University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The woody part of a deep valley, with high trees that grow upon the opposite hills, the branches of the trees meeting overshade the valley that lies between them.
Lycidas, Amyntas.
Lyc.
Amyntas, I am resolv'd—forbear to urge
Thy fruitless counsels—

Amyn.
Hear me, Lycidas;
Calm yet a little this tempestuous passion.

Lyc.
In whom again shall Lycidas confide,
If Megacles deceive him? Megacles,
Even in the greatest need, deserts his friend.
Most wretched he who trusts his future bliss
On friendship's doubtful faith!

Amyn.
Be not too rash
In censuring his delay: no little space
Divides fair Elis from the Cretan shore
Where Megacles resides: must your impatience
Give wings to him? Perchance your messenger
Might linger on his way: the sea that rolls
His tides between, may stay your friend: be calm,
He still may come in time. The Olympic games
Begin not till the sun has pass'd the noon,
And scarce Aurora yet proclaims the dawn.

Lyc.
Thou know'st that all who hope the victor's prize,
Should with the morn appear within the temple,
To tell their rank, their country, and their name;
And swear at Jove's high altar, not to employ
Or fraud or circumvention in the field.

Amyn.
I know it well.

Lyc.
Thou know'st that he who comes
Too late to execute this solemn rite,
Must stand excluded from the glorious trial.
See'st thou not how the combatants already
Throng to the temple? Hear the rural shouts
Of eager multitudes; then say, Amyntas,
What have I more to expect? What hopes remain?

Amyn.
But what is your design?

Lyc.
Among the train
To appear before the altar.

Amyn.
What besides?

Lyc.
Prove with the rest my fortune in the field.

Amyn.
Thou, Lycidas!

Lyc.
And dost thou think my courage
Unequal to the attempt?

Amyn.
Alas! my prince,
Here nought avails the skill in sanguine fields
To wield the gleaming falchion; other arms,
Far other forms of war must here be tried;
Far other arts, the names to us unknown;
The dreadful cestus and the ponderous disk;
These to your rivals are familiar grown,
By frequent exercise; but you, untaught,
In the first ardor of unthinking youth,
Too late may mourn with them the unequal conflict.

Lyc.
Had Megacles, expert in arts like these,
Arriv'd in time, his valour had supplied
The place of Lycidas: but since he's absent,
What else remains for me? This day, Amyntas,
The Olympic combatants contend not only
For olive wreaths, the victor's wonted meed;
But Aristea is the bright reward;
The royal heir of mighty Clisthenes;
The first and loveliest of our Grecian dames,
Whose charms have kindled in my breast a flame,
That blazes forth even in its infancy.

Amyn.
What then of Argene?

Lyc.
These eyes no more
Must hope to see her: love no longer lives
When hope expires.

Amyn.
And yet you oft have sworn—

Lyc.
I know thy purpose, thou would'st here detain me
In fruitless converse till the hour is past.
Farewell.

Amyn.
Yet hear me.

Lyc.
No.

Amyn.
Behold where comes—

Lyc.
Who comes, Amyntas?

Amyn.
Megacles.

Lyc.
Ha! where?

Amyn.
Between those trees—no—'tis not Megacles.

Lyc.
Thou dost but mock me; and indeed, Amyntas,
I well deserve it, who could blindly place
My hope in Megacles.

[going.

SCENE II.

Enter Megacles.
Amyn.
Behold him here—

Lyc.
Ye righteous powers!

Mega.
My prince!

Lyc.
My friend! O come,
Come to my breast: my hopes again revive.

Mega.
And is it true that Heaven affords me once
The means to show the gratitude I owe you?

Lyc.
Yes, thou canst give me happiness and life.

Mega.
Say, how?

Lyc.
By entering on the Olympic games
Beneath my name, and combating for me.

Mega.
Are you in Elis yet unknown?

Lyc.
I am.

Mega.
By this device what would you seek?

Lyc.
My peace.
O Heaven! let us not waste the time—this hour
The rival combatants must give their names.
Fly to the temple; say thou art Lycidas;
If thou delay'st, thy coming here is vain;
Go—I will tell thee all at thy return.

Mega.

[Exit.

SCENE III.

Lycidas, Amyntas.
Lyc.
O generous friend! O faithful Megacles!

