University of Virginia Library

SCENE, Changes to the City of Argos, as Besieged.
Enter Antigonus, Demetrius and Aristeon.
Ant.
Already Pyrrhus has begun the Storm;
His Elephants, like huge Machines of War,
With their Broadsides lie pressing on our Walls;
And from the Castles planted on their Backs
Pour forth an Army down upon the Town.
Heard you that Shout?

Dem.
We did; it follow'd something
Loud as it self, that sounded like the burst
Of Brazen Gates.

Enter Martius.
Mart.
All's lost; The Foes are enter'd;
The Torrent rouls this way.

Ant.
Undaunted yet;
With Bravery, that deserves a better Fortune,
We'll strive to change the partial face of War.

[Exeunt.
Manet Aristeon.
Arist.
I hope 'tis Epire's Prince has made his Entrance.
If so, Antigone's Name will draw him here.
Helenus from within.]
Antigone—

Ant.
Hark! 'Tis already answer'd.
He caught it like the Echo, at distance,
And closely follows its return himself.

Enter Helenus.
Hel.
Now, now, the wish'd for time at last is come,
While publick Interest draws the Swords of others,
To end one private Quarrel by our selves.

Arist.
Let's not spend a Minute in our talk;
The Hours are precious, and our Swords can plead
Our Cause the best, and stop our Tongues for ever.

Enter Antigone.
[Fight. Aristeon falls.
Ant.
Methoughts I heard you, Love; but knew not well
Whether it was the Voice of Fate, or you.

Arist.
Oh! 'twas the Voice of Fate to me; it spoke
The loss of Life and Love; yet in my Death
I joy to see you with my closing Eyes,
To take the farewell View before I go,
And bear thy dear Idea to the Skies.
There, as I glide along the Bowers of Heav'n,
And view the celebrated Beauties there,
But find none fair enough to move my wonder,
No heavenly Excellence of force to Charm me,
Ev'n there I'll think once more upon Antigone.
[After a Pause.]
What not a word? But do not, do not speak;
There is an Eloquence in silent pity
Beyond Expression.
Farewell thou dear, but cruel Fair, farewell.
Oh! I had many wondrous Things to say,
And wondrous Love should shine in all I said;
But that my fleeting Soul out-flies my words,
And leaves my Speech unfinish'd.
Too happy Prince, farewell.
Black Mists have overcast my dying Eyes,
I cannot now dispute the Beauteous Prize:
All my last Hopes, I, with my Life, resign;
The Conquest, both in War and Love, is thine.

Ant.
Oh! Lead me Love; where I may hide my self
From Sights of Horrour that affright my Soul.
To me, the War is dreadful as the Sea
To unexperienc'd Mariners; and I tremble
At every blast that blows: Heav'n send the Calm.

Hel.
Thither, my Love, retire to yonder Tow'r;
These Souldiers be your Guard: Methinks my Father
Upbraids me for my stay; I'll on to meet him,
And help to Crown the Conquests of this Night.

Ant.
I go; But I conjure you, Prince, to be
More careful of your self, and less of me.

[Two Souldiers enter, and carry Arist. off.
[Exeunt severally.
Trumpets and Kettle Drums.
Enter Pyrrhus, Dion, and Souldiers.
Pyrrh.
Push on the Fight, and follow Fortune close,
She flies before with all her Sails upon her;
And gath'ring in the fullest gusts of War,
Will quickly reach the Port.