Part 3 (2/2)

'Would I could save them!--But tho' not for me The glorious pow'r to shelter innocence, Yet for a moment to a.s.suage its woes, Is the best sympathy, the purest joy Nature intended for the heart of man, When thus she gave the social gen'rous tear. [_Exit._

SCENE II.

_The Inside of the Cavern._

_Enter ARCAS and EUPHRASIA._

_Arcas._ No; on my life, I dare not.

_Eup._ But a small, A wretched pittance; one poor cordial drop To renovate exhausted drooping age, I ask no more.

_Arcas._ Not the smallest store Of scanty nourishment must pa.s.s these walls.

Our lives were forfeit else: a moment's parley Is all I grant; in yonder cave he lies.

_Eva._ [_Within the Cell._] Oh, struggling nature! let thy conflict end.

Oh! give me, give me rest.

_Eup._ My father's voice!

It pierces here! it cleaves my very heart.

I shall expire, and never see him more.

_Arcas._ Repose thee, princess, here, [_Draws a Couch_] here rest thy limbs, Till the returning blood shall lend thee firmness.

_Eup._ The caves, the rocks, re-echo to his groans!

And is there no relief?

_Arcas._ All I can grant, You shall command. I will unbar the dungeon, Unloose the chain that binds him to the rock, And leave your interview without restraint.

[_Opens a Cell in the back Scene._

_Eup._ Hold, hold my heart! Oh! how shall I sustain The agonizing scene? [_Rises._] I must behold him; Nature, that drives me on, will lend me force.

Is that my father?

_Arcas._ Take your last farewell.

His vigour seems not yet exhausted quite.

You must be brief, or ruin will ensue. [_Exit._

_Eva._ [_Raising himself._] Oh! when shall I get free?

--These ling'ring pangs--

_Eup._ Behold, ye pow'rs, that spectacle of woe!

_Eva._ Despatch me, pitying G.o.ds, and save my child!

I burn, I burn; alas! no place of rest:

[_Rises and comes out._

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