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Feel they are sunk, and what they might have been,
Had they obeyed the loftier impulses

Of their high nature. Mayst thou hear that voice,
And be a wiser, better man-farewell!

Go thou thy way of life as I go mine.

(Amasis descends; the crowd everywhere make way
for him, in silence.)

My countrymen! the work is done, and great
Hath been your self-endurance; yea, sublime.

Lo! how that man doth pass through ye, unharmed,
Among the crowds, who part from him like waters,
Closing again behind: with myriads round,
He walks alone his solitary way!

One universal feeling rules through all:
Ye are allied, and joined in harmony,
As is the world around ye, by the same
Great quickening soul, and principle of love!
Ye have not stained the wreath of Liberty
With human blood,—yet the great work is done,
And by the gods and your own hearts approved:
Your measure of content is full. Farewell!
Peacefully to my home I now return,

As ye to yours; to dwell upon the past,

And thank the gods on our domestic hearths.

THE PEOPLE (pressing round him, with acclamation).

Yoke him a car-let him not touch the earth!
Bear him to Memphis in triumphant march.

PROMETHEUS.

The work is done for which I entered Memphis:
She is free; let none disturb her peace again!

Have ye forgot your oaths?-doth it become
Free men to bear the yoke? No! let us not
Assume the badge of slavery in sport:
Oh! let not holy Liberty forget

Her decencies, although in triumph! Lead me,
My fellow-countrymen, on to the Nile;

Then take ye my last blessing, while I go
Peacefully to my peaceful solitude.

(The multitudes form in procession with Prometheus, crowning him with flowers, and singing triumphant hymns-Memphians, Ethiopians, &c., remaining behind in groupes.)

NUBIAN.

He goes-and with a step as self-possessed,

As if the solid world were but as dust

Beneath his feet; and men and kings the toys
Of his capricious will.

MEMPHIAN.

He must descend

To suffrage like the rest-his own decree;

Would all were mine-or death or banishment!

EGYPTIAN.

And mine!

VARIOUS VOICES.

And all!

SEGED.

Why wouldst thou banish him?

NUBIAN.

And who art thou who look'st on us as if

SEGED.

I saw your natures through-'tis even so.
I waited but to see if the old leaven,
Ingratitude-the life-pulse of our nature—
Was manifest here: the viper's slimy trail
Sullying the track of virtue: the dull cloud
Dimming the transient glory! Yet, I ask ye,
Why would ye banish him?

NUBIAN.

Because he is

Too great-too good: he makes us feel we are
Inferior in our natures; so we hate him.

SEGED.

'Tis just 'tis ever so: thus hath it been,
And shall be-man must work with imperfection;
If he be perfect, who can comprehend him?
So must he ever stand alone in power,
Envy, mistrust, and hate-his ministers.
Ye do but act your parts; ye are but baser
Than those who follow but his sun-like fortune,
Not him if but a check o'ercross his path,
The meanest of ye is more strong than he.
Plot on-I leave ye-act up to your natures!

MEMPHIAN.

'Tis the grey Seged-he is soured with time. And disappointment: heed not-let him pass.

NUBIANS, ETC.

Long life to Amasis, and to the priesthood!

(Exeunt.)

SCENE VI.

"I have touched the highest point of all my greatness;

And from that full meridian of my glory

I haste now to my setting. I shall fall

Like a bright exhalation in the evening,

And no man see me more."

"Oh let not Virtue seek

Remuneration for the thing it was."

SHAKESPEARE.

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