Alex. Rise, my Lysimachus; thy veins and mine From the same fountain have deriv'd their streams: Rise to my arms, and let thy king embrace thee. Is not that Clytus? Clyt. Your old faithful soldier. Alex. Clytus, thy hand-thy hand Lysimachus; Thus double arm'd methinks I stand tremendous as the Lybian god, Lys. When fame invites, and Alexander leads, Dangers and toils but animate the brave. Clyt. Perish the soldier inglorious and despis'd, Who starts from either when the king cries-On. Alex. Oh, Clytus! oh, my noble veteran ! 'Twas, I remember, when I pass'd the Granicus His arm preserv'd me from the 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 heaven 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 Granick 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? Arist. Haste, first of hero's, 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? To Orosmades for instructions flew ; But as I pray'd deep echoing groans I heard, And shrieks as of the damn'd that howl for sin : In prostrate rev'rence on the trembling floor, 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 degreet Enter PERDICCAS. Per. O horror! horror! dreadful and portentous ! Alex. How now Perdiccas ! whence this exclamation? Led forth the Persian horse to exercise, We heard a noise as of a rushing wind; Their talons clash'd, their beaks gave mighty blows, Love lifts his torch to light me on my way, And her bright eyes create another day. Lys. Vouchsafe, dread sir ! to hear my humble suit; A prince entreats it. Alex. A soldier asks it-that the noblest claim. Humbly I beg the Princess Parasitas. Alex. Lysimachus, no more-it is not wellMy word, you know, was to Hephestion given: How dare you then Lys. At your command to scale th' embattled wall, Or fetch the gore-dy'd standard from the foe, When has Hephestion flown with warmer zeal ? When did he leave Lysimachus behind? ese I have done, for these were in my power; But when you charge me to renounce my love, 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, Your pity sped him in despite of me; Lys. I knew you partial ere I mov❜d my suit Alex. Against my life! ha! traitor, was it so ? 'Tis said that I am 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 Would die a thousand deaths to serve his king, And justify his loyalty and truth. Lys. I meant his minion there should feel my arm : Love claims his blood, nor shall he live to triumph In that destruction that awaits his rival. Alex. I pardon thee for my old Clytus' sake; Shail be delight to what thou shalt endure. 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? |