University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Enter Adrian and Pharnaspes.
Emir.
[aside.]
O! Emirena, what a cruel trial
Thy love must here endure.

Adr.
[entering.]
Say, prince, is that
The beauty you adore?

Phar.
O! Heavens! 'tis she
Whose charms are ever lovelier in my sight.

Emir.
[aside.]
How my heart throbs!

Adr.
See, beauteous Emirena,
With whom I am return'd; and well I know
My presence never was more grateful to thee.
Speak, undisguis'd.

Emir.
What stranger, sir, is this?

Phar.
What stranger!

Adr.
Know'st thou not those features?

Emir.
Heaven!
[aside.
I know them not.

[to Adr.
Adr.
And hast thou, Emirena,
Ne'er view'd their likeness?

Emir.
No—I fear to speak;
If I betray my love we both are lost.

[aside.
Adr.
[to Phar.]
Is this the maid who learn'd with thee to love?

Phar.
I'm all amazement! Am I then Pharnaspes?
Alas! where am I?

Emir.
[aside.]
How I sympathize
With all he feels.

Adr.
[to Emir.]
If fear, or doubt of me
Restrain thee, Emirena, know that Adrian
Is not a tyrant o'er another's heart.
Behold thy lover—I restore him to thee;
As well befits his eldership of passion.

Emir.
[aside.]
Be constant still— [to Adr.]
I here refuse the gift.

Phar.
My princess, say, what has Pharnaspes done?
What crime unknown to raise thine anger thus?
Dost thou distrust my truth?

Emir.
No more—no more—

Phar.
Am I not he—

Emir.
[to Phar.]
In pity, O! forbear—
For well my state deserves it.

Phar.
Yet remember—

Emir.
[to Phar.]
Remembrance now is lost—I cannot speak—
My adverse fate engrosses every thought:
Unless thou mean'st to see me sink before thee—
Leave me in peace—away.

Phar.
Leave thee in peace?
Inhuman!—yes—I will obey—but look,
Look once upon this face, there read the heart
Of him—no, cruel, do not look upon me,
If thou would'st wish Pharnaspes to obey thee.

[Exit.