 | Demetrius |  |
SCENE XII.
Enter Alcestes with two attendants bearing the crown and royal mantle.Alc.
Low at your feet, permit me—
[kneels.
Phen.
Heavens!—Alcestes,
What can this mean?
Alc.
Thou art our king, Phenicius.
Phen.
Your king!—O rise!
Alc.
The virtuous Cleonice
By me has sent these ensigns of dominion:
She waits till you, my lord, adorn'd with these,
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Your hand with hers: you cannot sure reject
The glorious present which Alcestes brings:
I know alike are by Phenicius priz'd
The ambassador, the giver, and the gift.
Phen.
Does not the queen reflect how far unequal
Phenicius' age to hers?
Alc.
The queen reflects
That in another never can she find
More loyal faith, and more consummate wisdom.
Th' exalted fair, by choosing thus, avoids
A thousand evils: she rewards your worth,
Prevents the tongue of calumny, provides
For Syria's welfare, and deludes in many
A fond ambitious hope.
Mith.
And calms in part
The jealous tempest which distress'd Alcestes
May feel within his breast.
Phen.
[aside.]
For this event,
And this alone my soul was unprepar'd.
Olin.
Each is impatient to behold his king:
My father, haste: content your longing friends,
The eager populace, and all Seleucia
Enraptur'd with the choice.
Phen.
Proceed, Olinthus,
Before me to the temple; say that soon
They shall behold their king—with me behind
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Olin.
[aside.]
Let not Alcestes gain the queen or throne,
And I am satisfied.
[Exit.
| Demetrius | |