The saints sacrifice

Arsa. Ye stern Eumenides, and direful powers Of the infernal kingdoms, muster all Your troops together by a general summon, For I do cite you to the court of hell, My grievances beget this invocation; Have I so long served you, and bent my thoughts To your low centre? have my actions been As lewd as you would wish them, and as bla•ke As you your selves, and could you suffer me To fail in this achievement of my lust? So much your instigation? is this justice? ⟨image 40⟩Justice that is a word not known in hell; Is this injustice? no, then are you rebels To your own laws, I do insist on this: What other doctrine preach your ministers But foul injustice, rapes, impieties, Adulteries, murders, slanders, ignominies, False accusations and the like, all which My life hath practised? yet ye punish me With justice ne'er till now heard in your courts: You thought it just Cariclea should escape The poisoned cup, and afterward the fire, You thought it just Theagines and she Should scape my hands, and Oroondates know All my proceedings; cursed fates of mine! Wretched Arsace, wilt thou live and feel Thy punishment augmented by thy shame? Shall the laws triumph o'er Arsaces will? Or Oroondates say he was revenged Upon the high and royal blood of Persia For wrong I did him? no, since I have failed In my desire, these fates I will withstand, And die by none but by this Persian hand. She falls upon a sword, and kills her self.