 | Demophoon |  |
SCENE I.
A prison.Timanthes, Adrastus.
Timan.
Be silent—canst thou hope that Dirce dead,
Timanthes will prolong his hated life
By wedding with another? Why presum'st thou
To affront my constancy?
Adras.
'Tis she thou lov'st
Now speaks by me; yes, Dirce bids me say
That 'tis the last request she e'er shall make.
Timan.
Even the same love that urges her to ask,
Forbids me to comply.
Adras.
And yet—
Timan.
Enough.
Adras.
Reflect, my lord—
Timan.
Adrastus, 'tis in vain;
I'll hear no more.
Adras.
Compassion bids me try
All means to save thee from the fate that threatens.
Timan.
Who speaks to me of life becomes my foe.
135
Will thy breast no counsel move?
Wilt thou then no succour find?
Sure 'tis just thou ne'er should'st prove
Tender pity from mankind.
Wilt thou then no succour find?
Sure 'tis just thou ne'er should'st prove
Tender pity from mankind.
The wretch who sees with certain eyes
Impending ruin round him wait,
Yet not to 'scape the danger tries,
Can justly ne'er complain of Fate.
Impending ruin round him wait,
Yet not to 'scape the danger tries,
Can justly ne'er complain of Fate.
[Exit.
| Demophoon | |