University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

ORCHAMUS, LEUCOTHOE, &c. &c.
Orchamus.
Hold yet a moment! ere the impervious skreen,
Which severs world from world, be drawn between;
Ere yet I am of all my hopes beguil'd,
Let me once more embrace my wretched child;
The judge, the sov'reign, have their parts supply'd,
And now the parent will be satisfy'd.

Leucothöe.
My father! oh be quick to drive me down.
Gape wide, ye rocks, and save me from his frown!

Orchamus.
Be not of thy fond father's frowns afraid,
Nor think he comes thy folly to upbraid;
No, rather to these sad proceedings loath,
He comes to mourn the cause which ruins both;
That rigid honour, whose stern voice demands
Thy forfeit life at his unwilling hands.

Leucothöe.
To death, without repining, I submit,
As to a thing which Heaven and you think fit;
Whate'er hath been my crime, while yet I live,
Let me but hear you pity and forgive.

Orchamus.
Forgive you! pity you! oh that I do,
These tears be witness which my cheeks bedew.
Would any thing but death might purge our line
From your offence, or any death but thine;
For with thee all my joys will take their leave,
And I shall walk in sorrow to the grave.

Leucothöe.
Stop! stop! those sacred show'rs, they must not fall
For me; I now indeed am criminal.

Orchamus.

Leucothöe.
Behold thus low, your wretched, indiscreet,
Unhappy daughter, casts her at your feet.
Oh! wherefore did not my frail being end,
Ere I had pow'r such goodness to offend?
Before my crimes had stain'd my royal race,
Or drawn a tear along that sacred face.

Orchamus.
Good heav'n and earth! turn; Nature, turn aside;
Turn, nor behold this pious parricide,
Lest, blind to chance, and ign'rant of the cause,
You think mankind, like me, has left your laws.
To Leucothöe.
Farewel! the time calls on us, we must part.
This last embrace—Down, down, my swelling heart.

Leucothöe.
Look on me.

Orchamus.
You there who attend the rites,
Haste to perform the farther requisites.
Nature, lie still!

Leucothöe.
A rock being removed, the mouth of the caverns appears. She starts, then advances towards it.

[The priest preparing to put her down.
Orchamus.
Stay! yet again forbear—an instant hold!
Ye Gods, regard me, I'm infirm, and old;
[Kneeling.
A load of grief unable to sustain!
Let not the weak and suppliant beg in vain.
If with mistaken piety I rate
This crime, if justice asks not what I give,
Arrest th'uplifted arm of vengeful fate;
Appear! and bid the destin'd victim live.

Chorus.
Your blissful mansions leave!
Appear! and save!

Strophe.
The pow'rs are silent to our pray'r.

Anti-Strophe.
Nor signs of mercy shew.

Strophe.
Whom Heav'n condemns, shall mortal spare?

Srophe, Anti-Strophe.
No! no! no!

[They put her into a cavern.
Orchamus.
[Turning about just as she disappears.]