 | Agis |  |
SCENE THE FIFTH.
Leonidas, Anpharus, Soldiers with drawn swords. Agis, Agesistrata.Le.
At length we are victorious.
Ages.
What's your purpose?
Agis.
Ah! do not leave my side.
An.
Soldiers, your swords
At Agis first, then at his mother, aim.
Agis.
Like me, conceal thy weapon for awhile;
Let us await their coming, and be silent.
An.
Who now restrains you? Why delay ye thus?
Tear them asunder instantly by force.
Agis.
Which of you, which, would dare lay hands on us?—
Royal Leonidas, dost thou behold?
Even thy own bribed soldiers, stupified,
Immoveable, in Agis' presence stand.—
But I will soon deliver thee from fear.
One thing alone do I demand of thee.
Le.
It is ...
Agis.
That thou attentively would'st watch
Thy daughter, that she imitate me not.
187
Is then her love for thee so strong?
Agis.
More strong
Than thy abhorrence.—But she loves thee too,
And hath given proof of it; and, finally,
Thou art her father: my last words are these; —
I die—May Sparta ... only ... profit by it ...
An.
He has a sword!
Ages.
Two swords I brought. —Oh son!
I follow thee; and fall ... upon thee ... dead.
Le.
I am struck dumb with terror and with wonder ...
Ah, what will Sparta say? ...
An.
Their lifeless bodies
Should from the people be conceal'd ...
Le.
Ah, never!
From our own eyes we never can conceal them.
| Agis | |