University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A double path formed by the ruins of an ancient Hippodrome, in a great part overgrown with ivy, brambles, and other wild plants.
Megacles, held by Amyntas, on one side, and on the other, Aristea, held by Argene, unseen of each other.
Mega.
Leave me, thou seek'st in vain to oppose my purpose.

Amyn.
O! think my friend! think yet again: believe me
Thou may'st not find once more the fisher's hand
Whose aid but now preserv'd thee from the stream.
Reflect that Heaven is tir'd of succouring them
Who tempt too far its goodness.

Mega.
Impious succour!
Inhuman pity! to refuse him death
Who lives a dying life! O Heaven!—Amyntas,
Leave me.

Amyn.
O never!

Aris.
Leave me, Argene.

Arg.
No, hope it not.

Mega.
Depriv'd of Aristea,
I cannot, ought not longer to survive.

Aris.
Yes, I will die where Megacles was lost!

Amyn.
Yet stay.

Arg.
Yet hear me.

Mega.
Wherefore should I stay?

Aris.
What must I hear?

Mega.
There is no comfort now
Remains for me.

Aris.
I have no hope on earth.

Mega.
Yet to prolong my life thou striv'st in vain.

Aris.
To keep me here from means of death, in vain
Thou would'st attempt.

Amyn.
Yet stay.

Arg.
Yet hear.

Aris.
O Heaven!

Mega.
O Gods!

[meeting each other in the middle of the stage.
Aris.
And art thou Megacles!

Mega.
Ah! princess!

Aris.
Ungrateful! dost thou hate me, fly me thus,
That when I seek for death to unite me to thee,
Thou tread'st again the paths of life.

Mega.
Behold,
My dearest Aristea, how I am curs'd!
All, all the ways that lead to wish'd-for death,
Are barr'd against me.

Aris.
Say, what pitying hand—

SCENE II.

Enter Alcander.
Alc.
O! sacrilegious madness! Impious fury!

Aris.
What new disasters are there yet in store?
Alcander, speak.

Alc.
This instant has thy father
Receiv'd new life.

Aris.
What dost thou mean?

Alc.
What mourning,
What ruin might have cover'd all the land,
Had Heaven preserv'd him not.

Aris.
Say, how?

Alc.
Thou know'st
By ancient custom that the solemn pomp
Of sacrifice concludes this festive day.
While Clisthenes, encompass'd by his guards,
Drew near the hallow'd temple to complete
The sacred rites, whate'er the cause we knew not,
Or whence he came, but Lycidas impetuous
Oppos'd our way: such dreadful looks till then
I ne'er beheld: his right hand grasp'd a sword:
His head was bare, and all his garments torn;
His locks dishevell'd; from his fiery eyes
Darted malignant beams; fierce indignation
Flush'd on his cheek still moist with recent tears.
Amid the astonish'd guards he forc'd his way,
And rushing tow'rds the king—Here end thy life,
Furious he cried, and rais'd his impious steel.

Aris.
O Gods!

Alc.
The king, with countenance unchang'd,
Stood still to wait th' event, fix'd on the youth
A look severe, and thus majestic spoke:
Rash man, what mean'st thou?—Mark how Heaven protects
The lives of kings!—These words at once stopt short
The insensate youth; a sudden chillness seiz'd him;
His lifted arm refus'd the fatal blow;
With awe he own'd offended majesty,
Grew pale and trembled, dropt his threatening sword,
And from his eyes that glar'd so late with rage,
The copious tears gush'd forth.

Aris.
I breathe again.

Arg.
O fatal rashness!

Amyn.
O unthinking youth!

Aris.
What of my father now?

Alc.
He has before him
The criminal in chains.

Amyn.
Ah! let us try
What means may save him yet.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Megacles, Aristea, Argene, Alcander.
Mega.
Tell me, what says
Unhappy Lycidas?

Alc.
To all they ask
He nought replies; though doom'd to death, he seems
To know it not, or heeds not what befalls him.
He weeps, he calls on Megacles, for him
Enquires of all, on that dear name his lips
Still dwell, as if they knew no other sound.

Mega.
I can no longer hold: for pity's sake
Lead, lead me to my friend.

Aris.
O unadvis'd!
Where would thy rashness tempt thee! Hast thou not
Deceiv'd my father? Know'st thou not that thou
Art Megacles? To appear before the king,
Would ruin thee, and cannot save thy friend.

Mega.
Yet let me die at least with Lycidas.

[going.
Aris.
Hear me. Believ'st thou not 'tis better far
That I should fly to appease my angry father?

Mega.
I durst not hope so much.

Aris.
Yes, for thy sake
At least I'll try.

