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Alex. How fares

My love-Ha! neither answer me! all silent!
A sudden horror, like a bolt of ice,

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 ? What will none answer? my Hephestion silent! If thou hast any love for Alexander,

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)
That you, regardless of your vows, at Susa,
Had to Roxana's charms resign'd your heart,
And revell'd in the joys you once forswore.
Alex. I own the subtle sorceress in my riot,
My reason gone, seduc'd me to her bed,
But when I wak'd I shook the Circe off,
Tho' the enchantress held me by the arm,
And wept and gaz'd with all the force of love;
Nor griev'd I less for that which I had done
Than when at Thais' suit, enrag'd with wine,
I set the fam'd Persepolis on fire.

Heph. Your queen, Statira, in the rage of grief,
And agony of deperate love, has sworn

Never to see your majesty again.

Alex. Oh, madam! has she? has Statira sworn

Never to see her Alexander more?

Impossible! she could not, would not, swear it.
Is she not gentle as the guileless infant;

Mild as the genial breezes of the spring,
And softer than the melting sighs of love?

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. Put with that fierceness she resents her wrongs,
Dwells on your fault, and heightens the offence,
That I could wish your majesty forget her.

Alex. Ha! could you wish me to forget Statira!
The star which brightens Alexander's life,
His guide by day and goddess of his nights!
I feel her now, she beats in every pulse,
Throbs at my heart, and circles with my blood!

Sys. Have patience, son, and trust to Heaven and me; If my authority has any influence

I will exert it, and she shall be your's.

Alex. Haste, madam, haste, if you would have me live;

Fly, ere for ever she abjure the world,

And stop the sad procession: [Exit Sys. Jand Parisatis,
Hang thou about her, wash her feet with tears-

Nay haste; the breath of gods, and eloquence
Of angels go along with you.

Oh my heart!

[Exit Par.

Lys. Now let your majesty who feels the pangs Of disappointed love, reflect on mine.

Alex. Ha!

Clyt. What are you mad? is this a time to plead ! Lys. The properest time; he dares not now be partial, Lest Heaven in justice should avenge my wrongs, And double every pang which he feels now.

Alex. Why dost thou tempt me thus to thy undoing? Death thou should'st have were it not courted so: But know, to thy confusion, that my word, Like destiny, admits of no repeal; Therefore in chains shall thou behold the nuptials Of my Hephestion. Guards, take him prisoner.

[The Guards seize Lys,

Lys. Away, ye slaves! I'll not resign my sword, 'Till first I'ave drench'd it in my rival's blood.

Alex. I charge you kill him not; take him alive; The dignity of kings is now concern'd,

And I will find a way to tame this rebel.

Clyt. Kneel-for I see rage lightning in his eyes. Lys. I neither hope nor will I sue for pardon. Had I my sword and liberty again;

Again I would attempt his favourite's heart.

Alex. Hence from my sight, and bear him to a dungeon.

Perdiccas, give this lion to a lion :

None speak for him: fly; stop his mouth; away.

[Exeunt Lys. Per. and Guards.

Clyt. This comes of women-the result of love: 'Tis folly all, 't is frenzy and distraction;

Yet were I heated now with wine I doubt

I should be preaching in this fool's behalf.

Alex. Come hither, Clytus, and my friend Hephe

Lend me your arms:

I fear betwixt Statira's cruel vows

And fond Roxana's arts your king will fall.

Clyt. Better the race of women were destroy'd, And Persia sunk in everlasting ruin !

Heph. Look up,my lord, and bend not thus your head, As if you purpos'd to forsake the world,

Which you have greatly won.

Alex. Would I had not;

There's no true joy in such unwieldy fortune.

Eternal gazers lasting troubles make;

All find my spots, but few observe my brightness.
Stand from about me all, and give me air.

Yes, I will shake this Cupid from my soul,
I'll fright the feeble god with war's alarms,
Or drown his power in floods of hostile blood.
Grant me, great Mars! once more in arms to shine,
And break like lightning thro' th' embattled line;
Thro' fields of death to whirl the rapid car,
And blaze amidst the thunder of the war,
Resistless as the bolt that rends the grove;
Or greatly perish like the son of Jove.

ACT III. SCENE 1.

[Exeunt.

An open Court; Trumpets sounding a Dead March; LySIMACHUS led Prisoner; EUMENUS, PERDICCAS, PARISATIS, and Guards.

Parisatis.

STAY, my Lysimachus! a moment stay!

Oh, whither art thou going-hold a moment!

Unkind! thou know'st my life was wrapt in thine,

Why would'st thou then to worse than death expose me?
Lys. Oh, may'st thou live in joys without allay!
Grant it, ye gods! a better fortune waits thee;
Live and enjoy it 't is my dying wish,
While to the grave the lost Lysimachus
Alone retires, and bids the world adieu.

Par. Even in the grave will Parisatis join thee;
Yes, cruel man! nor death itself shall part us:
A mother's power, a sister's softening tears,
With all the fury of a tyrant's frown,

Shall not compel me to outlive thy loss.

Lys. Were I to live 'till nature's self decay'd
This wondrous waste of unexampled love
I never could repay-O Parisatis !

Thy charms might fire a coward into courage,
How must they act then on a soul like mine?
Defenceless and unarm'd I'll fight for thee,
And may perhaps compel th' astonish'd world,
And force the king to own that I deserve thee.
Eumenes, take the princess to thy charge.
Away Perdiccas, all my soul's on fire.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

The Palace. Enter ROXANA and CASSANDER. Rox. Deserted! said'st thou for a girl abandon'd I A puny girl, made up of watery elements ! Shall she embrace the god of my desires, And triumph in the heart Roxana claims ? E

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