Shall be no more a nation! O my country, The Macedonian vulture hovers o'er thee, Soon to descend, and on thy vitals prey. Amph. Thou may'st delay, perhaps avoid, thy death. Send forth thy mandate to the royal band Agis. Ha! No more I trust thee, traitor. Would I had ever been I rather would have chose to die attempting As I have lived, unalter❜d in my love To Sparta, and unconquer'd in my purpose. You mean to take advantage of my state, Still promises a long extent of my life years: But my forefathers' blood is in my veins, The blood of heroes, and of Spartan kings, Less only than the gods. I dare your worst, And with my dying breath acquit my people. The people rose; they hearken'd to the voice Of Liberty, and blest the name of Agis. But you, the nobles, an inglorious race, Base as the dastard and unarmed Helots, With foreign arms and mercenary aid, Bore down the people and opprest your prince, Whom death delivers. Agis shall not see The last convulsions of expiring Freedom; For in the first he dies. Amph. We'll hear no more Of these invectives.-Bear him to the place Of execution. Officers, advance And do your duty. Off. This is not our duty. Amph. What! Off. Murder of a king is not our duty. Amph. Mutinous slaves! for you I'll find a time. -Sir. [To AGIS. Agis. Touch me not, for uncompell'd I go To meet my destiny. Weep not for me. [To an Officer. O! thou whose nature suits not thy employment, Weep not for me! I would not change conditions With these bad men. I shall not feel the woes That thou and all must feel, the woes of Sparta! O! might my death avail my much-loved country, I'd die as joyful then, as fearless now. [Exit AGIS, guarded. Amph. Atone your insolence by prompt obe dience, Or death's your portion. [To an Officer, [Exeunt with AGIS. Manent AMPHARES, &c. Amph. Magistrates of Sparta! This painful work of necessary justice Your faithful zeal and service will reward. [Exeunt Ephori. Manent AMPHARES and the Spartan who entered with AGIS. Amph. Haste to the Thracian captain, and require him To send his prisoner Lysander hither. [Exit Spartan. Agis removed, and turbulent Lysander, Enter Messenger from the Dungeon. Mess. The executioners refuse their office: Amph. Again those fables of the villain priests Rise up to thwart me. Now, my trusty servant, Approve thy faith, and win my lasting favour. Each instant of delay is big with peril Whilst Agis lives. Let thy good sword fulfil Mess. Shall it, my lord? I am your instrument, and bind myself By this bold deed still faster to your fortunes. [Exit. Amph. Ye sons of bold ambition, learn of me : Trust not the survey of another's eye: Your dangerous voyage needs a pilot's care, Who never quits the helm. Enter Spartan. Spar. We are betray'd. Lysander I Amph. What of him? Speak-faulter not. Amph. Whither? With whom?-Eternal Gods! gates saw, and entering search'd the empty tower. Amph. That traitor Euxus!-Now let me resolve, And quickly too. Spar. The people are alarm'd, And gather to their tribes! Amph. Curst be their tribes! The deed is done already. Yet I have One pledge of value. Spar. Agesistrata Amph. This hour she dies. I've sent a trusty slave |