University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

An Apartment in the Palace.
ATHRIDATES, ORCHANES.
ATHRIDATES.
Are my commands obey'd?

ORCHANES.
My royal lord!
The reinforce ment to Domitius sent
Has reach'd his camp. Within the citadel,
Beneath Artaxias' care, I plac'd the queen;
The guards are doubled.

ATHRIDATES.
Her imperious spirit
Perhaps resisted!

ORCHANES.
When I led my files
To her apartment, with a haughty air,
She wav'd her hand, to warn them from her presence;
But when I told her by your dread command
They came, obedient, to conduct her thence;
She paus'd a moment—then majestic rose
And cry'd, “Obey your king.”

ATHRIDATES.
Say, didst thou mark
The meeting with her son?

ORCHANES.
The tender scene
Unmann'd my soldier's heart; she spoke not, wept not;
A deadly pale o'erspread her fading cheek;
Her panting bosom heav'd; beat quick, and short:
She snatch'd him to her breast, gaz'd wildly on him,
Breath'd a convulsive sigh, then, void of sense,
Sunk motionless to earth.

ATHRIDATES.
Behold Artaxias!