ARBACES:
Behold, my King, Arbaces at thy feet

ARTAXERXES:
O still my friend! Come to my grateful breast

MANDANE:
Yet that my brother may with better grace
Reward this deed, and satisfy the people
Some reason give us for the bloody sword
Thy tim'rous flight, and all that wak'd suspicion

ARBACES:
If deeds, not words, proclaim a loyal heart
Permit me to be silent I am innocent

ARTAXERXES:
Confirm it with a solemn imprecation,
And of the truth, as Persia's Law prescribes
That vessel drain'd shall be the sacred pledge

ARBACES:
I am prepar'd

ARTABANES:
(O cruel Gods! If my son drinks he's poison'd)

ARBACES:
Resplendent Gods, by whom sweet April blooms
Thou genial beam that warms us and enlightens...

ARTABANES:
(O wretched Father!)

ARBACES:
Look awful down, and if my treacherous lips
Have utter'd falsehood, may this wholesome draft
Change, as it passes, into...

ARTABANES:
Hold, 'tis poison

ARTAXERXES:
What fury urg'd thee to so vile a deed?

ARTABANES:
Away, disguise the draught was meant for thee
But my paternal fondness has betray'd me
I murder'd Xerxes and, to gain the throne
Would have destroy'd thee too

ARTAXERXES:
Wretch, thou shalt die

ARBACES:
Then I disdain to live

ARTAXERXES:
Mandane shall reward thy spotless virtue
And thy fair sister shall partake our throne
But for that traitor...

ARBACES:
I will die for him.
My blood is his, and shall atone his crimes

ARTAXERXES:
Thy loyalty and virtue, injur'd youth
Shall change his sentence into banishment...
Make no reply his exile is for life

MANDANE:
Sure Heav'n inspir'd this merciful decree
Arbaces and Semira must approve it
Though for his crimes the father justly suffers
His life is spar'd, that you his guiltless children
May not be ever wretched in his death