Emp. News of my death from rumour he received;
And what he wished, he easily believed: 
But long demurred, though from my hand he knew
I lived, so loth he was to think it true. 
Since he pleads ignorance to that command,
Now let him show his duty, and disband.

Amb. His honour, sir, will suffer in the cause;
He yields his arms unjust, if he withdraws: 
And begs his loyalty may be declared,
By owning those he leads to be your guard.

Emp. I, in myself, have all the guard I need! 
Bid the presumptuous boy draw off with speed: 
If his audacious troops one hour remain,
My cannon from the fort shall scour the plain.

Amb. Since you deny him entrance, he demands
His wife, whom cruelly you hold in bands: 
Her, if unjustly you from him detain,
He justly will, by force of arms, regain.

Emp. O’er him and his a right from Heaven I have;
Subject and son, he’s doubly born my slave. 
But whatsoe’er his own demerits are,
Tell him, I shall not make on women war. 
And yet I’ll do her innocence the grace,
To keep her here, as in the safer place. 
But thou, who dar’st this bold defiance bring,
May’st feel the rage of an offended king. 
Hence, from my sight, without the least reply! 
One word, nay one look more, and thou shalt die. [Exit Ambassador.

  Re-enter ARIMANT.

Arim. May heaven, great monarch, still augment your bliss
With length of days, and every day like this! 
For, from the banks of Gemna news is brought,
Your army has a bloody battle fought: 
Darah from loyal Aureng-Zebe is fled,
And forty thousand of his men lie dead. 
To Sujah next your conquering army drew;
Him they surprised, and easily o’erthrew.

Emp. ’Tis well.

Arim. But well! what more could at your wish be done,
Than two such conquests gained by such a son? 
Your pardon, mighty sir;
You seem not high enough your joys to rate;
You stand indebted a vast sum to fate,
And should large thanks for the great blessing pay.

Emp. My fortune owes me greater every day;
And should my joy more high for this appear,
It would have argued me, before, of fear. 
How is heaven kind, where I have nothing won,
And fortune only pays me with my own?

Arim. Great Aureng-Zebe did duteous care express,
And durst not push too far his good success;
But, lest Morat the city should attack,
Commanded his victorious army back;
Which, left to march as swiftly as they may,
Himself comes first, and will be here this day,
Before a close-formed siege shut up his way.

Emp. Prevent his purpose! hence, with all thy speed!  Stop him; his entrance to the town forbid.

Arim. How, sir? your loyal, your victorious son?