University of Virginia Library

SCENE XIV.

Enter Emira.
Em.
[entering.]
And who betrays my king?
In his defence behold this arm and sword.

Sir.
There wanted but Hydaspes to complete
The wretchedness of Siroes.

Cos.
[to Em.]
See, my friend,
To what has Heaven reserv'd me.

[gives the paper.
Laod.
Strange events!

Em.
[having read the paper returns it.]
Whence came this warning? Is the traitor known?

Med.
Medarses has reveal'd the whole.

Sir.
My brother
Deceives thee, good Hydaspes, know 'twas I
Disclos'd the secret.

Cos.
Wherefore then forbear
To name the assassin?

Sir.
Thus far have I spoke,
But dare not utter further.

Em.
O! perfidious!
And would'st thou thus conceal thy impious treason
With virtue's thin disguise? A friend to none,
The offender nor the offended; both betray'd.
The monarch is not safe; the stroke design'd
By thee prevented; now thou com'st to boast
The warning given in that ambiguous paper.
Yes, traitor, I would fain— [to Cos.]
forgive, my king,
This warmth of temper: 'tis my duty speaks:
As loyalty has bound me to the father,
So far respect is wanting to the son:
Your danger is my own.

Laod.
[aside.]
What noble daring!

Cos.
What do I owe to thee, belov'd Hydaspes?
[to Sir.]
Learn, learn, ingrate, behold a stranger born;
The blood of Cosroes circles in thy veins:
To him I gave my favour, thee thy life,
And yet behold he stands to guard my safety,
While thy insidious arts invade my throne.

Sir.
I dare no further plead in my defence,
And yet I am not guilty.

Med.
Innocence
Is ever bold, nor keeps a sullen silence;
Medarses freely speaks.

Em.
[to Sir.]
Away: what now
Employs thy thoughts? What dost thou? He who goes
So far, would doubtless soon complete his purpose;
Thou answer'st not: I know thou art confus'd;
It galls thee now to find thy heart reveal'd,
And all thy falsehood open'd to Hydaspes;
And hence thy silence, hence thy looks of shame,
And hence that fear to cast thine eyes on mine.

Sir.
[aside.]
There wanted but Hydaspes to complete
The wretchedness of Siroes.

Cos.
Yes, Medarses,
His silence justifies the imputed guilt.

Med.
Medarses truly spoke.

Em.
But Siroes' lips
Are fraught with falsehood.

Sir.
'Tis too much, Hydaspes,
And shall not this suffice? What would'st thou more?

Em.
Do thou from anxious doubts relieve my king.

Sir.
What can I say?

Em.
Say? That thy crime is mine,
Say that, with thee, I'm partner in the guilt;
Or rather say that all the guilt is mine,
And thine the loyalty: for this, and more
A mind like his might feign.

[to Cosroes.
Cos.
But fruitless all.
'Tis not an easy task to impose on Cosroes:
I know thy truth too well.

[to Em.
Em.
O! would to heaven
That Siroes' loyal faith could equal mine!

Cos.
I know him too—all, all proclaims him traitor;
He neither makes defence, nor sues for pardon.

Sir.
I can no further plead my hapless cause,
And yet I'm innocent.

Med.
Is he not guilty,
Who could refuse but now a solemn oath
To calm a father's peace?

Laod.
Is he not guilty,
Who cherish'd in his breast presumptuous love?

Cos.
Is he not guilty, whom myself I found
Conceal'd in secret here?

Em.
Is he not guilty,
Who first could claim this paper as his own,
And when I press'd him close with words of truth,
Stood mute and terrified?

Sir.

[Exit.