 | Hecuba |  |
5
ÆTHRON.
Here doth my guidance end. Behold the place
Where all the live-long day the royal captives
Pour forth their piteous plaints. That little tent,
Spread in the darksom gloom of yon lone beech,
Contains all Troy.
ERIPHILUS.
Thanks for thy conduct, soldier.
Yet sure it needed not. This far-off station,
These interrupted bursts of female sorrow,
Proclaim it the queen's dwelling. There she lies,
The daughter of affliction! whelm'd with woes
So vast, humanity trembles to think her
Of its own species.
MELANTHUS.
From the book of fate,
Jove's equal hand to every mortal man
Deals his due portion; be it bliss or woe.
Think not I mean to check thy noble nature:
Thou too art born a man; and as thou art,
Thy soul perforce must melt at human sufferings.
But learn, dear youth, with reverential awe
To kiss heav'n's ministring rod.
ERIPHILUS.
Oh good Melanthus,
Cast but a thought on that illustrious scene
Which once was Troy. Where now her menacing bulwarks?
Rich palaces, proud tow'rs that propt the skies?
Where her intrepid heroes, reverend seers?
6
The good old king. Death's ruthless scythe has swept him,
Amid the general carnage, to the tomb;
Him and his numerous race. But oh ye pow'rs,
If I'm ordain'd to save these royal captives—
If I am sent your aweful delegate
To counteract their fate—they shall be free.
I feel they shall. I come heav'n's minister,
And glory in the sacred embassy.
MELANTHUS.
Hear me Eriphilus—
ÆTHRON.
Do not repress
His noble ardor. Here at Chersonesus
The Greeks but stay to raise Achilles' tomb.
That finish'd, the first favoring wind transports
Their fleet to Greece. Go then, illustrious strangers,
Go, like two guardian gods, and sooth their souls.
[Exit.
ERIPHILUS.
I go.—come on, Melanthus; my soul burns
To tell the joyful tidings.
MELANTHUS.
Yet bethink thee,
When at Achilles' tomb thou didst unfold
Pyrechmes' will, did Hecuba's redemption
Meet a full promise? Thy impetuous zeal,
Ev'n in the cause of virtue, makes me tremble.
Oh temper it, dear youth. Think on the perils
7
There's not a Greek but, were thy secret known,
Wears for thy life a dagger.
ERIPHILUS.
I'll be calm.
Soon shalt thou find I will.—But shou'd Atrides
Refuse the ransom—by th'immortal pow'rs,
Distress like Hecuba's—
MELANTHUS.
The queen's distress
Sinks in my heart as deep as thine, which prompts
My steadiest caution. Trust me, this compliance
With each rash impulse, howsoe'er disguis'd
In friendship's or in virtue's specious form,
Is but mean incense to our own fond passions.
Then calmly to the tent. Back from the port
I shall return, before thou hast dispatch'd
Thy business with the queen. Be quick, be cautious,
Be secret too.—Remember thou hast sworn.
[Exit.
ERIPHILUS.
I have. And pow'rful must the pang be found,
That from my soul the secret doth extort.
| Hecuba | |