University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

—The Citadel. Women holding the feast of Ceres.
Hymn—sung in Chorus.
(Enter Leontidas, and Phœbidas,—in armour.)
Priestess.
The mysteries are profan'd! break off! break off!
(The women shriek and run to and fro.)
Oh! Ceres, Proserpine, and Pluto, haste!
Avenge! avenge the violated rites!—
Cry, women, cry! let the heav'ns hear the deed!
Ye horrid men, detested by the Gods!
Get hence! get hence!

Leon.
Good priestess! hear one word.

Priestess.
I will hear nought, profaning wretch! get hence!

Leon.
I will get hence,—so thou wilt hush this noise,
And hear me speak.

Priestess.
Women, forbear! forbear!
Now—what hast thou to say? irreverent man!
Quick—and depart!

Leon.
Most gentle priestess; list
With patient ear.—With no unholy thought,
No over-curious eye,—no foul design
To interrupt your hallow'd mysteries
Are we come here.—

Priestess.
What then?—intruding man!
Thy life may answer this!

Leon.
Sweet priestess! hear!
My life may answer it;—but that is nought
Where lives of thousands are upon the die.
In brief:—A giant sword hangs in the air,
And is about to fall.—When the sea chafes,
The stateliest barks must be content to toss,
As giddily as cock-boats:—and so now,
In this turmoil and tempest of events,
Your dignities, and reverend privilege
Must yield like meaner things.—

Priestess.
Ye Heavenly Powers!
Have ye no scourges left?—Who art thou, man?

Leon.
(taking off his helmet).
Chaste priestess! know'st me now?

Priestess.
Immortal Gods!
The Archon?—the stern Leontiades?
Can he be the profaner of the rites?—
The cold,—severe—the proud?—

Leon.
Stay, priestess! stay!
Thou know'st me; and shouldst know that no loose thought,
No madman's freak, hath moved me in this act.
Time's hour-glass now is dropping golden sands;
And I must hence. What is about to be
Ye cannot know. Enough, that it must be.
With that content you. For your better peace,
Thus much I say:—this tempest hath no bolt
'Gainst you, so you provoke it not. No hand
Shall touch you,—not an eye shall look on you,
So ye but keep retir'd. The place you hold
Must be left free.
(To Phœbidas)
Now lead your soldiers here.
Lock fast the gates,—and let none enter in
Save such who bear my passport.
[Exit Phœbidas.
Factious crew!
Your good deeds now shall have their guerdon due.

Priestess.
My lord—these actions are most strange!

Leon.
They are.
All things are strange; their causes being hid:—
But, known—are common matters. Is't not strange
That the bright sun—the moon—and all the stars
Should, like a monstrous wheel, roll round this earth?
And is't not passing strange that the great sea—

(Phœbidas brings in his troops, behind.)
Many voices of women.
Oh! heavens! arm'd men! arm'd men! we are betray'd!

Leon.
Silence! ye cackling geese,—and get ye hence!
Priestess, away with them;—and let them know
They're safe while they are silent.
(To Phœbidas)
I go now
Straight to the Senate. Look to hear anon
The thunder burst that way. Farewell.

[Exit.
Phœb.
And let the peal roar till all Greece shall rock.
Now, soldiers,—lock the gates, and make all safe.
Sure never fortress was so lightly won!

(The women go out. The troops continue to pour in till the next scene drops.)