 | Zenobia |  |
SCENE X.
Zenobiaalone.
And dost thou still, inhuman, live? Still breathe?
And could'st thou then pronounce the fatal sentence,
Yet feel not instant death, or break with horror
The heart where gratitude no longer dwells?
Since then—but what Zenobia, hast thou said?
Why wander thus?—Thou hast fulfill'd thy duty,
And now lament'st with all a woman's weakness.
O! think this grief eclipses every merit
Of such a triumph: equal is the guilt
Of evil actions done, or good repented.
Alas! 'tis true—yet Tiridates dies!
And dies by my decree—even now, perhaps,
With his last breath invokes Zenobia's name.
Defend him, pitying Gods! To save my husband
Was mine, 'tis yours to succour innocence.
The suppliant prayers of one who knows not falsehood
Fly wing'd to Heaven.—I come not now before you
With sorrows that derive their source from crimes:
From a pure spring my tears unsullied flow.
And could'st thou then pronounce the fatal sentence,
Yet feel not instant death, or break with horror
The heart where gratitude no longer dwells?
Since then—but what Zenobia, hast thou said?
Why wander thus?—Thou hast fulfill'd thy duty,
And now lament'st with all a woman's weakness.
47
Of such a triumph: equal is the guilt
Of evil actions done, or good repented.
Alas! 'tis true—yet Tiridates dies!
And dies by my decree—even now, perhaps,
With his last breath invokes Zenobia's name.
Defend him, pitying Gods! To save my husband
Was mine, 'tis yours to succour innocence.
The suppliant prayers of one who knows not falsehood
Fly wing'd to Heaven.—I come not now before you
With sorrows that derive their source from crimes:
From a pure spring my tears unsullied flow.
Ye righteous Gods! who only know
The heart's conceal'd desires,
Can tell if pure compassion now
My blameless vow inspires.
The heart's conceal'd desires,
Can tell if pure compassion now
My blameless vow inspires.
'Tis true, from virtue's path severe
You bid me ne'er depart;
But different must in Heaven appear
The just and cruel heart.
You bid me ne'er depart;
But different must in Heaven appear
The just and cruel heart.
[Exit.
| Zenobia | |