University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter Thoas.
Tho.
[entering.]
I was directed still
To abide in Jason's camp; but anxious thoughts
Forbade me there to rest.

Lear.
Observe my purpose:
Away.

[pirates go out.
Tho.
[to himself.]
My bosom throbs with hopes and fears:
I find no peace, but every moment dread
Some stroke of fate: by this untrodden path,
I'll seek the regal palace.

[going.
Lear.
Now, Learchus,
Let artifice befriend thee. [aside.]
—See, my lord,
The guiltiest of your subjects at your feet:
Permit him thus—

[to Thoas, kneeling.
Tho.
Ye powers!—art thou alive!
Art thou Learchus!

Lear.
I'm indeed Learchus.

Tho.
What wouldst thou have from Thoas?—

Lear.
Death, or pardon.

Tho.
Hence, traitor, dare no more approach my sight.

Lear.
Hear me, and then reject me at your will.

Tho.
Perfidious! know'st thou not what punishment
Awaits thee here?

Lear.
Death I deserv'd, my lord,
When I presum'd to attempt with ruffian force
The fair Hypsipyle: but if a fault
Of youth can find no pity from my king,
A fault which love inspir'd, which keen remorse
Has since severely punish'd; here at least,
Here let me perish in my native land.
Five tedious years, an outcast from my country,
Wandering in foreign climes, the sport of fate,
I've liv'd an object loath'd by earth and Heaven;
And, ah! what wounds me more, my prince abhors me.
I'm weary grown of long protracted woe:
Life is the greatest evil I endure;
And he, who drives this spirit from her dwelling,
Is bounteous while he kills me.

Tho.
[aside.]
Such despair
Pleads in his cause, and mitigates his crimes.

Lear.
Why linger thus my friends?

[aside, looking out.
Tho.
From thy misfortunes,
Learchus, learn in future to respect
The majesty of kings—Be comforted;
And live—I pardon thee.

[going.
Lear.
Alas! my lord,
Still am I left uncertain; grant me then
Some surer pledge of mercy.

Tho.
After pardon,
What can I grant thee more?

Lear.
Your royal hand.

Tho.
Receive it, and depart.

[giving his hand.
Lear.
O gracious prince,
Whose goodness imitates the pitying Gods:
This moment has effac'd my past misfortunes—
Not yet return'd! [aside.]
—Still trembling, doubtfull still,
Behold me at your feet, and prostrate thus—

Tho.
What men surround me?

[pirates enter armed, and surround Thoas.
Lear.
So—the stroke is given.
[rising.
Yield me thy sword.

Tho.
Whom speak'st thou to?

Lear.
To thee.

Tho.
To me! Almighty powers! but how—

Lear.
No more:
Thou art my prisoner.

Tho.
What unheard-of treason!

Lear.
At length thou art fallen into my snare: thy life
Is at my will. Endure thy lot with patience:
'Tis thus the world for ever shifts the scene,
And adverse fortune still succeeds to good:
'Tis thine in turn to plead for mercy.

Tho.
Villain!

Lear.
Hold, Thoas, change this language: my example
Might teach thee prudence: 'twas but now I bent
With humble prayers, a suppliant at thy feet.
To suit our tempers, as the various turns
Of life demand, is sure a needful virtue.
The force thou see'st is all at my command:
I can at will—

Tho.
What canst thou further do?
Take from this ebbing life its poor remains,
Already irksome from the double weight
Of years and sorrow?

Lear.
Thus Learchus said,
But while he spoke, his tongue belied his thoughts.

Tho.
Great is the difference 'twixt my heart and thine.

Lear.
Vain boasting all! each animal that lives,
Desires to hold his being: constancy,
Which heroes vaunt in fate's extremest trials,
Is but an art to cheat the unthinking vulgar:
I read thy secret breast, and know thou tremblest.

Tho.
Yes, I might tremble, if the soul of Thoas
Were form'd like thine: a thousand horrid crimes
Would then for ever haunt my guilty sight:
Still should I seem to hear the bolts of Jove
For ever hissing round me; Jove the avenger,
Who punishes the guilt of human-kind.

Lear.
To me the wrath of Heaven is not so dreadful.

Tho.
Vain boasting all! Thou canst not harbour peace:
For still congenial with our nature, grows
The love of virtue; if it prove too weak
To guard from crimes, at least it will suffice
To be their punishment: it is a gift
From Heaven, decreed to be a scourge to those
Who dare abuse it; and the greatest curse
The wicked find, is that they still retain,
Even in their own despite, the seeds of honour,
And feel a conscious sense of sovereign goodness:
I read thy secret breast, and know thou tremblest.

Lear.
My friends, take hence this sage philosopher,
Whose knowledge can explore the human mind.
Conduct him prisoner to the ships; and thou,
Lay by that useless sword.

Tho.
There—take it, traitor!

[throws away his sword.
Lear.
Now must thou bid adieu to kingly pride;
Since Thoas is the vanquish'd, I the victor.

Tho.
First, impious wretch! these features view,
Then judge impartial of the two,
Where lies the victory.
Though free, thy looks are pale with fear,
While I these chains undaunted wear,
And pity feel for thee.

[he is led off by the pirates.