My lord, your brother doubts, if I am sincere, I will break my vow to you. You will clear my fame, And labour to convince him, that to-morrow In things impossible I put my trust: 'Tis as if poison were our only food, Dem. Because I am dead; quite dead Strange is my conduct! Stranger my distress: Beyond example both! Whoe'er before me Pressed his worst foe to prove his truest friend? But though thou art not my brother, thou art a man; And, if a man, compassionate the worst That man can feel; though found that worst in me. Per. What would'st? In tenderest returns of love divine, Per. If I am deceived, I am pleased with the deceit. How my heart dances in the golden dream! Per. Nor need I more; merit Support you in distress. Dem. Inhuman Perseus! If pity dwells within the heart of man, A brother's pangs, a brother's broken heart! Dem. What, see, talk, touch, nay, taste her like a bee, Draw honey from her wounded lip, while I Per. The triumph once was your's. Dem. Rip up my breast, or you shall never stir. My heart may visit her! Oh, take it with you! [Bursts into tears. Per. Fie! thou art 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 Sabine in thy way, 'Twill do as well. [Going. Dem. By Heaven you shall not stir. Long as I live, I stand a world between you, And keep you distant as the poles asunder. Who takes my love, in mercy take 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. Per. You will not murder me? ears, And still believe me perjured as this morning. King. Heaven's wrath's exhausted, there's no more to fear. My darling son found criminal in all ! Dem. That villain there to blast me! Yes, I'll speak; For what have I to fear, who feel the worst? Has cleft my heart, and laughs to see it bleed: King. Hold, insolent! That has undone me. Through respect I gave That slave's, that cursed slave's, that statesman's daughter, And he pretends she was refused to me. then Escape and triumph? King. Guards there! Seize the prince! [He is seized. The man you menace you shall learn to fear. Dym. Hold, sir! not this for me! It is your son: What is my life, though poured upon your feet? Dem. No, sir; my crime's too great, [Pointing to Dymas, King. As if the gods came down in evidence, How many sudden rays of proof concur To my conviction? Was ever equal boldness? But 'tis no wonder from a brother king; [Produces the forged letter. This king of Thrace-To-morrow he'll be king Of Macedon- -He therefore dies to-night. Per. And yet I doubt it, for I know his fond That seeks your crown and life. He'll only take your crown; you still may live. King. Heaven blast thee for that thought! Per. Why shakes my father? King. It stabs, it gnaws, it harrows up my Is he not young? Was he not much indulged? Per. Nor strange; the task is hard. Dym. Yet scarce for him. Brutus was but a [Speaking, as if he would not have the king Yet, like a Philip dared, and is immortal. King. I hear thee, Dyinas; give me then the mandate. [Going to sign, he stops short. Dym. No wonder if his mother thus had paused. Per. Rank cankers on thy tongue! Why mention her? Aside. King. Oh, gods! I see her now: what am I doing! [Throws away the style. I see her dying eye let fall a tear In favour of Demetrius. Shall I stab Her lovely image, stampt on every feature? Dym. His soul escaped it, sir. King. Thou liest; begone. [Perseus and Dymas in great confusion-Perseus whispers Dymas. Dym. True; that, or nought, will touch him. [Aside to Perseus. [To the king. If, sir, your mercy- King. Yes, if thou'rt silent-What if I should spare him? Dym. Why, if you would, proud Rome would thank you for it. King. Rome! Her applause more shocks me than his death. O, thou, Death's orator! Dread advocate My trembling hand, as thou hast steeled my heart; [The King, going out, meets Demetrius in mourning, introduced by Antigonus. He starts back, and drops on Dymas. Recovering, speaks.] King. This, Fate, is thy tenth wave, and quite It less had shocked me, had I met his ghost." [Perseus and Pericles whisper aside. Peri. I can't but fear it. Per. I grant the danger great, yet don't despair. Jove is against thee, Perseus on thy side. Ant. The prince, dread sir, low on his bended knee King. This way, Antigonus. Dost mark his bloom? Grace in his aspect, grandeur in his mien ? King. 'Tis false; take a king's word. He's dead. That darling of my soul would stab me sleeping. How dar'st thou start? Art thou the traitor's father? If thou art pale, what is enough for me? Death pays his debt to justice, and that done, [Aside. King. Poor boy, be not deceived by my compassion; My tears are cruel, and I groan thy death. Dem. And am I then to die? If death's de creed, Stab me yourself, nor give me to the knife King. Father! there's no father here. Dem. My father! guardian! friend! nay, deity! What less than gods give being, life, and death! My dying mother King. Hold thy peace, I charge thee. Dem. Pressing your hand, and bathing it with Clasping your knees, though banished from your | He, he, who dooms thee, bleeds upon thy tomb. breast. King. My knees! Would that were all! he grasps my heart! Perseus, canst thou stand by, and see me ruined? Dem. Who once before preserved it from the And who, at Thrasymene, turned the lifted bolt King. I'll hear no more. O Perseus! Dymas! Pericles! assist me, Dem. In spite of lightning I renew the tie ; Still of a piece with him, from whom I grew, In this embrace, and thus my treason crown. me, From the cursed eagle's talons wrench my And this barbed arrow from my breast.-'Tis Per. While treason licks the dust. [Erit. At horrid parricide, and flagrant treason, The Gods and Perseus war with nought but guilt. Dem. Without that token of a brother's love Like that poor wretch is thy unhappy doom, [Pointing at Demetrius, fullen in the struggle. And a pale corse extended by his side: Dym. A field well fought. Per. And justice has prevailed. He views with horror what mad dreams have done, King. O, that the traitor could conceal the son! And sinks, heart-broken, on a murdered son. Farewell, once best beloved! still more deplored! [Exeunt. Bid Dymas' daughter weep. I half forgot [Exeunt Erixene and Delia. Scene draws, and shews DEMETRIUS in prison. Dem. Thou subterranean sepulchre of peace! Resound the ceaseless groans of pale despair! Enter ERIXENE, DEMETRIUS gazing at her. Erix. I knew not my own heart. I cannot bear it. Shame chides me back; for, to insult his woes Is too severe; and to condole, too kind. [Going. Dem. Thus, I arrest you in the name of mercy, | | And dare compel your stay. Is then one look, Erix. Demetrius, you persist to do me wrong; For, know, though I behold thee as thou art, Doubly a traitor, to the state and me, Thy sorrow, thy distress, have touched my bosom: I own it is a fault-1 pity thee. Enter OFFICER. Offi. My lord, your time is short, and death waits for you. Erix. Death!-I forgive thee from my inmost soul. Dem. Forgive me? Oh! thou need'st not to forgive, If imposition had not struck thee blind. Erir. And I am come a secret to disclose, That might awake thee, wert thou dead already! Offi. My lord, your final moment is expired. Dem. and Erix. One, one short moment more! Dem. No; death lets fall The curtain, and divides our love for ever! [Demetrius is forced out. Erir. Oh, I've a darker dungeon in my soul, Nor want an executioner to kill me. What revolutions in the human heart Will pity cause! What horrid deeds revenge! SCENE III. [Exit. |