Demetrius | ||
SCENE XII.
Olinthusalone.
What man, unconscious of Alcestes' birth,
And race obscure, but by his proud demeanour
Would deem him sprung from Pelops or Alcides?
Yet, spite of rank, with shame I own, Alcestes
Is still a rival that Olinthus fears.
And race obscure, but by his proud demeanour
339
Yet, spite of rank, with shame I own, Alcestes
Is still a rival that Olinthus fears.
What now avails a noble name,
The boasted stock from which I came,
If, 'midst the various turns of fate,
A shepherd-swain, of lowly state,
With me for Syria's throne contends?
Blind Fortune! I the gift despise,
That in your changeful favour lies,
That on your partial smile depends.
The boasted stock from which I came,
If, 'midst the various turns of fate,
A shepherd-swain, of lowly state,
With me for Syria's throne contends?
Blind Fortune! I the gift despise,
That in your changeful favour lies,
That on your partial smile depends.
[Exit.
Demetrius | ||