Enter AGIS. Lysan. Regard, O king, the warnings of a friend Instructed in the counsels of thy foes. Behold the stedfast faith of Celimene. [Gives the Letter. Agis. I cannot think so basely of the people. The generous courser and the faithful dog Lysan. Humanity lives in thy breast, O king! And dictates confidence unlimited; Virtue approves the generous extreme, And magnanimity this error loves. Let private men indulge the glorious fault, But let severer prudence guard the heart Enter an Officer. Off. O king! the captain of Amycla's gate Off. On their march to Sardis. Lysan. By whose permission do they march this way? Off. Before the troops arrived, a herald came, Who to the Ephori a message bore. Agis. Your diligence in duty I commend. [Exit Officer. Lysan. The veil's withdrawn, and treason stands reveal'd. "Ne'er shall Amphares need again forgiveness." With what a double tongue the traitor spoke! All-seeing Gods! how little do we know The greatness of those blessings you confer. Agis. This victory came like the bolt of Jove, And levell'd their designs. Lysan. Yet, if they dare The worst of crimes, their treason may succeed. Your troops, your conquering troops, are not ar rived; The assembly meets; unguarded there you stand What keeps the traitors from your noble life? 1; Agis. My life, Lysander! No, I fear not that. The ancient annals of this land record, That barbarous foes revere the race divine, Lysan. The multitude may still revere their lord, Who from the blood of great Alcides springs ; And yet, some impious hand may strike the prince, Although of virtue as of race divine. Agis. I'll change the guards, and place at every gate Some men of trust. Lysan. Mount your Thessalian steed, And meet the troops that hasten to your aid. And wish for nothing but their king to lead them. Your foes to rise in arms, let arms decide. Ne'er were the good and bad winnow'd so well, Thy fears are all for me, mine for my people. Enter RHESUS. Hail, gallant Rhesus! know'st thou aught of those Thy countrymen, who thus unlook'd-for come, And in a doubtful hour perplex our councils? Rhe. The Thracians are a thousand men com plete. From snowy Hemus and the northern hills Of wild Odrysus the fierce warriors come. Agis. Such oft are those that quit a needy home To serve as hirelings in a tyrant's host. Rhe. Next in command, my brother Euxus stands, A youth to Mars devoted; for he loves Lysan. Hast thou yet seen him? Lysan. Has he yet heard That thou art here in Sparta? Rhe. He believes That I am still in Athens. From the herald I kept my name and quality conceal'd ; For I suspected that these Thracian troops, My valiant brother bears a generous mind, Agis. Haste to your valiant brother, and ex plain, With an impartial tongue, the state of Sparta. Lysan. Exert the strong persuasion of a brother ; |