Th' imperial standard, and repair the shame Of that uncertain flutt'ring naval flag, The sport of winds." The monarch's look betray'd That to expose his person was the least Of his resolves. Mardonius pierc'd his thoughts, And thus in manly policy pursued:
"If Susa, long forlorn, at length may claim The royal presence; if the gracious thought Of his return inspire my sov'reign's breast Throughout his empire to rekindle joy; Let no dishonour on thy Persians fall, Thy Medes; not they accomplices in flight With vile Egyptians, with Cilicians base, Pamphylians, Cyprians. Let not Greece deride A baffled effort in a gallant race
Who under Cyrus triumph'd, whom to fame Darius led, and thou with recent wreaths, O conqueror of Athens! hast adorn'd. Since they are blameless, though thy will decree Thy own return, and wisely would secure Superfluous millions in their native homes, Before chill Winter in his barren arms Constrain the genial Earth; yet leave behind But thirty myriads of selected bands
To my command, I pledge my head that Greece Shall soon be Persia's vassal." Xerxes, pleas'd, Concealing yet that pleasure, artful thus:
"Deliberation to thy counsel due Shall be devoted;" call the Carian queen. She then was landed; through Cecropia's streets A solemn bier she follow'd, where the corse
Of Ariabignes lay. Mardonius met,
And thus address'd her: "Meritorious dame,
Of all the myriads whom retreat hath sav'd,
Of glory. Thus the tawny king of beasts, Who o'er Numidian wastes hath lost a day In fruitless chase, of wonted food depriv'd, Growls in his den; but meditates a range, Enlarg'd and ceaseless, through unbounded woods, To glut his empty maw. Her charge perform'd, Before him sudden Artemisia stands.
As Cynthia steps unveil'd from sable clouds On some benighted traveller, who beats A path untried, but persevering firm With undiminish'd vigour, well deserves Her succ'ring light,-the queen in cheering smiles Accosts the hero: "I have seen the king, Have heard thy counsel, have approv`d, confirm'd. Thy spirit, son of Gobryas, I applaud. Thou, not discourag'd by our foul defeat, From this unwieldy multitude the brave Wouldst separate, and boldly at their head Thy life adventure. Xerxes may assume A doubtful aspect. Counsel given by thee, By me approv'd, Argestes may oppose With all his malice. Only thou suppress The fiery sparks which animate thy blood; In patience wait; thy dictates will prevail, Our common vengeance too that traitor feel, Whom I saw lurk ng near the king's retreat. Farewell."-She leaves him happy in her voice Of approbation, happier in her eye, Which spoke for his prosperity a wish; That eye, enlightening her majestic face With added lustre, from his grateful sense Of her transcendent talents thus applied To his behoof. His manly bosom feels, Beyond a veneration of her worth,
Hail! crown'd with honour! Xerxes through my Beyond a friendship to her friendship due,
Requires thy counsel to decide on mine.
I add no more; thy wisdom, candour, faith I trust: without a murmur will submit To thy decision, but to thine alone.
My care shall tend that clay, among the dead Perhaps the only glorious."-She departs. He seeks the Magi, greeted in these words: "Receive this body, all which now remains Of Ariabignes; let no dirge deplore Him as unhappy; Horomazes smiles On such a death; your lamentations vent On human nature, humbled and debas'd By cowards, traitors, who surviv'd this day, Ne'er to outlive their shame. Ye vet'ran bands Of Medes and Persians, who surround in tears These honour'd relics; warriors who subdued The banks of Nile, where Hyperanthes fought, And late with me through Macedon and Thrace Swept like a whirlwind; change your grief to
To confidence that, unresisted still, You on the plain recov'ring what by sea Is lost, avenging this illustrious dead, From this enthrall'd metropolis of Greece Shall carry devastation, sword, and flames To Lacedæmon, now your only foe."
