 | Sylla |  |
36
SCENE V.
The same Dramatis Personæ.Sylla,
after surveying the Assembly, and addressing himself to Gordius.
What has brought thee again before me, Gordius?
Know then that Cappadocia is free,
And thou no more her sovereign.
[To Ariobarzanes.
The crown
Of an ally deemed faithless by the senate,
Is, noble Ariobarzanes, thine:
Rome who protects, will punish too her kings.
Hence to thy country and enforce our laws:
My friendship lifts thee to the highest rank
Of princes.—As a Roman citizen
Go rule the provinces; ours thy support
37
Found liberty.
[To the Ambassadors of Parthia.
The valour of a nation
Bold as the Parthians are and brave, I honour:
And I accept their friendship.
[Faustus Sylla enters, and, with evidently disturbed feelings, proceeds to place himself near his father.
To Archelaus.]
As for you,
The agent and support of Mithridates,
Return thee to thy master, Archelaus;
With a barbaric king I treat no more.
Go tell him that; and say, the blood he's shed
Hath placed, for ever placed a barrier 'twixt us.
The hundred thousand Romans he has murder'd
Shall, while he lives, sleep unrevenged—no longer.
[A Noise is heard from behind; an emotion of terror agitates the Assembly.
But whence arise these fears?
38
Loud cries are heard;—
SYLLA.
Be calm: for why should they create surprise?
'Tis but the execution of my orders,
And none need fear, methinks: unless perchance
Some proscript yet remain t'await his sentence.
OFELLA.
A crowd, it seems, advancing t'wards the palace,
Wait the Dictator's presence.
SYLLA.
Well, what want they?
OFELLA.
Lænas, who heads them, in their name demands
Admission.
SYLLA.
Lænas!—He is charged withal
With a but dangerous message;—what has he
To hope for?—Lictors, open him a passage.
| Sylla | |