University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Olinthus, Mithranes.
Olin.
At length 'tis done—the ruin of Alcestes
Secures to me the empire—Yes, Mithranes,
Already hope anticipates my joy.

Mith.
The wise rely not easily on hope.
A happiness, in confidence expected,
When 'tis withheld, afflicts us like a loss:
Thou art deceiv'd, if thus thy hopes allure thee.
It were a happiness indeed to reign,
If headstrong passions would respect the throne:
If nothing more remain'd for him to wish,
Who once had worn the vest of royalty;
But one desire extinct, another springs,
The object chang'd it loses not its strength.
If now thou find'st not peace within thyself,
Learn thou wilt still be wretched in the state
Of wish'd-for empire.

Olin.
Think'st thou not the pleasure
Is mighty, to command?

Mith.
The good we seek
By custom grows familiar; every joy
Is more in expectation than possession.
Thou canst not tell the burden of a crown,
Nor what it costs to attain the arts of sway.

Olin.
By reigning, 'tis we learn to rule.

Mith.
'Tis true:
But he, who learns by ruling, oft must err,
And every little error in a king,
Is criminal esteem'd.

Olin.
Of this, Mithranes,
I cannot speak; for taught alone to wield
The sword and spear, 'tis not for me to fathom
The passions of mankind: such deep researches
Demand maturer years, and frequent converse
In Egypt's temples, or the Athenian porch.

Mith.
There needs not sure the wisdom taught at Athens
Or Egypt, to preserve our faith unbroken?
Hast thou not lov'd Barsene till this hour?

Olin.
And still I love her.

Mith.
Canst thou, loving her,
Desire a throne that certain makes her loss.

Olin.
And wilt thou, with a kingdom gain'd, compare
The losing of a heart?

Mith.
By proofs like these
Fidelity is known.

Olin.

[Exit.