Aur. And yet worse usage had incensed her more. 
But since by no obligement she is tied,
You must betimes for your defence provide. 
I cannot idle in your danger stand,
But beg once more I may your arms command: 
Two battles your auspicious cause has won;
My sword can perfect what it has begun,
And from your walls dislodge that haughty son.

Emp. My son, your valour has this day been such,
None can enough admire, or praise too much: 
But now, with reason, your success I doubt;
Her faction’s strong within, his arms without.

Aur. I left the city in a panic fright;
Lions they are in council, lambs in fight. 
But my own troops, by Mirzah led, are near;
I, by to-morrow’s dawn, expect them here: 
To favour them, I’ll sally out ere day,
And through our slaughtered foes enlarge their way.

Emp. Age has not yet
So shrunk my sinews, or so chilled my veins,
But conscious virtue in my breast remains: 
But had I now
That strength, with which my boiling youth was fraught,
When in the vale of Balasor I fought,
And from Bengal their captive monarch brought;
When elephant ’gainst elephant did rear
His trunk, and castles jostled in the air;
My sword thy way to victory had shown,
And owed the conquest to itself alone.

Aur. Those fair ideas to my aid I’ll call,
And emulate my great original;
Or, if they fail, I will invoke, in arms,
The power of love, and Indamora’s charms.

Emp. I doubt the happy influence of your star; To invoke a captive’s name bodes ill in war.

Aur. Sir, give me leave to say, whatever now
The omen prove, it boded well to you. 
Your royal promise, when I went to fight,
Obliged me to resign a victor’s right: 
Her liberty I fought for, and I won,
And claim it, as your general, and your son.

Emp. My ears still ring with noise; I’m vexed to death,
Tongue-killed, and have not yet recovered breath;
Nor will I be prescribed my time by you. 
First end the war, and then your claim renew;
While to your conduct I my fortune trust,
To keep this pledge of duty is but just.

Aur. Some hidden cause your jealousy does move, Or you could ne’er suspect my loyal love.

Emp. What love soever by an heir is shown,
He waits but time to step into the throne;
You’re neither justified, nor yet accused;
Meanwhile, the prisoner with respect is used.

Aur. I know the kindness of her guardian such,
I need not fear too little, but too much. 
But, how, sir, how have you from virtue swerved? 
Or what so ill return have I deserved? 
You doubt not me, nor have I spent my blood,
To have my faith no better understood: 
Your soul’s above the baseness of distrust: 
Nothing but love could make you so unjust.