University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Clisthenes preceded by Lycidas, Alcander, and Megacles wearing an olive crown. Chorus of wrestlers, Guards and People.
Chorus.

Chorus.
Part I.

Chorus.
Part II.

Chorus.

Clis.
Brave youth! who 'midst thy glory still retain'st
Thy graceful modesty; permit me now
To press thee thus with fondness to my bosom.
O happy king of Crete! who could give birth
To such a son as thee! O had I still
Preserv'd my son Philinthus, he perhaps
Had been like this— [to Alcander.]
Alcander thou remember'st
With what affliction I consign'd him to thee;
But yet—

Alc.
It now avails not to revive
Misfortunes past.

Clis.
'Tis true—My Aristea
[to Megacles.
Shall recompense thy worth: if Clisthenes
Has aught besides to give, demand it freely:
Thou canst not ask what I'd refuse to grant.

Mega.
Be firm, my heart!— [aside.]
My lord, I am a son,
And have a tender father; every pleasure
I share not with him loses half its value:
I would be first to bear the tidings to him
Of all that has befallen me; I would ask
The sanction of his will for my espousals;
And in his presence give my hand in Crete
To Aristea.

Clis.
Thy desire is just.

Mega.
With your permission I will now depart:
But, in my stead, I leave this friend behind
The guardian and conductor of my bride.

[presenting Lycidas.
Clis.
What can those features mean? While I behold them.
A strange emotion runs through every vein!
[aside.
Declare, what youth is this.

Mega.
His name's Egysthus;
His country Crete; he to the royal blood
Is near allied; but friendship more than blood
Unites our souls; so equal are our thoughts,
In every grief or joy alike we share,
And naming Lycidas you name Egysthus.

Lyc.
Ingenious friendship!

[aside.
Clis.
Let Egysthus then
Conduct thy spouse: but surely Lycidas
Will not depart without one interview.

Mega.
O no—this meeting must be dreadful to me,
For parting would be death: I feel already
The pangs of suffering—

Clis.
Aristea's here.

Mega.
Unhappy me!

[aside.