University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Enter Mathusius with a paper in his hand.
Mat.
O prince! my lord!

Timan.
Art thou indeed Mathusius?
If in yon' bark you stay'd for me in vain—

Mat.
Enough—the place thou art found in must excuse thee.

Timan.
How did'st thou gain access to me?

Mat.
Cherinthus
Procur'd me this admittance.

Timan.
Has he then
Told thee my happiness?

Mat.
No; with impatience
He broke from me, and flew I know not whither.

Timan.
O! I have wonders to relate, my friend!

Mat.
Perhaps thou may'st more wonders hear from me.

Timan.
Know, I'm this hour the happiest of mankind.

Mat.
Know, that this hour reveals a mighty secret.

Timan.
What secret?

Mat.
Hear, and own 'tis wondrous—Dirce
Is not my daughter; she's thy sister.

Timan.
Ha!
My sister!—sure thou mock'st me!

[disturbed.
Mat.
No, my prince,
I mock thee not; thou did'st with her partake
One common stock; one blood runs in your veins;
One father and one mother gave you birth.

Timan.
O peace! what hast thou said!—Forbid it Heaven!

[aside.
Mat.
This paper yields the certain proof—

Timan.
What paper?
O give it—

[with impatience.
Mat.
Hear me first; my wife, when dying,
Gave me this paper seal'd, and bade me swear
Never to open it, unless some danger
Should threaten Dirce.

Timan.
Wherefore, when the king
This day condemn'd her to the sacrifice,
Didst thou neglect it?

Mat.
Such a length of years
Elaps'd, had blotted it from my remembrance.

Timan.
What brought it now to mind?

Mat.
When late for flight
I gather'd all my treasures to the sea,
Amidst my hoard I found it.

Timan.
Let me view—

Mat.
Yet stay.

Timan.
O Heaven!

Mat.
Thou know'st my consort bore
Such faithful duty to the queen thy mother,
That whom in life she lov'd, in death she follow'd.

Timan.
I know it well.

Mat.
See'st thou this regal signet?

Timan.
I do.

Mat.
Observe this writing; mark it well;
Know'st thou the queen's own hand?

Timan.
I do—no more—
Distract me not!

Mat.
Now read.

[gives the paper.
Timan.
My trembling heart!
[reads.
“Dirce is not the daughter of Mathusius,
“But springs from royal race, to me she owes
“Her birth, and claims Demophoon for her father.
“By what event her fortune has been chang'd,
“Another secret paper must disclose;
“Let this be sought for in the houshold temple,
“Beneath the sacred footstool of the God,
“To which the king alone must dare approach.
“Meantime let this suffice to prove her birth,
“A queen confirms it with her oath.

“Argea.”

Mat.
Thou tremblest, prince! Sure this is more than wonder!
Why spreads that deadly paleness o'er thy face?

Timan.
Almighty powers! what dreadful stroke is this!

[aside.
Mat.
Now tell me, prince, the happiness you boasted,
Let me at least—

Timan.
Leave me, Mathusius, leave me.

Mat.
Why art thou troubled thus? thou'st gain'd a sister,
And say is that so great a cause of sorrow?

Timan.
Leave me, in pity leave me to myself!

Mat.
How strangely various are the minds of men!
The same event that fills one breast with joy,
Distracts another with the pangs of grief.

[Exit.