 | The Royal Suppliants |  |
1
ACT I.
IOLAUS, and others, round an Altar near the Temple of Jupiter.IOLAUS.
Here, wretched outcasts! poor remains of friends
To him who once was Hercules, rest here.
Jove's altar be your refuge. May it check
Eurystheus' impious rage; and, like a tower,
Baffle the bloody tyrant, who from Argos
Exiles the royal race; and now forbids
Each state to shelter our distress. Thine only,
Athenian Demophon, remains untried:
Grant heaven!—
Enter HÆMON.
Oh, Hæmon, never to my eyes
More welcome was thy presence. Faithful servant,
2
Safe in yon shrine?
HÆMON.
Spite of Eurystheus' spies,
Who chaced their flight; by the moon's waining orb
Befriended, safely in yon shrine are lodged
Mother and daughter.
IOLAUS.
Gracious are ye, gods!
And my soul bends devoutly to your thrones,
For lives preserved far dearer than my own.
HÆMON.
Th'imperial widow there of great Alcides
Mourns, with a mourning universe, the fate
Of her illustrious lord; in whose sad tomb
Lye buried all her hopes.
IOLAUS.
Grant her, good heaven,
That fortitude her age requires, to bear
The mighty loss. For, oh, her feeble frame,
By woes made feebler; and the thousand perils
Of this dread flight—
HÆMON.
With toil and grief o'erpower'd,
Nature gives way, and in short broken slumbers
A transient respite feels. Through the lone ile,
At day-break, I drew near; and saw Macaria
With anxious tenderness scarce breathing o'er her.
A sigh, that would not be supprest, broke forth;
While from her eye, half-glimmering with a smile,
Stole such a tear as burnt upon my heart.
Strait I retired unseen. Oh, Iolaus,
3
To turn misfortune's torrent, that bears down
Each rising hope?
IOLAUS.
This day decides our doom.
HÆMON.
If Demophon reject us—
IOLAUS.
We are dust
Before the whirlwind of Eurystheus' wrath.
—But lead me to the temple.
HÆMON.
The gate opens;
And lo, Macaria—
IOLAUS.
What a soul of sorrow!
O'er her wan visage melancholy throws
Its mournful ensign; yet that conscious air,
That decent dignity, which makes grief proud
Of such a consort, mark her for the daughter
Of the world's hero. Hæmon, to the city;
And learn if any herald be arrived
To cross our purpose.
[Exit Hæmon.
MACARIA descends with Virgins.
Ever-honoured lady!
If that an old man's aid—
MACARIA.
I will shake off
[not regarding Iolaus.
This feebleness. My powers, lose not your functions.
4
Wakes her. A little longer, balmy sleep,
Spread thy still pinions; in oblivious dews
Her senses steep a little longer yet;
Grief soon enough will rouse them. Now I haste
To know the worst can happen. Iolaus!
So soon to see thee, after our dread parting,
My virtuous friend!
IOLAUS.
Welcome to my sad heart,
As the dear drops that nourish it! But whither
Goest thou, sweet maid, with such disorder'd step?
No new affliction?
MACARIA.
In a breast o'erflowing,
Like Deianira's, can misfortune find
A place for new affliction? yet, poor queen!
Hopeless, she talks of hope; and would gild o'er
The sorrow that consumes her, with a smile,
In pity to her daughter. Oh, that fiend
Eurystheus! the detested cause of all!
Think of his fierce immitigable hate
To Hercules! Think with what fortitude
My noble sire sustained a life of labours,
That savages would shrink from! And shall vengeance
Sleep, till the wretch exterminates our race?
First down to Tartarus!—Oh, pardon, pardon
My nature's rashness. I am calm again;
I'll listen to thy counsel, which has ever
Been wise and wholesome; for unless thy friendship
Still lends its sheltering succour to thy queen—
IOLAUS.
Ah, what can I, alas, feeble old man!
5
Let her but hear thy voice. Alas, alas!
To wretchedness like her's, the very voice
Of friendship yields relief. Let her but see
Thy pitying eye, but not suffused with tears,
Thou good old man! no, dry thy tears, and speak,
Fallacious tho' they be, some lenient words
That sound like comfort. I the while will go—
Why shrinks my heart? Why faulters thus my tongue,
As Demophon were dangerous? I'll go to him.
IOLAUS.
Unknown! unguarded! go to Demophon
Uncalled! Thy heart, Macaria, well may shrink,
And thy tongue faulter. I have caught th'alarm.
Thy filial piety, too generous maid!
Unwarily betrays thee.
MACARIA.
Well I know
Thy friendly fears; he is not Acamas!
That high heroic spirit, who amongst
The foremost sons of Argos famous stood.
'Twas not in praise of Demophon, the tongue
Of fame grew lavish.
IOLAUS.
But from Acamas,
His brother, there's small hope: all kingly power
Is lodg'd in Demophon; be counsel'd then.
Till his heart's soften'd to receive thy suit,
Quit not the sanctuary.
