University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Enter Alcestes from the port.
Alc.
At length has fate
Given me the wish'd-for happiness, my queen,
To throw me at your feet: yes, Heaven allows me
Thus with these faithful lips to pay you here
The tribute of my constancy; most happy,
If 'midst the cares that still surround a throne,
You deign one royal look to grace my welcome.

Cleo.
Whate'er I am, or private, or a queen,
Still shalt thou find the same in Cleonice.
And art thou then Alcestes now return'd,
So long expected, and so long bewail'd?

Phen.
My hopes again revive.

[aside.
Cleo.
But what disaster
Has thus withheld thee from us?

Olin.
Patience, Heaven!

[aside.
Alc.
You know that my departure with your father—

Olin.
Alcestes, we've been told the sight, the storm,
The death of Alexander—

Cleo.
Let him yet
Relate the rest—Proceed.

[to Alcestes.
Olin.
O pain to suffer!

[aside.
Alc.
The courage of our troops began to sink
When Alexander died: the adverse bands
Already leap'd triumphant on our ships,
And horrid slaughter rag'd amidst the vanquish'd.
Death stalk'd around in various ghastly forms;
Some in the waves expir'd; some breath'd their last
Transfix'd with hostile darts; and oft 'twas doubtful
If seas or foes destroy'd them. I meanwhile,
Preserv'd amid the havock, hating life,
Stood on the vessel's shatter'd prow, expos'd
To many a thousand shaft: there long I fought,
Till my blood streaming fast from every wound,
My senses fail'd, and headlong from the height,
Into the seas I fell.

Cleo.
My pitying heart!

[aside.
Alc.
How long I floated on the waves I know not;
But when again I rais'd my heavy eyes,
They saw the ship no more; but I perceiv'd
Myself upon a homely bed reclin'd,
Beneath a simple roof: the walls around
Were hung with nets; and close beside me stood,
With gentle looks, a hoary fisherman,
Bent by the weight of years.

Cleo.
But say, what land
Had then receiv'd thee?

Alc.
'Twas the land of Crete,
A Cretan was my host; he found me cast
Half dead upon the shore, and with compassion
Convey'd me to his dwelling; then with care
Restor'd my fainting sense, and to my wounds
Applied the sovereign balm of healing plants:
With him I long remain'd; 'twas he provided
The bark that brought me hither.

Phen.
Strange events!

Olin.
At length the tale is done—'tis time—

Cleo.
Olinthus,
I understand thee—I will choose my husband:
Let all be seated and attend.

[Phenicius, Olinthus and the rest of the Grandees take their places.
Alc.
I come
Most opportunely to the choice.

[Alcestes going to seat himself, is prevented by Olinthus.
Olin.
Forbear,
What would'st thou do?

Alc.
Obey the queen's command.

Olin.
And shall it be? Shall Syria then behold
A low-born shepherd seated by Olinthus?

Alc.
Already Syria has enough distinguish'd
Alcestes from the shepherd. Know, Alcestes
Cast off his former state, when he resign'd
The shepherd's crook to grasp the warrior's arms.

Olin.
But in those veins still runs a peasant's blood.

Alc.
No—in these veins far different flows the stream;
For when I shed my blood in your defence,
I made it noble.

Olin.
Which of all thy race
Hast thou to boast? What now inspires this boldness?

Alc.
My own right hand, my courage, and my sword.

Olin.
Since then—

Phen.
Be silent yet—

Olin.
Let us at least
Be told the glory of his ancestors.

Phen.
The glory of thy race with thee concludes,
But his begins with him.

Cleo.
No more—By virtue
Of my command Alcestes is ennobled.

Olin.
Yet in this place must none presume to sit,
But those of highest rank.

Cleo.
Well then, Alcestes
Shall sit as general of the Syrian armies;
Shall sit as keeper of the royal signet:
Will this suffice, Olinthus?

[Alcestes seats himself.
Olin.
'Tis too much—
[rising.
Give next yourself away; elect him king;
For all must see to what your purpose tends.

Phen.
And dar'st thou rashly answer thus thy sovereign?
Hear me, O queen! to me commit the task
To punish this presumptuous—

Cleo.
To his merits,
And inexperienc'd youth, I pardon all:
But let him curb his speech.

Phen.
Sit then, and learn
[to Olinthus.
At least in silence to suppress thy temper.
Hear'st thou, Olinthus?

Olin.
Sir—I will obey—
[sits.
I burn with rage.

[aside.
Cleo.
Already in my heart
My choice is fix'd, but ere I speak my thoughts,
This one condition grant: each present here
Must swear allegiance to th' elected king,
Whether a Syrian, or a stranger born,
Of blood illustrious, or of race obscure.

Olin.
Can I hear this?

[aside.
Phen.
Whate'er he be, O queen!
I swear to obey him.

Cleo.
Now, Olinthus, speak.

Phen.
Wilt thou not answer?

Olin.
Let me still be silent.

Cleo.
Thou dost perhaps refuse it?

Olin.
I have cause;
Nor I alone oppose the oath enjoin'd;
Others there are—

Cleo.
'Tis well—let those who seek
On terms like these to reign, ascend the throne:
I will not bear controlment in dominion.

[rises from the throne; all the rest rise from their seats at the same time.
Phen.
Heed not, O queen! the few that dare rebel;
But see the faithful many that obey.

Cleo.

[Exit followed by Mithranes, Grandees, guards and people.