 | Demetrius |  |
SCENE III.
Enter Mithranes.Mith.
O queen, what means
Your long delay? The peril grows more pressing:
The people's patience now by slow degrees
Degenerates into tumult; nought can stop
320
Cleo.
Behold Barsene how Alcestes comes!
Let us depart.
[rises.
Bar.
Is then your choice determin'd?
Cleo.
'Tis not determin'd.
Bar.
What is then your purpose?
Cleo.
I know not what.
Bar.
Will you thus unresolv'd,
Expose yourself to such a dangerous trial?
Cleo.
I go, Barsene, whither fate compels me,
Without a friend to counsel or support.
Without a friend to counsel or support.
While thus a thousand doubts I feel,
With empire and with love distrest,
My heart afflicted scarce can tell
If hope or fear inspire my breast.
With empire and with love distrest,
My heart afflicted scarce can tell
If hope or fear inspire my breast.
A sovereign's duty I confess;
I own the gentler passion's sway:
I now resolve, and now no less
Repent, and both by turns obey.
I own the gentler passion's sway:
I now resolve, and now no less
Repent, and both by turns obey.
[Exit.
| Demetrius | |