The native Medes and Persians at his words Are fir'd, in strength, in courage, not unlike Their brave commander, who in scorn beheld Th' inferior herds of nations. Now the Sun Glows on the ocean. To his tent retires Mardonius; sternly in his wounded soul The late disgrace of Xerxes he revolves, Yet soothes his anguish by enliv'ning hope
Desire of her society in war,
Perhaps in peace. Participated thoughts With her, united counsels, he esteems A gain to both. His high-aspiring soul Enjoys the thought, nor entertains a shade Of jealousy or envy at her fame.
He ruminates: observing her advice, "I shall succeed." Then starting-"Earth and Heaven!
Where is Masistius! Oh, ungen'rous heart! Which on the scent of its ambitious chase Forgot that best of counsellors and guides, Friend of my infant, youthful, manly age! If he be lost!-Oh, ominous the thought! Masistius lost!-My fortune, hopes, and joys, My virtues are no more!"-He rushes wild Abroad; commands a gen'ral search; himself Down to the port precipitates his course.
The son of Gobryas and the Carian queen Were thus removed. Argestes in that hour Obtain'd access to Xerxes. Cold with fear, By fortune tam'd, tormented still by pride, Th' uncertain king to him their counsel told; When thus Argestes, feigning wonder, spake: "Dost thon appoint Mardonius king in Greece? O liberal prince! what servant in thy train Would not confront all danger to possess An empire, which the Hellespont alone Will bound? Already Macedonia's lord, Young Alexander, all the Thracian chiefs, Like humble vassals, to Mardonius bend. Why should the king himself not conquer Greece, Now more than half reduc'd? Complete the work Appointed; choke the Salaminian floods; O'erwhelm th' Athenians in their isle, and reigu
Thyself supreme." The monarch starts, and wild In look, commands Argestes to pursue Th' impracticable toil with all the host; Then, stretch'd along, in vain solicits rest.
MEANTIME While Venus from ber Colian dome, Which o'er Phaleron cast a holy shade, Beheld the sbatter'd fleet of Xerxes driv'n To refuge there precarious; from pursuit Recall'd, the Greeks, observant of their laws, Applied their pious labour to collect
Their floating dead, and send with honours due Such glorious manes to the blest abodes. With artful assiduity remain'd Themistocles presiding, so to court Religion's favour. From the solemn toil, Accomplish'd now, to Salaminian strands
He veers; the slain are landed; then his deck Himself forsakes. As Neptune, when the winds, His ministers of anger to o'erwhelm The pride of daring mortals, have fulfill'd His stern behests, and shook the vast profound, At length composing his afflicted reign, Serene from sated vengeance seeks the arms Of Amphitrite, watching his return With soft impatience in her placid grot Amidst encircling Nereids; so the chief To his Timothea in triumphant pace Advances. She that day had never left The beach; surrounded by Athenian fair, She rushes forward to his wish'd embrace. He stops; defil'd by slaughter, robs his heart Of such delights, and elegantly thus:
"O all-surpassing woman, do not dye That lovely bosom in barbarian gore; The blood of Ariabignes, not my own, Encrusts thy husband's cuirass." She replies: "Since not thy own, but hostile crimson stains Thy manly chest, Timothea will partake The honourable dye. O man divine! Thus for the public with a public kiss Thee I salute, thee saviour of all Greece, Thee scourge of Asia; thus will ev'ry wife Her husband; sisters, daughters thus enfold Their brothers, sires; their tender hands like mine, Like mine their panting breasts, in transport bear These glorious marks of victory. Behold Those damsels pure, whose maidenly reserve Forbids such rapture; they in smiles, in tears Of gratitude and gladness, on the heads
Of gallant youths triumphal garlands place." Laodice is nigh; she quits th' embrace Of her Aminias, and accosts the chief:
"Think'st thou, O son of Neocles, the dames Of Athens shrink to see barbarian blood, Who would have spilt their own, had Fortune frown'd;
Had you, our slaughter'd husbands, left your wives No other choice than servitude or death?"
