 | Artaxerxes |  |
SCENE IX.
A great council hall with a throne on one side, seats on the other for the Grandees of the kingdom. A table and chair on the right hand of the throne.Artaxerxes preceded by a part of the guards, and by the Grandees of the kingdom, followed by the rest of the guards. Megabyzus.
Artax.
Behold, ye guardians of our Persian realm,
Behold me ready to embrace the cares
Of my paternal seat; but so unhappy,
So full of turbulence begins my reign,
This hand, yet unexperienc'd, dreads to grasp
The sceptre of dominion: you, whose breasts
Are fill'd with faith, experience, zeal and valour,
Which oft you've shown to recompense the love
My god-like father gave you, now assist me,
And guide my steps to tread the paths of empire.
Mega.
My gracious king, Mandane and Semira
Impatient ask admittance to your presence.
Artax.
Ye powers!—Let them approach; full well I know
What different cause incites them.
| Artaxerxes | |