Artaxerxes, Act II: Recitative: “Which fatal evil shall I first oppose?”
Thomas Arne
MANDANE:
If o'er the cruel tyrant love
A conquest I believ'd
The flattering error cease to prove
O let me be deceiv'd
Forbear to fan the gentle flame
Which love did first create
What was my pride is now my shame
And must be turn'd to hate
Then call not to my wav'ring mind
The weakness of my heart
Which, ah, I feel too much inclin'd
To take a traitor's part!
(Exit)