SCENE V.

THE PYRAMIDS-The various tribes of Egypt assembled round them. In the centre

of the multitudes rises the pediment of an unfinished Pyramid, now made the
Altar of Federation; a fire is kindled on it: Prometheus, clad in white robes, as
Hierophant, stands before it; Amasis beside him. In the foreground, groupes of
Memphians, Nubians, and Ethiopians, are gathered together.

NUBIAN.

Now, Seged! what think'st thou of this?

SEGED.

I walk

Like one in dreams, save that I see the things
Before me which I never dared to hope.

PHOENICIAN.

How glorious of the citizens, to rise

Even to a man!

NUBIAN.

Ay, and shake off the yoke

That fretted them to madness, with a calm,
Yet stern decision: more like men fulfilling
A duty, than exacting retribution.

SEGED.

When they felt freemen they were so; though chained,
Their natures were the same: from hence their calm,
Deliberate valour, feeling well and deeply

Their great and solemn duties held in view.
Had they been slaves by nature, or from will,
They would have seized those moments to plunge in
Wildest excess; for when the soul's debased,
The senses are embruted with it, blind,
From having lost their guide.

EGYPTIAN.

Yea, great is Egypt

On this eventful day!

PHOENICIAN.

Behold the man

Who kindled up the fire in their hearts!
He mounts the basement of the Pyramid.

SEGED.

What nobler throne has Freedom than when reared
Upon the wrecks of despotism!

EGYPTIAN.

Yea, great

Is Mœris' son! in venerating him
We catch the spirit of his inspirations.

SEGED.

We all would be as he but cannot he
Is our ideal; looking on him we feel

Our hero-worship natural to man,

To bow to something loftier than himself:
Godlike, and yet below divinity,

While understood: in reverencing him
We pay a homage to ourselves; we feel
Our natures not remotely are allied.

He is the heavenward lightning; we, the fuel,
Wanting the living flame within ourselves.

BABYLONIAN.

But I see not the priesthood.

SEGED.

Rest content;

The holy men would scarcely ratify

The sacrifice of their best hopes upon

Yonder pure altar. They are hid beneath it, Shrouded, mole-like, within their caverned holes, Plotting how best they may secure themselves, And clog our paths yet.

NUBIAN.

May the gods forbid!

EGYPTIAN.

Behold the vast and infinite assemblage,

From the low Pyramid, extending far

As eye can reach; the trees and gilded spires, And towers far round, are covered with quick life And expectation.

SEGED.

Yea, a solemn sight!

What countless hosts of jarring creeds and natures