University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Enter Cosroes.
Cos.
[entering sees the sword drawn.]
What dost thou, impious youth?

Em.
[aside.]
O! heavenly Powers!

Cos.
Wretch! hast thou drawn thy sword against my friend?
Can'st thou refute this truth? Tho' none beside
Accuses thee, mine eyes are not deceiv'd;
Say that I charge thee falsely.

Sir.
All is true:
Yes, I am guilty; I betray my father;
I hate my brother, and insult Hydaspes.
Death, death is my desert: you are unjust,
If longer you delay the welcome stroke.
I heed nor Gods nor men, detest myself,
And loath the light of Heaven.

Em.
[aside.]
Ye Powers! defend him.

Cos.
Ho! guards! secure the prince.

[guards enter.
Em.
He meant not, sir,
Offence to me, but blind with sudden passion,
Perchance against himself design'd the weapon.

Cos.
In vain thou seek'st to veil his crime with arts
Of pious falsehood. Wherefore didst thou fly?

Em.
My flight was not from fear.

Sir.
O! cease, no more:
Hydaspes, cease: my greatest foe is he
Who now would save me; death, and death alone
Must end my present torment.

Cos.
Take thy wish?
Thou hast few moments, traitor, more to live.

Em.
What says my king? On Siroes' life prolong'd
Depends your own: he has not yet confess'd
The accomplice of his crime: with him would die
The important secret.

Cos.
True. How much, Hydaspes,
I owe thy love: be ever near me still.

Sir.
So may you run perhaps on certain fate:
Who knows but that Hydaspes may betray you?

Em.
Who, I betray him!

Sir.
Every one may prove
A foe conceal'd; take heed nor trust appearance:
Who can discern the traitor?

Cos.
Peace and leave me.

Sir.

[Exit guarded.