SCENE THE SIXTH.
ORESTES and PYLADES.
ORESTES.
Then does the hour, my Pylades, approach
On which the fortunes of my life depend:
That circles with a diadem this brow,
Or, with my being, ends my ev'ry hope.
PYLADES.
Doubt not, my friend, the goodness of thy cause
Of ev'ry God will make a champion for thee.
While I—but whither would my frantic tongue?
Down—down inglorious passion, lest Orestes
Disdain to hold me longer in his heart.
ORESTES.
What means my Pylades!—am I thy friend,
And hast thou secrets thou would'st wish to smother?
O give not rude suspicion room to whisper
A want of confidence in him who loves thee.
PYLADES.
Then hear, and wonder! from the very moment
In which I saw thy sister first, I felt
Orestes had a rival in my heart.
Caught by her tears for thy suppos'd disaster,
I gaz'd 'till sympathy so baffled reason,
I almost thought myself the tale was true.
But when I heard her pious plea, to join
Her father's vengeance with the gen'ral justice,
Affection's glow of ardors forceful seiz'd
And sunk my soul insensibly to bondage!
All the big images of war and glory
Shrunk from my mind, and a soft, stealing languor,
A sick'ning apathy subdu'd my spirit.
I fondly wish'd to wear my hours away,
My head reclin'd upon her panting bosom;
And, lost to all ambition, only live
The happy object of Electra's love.
ORESTES.
Break from the force of such enfeebling thraldom,
And, prince, assert your dignity of virtue.
Remember you have vow'd with me to brave
All toils and dangers to acquire renown.
Remember we have mark'd a glorious scope
For actions worthy our illustr'ous rank!
And shall the roses of a dimpled cheek,
The music of a sweetly-cadenc'd voice,
Impede your progress to immortal fame?
No, to mean souls be narrow schemes confin'd,
A hero's aim should be to serve mankind:
To wishing millions benefits impart,
And thence to reign in ev'ry grateful heart.
