Ye G.o.ds!--

KING.

Away with him to instant death.

ARSACES.

Hear me, my Lord, O, not on this bright day, Let not this day of joy blush with his blood.

Nor count his steady loyalty a crime, But give him life, Arsaces humbly asks it, And may you e'er be serv'd with honest hearts.

KING.

Well, be it so; hence, bear him to his dungeon; Lysias, we here commit him to thy charge.

BETHAS.

Welcome my dungeon, but more welcome death.

Trust not too much, vain Monarch, to your pow'r, Know fortune places all her choicest gifts On ticklish heights, they shake with ev'ry breeze, And oft some rude wind hurls them to the ground.

Jove's thunder strikes the lofty palaces, While the low cottage, in humility, Securely stands, and sees the mighty ruin.

What King can boast, to-morrow as to-day, Thus, happy will I reign? The rising sun May view him seated on a splendid throne, And, setting, see him shake the servile chain.

[_Exit guarded._

SCENE VI.

KING, ARSACES, VARDANES, GOTARZES, PHRAATES.

GOTARZES.

Thus let me hail thee from the croud distinct, For in the exulting voice of gen'ral joy My fainter sounds were lost, believe me, Brother, My soul dilates with joy to see thee thus.

ARSACES.

Thus let me thank thee in this fond embrace.

VARDANES.

The next will be my turn, G.o.ds, I had rather Be circl'd in a venom'd serpent's fold.

GOTARZES.

O, my lov'd Brother, 'tis my humble boon, That, when the war next calls you to the field, I may attend you in the rage of battle.

By imitating thy heroic deeds, Perhaps, I may rise to some little worth, Beneath thy care I'll try my feeble wings, Till taught by thee to soar to n.o.bler heights.

KING.

Why, that's my boy, thy spirit speaks thy birth, No more I'll turn thee from the road to glory, To rust in slothfulness, with lazy Gownsmen.

GOTARZES.

Thanks, to my Sire, I'm now completely blest.

ARSACES.

But, I've another Brother, where's Vardanes?

KING.

Ha! what, methinks, he lurks behind the croud, And wears a gloom which suits not with the time.

VARDANES.

Doubt not my Love, tho' I lack eloquence, To dress my sentiments and catch the ear, Tho' plain my manners, and my language rude, My honest heart disdains to wear disguise.

Then think not I am slothful in the race, Or, that my Brother springs before my Love.

ARSACES.

Far be suspicion from me.

VARDANES.

So, 'tis done, Thanks to dissembling, all is well again.

KING.

Now let us forward, to the Temple go, And let, with chearful wine, the goblets flow; Let blink-ey'd Jollity his aid afford, To crown our triumph, round the festive board: But, let the wretch, whose soul can know a care, Far from our joys, to some lone shade repair, In secrecy, there let him e'er remain, Brood o'er his gloom, and still increase his pain.

_End of the First Act._

ACT II.

SCENE I. _A Prison._

LYSIAS [_alone_].

The Sun set frowning, and refreshing Eve Lost all its sweets, obscur'd in double gloom.

This night shall sleep be stranger to these eyes, Peace dwells not here, and slumber flies the shock; My spirits, like the elements, are warring, And mock the tempest with a kindred rage-- I, who can joy in nothing, but revenge, Know not those boasted ties of Love and Friendship; Vardanes I regard, but as he give me Some hopes of vengeance on the Prince Arsaces-- But, ha! he comes, wak'd by the angry storm, 'Tis to my wish, thus would I form designs, Horror should breed beneath the veil of horror, And darkness aid conspiracies--He's here--

SCENE II. _VARDANES and LYSIAS._

LYSIAS.

Welcome, my n.o.ble Prince.