 | Adrian In Syria |  |
SCENE V.
Enter Osrhoes and Aquilius.Osr.
Why am I summon'd here?
Adr.
Let Parthia's king
Be seated and attend; and though his anger
Rejects the peace, he may vouchsafe a truce.
[sits.
Osr.
My nature cannot brook a long forbearance.
[sits.
Aquil.
Aquilius, now thy fate determines.
[aside.
Adr.
Osrhoes,
All things on earth must change, and shall we find
213
Peace is become as useful to the victor
As needful to the vanquish'd: food for strife
Is wanting now between us: adverse fate
So much from thee has taken: bounteous Heaven
Has given so much to Adrian, that no more
Is left for thee to lose, or me to conquer.
Osr.
O! yes—my hatred yet remains unshaken;
That still is mine, and shall suffice for Osrhoes.
Aquil.
Barbarian! savage!
[aside.
Adr.
Boast not that as good,
Which, when possess'd, torments its own possessor:
Thou hast a better way to sooth thy pride.
Know, thou art the arbiter of my repose,
As Adrian of thy life. So Heaven directs
The events of human kind, that each to each
By turns is needful; and the happiest man,
From him that is most wretched, often finds
Something to hope or fear. Speak thou the word,
And Emirena's mine: if I but will it,
Osrhoes is free, and once again a king.
Let us, my friend, make use of either's power
To both our good. I ask from thee in gift
Thy daughter's hand, and offer thee a throne.
Aquil.
[aside.]
I tremble for his answer.
Adr.
Speak: what say'st thou?
Thou smil'st, but dost not speak.
Osr.
And shall I think
214
Adr.
Alas! too surely, Osrhoes.
What boots it to dissemble? If I see not
Fair Emirena knit with me in marriage,
Nor peace, nor happiness, nor life is mine.
Osr.
Since then so little serves to make thee happy,
I am content—Go, call my daughter hither.
Adr.
Thou dost accept my offer?
Osr.
Who would e'er
Refuse such offer?
Adr.
Thou hast given me back
My lost repose. Aquilius, see the princess
Conducted hither.
Aquil.
Cæsar, I obey.
[aside.]
Sabina is my own.
[Exit.
| Adrian In Syria | |