Alex. Dead! then he is blest! But here, here lies my fate. Hephestion, Clytus! In this dear body. Here my banner's lost. My standard's triumphs gone. Oh when shall I be mad! Give orders to The army that they break their shields, swords, spears, Pound their bright armour into dust Away. Is there not cause to put the world in mourning? And for the monument of this lov'd creature To deck her tomb; no shrine nor altar spare, Enter THESSALUS. Cas. He's gone but whither-follow Thessalus, Attend his steps, and let me know what passes. [Exit Thessalus. Vengeance, lie still, thy craving shall be sated: Enter POLYPERCHON, THESSALUS, and PHIlip. Poly. Yes; with disorder'd wildness in his looks Draw pear he cry'd—and grasp'd my hand in his, Cas. Where is he Thessalus ? Thes. I left him circled by a crowd of princes. The poison tears him with that height of horror Ev'n I could pity him-He call'd his chiefs, Embrac'd 'em round-then starting from amidst 'em Cry'd out, I come-'t was Ammon's voice ;-I know it Father, I come; but let me ere I go, Dispatch the business of a kneeling world! Poly. No more; I hear him—we must meet anon. Cas. In Saturn's field-there give a loose to rapture, Enjoy the tempest we ourselves have rais'd, And triumph in the wreck which crowns our ven [Exeunt. geance. SCENE II. The Palace. ALEXANDER with his Hair dishevelled, LYSIMACHUS, EUMENES, PERDICCAS, and Attendants discovered. Alex. Search there; nay, probe me, search my wounded reins Poll, draw it out. Lys. We have search'd, but find no hurt. Alex. Oh, I am shot! a forked burning arrow Sticks cross my shoulders: the sad venom flies Like lightning thro' my flesh, my blood, my marrow. Lys. How fierce his fevert Alex. Ha! what a change of torments I endure ! A bolt of ice runs hissing thro' my bowels; 'Tis sure the arm of death; give me a chair; Cover me, for I freeze, and my teeth chatter And my knees knock together. Eum. Have mercy, Heavenl Alex. I burn, I burn again! The war grows wondrous hot: hey for the Tigrist Bear me, Bucephalus, amongst the billows. [Jumps into the chair. Alex. Ha, ha, ha! I shall die with laughter. Per. How wild he talks. Lys. Yet warring in his wildness G Alex. Sound, sound! keep your ranks close. Ay now they come ; Oh, the brave din, the noble clang, of arms! Charge, charge apace, and let the phalanx move. Darius comes-ay, 't is Darius, I see, I know him by the sparkling plumes, Victoria Victoria I [Leaps into the soldiers' arms. Per. Let's bear him softly to his bed. Alex. Hold, the least motion gives me instant death; My vital spirits are quite parch'd, burnt up, And all my smoky entrails turned to ashes. Lys. When you, the brightest star that ever shone, Shall set, it must be night with us for ever. Alex. Let me embrace you all before I die. [All kneel and weep. Weep not, my dear companions! the good gods One that shall lead you forth with matchless conduct. pressions. Per. We will not part with you, nor change for Mars. Alex. Perdiccas, take this ring, And see me laid in the temple of Jupiter Ammon. Lys. To whom does your dread majesty bequeath The empire of the world? |