Amyn.
It was not thus you spoke of him but now.

Lyc.
View me at length possess'd of Aristea:
Go, dear Amyntas, see that all's prepar'd;
I, with my spouse, will ere the close of day
Depart from Elis.

Amyn.
Prince, be not so ready
To fancy happiness: you yet have much
To fear; your artifice may be discover'd;
Or in the trial Megacles may fail.
I know he ever has been found victorious;
Yet well I know an unforeseen event
Sometimes confounds the coward and the brave:
Nor virtue always meets the same success.

Lyc.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

A spacious country at the foot of a hill, covered over with pastoral cottages. A bridge across the river Alpheus, composed of trunks of trees. Between the trees, that grow upon the plain, is a prospect of the city of Olympia at a distance.
Argene in the dress of a shepherdess, weaving garlands. Chorus of nymphs and shepherds, all busied in pastoral employments.
Chorus.
Hail! peaceful shades, dear pleasing seat!
Hail happy freedom's sure retreat!

Arg.
No fraud here lurks with foul design
Our pleasures to destroy;
But constancy and love combine
To heighten every joy.

Chorus.
Hail! peaceful shades, dear pleasing seat!
Hail happy freedom's sure retreat!

Arg.
Here each of little store possest,
Content with little lives;
Rich in himself, his tranquil breast
No poverty perceives.

Chorus.
Hail! peaceful shades, dear pleasing seat!
Hail happy freedom's sure retreat!

Arg.
Without or guards or strong-built hold,
Our peace is here secure;
No treasur'd heaps of tempting gold
The midnight thief allure.

Chorus.
Hail! peaceful shades, dear pleasing seat!
Hail happy freedom's sure retreat!

Arg.

[rising, the nymphs and shepherds go out.

SCENE V.

Enter Aristea attended.
Aris.
Lycoris,
Pursue your harmless pastime.

Arg.
Dost thou, princess,
Return to bless again my poor abode?

Aris.
O that I could as well avoid myself
As I can fly from others! Ah! my friend,
Thou little think'st how fatal is this day
To Aristea.

Arg.
Rather say this day
Is glorious to you! Of your matchless beauty
What ampler proofs can future times receive?
To win you all the flower of Greece this day
Meet in th' Olympic lists.

Aris.
He whom alone
I wish to find, alas! he is not there.
But let us change to some more pleasing theme;
Again resume your interrupted tasks.
Lycoris sit, and let me hear thee speak:
Thou didst begin to tell me all thy fortunes;
Pursue the story now; with thy lov'd converse,
Assuage awhile my pains; and if thou canst,
By telling thy afflictions, soften mine.

[they sit.
Arg.
If aught from me has power to charm your grief,
Then are my sufferings not without reward.
Already have I told you that my name
Is Argene, that Crete beheld me born
Of noble blood, that my affections soar'd
A higher flight than even my birth could claim.

Aris.
Thus far I have learn'd.

Arg.
Hear whence my woes began.
On Lycidas, the princely heir of Crete,
I fix'd my love, and was again belov'd.
Awhile with prudence we conceal'd our flames:
Till passion strengthening, as it oft befalls,
And prudence growing weak, some watchful eye
Perceiv'd at length, and read our mutual glances:
The tale to others flew; from tongue to tongue
The rumour spreading reach'd the royal ear.
The king with anger heard, rebuk'd his son,
And sternly bade him never see me more;
And thus by opposition but increas'd
His wish to see me; so the fanning wind
Adds strength to fire; so rivers higher swell,
In straiten'd bounds. Impatient with his love
The frantic Lycidas resolv'd to fly
And bear me thence by force; his whole design
To me he sent, the messenger betray'd
His trust, and gave the letters to the king.
My hapless lover then was close confin'd,
And I commanded to a foreign husband
To give my hand, which I refus'd to obey.
Against me all declar'd; the monarch threaten'd,
My friends condemn'd me, and my father oft
Urg'd me to accept the nuptials: nothing now
Could save me but determin'd flight or death,
Of these I chose the first, which prudence seemd'd
To point, and nature least recoil'd to follow.
Unknown I came to Elis: in these woods
I purpos'd to reside, 'midst shepherds here
A rural nymph, I now am call'd Lycoris.
But in the faithful bosom of Lycoris,
I cherish still the heart of Argene.

