Here our very life doth leave us, Seeing with what awful force Stalks along this mighty lion Trampling all that stops his course.

NISIDA.

Whither shall we fly for shelter?

CYNTHIA.

O Diana, we implore Help from thee! But stranger still!-- Him who doth appal us so, The wild monarch of the mountain See! a woman calm and slow Follows.

NISIDA.

O astounding sight!

CYNTHIA.

'T is Daria.

NISIDA.

I was told She had been consigned to prison: Yes, 't is she: on, on they go Through the forest.

CYNTHIA.

Till the mountain Hides them, and we see no more.

(Enter Escarpin.)

ESCARPIN.

All Rome is full of wonder and dismay.[16]

NISIDA.

What has occurred?

CYNTHIA.

Oh! what has happened, say?

ESCARPIN.

Chrysanthus, being immured By his stern sire, a thousand ills endured.

Daria too, the same, But in a house my tongue declines to name.

It pleased the G.o.d they both adore Both to their freedom strangely to restore, And from their many pains To free them, and to break their galling chains, Giving Daria, as attendant squire, A roaring lion, rolling eyes of fire:-- In fine the two have fled, But each apart by separate instinct led To this wild mountain near.

Numeria.n.u.s coming then to hear Of the event, a.s.suming in his wrath, That 't was Polemius who had oped the path Of freedom for his son and for the maid, Has not an hour delayed, But follows them with such a numerous band, That, see, his squadrons cover all the land.

VOICES (within).

Scour the whole plain.

OTHERS (within).

Descend into the vale.

OTHERS (within).

Pierce the thick wood.

OTHERS (within).

The rugged mountain scale.

ESCARPIN.

This noise, these cries, confirm what I have said: And since by curiosity I 'm led To sift the matter to the bottom, I Will follow with the rest.

CYNTHIA.

I almost die With fear at the alarm, and yet so great Is my desire to know Daria's fate, And that of young Chrysanthus, that I too Will follow, if a woman so may do.

ESCARPIN.

What strange results such strange events produce!

The very wonder serves as an excuse.

NISIDA.

Well, we must only hope that it is so.

Come, Cynthia, let us follow her.

CYNTHIA.

Let us go.

ESCARPIN.

And I with love most fervent, Ladies, will be your very humble servant. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.--A wilder part of the wood near the cave.

(Enter DARIA guided by the lion.)

DARIA.

O mighty lion, whither am I led?

Where wouldst thou guide me with thy stately tread, That seems to walk not on the earth, but air?

But lo! he has entered there Where yonder cave its yawning mouth lays bare,

[The lion enters a cave.]

Leaving me here alone.

But now fate clears, and all will soon be known; For if I read aright The signs this desert gives unto my sight, It is the very place whence echo gave Responsive music from this mystic cave.

Terror and wonder both my senses scare, Ah! whither shall I go?

CHRYSANTHUS (within).

Daria fair!

DARIA.

Who calls my hapless name?

Each leaf that moves doth thrill this wretched frame With boding and with dread.

But why say wretched? I had better said Thrice bless'ed: O great G.o.d whom I adore, Baptize me in those tears that I outpour, In no more fitting form can I declare My faith and hope in thee.

CHRYSANTHUS (within).

Daria fair.

DARIA.

Who calls my name? who wakes those wild alarms?