 | Artaxerxes |  |
SCENE XI.
Enter Artaban.Artab.
My lord!
Artax.
My friend!
Artab.
I sought you, sir.
Artax.
And I've pursued thy steps.
Artab.
Perhaps you fear—
Artax.
I fear—
Artab.
Dismiss your fears:
'Tis finish'd—Artaxerxes is my king:
Darius is chastis'd.
Artax.
Immortal powers!
Man.
Unhappy fate!
Artab.
The unwary parricide
Himself expos'd his bosom to the stroke.
Artax.
O Gods!
Artab.
You sigh—we but obey'd the order
Yourself had given.
19
Thou should'st have better read
My secret soul.
Man.
Thou might'st have well foreseen
His horror, his repentance.
Artax.
In a son
Who lost his father, O! thou should'st have pitied
The first emotions of ungovern'd passion.
Artab.
Such pity had been vain. To obey the mandate
So ready were thy guards, that ere I saw them
Attack Darius, I beheld him slain.
Artax.
O villains! never shall they drench unpunish'd
Their impious weapons in a prince's blood.
Artab.
But, sir! 'twas your command that made them bold,
The fatal stroke was yours, and yours alone.
Artax.
'Tis all too true!—I know and own my crime:
Yes, Artaban, 'tis I indeed am guilty.
Artab.
Guilty! of what? Of acting noble justice,
Of vengeance due to Xerxes? Be compos'd,
And think that by an impious brother's death,
A parricide is punish'd.
| Artaxerxes | |