The gen'rous heart does more: will dare do all That honour prompts.-How dost thou dare to murder? Respect the gods, and know no other fear. The gen'rous impulse is not given in vain. Yet mark my words; if aught of nourishment Euph. I will observe your orders: On any terms, oh! let me, let me, see him. Phil. Yon lamp will guide thee through the cavern'd way. Euph. My heart runs o'er in thanks; the pi SCENE II-The inside of the Cavern. Enter ARCAS and EUPHRASIA. Arc. No; on my life, I dare not. 1 wretched pittance; one poor cordial drop Arc. Not the smallest store Of scanty nourishment must pass these walls. Oh! give me, give me, rest. It pierces here! it cleaves my very heart. Arc. Repose thee, princess, here, [Draws a couch] here rest thy limbs, Till the returning blood shall lend thee firmness. Euph. The caves, the rocks, re-echo to his groans! And is there no relief? Arc. All I can grant You shall command. I will unbar the dungeon, Unloose the chain that binds him to the rock, And leave your interview without restraint. [Opens a Cell in the back scene. Euph. Hold, hold, my heart! Oh! how shall I sustain The agonizing scene? [Rises.] I must behold him; Arc. Take your last farewell. His vigour seems not yet exhausted quite. [Exit. You must be brief, or ruin will ensue. Evan. [Raising himself.] Oh! when shall I get free?-These ling'ring pangs Despatch me, pitying gods, and save my child! I burn, I burn; alas! no place of rest: [Comes out. A little air; once more a breath of air; Alas! I faint; I die. Euph. Heart-piercing sight! Let me support you, Sir. Evan. Oh! lend your arm. Whoe'er thou art, I thank thee; that kind breeze Comes gently o'er my senses-lead me forward: And is there left one charitable hand To reach its succours to a wretch like me? Euph. Well may'st thou ask it. Oh, my breaking heart! The hand of death is on him. A little onward to the air conduct me; Euph. Do you not know me, Sir? That voice; art thou-alas! my eyes are dim! Euph. Not your own Euphrasia? Evan. My daughter, my Euphrasia! come to close Bears down each feeble sense: restore him, heaven ! Evan. All, my Euphrasia, all will soon be well. Pass but a moment, and this busy globe, Its thrones, its empires, and its bustling millions, Will seem a speck in the great void of space. Yet while I stay, thou darling of my age! Nay, dry those tears. Euph. I will, my father. I fear to ask it, where is virtuous Phocion? Expos'd and helpless? Euph. He is all truth and honour: He fled to save my child. Evan. My young Evander! Your boy is safe, Euphrasia ?-Oh! my heart! Euph. Inhuman wretches! Will none relieve his want? A drop of water It is too much-assist me; bear me hence; Euph. His eyes are fix'd; And those pale quiv'ring lips! He clasps my hand: What, no assistance! Monsters, will you thus Let him expire in these weak, feeble arms? Phil. O! I can hold no more at such a sight, E'en the hard heart of tyranny would melt To infant softness. Arcas, go, behold The pious fraud of charity and love; Behold that unexampled goodness; see Th' expedient sharp necessity has taught her; Thy heart will burn, will melt, will yearn to view A child like her. Arc. Ha!-Say what mystery Phil. Wonder-working virtue! [Exit. Phil. I thank thee, Arcas; we will act like men Who feel for others' woes--She leads him forth, And tremblingly supports his drooping age. Re-enter EUPHRASIA and EVANDER. Evan. Euphrasia, oh, my child! returning life Glows here about my heart. Conduct me forward! At the last gasp preserv'd! Ha! dawning light; I do indeed: the father sees his child. Let me behold; in faith, I see thee now; Euph. I have reliev'd him-Oh, the joy's too great; 'Tis speechless rapture! Evan. Blessings, blessings on thee! Could I abandon that white, hoary head, To perish here in misery and famine? Phil. Thy tears, thou miracle of goodness! Have triumph'd o'er me. Take him, take your father; Convey him hence; I do release him to you. Evan. What said Philotas? Do I fondly dream? Indeed, my senses are imperfect; yet Methought I heard him! Did he say, release me? Phil. Thou art my king, and now no more my pris'ner : tern Go with your daughter, with that wondrous pat- Yes, princess, lead him forth; I'll point the path, Afford a refuge to thee? Euph. Pardon, Sir: Euphrasia's care has form'd a safe retreat; There mays't thou dwell; it will not long be wanted. Soon shall Timoleon, with resistless force, Shall grace her father's throne. Indulgent heaven! Pour down your