"Fair dame, united to the bravest chief," In smiles he answers, "Fortune more benign Preserv'd those husbands for the happiest lot, Society with you. In holy brine
Of Neptune's flood permit them now to lave, That love in bridal decency may greet Athenian wives. Ye men of Athens, vote That ev'ry youth and ev'ry maid betroth'd
To night be wedded." This the gen'ral voice Confirms a law. His winning words dispers'd Th' obedient fair; each warrior in the deep Immers'd his limbs, while Phoebe's argent wheels Their track pursuing through unclouded skies, Diffuse around serenity and light.
To his Timothea's mansion soon repair'd Themistocles; Sicinus there he found, Who earnest thus address'd him: "Thrice I hail My lord victorious; from thy servant's lips Now hear a tale to melt the stoniest hearts Of all but Euphrantides, yet with joy Reward compassion.-To the sable grove, Where yew and cypress veil'd the hoary walls Of homicidal Bacchus, swift I led
My choice companions; to the seer I told Thy pleasure; he indignant heard, and forc'd The victims forward to the fane abhorr'd. I follow'd careful, still in patient hope That he, though slow, would uncompell'd submit To thy commanding will; we enter'd all; Sandauce there at length her silence broke, Whom from her infants none so fell to part.
"O house of great Darius! where will end Thy woes? How many of thy sons are fall'n! Sad Ariana, sacrifice to love!
Thou sleep'st; thy wretched sister lives to see Her children butcher'd'.-On the pavement damp She threw her limbs, she clasp'd her lovely babes; They shudd'ring view Sandauce in distress; Too young to know their danger, they bewail Their mother, not themselves. The captive youth, Still sedulous and tender, from the spot, Where as in shackles of despair she lay, Essay'd in vain to raise her. Now the seer, Who in my look determination saw, Approach'd the loathsome idol, foul by age, In fell presumption utt'ring thus his wrath:
"These victims, Bacchus, did my voice devote To thy neglected altar; of thy spoil Themistocles defrauds thee; on his head Let fall thy vengeance, not on mine, stern god ! "This heard, the willing captives I remov'd From that grim seat of terrour to these walls Of hospitality." Sicinus clos'd,
When Aristides enter'd. "Hail," he said, "Well hast thou done, Themistocles! behold Me come attendant on illustrious dead, Whom on Psyttalia cast I bring to share The public funeral honours."-" I salute Thee too," the son of Neocles returns;
"Our noble strife to serve the public best We both have well commenc'd. Prepare thee now
To give thy counsel on my new device
For better service still. Our climate holds
All Asia now, her princes, wealth, and arms;
I can detain her, till consuming time By famine, sword, and pestilence, exhaust Herstrength, and cover Greece with Persian graves."
"Too high thy ardour mounts," replies the sage; Forbear to think of strength'ning such a pow'r By desperation. To the feeble brute Necessity gives courage. Such a host Of men and steeds innum'rous on our fields, By nature's stimulating wants compell'd To fight for life, might blast our budding hopes. Ah! rather some new stratagem devise To send the Persians back; let famine, want, Let pestilence pursue their tedious flight, Depriv'd of succour from their vanquish'd fleet,
Which do thou chase and bury in the waves. Farewell! my post demands me. Since their foil, I have observ'd the enemies employ'd In wild attempts to fill the strait profound Between Psyttalia and th' Athenian shore." He gone, these thoughts Themistocles'revolves: "I will adopt his counsel, safe for Greece, Nor less for me; his banishment prolong'd Will discontent the people, and repeal'd Place him commander in th' Athenian camp To rival me. Discouraging the war By land, confining to the sea our strength, I shall secure preeminence." From thought To action turn'd, Sicinus he bespake: "Before my presence all the captives bring." As Bacchus, not devourer, in a smile Of heav'nly sweetness, proffer'd soft relief To Ariadne, when forlorn she sat, Her