Alex. Oh, Clytus! oh, my noble veteran! "Twas, I remember, when I pass'd the Granicus, His arm preserv'd me from unequal force; When fierce Itanor and the bold Rhesaces, Fell both upon me with two mighty blows, And clove my temper'd helmet quite asunder; Then like a god flew Clytus to my aid, Thy thunder struck Rhesaces to the ground, And turn'd with ready vengeance on Itanor. Clyt. To your own deeds that victory you owe; And sure your arms did never boast a nobler. Alex. By Heav'n they never did; they never can; And I more glory to have pass'd that stream, Than to have drove a million o'er the plain. Can none remember, yes-I know all must, When glory, like the dazzling eagle, stood Perch'd on my beaver in the Granic flood, When fortune's self my standard trembling bore, And the pale fates stood frighted on the shore; When each immortal on the billows rode, And I myself appear'd the leading god! Enter ARISTANDER. Arist. Haste, first of Heroes, from this fatal place; Far, far from Babylon enjoy your triumph, Or all the glories which your youth has won Are blasted in their spring. Alex. What mean thy fears? And why that wild distraction on thy brow? sky. And frighted at the direful prodigies, To Orosmades for instruction flew ; But, as I prayed, deep echoing groans I heard, In prostrate rev'rence on the trembling floor, Thus spoke the god; The brightest glory of imperial man, The pride of nations, and the boast of fame; To sudden and irrevocable ruin. Alex. If Heaven ordains that Babylon must fall, Can I prevent th' immutable decree? Enter PERDICCAS. Per. O horror! horror! dreadful and portentous ! Alex. How now, Perdiccas! whence this exclamation ? Per. As Meleager and myself this morn Their talons clash'd, their beaks gave mighty blows, And showers of blood fell copious from their wounds! Alex. Tho' all the curtains of the sky were And the stars wink, young Ammon shall go on. Lys. Vouchsafe, dread sir! to hear my humble A prince entreats it, and, what's more, your kins man. Alex. A soldier asks it-that's the noblest claim. Humbly I beg the Princess Parisatis. Alex. Lysimachus-no more—it is not well My word, you know, is to Hephestion given; Or fetch the gore-dy'd standard from the foe, These I have done; for these were in my pow'r ; Nature revolts, and my whole soul rebels. Alex. It does, brave sir!-Now hear me, and be dumb; When by my order curst Calisthenes Was as a traitor doom'd to live in torments, :: Lys. I knew you partial ere I mov'd my suit Yet know it shakes not my determin'd purpose; While I have life and strength to wield a sword, I never will forego the glorious claim. Alex. Against my life! ha! traitor, was it so? 'Tis said that am I rash, of hasty humour; But I appeal to the immortal gods, If every petty, poor, provincial lord, Had temper like to mine! My slave, whom I love; The noble prince, I read it in his eyes, Would die a thousand deaths to serve his king, Lys. I meant, his minion there should feel my arm. Love claims his blood, nor shall he live to triumph Aler. I pardon thee, for my old Clytus' sake; Enter SYSIGAMBIS and PARISATIS. Alex. Oh, thou, the best of women, Sysigambis! Alex. To meet me thus was generously done: Clyt. Now who shall dare To tell him of the queen's vow? My love?-Ha! neither answer me! all silent i Shoots to my heart, and 'numbs the seat of life. Heph. I would relate it, but my courage fails me. Alex. Why stand you all as you were rooted here? с What! will none answer? my Hephestion silent! If ever I oblig'd thee by my care, When thro' the field of death my eye has watch'd thee, Resolve my doubts, and rescue me from madness. Heph. Your mourning queen has no disease but grief, Occasion'd by the jealous pangs of love: She heard, dread sir, (for what can 'scape a lover?) Heph. Your queen, Statira, in the rage of grief, Alex. Oh, madam! has she? has Statira sworn Never to see her Alexander more?. Par. With sorrow, sir, I heard the solemn vow; My mother heard it, and in vain adjur'd her, By every tender motive to recall it. Sys. But with that fierceness she resents her wrongs, Dwells on your fault, and heightens the offence, Aler. Ha! could you wish me to forget Statira! me; |