 | Themistocles |  |
SCENE XI.
Enter Themistocles with Lysimachus.—Lysimachus, as he advances, speaks to Themistocles, not heard by Xerxes.Lys.
Alas! my friend,
To what a cruel task has Heaven assign'd me!
How must I blush—
Them.
And wherefore should'st thou blush?
Themistocles can judge between the friend,
And citizen of Athens: well he knows
Our country is the Deity, to which
Must all be sacrific'd.—Were I as you,
Themistocles had been Lysimachus.
121
Draw near. Themistocles: See here assembled
The bravest, chosen troops of Persia's host:
To these selected warriors only wants
A general worthy them: that charge be thine.
Take this, and with this ensign I elect thee
Their chief and leader.—In my stead, dispense
Rewards and punishments.—Go, fight and conquer:
To thee I trust my fame and Persia's fate.
Lys.
[aside.]
The king has then deceiv'd me, or Aspasia
Has found the means to appease him.
Them.
[receiving the staff.]
Mighty king!
Confiding in your goodness I accept
The weight of this high charge, and here I swear
Eternal faith.—The Gods decree that Fortune
For thee may ever combat on my side!
Or should the stars forebode disastrous chance,
Themistocles be doom'd, and he alone,
To meet their anger: let the squadrons conquer,
And let him perish!—So may Xerxes see,
Return'd with laurel, not with cypress wreaths,
Amidst his conquering bands their leader slain.
Lys.
Is this the way, O! Xerxes, that to Athens
You give Themistocles?
Xer.
I only swore
To send him back to Greece.—Then hear if now
122
Valiant chief!
At length I mean to punish this presumption.
Another may conduct our arms in Egypt:
Be thou my scourge in Greece.—Go, burn, destroy,
Spread desolation; heap our galling chains
On Sparta, Corinth, Argos, Thebes and Athens.
Them.
[aside.]
Now am I lost!
Lys.
And was I call'd—
Xer.
Go, bear
These glorious tidings to thy countrymen;
Say how their exile will revisit Greece,
And what companions on his steps attend.
Lys.
[aside.]
O! my unhappy country! false Aspasia!
[Exit with Greeks.
| Themistocles | |