and so he walks, insulting o'er his prey; and so he comes to rend his limbs asunder.Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword, and not with such a cruel threat'ning look. Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die;I am too mean a subject for thy wrath, be thou reveng'd on men, and let me live. Clif. In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter. Rut. Then let my father's blood open it again: he is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him. 1101 Clif. Had I thy brethren here, their lives, and thine, were not revenge sufficient for me; no, if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves, it could not slake mine ire, nor ease my heart. is as a fury to torment my soul; [Lifting his hand. Rut. O, let me pray before I take my death:to thee I pray; Sweet Clifford, pity mẹ! Clif. Such pity as my rapier's point affords. Rut. I never did thee harm; Why wilt thou slay me? Rut. But 'twas ere I was born. Thou hast one son, for his sake pity me; lest, in revenge thereof,-since God is just,- Ah, let me live in prison all my days; then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. Clif. No cause? Thy father slew my father; therefore, die. W. SHAKESPEARE I 102 ARCAS SEEING MEROPE WITH THE AXE UPLIFTED AGAINST ÆPYTUS Arc. Mer. WHAT Therefore no words! HAT do I see? A murderer at death's door. Arc. Arc. Mer. A murderer? And a captive to the dear next-of-kin to him he murdered. Stand and let vengeance pass! thou know'st not whom thou strik'st... Arc. Unhappy one! thou strik'st— Hold, O Queen, hold! I know his crime. A most just blow. Stand off! Thy son! Arc. No, by the gods, thou slay'st Mer. Arc. Mer. Ah!...[she lets the axe drop and falls insensible] Arc. EPYTUS (awaking) Who are these? What shrill, ear-piercing scream wakes me thus kindly from the perilous sleep wherewith fatigue and youth had bound mine eyes, even in the deadly palace of my foe?— Arcas! Thou here? O my dear master! O my child, my charge belov'd, welcome to life! as dead we held thee, mourn'd for thee as dead. 1103 Ep. In word I died, that I in deed might live. Merope. Ep. That black-robed, swooning figure?... Ep. O mother! mother! Who upbraids me? ah!... Æp. Upbraids thee? no one. Ep. What wav'st thou off? Ep. Thy son is here. Thou dost well: but take... That murderous axe away! Ep. Here, here thou hast him! Ep. One said so, sure, but now. Slaughter'd by this hand... May'st thou dream ever so! Joh. Is and shall I fly? O, if you love my mother, S my name Talbot? and am I your son? dishonour not her honourable name, to make a bastard and a slave of me! your loss is great, so your regard should be; rather than life preserved with infamy. 1105 Tal. Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb? Tal. Thou never hadst renown, nor canst not lose it. If death be so apparent, then both fly. Tal. And leave my followers here, to fight and die? Joh. And shall my youth be guilty of such blame? Tal. Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son, Come, side by side together live and die; W. SHAKESPEARE 1106 Mac. MACBETH-LADY MACBETH IF it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well that tears shall drown the wind.-I have no spur and falls on the other.-How now, what news? 1107 L.M. He has almost supp'd; why have you left the chamber? Mac. Hath he asked for me? Know you not, he has? L. M. L. M. Mac. L. M. he hath honoured me of late; and I have bought Was the hope drunk, such I account thy love. From this time Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour, Prithee peace: I dare do all that may become a man; What beast was 't then, how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: 1108 Mac. L. M. If we should fail, We fail! but screw your courage to the sticking-place, |