 | The Captives |  |
SCENE VIII.
Phraortes. Cylene. Sophernes. Magi. Orbasius. Araxes. Executioner. Attendants.Soph.
'Twas I that gave thee death.
Hyd.
Thou hast done justice.
Phra.
What sayest thou? speak again.
Hyd.
He has done justice.
I barb'rously accus'd him of my crimes;
That guilt upbraids me; and I ask forgiveness.
[To Soph.
Phra.
Whence art thou?—why this zealous rage against me?
Hyd.
I grieve not that I perish'd by his hand;
But that he disappointed my Revenge
I can't forgive him. Had he stay'd 'till then,
Hydarnes had faln greatly. But that's past.
Still I shall wound thee in the tenderest part.
[To Phraortes.
I faint. O grant me strength to give it utterance!
Draw near, Araxes. Speak, inform the King;
Did not you guide me to the Queen's apartment?
You know why I was call'd. Disclose the secret.
Ara.
What past I know not.
Hyd.
What you fear to own,
I dare reveal. Hear then a dying man.
The Queen, on promise of my life and pardon,
Prevail'd upon me to accuse this Prince;
I knew him not. Yet to pursue thy life,
66
Phra.
It is impossible. Advance, my Queen,
And let thy presence strike him with confusion.
Come forth, Astarbe. Hah! she's fled, she's guilty!
Haste, bring her back. I will extort confession.
What mov'd her to this perjur'd information?
[Ex. Officers.
Whence sprung this hate and malice to Sophernes?
[To Hydarnes.
Hyd.
Ask her. I speak the truth, and know no further.
Look on me, Tyrant, and observe my features;
Seest thou not here the lines of brave Lysamnes?
He by thy power was led to shameful death,
His son now dyes, and never has reveng'd him.
[Dyes.
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