Mega.
O generous Aristea!
Grant Heaven that virtuous soul may long reside
In thy dear form: I said, when first I saw thee,
Thou wert not mortal—go, my love!

Aris.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.

Megacles, Argene.
Mega.
Assist, ye mighty Powers! the pitying goodness
Of Aristea!—Will her father then
Forego his indignation! Justice sure
Too strongly claims the offender's punishment:
And yet paternal love may conquer all.
But should it fail—O Heaven! might I at least
Be witness to their converse—Argene
At distance I will follow.

Arg.
No, forbear:
Why should thy care for him distress thee thus?
Thou see'st the Gods themselves are wearied grown,
Then leave him to his fate.

Mega.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Argene
alone.
Spite of myself I feel compassion for him:
Fain would I show my rage; I know full well
I have ample cause, but midst my anger still
My threatning lips belie my trembling heart.
And wilt thou Argene confess this weakness!
It shall not be—ungrateful! perjur'd man!
I here detest my pity, never more
Will I behold that treacherous face! 'tis now
The object of my scorn; I would exult
To see him punish'd: should he fall before me
Wounded to death, I would not shed a tear.

SCENE VI.

Enter Amyntas.
Amyn.
Where shall Amyntas fly? Ill-fated day!
O Lycidas!

Arg.
Is then the traitor dead!

Amyn.
No, but he soon must die.

Arg.
Believe it not,
Amyntas: many with the wicked join,
And hence they never fail of help at need.

Amyn.
Thou art deceiv'd: there is no more to hope.
The laws pronounce his death; the people murmur;
The priests exclaim: offended majesty
Demands his blood: the criminal is nam'd
A victim to complete the sacrifice
He had profan'd: the public have already
Confirm'd his sentence: he must be slain
On Jove's high altar; there the offended king
Will to the priest present the sacred axe.

Arg.
Can nought reverse his doom?

Amyn.
What can reverse it?
The youth already is enrob'd with white:
I saw him crown'd with flowers—O Heaven!—I saw him
Move to the temple: now, perhaps even now,
He is arriv'd, and now, O Argene,
The consecrated steel may drink his blood!

Arg.
Alas! unhappy prince!

[weeps.
Amyn.
Why shouldst thou weep
When tears are vain?

Arg.
And comes not Aristea?

Amyn.
She comes, but nothing has obtain'd; the king
Or will not hear, or cannot grant her suit.

Arg.
And what of Megacles?

Amyn.
Hapless he's fallen
Upon the guards that sought his track: but now
I heard him midst his chains demand to die
To save his friend; and were himself not guilty
He had obtain'd his wish; but never here
One criminal can for another bleed.

Arg.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Amyntas
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

An outside view of the temple of Jupiter Olympus, the descent from which is by a magnificent flight of steps. An open place before the temple, with an altar burning in the middle: around is a wood of sacred olive-trees, from which the crowns are made for the victors in the games.
Clisthenes descends from the temple preceded by a crowd of people and his guards: Lycidas in white vestments crowned with flowers: Alcander, Chorus of priests, some of whom carry the instruments of sacrifice.
Chorus.

Part Chorus.

Chorus.

Part Chorus.

Chorus.

Clis.
Ill-fated youth! behold thy hapless days
Draw to their wretched period: yet may Jove
Punish me, if I feel not such compassion,
I dare not look on thee: and would to Heaven
I could conceal thy crime: but this, my son,
This must not be. I am guardian of the throne,
To me the dignity unstain'd descends;
And I must render it unstain'd to him
Who shall succeed me, or must vindicate
The rights infring'd. It is the painful duty
Of those who reign, sometimes to curb their pity.
But if thou wishest aught, except thy life,
Speak freely thy desire; and here I swear
To see it duly answer'd: yes, my son,
Ask what thou wilt, and close thine eyes in peace.

Lyc.
My father, for these words are from a father
And not a king and judge, I hope not, ask not,
Desire not pardon; nor would even receive it.
Fate with afflictions has so heap'd my days,
That life not death I fear. My only wish,
Since he still lives, is to behold my friend
Before I die: this final grace I beg,
Let me embrace him once and die contented.

Clis.
Thy suit is granted. Guards! let Megacles
Be brought before our sight.

Alc.
You weep, my lord:
What new compassion has so far depress'd
Your troubled soul?

Clis.
Alcander, I confess it.
I wonder at myself; his looks, his voice
Have rais'd a strange convulsion in my frame,
That vibrates through my nerves. Midst all my thoughts
I seek, but seek in vain to find the cause;
Ye righteous Gods what can this tumult mean?
Whence can these tender passions rise?
This warmth that through my bosom flies,
This new, but pleasing pain?
Sure pity never could impart
Such strong emotions to the heart,
That thrill through every vein.

