And vie for preference with devils themselves.
This way, my Prince, let us attempt. [Exeunt and return.

AMESTRIS re-enters.

Mem. We must return, we cannot pass that way.

Am. The doors are guarded, fate has clos'd me

round.

Arta. Ha! art thou my Amestris ?

Mem. Oh, my daughter!

[They run to her.

Am. Are ye then come at last to bless my eyes, Which could not close without one parting view ? Oh, hold me, or I sink.

Mem. Alas! my child!

Arta. My cruel fears! why art thou pale and faint? Ha! whence this blood? Oh! killing spectacle !

Am. Forth from my heart the crimson river flows, My lavish heart, that hastily consumes

Its small remain of life. Oh, lay me gently
On my last bed the earth, whose cold hard bosom

Must shortly be the place of my long rest.

Mem. What have we done? or, Oh! if we have sinned,

What has thy innocence done to merit this!

Am. That villain Mirza

Mem. Ha!" say, what of him ?”

Am. Offer'd most brutal outrage to my honour.
Arta. Oh, ye eternal rulers of the world,

Could you look on unmov'd? But say, instruct me,
That I may bow before the god that sav'd thee.

Am. Sure 't was some chaster power that made me bold,

And taught my trembling hand to find the way
With his own poignard to the villain's heart.

Mem. Thou art my daughter still! Oh, noble action! That gives death an interval of joy.

Am. Just in that hour of fate a villain entered,
By whose assistance the revengeful Mirza
Forc'd me to share death with him.

Arta. "'Tis past, 'tis past,

[Lying down.

-Oh, no;

"And all those fires that lighted up my soul,
"Glory and bright ambition languish now,
"And leave me dark and gloomy as the grave,"
Oh, thou soft dying sweetness !-shall I rage
And curse myself? curse ev'n the gods?
I am the slave of fate, and bow beneath
The load that presses me; am sunk to earth,
And ne'er shall rise again: here will I sit
And gaze till I am nothing.

Am. Alas! my lord,

"Fain would I strive to bid you not be sad,"
Fain would I cheer your grief, but 't is in vain :
I know by my own heart it is impossible;

For we have lov'd too well. "Oh, mournful nuptials!
"Are these the joys of brides ;" indeed 'tis hard,
'Tis very hard to part; I cannot leave you;
The agonizing thought distracts me; hold me,
Oh, hold me fast, death shall not tear me from you.
Arta. O, could my arms fence thee from destiny,
The gods might launch their thunder on my head,
Plague me with woes treble to what I feel:
With joy I would endure it all to save thee?

What shall I say? What shall I do to save thee?
Grief shakes my frame, it melts my very temper,
My manly constancy and royal courage

Run gushing through my eyes: Oh, my Amestris!
Am. And see, my father! his white beard is wet
With the sad dew.

Mem. I try'd to man my heart,

But could not stand the buffet of this tempest.
It tears me up-my child! ha! art thou dying?
Am. Indeed I'm very sick. Oh, hold me up!
My pain increases, and a cold damp dew
Hangs on my face. Is there no help? no ease?
Have I your arm, my love?

Arta. Thou hast; my heart,

Dost thou yet hold?

Am. Say, will you not forget me,

When I am laid to moulder in my tomb?

'Tis sure you will not, still there will be room For my remembrance in your noble heart; "I know you lov'd me truly." Now I faint. Oh, shield me, shield me from that ugly phantom, The cave of death! how dark and deep it is? I tremble at the sight—'t is hideous horror! The gloom grows o'er me-let me not lie there. [Amestris dies. Arta. There life gave way, and the last rosy breath Went in that sigh. "Death like a brutal victor, "Already enter'd, with rude haste defaces "The lovely frame he 'as master'd; see how soon "These starry eyes have lost their light and lustre ! "Stay, let me close their lids." Now for rest;

London. Frintelfer G.Cawthorn Fritish Library. Stran Jank c15.