University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter Sabina.
Sab.
[entering.]
O! Heavens! my rival here!

Emir.
Ye powers! Sabina!

Sab.
Thou art, indeed, most loyal in thy care,
Beyond my utmost thought: the conflagration
Is scarce extinguish'd, when we find thee here
In thy lov'd Cæsar's palace.

Emir.
Ah! Sabina,
How great is your injustice! Cæsar's love
Is not my crime, but punishment. The danger
Of poor Pharnaspes weighs upon my soul.
Behold the cause that brings me to these walls:
Can I, in silence, see him perish thus?
Pharnaspes is myself! to him I gave
My virgin heart, and time has travell'd long
Since first our loves began.

Sab.
Speak'st thou sincere,
Or dost thou feign?

Emir.
O! I should feign indeed,
If thus I did not speak.

Sab.
Yet see'st thou not
That pleading in his cause but angers Cæsar?

Emir.
I have no other way.

Sab.
Wouldst thou attend,
A better might be found. With thy Pharnaspes,
Fly from the palace. Lentulus, the leader,
Keeps him in charge: he to my parents owes
Whate'er he has; and from his grateful heart
I well may rest assur'd of stronger proofs
Than this which now I seek.

Emir.
O! might, indeed,
Your thoughts succeed.

Sab.
Go then; prepare securely
For thy departure: to the greater fountain
In Cæsar's gardens, I'll conduct thy spouse.
Expect me there before the sun attains
His mid-day height.

Emir.
Ah! princess, may I hope—
I am so us'd to bear the frowns of fate.

Sab.
Behold my hand; receive this certain pledge.

Emir.
My breast can scarce contain the mighty joy!
O! generous princess! happy Emirena!

[Exit.