SCENE IX.

Enter Megacles, guarded.
Lyc.
Come, great example of unsullied friendship,
Come, most belov'd, and dearest Megacles!

Mega.
Alas! my prince, and do I find thee thus?

Lyc.
To see thee living makes me bless'd in death.

Mega.
And what is life to me if I'm denied
To pay it for thy safety? Yet thou shalt not
Be long before me; no, my Lycidas,
Together shall our friendly manes cross
The dismal stream.

Lyc.
O! thou, while fate permitted,
The dear companion of my joys and sorrows!
Yes, we must part: since then we've reach'd at length
This fatal hour, give me thy faithful hand
And hear me; 'tis my prayer, my last command.
Still live, I charge thee live; and O! my friend,
Close with thy pitying hand my dying eyes:
Sometimes remember me: return to Crete:
There to my father—most unhappy father!
All unprepar'd for such a cruel stroke,
There soften, while thou tell'st the bitter tale:
Comfort, assist his age oppress'd with grief,
I recommend him to thee—if he weep,
Dry up his tears, and if he ask a son;
Thou, in thyself, to him a son restore.

Mega.
Ah; hold—thy words distract me!

Clis.
No, Alcander,
I can resist no longer: mark those looks,
Observe that strict embrace, each tender sigh,
Those last adieus confus'd with frequent tears!
Unhappy state of frail mortality!

Alc.
My lord, the hour for sacrifice is past.

Clis.
'Tis true—Ye sacred ministers, receive
The victim to your charge, and you, ye guards,
Divide him from his hapless friend.

[the priests and guards part them.
Mega.
Barbarians!
O! from my breast, you rend my bleeding heart.

Lyc.
Alas! my friend!

Mega.
My dearest prince!

Both.
Farewell!

[looking on each other at a distance.
Chorus.
Eternal Power! in Heaven rever'd,
Great Sire of Gods attend!
Thy vengeful bolts, by mortals fear'd,
Great God of kings suspend!

[While the Chorus is sung, Lycidas kneels at the altar by the side of the priest. The king receives the consecrated axe from one of the ministers of the temple; and as he is preparing to deliver it to the priest, the foregoing chorus is sung accompanied with solemn music.]
Clis.
O Sire of Gods and men! Almighty Jove!
At whose dread nod, earth, sea and Heaven are mov'd!
Thou, with whose power the universe is fill'd,
Thou, from whose hand depends the wondrous chain
Of causes and events! accept this victim
Now sacrific'd to thee; and may it wrest
The threatning thunder from thy awful hand!

[As Clisthenes is about to deliver the axe to the priest, he is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Argene.]

SCENE X.

Enter Argene.
Arg.
Forbear, O king! Forbear ye holy priests!

Clis.
O rashness unadvis'd! Thou know'st not, nymph,
What rites thou hast disturb'd.

Arg.
I rather come
To make them more acceptable to Jove;
I bring a guiltless voluntary victim,
One who has fortitude enough, and seeks
To die for this offender.

Clis.
Where's the victim?

Arg.
In me behold it.

Mega.
Wondrous proof of love!

[aside.
Lyc.
O my confusion!

[aside.
Clis.
Know our law permits not
The weaker sex to suffer for the strong.

Arg.
Yet sure the wife may suffer for her husband:
For thus I've heard Alceste in Thessalia
Preserv'd Admetus' life; and well I know
That her example is become our law.

Clis.
What art thou then the wife of Lycidas?

Arg.
He gave his hand, and plighted me his faith.

Clis.
Lycoris, hearing thee, I've more than caught
Thy frenzy: can a kingdom's heir espouse
A low-born shepherdess?

Arg.
I'm not Lycoris,
Nor am I lowly born—my name is Argene.
The ancient glory of my noble blood
Is known in Crete; and Lycidas can tell
If e'er he vow'd me love.

Clis.
Speak, Lycidas.

Lyc.
'Tis surely now compassion to be false.
[aside.
Believe her not.

[to Clisthenes.
Arg.
Ha! canst thou then deny it?
Turn thee, ingrate! if me thou wilt not own,
Yet see thy gifts; behold this golden chain,
Which I from thee receiv'd that hapless day,
When thou didst swear to take me for thy bride.

Lyc.
O 'tis too true!

[aside.
Arg.
Behold him, mighty king.

Clis.
Guards! take her from our presence.

