 | Dido |  |
SCENE VIII.
Enter Araspes.Aras.
Till this hour in vain
I have sought thee through the palace.
Æn.
Let me now
Embrace my friend—
Aras.
Away—behold in me
Thy foe, Æneas; draw thy sword this instant;
I seek not friendship with thee, but the exchange
Of enmity, with arms oppos'd to arms.
Æn.
Thou first hast sav'd me from Iarbas' fury;
Thou call'st me now to meet in mortal strife,
And spurn'st my profferr'd friendship.
Aras.
Thou art deceiv'd.
I but defended then my monarch's glory,
269
With nobler death to give that just revenge
Which late my arm denied him.
Æn.
Shall Æneas
Against his brave preserver draw the sword?
Aras.
Ha! wherefore dost thou pause?
Æn.
My life is thine:
Take, if thou wilt, the gift thyself bestow'd;
But hope not, generous warrior, e'er to see
My weapon rais'd against thee.
Aras.
If thy hand
Refuse to draw, expect to hear each insult
That brands the vile and coward—
Æn.
'Tis too much—
Æneas never can submit to bear
Such threats as ill beseem a warrior's ear;
Thou shalt be satisfied. Behold my sword
Brandish'd against thee—but let Gods and men
Be witness first to what my tongue declares:
I am Araspes' friend, and to his gift
I owe my life; that now reluctant, urg'd
Beyond my heart's best feelings, and debas'd
With infamous reproach, I dare the combat;
And sacrifice my gratitude to honour.
[fight.
| Dido | |