He soon shall be no object of thy wrath. [Exit AMPHARES. Manent Euxus. Euxus. My brother seized! I hesitate no more. The voice of nature in my breast exclaims Which bind a soldier blindly to obey. Chief of Sparta! Enter LYSANDER. Lysan. Is Euxus yet resolved? Euxus. That thou shalt see, thy enemies are mine. Rhesus is taken. Lysan. My contagious fate Infects my friends! my brave, my generous Rhesus! Euxus. Friend of my brother! first I set thee free. An officer of mine commands that gate At which the Thracians enter'd; haste thee thither, Array'd like one of those whom I will send To guide thy steps. Lysan. Ye guardian gods of Greece! Whose ways mysterious rashly I arraign'd, Forgive my rashness! Prosper now my swordWhere are my arms? [Whilst LYSANDER speaks, EUXUS beckons one of his soldiers. Euxus. Here enter, and obey Without reply. [Exeunt LYSANDER and the Thracian to the tower. The soldiers' hearts are mine. Their various toils and perils I have shared, Enter a Spartan Messenger. Mess. Leader of Thracian bands! Amphares and the magistrates of Sparta, Euxus. I will attend them. [Exit Messenger. Surely they have learn'd, That I am brother to ill-fated Rhesus. Enter LYSANDER, in Thracian dress and arms. Lysan. Once more at liberty! Once more in arms! To thee, brave Thracian Euxus. I am summon'd hence To meet the Ephori. I fear, my lord, They have discover'd Rhesus is my brother. Lysan. That secret in your breast and his is lodged: Nor can his alter'd features now betray him. In early youth he left his native land; The heat of summer, and the winter's cold, In many a hard campaign, have chaced his bloom. Euxus. Indeed I knew him not. Lysan. Then who could know him? Calm and determined to the senate go: Here I'll remain, and wait your quick return. Perhaps I may be call'd before the senate! Euxus. Your reasons are of force. I am con vinced. Here, take my sword. My troops obey you. Then, if we are betray'd, Now, my bold Sithontes, [To one of his Thracians. Draw your battalion nearer to the square, [Exit Euxus. Lysan. Shall I obey the impulse of my heart, "Tis night, but never shall the morning rise Of great exploits by ardent valour done: But ne'er did fancy's tempest match the truth, O did I combat but for life alone, Were Sparta and Euanthe safe spectators, Enter EUXUS. Euxus. My fears are vain. The secret is unknown. But Rhesus is condemn'd to die to-morrow. Lysan. To-morrow! many men will die to-mor row, Who are not yet condemn'd. Euxus. 'Tis true, by heav'n! Mortal designs and enterprizes rise At midnight to surprise the royal band, Lysan. "Tis well! 'tis wondrous well They urge me now, and point the line of action. Under the high up-lifted arm of fate |