University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Enter Zenobia.
Zen.
[entering.]
What do I see? Thou in Armenia here;
Thou Zopyrus?

Zop.
Ah! princess, blest event
That brings thee thus before me: 'tis from thee
I counsel seek, or rather seek command,
In what concerns thy heart's most dear affection.

Zen.
Even now I hasten to pursue my spouse.

Zop.
To find or lose him must depend on thee.

Zen.
What dost thou mean?

Zop.
I'm bound by solemn compact,
(Which nothing can annul,) to take the life
Of Rhadamistus or of Tiridates.

Zen.
O! heavenly powers!

Zop.
Attend my words.—The first
Is by my followers now detain'd a prisoner;
The second, by a message forg'd to blind him,
For which this gem must seem a certain pledge,
[shews the ring.
Will soon be drawn to where his death is plann'd.

Zen.
Whence did thy hand receive—

Zop.
First hear me speak:
The power is mine of these to kill or save
Him whom my will elects.—That choice shall now
Depend on thee: the one by thee was lov'd,
And one thou hast espous'd: for me determine,
And, at thy pleasure, now absolve or sentence.

Zen.
And must I then—O! cruel fate!—But whence
Such impious mandate?—What detested cause—
Who thus compels thee?

Zop.
Now 'twere long to tell;
Time presses: much already have I lost
In seeking thee—now open all thy heart,
And let me be dismiss'd.

Zen.
Eternal Powers!
And could'st thou then consent (O! most inhuman!)
To such a deed as this?

Zop.
The sovereign mandate
Admits of no dispute: my life must answer
Should I neglect to obey.

Zen.
What punishment,
What recompense, what power, howe'er supreme,
Can make that just which bears the stamp of guilt?

Zop.
Adieu!—I came not hither to dispute
With idle words.—Thou see'st how far, Zenobia,
Respect for thee might fix my wavering choice.
—Myself shall then determine.

[going.
Zen.
Stay, O! stay.

Zop.
[returning.]
What would'st thou say?

Zen.
Fain would I—yet reflect—
Assist me, Gods!

Zop.
I understand thee well.
I must, without thy speech, prevent thy wishes:
This ever was the privilege of women.
Full well I know with reason must thou hate
Inhuman Rhadamistus: well I know
His stormy passions, jealousy unjust;
The impious barbarous wound—enough—ere long
Thou shalt have ample vengeance.

[going.
Zen.
O! perfidious!
And dost thou think Zenobia's heart can harbour
Impiety like this?

Zop.
Be not offended:
Thy silence had misled me—Ho! conduct
[to his followers.
The princess to her consort, while I haste
To take the forfeit life of Tiridates.

[going.
Zen.
Yet hear me!—O! ye powers! you put my virtue
To too severe a trial—Must these lips
Pronounce the dreadful fate of Tiridates?
How has he injur'd me? The soul of honour,
The pride of spotless faith—and can I ever—

Zop.
Does still Zenobia doubt?

Zen.
She has no doubts:
She knows too well whom duty bids her save,
But shrinks with horror at the dreadful ransom.

Zop.
I must no longer here remain—decide,
Or I am gone.

Zen.
O! yet a moment stay.
Thou surely may'st consent—

Zop.
We lose the time
In vain expostulation.—One must die.

Zen.
Let then the death—O Heaven! how shall I speak it?
—Preserve for me—

Zop.
Say—whom?

Zen.
Preserve them both,
If thou would'st have me owe to thee my peace;
If both thou canst not save—yet save my husband.

Zop.
[aside.]
'Tis Rhadamistus then enjoys her love.
[to her.]
And canst thou then, Zenobia, will the death
Of such a faithful lover?

Zen.
[in agony.]
Save my husband!
And tell me not (O Heaven!) what victim dies.

Zop.

[Exit.