University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

—The Senate-chamber.)
Philip—Androclides—Pelopidas—Melon—Democlides —Theopompus—Pherenicus—Ismenias—Cephisidorus —Gorgidas—Archias—and other Senators.
Ismenias, as Archon, sits on an elevated seat. Another, near him, for Leontidas, is empty. Archias stands whispering to a Senator who is just going out.
Philip.
I do deny it!—and your empty threats
Hold with the threateners in contempt. We never. . . .

Ismenias.
Stay, Philip—stay—You've spoken for yourself;
And made a plausive tale.—Let Archias
Speak also for himself:—but with no prompting!

[Exit Senator.
Archias.
I understand you not;—nor is't my use
To put my words beneath the pilotage
Of any man—I need no prompter, sir;—
Needing no clue to lie by.

Ismenias.
Fairly spoke!

Melon
(aside to Democlides).
He means that he can lie without a prompter.

Ismenias.
Now, sir.—It hath been charg'd 'gainst certain Thebans,
Yourself o' th' number,—that for traitorous ends
They did, this morning, seek the Spartan's camp;
Encouraging, by every friendly mark,
The bad design he undertakes:—'gainst which,
As a most tyrannous and foul attempt,
The Theban state has set its face,—and made
Wide proclamation that no citizen
Shall give thereto his aid.—Sir, to this charge
Philip hath made denial,—and, withal,
Out of his courtesy, hath reasons given
Why you did so—and so. Beseech you, sir,
In the simplicity of your rare truth,
That ‘needs no clue to lie by’—tell us now
Why went you to yon camp?—what did you there?
When came away?—with other lesser things
That, by coherence with this first report,
Shall make your innocence clear.

(A Pause.)
(Several voices.)
Speak, Archias.

Archias.
Hath Philip spoken,—say you?

Ismenias.
Yes, he hath;
And we would hear you also:—that his words,
Finding their counterpart in yours, may stand
Unchalleng'd by the doubtfulest.

(A Pause.)
(Several voices.)
Speak, Archias.

Archias.
But was there not a third?—Best question him
Before I answer. He hath readier speech,
And will convince you sooner.—See—he comes.
(Leontidas enters, in armour, and remains near the door as if arrested by the words of Archias.)
They call us traitors, Leontidas,—friends
To Sparta, and the Persian,—and demand
Our business in the camp this morn.

Ismenias.
We do!
Who sees the vultures gathering, but suspects
They have mark'd out their prey?—But, good my lord—
If you come arm'd against our questionings
With such strong mail as clasps your limbs about,
The contest must be short,—for we've nor words,
Nor swords, to pierce such proof.—Wilt please you say
Why this poor, peaceful company, and place,
You honour by this most unwonted pomp
And blazonry of war?

Leon.
'Twill please me much
To answer thee, and all of you. My tale
Is short, and plain;—but, therewithal, hath pith
May make it well remember'd.—Gentlemen—
The Spartan troops are in the Citadel—
(The Senators start up.)
Be not alarm'd!—They are not enemies
Save to the friends of war and anarchy.—
This act had my advice.—And, furthermore,
As general of the State,—and, by the power
Lodg'd in me by the laws to apprehend
All traitors,—for a public enemy
I do attach thee here, Ismenias!—

(He steps up and seizes Ismenias.)
Pelop.
(rushing on him).
Villain! thou'rt the traitor! Loose thy grasp,
Or I will tear thy soul out,—spite thy mail.

Leon.
Off! boy! or thou shalt rue it.—Soldiers—here!
Secure him,—and convey him,—you know whither.

(The Spartan soldiers rush in. Great confusion, and cries of ‘Treason!—treason!—fly!—we are betrayed!’)
Ismenias.
Thou damnëd villain!—Friends—away! away!
Thy hour shall come for this!—Haste—haste away!

(Ismenias is dragged out. The friends of Pelopidas rush out at different doors. In the confusion Archias attempts to stab Androclides; but misses him.)
Pelop.
(standing by the door in a threatening attitude).
Abhorrëd dragon! Thou hast stung us now:—
But mark me!—I will find a time to rend
Thy sting and life at once:—thou hellish pest!
Mark me! I say!—

[Exit.
Leon.
I will, so thou take not the speedier flight,
Thou factious democrat!—Now, friends—away—
Let's follow them:—the sight of us shall be
A spur in their gall'd sides to make them plunge
And hurry to the precipice.—Let them fly! Their blood,—
Being so many,—would breed hatred to us,
And stain the reputation of this act,
Which else shall shew most holy.—But—away!

[Exeunt all but Archias.
Archias.
I think I touch'd him:—but the dagger's bright.
He will escape.—What then?—she stays behind:—
That's not so well:—the thought of him alive,
Would fret me in Elysium:—he shall die—
By heaven and hell I swear it—he shall die!

[Exit.