University of Virginia Library

Scene IX.—Ecbatana. The House of Phylax.

Phy.
(to his Page).
Sirrah, attend! The king
hath arrived newly from Opis, and this day maketh

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a discourse in the great temple. I am lame yet,
and go not forth. Report unto me that which he
delivereth. Spy out likewise where Hephestion
lodgeth. [The Page departs.]
The hatreds that I

sowed have but lifted the king to higher greatness.
As he subdued them of Asia, so now hath he subdued
the Greeks. It is but through that other that
he can be dealt with. For one so young, Philotas
could see. While he lived I went whither I would
under his wings: now the generals look blacker on
me day by day. It is Hephestion that setteth them
against me. Since that disgrace I have eaten no
meal with relish. The queen and the princess are
arrived from Susa: and all Ecbatana is overswarmed
with a vermin of Asian princes. Yea,
verily, it is the hour of his triumph.