Aris.
Indeed I pity thee; but cannot yet
Approve thy flight; a virgin and alone
To seek a distant country—to forsake—

Arg.
And should I then have yielded up my hand
To Megacles?

Aris.
To Megacles!—O Heaven!
Declare what Megacles was this?

Arg.
The husband
For whom the king design'd me: ought I then
To have forgotten—

Aris.
Know'st thou not his country?

Arg.
Athens.

Aris.
What cause had brought him into Crete?

Arg.
The cause was love; for so himself declar'd.
A band of robbers, at his first arrival,
Attack'd, and had depriv'd him of his life,
But Lycidas by chance came by and sav'd him.
Since which they still have liv'd in strictest friendship:
This friend of Lycidas, known to the king,
Was, as a stranger, by the royal mandate
Decreed for me.

Aris.
But dost thou yet remember
His aspect?

Arg.
Yes, methinks I see him present.
Fair were his shining locks, his eyebrows dark,
His lips of ruddiest hue, and gently swelling;
His looks sedate, and full of tenderness;
A frequent smile, a pleasing speech—but princess,
Your colour changes—say—what can this mean?

Aris.
O Heaven! that Megacles whom you describe,
Is him I love.

Arg.
What say'st thou?

Aris.
O! 'tis true:
In secret long he lov'd me; but my father
Refus'd my hand to one in Athens born:
Nay would not hear or even vouchsafe to see him.
He left me in despair, and never since
Have I beheld him; but from thee I learn
What has befallen him since.

Arg.
Our fortunes both
Are surely wondrous.

Aris.
Could he now be told
That here I am made the prize of victory.

Arg.
Dispatch some trusty messenger to Crete,
To give him notice: thou meantime, procure
The games to be delay'd.

Aris.
Say how, my friend?

Arg.
Great Clisthenes is Aristea's father;
'Tis he presides, th' elected judge, to rule
The solemn rites; he if he will can change—

Aris.
But, ah! he will not.

Arg.
Yet, what harm, my princess,
Springs from the trial?

Aris.
Haste then, let us go
And find out Clisthenes.

[both rising.
Arg.
Forbear—He's here.

SCENE VI.

Enter Clisthenes attended.
Clis.
My daughter, every thing is now prepar'd;
The names are gather'd, and the victims slain,
The hour of combat fix'd; nor can we longer
Defer the games without offending Heaven,
The faith of nations, and thy father's honour.

Aris.
Fond hopes, farewell!

[aside.
Clis.
O! I should give thee cause
For pride indeed, did I disclose the rivals
That seek to combat for thy sake. Megara
Olinthus sends; Clearchus comes from Sparta;
From Thebes her Atys; Erylus from Corinth;
From Crete's fam'd isle the youthful Lycidas.

Arg.
Who?

Clis.
Lycidas, the Cretan monarch's son.

Aris.
Does he too seek me?

Clis.
Yes; he comes to prove
His fate with others.

Arg.
Has he then so soon
Forgot his once-lov'd Argene?

[aside.
Clis.
My daughter,
Let us be gone.

Aris.
Grant my request, my father,
Delay the combat for awhile.

Clis.
Impossible!
But wherefore should'st thou ask it? What can urge
This strange desire?

Aris.
'Tis ever time enough
To barter freedom: marriage to our sex
Is but a galling yoke; and sure we suffer
Enough of evil in our servile state,
Without the nuptial tie.

Clis.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

Argene, Aristea.
Arg.
And didst thou, princess, hear?

Aris.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.

Argene
alone.

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

Lycidas, Megacles meeting.
Mega.
My Lycidas!

Lyc.
My friend!

Mega.
Behold me here—

Lyc.
Hast thou completed—

Mega.
Every thing is done.
I, in thy stead, have visited the temple,
And, in thy place, shall soon begin the trial;
Then, ere the signal for the strife is given,
Thou may'st disclose the bent of thy design.

Lyc.
O! should'st thou conquer, all the realm of Love
Has not a lover happier than myself.

Mega.
What mean'st thou?

