University of Virginia Library

SCENE LAST.

Enter Eurynome.
Eury.
And have I found thee then at length, my son!

Lear.
Fly mother, save thyself.

Jas.
Inhuman woman!
'Tis not in vain that fate has sent thee hither.
[stopping her.
Stay thee, Hypsipyle:—look here, thou traitor!
Let Thoas free, or lo! this hand cuts short
Thy mother's life.

[draws a dagger, Hypsipyle. [stops short as she is about to enter the ship.
Lear.
Say'st thou!

Eury.
What can this mean!

Rho.
O unexpected change!

Lear.
Forbear in her
To punish my misdeeds. 'Tis I alone
Am Jason's foe.

Jas.
My rage permits not now
A calm reflection: all are Jason's foes
That hate not thee: a thousand cruelties
Pollute her soul: but were she innocent,
I should not blush to make her now the victim:
'Tis guilt enough to be Learchus' mother.

Rho.
He seems confounded.

Hyp.
Mighty Gods! assist us.

Jas.
Wretch, art thou yet resolv'd.

Lear.
I am resolv'd.
Her life is yours: but let Hypsipyle
Come and fulfill the contract we have made.

Rho.
Inhuman monster!

Hyp.
Most unnatural savage!

Jas.
Then thus to you, infernal deities,
I here devote this horrid sacrifice.

Lear.
Why do I tremble thus!

[aside.
Jas.
It rests on you,
Upon the son to avenge the mother's death;
Die, hapless wretch!

[about to stab her.
Lear.
O hold! forbear to strike,
The victory is thine.

Rho.
Nature at length
Has touch'd his harden'd breast.

Eury.
My dear Learchus,
To thee I owe my life.

Lear.
Eurynome,
Thou little know'st thy son—call not this pity
My virtue, 'tis my shame. I would have seen
Thy death unmov'd, but resolution fails me:
Spite of myself I tremble, shrink with terror,
And feel my blood congeal within my veins.
Why was I not by nature fix'd in goodness,
Or more confirm'd a villain? Coward heart!
'Tis thou, and thou alone that hast undone me;
Then thus with thee begin my just revenge.

[stabs himself.
Eury.
O hold!—What hast thou done?—

Lear.
I neither hope,
Nor will accept their pardon; as he liv'd,
So shall Learchus die.

[leaps into the sea.
Eury.
I faint!—O Heaven!

[swoons, and is carried off.
Rho.
This is your work, ye righteous powers!

Jas.
My friends!
Haste and unbind the king.

[the Argonauts go to the ship.
Hyp.
My dearest lord!
I scarcely yet can still my beating heart.

Rho.
What strange events this day has seen!

Tho.
Ah prince!
[coming from the ship.
My daughter!

Hyp.
Dearest father!

Jas.
O my lord!

Hyp.
And is it given me once again to kiss
That honour'd hand?

Tho.
And do I once again
Thus clasp thee to my breast?

Rho.
Now, faithful lovers,
Propitious Hymen soon shall recompense
Your sorrows past.

Tho.
First let us to the temple
To thank the gracious powers: for, O my children!
How vain is every human enterprise,
If not begun with duty to the Gods!

Chorus.