 | Adrian In Syria |  |
SCENE I.
A hall with seats.Sabina, Aquilius.
Sab.
Must I depart, and is he then so blind,
So lost to justice? Say, what guilt is mine
That Adrian seeks to punish?
Aquil.
Adrian found
That you were privy to, and first advis'd
The flight of Emirena and Pharnaspes.
He thinks his guard seduc'd by you; and knows
So well to aggravate your fault, that all
Who hear the sentence praise his clemency.
Sab.
I thought but to secure for me his heart
By studying only to advance his glory,
And make a rival happy; not impell'd
By hate or anger, but by love and pity.
In this I could not err, or if I err'd,
Such error sure was venial.
Aquil.
Yes, Sabina,
I know it well; and Cæsar too perhaps
Knows it not less; but gladly thus admits
A fair pretence.
Sab.
'Tis well; then let him see me,
And blush at his own sentence.
Aquil.
'Tis his charge
209
Sab.
O Heaven! but must I then depart unheard?
Aquil.
It must be so.
Sab.
And when?
Aquil.
The ships are now
Prepar'd for your reception.
Sab.
Such command
It ill befits Sabina to obey.
Aquil.
Ah! yet submit, or you are lost—depart.
Trust to my faithful care. You shall subdue
By yielding to him. I will watch the moment,
And urge him to recall you.
Sab.
Yet, at least
Tell him, Aquilius—
Aquil.
Go: there needs no more;
I understand whate'er your lips would utter.
Sab.
Tell him he's faithless and unjust,
He breaks with me a lover's trust—
Yet, ah! refrain, and rather say
That parting I his will obey,
And say how much I love.
Should you perceive a stifled sigh,
Or tear just starting from his eye,
Ah! bid him for a moment turn;
And ere I seek the silent urn,
His pity let me prove.
[Exit.
| Adrian In Syria | |