 | Hypsipyle |  |
SCENE XV.
Hypsipyle, Eurynome, Jason.Jas.
Vow! what means Hypsipyle?
Eury.
The ungrateful sex have fallen a sacrifice
To woman's just revenge: there lives not now
A single man in Lemnos.
Jas.
Heavens! what force
Suffic'd to perpetrate this horrid purpose?
Hyp.
Night and fatigue betray'd the unthinking victims;
Some, while they yielded to a false embrace,
Expos'd their bosoms to the vengeful sword:
Some quaff'd fallacious death in poison'd bowls:
Some breath'd their last in sleep: a thousand forms
179
Jas.
My blood is chill'd with horror—but the king—
Hyp.
He too expir'd amidst the general slaughter:
Should I speak truth I must expose my father.
[aside.
Jas.
Are these the regions where the Furies dwell?
Come, dear Hypsipyle, retire with me,
[takes her hand,
To breathe in other climes an air less cruel,
Where happier omens may attend our loves;
Nor shall the death of this ill-fated king
Remain unpunish'd: witness all ye powers!
I swear full vengeance for the horrid deed.
Eury.
The offender's name shall calm thy utmost rage.
Jas.
O never! never!
Eury.
She's so dear to Jason,
Thou wilt at once forgive and pity her.
Jas.
No charm shall stay my wrath, whoe'er is guilty—
So may kind love preserve the pure affections
Of her to whom are all my thoughts devoted.
Eury.
By her was Thoas slain.
Jas.
By whom?
Eury.
Hypsipyle,
Thy wife.
180
O Heaven!
[aside.
Jas.
Speak, speak, my life, defend
Thy glory from the dreadful imputation:
Can this be true?
Hyp.
O cruel fate! [aside.]
—Even so.
[to him, after having looked at Eurynome.
Say'st thou!
[lets go her hand.
Hyp.
I must endure it.
[aside.
Jas.
Do I dream!
Or is it frenzy all! What voice was that
Struck through my heart! Was that Hypsipyle!
Did Jason hear!
Eury.
Now, prince, complete thy vow;
Now, if thou wilt, revenge the slaughter'd Thoas.
Jas.
Are there such savage minds!
Hyp.
My lord, my Jason,
Condemn not yet thy wife.
Jas.
Hence from my sight!
My wife! am I thy love! who now shall press
That hand still reeking with a father's murder?
I seem already to partake thy guilt
While here with thee I breathe one common air,
And my heart shudders as I now behold thee.
[going, he stops at the entrance of the scene, and continues looking attentively at Hypsipyle.
Hyp.
How much, my father, to insure thy safety
Thy daughter suffers!
[aside.
181
Who shall henceforth say
The looks reflect the image of the mind?
Let them contemplate yonder form, and learn
How vice can lurk beneath the mask of goodness
Hyp.
Why dost thou thus in silence gaze upon me?
Jas.
I seek through all that lovely face
Some marks of cruelty to trace;
No cruelty I find:
So deep from every searching eye,
Can dire revenge and fury lie
Conceal'd within the mind,
[Exit.
| Hypsipyle | |