Retire, my lord, whilst I advance to meet him: Lysan. Nor vigilance nor care I recommend Rhe. It shall, my noble lord: My heart beats high with hope to see thee rise Lysan. Eternal Gods! In Thracian breasts the Spartan virtue lives. [LYSANDER enters into the Tower. Manet EUxUS. Enter AMPHARES. [Exit RHESUS. Amph. How does the haughty captive brook confinement? Eux. Full of inquietude he seems, and sadness. Now in some pensive posture sits a while, Then smites his breast, and, starting from his seat, Walks to and fro with a disorder'd pace. Amph. Admit no Spartan of whatever sex, Or whatsoe❜er affinity they claim. Eux. That strict command hath been already given. Amph. 'Tis needful, Euxus; for his furious mind, In this extreme, will snatch at slight occasions Renew the charge; then go and search Lysander Eux. You shall without delay. [Exit Euxus. Manet AMPHARES. Let other men deprive themselves of pleasure, A more luxurious banquet to my taste. Like birds new caught, who flutter for a time, But by and by they rest; they smooth their plumes, This facile temper of the beauteous sex Who weep'd awhile, then wiped their wat❜ry eyes, Enter SANDane. San. The herald is return'd. The royal band, Inflamed with rage and scorn, the mandate tore; And to the city bend their rapid march. Amph. Let them advance. They hasten to their fate. A secret stratagem I have devised To check these warriors in their bold career. Amph. Their courage I'll restore; for Agis yields To the fallacious counsellor I sent. Demochares, in sacerdotal robes, As if disguised to elude the Thracian guards, Agis to quit the fane's uncertain shelter, At last this thought sprung up, and turn'd the scale: That his escape would force us to submission, To come again; and goes with an addition San. Now, Amphares, I see the snares of death are wrapt around him; Amph. Although his son is safe in Orchomenos, San. Shall not survive To travel suppliant through the states of Greece, And shew her hoary hairs with ashes strew'd, To move compassion in the giddy Greeks. She's old, and fit to die. Enter a Spartan Messenger. Mess. The Thracian troops Who guard the temple, faithful to their charge, Have seized a spy, who, clothed and arm'd like them, Attempted to pass through their ranks to Agis. Amph. I approve The vigilance and conduct of Rhinalces. [Exit Messenger. San. Still flows the tide of fortune; I'll dispatch Orontes to my lord. Joyful he comes To re-assume his sceptre and his throne. Farewell restraint, and laws that bind a prince ! The people's majesty, the senate's power, Shall shrink beneath their awful monarch's sword. |