blessings on this best of daughters; To her and Phocion give Evander's crown; Let them, oh! let them both in virtue wear it, And in due time transmit it to their boy! Re-enter PHILOTAS. Phil. All things are apt; the drowsy sentinel Lies hush'd in sleep; I'll marshal thee the way Down the steep rock. Euph. Oh! let us quickly hence. Evan. The blood but loiters in these frozen veins. Do you, whose youthful spirit glows with life, Reject my prayer, nor trust your fate with me? Evan. Trust thee! Euphrasia? Trust in thee, my child? Though life's a burden I could well lay down, ACT III. SCENE I-A Rampart near the Harbour. Enter DIONISIUS and Officers. Dion. Base deserters! Curse on their Punic faith! Did they once dare To grapple with the Greek? Ere yet the main Was ting'd with blood, they turn'd their ships averse. May storms and tempests follow in their rear, And dash their fleet upon the Libyan shore! Enter CALIPPUS. Cal. My liege, Timoleon, where the harbour opens, Has storm'd the forts, and even now his fleet Despair and terror fly. A panic spreads Let instant victims at the altar bleed; Let incense roll its fragrant clouds to heaven, The image of their gods. The solemn sacrifice, the virgin throng, [Exit CAL. A heart that's torn, that's mangled with remorse: Dion. Detested thought! No, though ambition teem with countless ills, Phil. In chains they wait their doom. Phil. What, ho! Melanthon, this way lead your prisoners. Enter MELANTHON, with GREEK SOLDIERS, and PHOCION. Dion. Assassins, and not warriors! do ye come, When the wide range of battle claims your sword, Thus do you come against a single life To wage the war? did not our buckler ring With all your darts in one collected volley Shower'd on my head? did not your swords at once Point at my breast, and thirst for regal blood? Greek Offi. We sought thy life. I am by birth a Greek. An open foe in arms, I meant to slay Dion. Thus then I warn them of my great re Th' event of ling'ring war? with patience count Mel. Alas! he lives imprison'd in the rock. Thou must withdraw thee hence; regain once more Timoleon's camp; alarm his slumb'ring rage; Pho. Would'st thou have me Mel. Yet hear the voice Of sober age. Should Dionysius' spies Pho. By heaven, I will; My breath shall wake his rage; this very night, When sleep sits heavy on the slumb'ring city, Then Greece unsheaths her sword, and great revenge Shall stalk with death and horror o'er the ranks Of slaughter'd troops, a sacrifice to freedom! but first let me behold Euphrasia. Mel. Hush Thy pent-up valour: to a secret haunt ll guide thy steps: there dwell, and in apt time I'll bring Euphrasia to thy longing arms. Pho. Oh! lead me to her; that exalted virtue With firmer nerve shall bid me grasp the jav'lin, Shall bid my sword, with more than lightning's swiftness VOL. I. ... .F 4* Enter EUPHRASIA, ERIXENE, and other Female Attendants. Euph. This way my virgins, this way bend your steps. Lo! the sad sepulchre, where, hears'd in death, Erix. Forbear, Euphrasia, to renew your sor rows. Euph. My tears have dried their source; then let me here Pay this sad visit to the honour'd clay, [Goes into the Tomb. Erix. Look down, propitious powers! behold that virtuc, And heal the pangs that desolate her soul. Enter PHILOTAS, Phil. Mourn, mourn, ye virgins; rend your scatter'd garments; Some dread calamity hangs o'er your heads. Ill omens hover over us: at the altar The victim dropp'd, ere the diviner seer Re-enter EUPHRASIA from the Tomb. Euph. Virgins, I thank you-Oh! more lightly now My heart expands; the pious act is done, ? No god there smiles propitious on his cause. you retire. [To Attendants. Retire, Philotas; let me here remain, And give the moments of suspended fate To pious worship and to filial love. Phil. Alas! I fear to yield :-awhile I'll leave thee, And at the temple's entrance wait thy coming. [Exit, Enter EVANDER from the Monument. Evan. And does the grave thus cast me up again With a fond father's love to view thee? thus Has given new life. Thou from this vital stream how The forfeit of his crimes, what streams of blood Were fatal to our hopes; oppress'd, dismay'd, Evan. Yes, all will dare To act like men;-their king, I gave myself If they are all debas'd, and willing slaves, No plan is fix'd, and no concerted measure. Evan. Forbear: the man like thee, Truth, reason, justice, honour's fine excitements, Acts by those laws, and wants no other sanction. Euph. Again, th' alarm approaches; sure de struction |