ACT THE FIFTH SCENE I. The Bower of Semiramis, STATIRA discovered. Stat. Bless me, ye powers above, and guard my virtue ! Where are you fled, dear shades? where are you fled? 'Twas but a dream, and yet I saw and heard Sat on their faded cheeks, pronounced with tears, [Flourish of Trumpets. But hark! 'tis he, and all my fears are fled: My life, my joy, my Alexander, comes! Rox. [Within.] Make fast the gate, with all its massy bars: At length we have conquered this stupendous height, And reached 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? 'tis Roxana calls: Stat. And what is she, who, with such towering pride, Would awe a princess that is born above her. Rox. Behold this dagger! 'Tis thy fate, Statira! Behold, and meet it as becomes a queen. Fain would I find thee worthy of my vengeance; Too late thou tremblest at my just revenge, [Holds up the Dagger Stat. Hold, hold, thy hand advanc'd in air: Rox. Not for the world's wide empire shouldst thou see him. Fool! but for him thou might'st unheeded live; Slave. Madam, the king and all his guards are come; With frantic rage they thunder at the gate, And must ere this have gained admittance. Too long I have trifled. Let me then redeem And can he not preserve me from her fury? Rox. Nor he nor Heaven shall shield thee from my justice. Die, sorceress, die, and all my wrongs die with thee! Enter ALEXANDER, LYSIMACHUS, CASSANDER, PER- Stat. Alas! My only love, my best and dearest blessing! thee. Alex. Thou shalt not leave me-Cruel, cruel stars! Oh, where's the monster, where's the horrid fiend, That struck at innocence, and murdered thes › Ror. Behold the wretch, who, desperate of thy love, In jealous madness gave the fatal blow! Alex. To dungeons, tortures, drag her from my sight. Stat. My soul is on the wing: Farewell, my most loved lord: ah, me! farewell! Yet ere I die grant this request. Spare Roxana's life-'Twas love of you that caused The death she gave me. And oh! sometimes think, [Dies. Alex. Yet, ere thou tak'st thy flight-she's gone! she's gone! All, all is hushed, no music now is heard; The roses wither, and the fragrant breath That waked their sweets, shall never wake them more ! Rox. Weep not, my lord! no sorrow can recall her. Oh turn your eyes, and in Roxana's arms, You'll find fond love and everlasting truth. Aler. Hence from my sight, and thank my dear Statira That yet thou art alive. Rox. Yes, thus I'll fasten on your sacred robe, Thus on my knees for ever cling around thee, Till you forgive me, or till death divide us. Alex. Hence, fury, hence; there's not a glance of thine But like a basilisk comes winged with death. Rox. Oh speak not thus to one who kneels for mercy! Think for whose sake it was I madly plunged Alex. Oh, murderess, off! for ever shun my sight, My eyes detest thee, for thy soul is ruin. Ror. Barbarian! yes, I will for ever shun thee. That has revenge in store for perjured love, Alex. Oh, my fair star, I shall be shortly with thee! What means this deadly dew upon my forehead ? Cas. The poison works. Enter EUMENES. Eum. Pardon, dread sir, a fatal messenger: The royal Sysigambis is no more. Struck with the horror of Statira's fate, She soon expired, and with her latest breath But, what I fear most deeply will affect Your loved Hephestion's Alex. Dead! then he is blest! But here, here lies my fate. you, Hephestion! Clytus! My victories all for ever folded up In this dear body. Here my banners lost, My standard's triumphs gone. Oh, when-Oh, when Shall I be mad indeed! [Exeunt all but Cassander and THESSALUS. Cass. He's gone-but whither? Follow, Thessalus, Attend his steps, and let me know what passes. [Exeunt THESSALUS and CASSANDER, separately. |