 | Artaxerxes |  |
46
SCENE X.
Enter Mandane and Semira.Sem.
Artaxerxes,
Have pity.
Man.
Vengeance, vengeance, Artaxerxes:
I come to urge the death of one that's guilty.
Sem.
I ask the life of one that's innocent.
Man.
The treason's certain.
Sem.
Doubtful is the traitor.
Man.
But all appearances condemn Arbaces.
Sem.
Justice and reason must absolve Arbaces.
Man.
The father's blood, shed from his veins, requires
The murderer's punishment.
Sem.
The son's preserv'd,
Demands a recompense for its preserver.
Man.
Remember rigour is the throne's support.
Sem.
Reflect that mercy is its strongest basis.
Man.
O let the sorrows of a wretched daughter
Excite your indignation!
Sem.
Let the tears
Of an afflicted sister calm your anger.
Man.
All whom you here behold, except Semira,
Require this sacrifice.
Sem.
Hear, Artaxerxes,
Have pity!
47
Vengeance, vengeance!
Artax.
Rise—O Heaven!—
Rise both: how are your pains excell'd by mine!
Semira fears the rigour of my justice,
Mandane fears my mercy. Artaxerxes,
At once a friend and son, feels both your pangs,
And trembles with Mandane and Semira.
Ah! come my Artaban; speak comfort to me:
[seeing Artaban.
Hast thou found aught that may defend Arbaces?
Say, has he prov'd his innocence?
| Artaxerxes | |