 | Themistocles |  |
SCENE II.
Enter Sebastes.Seb.
Xerxes sends
By me, Themistocles, and wills to know
At once thy final choice: he trusts to find thee
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And says, he never can so far believe
Themistocles ungrateful.
Them.
Never, never
Shall such reproach be mine: this witness, Heaven!
That sees my heart,—O! could my king as well
There read Themistocles.—Conduct me, friend,
Conduct me to him.
Seb.
'Tis not now permitted.
First on the sacred altar come prepar'd
To swear eternal enmity to Greece,
Or hope no more to view the face of Xerxes.
Them.
And must I, at no other price, obtain
To see my benefactor?
Seb.
No.—swear this,
And thou art Xerxes' friend; but this refus'd,
I tremble for thy fate: in this thou know'st
The king implacable.
Them.
[aside.]
Then must I prove
A rebel to my country, or be stain'd
With base ingratitude? Before the world
Might I not plead my love, my faith to Xerxes,
Or dying own his benefits conferr'd?
[thoughtful.
Seb.
Resolve.
Them.
[aside.]
It shall be so—let us escape
This cruel labyrinth, and be the means
Worthy Themistocles. [to Seb.]
Go now, prepare
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Whate'er the oath requires—my choice is made:
I follow thee.
Seb.
With speed I bear to Xerxes
The gladsome tidings.
Them.
Hear me.—Say, is yet
Lysimachus departed?
Seb.
From the port
His anchors now are loos'd.
Them.
O! haste, detain him;
Let him be present at the solemn rite:
Sebastes, bear my wishes to the king.
Seb.
It shall be so. Thou now may'st rule at will
The heart of Xerxes.
[Exit.
| Themistocles | |