 | Siroes |  |
SCENE XIII.
Enter Laodice, and Emira.Laod.
I come, my lord,
Obedient to your summons.
Cos.
Hear me, Siroes,
'Tis the last time: once more I offer mercy.
Speak and ascend the throne; and with the throne
Possess Laodice; but if thou still
Persist in silence, in a dungeon's gloom
Expect thy death. Hydaspes, in my stead,
Shall here be present, name to him the traitor,
I leave thee for awhile, do thou improve
The few remaining moments; but if then
Thou see'st the thunder fall, the fault is thine
That hast refus'd to avert the impending stroke.
'Tis the last time: once more I offer mercy.
Speak and ascend the throne; and with the throne
Possess Laodice; but if thou still
Persist in silence, in a dungeon's gloom
Expect thy death. Hydaspes, in my stead,
Shall here be present, name to him the traitor,
I leave thee for awhile, do thou improve
The few remaining moments; but if then
Thou see'st the thunder fall, the fault is thine
That hast refus'd to avert the impending stroke.
208
By thee my pity now is flown,
My breast with rage on flame;
And, traitor, 'tis by thee alone
I bear a tyrant's name.
My breast with rage on flame;
And, traitor, 'tis by thee alone
I bear a tyrant's name.
Thou can'st not say the guilt is mine,
That sentence waits on thee:
O! no, ingrate, 'tis only thine
And not the king's decree.
That sentence waits on thee:
O! no, ingrate, 'tis only thine
And not the king's decree.
[Exit.
| Siroes | |