fate deploring on the Naxian rock; So gracious, so consoling were the looks Themistocles assum'd, in soothing phrase Accosting thus Sandauce: "Thou shalt prove, So shall thy royal house, afflicted fair! A cordial friend in me. Sicinus, haste; Equip the bark which eastern colours dress, That, ere the Moon forsake her lucid path, Thou mayst transport this princess to the king, Her infant train, and this ingenuous youth, With my best greetings. Say, the Athenian chief, Themistocles, these pledges of his truth And friendship sends; them rescued I restore, Him next will save. His Hellespontine bridge The Greeks vindictive menace to destroy, An enterprise of horrour; this my pow'r, My dictates singly can and shall impede, Till he in safety hath regain'd his throne." Sandauce answers: "O thou gen'rous Greek, To thee, to thine, may Fortune ne'er be cold. But I, partaker of imperial pomp, In ease, in safety nurtur'd, who have deem'd My state above the sorrows which torment Inferior mortals, when my soul reflects On this new lesson by misfortune taught, Reflects how lately on a field of blood, Young as I am, I saw my husband fall, My children doom'd to sacrifice, myself To endless bondage, had not Heav'n achiev'd This marvel of compassion in a foe, I, (O forgive me!) I suspect the lot Of all, ev'n thine. O prosp'rous, godlike man, May Horomazes from thy head avert Vicissitudes like mine! may envious Fate Ne'er bring Sandauce's gratitude to proof! Thou never want the pity thou hast shown!" She ceas'd; she wept. When Artamanes spake: "Her debt Sandauce can discharge alone By grateful tears; but I can promise more. In Persian thraldom lies a beauteous Greek, Nam'd Amarantha, Delphian Timon's child; For that bright maid's redemption I am pledg'd To her afflicted sire. Thy goodness shower'd On this excelling princess, shall augment My zeal the obligation to repay By Amarantha's freedom; till that hour Of retribution to thy virtues comes, We will proclaim them; nations shall admire Themistocles, and ev'ry heart abhor Inhuman Euphrantides." Now return'd Sicinus; him they follow'd. On her breast The lovely mother hush'd her female babe ;
But cold with horrour at remembrance deep Of her unmatch'd calamities that day, She feebly falter'd o'er the sandy beach; While Artamanes led in either hand The tripping boys. Themistocles remain'd In these reflections, flowing from this proof Of Fortune's changes: "Few in Athens long Sustain their greatness-but to muse on ills Before they come, both time and thought I waste; Content at present that esteem procur'd,
By this fair Persian, in her brother's court, May prove a gain." Timothea now approach'd; His hand affectionate she press'd and spake:
"How sudden thou my hospitable cares Of their endearing object hast depriv'd! In woe how graceful is that eastern dame! How young a mother! On a widow'd bed How early cast by Fortune! Thou hast sent Sicinus with her; ever-watchful man, Some new contrivance thou dost bring to birth; Thou smil'st in silence; listen then to me. Since Aristides on this isle hath shown That face rever'd, when banish'd, his recall The men of Athens, nay the women wish. This by Aminias to th' assembled tribes, Laodice informs me, will be mov'd; In this expect Myronides the brave, Xanthippus, Cimon, Eschylus will join.”— "So will thy husband," interpos'd the chief; I will forestall them, not to others leave Such merit with our people."-She rejoin'd:
"All will applaud thee. Now, my anxious lord, The second watch its measure hath consum'd; The Moon descends, the sprightly birds are still; Dead sleep hath laid the soldier on his shield; The active sailor slumbers; all forget The hardships, rage, and tumult of the day; All but thyself reposing. Shall that mind Continue ranging o'er the field of thought, In pregnancy exhaustless, till the lark Salute the day-spring with his early song? Till thou unresting, unrefresh'd, resume
The statesman's troubles, and the soldier's toils? Be counsell'd; oft the thunder-bearing god To Juno listens; thou my voice obey."
