 | Agis |  |
SCENE THE FIRST.
Agis.Agis.
Ye pitying gods, who have till now been pleased
To rescue from Leonidas's rage
My well-known innocence, no more can I
Remain within your temple. I from you
Sought an asylum, that my infirm country
Might not be forced t'endure more violence,
More slaughter, and more broils: now there are those
Who dare ascribe this step to my misdeeds,
And to the terror of just punishment.
Behold, at once the asylum I relinquish.—
Oh Sparta, Sparta! ... To thy true deliverers
Must thou be ever fatal? Ah, to me
Were but the fate allow'd that once befell
Thy first illustrious father! Not content
With everlasting exile, on himself
Inflicted by Lycurgus, I would chuse
Further, ignoble death, if by that death
I might at least behold with thee revive
The pristine vigour of thy sacred laws! ...
But who so quickly comes to this asylum? ...
Whom do I see? Oh heavens! Agiziade! ...
The daughter of Leonidas! ... Alas! ...
That consort, who, although so well beloved,
Yet for her father's sake abandon'd me!
| Agis | |