MACARIA.
More forcibly
Than fear can counteract, an unseen hand
6
A more than mortal earnest of success;
Let not thy doubts oppose it. Oft I've heard,
There is an eloquence in artless grief,
Of power to melt the sternest. I'll essay
That power on Demophon.
IOLAUS.
My words are vain.
Go then, Macaria, if it must be so,
Obedient to thy monitory call.
And, Dryas, thou, and ancient Amycus,
Silent attend the princess. You are suppliants,
Soliciting relief; let every look,
And every motion, suit that humble state.
MACARIA.
Wise, Iolaus, is thy wary charge.
And now, inspir'd with boldness, on I go,
Secure in heaven.
Exit Macaria attended.
IOLAUS.
May gracious heaven, which loves
That virtue which so sorely it afflicts,
Thy soul's desires indulge thee!—Here's my post;
This altar, and that temple—here I'll watch,
One day; perhaps the only one, that fate
Has now to give me.
Enter HÆMON.
Hæmon back so soon?
What tidings dost thou bring?
HÆMON.
Tidings to thrill
Thy heart with horror. Scarcely had I enter'd
7
The steps of men advancing. Eagerly,
And all at once, sometimes they seemed to talk.
Loud was their leader's voice above the rest;
And soon his cruel eye, and haughty port,
Proclaimed him the stern herald of Eurystheus.
IOLAUS.
Alcander?
HÆMON.
He, whose rancorous revenge
Pursues us thro' the world.
IOLAUS.
Remorseless villain!
Yet, Hæmon, villain as he is, fear not.
This shrine's our sanctuary; its awful God,
Whose word controuls the fury of the floods,
Shall baffle the base plots of impious men.
HÆMON.
Heard you that shriek?
IOLAUS.
It was Macaria's voice!
And lo, Alcander!—Hæmon, rush between—
She's lost!—Alcander, like a ravening vulture,
Seizes his prey!
Enter MACARIA, &c. pursued by ALCANDER.
MACARIA.
God of the temple! save,
Oh save thy trembling suppliant!
8
Hell-hound, stop!
Thou slave to a vile tyrant! what fresh malice
Is thy black bosom fraught with?
ALCANDER.
Fond old man!
Whither art thou transported? Yield, Macaria.
Eurystheus has proscribed your wretched lives.
Yield to your king:
IOLAUS.
Not while this arm can save her.
HÆMON.
Lady, this way.
MACARIA.
Yes, lead me from the sight
Of that unhallowed monster.—Hah, presum'st thou
T'advance one impious step?—hold, on thy life.
The bolt of Jove is lifted—wretch, behold
The sanctuary, and tremble.
Exit with Hæmon to the Temple.
ALCANDER.
Long thou shalt not
A sanctuary find it.
IOLAUS.
From her country
Already hast thou forced her. Would'st thou more?
Ah, suffer her the mournful privilege
To breathe in exile.
9
Still dost thou pretend!
Thus then I crush thy age.
IOLAUS.
Help, men of Athens!
Forbear! 'tis worse than murder.—Hah, respect
The altar of a God omnipotent.
Enter ACAMAS, with Guards.
ACAMAS.
Whence these loud outcries, that profane the temple
Of him who thunders?—Peace, I charge you, peace.
Bring forth th'offender, as you dread the weight
Of our displeasure. Acamas commands—
Bring forth th'offender.
IOLAUS.
Royal Acamas,
Protect an old man, outraged by that wretch;
Who, in contempt of every sacred rite,
From Jove's own altar drags me.
ACAMAS.
Rash, rash man!
Whom I—but first inform me, reverend stranger,
What country claims thy birth, and what thy name.
IOLAUS.
Mycenæ is my country; and my name
Herculean Iolaus.
10
Whence are those?
IOLAUS.
Sad Deianira's suppliant train, imploring
Thine, and yon temple's refuge, from the rage
Of merciless Eurystheus.
ALCANDER.
Yet that temple
Shall not secure them from their rightful lord,
Who here demands his slaves.
ACAMAS.
Suppress thy tongue,
Irreverent as thou art! and mark my words:
Till Demophon's return from Marathon,
With whose young prince he went to celebrate
His daughter's spousals, all authority
Devolves on Acamas.—I'm Athens' king;
And I forbid all force.
ALCANDER.
Why then by force
Dost thou with-hold the vassals of Eurystheus?
ACAMAS.
Are they not suppliants?—To violate
The rites of hospitality, reject
The poor man's suit, who only has his prayers,
His humble prayers, and miseries, to protect him,
Would make the good gods shudder on their thrones.
11
MACARIA.
'Tis Acamas himself!—restrain me not.—
A thousand doubts, a thousand apprehensions!
But a lov'd mother's dangers drive me on:
They put a tongue in the mute lips of fear;
Inspire me with new courage.—On the ground,
Trembling, I clasp thy knees!—Oh Acamas!
If ever thou hast felt, as sure thou hast,
The tender touch of nature—if the anguish
Of a sad daughter for the best, alas!
