 | Artaxerxes |  |
SCENE XII.
Enter Semira.Sem.
Defend yourself, my lord, the palace wall,
Encompass'd by a faithless throng, resounds
With rebel shouts—and all require thy death.
Artax.
Almighty powers!
[places the cup on the altar.
Artab.
What impious wretch has dar'd
To rise against his king?
Artax.
Alas! too late
I know him now—Arbaces is the traitor.
75
He whom we mourn'd as dead?
Artax.
He lives, the ingrate:
He lives—forgetful of my faith to Xerxes,
Forgetful of my duty to my father,
I set him free, and merit to receive
The punishment which Heaven has destin'd for me:
Yes, I myself have woo'd my own destruction.
Artab.
Why should you fear, my king? For your protection
Your faithful Artaban shall still suffice.
Artax.
Then let us haste to punish—
[going.
| Artaxerxes | |