University of Virginia Library

SCENE XII.

Jason, Hypsipyle.
Jas.
Betray'd! by whom!
Almighty powers!

[sees Hypsipyle.
Hyp.
My lord!

Jas.
Relentless woman!
What have I done to thee? What crime of mine
Incites thy vengeance? That I've lov'd, may merit
Severest punishment, but not from thee.
Thou would'st, inhuman, from the face of earth
Sweep all the inhabitants, that none might here
Be witness to thy guilt.

Hyp.
Has then my fate
More sufferings for me? Prince, thou art deceiv'd;
I came not here to take thy life.

Jas.
That dagger,
Those looks confus'd, the voice I heard but now
Which rouz'd me from my sleep: do not all these
Enough condemn thee?

Hyp.
'Twas another hand
Assail'd thy life; I sav'd it from the danger.

Jas.
Yes; I have wondrous proofs of thy compassion:
She who could pierce a father's breast, would doubtless
Preserve a husband.

Hyp.
O! I slew him not.

Jas.
But if thy lips—

Hyp.
My lips, by fate compell'd,
Belied my deeds.

Jas.
What if I here beheld
The murder'd monarch?

Hyp.
'Twas deception all:
Thou didst not, couldst not see him.

Jas.
Tell me then
Where now is Thoas hid?

Hyp.
Alas! I know not;
I've sought him, but in vain—

Jas.
Perfidious woman!
And think'st thou Jason can be thus deluded?
Is't not enough, but thou must mock me too?
Thou hast confess'd thy crime; each tongue confirms it;
Myself am witness to it; yet thou hop'st
To assume the name of innocent! even now
I start from sleep, I find thee by my side,
With looks confus'd, a dagger in thy hand,
Prepar'd to pierce my heart; and wilt thou dare
To tell me all was meant for my defence?
Think not that Thessaly has form'd her sons
So easy of belief.

Hyp.
Soon shalt thou see—

Jas.
I've seen enough.

Hyp.
And wilt thou not—

Jas.
O! no;
I'll hear no more.

Hyp.
And dost thou then believe—

Jas.
Yes, I believe that I partake thy guilt
In listening to thee longer.

Hyp.
Must we part?

Jas.
Leave me.

Hyp.
Where is thy former love!

Jas.
With shame
I call it now to mind.

Hyp.
And am I then—

Jas.
Thou art poison to my eyes!

Hyp.
Yes, yes, ye furies!
Inhabitants of this destructive land,
I find that to be innocent is guilt.
Have I not seen enough of slaughter stain
My native soil? Assuage your horrid thirst,
Behold my blood shall flow!

[offers to stab herself.
Jas.
What dost thou mean!

[holds her.
Hyp.
Why should'st thou, Jason, thus restrain my hand,
And make me longer drag the life I loathe?

Jas.
Die, if thou wilt, but seek some other place
To end thy wretched being.

[wrests the dagger from her.
Hyp.
Yet at least—

Jas.
Leave me in peace.

Hyp.
O hear me!

Jas.
Never, never.

Hyp.
Kill me, in pity kill me!

Jas.
No—I cannot.

Hyp.
For one last look—

Jas.
'Tis guilt but to behold thee.

Hyp.
My lord! my husband!

Jas.
Hence! or I am gone.

Hyp.
Since 'tis your harsh command, I go;
But for this cruelty you show,
Your heart perhaps will anguish know,
With sighs your breast may heave.
And when you learn my hapless state,
In vain your tears may mourn my fate;
For sorrow then shall prove too late
My sufferings to relieve.

[Exit.