University of Virginia Library

SCENE VIII.

Enter Ægle behind, unseen.
Mit.
The life of Rhadamistus
Behold is in your hand.

Ægl.
[to herself.]
What do I hear?

Mit.
O! let the traitor suffer for his crimes.

Tir.
Then be it so—Mithranes, let us go.

[going.
Ægl.
[coming forward.]
Forbear, O! prince, forbear to vent your anger
On one whom cruel Fortune's frown pursues.

Tir.
And what can urge thee to defend the life
Of this perfidious?

Ægl.
Yet I deem not, sir,
His guilt so certain.

Tir.
But Zenobia's father
By treason he destroy'd.

Mit.
And next the daughter
He sought to slay: for he, whose eyes beheld
The assassin's barbarous stroke, could not deceive me.

Ægl.
Think better yet.—We must not lightly give
Our faith to common rumour.—With a foe
Mercy is ever lovely.

Tir.
Tiridates
Might in oblivion steep his private injuries,
But never can forgive Zenobia's wrongs:
To her his blood in sacrifice is due.

Ægl.
Believe me, she requires not this.

Tir.
Though she
Demand it not, her virtue claims it from me.

[going.
Ægl.
Yet hold—O Heavens! [aside.]
Believe what now I speak:
If thou canst love Zenobia, then respect
The life of Rhadamistus: headlong zeal
Would plunge thee deep in error; thou would'st serve
Zenobia's honour, and thou kill'st her peace.

Tir.
Ha! does she love him then?

Ægl.
Alas! my lord,
She would—if more than this thou seek'st to know,
I must—Already have I said too much.

[aside.
Tir.
Thou seem'st confus'd—What can this mean, Mithranes?
A chilling damp—'tis true, that Rhadamistus
Was once my rival.—Now conceal'd he lurks
Amidst these woods, where too Zenobia dwells.
In her defence he stood, and she pursued
His flying steps; but me she heeds no more:
Ægle has since declar'd.—O! gentle nymph,
[to Ægl.
Whate'er thou know'st in pity now reveal.

Ægl.
I can no further speak—Enough already
My lips have utter'd.

Tir.

[Exit.