Emp. Stay, and now learn,
How criminal soe’er we husbands are,
’Tis not for wives to push our crimes too far. 
Had you still mistress of your temper been,
I had been modest, and not owned my sin. 
Your fury hardens me; and whate’er wrong
You suffer, you have cancelled by your tongue. 
A guard there!—­Seize her; she shall know this hour,
What is a husband’s and a monarch’s power. [Guard seizes her.

  Enter AURENG-ZEBE.

Nour. I see for whom your charter you maintain;
I must be fettered, and my son be slain,
That Zelyma’s ambitious race may reign. 
Not so you promised, when my beauty drew
All Asia’s vows; when, Persia left for you,
The realm of Candahar for dower I brought;
That long-contended prize for which you fought.

Aur. The name of stepmother, your practised art,
By which you have estranged my father’s heart,
All you have done against me, or design,
Shows your aversion, but begets not mine. 
Long may my father India’s empire guide,
And may no breach your nuptial vows divide!

Emp. Since love obliges not, I from this hour
Assume the right of man’s despotic power;
Man is by nature formed your sex’s head,
And is himself the canon of his bed: 
In bands of iron fettered you shall be,—­
An easier yoke than what you put on me.

Aur. Though much I fear my interest is not great,
Let me your royal clemency intreat. [Kneeling.
Secrets of marriage still are sacred held;
Their sweet and bitter by the wise concealed. 
Errors of wives reflect on husbands still,
And, when divulged, proclaim you’ve chosen ill;
And the mysterious power of bed and throne
Should always be maintained, but rarely shown.

Emp. To so perverse a sex all grace is vain;
It gives them courage to offend again: 
For with feigned tears they penitence pretend,
Again are pardoned, and again offend;
Fathom our pity when they seem to grieve,
Only to try how far we can forgive;
Till, launching out into a sea of strife,
They scorn all pardon, and appear all wife. 
But be it as you please; for your loved sake,
This last and fruitless trial I will make: 
In all requests your right of merit use;
And know, there is but one I can refuse.
                        [He signs to the Guards, and they remove from
                         the Empress.

Nour. You’ve done enough, for you designed my chains;
The grace is vanished, but the affront remains. 
Nor is’t a grace, or for his merit done;
You durst no farther, for you feared my son. 
This you have gained by the rough course you prove;
I’m past repentance, and you past my love. [Exit.

Emp. A spirit so untamed the world ne’er bore.