 | The Olympiad |  |
SCENE XI.
Enter Aristea.Aris.
Believe me, sir,
She well deserves your pity.
[to Clis.
Clis.
Would you then
Reduce me to distraction like yourselves?
Speak, but be brief.
[to Argene.
Arg.
Then let these jewels speak
While I am silent; do the nymphs of Elis
Wear ornaments like these?
[gives the chain to Clisthenes.
Clis.
What do I see!
[disturbed.
Tell me, Alcander, know'st thou not this chain?
Alc.
Know it! 'Tis what adorn'd thy helpless son,
When to the waves an infant I expos'd him.
Clis.
Lycidas!—Heavens! through all my frame I tremble!
Rise, Lycidas—look here—say, is it true?
Had she this gift from thee?—
Lyc.
And yet for that
She must not die—our promise was a secret—
It never had effect—the marriage rites
Were never solemniz'd.
154
I ask but this,
Was this thy gift?
Lyc.
It was.
Clis.
Say, from what hand
Didst thou receive it?
Lyc.
From Amyntas' hand.
Clis.
And who is that Amyntas?
Lyc.
One to whom
My father gave the charge to form my youth.
Clis.
Where is he now?
Lyc.
With me he came from Crete,
With me arriv'd at Elis.
Clis.
Instant seek
For that Amyntas.
Arg.
He himself is here.
| The Olympiad | |