As now it does, just vengeance on its head, So thinks Evander, and so tell Timoleon. [Exit with MELAN. and PHIL. Euph. Ye guardian deities, watch all his ways! For the best gift his bounty could bestow, ACT V. SCENE I. guards, Their preparations for approaching night, A foe secure, and discipline relaxed. War, and its train of duties, all forgot. Dion. Their folly gives them to my sword; are all My orders issued? Cal. All. Dion. The troops retired, To gain recruited vigour from repose? Cal. The city round lies hushed in sleep. Let each brave officer, of chosen valour, In one prodigious ruin. Haste, Calippus, Evander dies this night: Euphrasia, too, Enter EUPHRASIA. Dion. Once more approach, and hear me; 'tis not now A crisis big with horror is at hand. I meant to spare the stream of blood, that soon Euph. The truce you have granted, Dion. And must I sue For terms of peace? To an invader sue? Euph. If yet there's wanting A crime to fill the measure of thy guilt, Dion. Woman, beware: Philotas is at hand, Euph. Ha! What new event? And is Philotas false? Has he betrayed him? [Aside. Dion. Evander's doom is sealed-What, ho! Dion. Now, then, thou feel'st my vengeance. Euph. Glory in it; Exult and triumph. The worst shaft is sped. Yet still the unconquered mind with scorn can view thee; With the calm sunshine of the breast can see This moment bear her hence; you know the rest. To freedom, victory, to glorious havoc, And the destruction of the Grecian name. [Exit. Euph. Accept my thanks, Philotas; generous man! These tears attest the emotions of my heart. Phil. Dispel thy fears; Phocion will bring relief; or should the tyrant Assault their camp, he'll meet a marshalled foe. Let me conduct thee to the silent tomb. Euph. Ah! there Evander, naked and disarmed, Defenceless quite, may meet some ruffian stroke. Phil. Lo! here's a weapon: bear this dagger to him. In the drear monument should hostile steps Euph. Ye pitying gods, protect my father SCENE II.-The Citadel. 1st Offi. What new event thus summons us together? Cal. 'Tis great occasion calls; Timoleon's ardour Comes rushing on; his works rise high in air, Advance each day, and tower above our walls. One brave exploit may free us-Lo! the king. Enter DIONYSIUS. Dion. Ye brave associates, who so oft have shared Our toil and danger in the field of glory, Your wives, your children, your invaded rights, From the invader's power, their native land. Cal. Lead to the onset; Greece shall find we bear Hearts prodigal of blood, when honour calls, Dion. Thus I've resolved: when the declining moon Hath veiled her orb, our silent march begins. Clad in their mailed cuirass, will circle round Ha! speak; unfold thy purpose. Offi. Instant arm; To arms, my liege; the foe breaks in upon us; The subterraneous path is theirs; that way Their band invades the city, sunk in sleep. Dion. Treason's at work; detested, treacherous villains! Is this their promised truce? Away, my friends, Dion. Here will I mock their siege; here stand And brave them to the last. Dion. Though all betray me, Cal. This way, my liege; our friends, a valiant For my revenge preserved! By Heaven 'tis well; band, Assemble here. SCENE III.—The Inside of the Temple. A Monument in the Middle. Enter EUPHRASIA, ERIXENE, and Female Euph. Which way, Erixene, which way, my virgins, Shall we direct our steps? What sacred altar Erix. Alas! the horrid tumult Spreads the destruction wide. On every side The victor's shouts, the groans of murdered wretches, In wild confusion rise. Once more descend Vengeance awaits thy guilt, and this good sword Thus sends thee to atone the bleeding victims, This night has massacred. Cal. [Holding DIONYSIUS's arm.] My liege, forbear; Her life preserved may plead your cause with Greece, And mitigate your fate. Dion. Presumptuous slave! My rage is up in arms; by Heaven she dies! Enter EVANDER from the Tomb. Evan. Horror! forbear! Thou murderer, hold thy hand! The gods behold thee, horrible assassin! hold him! May the fiends seize Philotas! Treacherous slave! 'Tis well thou liv❜st; thy death were poor revenge | My ever honoured sire, it gives thee life. From any hand but mine. [Offers to strike. Euph. No, tyrant, no ; [Rushing before EVAN. I have provoked your vengeance; through this bosom Open a passage; first on me, on me The purple tide will gush to glad thy sight. Dion. Amazement blasts and freezes every power! They shall not live. Ha! the fierce tide of war [A flourish of trumpets. This way comes rushing on. [Goes to the top of the stage. Euph. [Embracing EVAN.] Oh! thus, my father, We'll perish thus together. Dion. Bar the gates; Close every passage, and repel their force. Evan. And must I see thee bleed? Oh! for a sword! Bring, bring me daggers! Dion. [Advancing.] Guards, seize the slave, And give him to my rage. Evan. [Seized by the guards.] Oh! spare her, spare her! Inhuman villains! Euph. Now, one glorious effort! Dion. Let me dispatch; thou traitor, thus my arm Euph. A daughter's arm, fell monster, strikes the blow. [Stabs him. Yes, first she strikes; an injured daughter's arm Sends thee devoted to the infernal gods. [He falls. Dion. Detested fiend! Thus by a woman's hand! Euph. Yes, tyrant, yes; in a dear father's Evan. My child! my daughter! saved again [Embraces her. by thee! A flourish of Trumpets.-Enter PHOCION, ME- Pho. Now, let the monster yield. My best Euph. My lord! my Phocion! welcome to Lo! there the wonders of Euphrasia's arm! Pho. And is the proud one fallen! The dawn shall see him A spectacle for public view. Euphrasia ! Evan. To her direct thy looks; there fix thy And gaze with wonder there. The life I gave her, Oh, she has used it for the noblest ends! Pho. It has. To calm the uproar, and recall from carnage Euph. Oh! once again, my father, Phil. I am rewarded: feelings such as mine Are worth all dignities; my heart repays me. Evan. Come, let us seek Timoleon; to his care I will commend ye both: for now, alas! That men may hear her unexampled virtue, EPILOGUE. BY GARRICK. Passions burn, And bets are double! But jest apart, (for scandal forms these tales,) From slumbers pure no rattling dice can wake'em: Who make the laws, were never known to break 'em. 'Tis false, ye fair, whatever spleen may say, That you down folly's tide are borne away. You never wish at deep distress to sneer; For eyes, tho' bright, are brighter thro' a tear. Should it e'er be the nation's wretched fate, To laugh at all that's good and wise and great: Let Genius rouse, the friend of human kind, To break those spells which charm, and sink the mind: Let Comedy, with pointed ridicule, Pierce to the quick each knave and vicious fool: Drive from the heart each base, unmanly passion, |