University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter Eurynome with Bacchanals and Amazons with arms and lighted torches.
Eury.
Companions, compass round the wood, and stop
Each outlet of the garden.

Hyp.
Wretched Thoas,
Thy fear was sure prophetic.

[aside.
Eury.
Thou art discover'd:
Say where thy father lurks.

[to Hypsipyle.
Hyp.
Assist me, Gods!
[aside.
Dost thou require the dead?

Eury.
'Tis now too late
For this dissimulation: thou wert heard
To call his name, and hold a converse with him.

Hyp.
O! 'tis too true—his mournful image ever
Appears before my sight; where'er I go
Pursues my trembling steps; calls me ungrateful;
Reproaches me with savage cruelty,
That durst cut short a father's reverend days.

Eury.
Her words congeal me, though I know she feigns.

[aside.
Hyp.
I tremble while I strive to hide my fear.

[aside.
Eury.
No more—deceit is vain—

Hyp.
O Gods! look there!
Behold Eurynome, see where he comes!
Observe his fiery eyes that swell with rage,
While tears of anger trickle down his cheek;
His snow-white locks still dropping crimson blood,
Hang o'er his hoary face. Dost thou not hear
His threatening voice, and mark his dreadful mien?
Unhappy shade!—Enough have I endur'd
Of punishment—O Heavens!—In pity, hide,
Hide from my sight the torch of hell—take hence
The furies' iron whips—

Eury.
Ill-fated princess!
My soul is mov'd!

Hyp.
She softens at my words.

[aside.
Eury.
Yon' trees afford a shelter in their gloom
For melancholy phantoms: haste, my friends,
Hurl round the flames, and swift consume to ashes
That unpropitious wood.

Hyp.
Ah, no! forbear
Those trunks devoted to the Sylvan Goddess.

Eury.
Hearken not to her—

Hyp.
Impious! shall not then
The Gods themselves be sacred from thy fury?
And who shall execute the dire command?

Eury.
Unthinking maid! thou hast betray'd thyself.
Behold the grove where Thoas lurks conceal'd;
Go, friends, and drag him thence to punishment.

[the Amazons enter the grove.
Hyp.
Hear me! O! hear a most unhappy daughter!
What shall I do? O all ye powers of Heaven!
Eurynome have pity!

Eury.
'Tis in vain;
Thy father shew'd no pity to my son.

Hyp.
If thou'rt so thirsty for revenge, strike here;
O pierce this breast, and let me bleed for him!
Behold me suppliant, grovelling at your feet—

[kneels.
Eury.
Her tears disarm my rage.

[aside.
Hyp.
O yet relent,
Or change the destin'd victim of thy fury.
By all that is rever'd in earth or Heaven,
Even by the ashes of thy dear Learchus!

Eury.
That name has rouz'd anew my sleeping rage;
The tyrant dies, even by this hand he dies:
[draws her sword.
Ne'er will I rest till I behold my sword
Drench'd in his blood.

[as she turns, thinking to find Thoas, she meets Learchus, conducted by the Amazons from the grove; she stands in amazement, and lets fall her sword.
Lear.
My mother!

Eury.
Heavens! my son!

Hyp.
What can this mean? Amazement seizes me!

[rises.