I will remain; but to assure my safety, You must, Lysander, to the troops return. Lysan. And leave my prince alone amidst his foes? Revoke the hard command! if you're resolved Agis. Your great imagination's up in arms; But there is something in my heart rebels Against this counsel! Oh! I cannot leave you Nor ought I now to stay. Let never man Things future are the property of hope. That mortals have to stand on. O, my prince! Lysander leaves you with a heavy heart. Agis. Farewell, thou Spartan of the ancient mould, Dear as the brother of his blood to Agis! Lysander! [They embrace and part. Lysan. Ha! may heaven your purpose change! Agis. My will is fix'd. But though my judg ment too Confirms the secret counsel of my heart, part this moment ne'er to meet again. Lysan. Let us not part at all. "Tis inspiration, The guardian god, the demon of the mind, Thus often presses on the human breast. Agis. Mistake me not, I feel no new impression, Nor, if I did, should I by that be alter'd; For such presages, be they sad or joyful, I deem them but the meteors of the mind, When great events perplex and shake the soul. Of noble nature, and I hope no less, He will not shun the lofty path of honour, Though fate should mark it with his father's blood. Lysan. Hear this, immortal Gods, who rule the world, And guard a prince the image of yourselves! O never, never may his royal race Lysander's aid require. [Exit LYSANDER. AGIS alone. Affection choaks his words. His generous heart bursts at this solemn parting. But yet these trying times rear up a few More excellent, refined and conscious spirits, Than any in the good, but equal mass Of a far better age. Such is Lysander. Enter Senators. Sen. Assembled Sparta waits. Agis. I come, my friends! I will address the people, Proclaim aloud mine actions, which upbraid, And soon shall silence, my despiteful foes. I would disdain to hold, did I not hope, 1 Sen. O Gods above! how happy were our sires, Or low in dust shall Spartan Agis lie. [Sound of musical instruments. 1 Sen. What means this music? Agis. To the Gods of Greece And Sparta's guardian deities it sounds. Let us begone, nor stop the holy train. [Exeunt. Enter a Procession. AGESISTRATA, EUANTHE, Priests of JUPITER and HERCULES. Chorus of Matrons and Virgins. Heaven avert the ills we fear! Priests of JUPITER. This day our foes embattled came, Jove's lightning flamed from Sparta's spear. |