He hears; serene conducts her to repose. As Jove on Ida, by Saturnia charm'd, Confess'd a rapture never felt before, While lucid dew of odours from a cloud Of gold distill'd around him; from the turf Beneath his feet while hyacinths upsprung, The unctuous lotos, and the crocus gay, To grace his secret tabernacle there Of love celestial; so the Attic chief To his Tinothea, in her chamber pure,
With bridal honours deck'd, perfum'd with flow'rs, Whate'er the meads of Salamis supplied, His tender flame in winning language breath'd "Whoe'er had whisper'd on our nuptial day That I should view thee, in a time remote From that sweet era, with superior joy, I should have held him ignorant of love. What is the cause, Timothea, that I feel My bosom pierc'd by transport yet unknown? That eastern fair, deliver'd from distress, Appearing then the fairest of her sex, Thou dost exceed." Timothea smiling spake: "O thou artificer of sweetest wiles, Wouldst thou seduce me into vain belief, That I exceed Sandauce's youthful charms?
But wouldst thou know, my husband," (solemn | The queen conducts Sandauce and her train.
She modulates her accents) " wouldst thou know Why thou survey'st me with uncommon joy? It is the conscience of a noble deed,
Of gather'd trophies never match'd before, Creates this change. The perils of this day Were new to Athens, to thy race, and me; Thy sword hath rescued all, increas'd thy fame, Thy heart exalted; with increas'd delight, Through that bright medium of a happy mind, Thou look'st on ev'ry object-sure on me Not less than others." Artless were these words, By Nature prompted, Nature's noblest fire.
They ceas'd discourse. Her loftiness of mind, His valour, talents, policy, to love Subside. Perhaps the first of human pairs, Who in the blest Assyrian garden met, Were not more happy in their first embrace, Than fair Timothea and her conqu'ring lord! A pleasing stillness on the water sleeps; The land is hush'd; from either host proceeds No sound, no murmur. With his precious charge Embark'd, Sicinus gently steers along; The dip of oars in unison awake
Without alarming silence; while the Moon, From her descending, horizontal car, Shoots lambent silver on the humid blades Which leave the curling flood. On carpets soft Sandance's babes devoid of sorrow lie, In sweet oblivious innocence compos'd To smiling slumber. But the mother's breast Admits no consolation; when they skim Psyttalia's frith, at memory severe
Of that disastrous isle, she sudden sinks A lifeless image in the watchful arms Of Artamanes, who had studied well
Her sorrows, knew each tender thought and care, Humanity his tutor. Swift he calls Sicinus: Friendly pilot, stay thy course; We must not leave Autarctus in his gore Behind, lest grief incurable reside
In this fair breast, perhaps eternal shade In these extinguish'd eyes." Sicinus feels A sympathizing pain, of Persian stock Himself a branch, in Attic soil matur'd; He stops the bark and lands. The Asian tents Were still erect, whence Aristides comes In steel accoutred, to salute the dawn, Then breaking. Him Sicinus humbly greets, Requests, obtains the body, which convey'd On board he careful on the deck bespreads With canvass new. Impell'd by active strokes Of oars resum'd, the bounding vessel gains Phaleron's haven. Artemisia there, Whose vigilance, augmented by defeat, Had kenn'd the bark while distant, now arrests Her further progress; but no sooner hears The sad intelligence Sicinus gives, Than swift descending where Sandauce lay, That mourning fair in friendly strains accosts: "O lift thy head, thou daughter of a king! Our sov'reign's sister, sister to the man My soul rever'd, to Hyperanthes good, The flow'r of Asia's princes! In thy woes, I sharing cordial, cordially rejoice In thy redemption. Leave this doleful keel; Think of thy duty to approach the king; Thy other cares entrust to me."--She said; They row to shore. To Xerxes, then retir'd,
The princess thus to him amaz'd began:
"A widow'd sister, late a wretched slave, With these three orphans just redeem'd from death, Sandauce greets her brother; but her tongue Would be disloyal to obtrude her tale, Her tedious tale of sorrows on his ear. The preservation of her king demands His first attention; that attention grant To him who comes deputed by a Greek, Thy friend, my guardian, saviour of those babes; Oh, listen! thy salvation from his lips Receive." Fast bound by terrour was the mouth Of Xerxes.-Then Sicinus: "He who ranks Among the Greeks superior in command, In talents, prudence, policy, and arms, Themistocles, these pledges of his truth And friendship sends; them rescued he restores; Thee next will save. Thy Hellespontine bridge The Greeks vindictive menace to destroy; An enterprise of horrour, which his pow'r, His dictates singly can and will impede, Till thou in safety hast regain'd thy throne."
