ee;
Have better thoughts both of yourself and me.
Beauty a monarch is,
Which kingly power magnificently proves,
By crowds of slaves, and peopled empire loves:
And such a slave as you what queen would lose?
Above the rest, I Arimant would chuse,
For counsel, valour, truth, and kindness too;
All I could wish in man, I find in you.

_Arim._ What lover could to greater joy be raised?
I am, methinks, a god, by you thus praised.

_Ind._ To what may not desert like yours pretend?
You have all qualities, that fit a friend.

_Arim._ So mariners mistake the promised coast;
And, with full sails, on the blind rocks are lost.
Think you my aged veins so faintly beat,
They rise no higher than to friendship's heat?
So weak your charms, that, like a winter's night,
Twinkling with stars, they freeze me, while they light?

_Ind._ Mistake me not, good Arimant; I know
My beauty's power, and what my charms can do.
You your own talent have not learned so well;
But practise one, where you can ne'er excel.
You can, at most,
To an indifferent lover's praise pretend;
But you would spoil an admirable friend.

_Arim._ Never was amity so highly prized,
Nor ever any love so much despised.
Even to myself ridiculous I grow,
And would be angry, if I knew but how.

_Ind._ Do not. Your anger, like your love, is vain;
Whene'er I please, you must be pleased again.
Knowing what power I have your will to bend,
I'll use it; for I need just such a friend.
You must perform, not what you think is fit;
But to whatever I propose submit.

_Arim._ Madam, you have a strange ascendant gained;
You use me like a courser, spurred and reined:
If I fly out, my fierceness you command,
Then sooth, and gently stroke me with your hand.
Impose; but use your power of taxing well;
When subjects cannot pay, they soon rebel.

_Enter the Emperor, unseen by them._

_Ind._ My rebel's punishment would easy prove;
You know you're in my power, by making love.

_Arim._ Would I, without dispute, your will obey,
And could you, in return, my life betray?

_Emp._ What danger, Arimant, is this you fear?
Or what love-secret, which I must not hear?
These altered looks some inward motion show:
His cheeks are pale, and yours with blushes glow. [_To her._

_Ind._ 'Tis what, with justice, may my anger move;
He has been bold, and talked to me of love.

_Arim._ I am betrayed, and shall be doomed to die. [_Aside._

_Emp._ Did he, my slave, presume to lo