University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Enter Phenicius.
Mith.
Fruitless compassion!

Phen.
Say, Mithranes, where
Is Cleonice?

Mith.
She at length compell'd,
Is gone to make th' election.

Phen.
Then, my friend,
My cares are all in vain.

Mith.
What dost thou mean?

Phen.
Yes, to thy well known faith I must reveal
A mighty secret; hear, and give me counsel.

Mith.
Confide in me, I plight my truth, my honour
Ne'er to reveal it.

Phen.
Thou remember'st well
That Alexander, Cleonice's father,
Drove from the throne our lawful king Demetrius.

Mith.
Near thirty years have since elaps'd, but still
The event is present to my mind.

Phen.
Thou know'st
In cruel banishment Demetrius died:
Thou must have heard that with him died his son,
As yet an infant.

Mith.
Yes, I recollect
He too was call'd Demetrius.

Phen.
Now, my friend,
Learn that this royal offspring still survives,
Nor is to thee unknown.

Mith.
May I believe thee,
Or is it but a dream?

Phen.
I'll tell thee further;
He in Alcestes lives.

Mith.
Immortal powers!
What do I hear!

Phen.
His father, when he fled,
Intrusted him to me, and gave me charge
To have him nam'd Alcestes: to his bosom
He press'd me tenderly, his fond embraces
Dividing thus betwixt his son and me,
With sighs he cry'd: “Receive this precious pledge;
“Preserve him for his father's sake, preserve him
“To assert a glorious vengeance and to reign.”

Mith.
Now I perceive the motive of your zeal:
But wherefore was he thus so long conceal'd?

Phen.
Fearful to hazard yet a life so valu'd,
I spread the tidings that Demetrius liv'd,
But kept it secret that he was Alcestes.
Thou need'st not here be told that this report
On Alexander brought the Cretan arms;
And that the tyrant in the battle fell.
But different was th' effect Demetrius' name
Produc'd in Syria; there the ambitious nobles
Refus'd their credit to the voice of rumour.
And hence a foreign aid was requisite
To fix him on the throne: this aid from Crete
Is now expected; but it comes in vain.
Alcestes is from hence—and, ah! I know not
If yet he lives—meantime our Cleonice
Elects a king.—

Mith.
Should Cleonice now
Elect him, let Alcestes but return,
Let him from Crete receive the promis'd succours,
And vengeance still is in his power.

Phen.
Mithranes,
Far different my designs: I hop'd Alcestes
Some future day to Cleonice join'd
In nuptial bands, with her might share the throne;
For sure the princess well deserves to reign.
To this intent, in both their hearts I cherish'd
A growing passion; and had destiny—
But I neglect the hours in vain complaints.
My friend, I call'd thee to partake my cares,
Could we gain time we yet might reap the fruit
Of all our toils—Then let us go, and seek
To interrupt the choice; if nought beside
Avail, I'll venture to disclose the secret:
Do thou before the assembly second me,
And if the great occasion call for arms,
With arms assist me.

Mith.
Here's my hand, my sword,
In such a cause my blood shall freely flow;
I ne'er can shed it in a nobler quarrel.
O! 'twere an envied death to lose my life
In fighting for my king.

Phen.

[Exit.