University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FOURTH.

Polydore, Merope.
Pol.
Retire awhile to thy apartments, lady.

220

Permit me, Merope, to avail myself
Of the importunate and tardy pity
Of the fierce tyrant; at thy feet permit me,
Weeping with thee, and speaking of thy son,
To breathe my last ... May I see him avenged,
And afterwards expire!—Come, lady, come;
With grief and indignation thou'rt exhausted,
And thy knees fail beneath thy weight. If thou
Refusest all repose to thy worn frame,
Thou wilt not live to witness that revenge
Thy soul so much desires.

Me.
Ah! may I see it!