University of Virginia Library

SCENE XVII.

Enter Dido, attended.
Osm.
O queen! we are betray'd, and if Arbaces
Had here delay'd his succour, great Æneas
This day had fallen beneath a barbarous hand.

Did.
Where is the base assassin?

Osm.
See him there,
The murderous weapon in his grasp.

[pointing to Aras.
Did.
What fury
Enflam'd thy bosom to the treacherous deed?

Aras.
My sovereign's glory and my own renown.

Did.
How! did Arbaces disavow—

Aras.
I know it—
He reprobates the deed—I fear his anger,
But never can my conscious soul repent
What is not guilt.

Did.
And feel'st thou no remorse
For such a sacrilege?

Aras.
A thousand times
Would I repeat the daring.

Did.
I'll prevent thee—
Guards, take him hence—

[Exit Aras. guarded.
Æn.
[to Iar.]
O! generous foe! I knew not
In thee such virtue dwelt—come to my breast.

Iar.
Æneas, hold—Araspes sav'd thy life—
I sought thy blood—in me behold Iarbas!

Did.
Iarbas, thou!

Æn.
Thou sovereign of the Moors!

Did.
A kingly bosom harbours not such baseness:
Thou dost belie thy prince—Disarm the traitor.

Iar.
None dare approach me. [draws.]
Death is in this weapon.

Osm.
[aside to Iar.]
Seem but to yield awhile, till time permit
To call our friends in aid—In me confide.

Iar.
Can I submit so tamely.

[aside to Osm.
Æn.
Hold, my friends,
'Tis mine to punish him.

Did.
[to Æn.]
Reserve thy valour
For nobler deeds—
[to Iar.]
What canst thou hope? Or yield,
Or fall a bloody victim at my feet.

Osm.
Reserve thee for a future noble vengeance.

[aside to Iar.
Iar.
There—take my sword.

[throws down his sword, which is taken up by the guards.—Exit Iarbas guarded, followed by Osmidas and Araspes.