I ne'er was truly wretched till this day.
_Oraz_. Think half your sorrows on Orazia fall,
And be not so unkind to suffer all:
Patience, in cowards, is tame hopeless fear,
But, in brave minds, a scorn of what they bear.
[_Exit Inca_, MONTEZUMA, ORAZIA, _and_ TRAXALLA.
_Zemp_. What grief is this which in your face appears?
_Aca_. The badge of sorrow, which my soul still wears.
_Zemp_. Though thy late actions did my anger move,
It cannot rob thee of a mother's love.
Why shouldst thou grieve?
Grief seldom joined with blooming youth is seen;
Can sorrow be where knowledge scarce has been?
Fortune does well for heedless youth provide,
But wisdom does unlucky age misguide;
Cares are the train of present power and state,
But hope lives best that on himself does wait:
O happiest fortune if well understood,
The certain prospect of a future good!
_Aca_. What joy can empire bring me, when I know
That all my greatness to your crimes I owe:
_Zemp_. Yours be the joy, be mine the punishment.
_Aca_. In vain, alas, that wish to Heaven is sent
For me, if fair Orazia must not live.
_Zemp_. Why should you ask me what I cannot
give?
She must be sacrificed: Can I bestow
What to the gods, by former vows, I owe?
_Aca_. O plead not vows; I wish you had not shown
You slighted all things sacred for a throne.
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