University of Virginia Library

SCENE VIII.

Part of the garden belonging to the palace, with fountains on each side, and a view of a grove sacred to Diana. Time, night.
Hypsipyle, Thoas, Learchus concealed in the grove.
Hyp.
At length thou art safe, my father: here unseen
In Dian's sacred grove, till my return
Amid these shades remain.

Tho.
Are these, my daughter,
Thy Jason's nuptials! this our tender meeting!

Hyp.
Ah! sir! conceal yourself: the time admits not
Of vain complaints.

Tho.
O Heaven! must thou return,
Expos'd to all the rage of female malice?

[Learchus advances and listens unseen.
Hyp.
By this alone I can secure our safety:
My presence must confirm what I've invented,
That all may deem thee dead.

Tho.
How canst thou hope
To blind Eurynome?

Hyp.
A Lemnian slain
Wrapp'd in thy regal vest, shall cheat the eye;
O'er him I'll mourn, and seem to weep my father.

Tho.
I doubt thy pious fraud—

Hyp.
O no! in Heaven
There still are Gods that watch the life of kings,
And aid the just designs of innocence.

Tho.
There is no friendly power for us—

Hyp.
If all
Conspire against us, and vindictive rage
Should for thy blood preserv'd demand my own,
Flow deep the vital stream; at least these eyes
Shall ne'er behold thy death: the world shall know
That midst my sex's universal guilt,
I still pursued the unerring path of virtue,
Nor e'er forgot a daughter's sacred ties.

[Exit.