 | Siroes |  |
182
SCENE XVI.
Emira, Medarses, Laodice.Med.
Who would have thought in Siroes e'er to find
A traitor to his king?
Laod.
Or who conceiv'd
A heart so treacherous and a love so daring?
Em.
And what can urge these mean unworthy insults
On one who hears them not? Medarses surely
Might own some feeling to a brother's name;
And you, Laodice, with more respect
Might judge a prince like him: believe not always
The unhappy are the guilty.
Med.
Does Medarses
Such pity feel for Siroes?
Laod.
Thou to plead
In his behalf?
Med.
And didst not thou, Hydaspes,
Till now insult him?
Load.
Say, what cause excites
Thy anger against us?
Em.
From me perchance
He might deserve reproach, but not from you.
183
So soon to change, and now defend the man
Whom late you sought to ruin?
Em.
You believe
Hydaspes chang'd, Hydaspes is the same.
Laod.
The same? I know not what your speech intends.
Med.
A mind unchang'd could never dictate words,
That speak the thoughts so various.
Em.
Be it so:
Believe it mystery, but believe it true.
Believe it mystery, but believe it true.
Have you beheld the summer rain
With kindly showers refresh the plain;
Where, near the purple violet, blows
With tints renew'd the blushing rose?
Both flowers one soil maternal breeds,
And both one genial moisture feeds.
My heart is one, though now I seem
To absolve the prince and now condemn.
One cause impels me, while by turns
My pity melts, my anger burns.
With kindly showers refresh the plain;
Where, near the purple violet, blows
With tints renew'd the blushing rose?
Both flowers one soil maternal breeds,
And both one genial moisture feeds.
My heart is one, though now I seem
To absolve the prince and now condemn.
One cause impels me, while by turns
My pity melts, my anger burns.
[Exit.
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