University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIRST.

The Confines of the Spartan Prison.
Leonidas, Anpharus.
The People, who from time to time introduce themselves.
An.
Full late thou comest; and the time is pressing.

Le.
The father must account for this delay:
I was erewhile compell'd t'accompany
My daughter's footsteps even to the palace.
With such an agony of grief she wept
For Agis, that I found it difficult
To tear her from my side. Her wretchedness
Hath made no slight impression on my heart.

An.
What? Art thou troubled? Art thou overwhelm'd?
Perchance thou carest for thy daughter more
Than for thy vengeance?

Le.
Agis I abhor
Far more intensely than I love the throne:
But yet my daughter's weeping and complaints
Afflict my heart.—Now let me think of action:
Are all things by thy vigilance disposed?

An.
Dost thou not see? Within these spacious confines
Of Sparta's prison, it appear'd to me
Our seats might fitly be arranged; the place,
Less ample than the forum, will contain
Less of the dregs of Sparta: but, however,
As many here may introduce themselves,
As the completion of our views require,
At every entrance centinels I've placed,
And have in numbers mingled our adherents—
Behold, the place already is half fill'd;
Nor are there scarcely any of our foes.
As yet the tidings are not fully spread
Of the great trial: and I hope that all
Will be accomplish'd ere th'audacious mother
Comes to disturb it with her headstrong train.

Le.
But art thou sure that from such promptitude
Danger may not result?

An.
No trifling force,
Besides our dignity, the cause supports.
There will be need of special circumspection
In detailing the charges; we must seem
Just to ourselves, yet of the people's good,
More than our own, tenacious advocates.
Some tumult may arise; to frustrate this
Precautionary schemes are laid. For us
It will suffice, that Agis from these walls
No more depart alive. To counteract
The first audacious movements of the people,
Our friends among the citizens, thy soldiers,
The influence of the ephori, and last
Thy own audacity, may well suffice.
Time is meanwhile ensured; and we shall have
From time entire success ...

Le.
Behold the senate,
And all the ephori: the populace
In numbers follow them, and they appear
Not turbulent in aspect; nay, they seem
Pleased at the accusation to assist
Of a subverting monarch. Courage, courage.
While with insinuating flatteries,
And opportune, their fancies I allure,
Do thou the prison enter, and forthwith,
Agis, well guarded, to our presence bring.