University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

—The Lacedemonian Camp.
(Enter Phœbidas, with a Soldier walking a little behind him.)
Phœbidas.
Then let them move a little farther west:
Is she brook sweet and clean?

Soldier.

'Tis as bright as diamond, my noble general:
and, for sweetness, I never tasted its fellow, except from a
small gush that I found one sultry day as I was climbing one

of the hills that rise out of the vale of Tempe; and that of a
surety was . . .

Phœb.
Well—well—then let them move. But see the ground
Is firm and dry—or else their bones may rue it.
And look they rear my tent beneath the shade
Of yon huge chesnut,—for these misty morns
Bring ever a fierce sun.

(Enter another Soldier.)
2nd Soldier.

Three gentlemen of Thebes, most noble
general, desire to be admitted to you.

Phœb.
Who are they? Ha! my noble friends! good-morrow.
This is most kind.

(Enter Leontidas, Archias, and Philip.)
Leon. Archias and Philip
(speaking together).
Good morrow, Phœbidas.

[Soldiers go out.
Leon.
Why, Phœbidas!—have you some charm or drug
To make the years run backward? By my troth
You are a younger man than five years back
Presented you. Is't not five years?—'tis more—
When was it we met last?

Phœb.
No—'tis but four.
'Twas the third year o' th' last Olympiad,
At Mantinea, was't not?

Leon.
So it was.
And well can I remember how you fought
That glorious day. By Mars! I flatter not;
But you outdid what I had e'er conceived
Of the great captains that beleaguer'd Troy!

Phœb.
Nay—nay—you flatter now! I did my best,
And that was all.

Leon.
So thousands did their best,—
But yours was best of thousands.—Philip—you
Can never have forgot how, when our wing,
Broken—gave way before the Arcadian horse,
And all seem'd lost,—then, like victorious Mars,
Came Phœbidas upon his thundering steed.

Philip.
Snatch'd from the flying standard-bearer's grasp
The glittering pennon:—with a dreadful shout
Rush'd on th' astonish'd victors; drove them back—

Leon.
Scatter'd before him like the dust—

Philip.
Trod down—
And vanquish'd utterly.

Phœb.
Well—well—kind friends,—
And if 'twere so, there were brave men besides
Who have most well deserved.

Leon.
Yet but one
Who did the best deserve.

Phœb.
Oh! still you flatter!
Yet, in a sort, I do confess your praise
Not undeserved quite:—but still you flatter!

Leon.
Far from it!—Your deserts above our praise
Still soar, as, over the high-climbing waves,
The broad-hull'd ship;—go they as high as heaven,
Is still o'ertops them. . . But, brave Phœbidas,—
Would you all former glories quite eclipse;—
And draw on you the gaze of all mankind,
As on a new sun in the firmament—
Listen to me.

Phœb.
Most patiently I'll hear.—

Archias
(aside).
I wonder what's the color of her hair;—
I think 'tis golden:—something near my own:—
Her eye was blue,—I'm sure on't.

Leon.
Now, my lord.—
You go against Olynthus, a small town,—
Whose conquest yet shall cost you many lives,—
Much time,—much treasure:—be controlled by me
And you shall vanquish a far greater city;—
The time almost o' th' instant;—the cost nought;—
The victory sure and bloodless.

Phœb.
You speak wonders!

Leon.
Which you may act:—and for such services
Your country shall applaud,—nay worship you.

Philip.
Be sure on't! or all men will hold them base.

Phœb.
Go on.

Leon.
Then thus. You know how in our Thebes
Two parties stand at deadly variance:
One, friends to Sparta, and just government,—
In which we rank ourselves:—the other wild,
Fierce brawlers-out for loose democracy,
Which they call freedom;—in whose faction stand
Ismenias—Pelopidas—

Phœb.
Go on—
I know it all. What follows?

Leon.
This, my lord.
Either we must crush them, or else be crush'd.
The frenzy now is at its height; and blood
Must be drawn forth to cool it.—Would you aid
Your country's enemies?—pass on your way:—
They are the stronger, and must soon prevail;—
And Thebes shall then be Sparta's bitterest foe:—
But, would you now befriend your country's friends?
Which, done, makes Thebes to Sparta like a child
To a beloved father,—say but so—
I'll shew you how to do it.

Phœb.
Pray you, on!
You know I'm yours in all things.

Leon.
Then, at once—
This day the women hold the feast of Ceres
In the Cadmea. At the hour of noon,
When all will be reposing from the heat,
And the town still as night, have ready then
Your heavy armëd men as for a march.
I'll meet you here again, and lead you straight
Into the Citadel.—No man is there,
In reverence to the mysteries of the feast:—
The women we can quiet,—lock the gates;
And Thebes is yours!

Philip.
Now, valiant Phœbidas,—
Looks it not well?

Phœb.
It seems indeed most fair!

Leon.
It cannot fail. And mark the consequence:
You masters,—we are masters,—and shall do
As Thebes to Sparta should. You know it well,
A proclamation hath been sent abroad,
Forbidding any citizen of Thebes
To join you in your march against Olynthus.
But, do as I advise;—and we will send,
To aid you, numerous troops of horse and foot;—
Staunch men that you may trust.

Philip.
What say you to't?

Phœb.
Ha! truly 'twill be well!

Leon.
It shall be well!
Thus, with a powerful army, will you march
To reinforce your brother;—and, ere he
Can take Olynthus, you shall capture Thebes,
A far more mighty city.

Philip.
Think but then
How all tongues shall be busy with thy praise!
‘The hero Phœbidas’—from mouth to mouth
Shall go, in every city, where'er Greece
Is known, or valour talk'd of:—all—

Phœb.
Great Mars!
I thank thee! Gallant friends, it shall be done!
It shall be done! This instant will I go
About the work;—and at the noontide hour,
Look to behold me.

Leon.
Wise, and valiant man!
Then hie thee to the task: and the great Gods
Prosper our just designs! Till noon adieu!

Philip and Archias.
Adieu, most noble Phœbidas.

Phœb.
Kind friends—
Farewell,—we soon shall meet again.

Leon.
One word.
Coming to you, we pass'd the factious chiefs:
Lest they should aught suspect of our intents,
Give orders through your camp for a new march;
Be the tents struck:—and show all outward sign
Of hasty going hence.

Phœb.
'Tis wisely urged,
And shall be done. Once more adieu.

[Exit.
Philip
(speaking loud).
A brave and noble man!
(Then, after a pause)
The shallowest ass
That ever walk'd upright, and gossip'd Greek!

Leon.
But still he bears our gold.—Go after him,
And stay with him. Some wise forethought, or scheme
May blaze up in his brain, that, of our plan,
Would soon make dust and ashes. Thou, being by,
Mayst pour upon it streams of quenching words
That shall extinguish it.

Philip.
If he take fire,
I'll wash him well, be sure on't. Fare you well.

[Exit.
Leon.
Now, Archias,—let's away! We've much to do,
The Senate will soon meet, and we must speak
To every separate friend of this high matter.
Stay,—you shall call on—No! I'll do't myself,
He'll like it better. Come, away.

[Exit.
Archias.
By heavens! he dies! she must—she shall be mine!

[Exit.