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The Olympiad

Hoole, John (1727-1803)
  
THE OLYMPIAD.
  
[castlist]
  
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collapse section1. 
ACT I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII.
 13. 
SCENE XIII.
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ACT II.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII.
 13. 
SCENE XIII.
 14. 
SCENE XIV.
 15. 
SCENE XV.
 16. 
SCENE XVI.
 17. 
SCENE XVII.
collapse section3. 
ACT III.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII.

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SCENE VIII.

An outside view of the temple of Jupiter Olympus, the descent from which is by a magnificent flight of steps. An open place before the temple, with an altar burning in the middle: around is a wood of sacred olive-trees, from which the crowns are made for the victors in the games.
Clisthenes descends from the temple preceded by a crowd of people and his guards: Lycidas in white vestments crowned with flowers: Alcander, Chorus of priests, some of whom carry the instruments of sacrifice.
Chorus.
Eternal Power! in Heaven rever'd,
Great Sire of Gods attend!
Thy vengeful bolts, by mortals fear'd,
Great God of kings suspend!

Part Chorus.
See mighty Jove! thy wrath to assuage,
His blood thy altar stain,
Who in a king, with impious rage
Thy image durst profane.

146

Chorus.
Eternal Power! in Heaven rever'd,
Great Sire of Gods attend!
Thy vengeful bolts, by mortals fear'd,
Great God of kings suspend.

Part Chorus.
The wretch shall pass the dreary tide
From Lethe's silent shore:
With him shall all our fears subside;
His guilt be heard no more.

Chorus.
Eternal Power! in Heaven rever'd,
Great Sire of Gods attend!
Thy vengeful bolts, by mortals fear'd,
Great God of kings suspend!

Clis.
Ill-fated youth! behold thy hapless days
Draw to their wretched period: yet may Jove
Punish me, if I feel not such compassion,
I dare not look on thee: and would to Heaven
I could conceal thy crime: but this, my son,
This must not be. I am guardian of the throne,
To me the dignity unstain'd descends;
And I must render it unstain'd to him
Who shall succeed me, or must vindicate
The rights infring'd. It is the painful duty
Of those who reign, sometimes to curb their pity.
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But if thou wishest aught, except thy life,
Speak freely thy desire; and here I swear
To see it duly answer'd: yes, my son,
Ask what thou wilt, and close thine eyes in peace.

Lyc.
My father, for these words are from a father
And not a king and judge, I hope not, ask not,
Desire not pardon; nor would even receive it.
Fate with afflictions has so heap'd my days,
That life not death I fear. My only wish,
Since he still lives, is to behold my friend
Before I die: this final grace I beg,
Let me embrace him once and die contented.

Clis.
Thy suit is granted. Guards! let Megacles
Be brought before our sight.

Alc.
You weep, my lord:
What new compassion has so far depress'd
Your troubled soul?

Clis.
Alcander, I confess it.
I wonder at myself; his looks, his voice
Have rais'd a strange convulsion in my frame,
That vibrates through my nerves. Midst all my thoughts
I seek, but seek in vain to find the cause;
Ye righteous Gods what can this tumult mean?
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Whence can these tender passions rise?
This warmth that through my bosom flies,
This new, but pleasing pain?
Sure pity never could impart
Such strong emotions to the heart,
That thrill through every vein.

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