 | Siroes |  |
SCENE V.
Enter Emira.Em.
O sir! release the prince, restore him now
To appease the furious people: threatening loud
On every hand, with undistinguish'd cries
They vent their maddening rage, and in a moment
From shouting multitudes resounds the name
Of Siroes.
Cos.
Is the tumult then so high?
Em.
The lowest of the vulgar now assume
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Ten thousand falchions flash; and such the frenzy,
That creeping age and timorous childhood fly
With arms and weapons to supply the strong.
Cos.
Resist the tumult yet some moments longer
And I no more shall fear it.
Em.
Say, what mean
My sovereign's words?
Cos.
Already is Araxes
Dispatch'd by my command to slay my son.
Em.
And could'st thou thus resolve—revoke, O Heaven!
The fatal sentence—I myself will go
The harbinger of mercy—give me, sir,
The royal signet.
Cos.
Thou in vain demand'st it:
His death must be my safety.
Em.
O! how chang'd
Art thou from Cosroes! where are now the virtues
That grac'd thee once, companions in the throne?
Ah! what will Persia say, and what the world?
Cosroes till now the idol of his subjects,
And terror of his foes; whose conquering arms,
By wealthy Ganges and the fertile Nile,
The furthest Ind and Æthiop's tawny sons
Admir'd and fear'd? O! think what thou hast lost,
In one dread moment! If thou canst forget
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Blots all thy glories—Still, O! still reflect,
Yet, yet recall—
Cos.
But Siroes is a traitor.
Em.
But Siroes is your son, a son that ever
Was worthy you, who from his father's deeds
Has learn'd so well to triumph: yet a child
Cosroes in him avow'd his hope and joy.
Oft have I heard that, when array'd in arms,
You sought the foe, or came victorious home,
His was the parting and returning kiss;
While playful he stretch'd out his little hands
To clasp a father's neck, and fearless smil'd
To see the dazzling helm and nodding plume.
Cos.
How hast thou wak'd remembrance!
Em.
Yet this son
Is doom'd to death, and doom'd, O! Heaven! by whom?
A father's voice.
Cos.
I can resist no longer—
Em.
O! if my service ever claim'd reward,
O! let not Siroes perish. Send me hence
Resolve—a moment more the deadly stroke
May then be past recall.
Cos.
Here, take my signet,
And fly to save him.
Em.
O! transporting sounds.
[going meets Araxes.
| Siroes | |