University of Virginia Library

SCENE XIII.

The temple of Apollo. A magnificent flight of steps ascending to the temple, the inside of which is discovered to the spectators betwixt the pillars that support the building. The altars are seen thrown down, the fire extinguished, the sacred vessels overturned, the garlands, axes and other implements of sacrifice scattered upon the ground; the Priests flying, the royal Guards pursued by the friends of Timanthes, and tumult and confusion in every part.
Timanthes appears driving some of the Guards down the steps, then is lost behind the scenes. Dirce from the top of the steps calls to him with the utmost terror. A slight skirmish ensues, in which the friends of Timanthes have the advantage. The combatants being gone off, Dirce, seeing Timanthes again, runs down from the temple to stop him.
Dir.
O! all ye sacred powers of Heaven! defend him!
Hear me, Timanthes, O! in pity hear me—

Timan.
Come, come, my love, thou art safe.

Dir.
Ah me! Timanthes,
What hast thou done?

Timan.
I've done but as I ought.

Dir.
Unhappy me!—Alas! my lord, thou art wounded,
O Gods! thou art all o'er blood.

Timan.
Be not dismay'd;
The blood thou see'st ne'er issued from these veins,
'Tis what my rage from other breasts has drawn.

Dir.
Yet look!

[looking out.
Timan.
No more, my life! compose thyself,
Let us be gone.

[takes her hand.
Dir.
And leave our son Olinthus?
Where must he stay? Shall we depart without him?

Timan.
I will return for him when thou art in safety.

Dir.
Yet stay—for yonder I behold approaching
The royal guards.

Timan.
'Tis true: then let us fly
A different way—that passage too is barr'd,
Another troop draws near.

Dir.
Unhappy Dirce!

Timan.
Do all my friends forsake me?

[looking round.
Dir.
Cruel fate!
What can we more?

Timan.
This sword shall hew thy passage:
Follow me!—

[going, meets Demo.