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Siroes

Hoole, John (1727-1803)
  
SIROES.
  
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collapse section1. 
ACT I.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII.
 13. 
SCENE XIII.
 14. 
SCENE XIV.
 15. 
SCENE XV.
 16. 
SCENE XVI.
 17. 
SCENE XVII.
 18. 
SCENE XVIII.
collapse section2. 
ACT II.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII.
 13. 
SCENE XIII.
 14. 
SCENE XIV.
 15. 
SCENE XV.
 16. 
SCENE XVI.
collapse section3. 
ACT III.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
 9. 
SCENE IX.
 10. 
SCENE X.
 11. 
SCENE XI.
 12. 
SCENE XII.
 13. 
SCENE XIII.
 14. 
SCENE XIV.
 15. 
SCENE XV.
 16. 
SCENE XVI.
 16. 
SCENE XVI.
 17. 
SCENE XVII.
 18. 
SCENE XVIII.
 19. 
SCENE XIX.
 20. 
SCENE LAST.

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SCENE VI.

Siroes, Laodice.
Laod.
You speak not, Siroes—what is now your fear?
Hydaspes is not present: freely then
Disclose your secret.

Sir.
[aside.]
Why am I pursued
With love so fatal?—Ah! Laodice,
Subdue a passion that endangers both,
Should Cosroes, who adores thee, ever learn—

Laod.
O! fear not him, he never will discover
Our gentle intercourse.

Sir.
But then, Hydaspes—

Laod.
Hydaspes is a friend; and, Siroes, he
Approves our love.

Sir.
Not always do the lips
And heart agree.

Laod.
We but torment ourselves
With fancied ills; if obstacles like these
Must from our breast expunge such dear affection.

Sir.
Others there are—Laodice, farewell.

167

Laod.
Yet stay—and why conceal them?

Sir.
Heavenly powers!
Spare me the shame of speech, and spare thyself
The pain to hear them.

Laod.
Will you leave me then
Thus lost in cruel doubts? Speak, prince, Ah! speak.

Sir.
[aside.]
O pain to suffer!—hear me then declare,
Ah! no—forgive me—I must leave thee.

Laod.
Never,
Till you have given me first to know your secret.

Sir.
Some other time shall tell thee all.

Laod.
But now,
Now is the eventful moment.

Sir.
Hear me then,
Since thou wilt know, I burn with other flames;
My faith is plighted to a lovelier object;
The fairest of her sex: I love not thee,
Nor ever yet have lov'd, and should thy hopes
Aspire to change my heart, such hopes are vain:
Distract me not—my secret now is known,
If e'er these lips could love declare,
These eyes soft glances dart;
These treacherous lips must falsely swear,
These eyes belie my heart.
168

Then seek some other breast to move,
All thoughts of me forsake;
And for thy recompense in love,
This friendly council take.

[Exit.
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