University of Virginia Library

SCENE XIII.

Enter Roxana, Lysimachus and Greeks.
Rox.
What would'st thou with Roxana?

Lys.
Xerxes, say,
Why am I summon'd hither?

Xer.
'Tis my will
Roxana and Lysimachus be present.

Lys.
To witness now some new affront to Athens?

Rox.
To bear again my injuries unmov'd?

Lys.
To see the inconstancy of false Aspasia?

Asp.
You are deceiv'd: afflict me not unjustly,
Cruel Lysimachus. Believe me still
The same Aspasia, nor oppress a mind
Already sunk with grief.

Xer.
What do I hear!
Are you then lovers?

Asp.
To conceal it longer
Were hopeless: I've already said too much.

Xer.
And didst thou not, Aspasia, promise Xerxes
To give to him thy hand?

Asp.
A father's life
Requir'd this sacrifice.

Xer.
[to Lys.]
And didst not thou
Seek to his foes to render up the father
Of her thy soul ador'd?

Lys.
So Athens will'd.

Xer.
[aside.]
Transcendent virtue!

Rox.
See the Grecian leader
Is now at hand.

Neoc.
[aside.]
Why wears not Neocles
A look like his, intrepid and serene?

[looking out on his father.
Asp.
O! feeble heart, how dost thou tremble now!