The fragrant violet or opening rose, Are half so sweet as Alexander's breath. Then he will talk-good Gods how he will talk! He speaks the kindest words, and looks such things, Vows with such passion, and swears with such a grace, That it is heaven to be deluded by him! Sys. Her sorrows must have way. Stat. Roxana then enjoys my perjur'd love, Roxana clasps my monarch in her arms, Dotes on my conq'ror, my dear lord, my king! Oh, 't is too much! by Heaven I cannot bear it! She clasps him all-she, the curst happy sheI'll die, or rid me of the burning torture! Hear me bright god of day! hear ev'ry god! Sys. Take heed, Statira, weigh it well my child, Ere desp❜rate love enforces you to swear. Stat. Oh! fear not that, already have I weigh'd it, How could'st thou, cruel! wrong a heart like mine, Stat. Why, let him come; all eyes will gaze with rapture, All hearts will joy to see the victor pass, All but the wretched, the forlorn Statira. Sys. Wilt thou not see him then? Stat. I swear, and heaven be witness to my vow! Never from this sad hour, never to see Nor speak, no, nor, if possible, to think Of Alexander more. And when I break it Sys. Do not ruin all. This is my vow, [Kneels. Stat. May I again be perjured and deluded! Nor prayers nor tears shall my resolves controul, ACT II. SCENE 1. [Exeunt. A Triumphal Arch.-Enter CASSANDER and POLY. PERCHON. Cassander. He comes, the headlong Alexander comes; The gods forbid him Babylon in vain; In vain do prodigies foretel his fall: Attended by a throng of scepter'd slaves Poly. Why all this noise-ye partial powers declare- That heaven should feel the wild alarms of fear, Wav'd his pale hand-and threatful shook his head, And sick'ning nature trembled at the sight! Poly. Why should you tremble ?-Had the yawning earth Laid all the tortures of the damn'd before me My soul, unskaken in her firm resolve; Would brave those tortures and pursue the tyrant. To deal destruction like the hand of Heaven, Poly. The Persians all dissatisfied appear, Ꭰ Cas. I know he loves Statira more than life; As if mankind had previously agreed To compliment the tyrant's boundless pride, Cas. We must away or mingle with the crowd. To make him what he would be thought-immortal. [Exeunt. A Symphony of Warlike Music. Enter CLYTUS and ARISTANDER, in his Robes. Arist. Haste, rev'rend Clytus, haste and stop the king. Clyt. Already is he enter'd, and the throng Arist. Were he encircled by the gods themselves I must be heard, for death awaits his stay. Clyt. Then place yourself within his trumpet's sound; Shortly he'll appear. [Exeunt. Enter ALEXANDER in a Triumphal Car drawn by Block Slaves, Trophies and Warlike Ensigns in Procession before him; CLYTUS, HEPHESTION, LY SIMACHUS, ARISTANDER, Captives, Guards, and attendants. See the conq'ring hero comes, Sound the trumpet beat the drums; To deck the hero's brow divine. Heph. Hail, son of Jove great Alexander! hail. Alex Rise all; and thou my second selt, my friend, Oh, my Hephestion! raise thee from the earth! Come to my arms, and hide thee in my heart; Nearer, yet nearer, else thou lov'st me not. Heph. Not love my king bear witness all ye powers, And let your thunder nail me to the centre, If sacred friendship ever burn'd more brightly! Immortal bosoms can alone admit A flame more pure, more permanent, than mine. Alex. Thou dearer to me than my groves of laurel, I know thou lov'st thy Alexander more Than Clytus does the king. Lys. Now for my fate! I see that death awaits me-yet I'll on. |