Arg.
Hear, my friends!
Ye sacred ministers! Eternal Gods!
If any Gods are present at these rites,
This sacrifice unjust, before ye all
I here protest, I swear that I am wife
To Lycidas, and I will die for him;
Nor shall a power—O princess! haste, assist me,
Thy father hears me not.

[sees Aristea.

SCENE XI.

Enter Aristea.
Aris.
Believe me, sir,
She well deserves your pity.

[to Clis.
Clis.
Would you then
Reduce me to distraction like yourselves?
Speak, but be brief.

[to Argene.
Arg.
Then let these jewels speak
While I am silent; do the nymphs of Elis
Wear ornaments like these?

[gives the chain to Clisthenes.
Clis.
What do I see!
[disturbed.
Tell me, Alcander, know'st thou not this chain?

Alc.
Know it! 'Tis what adorn'd thy helpless son,
When to the waves an infant I expos'd him.

Clis.
Lycidas!—Heavens! through all my frame I tremble!
Rise, Lycidas—look here—say, is it true?
Had she this gift from thee?—

Lyc.
And yet for that
She must not die—our promise was a secret—
It never had effect—the marriage rites
Were never solemniz'd.

Clis.
I ask but this,
Was this thy gift?

Lyc.
It was.

Clis.
Say, from what hand
Didst thou receive it?

Lyc.
From Amyntas' hand.

Clis.
And who is that Amyntas?

Lyc.
One to whom
My father gave the charge to form my youth.

Clis.
Where is he now?

Lyc.
With me he came from Crete,
With me arriv'd at Elis.

Clis.
Instant seek
For that Amyntas.

Arg.
He himself is here.

SCENE XII.

Enter Amyntas.
Amyn.
O Lycidas!

[offers to embrace him.
Clis.
Forbear awhile, and answer,
But truly answer, whence thou hadst this chain.

Amyn.
My lord, 'twas given me by a hand unknown;
Since which have twenty-five long years elaps'd.

Clis.
But where was this?

Amyn.
Where turbulent Asopus
Near Corinth pours his current to the sea.

Alc.
Sure in that visage I confess the trace
Of features seen before: I am not deceiv'd,
'Tis he himself! [aside.]
—O mighty king! I am guilty,
[kneels.
And own my former crime: yet grant me pardon,
And I'll disclose the whole.

Clis.
Rise then, and speak.

Alc.
I did not, as thou gav'st to me in charge,
Expose the infant; vanquish'd by my pity,
I gave him to this stranger, who by chance
Appear'd before me, hoping he might bear
The hapless child to some far distant shore.

Clis.
Where is that child, Amyntas? What befell him?

Amyn.
I—Heaven! What mystery must I now reveal!

Clis.
Ha! art thou pale? Speak, wretch, what didst thou with him?
Add not by silence to thy former guilt.

Amyn.
Thou hast him present—Lycidas is he.

Clis.
How! Is not Lycidas the prince of Crete?

Amyn.
That prince an infant died. When I to Crete
Again return'd, I gave the afflicted king
This child; and to supply the son he lost,
By my advice he bred him for his heir.

Clis.
Gods! 'tis Philinthus, 'tis my son, my son!

[embracing him.
Aris.
Ye powers!

Lyc.
Am I your son!

Clis.
Yes; thou wert born
A twin with Aristea: Delphos bade me
Expose thee, when an infant, to the sea,
Threatning in thee the crime of parricide.

Lyc.
Now I perceive what caus'd my secret horror,
When late this hand was rais'd against your life.

Clis.
Now well I understand the strange emotion
I felt before thy presence.

Amyn.
Happy father!

Alc.
'Tis yours this day to render many blest.

Clis.
Nor do I purpose less. My son shall be
The spouse of Argene, and Megacles
Of Aristea—but my son Philinthus
Is criminal, and stands condemn'd to die.

Mega.
No more he's guilty since he's found your son.

Clis.
Has then my blood the mighty privilege
Of doing wrong unpunish'd? All come here
To shew their fortitude; shall I alone
Give proofs of weakness? Never shall the world
Thus witness to my shame. Ye ministers!
The sacred fire rekindle on the altar;
Go, die my son!—I shall not long survive thee.

Amyn.
O cruel justice!

Alc.
O inhuman virtue!

Mega.
My lord, forbear, thou canst not now condemn him;
In Sicyon, not Olympia, art thou king:
The day is past in which thou didst preside,
The criminal must wait the public sentence.

Clis.
Then hear the public voice; let that decide,
I neither ask his life, nor seek to save him.

Chorus of Priests and People.
The son, though guilty, shall survive
Nor by his punishment deprive
Of peace a guiltless sire:
Let not such horror stain the day,
Or unpropitious grief allay
The joys our rites require.