She and her darling son within my power;
His life a forfeit to the Greeks: Yet I
Preserve her son; would take her to my throne;
Would fight her battles, and avenge her wrongs;
And all this while she treats me as her foe!

Phan. You have it in your power to be reveng❜d.
Pyr. Yes:-and I'll shew my power! I'll give her

cause

To hate me! her Astyanax shall die.

What tears will then be shed! How will she then,
In bitterness of heart, reproach my name!
Then, to compleat her woes, will I espouse
Hermione:-'Twill stab her to the heart!

Phan. Alas, you threaten like a lover still! Pyr. Phoenix, excuse this struggle of my soul: 'Tis the last effort of expiring love.

Phan. Then hasten, sir, to see the Spartan princess; And turn the bent of your desires on her.

Pyr. Oh! 'tis a heavy task to conquer love. And wean the soul from her accustom'd fondness. But, come :-A long farewell to Hector's widow. 'Tis with a secret pleasure I look back, And see the many dangers I have pass'd. The merchant thus, in dreadful tempests tost, Thrown by the waves on some unlook'd-for coast, Oft turns, and sees, with a delighted eye, Midst rocks and shelves the broken billows fly! And while the outrageous winds the deep deform, Smiles on the tumult, and enjoys the storm. [Exeunt.

ACT III. SCENE 1.

PYLADES and ORESTES.

Pylades.

FOR Heav'n's sake, sir, compose your ruffled mind!

And moderate your rage!

Orest. No, Pylades!

This is no time for counsel.

-I am deaf.

Talk not of reason! I have been too patient.

Life is not worth my care. My soul grows desperate. I'll bear her off, or perish in the attempt.

I'll force her from his arms:-By Heav'n I will! Pyl. Well, 'tis agreed, my friend :-We'll force her hence,

But still consider, we are in Epirus.

The court, the guards, Hermioņe herself,
The very air we breathe, belongs to Pyrrhus.

Good gods! what tempted you to seek her here?
Orest. Lost to myself, I knew not what I did!
My purposes were wild. Perhaps I came
To menace Pyrrhus, and upbraid the woman.

Pyl. This violence of temper may prove fatal. Orest. It must be more than man to bear these shocks, These outrages of fate, with temper!

He tells me, that he weds Hermione ;

And will to-morrow take her from my hand!

My hand shall sooner tear the tyrant's heart.

Pyl. Your passion blinds you, sir; he's not too

blame.

Could you but look into the soul of Pyrrhus,
Perhaps you'd find it tortur'd, like your own.
Orest. No, Pylades! 'Tis all design-His pride,
To triumph over me, has chang'd his love.
The fair Hermione, before I came,

In all her bloom of beauty, was neglected.
Ah, cruel gods! I thought her all my own!
She was consenting to return to Sparta :
Her heart, divided betwixt rage and love,
Was on the wing to take its leave of Pyrrhus.
She heard my sighs; she pitied my complaints;
She prais'd my constancy ;- -The least indifference
From this proud king, had made Orestes happy.
Pyl. So your fond heart believes !

"Orest. Did I not see

"Her hate, her rage, her indignation rise

"Against the ungrateful man?

"Pyl. Believe me, prince,

"'Twas then she lov'd him most! Had Pyrrhus left

her,

"She would have form'd some new pretext to stay." Take my advice :-Think not to force her hence; But fly yourself from her destructive charms. Her soul is link'd to Pyrrhus: "Were she yours, "She would reproach you still, and still regret "Her disappointed nuptials.

Orest. Talk no more!

I cannot bear the thought! She must be mine!

Did Pyrrhus carry thunder in his hand,

I'd stand the bolt, and challenge all his fury,
Ere I resign'd Hermione. -By force

I'll snatch her hence, and bear her to my ships;
Have we forgot her mother Helen's rape?

Pyl. Will then Orestes turn a ravisher!

And blot his embassy?

Orest. Oh, Pylades!

My grief weighs heavy on me :-'Twill distract me! "O leave me to myself!—Let not thy friendship "Involve thee in my woes. Too long already, "Too long hast thou been punish'd for my crimes. “It is enough, my friend !—It is enough! "Let not thy generous love betray thee farther:" The gods have set me as their mark, to empty Their quivers on me.-Leave me to myself. Mine be the danger; mine the enterprize. All I request of thee is, to return, And in my place convey Astyanax (As Pyrrhus has consented) into Greece. Go, Pylades

Pyl. Lead on, my friend, lead on! Let us bear off Hermione! No toil,

No danger can deter a friend :-Lead on!

Draw up the Greeks; summon your num'rous train :
The ships are ready and the wind sits fair ;
There eastward lies the sea; the rolling waves
Break on those palace-stairs. I know each pass,
Each avenue and outlet of the court.

This very night we'll carry her on board.

Orest. Thou art too good!I trespass on thy

friendship,

But, Oh! excuse a wretch, whom no man pities,
Except thyself: one just about to lose

The treasure of his soul: "whom all mankind
"Conspire to hate, and one who hates himself.”
When will my friendship be of use to thee?

Pyl. The question is unkind.—But now remember To keep your counsels close, and hide your thoughts; Let not Hermione suspect-No more

I see her coming, sir

Orest. Away, my friend;

I am advis'd; my all depends upon it. [Ex. Pylades.

Enter HERMIONE and CLEone.

Orest. Madam, your orders are obey'd; I have seen Pyrrhus, my rival; and have gain'd him for you. The king resolves to wed you.

Her. So I am told:

And farther, I'm inform'd that you, Orestes, Are to dispose me for the intended marriage. Orest. And are you, madam, willing to comply? "Her. Could I imagine Pyrrhus lov'd me still? "After so long delays, who would have thought "His hidden flames would shew themselves at last, "And kindle in his breast, when mine expir'd? "I can suppose, with you, he fears the Greeks; "That it is interest, and not love, directs him; "And that my eyes had greater power o'er you.

"Orest. No, princess, no! Itis too plain he loves you.