University of Virginia Library

SCENE VIII.

THAMYRIS, PHARNACES, ATHRIDATES, ARTABANES, TIGRANES, ORCHANES, and Soldiers.
THAMYRIS.
(Rushing from the Temple, and catching Athridates in her arms.)
Stop, inhuman!
Or through this bosom—

ATHRIDATES.
Hence; thy woman's weakness
Blasts my unsullied fame.

PHARNACES.
Would'st thou defend him?—
This tyrant!—

THAMYRIS.
Is my father—

PHARNACES.
He seeks thy life—

THAMYRIS.
He gave it.—If thy wrongs
Demand a victim, strike—strike here, Pharnaces;
But spare his sacred life—

PHARNACES.
Thou hast prevaild:
Thy virtue has disarm'd, and giv'n me back
To honour's better purpose. To the brave
A conquer'd foe is sacred. Athridates,
Receive thy life, thy kingdom.

ATHRIDATES.
I disdain
A life thy gift; my firm unconquer'd soul
Rejects thy offer'd mercy. Athridates
Will, still a monarch, join his ancestors:
This blow, and all is well.

(Stabs himself.)
THAMYRIS.
O fatal rashness!—

PHARNACES.
Why, Athridates, hast thou robb'd my heart
Of that best joy, the transport of forgiving?

ATHRIDATES.
Too far, Pharnaces, has my rage pursued—
Too deep has vengeance drain'd the cup of death—
Come near, my daughter: take my last embrace.
Canst thou forgive thy wrongs? The mist of passion
Fades from my dying eyes, and sets thy goodness,
Thy filial piety, in dread array—
Ye Cappadocian warriors, see your queen!
Thy arm, Artaxias—instant lead me hence—
I would not with my last expiring groans
Prophane this holy temple.

THAMYRIS.
Powers of mercy!
Yet spare his days!

ATHRIDATES.
And dost thou weep for me?
Whose unrelenting hand—my breath grows short—
I can no more—I faint—a sudden darkness—
I die—my child—farewell—farewell for ever!

(Falls into the arms of Orchanes and Artaxias.)
THAMYRIS.
My breaking heart—a moment more—my father!
He dies—'tis past!—

(Artaxias and Orchanes bear off the body of Athridates.)