Alex. How fares My love-Ha! neither answer me! all silent! Shoots to my heart, and 'numbs the seat of life. Heph. I would relate it, but my courage fails me. Alex. Why stand you all as you were rooted here ? What will none answer? my Hephestion silent! If thou hast any love for Alexander, If ever I oblig'd thee by my care. When thro' the field of death my eye has watch'd thee, Resolve my doubts, and rescue me from madness. She heard, dread sir! (for what can 'scape a lover) Heph. Your queen, Statira, in the rage of grief, Never to see your majesty again. Alex. Oh, madam! has she? has Statira sworn Never to see her Alexander more? Impossible! she could not, would not, swear it. Mild as the genial breezes of the spring, Par. With sorrow, sir, I heard the solemn vow, My mother heard it, and in vain adjur'd her By every tender motive to recall it. Sys. Put with that fierceness she resents her wrongs, Alex. Ha! could you wish me to forget Statira! Sys. Have patience, son, and trust to Heaven and me; If my authority has any influence I will exert it, and she shall be your's. Alex. Haste, madam, haste, if you would have me live; Fly, ere for ever she abjure the world, And stop the sad procession: [Exit Sys. Jand Parisatis, Nay haste; the breath of gods, and eloquence Oh my heart! [Exit Par. Lys. Now let your majesty who feels the pangs Of disappointed love, reflect on mine. Alex. Ha! Clyt. What are you mad? is this a time to plead ! Lys. The properest time; he dares not now be partial, Lest Heaven in justice should avenge my wrongs, And double every pang which he feels now. Alex. Why dost thou tempt me thus to thy undoing? Death thou should'st have were it not courted so: But know, to thy confusion, that my word, Like destiny, admits of no repeal; Therefore in chains shall thou behold the nuptials Of my Hephestion. Guards, take him prisoner. [The Guards seize Lys, Lys. Away, ye slaves! I'll not resign my sword, 'Till first I'ave drench'd it in my rival's blood. Alex. I charge you kill him not; take him alive; The dignity of kings is now concern'd, And I will find a way to tame this rebel. Clyt. Kneel-for I see rage lightning in his eyes. Lys. I neither hope nor will I sue for pardon. Had I my sword and liberty again; Again I would attempt his favourite's heart. Alex. Hence from my sight, and bear him to a dungeon. Perdiccas, give this lion to a lion : None speak for him: fly; stop his mouth; away. [Exeunt Lys. Per. and Guards. Clyt. This comes of women-the result of love: 'Tis folly all, 't is frenzy and distraction; Yet were I heated now with wine I doubt I should be preaching in this fool's behalf. Alex. Come hither, Clytus, and my friend Hephe Lend me your arms: I fear betwixt Statira's cruel vows And fond Roxana's arts your king will fall. Clyt. Better the race of women were destroy'd, And Persia sunk in everlasting ruin ! Heph. Look up,my lord, and bend not thus your head, As if you purpos'd to forsake the world, Which you have greatly won. Alex. Would I had not; There's no true joy in such unwieldy fortune. Eternal gazers lasting troubles make; All find my spots, but few observe my brightness. Yes, I will shake this Cupid from my soul, ACT III. SCENE 1. [Exeunt. An open Court; Trumpets sounding a Dead March; LySIMACHUS led Prisoner; EUMENUS, PERDICCAS, PARISATIS, and Guards. Parisatis. STAY, my Lysimachus! a moment stay! Oh, whither art thou going-hold a moment! Unkind! thou know'st my life was wrapt in thine, Why would'st thou then to worse than death expose me? Par. Even in the grave will Parisatis join thee; Shall not compel me to outlive thy loss. Lys. Were I to live 'till nature's self decay'd Thy charms might fire a coward into courage, SCENE II. [Exeunt. The Palace. Enter ROXANA and CASSANDER. Rox. Deserted! said'st thou for a girl abandon'd I A puny girl, made up of watery elements ! Shall she embrace the god of my desires, And triumph in the heart Roxana claims ? E |