The bravest soldier, he who sav'd thy life, That had the pow'r, yet would not hold me. Oh d Alex. I know ye did; yet held me Like a wild beast, to let me go again With greater violence. Oh, ye have undone me! Could not turn me! ye should have drawn your swords, Till I had seen the precipice before me: That had been noble, that had shown the friend; Lys. When men shall hear how highly you were urg'd Alex. No; you have let me stain my rising glory, Which else had ended brighter than the sun., Oh! I am all a blot, which seas of tears And my heart's blood can never wash away! Yet 't is but just I try, and on the point Still reeking hurl my black polluted breast. Heph. Oh, sacred sir !—it shall not-must not be. Lys. Forgive, dread sir!-forgive my pious hands, That dare in duty to disarm my master. Alex. Yes, cruel men! ye now can show your strength: Here's not a slave but dares oppose my justice, That tend to save my life-here will I lie, [Falls on Clytus. Close to my murder'd soldier's bleeding side; Thus clasping his cold body in my arms 'Till death like his has clos'd my eyes for ever. Enter PERDICCAS. Per. Treason foul treason! Hephestion, where 's the king? Heph. There, by old Clytus' side, whom he hath slain. Per. Rise, sacred sir! and haste to save the queen. Roxana filled with furious jealousy, Came with a guard unmark'd; she gain'd the bow'r, And broke upon me with such sudden fury That all have perish'd who oppos'd her rage. Alex. What says Perdiccas? is the queen in danger? Per. Haste, sir, or she dies. Alex. Thus from the grave I rise to save my love: All draw your swords, on wings of lightning move, Young Ammon leads you, and the cause is love. When I rush on sure none will dare to stay; 'Tis beauty calls, and glory leads the way. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE 1. The Bower of Semiramis.-STATIRA discovered. Statira. Aled? BLESS me, ye pow'rs above, and guard my virtue ! For oh, I tremble, and a thousand terrors My life, my joy, my Alexander, comes! Rox. [Within.] Make fast the gate with all its massy bars: At length we 'ave conquered this stupendous height, And reach'd the grove. Stat. Ye guardian gods defend me ! Roxana's voice! then all the vision 's true, And die I must. Enter ROXANA. Rox. Secure the brazen gate. Where is my rival 't is Roxana calls. Stat. And what is she who with such tow'ring pride Would awe a princess that is born above her? Rox. Behold this dagger!-'t is thy fate Statira! Rox. Return, fair insolent! return, I say: Too late thou tremblest at my just revenge, Of Heaven's high wrath, how they will tear your soul, All day distract you with a thousand fears; Rox. Add still, if possible, superior horrors. Rather than leave my great revenge unfinish'd I'll dare 'em all, and triumph in the deed; Therefore[Holds up the dagger. Stat. Hold hold, thy hand advanc'd in air: I read my sentence written in thine eyes; Yet oh Roxana! on thy black revenge One kindly ray of female pity beain; And give me death in Alexander's presence. Rox. Not for the world's wide empire should'st thou see him. Fool! but for him thou might'st unheeded live; For his sake only art thou doom'd to die. Enter Slave. Slave. Madam, the king and all his guards are come, With frantick rage they thunder at the gate, And must ere this have gain'd admittance. Rox. Hal Too long l'ave trified. Let me then redeem The time mispent, and make great vengeance sure. |