University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

THAMYRIS, ATHRIDATES, a Soldier.
ATHRIDATES.
Bear these dispatches to the Roman camp:
(to the Soldier.
This night we join their bands. I sought thee, Thamyris.

[Exit Soldier.
THAMYRIS.
Com'st thou to mock my sorrows! to enjoy
A mother's agonies? Yes, plunge thy sword
In the meek breast of smiling innocence;
The deed will crown the horrors of this day.

ATHRIDATES.
My word is past: Domitius claims his captives:
Thou and thy son are doom'd to grace the car,
And swell the triumph, of all-conquering Cæsar.

THAMYRIS.
'Tis well, 'tis well.—Great Athridates' daughter,
Her son, the last of his imperial race,
In chains shall follow Cæsar: not o'er Pontus,
O'er Cappadocia shall the Romans triumph.

ATHRIDATES.
Too deep already has my bosom felt
The pang that thought awakens: touch'd with pity
I came to save thee (but thy headlong passion
Has blasted my fond purpose); to restore
This darling of thy soul, thy lov'd Eumenes,
To give him life and empire.

THAMYRIS.
Wilt thou save him?
Thus low I bend before th' immortal gods,
To beg a blessing on thee.

ATHRIDATES.
O'er the king
The father has prevail'd; I bring thee peace;
Again the diadem shall bind thy brow,
And thy Eumenes reign.

THAMYRIS.
Transporting sounds!
I have again a father: canst thou pardon
The wildness of my rage? 'Twas fear alone;
My terrors for Eumenes. Let me kiss
That sacred hand, and with my tears atone
For every past offence.

ATHRIDATES.
I pardon thee,
And take thee to my heart. I must remember
Those hours when, dearer than the light of heaven,
Thou wert my soul's best comfort.

THAMYRIS.
'Tis too much,
This sudden torrent of impetuous transport—
My lord!—my king!—my father!

ATHRIDATES.
Still my daughter,
All-powerful nature pleads thy cause—one struggle,
One sacrifice, and all is well.—Pharnaces!

THAMYRIS.
He too shall thank thee for a child preserv'd,
For peace, recover'd empire. In the fane
Of holy Themis, heaven shall join your hands,
And Thamyris be blest beyond the state
Of frail mortality.

ATHRIDATES.
Attentive hear.—
This is the crisis of thy fate; the moment
Which to thy hand a double sceptre gives,
Or sinks thee to a slave.

THAMYRIS.
What means my father?

ATHRIDATES.
Thus far I have prevail'd; consent to break
The impious ties which bind thee to Pharnaces,
To give him up to my revenge, and Pontus
To-morrow yielded to thy guardian care,
Shall own Eumenes' sway; and when the gods
Shall call me to themselves, the fruitful fields
Of Cappadocia shall behold thee seated
On Athridates' throne.

THAMYRIS.
'Tis past—farewell.—

ATHRIDATES.
Return, and hear me; or this pointed steel
Shall leave thee childless.

THAMYRIS.
My fond heart had hop'd,—
But our unhappy sex is born to suffer.

ATHRIDATES.
My mercy scorn'd? On thy devoted head
The massy ruin falls.

THAMYRIS.
Is this thy mercy?
Thy boasted tenederness? Connubial Juno!
In whose bright fane my nuptial vows were seal'd,
Hear, and record! If e'er my faithless heart,
To honour lost, break with unhallow'd lightness
The sacred ties by all mankind rever'd,
The holy bonds of Hymen, may I perish
Unpitied, unreveng'd, the scorn of all
Whose bosoms burn with virtue's glorious flame!

ATHRIDATES.
Thy son shall die.

THAMYRIS.
Then we will die together.

ATHRIDATES.
For the fond idol of thy woman's heart
Who reign'd this morn o'er Pontus, thy Pharnaces,
Expect no aid from him; the Roman eagle
Expands his wing, and hovers dreadful o'er him,
Resistless to descend.

TEAMYRIS.
The righteous powers,
Who love the just, will guard him.