 | Themistocles |  |
148
SCENE XIV.
Enter Themistocles.Xer.
At length, Themistocles, thou hast resolv'd
To be the friend of Xerxes: once again
Return to meet the embraces of a king
Who honours thus—
[advances to embrace him.
Them.
Forbear.
[drawing back respectfully.
Xer.
And why forbear?
Them.
I am not worthy yet—My merits now
Rest on the solemn act that brings me here.
Xer.
See on the altar, for the rite prepar'd,
The cup with beverage crown'd.—Themistocles,
Approach, and, with the vow requir'd, begin
The chastisement of Greece.
Them.
Attend me, Xerxes:
Know first, thou art deceiv'd: I promis'd here
My presence, not my oath.
Xer.
How!
Them.
Hear me, Xerxes,
And thou, Lysimachus, hear all ye people,
Assembled thus spectators, hear and judge
Themistocles with truth; and each be now
His witness and defender.—Adverse fate
Compels me here to incur the guilt of treason,
Or black ingratitude: no choice remains
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The liberal gift of Heaven.—To keep me still
Without a crime I see one only way,
The way that leads to death—that choice be mine.
Lys.
What do I hear!
Xer.
Eternal Gods!
Them.
This poison,
[takes it from his bosom.
Companion ever in my mournful exile,
Mix'd with the draught yon sacred cup contains,
Shall make the work complete.
[pours the poison into the cup.
—And every God,
That reads my heart, be present at the offering
A willing victim makes; a victim here
To loyal truth, to gratitude and honour.
Asp.
I feel my senses fail.
Xer.
I'm struck with wonder.
Them.
Lysimachus, my friend, do thou assure
My country of my love, and plead at least
Indulgence for my ashes.—I forgive
The worst of fortune if I find a tomb
Where first I found a cradle.—Mighty king!
Repent not of thy benefits conferr'd,
The admiring world shall be their recompense.
All I can now repay thee (cruel Fate!)
Is to profess my gratitude and die.
Ye gracious Powers! if e'er the dying vows
Of those who know not guile ascend to Heaven,
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This king and kingdom: in the heart of Xerxes
Inspire the wish to war with Greece no more:
Yes, Xerxes, with my life conclude thy hatred.
Friend! children! king and people, all farewell!
[takes the cup.
Xer.
Ah! hold—what dost thou? Touch not with thy lip
The deadly cup.
Them.
And wherefore?
Xer.
Never, never
Shall Xerxes thus permit—
Them.
And why, my king?
Xer.
Too many causes rush upon my mind
To speak them now.
[takes the cup from him.
Them.
Thou canst not, Xerxes, take
From me the means of death: this power alone
Is not allow'd to kings.
Xer.
Ah! live, the hero,
[throws away the cup.
The glory of our age! Still love thy country,
To this I now consent; she's worthy of thee.
Even Xerxes' self almost begins to love her:
And who could ever hate the happy soil,
The glorious mother of a son like thee?
Them.
Ye Gods! can this be true? So far beyond
My best of hopes!
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Hear then the great effects
Of virtuous emulation—On this altar,
For you prepar'd to swear eternal hatred,
I vow eternal amity with Greece.
Now let her rest, and owe, illustrious exile,
To such a citizen her wish'd repose.
Them.
O! generous king! what art hast thou attain'd
To triumph o'er Themistocles? Such virtue
Exceeds a mortal's aim.—O Greece! O Athens!
O! happy, happy exile!
Asp.
Rapturous moment!
Neoc.
O! prosperous day!
Lys.
Permit me, noble friends,
To sail for Greece, and there to all proclaim
Your generous strife of honour; well I know
Alike for both her gratitude will warm;
For him, who thus asserts his country's cause,
And him, whose godlike gift ensures her peace.
| Themistocles | |