 | Eurydice |  |
SCENE IV.
Periander, Polydore, Leonidas, Medon.Medon.
O King! renown'd for gentleness and mercy,
The noblest praise; see prostrate at your feet
A criminal, who comes to merit pardon
By fair discovery of some weighty truths,
That much import your soul's repose and health.
Periander.
Say on: and if thy heart has form'd a hope
Of one hour's after-life, take heed thy tale
Be strictly just to truth.
Medon.
Thus groveling here,
With shame and sharp remorse I own my crime.
Misled by that Usurper, who with me
Now shares the due reward of guilt like ours,
To pleasure him, unhappy that I was!
I told, I know not what of your good Queen.
Would I had perish'd first! for all was false,
And she most innocent.
Periander.
Perdition on thee!
What do I hear?
75
I fill'd Ariston's ears
With monstrous tales, which his plain honesty
Alas, too rashly credited—
Periander.
Ye Gods!
And could your thunder sleep? Pernicious slave,
Hadst thou as many lives as crimes, not one
Should scape my justice—Ah Leonidas,
Was ever such black treachery?—Forgive thee?
Thy doom shall be of signal dread and warning
To all succeeding Minions. Drag him hence,
[to the guards.
And guard him at the peril of your heads.
| Eurydice | |