That I forsook my country and my friends. Enter RHESUS. Euan. Rhesus, great Gods! Oh say, how fares Lysander? Rhe. As well as glorious victory can make him. Euan. Forgive my rash despair, my thanks accept, Ye gracious powers who guard his daring breast! Where is he now? Rhe. With Agis in the senate. Euan. Already here? Blest be the Gods of Greece! Rhe. Soon as the trumpet from pursuit recall'd Our conquering Spartans, in the field arrived 6 A weary messenger, by Agis sent; Lysander straight bespoke the royal band: None of her noble youth? Rhe. No man of note Fell in the field but one, whose loss you'll mourn, Lysander's friend, Athenian Polydorus. Euan. Alas! alas! my joy is mix'd with woe Unhappy youth! on my ill-omen'd head The blame of thy untimely death will fall. Conducting me, thou camest to distant Sparta. Fatal the honours Sparta's king bestow'd Upon the generous guardian of Euanthe. Rhe. Lady, the people of my native land, The warlike Thracians, hold it vain to mourn For men who fall in battle; such they deem The favourites of Mars, our country's God. Those they bewail who die by dire disease, VOL. I. Of youth and vigour full. But most of all (Extremity of dotage) wish to live. Euan. Who are these men who near the temple stand? Uncouth to me their garb, and strange their arms. Rhe. I will accost the herald, And learn his business. Euan. To the palace, Rhesus, go the willing messenger of joy. Rhe. Depend on the unwearied zeal of Rhesus. [Exit RHESUS. Manet EUANTHE. Agis and Sparta, and the public cares, And share the triumphs of the man I love; [Exit EUANTHE. NIVERSITY Of California ACT II. SCENE,-A Court, &c. as before. Euan. Their tedious council now is at an end, And surely he will hasten to Euanthe. What means this clamour? [Shout of the People behind the Scenes. Ha! he comes, he comes! Loud acclamations and the voice of joy Proclaim the hero. Enter LYSANDER. Lysan. O my life! my love! To meet thee here is happiness complete. And brought me full of glory to Euanthe. Euan. Thanks to the Gods who have preserved Lysander! Athenian Pallas sure has heard my prayers. |