 | Themistocles |  |
SCENE V.
Enter Sebastes.Seb.
[to Rox.]
If, princess, you would see
The Athenian envoy, he prepares to take
His audience of the king.
Rox.
I come, Sebastes.
Asp.
Hear—know'st thou yet his name?
Seb.
Lysimachus.
Asp.
[aside.]
Eternal Powers! 'tis he, my heart's dear lord!
But wherefore comes he?
[to Seb.
Seb.
As I learn, he comes
To seek Themistocles.
Asp.
[aside.]
And is HE then,
Is then my lover too my father's foe?
All, all the earth conspire in waging war
With one unhappy exile!
88
Go, Sebastes,
Before me to the king—farewell Aspasia.
[to Asp.]
Betray me not.
[Exit Sebastes.
Asp.
Ah! banish from your mind
These jealous doubts?—Ah! how can thoughts like these
E'er find admittance in a noble breast?
Rox.
A lover I! too well I know;
From jealousy what torments flow,
The bane that heightens every woe,
And poisons every joy.
The monster with an hundred eyes,
Creates the bad, the good belies,
And every cruel pang supplies,
To work the soul's annoy.
[Exit.
| Themistocles | |