That I forsook my country and my friends.
They would have forced me to a loathed bed,
And torn me from the noblest of mankind.
If he should fall! my love! my only love!
Shall I survive thee; and return to Athens,
Be humbled there before my haughty kindred,
And hear them blame the ashes of Lysander?
Forbid it, fearless love! forbid it, shame!
Forbid it, honour, and my nature's pride!
Death shall forbid it, for I dare to die.

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:
"With all the speed of men to Sparta haste,
Chastise bold treason, and defend your king."
He said; and call'd to me. With a few horse
I follow'd him: And when he sought the king,
By his command to you I brought these tidings.
Euan. Most welcome, Rhesus. But has Sparta
lost

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
Lament old men, who drink the bitter dregs
Of life and woe, and in decrepit age

(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. They are Thracians, lady.
Euan. What seek they here?

Rhe. I will accost the herald,

And learn his business.

Euan. To the palace, Rhesus,

go

the willing messenger of joy.
This victory will free the anxious queen
From many fears. I pray thee do not tarry,
But come and tell me what yon herald bears,
And what affairs still occupy the senate.

Rhe. Depend on the unwearied zeal of Rhesus. [Exit RHESUS.

Manet EUANTHE.

Agis and Sparta, and the public cares,
Detain Lysander from my longing eyes.
I see the happy change of my condition,

And share the triumphs of the man I love;
But yet, the slightest circumstance creates
New fears to me. Why lingers thus Lysander!
My mind is not at rest; the winds are hush'd,
But still my bosom quivers from the storm.

[Exit EUANTHE.

NIVERSITY
Library.

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.
The Gods have blest me to my utmost wish,

And brought me full of glory to Euanthe.

Euan. Thanks to the Gods who have preserved

Lysander!

Athenian Pallas sure has heard my prayers.