 | Adrian In Syria |  |
SCENE V.
Enter Emirena.Emir.
Aquilius.
Aqu.
Ah! princess, had you seen the rage of Cæsar:
Pharnaspes has requir'd from him your freedom;
Confess'd he lov'd you, and was lov'd again;
And thus has kindled in the emperor's bosom
A thousand jealous pangs. He raves to madness,
And vows, unless you quit your former love,
He to the capitol will drag you, bound
In servile fetters, at his chariot wheels.
Emir.
Is this the hero of your Tiber? This
The boasted idol of imperial Rome?
I have his word I should not be expos'd
A spectacle of triumph. Is it then
With you no shame for heroes to be false?
Aquil.
When love obscures the sense and blinds the reason,
Even heroes, Emirena, change their nature,
170
Shall Emirena then be led in triumph?
O! never, never—Asia too has those
Who dare to die.
Aquil.
No—better means there are
In Emirena's power. Know, Cæsar comes
To offer you Pharnaspes, hoping thus
To read your secret thoughts: beware, nor trust
His seeming friendship: art elude with art.
Receive your prince belov'd with feign'd indifference;
Reject his profferr'd hand: guard every word,
And dress your looks with well-dissembled coldness,
As if your breast no longer own'd the lover.
Emir.
And what of me will poor Pharnaspes say?
Alas! thou know'st not how his heart is form'd:
At such unkindness I shall see him fall
A victim at my feet.
Aquil.
Farewell—reflect—
And, if you can, embrace some better counsel.
Emir.
Hear me: at least prevent the prince—
Aquil.
He's here.
Emir.
O! Heavens!
Aquil.
Now summon all your fortitude;
I've trac'd your path to shun the threatening evil.
[Exit.
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