 | Themistocles |  |
SCENE XIV.
Enter Aspasia.Asp.
Have pity, gracious lord!
Rox.
[to Xer.]
See if she dares so far—but listen not
To her seducing words.
Xer.
Yes, let us hear
What she would urge.
Asp.
O! Xerxes, save my father;
Give him an offering to your noble nature,
And give him to my tears.
Xer.
[aside.]
Enchanting sorrow!
Rox.
[aside.]
I fear the trial now.
Xer.
And art thou come
To implore my pardon? Thou, who seem'st o'er all,
To scorn my bounty.
Asp.
No! you are deceiv'd.
Shame prompted my refusal. Should you now
Restore my father, modesty would find
A specious veil to hide a maiden's blushes,—
My heart might then be yours.
128
[aside.]
O! patience, Heaven!
Xer.
And shall I then forgive the ingrate, who loves
My deadliest foe?
Asp.
O! no!—'tis less I ask!
Suspend your anger—I perhaps may bend
His will to yours.—Can you deny me this?
Oh! I was born unhappy! Ne'er till now
The wretched went from Xerxes unreliev'd:
I am the first to prove his cruelty—
Alas! it cannot be,—I'll ne'er believe it,
You do but feign a rigour not your own,
And, while you pity, only seem severe.
O! mighty king! indulge your generous heart,
Yield to its feelings, to Aspasia's hopes,
Or see her with Themistocles expire.
Xer.
Aspasia, rise— [aside.]
What power enchants me thus!
Rox.
[aside.]
Again am I deluded.
Xer.
Let thy father
Obey my will, I pardon all the past.
Obey my will, I pardon all the past.
Say, that on him his fate depends,
Whate'er his choice may guide,
Say that my arm the bolt suspends,
But lays not yet aside.
Whate'er his choice may guide,
Say that my arm the bolt suspends,
But lays not yet aside.
129
Then let him merit to obtain
The pardon I bestow;
For anger stay'd, when rais'd again,
Will give the weightier blow.
The pardon I bestow;
For anger stay'd, when rais'd again,
Will give the weightier blow.
[Exit.
| Themistocles | |