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 Drawn by an artist who has vied with nature Eux. You shall without delay. [Exit Euxus. Manet AMPHARES. Let other men deprive themselves of pleasure, To persons and conditions once abhorr'd. 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. Ampk. 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, 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. Discourse and judge the captive. 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. Fear is the only principle of rule, Which man, like other animals, obeys. [Exit SANDANE. Manet AMPHARES. Amph. Why tarries Euxus now? I must applaud Enter Euxus. Thy countrymen for discipline and care, As well as valour; they have seiz'd a spy, Who mix'd with them, disguised in Thracian arms. Euxus. In Thracian arms! Amph. Yes, to pass to Agis. Some bold adventurer of the royal band, Whose life-Why art thou troubled? Has Lysander Escaped the guards? Euxus. No. I am pale with anger, At the reproachful terms, the bitter taunts, Which I have suffer'd from incensed Lysander, In execution of thy late commands, Amph. Is that the cause? [Gives the gorget. |