemp.  ’Tis thy false love that fears her destiny.

Trax.  And your false love that fears to have him die.

Zemp.  Seize the bold traitor!

Trax.  What a slighted frown Troubles your brow! feared nor obeyed by none; Come, prepare for sacrifice.

Enter ACACIS weakly.

Aca.  Hold, hold! such sacrifices cannot be
Devotions, but a solemn cruelty: 
How can the gods delight in human blood? 
Think them not cruel, if you think them good. 
In vain we ask that mercy, which they want,
And hope that pity, which they hate to grant.

Zemp.  Retire, Acacis;—­ Preserve thyself, for ’tis in vain to waste Thy breath for them:  The fatal vow is past.