 | Artaxerxes |  |
SCENE XV.
Artaxerxes, Artaban.Artax.
Didst thou not hear unkind Semira's rage?
Artab.
Didst thou not hear unjust Mandane's anger?
Artax.
I am all compassion, yet she calls me tyrant.
Artab.
I am only just, and yet she calls me cruel.
58
And does my mercy meet with this reward?
Artab.
Is this the recompense of rigid virtue?
Artax.
O Artaban! in one distressful day,
What loss have I sustain'd!
Artab.
Forbear to murmur;
Leave, leave complaints to me, for I this day
Of all mankind am surely most unhappy.
Artax.
Great are thy pains indeed, nor little mine.
Alas! I know not of the two,
To which compassion most is due,
The friend or father's state:
But this I to my grief must own,
That love in me was choice alone,
In thee decreed by fate.
To which compassion most is due,
The friend or father's state:
But this I to my grief must own,
That love in me was choice alone,
In thee decreed by fate.
[Exit.
| Artaxerxes | |