 | Zenobia |  |
16
SCENE V.
Zenobiaalone, searching round the stage.
O! Rhadamistus! whither art thou gone?
My lord, my husband—Surely I beheld
And close pursued him—Midst these forest paths
I've lost all track. That way his feet were bent—
Ah! whither hast thou wander'd, ill-advis'd?
These parts are fill'd with Rhadamistus' foes:
Preserve him, Gods! in such impending dangers.
But what is my design? Shall I proceed?
I risk too far—Then let me find out Ægle,
And she shall seek—Suffice, ye cruel stars!
Suffice, my wretchedness is now complete.
My lord, my husband—Surely I beheld
And close pursued him—Midst these forest paths
I've lost all track. That way his feet were bent—
Ah! whither hast thou wander'd, ill-advis'd?
These parts are fill'd with Rhadamistus' foes:
Preserve him, Gods! in such impending dangers.
But what is my design? Shall I proceed?
I risk too far—Then let me find out Ægle,
And she shall seek—Suffice, ye cruel stars!
Suffice, my wretchedness is now complete.
Leave, O! ye pitying powers! O! leave
My breast awhile in peace;
But if for ever I must grieve,
Yet grant a short release.
My breast awhile in peace;
But if for ever I must grieve,
Yet grant a short release.
So shall, alas! my wounded mind,
Long stranger to repose,
At least recruited vigour find
To bear redoubled woes.
[goes out and returns again.
Long stranger to repose,
At least recruited vigour find
To bear redoubled woes.
O! wretched me!—Behold from yonder part
Where Tiridates comes! Almighty powers!
O! how I tremble! All my soul's in tumult!
Zenobia, fly—Ah! fly this fatal meeting.
That hollow cavern in these friendly rocks
Shall, while he passes, hide me from his sight.
Where Tiridates comes! Almighty powers!
17
Zenobia, fly—Ah! fly this fatal meeting.
That hollow cavern in these friendly rocks
Shall, while he passes, hide me from his sight.
[enters the grotto.
| Zenobia | |