The wretchedest of mothers!—my despair,
Oh whither doth it drive!—let thy own heart
Tell thee, what grief like mine wants words to utter.—
Say, while I've sense to hear, that Deianira
Is safe—that Acamas protects her—bids
Macaria live in her dear mother's life!
ACAMAS.
Macaria here at Athens!—as from heaven
Some blessed spirit spoke, my every sense
Is wrapt in admiration!—'tis Macaria!
Her voice, her mien!—such the bright blaze of beauty
That burst on me at Argos!—What rude hand
Could injure that fair form; which my heart worship'd,
When my enchanted eyes first gazed upon thee?
Divine Macaria, speak!
MACARIA.
Eurystheus!—oh,
His very name into distraction throws
12
Ye venerable friends of Hercules!
And tell, for his sad daughter, the distress
Of a poor queen, and princess; driven like slaves
From realm to realm.—My brother too, dear youth!
If scap'd th'assassin's dagger, he still breathes
The vital air: to Acamas commend him!
Oh, Sir! to Hyllus, Deianira, all,
Be a protector from the bloodiest tyrant!
The most remorseless wretch!
ACAMAS.
Rise, royal maid,
Of every wish secure. The utmost grace
My power can grant, his daughter well may claim,
Whose godlike friendship from the realms of death
Rescued my sire.
MACARIA.
Tears are but fruitless thanks.
Yet are they all th'unhappy have to give;
Take them, and let thy charitable heart
Supply the rest.—Now say, thou bold, bad man!
[to Alcander.
ALCANDER.
I waste no further words.—If thou respect'st
[to Acamas.
The friendship of Eurystheus, render back
These fugitive remains of Hercules,
That public ravager—
MACARIA.
Inhuman ruffian!
Whose savage tongue even wretchedness insults;
13
Who, could he hear such profanation!—Rise,
Thou mighty spirit! clad in horrors, come
Forth from thy tomb! even at thy very look,
This wretch, his tyrant, every slave thro' all
His host, would quake to death!
ALCANDER.
Such pageantry
Suits not Alcander; whose indignant king
Expects an answer.
ACAMAS.
Take this answer back.
First tell thy king what thou at Athens seest;
Tell what thou hear'st; then say, while Acamas
Rules in this land of liberty, no tyrant
Shall force our injured suppliant from his shrine.
ALCANDER.
Hah, is this Acamas? not more for valour
Than wisdom famed.—Not thus, if I know aught
Of reverend Thestor, whose divine forecast
Makes him oracular; not thus would he
Counsel his king. Consult him; be not rash;
Thou speak'st the fate of thousands.
ACAMAS.
Insolent!
Hast thou not heard? Retire.
ALCANDER.
Then hear, Eurystheus;
War, instant war, 'gainst Athens I denounce.
A valiant host, led by their valiant king,
Moves on.—Ere sun-rise at your gates expect
The conqueror!
Exit.
14
Dreadful his defiance sounds.
And to my frightful fancy wasteful war
In all its horrors rises.—He, perhaps,
The generous friend, whose soul now melts to see
Griefs not his own; even Acamas may fall!
ACAMAS.
Were Acamas the noblest of his line,
Could he more nobly fall? Had I a life
For every peril, in a cause like this
I'd risk them all with transport! Ah, restrain
Those lovely tears. I swear, no power on earth
Shall harm Macaria, while these arms can bear
The shield and sword before her.
MACARIA.
To the queen,
With heart o'erflowing, suffer me t'impart
This gracious goodness. Would to heaven, my Hyllus
Were present now to share it, the young soldier
Of generous Acamas.
ACAMAS.
Would heaven, he were!
I long to clasp him. Iolaus, send
A herald forth; I long to lead to war
The brother of Macaria.
MACARIA.
Heaven, that knows
How much he wants a friend like Acamas,
From its blest fount thy charity repay!
Exit.
15
My tongue makes no reply.—I cannot stop;
I cannot follow her.—How quickly, oh,
How subtly something steels thro' every vein;
Another soul, I think—
Enter an OFFICER.
OFFICER.
Far as the eye
From yonder tower can reach, a cloud of dust
Darkens the air; while thro' it break by fits
Bright transient flashes; such as to the sun
Glitter from pikes and helmed heads: it seems
Hitherward moving.
ACAMAS.
On my life, Eurystheus!
The usurper, by this fraudful march, would take
At unawares our troops; would terrify
Our suppliants from the temple. He shall find,
Rash as he is, the justice of our cause
Laughs at surprize, not fears it.—Where's my armour?—
My soul's i'th'field already—nay, dispatch—
My spear, my target.—Cheerly do my spirits
Course their quick round. In air I seem to tread,
Moved magically on.—Divine Macaria!
Thy beauty—'tis thy virtue!—forth I go,
To prove their power upon a soldier's sword.
Exit.
END OF THE FIRST ACT.
| The Royal Suppliants | |