Yet dared to offer me his savage hand,
Still reeking with the blood of half my race.
[Meeting Ægisthus, who enters with the axe in his hand.
But here behold Messene’s royal heir,
My only hope, your queen’s illustrious son,
Who conquered Poliphontes: see, my friends,
This good old man,
[Pointing to Narbas.
Who saved him from the tyrant,
And brought him here: the gods have done the rest.
narbas.
I call those gods to witness, ’tis your king;
He fought for them, and they protected him.
ægisthus.
O hear a mother pleading for her son,
And know me for your king! I have avenged
A father, I have conquered but for you.
mérope.
If still ye doubt, look on his glorious wounds:
Who, but the great descendant of Alcides,
Could save Messene thus, and scourge a tyrant?
He will support his subjects, and avenge
An injured people: hark! the voice of heaven
Confirms your choice, and speaks to you in thunder;
It cries aloud, “Ægisthus is my son.”
SCENE VIII.
mérope, ægisthus, ismenia, narbas, euricles, People.
euricles.
O madam, show yourself to the pleased people,
The king’s return has fixed their wavering minds,
And every heart is ours: the impatient crowd
Sheds tears of joy, and blesses your noble son:
Forever will they hold this glorious day
In sweet remembrance; ardently they long
To see their youthful sovereign, to behold
His faithful Narbas, and adore their queen:
The name of Poliphontes is detested;
Thine and the king’s the praise of every tongue.
O haste, enjoy thy victory and thy fame;
Enjoy a nobler prize, thy people’s love.
ægisthus.
To heaven ascribe the glory, not to me;
Thence comes our happiness, and thence our virtue:
While Mérope survives, I will not mount
Messene’s throne, my joy shall be to place
A mother there; and thou, my dearest Narbas,
Shall be my friend, my guide, my father still.
End of the Fifth and Last Act.
OLYMPIA
SCENE I.
SCENE I.
SCENE I.
SCENE I.
SCENE I.