Part 12 (1/2)

The din Of arms with clearer sound advances. Hark!

That sudden burst!--Again!--They rush upon us!

The portal opens; lo!--see there!--behold, War, horrid war, invades the sacred fane!

No altar gives a sanctuary now. [_Warlike Music._

_Enter DIONYSIUS and CALIPPUS, with several SOLDIERS._

_Dio._ Here will I mock their siege; here stand at bay, And brave them to the last.

_Cal._ Our weary foes Desist from the pursuit.

_Dio._ Tho' all betray me, Tho' ev'ry G.o.d conspire, I will not yield.

If I must fall, the temple's pond'rous roof, The mansion of the G.o.ds combin'd against me, Shall first be crush'd, and lie in ruin with me.

Euphrasia here! Detested, treach'rous woman!

For my revenge preserv'd!--By Heaven, 'tis well; Vengeance awaits thy guilt, and this good sword Thus sends thee to atone the bleeding victims This night has ma.s.sacred.

_Cal._ [_Holding DIONYSIUS'S Arm._] My liege, forbear; Her life preserv'd may plead your cause with Greece, And mitigate your fate.

_Dio._ Presumptuous slave!

My rage is up in arms;--by Heav'n, she dies.

_Enter EVANDER, from the Tomb._

_Eva._ Horror! forbear!--Thou murd'rer, hold thy hand!

The G.o.ds behold thee, horrible a.s.sa.s.sin!

Restrain the blow; it were a stab to Heav'n; All nature shudders at it!--Will no friend Arm in a cause like this a father's hand?

Strike at this bosom rather. Lo! Evander Prostrate and groveling on the earth before thee!

He begs to die:--exhaust the scanty drops That lag about his heart;--but spare my child.

_Dio._ Evander!----Do my eyes once more behold him?-- May the fiends seize Philotas! Treach'rous slave!

'Tis well thou liv'st; thy death were poor revenge From any hand but mine. [_Offers to strike._

_Eup._ No, tyrant no; [_Rus.h.i.+ng before EVANDER._ I have provok'd your vengeance; through this bosom Open a pa.s.sage; first on me, on me Exhaust your fury. Ev'ry pow'r above Commands thee to respect that aged head: His wither'd frame wants blood to glut thy rage: Strike here; these veins are full; here's blood enough; The purple tide will gush to glad thy sight.

_Dio._ Amazement blasts and freezes ev'ry pow'r!

Ha! the fierce tide of war [_A flourish of Trumpets._ This way comes rus.h.i.+ng on.

[_Goes to the Top of the Stage._

_Eup._ [_Embracing EVANDER._] Oh! thus, my father, We'll perish thus together.

_Dio._ Bar the gates; Close ev'ry pa.s.sage, and repel their force.

_Eva._ And must I see thee bleed? Oh, for a sword!

Bring, bring me daggers!

_Eup._ Ha!