University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

(The foregoing scene draws up, and discovers the inner chamber, with the Children lying on their couches, and Theoxana sunk upon the floor beside them.)
(Enter Philip with the Jailer.)
Philip.
Soft—they're sleeping—Shade thy lantern, fellow,
Or they may wake.—Whose order did he shew?

Jailer.
So please your majesty, he bore the ring
Of the lord Dymas.

Philip.
Dymas?

Jailer.
Yes, my liege.

Philip.
I cannot think why Dymas sent him here.
He urged me give the fellow his release,
That he might use him to advantage me,
Someway—I know not how.—But, was he not
The servant of Demetrius, ere this woman's?

Jailer.
So I have heard, my liege.

Philip.
Didst hear them talk?

Jailer.
No word, my liege.

Philip.
He has been twice, you say.

Jailer.
Twice, my dread lord.

Philip.
And brought he nothing with him?

Jailer.
Nought that I saw, my liege.

Philip.
No letter?—nothing?

Jailer.
Nought, to my knowledge. Coming from lord Dymas,
I'd no suspicion.

Philip.
Let him be detained:
His looks were wild; I'll question him myself.
For old Antigonus—say I will not see him,
Bid him away—his presence doth offend me.
Put down the light, and leave me.
[Exit Jailer.
Dead asleep!
I do not hear a breath.—And in a prison!
And on the night, too, that she thinks her last!
Might I but sleep like these.—I'd be the captive;
And let her sit upon the golden throne,—
And count myself the gainer. Shall I wake her?
She will not answer me,—or say a word
To bring my son in question. Yet she must;—
For I would have his guilt more bright than day,
To clear my terrible justice.—Ho—awake!—

Theox.
(starting up).
What art thou?—Ha! the tyrant!—have I slept?
My children.—Merciful Gods!—they're safe—they're safe!

Philip.
And thou too shalt be safe, so thou confess
Thy treasons, and my son's.

Theox.
I will be safe.
One precious drop remains. (Raising the phial to her lips.)

His treasons?—fiend!
He is a God to thee, and all thy race.

Philip.
But he's a traitor. Dymas hath revealed
His black designs: he knew them all.

Theox.
False! false!
Thy son is true;—and Dymas false as hell!

Philip.
What ails thee, woman?

Theox.
Dying, tyrant.—Look,
My babes are gone before.

Philip.
Ho! help—help—ho!
What horror's this?

Theox.
Thy work! Oh Gods!—one word—
Demetrius is most true—Demetrius—
Dymas—is false—is false—thy son—Oh Gods! (She dies.)


Philip.
Help—help.—She's dead.—Ha! poison?

(Taking up the phial.)
Jailer
(rushing in).
Good my liege!

Philip.
She's poisoned.—All of them are poisoned!—Fellow,
What dost thou know of this?—Speak, on thy life!
If thou dost palter with me . . . (Drawing his sword.)


Jailer
(sinking on his knees).
Gracious king!
Have mercy on me! I am innocent!

Philip.
Ha! now I see it—'Tis that menial's work—
Aratus—hence—drag him before me!—fly!
[Exit Jailer.
We're mocked.—Hath Dymas known of this? What?—how?
She called him false—He dared not—To what end?—
If he be false—Demetrius may be . . . Ha!
A letter?—'Tis the hand of Dymas— (He reads.)

‘Most beautiful, and unhappy—The king is enraged to the
utmost. If no shield come between you and his wrath,
yourself and your children will on the morrow die miserably
in torture.’—Why thou shameless liar! ‘I will visit thee
again to-night. Consent to my wishes, and I can, and will
save you. Refuse me—and bid farewell to hope,—the
tortures are prepared.—I shudder to think of them.’—

'Tis sure the hand of Dymas.
(Enter Jailer with Aratus.)
(To the Jailer).
Hasten back—
Call in Antigonus: something he may know.—
[Exit Jailer.
Have I been played on?—Fellow! wouldst thou live,—
Answer me truly:—palter with me now—
And I will scatter thee abroad like dust.—
Who sent thee here?

Aratus.
Lord Dymas.

Philip.
What the errand?

Aratus.
I bore from him that letter.

Philip.
And the poison?

Aratus.
At her most earnest prayer I brought her that.
Lord Dymas knew not of it.

Antigonus
(hastening in).
Philip! Philip!
Thou'st almost broke my heart. Thou art betrayed!
Apelles, as he left the court to-day,
Was struck with death.—His conscience tortured him;—
He sent for me, and, with his dying breath,
Made full confession of such treachery
As chokes belief.—That letter was a lie—
Quintius ne'er saw it—'twas the damned issue
Of Perseus and black Dymas—

Philip.
Sayst thou?—

Antig.
Yes—
They forged it,—bribed the ambassadors to bring it,—
To poison you with lies against your son . . .

Philip.
Away—away—Demetrius may be lost!—
Oh! if the horrid cup be at his lips—
Dash it away, I do beseech you Gods!
My guard ho! and my chariot!

[Exeunt omnes.