University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter Amyntas.
Arg.
[to herself.]
And must I neither pity find nor succour?

Amyn.
Almighty powers! Sure Argene appears
In yonder form!

Arg.
At least revenge, revenge
May be procur'd.

[going.
Amyn.
Thou, Argene, in Elis!
Why here, and here alone in homely weeds?

Arg.
Art thou too come to assist the black designs
Of thy perfidious prince? The Cretan king
Has doubtless to a sage conductor given
The care of Lycidas! Behold the fruit
Of thy instructions! Glory then, Amyntas,
To see thy pains succeed: who seeks at full
To know the tiller's care, must mark the soil.

Amyn.
Already has she heard— [aside.]
Not my advice—

Arg.
Enough—no more—In Heaven there still is justice
For all, and may sometimes be found on earth:
I will implore it both from men and Gods;
My rage shall, like his falsehood, keep no bounds.
To Clisthenes, to Greece, to all the world
I'll publish he's a traitor: infamy
Shall still pursue his steps, that every one
May hate, may shun him, and with just abhorrence
May point him out to all that know him not.

Amyn.
These thoughts are sure unworthy Argene.
Anger, though just, is yet a treacherous guide.
Were I as thee I'd prove more gentle methods.
Contrive that he may see thee, speak to him,
Recall his promises to his remembrance;
'Tis ever better to regain a lover,
Than to subdue a foe.

Arg.
And dost thou think
That e'er Amyntas he'll return to me?

Amyn.
I hope at least—thou wert his only joy,
For thee he languish'd, died for thee; remember,
Has he not vow'd a thousand times—

Arg.

[Exit.