 | The Olympiad |  |
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
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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.
| The Olympiad | |