 | The Olympiad |  |
151
SCENE X.
Enter Argene.Arg.
Forbear, O king! Forbear ye holy priests!
Clis.
O rashness unadvis'd! Thou know'st not, nymph,
What rites thou hast disturb'd.
Arg.
I rather come
To make them more acceptable to Jove;
I bring a guiltless voluntary victim,
One who has fortitude enough, and seeks
To die for this offender.
Clis.
Where's the victim?
Arg.
In me behold it.
Mega.
Wondrous proof of love!
[aside.
Lyc.
O my confusion!
[aside.
Clis.
Know our law permits not
The weaker sex to suffer for the strong.
Arg.
Yet sure the wife may suffer for her husband:
For thus I've heard Alceste in Thessalia
Preserv'd Admetus' life; and well I know
That her example is become our law.
Clis.
What art thou then the wife of Lycidas?
Arg.
He gave his hand, and plighted me his faith.
152
Lycoris, hearing thee, I've more than caught
Thy frenzy: can a kingdom's heir espouse
A low-born shepherdess?
Arg.
I'm not Lycoris,
Nor am I lowly born—my name is Argene.
The ancient glory of my noble blood
Is known in Crete; and Lycidas can tell
If e'er he vow'd me love.
Clis.
Speak, Lycidas.
Lyc.
'Tis surely now compassion to be false.
[aside.
Believe her not.
[to Clisthenes.
Arg.
Ha! canst thou then deny it?
Turn thee, ingrate! if me thou wilt not own,
Yet see thy gifts; behold this golden chain,
Which I from thee receiv'd that hapless day,
When thou didst swear to take me for thy bride.
Lyc.
O 'tis too true!
[aside.
Arg.
Behold him, mighty king.
Clis.
Guards! take her from our presence.
Arg.
Hear, my friends!
Ye sacred ministers! Eternal Gods!
If any Gods are present at these rites,
This sacrifice unjust, before ye all
I here protest, I swear that I am wife
To Lycidas, and I will die for him;
153
Thy father hears me not.
[sees Aristea.
| The Olympiad | |