SCENE THE TENTH.
MELISANDER, ÆTHON, ARCAS,
Nobles and PYLADES.
ARCAS.
O welcome, prince—
PYLADES.
On ev'ry side confusion gathers round us!
Our ranks are broken—all is dire dismay!
MELISANDER.
Where did you leave Orestes?
PYLADES.
At th' alarm
I bade him follow—sure he loiter'd not,
For staying but a moment was perdition.
I hardly scap'd the foremost foes, who prest
To join the palace-guards for its defence.
MELISANDER.
Then fear informs me he's forever lost!
ÆTHON.
'Tis but our risking life—
ARCAS.
'Twill be in vain:
They are so strong in numbers, we shall rush
On fruitless slaughter. Let us hope, my brothers,
That he has joined some party of our friends.
ÆTHON.
See! they press on us!
MELISANDER.
'Tis no place of safety.
Nor can we dally—for the God of day
Is near his western goal.—Sound a retreat.
[A retreat founded behind.
