University of Virginia Library

SCENE XII.

Xerxes, Themistocles, Sebastes.
Them.
[aside.]
Themistocles a traitor!

Xer.
What employs
Our general's thoughts?

Them.
Ah! change, my king, your purpose;
For many nations yet are unsubdued.

Xer.
If first I trample not on hostile Greece,
The conquer'd world can give me little pride.

Them.
Reflect again—

Xer.
Already 'tis determin'd;
And he who dares oppose this enterprise
Encounters my resentment.

Them.
Then elect
Some other leader.

Xer.
Wherefore?

Them.
At the feet
Of Xerxes I lay down this honour'd ensign
Of Persia's high command.

[lays down the staff at the foot of the throne.
Xer.
What can this mean?

Them.
And would'st thou have Themistocles a rebel
To o'erturn his native walls?—Misfortune never
Can change me thus.

Seb.
[aside.]
What unexampled daring!

Xer.
Not Athens now, this palace is thy country:
The first proscribes thee and pursues thy life,
The last receives, defends and gives thee being.

Them.
Whoe'er defends me, I was born at Athens,
And 'tis by nature's instinct that we cherish
Our dear paternal seats.—In forest glooms
The savage beasts will love their native caves.

Xer.
[aside.]
I burn with rage— [to him.]
Then Athens still remains
The mistress of thy heart? But what in her
Can still Themistocles so highly prize?

Them.
All, sovereign lord! the ashes of our fathers,
The sacred laws, the tutelary Gods,
The language, manners, my repeated toils
For her endur'd; the honours heap'd upon me;
The very air, the trees, the soil and walls.

Xer.
Ingrate! and dost thou thus before my face
[descends from his throne.
Thus proudly boast a love so hateful to me?

Them.
I still am—Xerxes—

Xer.
Thou art still my foe:
In vain, with benefits conferr'd, I strove—

Them.
These in my heart for ever fix'd remain
In characters indelible.—Let Xerxes
Point out his other foes: for him my blood
Shall freely flow; but if he still would hope
To employ my courage for my country's ruin,
With rebel arms, then Xerxes is deceiv'd:
For her I've ever liv'd, for her will die.

Xer.
No more—reflect—resolve—thou canst not live
The guard of Athens and the friend of Xerxes.
—Choose as thou wilt.

Them.
Thou know'st my choice.

Xer.
Remember:
This moment seals thy fate.

Them.
Too well I know it.

Xer.
Thou anger'st him whose power can make thee wretched.

Them.
But not a rebel.

Xer.
'Tis to me, thy life
By me preserv'd, is due.

Them.
But not my honour.

Xer.
Greece hates Themistocles.

Them.
But Greece I love.

Xer.
[aside.]
Ye Gods! what insolence!— [to him.]
Is Xerxes thus
By thee rewarded?

Them.
I was born at Athens.

Xer.
[aside.]
I can no longer hold—Guards! from our presence
Remove the ingrate for future punishment:
We yet may see that dauntless courage tremble.

Them.

[Exit guarded.