Lyc.
To reward the victor's toils
A maid is promis'd of transcendent charms,
And royal birth: these eyes had scarce beheld her
When my heart glow'd, and panted to possess her:
But little vers'd in these athletic games—

Mega.
I understand you—I for you must win her.

Lyc.
Even so, my friend—demand my life, my kingdom,
Whate'er I have, my Megacles, is thine,
And all too little to return thy friendship.

Mega.
There need not, prince, such motives to incite
A grateful vassal, and a faithful friend:
To thee I owe my life; then hope the best;
I trust thou shalt possess thy wish'd-for bride.
I come no stranger to the field; ere this
My labours have bedew'd the sands of Elis:
Nor is the sylvan olive to these brows
An unaccustom'd wreath; and never yet
This breast was more secure of victory:
The thirst of honour, and the warmth of friendship,
Add strength to every nerve: I pant with ardor,
And seem already in the glorious trial.
Methinks I see each rival combatant,
Methinks I conquer! From the trampled plain
My locks and face with dust are cover'd o'er,
And shouts of pleas'd spectators fill my ears.

Lyc.
O my lov'd friend! O dearest Aristea!

Mega.
What say'st thou, ha!

Lyc.
I call by name on her
My soul adores.

Mega.
And nam'st thou Aristea?

Lyc.
I do.

Mega.
What Aristea?

Lyc.
Aristea,
Born on Asopus' banks, the only off-spring
Of royal Clisthenes.

Mega.
O Heaven! 'tis she,
'Tis she I love! [aside.]
—And must we fight for her?

Lyc.
For her.

Mega.
Is this the virgin I must gain you,
By conquering here?

Lyc.
The same.

Mega.
Is Aristea
Your hope, your comfort?

Lyc.
O! she's all to me.

Mega.
I feel the stroke of death!

[aside.
Lyc.
Be not surpris'd:
When thou shalt see the beauties of that face,
Thou wilt perhaps excuse me: Gods themselves,
Without a blush, might own a passion there.

Mega.
Too well I know it.

[aside.
Lyc.
Should'st thou prove victorious,
Can there be found one happier than myself?
Even Megacles shall triumph in my joy:
Wilt thou not sympathize in my delight?

Mega.
Doubtless.

Lyc.
And wilt thou not, my friend, esteem
The moment blest that gives me Aristea?

Mega.
Most blest—O Gods!

[aside.
Lyc.
And will not Megacles
Grace with his presence these auspicious nuptials?

Mega.
Distraction!

[aside.
Lyc.
Speak.

Mega.
I have no will but yours.
What unknown misery, what hell is this!

[aside.
Lyc.
How tedious seems the day! Alas! thou know'st not,
Or canst not sure believe, that expectation
Is death to one who loves, and loves like me.

Mega.
I know it well.

Lyc.
Yes, Megacles, even now
My thoughts call up futurity: already
In fancy I possess my beauteous bride.

Mega.
This is too much.

[aside.
Lyc.
Methinks I seem—

Mega.
No more—
You've said enough; I own the name of friend,
And know the duties which that name imports;
Yet think not therefore—

Lyc.
Why are you displeas'd?
In what have I offended?

Mega.
Inconsiderate!
What have I done!— [aside.]
This transport springs from zeal
To do you service: hither am I come
Tir'd with a length of way, the fight draws near,
But little time remains for my repose,
And of that little you would now deprive me.

Lyc.
What hinder'd thee before to speak thy thoughts?

Mega.
Respect restrain'd my tongue.

Lyc.
Then would'st thou rest?

Mega.
I would.

Lyc.
Shall we from hence retire together?

Mega.
No, Lycidas.

Lyc.
Then wilt thou still remain
Beneath these shades?

Mega.
I will.

Lyc.
Shall not thy friend
Attend thee here?

Mega.
O no.

[impatiently.
Lyc.

[Exit.

SCENE X.

