 | Hypsipyle |  |
SCENE III.
Enter Rhodope.Lear.
[to himself.]
Yet that majestic mien, those sentiments
That speak the kingly soul—but hold, my thoughts:
Let me reflect on nothing but the gain
210
Rho.
[entering.]
O Learchus!
Lear.
Say, Rhodope, whence springs thy sudden fear?
Rho.
Not far remote a ghastly troop of strangers
Bear royal Thoas prisoner to the sea.
O! if within thy breast one spark remain
Of bravery or virtue, seize this moment
To give it proof: now may'st thou cancel all
Thy guilty deeds, and make thy name immortal.
Lear.
Indeed!—Say, how?
Rho.
Give liberty to Thoas:
Go—risk thy life to save thy king from danger;
Perish or conquer; with one generous action
Efface the memory of thy former crimes,
Nor let me longer blush to own I've lov'd thee.
Lear.
Thou counsell'st well, and shalt, for thy reward,
Be undeceiv'd: know then, by my command
Is Thoas now secur'd. Hence, if thou wilt,
Relate the news to proud Hypsipyle:
Warn her no longer to despise a foe,
However weak: so little will suffice
To injure others, that in humble state,
Even when depress'd, a foe may still be fear'd.
Be undeceiv'd: know then, by my command
Is Thoas now secur'd. Hence, if thou wilt,
Relate the news to proud Hypsipyle:
Warn her no longer to despise a foe,
However weak: so little will suffice
To injure others, that in humble state,
Even when depress'd, a foe may still be fear'd.
211
Tell her in me she soon may find
Th' effects of love so ill return'd:
Go, bid her then recall to mind
How once her pride Learchus scorn'd:
Th' effects of love so ill return'd:
Go, bid her then recall to mind
How once her pride Learchus scorn'd:
And if offended at my deeds,
She gives me now a traitor's name;
Declare the offence from her proceeds,
Who kindled this destructive flame.
She gives me now a traitor's name;
Declare the offence from her proceeds,
Who kindled this destructive flame.
[Exit.
| Hypsipyle | |