DEMETRIUS.

Then thou'lt wake distracted.-Trust me, brother! She gives her hand alone.

PERSEUS.

Nor need I more;

That hand's enough that brings a sceptre in it.
I scorn a prince who weds with meaner views.
Her duty's mine, and I conceive small pain
From your sweet error, that her love is yours.
I'm pleas'd such cordial thoughts of your own merit
Support you in distress,

DEMETRIUS.

Inhuman Perseus!

If pity dwells within the heart of man,
If due that pity to the last distress.
Pity a lover exquisitely pain'd;

A lover exquisitely pain'd by you.
Oh! in the name of all the gods, relent!
Give me my princess! give her to my throes!
Amidst a thousand you may chuse a Love;
The spacious earth contains but one for me.
But oh! I rave: Art thou not he, the man
Who drinks my groans like music at his ear?
And would as wine, as nectar, drink my blood?
Are all my hopes of mercy lodg'd in thee?
O rigid gods! and shall I then fall down!
Embrace thy feet, and bathe them with my tears?
Yes, I will drown thee with my tears, my blood,
So thou afford a human ear to pangs,
A brother's pangs, a brother's broken heart.

PERSEUS.

Pardon, Demetrius, but the princess calls,

And I am bound to go.

DEMETRIUS.

O stay. [Laying hold of him.

PERSEUS.

You tremble

DEMETRIUS.

The princess calls and you are bound to go?

PERSEUS.

E'en so.

DEMETRIUS.

What princess?

PERSEUS.

Mine.

DEMETRIUS.

'Tis false.

PERSEUS.

Unhand me.

DEMETRIUS.

What, see, talk, touch, nay taste her; like a bee
Draw honey from her wounded lip, while I

Am stung to death!

PERSEUS.

The triumph once was your's

DEMETRIUS.

Rip up my breast, or you shall never stir.
My heart may visit her! O! take it with you.
Have I not seen her, where she has not been?

Have I not clasp'd her shadow? Trod her steps?
Transported trod! as if they led to heav'n!

Each morn my life I lighted at her eye,

And ev'ry evening, at its close, expir'd—

PERSEUS.

[Bursts into tears.

Fie! thou'rt a Roman; can a Roman weep?

Sure Alexander's helmet can sustain

Far heavier strokes than these. For shame, Demetrius. E'en snatch up the next Sabin in thy way,

'Twill do as well.

DEMETRIUS.

By heav'n, you shall not stir. Long as I live, I stand a world between you, And keep you distant as the poles asunder.

[Going.

Who takes my love, in mercy takes my life;
Thy bloody pass cleave through thy brother's breast.
I beg, I challenge, I provoke my death.

[His hand upon his sword.

Enter KING and DYMAS.

PERSEUS.

You will not murder me?

DEMETRIUS.

Yes, you and all.

KING.

How like a tyger foaming o'er his prey!

PERSEUS.

Now, Sir, believe your eye, believe your ear,
And still believe me perjur'd, as this morning.

KING.

Heav'n's wrath's exhausted, there's no more to fear. My darling son found criminal in all.

DEMETRIUS.

That villain there to blast me! Yes I'll speak;
For what have I to fear, who feel the worst?
'Tis time the truth were known. That villain, Sir,
Has cleft my heart, and laughs to see it bleed;
But his confession shall redeem my fame,
And re-inthrone me in my princess' smile;
Or I'll return that false embrace he gave me,
And stab him in your sight.

Thro' respect 1 gave

I

A feign'd consent, which his black artifice

Has turn'd to my destruction. I refus'd

That slave's, that cursed slave's, that statesman's daughter,

And he pretends she was refus'd by him.

Hence, hence, this desolation. Nought I fear,
Tho' Nature groan her last. And shall he then
Escape and triumph?

KING.

Guards there! seize the prince!

The man you menace you shall learn to fear.

[He is seiz'd.

DYMAS.

Hold, Sir! not this for me! It is your son:
What is my life, tho' pour'd upon your feet?

Is this a son?

KING.

DEMETRIUS.

No, Sir; my crime's too great,
Which dares to vindicate a father's honour.
To catch the glories of a falling crown,
And save it from pollution. But I've done.
I die, unless my princess is restor❜d;

[Pointing to Dymas.

And if I die, by heav'n and earth, and hell!
His sordid blood shall mingle with the dust;
And see if thence 'twill mount into the throne.
O Sir! think of it! I'll expect my fate.

And thou shalt have it.

KING.

[Exit Dem.

DYMAS.

How, my Lord; in tears!

KING.

As if the gods came down in evidence!
How many sudden rays of proof concur
my conviction? Was ever equal boldness!
But 'tis no wonder from a brother king;

Το

[Produces the forg'd letter.

This king of Thrace-To-morrow he'll be king
Of Macedon.- -He therefore dies to-night.
PERSEUS. [Aside to Dymas.]

And yet I doubt it; for I know his fondness.