Megacles.
alone.
Ye gracious powers! What tidings have I heard?
What unexpected stroke is fallen upon me!
Shall she I love become another's right,
And I resign her to my rival's arms?
But, O! that rival is my dearest friend!
How strangely for my torment fate unites
Two names so opposite! Yet sure the laws
Of friendship never can exact so much;
Forgive me, prince, I am a lover too.
To ask me to resign my Aristea,
Is but to ask my life—And does not then
This life belong to Lycidas who sav'd it?
Do I not breathe through him? and canst thou doubt,
Ungrateful Megacles! Should Aristea
E'er know thee thus forgetful of thy friendship,
Even she might justly hate thee. Never, never
Shall she be witness to this change—the laws
Of faith and amity alone I'll hear,
Of gratitude and honour. All I dread
Is to behold her; let me shun th' encounter;
How shall I meet her sight! To think of it,
My heart beats quick, cold sweats bedew my face,
I tremble,—I am lost!—I cannot bear it.

SCENE XI.

Enter Aristea.
Aris.
Stranger.

[without seeing his face.
Mega.
Ha! who is this that breaks upon me?

[turning.
Aris.
O Heaven!

[sees Megacles.
Mega.
O Gods!

[sees Aristea.
Aris.
My Megacles! My life!
And is it thee, do I again behold thee!
Ye powers! I faint with joy, my tender breast
Can scarce support this mighty tide of pleasure.
Thou dearest object of my constant wishes,
So long bewail'd, so long invok'd in vain!
At length thou hear'st thy faithful Aristea;
Thou art return'd in a propitious hour;
O happy sufferings! O indulgent love!
My sighs and tears are amply now repaid.

Mega.
How cruel is my fate!

[aside.
Aris.
Thou answer'st not,
My much lov'd Megacles! Still art thou silent!
Why does thy colour change? What mean those looks
Confus'd? Why seem thy eyes to shun me thus?
Whence is that starting tear? Perhaps, alas!
No longer I possess thy love—perhaps—

Mega.
What say'st thou!—Ever still—know then, I am—
I cannot speak—What wretchedness is mine!

[aside.
Aris.
Thou chill'st me to the soul: and know'st thou not
That here for me the combatants contend?

Mega.
I know it well.

Aris.
And com'st not thou to enter
The lists for Aristea's sake?

Mega.
I do.

Aris.
Why are you then so sad?

Mega.
Because—O Gods!
What torment equals mine!

Aris.
I understand thee:
Some envious tongue has made thee doubt my truth:
If this afflict thee, thou art indeed unjust;
For never, Megacles, since last we parted,
Have I even sinn'd in thought against my love.
Thy voice has seem'd for ever in my ears;
My lips have dwelt for ever on thy name;
My heart retain'd thy image: never yet
I've felt a second flame: thy Aristea—

Mega.
Enough—I know it well—

Aris.
Thy Aristea,
Shall sooner die than for a single moment
Forego her plighted faith.

Mega.
Distracting thought!

[aside.
Aris.
But look upon me—speak—

Mega.
What can I say?

SCENE XII.

Enter Alcander in haste.
Alc.
My lord, dispatch, if here you come to fight;
The signal's given, that to the glorious trial
Invites the combatants.

[Exit.

SCENE XIII.

Megacles, Aristea.
Mega.
Assist me Gods!
Farewell, my love!

Aris.
And wilt thou leave me thus?
Yet go—return my husband; I forgive thee.

Mega.
Such happiness is not reserv'd for me.

[going.
Aris.
Hear me, dost thou still love me?

Mega.
More than life.

Aris.
Dost thou believe me true?

Mega.
Thy truth I think
Unsullied as thy beauty.

Aris.
Go'st thou not
To conquer, and to win me?

Mega.
I would hope it.

Aris.
And dost thou still possess thy wonted valour?

Mega.
I trust, I do.

Aris.
And thou wilt gain the prize?

Mega.
I hope for victory.

Aris.
Then am not I,
Dear Megacles, thy spouse?

Mega.

Aris.
Tell me what thy grief can raise,
Tell me, love, thy consort tell.

Mega.
Cease, cease, thou idol of my heart.

Aris.
Speak, Megacles, thy thoughts disclose.

[Mega.]
Alas! by speaking you impart

[Aris.]
Alas! by silence you impart

Both.
New troubles that increase my woes.

Aris.
While thus I see my lover mourn,
In vain the cause I seek.

Mega.
With jealousy, I rage, I burn,
Yet, ah! I dare not speak.

Both.
What hearts could e'er before sustain
Such fatal grief, such cruel pain!

[Exeunt severally.