 | The Captives |  |
294
SCENE III.
Enter TYNDARUS.Would I were dead now rather than alive,
As things turn out!—Hope has deserted me,
No succour will come near me.—See the day,
In which there is no chance to save my life!
Destruction's unavoidable,—no hope,
That can dispel my fear,—no cloak to screen
My subtle lies, false dealings, and pretences:
No deprecation can excuse my perfidy,
No subterfuge can palliate my offence:
No room for confidence, no place for cunning.—
What hitherto was hid is brought to light,
My tricks laid open, and the whole discover'd:
Nor have I ought to do but meet my fate,
And dye at once for me and for my master.—
Aristophontes, who is just gone in,
Has been my utter ruin; for he knows me:
He is a friend and kinsman to Philocrates.
Salvation could not save me, if she would:
295
Some cunning trick, some artifice. (meditating.)
A plague on't!
What can I think of?—what devise?—my thoughts
Are foolish, and my wit quite at a stand.
(Retires aside.
| The Captives | |