University of Virginia Library

SCENE VIII.

The Palace.
Lycomedes, Achilles, Theagenes, attendants.
Ach.
And does not Lycomedes deign to answer
When thus Achilles sues?

Theag.
Great king, what means
This doubtful silence? Yield, O! yield at length
To my request, and to Achilles' wishes.
Why do you pause? Perhaps your mind revolves
The promise given to me: but think not, sir,
Theagenes so weighs his little merits
Against such nuptials. Well I know from these
What earth and heaven expect. The Gods themselves
Have fram'd this union: Fate could never weave
Such strange events but for mysterious ends.
Does love offend you? In a virtuous bosom
Can love be guilt? Perhaps your mind revolts
From such a fraud; but Thetis here is guilty,
And Thetis now is punish'd. Thus attir'd,
She hop'd from every eye to hide her son,
And made him known to all. These spousal rites
Will glad the exulting earth, that ne'er till now
Beheld such valour, worth and beauty join'd.
On these what favouring grace will Heaven bestow,
Both sprung from heavenly seed! What sons from these
Our hopes may form, when, Lycomedes, you,
And you, Achilles, boast for ancestry
A countless line of heroes?

Ach.
[aside.]
Could I ever
Have hop'd Theagenes to plead my cause?

Lyc.
Achilles, yes, a name so great as thine
Engrosses all my thoughts. What can I answer
To nuptials so desir'd? Theagenes
With generous zeal approves, and Heaven commands them.
Thou ask'st her hand, Achilles, and a father
Confirms the grant. With wonder I contemplate
Such strange adventures, and in these, respectful
Adore the wisdom of the immortal powers.

Ach.
Ah! Lycomedes, ah! Theagenes—
O! fly and hasten hither to my sight
My love, my plighted bride.
[to the attendants.
[to Theag.]
Ah! prince, to thee
What does Achilles owe? My lord, my father,
How shall my soul with gratitude repay
This precious gift?

[to Lyc.
Lyc.
Enough for Lycomedes
To be the father of a son like thee.