All from his presence straight the king commands, Save Artemisia; her in broken tones Addresses: "Queen of Caria, singly wise Among my council, pity, not upbraid Thy master, suff`ring by his rash neglect Of thy sage voice unutterable pangs."
He paus'd in torture. Prudent, she replied: "Without a cause the lord of nations droops; Mardonius well hath counsell'd thy retreat, Who undertakes to finish, what his sword Hath well begun through Macedon and Thrace, This mighty war. Thy servant may succeed; In whose behalf? His master's: thou wilt reap His fruits of glory; if Mardonius fail,
He the disgrace. Thy march commence by dawn; Appoint the fleet's departure swift this night, To guard with force collected and repair'd The Hellespontine bridge; with grace accept The proffer'd service of th' Athenian chief; Load his returning messenger with gifts Of royal price, and, O my gracious lord! Fraternal kindness on Sandauce show'r. Her gallant lord bath perish'd in thy cause, Herself been menac'd by a barb'rous priest To see her children sacrific'd; a doom Themistocles withstood, and set them free."
As when a timid child perceives a cloud Obscure the sky, and hears the thunder's peal, He weeps, he trembles, but the cloud dispers'd, The clamour ceasing, and the Sun restor❜d, His wonted sport resumes, forgetting fear; So chang'd the monarch. "Artemisia, go,"
He said; "the satraps instantly convene; Th' Athenian messenger, Argestes' son, Again before us with Sandauce call; Ne'er will I deviate from thy counsels more." First to Sicinus ent'ring he began: "Say to thy sender, I accept well pleas'd His service pass'd and proffers; thou return; To him ten golden talents thou shalt bear. Thee from the depths of sorrow shall the king, Sandauce, raise; demand a present boon; Thou canst not ask what Xerxes will refuse." By gratitude surmounting grief inspir'd, Mov'd to retaliate kindness in the shape Herself had prov'd, the gen'rous suppliant thus: "In Persian thraldom is a Grecian maid
Of Delphian lineage, Amarantha nam'd; Her I demand of Xerxes, that my hand A captive daughter to a tender sire May render back; from bondage free his head, Now in Nicæa, and thus far my debt Of gratitude discharge." In transport here, Admiring such perfection of the heart, Spake Artamanes: "Ever live the king! There is a captive whom the princess nam'd-" "Fly thou in search of this requested slave, Son of Argestes," interrupts the king; "Let none withhold her from Sandauce's pow'r. The female train before the cumb'rous host Shall move by dawn for Thessaly, their join The rest of Asia's dames behind us left
On our late march; the guard, ten thousand horse, Thou, Artamanes, shalt command."-He said; They all retir'd. A pensive grief o'ercasts Sandauce, moving with her children slow, By slaves attended, to the vacant tent Autarctus late possess'd. Argestes' son Observes her anguish, penetrates her thoughts, In guarded words then proffers this relief:
"O fairest princess, whose external form But half displays thy excellence of mind, Wilt thou forgive thy servant, if he feels With thee a present sorrow, which the heart. Forbids the tongue to name? Sandauce, trust My pious service, and those thoughts compose." She, weeping, looks assent; he speeds away, But meets the body of Autarctus borne By Artemisia's soldiers. She at first, With care conceal'd, had order'd from the bark His precious relics; these the noble youth With equal care delivers to that skill, Which with Sabæan gums, and scented growths Of bless'd Arabia, purifies the clay Depriv'd of life, and Time's consuming breath Repels. A regal car he next provides, In full apparel of funereal pomp.
