 | Hypsipyle |  |
SCENE V.
Eurynome, Rhodope, Bacchanals.Eury.
See, Rhodope, already day declines:
We must delay no longer: some few moments
Shall give th' expected signal—but methinks
Thou look'st disturb'd.
Rho.
The reverend age of Thoas
Excites my pity; and in him I still
Respect the name and person of a king.
Eury.
He is our greatest foe: in cruel exile
By him Learchus died; and Rhodope
Might better sure remember both our wrongs:
In him I lost a son, and thou a lover.
Rho.
His crimes but well deserv'd his punishment:
For me he feign'd a passion, while he sought
With impious love to force Hypsipyle.
Eury.
I see full well thou seek'st with vain excuses
To hide thy weakness.
Rho.
I'm a woman still.
Eury.
Then as a woman burst thy slavish bonds,
And vindicate thy sex on perjur'd man.
168
As by the laws of Heaven design'd,
To gentle passions still confin'd,
With love alone the heart control.
'Tis ours alike, when vengeance warms,
To mix in battle's stern alarms,
With beauty's or with valour's arms,
To allure or terrify the soul.
[Exit with Bacchanals.
| Hypsipyle | |