University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Lycidas, Megacles meeting.
Mega.
My Lycidas!

Lyc.
My friend!

Mega.
Behold me here—

Lyc.
Hast thou completed—

Mega.
Every thing is done.
I, in thy stead, have visited the temple,
And, in thy place, shall soon begin the trial;
Then, ere the signal for the strife is given,
Thou may'st disclose the bent of thy design.

Lyc.
O! should'st thou conquer, all the realm of Love
Has not a lover happier than myself.

Mega.
What mean'st thou?

Lyc.
To reward the victor's toils
A maid is promis'd of transcendent charms,
And royal birth: these eyes had scarce beheld her
When my heart glow'd, and panted to possess her:
But little vers'd in these athletic games—

Mega.
I understand you—I for you must win her.

Lyc.
Even so, my friend—demand my life, my kingdom,
Whate'er I have, my Megacles, is thine,
And all too little to return thy friendship.

Mega.
There need not, prince, such motives to incite
A grateful vassal, and a faithful friend:
To thee I owe my life; then hope the best;
I trust thou shalt possess thy wish'd-for bride.
I come no stranger to the field; ere this
My labours have bedew'd the sands of Elis:
Nor is the sylvan olive to these brows
An unaccustom'd wreath; and never yet
This breast was more secure of victory:
The thirst of honour, and the warmth of friendship,
Add strength to every nerve: I pant with ardor,
And seem already in the glorious trial.
Methinks I see each rival combatant,
Methinks I conquer! From the trampled plain
My locks and face with dust are cover'd o'er,
And shouts of pleas'd spectators fill my ears.

Lyc.
O my lov'd friend! O dearest Aristea!

Mega.
What say'st thou, ha!

Lyc.
I call by name on her
My soul adores.

Mega.
And nam'st thou Aristea?

Lyc.
I do.

Mega.
What Aristea?

Lyc.
Aristea,
Born on Asopus' banks, the only off-spring
Of royal Clisthenes.

Mega.
O Heaven! 'tis she,
'Tis she I love! [aside.]
—And must we fight for her?

Lyc.
For her.

Mega.
Is this the virgin I must gain you,
By conquering here?

Lyc.
The same.

Mega.
Is Aristea
Your hope, your comfort?

Lyc.
O! she's all to me.

Mega.
I feel the stroke of death!

[aside.
Lyc.
Be not surpris'd:
When thou shalt see the beauties of that face,
Thou wilt perhaps excuse me: Gods themselves,
Without a blush, might own a passion there.

Mega.
Too well I know it.

[aside.
Lyc.
Should'st thou prove victorious,
Can there be found one happier than myself?
Even Megacles shall triumph in my joy:
Wilt thou not sympathize in my delight?

Mega.
Doubtless.

Lyc.
And wilt thou not, my friend, esteem
The moment blest that gives me Aristea?

Mega.
Most blest—O Gods!

[aside.
Lyc.
And will not Megacles
Grace with his presence these auspicious nuptials?

Mega.
Distraction!

[aside.
Lyc.
Speak.

Mega.
I have no will but yours.
What unknown misery, what hell is this!

[aside.
Lyc.
How tedious seems the day! Alas! thou know'st not,
Or canst not sure believe, that expectation
Is death to one who loves, and loves like me.

Mega.
I know it well.

Lyc.
Yes, Megacles, even now
My thoughts call up futurity: already
In fancy I possess my beauteous bride.

Mega.
This is too much.

[aside.
Lyc.
Methinks I seem—

Mega.
No more—
You've said enough; I own the name of friend,
And know the duties which that name imports;
Yet think not therefore—

Lyc.
Why are you displeas'd?
In what have I offended?

Mega.
Inconsiderate!
What have I done!— [aside.]
This transport springs from zeal
To do you service: hither am I come
Tir'd with a length of way, the fight draws near,
But little time remains for my repose,
And of that little you would now deprive me.

Lyc.
What hinder'd thee before to speak thy thoughts?

Mega.
Respect restrain'd my tongue.

Lyc.
Then would'st thou rest?

Mega.
I would.

Lyc.
Shall we from hence retire together?

Mega.
No, Lycidas.

Lyc.
Then wilt thou still remain
Beneath these shades?

Mega.
I will.

Lyc.
Shall not thy friend
Attend thee here?

Mega.
O no.

[impatiently.
Lyc.

[Exit.