THE satraps now, and leaders, at the call Of Artemisia, were collected round
Their monarch. Seated on his throne, he spake: "Ye princes, satraps, heed our fix'd decree.
Our native Asia wants her king; by morn
To Susa we return, but leave behind, In Greece, Mardonius, and a chosen host
Of thirty myriads. With command supreme, With our imperial equipage and state, Him we invest; to him submission pay As to our presence. Artemisia, bear Our sov'reign pleasure to the naval chiefs, That all abandon, ere the dawn return, Phaleron's port, and hoist their sails to guard The Hellespont. But thou, entrusted queen, Thy own tried squadron to Spercheos bring; Whence thou must waft to Ephesus a charge Of high import, the children of thy king."
He ceas'd. Astranger, cas'd in steel, approach'd, In look ferocious, limbs and shape robust, Of stature huge; the satraps look'd amaz'd, As were th' immortals, when, th' Olympian steep Ascending, grim Briareus first produc'd
His mountain-bulk, and spread his hundred hands, Auxiliary to Jove. The warrior stood,
Unbending, far as nature would permit,
His rugged brow; when, crouching to the king, "O Xerxes, live for ever," he began: "I am Eubœan Demonax, the prince Of Oreus late, who earth and water sent, Acknowledging thy empire; from my throne By curs'd Themistocles expell'd, I join'd Thy shelt'ring fleet; at Salamis I fought. An aid of troops and treasure can replace Me thy true vassal, who will soon reduce The granary of Athens to thy sway, Euboea, fertile, populous, and rich."
The monarch thus: "Mardonius, thou hast heard;
Begin to use thy plenitude of power; Reject or favour at thy will this pray'r."
Mardonius then: "My sov'reign liege, the truth Flows from his lips; twelve thousand of thy host With Mindarus commanding, and of gold A hundred talents, would be well bestow'd On this important Greek." The king assents; He rises; all disperse. Mardonius now Accosts the queen, descending to the port: "Alas! how uncontrollable the will Of Xerxes! must thou leave me? Since the day Of Salamis, my best belov'd of friends, Masistius, whether by the waves devour'd, Or slain, or captive, to my search is lost. Foe to inaction, though compos'd and wise, Of courage prone to perilous attempts, He would embark; permitted by the king, Against my warm remonstrance would partake The naval conflict. Drooping, while I doubt His preservation, must I further lose Thy fellowship, auspicious, generous queen! Yet stop, a moment listen. On the march To Athens first, reposing in a cave, I had a dream, perhaps a vision saw, To me presaging glory-but success Was wrapp'd in clouded mystery. My heart Teems with ill-boding thoughts, yet shall not faint; At least impart thy wishes ere thou sail'st, Thy last instructions! Fortunate thy voice, Benign to me; repeat one parting strain! If I successful to thy presence bring
The palms of conquest, say, accomplish'd queen, Thou wilt accept them with a gracious hand; If unsuccessful I the forfeit pay
Of this frail being, as becomes the brave,
Say, thou wilt praise Mardonius." Sage and grave She answers: "First, despair not to regain
The good Masistius; at the worst endure That common lot, the death of dearest friends,
With patience; long thy courage I have prais'd,
Now moderate the flame against a foe Not less discreet than disciplin'd and bold;
Nor let the gloom of superstition awe Thy noble ardour. On the sharpest sword, The strongest arm, on prudence, martial skill, Not dreams and visions, looks the goddess Fame. If Artemisia's wishes can avail,
Be sure to prosper, prosp'ring here to soar Above the flight of Cyrus."-She departs. Behind her, like the sinking globe of day, She leaves a trail of radiance on his soul; But, to protect him from returning shade, Her light should ne'er forsake him, never set.
O'er gen'rous cares not thus Argestes broods; Within his tent he meditates conceal'd; By struggling pride tormented, thus he strives
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