University of Virginia Library

ULYSSES
, EUMELUS, HECUBA, SIGEA.
Insolent man,
Who thus uncall'd break'st on our privacy.
Retire.—Yet stay. Thou didst consort him hither.
Thou art a partner in his perfidy;
Th'accomplice of this youth; and thou shalt share
His punishment. Traitor, I see the treason
Thy cunning wou'd conceal.

EUMELUS.
Ill do thy words
Become the sacred character I bear.
I am no traitor, king.

ULYSSES.
What art thou then?

EUMELUS.
Melanthus.—

HECUBA.
Guardian to that hapless youth,
Whom I alas—but on my knees, Ulysses—

EUMELUS.
Oh queen, let not thy gratitude compell thee
To ought unworthy of thy royal self.
Fear not his life; the laws of nations guard it.

ULYSSES.
No law can guard the sacrilegious villain.
—Bid Licias, when they seize Eriphilus,
To drag him to that altar he profan'd.

HECUBA.
Forbear forbear.—

ULYSSES.
Disclose the trait'rous plot.

HECUBA.
Oh spare his youth—

ULYSSUS.
Thou, only thou, can'st spare him.
Instant disclose the treason. 'Scape he cannot.
Our troops have rush'd between him and his ships.
Ere this he's captive. Speak, or death's his doom.

HECUBA.
Oh gracious gods—

EUMELUS.
Return; and in your tent
Reason will recollect its scatter'd pow'rs.

ULYSSUS.
Guards.—

HECUBA.
Hold—and I will tell—

EUMELUS.
What can'st thou tell?
—Unhappy queen, retire.

ULYSSES.
Do thou retire;
Or—

HECUBA.
Hear then—