I'll rush, and strike before their blow can fall. Euxus. Shall join you at the gate. The word? Lysan. Agis. Farewell!-Now I shall save thee, Agis, Or leave my blood upon the stones of Sparta. [Exeunt LYSANDER and EUXUS. ACT V. AMPHARES and the Ephori with the Officers, &c. The gate of the prison seen at a distance. 1. Epho. The hour is past. 2. Epho. I fear Amph. Silence. He comes. I hear the steps of wary treading feet. Enter a Spartan. AGIS following. Agis. This way conducts not to Amycla's gate. Ah! whither dost thou lead me? Amph. To thy death. The Ephori of Sparta have condemn'd thee. Agis. I am betray'd! What mockery is this Of sacred justice? Lay aside the robes And ensigns of authority prophaned : The pomp of magistracy suits not treason. Amph. The licence of thy tongue affronts the laws, Where awful rev'rence our high office bears. laws, The meanest citizen of Lacedæmon Without free trial cannot be condemn'd; Much less your king. What law have I transgress'd? Point out my crime; produce my bold accusers. Amph. Thy crime is tyranny. Agis. Is that my crime? Had Agis been a tyrant, thou had'st been His fawning slave, thou enemy of freedom! Agis. Who made you judges of the life of Agis? But you have judged yourselves, and earth, and heav'n, Know how unjustly. To the gods above, Amph. Proceeds this boldness from thy trust in him? Thy great avenger is, like thee, a captive, And under the same mortal sentence lies. Agis. Ye powers above! Lysander too a captive! Where was he taken ? Amyh. In the streets of Sparta, Clad in the servile garment of a Helot. Agis. Alas! alas! Lysander! O my friend! And, like the parent bird hov'ring too near Thy bad estate shall every day grow worse; Shall come upon thee; some ambitious foe And Shall be no more a nation! O my country, The Macedonian vulture hovers o'er thee, Soon to descend, and on thy vitals prey. Amph. Thou may'st delay, perhaps avoid, thy death. Send forth thy mandate to the royal band Agis. Ha! No more I trust thee, traitor. Would I had ever been I rather would have chose to die attempting Agis. Reason bids me die, As I have lived, unalter'd in my love To Sparta, and unconquer'd in my purpose. |