University of Virginia Library

Scene VIII.—On the Jaxartes.

Philotas in prison, and Phylax.
Phi.
You've let me blood full oft—cured many a headache:
The king with sharper steel than yours, old friend,
Will cure to-day's. The surfeit long of life
Ceases at set of sun. Can'st cure my heartache?

Phy.
'Tis vengeance you demand?

Phi.
You have read my soul
That, sitting in mine eyes and all ways turning
To watch those dreadful ministers of fate,
Sees something still behind. 'Twould sweeten death!

Phy.
One day I vowed to avenge you.

Phi.
Can I trust you?
They say the mirthful nature does not love:
And yet I think I somewhat loved you, Phylax:
No hypocrite were you. I knew that much.

Phy.
You'd have me kill this king?

Phi.
Not him—Hephestion!
'Tis there he's vulnerable. Be it done
When the Alexandrian star is at its highest.
That too will set.

Phy.
I have pledged my faith.

Phi.
Remember!
An ice-film gathers on my shivering blood.
Oh happy days of youth! They'll laugh at me
A shadow 'mid the shades, as I have laugh'd
At Homer's ghosts bending to victim blood
A sieve-like throat incapable of joy!
Tell me these things are fables. I'd not live
A second time; for life's too dangerous!
We come from nothing; and another nothing,
A hoary Hunger, couchant at Death's gate,
Waits to devour us.

Phy.
(Placing his hand on the heart of Philotas).
Slowly, faintly, slowly :—
The failure's there.

Phi.
Murderers! The law's against them
For if I knew that plot, or if I will'd it,
I spared to join it. Murderers!—lawless murderers!
I tripped an inch at this side Fortune's goal:
Parmenio king, his successor were I.

Phy.
Their plea is equity—the culprit's plea
Then when his law-plea fails.

Phi.
Is that a jibe?
He needs must jeer and gibber!—Vengeance! Vengeance!
Happy the serpent that with death for death
Enriches its last pang! Olympias only
Escaped its tooth. Once more I laugh! Forget not—
I've left you in my will a hundred talents.
Ah, hark! a step—