Was pointed. If he fell not on the spot, fate. prove. Command my troops, that in the Forum watch, To join Rhinalces. I myself will follow. [Exit Messenger. Enter EUANTHE. How beautiful she is! Should he survive, [The Gate of the Prison opens, and AMPHARES' Slave advances. Eternal powers! why yawn yon dreadful gates? But I will not reproach thee, nor complain Once more I follow where Lysander leads, Where murder and Amphares cannot come To part us more. [She runs towards the Dungeon. AM PHARES seizes her. Amph. Some other season choose. There is no leisure now for lamentation. There with the horsemen wait. Enter Messenger. Mess. My lord, my lord, The royal band by Thracian Euxus led [Shout. Amph. My enemy prevails.-This way with me. My steps pursue, or by the Gods of Hell !— Euan. I will not leave this place. Draw forth [Shout from the other side, "Agis and Liberty!" Amph. I am encompast; yet I'll mar their triumph. [Runs at EUANTHE with his sword. Enter LYSANDER, followed by RHESUS. Lysan. Infernal dog, turn and behold Lysander! Fly, Rhesus, to the king. Traitor accurst! [Exit RHESUS. Down, down, to Tartarus; there, villain, howl. [AMPHARES falls. Euan. Amazing powers! alive! victorious! oh! Lysan. And have I come to save thee, O Euanthe! But oh! I fear I come too late for Agis, The dungeon-mouth is open. Tell me, Rhesus. Enter RHESUS. Rhe. The king is murder'd, in yon vault he lies. Lysan. My prince! my friend! thy goodness, and thy virtue, Thy clemency, thy mildness, have undone thee! Amph. He who preferr'd Lysander to Amphares, Has paid me with his life. My dying hand plagues Shall rise to curse you, as Lysan. Thy soul is curst. There the fell spirit of Amphares fled [Dies. Amidst the wailing ghosts, still curse thy country, And end a speech the damn'd will hate to hear. Behold the mother of our murder'd king. Enter AGESISTRATA and Euxus. Ages. Alas! I need not ask the fate of Agis: Your looks, your silence say, I have no son! Yet speak to me, for I can hear the worst, I have been long familiar with affliction; I am the widow of the sire of Agis. Lysan. There lies the bloody author of his death, Slain by my hand. Ages. Alas, alas! my son! Oft has my anxious mind this hour foreseen, And warn'd thee oft. But thou the danger scorn'd, When Sparta's glory was the price of peril. He fell; and conscious virtue crown'd his fall. Lysan. Sandane dead! Euxus. And dreadful was her death. She fled, for refuge from the people's rage, To the same turret where Amphares' troops Guarded the queen, whose mantle on the ground She spied, and wrapt it round her wretched head; When suddenly a stern assassin came And stabb'd her, as that queen whose robe she -wore. Arriving then, I heard her shriek for help, It was no wonder that she fear'd to die. Ages. O guilt! thou'rt worst of all; he knew thee not For whom I mourn. Untimely was his fate; |