darkness, and to find One universal hollowness around. p. 48Forego, a little while, that bane of peace. Love may be cherished.

p. 48

Abd. ’Tis enough: I ask No other boon.

Muza. Not victory?

Abd. Farewell, O queen! I will deserve thee; why do tears Silently drop, and slowly, down thy veil? I shall return to worship thee, and soon; Why this affliction? O, that I alone Could raise or could repress it!

Egil. We depart, Nor interrupt your counsels, nor impede; O may they prosper, whatsoe’er they be, And perfidy soon meet its just reward! The infirm and peaceful Opas—whither gone?

Muza. Stay, daughter; not for counsel are we met, But to secure our arms from treachery, O’erthrow and stifle base conspiracies, Involve in his own toils our false allie—

p. 49Egil. Author of every woe I have endur’d! Ah sacrilegious man! he vowed to heaven None of his blood should ever mount the throne.

p. 49

Muza. Herein his vow indeed is ratified; Yet faithful ears have heard this offer made, And weighty was the conference that ensued And long—not dubious—for what mortal e’er Refus’d alliance with illustrious power? Tho’ some have given its enjoyments up, Tired and enfeebled by satiety. His friends and partisans, ’twas his pretence, Should pass uninterrupted; hence his camp Is open, every day, to enemies. You look around, O queen, as tho’ you fear’d Their entrance—Julian I pursue no more; You conquer him—return we; I bequeath Ruin, extermination, not reproach. How we may best attain your peace and will We must consider in some other place, Not, lady, in the midst of snares and wiles How to supplant your charms and seize your crown.

[He takes her hand.

p. 50I rescue it, fear not: yes, we retire.

p. 50

[She is reluctant to go with him.

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