 | Demetrius |  |
SCENE VII.
Enter Olinthus.Olin.
Once more thou art alone, and nothing now
Remains that can oppose thy going hence;
Permit Olinthus thus, in pledge of friendship,
To take this last embrace.
Alc.
Thy noble nature
With generous goodness honours my departure,
But know I shall not leave thee yet.
Olin.
What say'st thou?
Speak—wherefore?
Alc.
'Tis the queen's command.
Olin.
Each moment
Thy purpose changes.
383
'Tis my sovereign's will,
And what she wills Alcestes must obey.
Olin.
What next would Cleonice? Does she purpose
To elect thee for our king?
Alc.
To such a height
My hopes aspire not.
Olin.
Would she have thee present
At these new nuptials? O! 'twere most inhuman,
Nor ought you to consent.
Alc.
Thou art deceiv'd:
Whate'er my fate I will endure it all;
And call that happiness which she bestows.
Whate'er my fate I will endure it all;
And call that happiness which she bestows.
Those lovely lips I still adore,
Whate'er the doom they give;
Whether by hope, they life restore,
Or bid me cease to live.
Whate'er the doom they give;
Whether by hope, they life restore,
Or bid me cease to live.
But little can the lover prove,
Of beauty's sovereign sway,
Who the dear object of his love
Refuses to obey.
Of beauty's sovereign sway,
Who the dear object of his love
Refuses to obey.
[Exit.
| Demetrius | |