 | Artaxerxes |  |
SCENE XIV.
Mandane, Semira, Artaban, Arbaces, Megabyzus, Guards.Arb.
Wretched Arbaces! must thou then endure,
Though innocent, the bitter sting of insult?
Mega.
What strange event is this?
Sem.
Alas! I fear
More evils yet.
[aside.
Man.
My peace is lost for ever!
[aside.
Artab.
I tremble while I feign.
[aside.
26
Alas! my father,
Thou dost not look upon me—I could bear,
Without repining, all accusers else;
But O! that thou should'st rise against Arbaces,
That he, who gave me life, should seek my death,
The thought, with horror, chills me: sure a father
May feel some pity for his suffering son.
Artab.
Thou art no more my son, no more
This heart a kindred feeling knows;
The heart thou vainly dost implore,
No pity to a traitor owes.
'Tis guilt that makes thee thus distrest,
And fills with woe thy parent's breast.
[Exit.
| Artaxerxes | |