Part 24 (1/2)

Here our very life doth leave us, Seeing with what awful force Stalks along this mighty lion Trampling all that stops his course.

NISIDA.

Whither shall we fly for shelter?

CYNTHIA.

O Diana, we implore Help from thee! But stranger still!-- Him who doth appal us so, The wild monarch of the mountain See! a woman calm and slow Follows.

NISIDA.

O astounding sight!

CYNTHIA.

'T is Daria.

NISIDA.

I was told She had been consigned to prison: Yes, 't is she: on, on they go Through the forest.

CYNTHIA.

Till the mountain Hides them, and we see no more.

(Enter Escarpin.)

ESCARPIN.

All Rome is full of wonder and dismay.[16]

NISIDA.

What has occurred?

CYNTHIA.

Oh! what has happened, say?

ESCARPIN.

Chrysanthus, being immured By his stern sire, a thousand ills endured.

Daria too, the same, But in a house my tongue declines to name.

It pleased the G.o.d they both adore Both to their freedom strangely to restore, And from their many pains To free them, and to break their galling chains, Giving Daria, as attendant squire, A roaring lion, rolling eyes of fire:-- In fine the two have fled, But each apart by separate instinct led To this wild mountain near.

Numeria.n.u.s coming then to hear Of the event, a.s.suming in his wrath, That 't was Polemius who had oped the path Of freedom for his son and for the maid, Has not an hour delayed, But follows them with such a numerous band, That, see, his squadrons cover all the land.

VOICES (within).

Scour the whole plain.

OTHERS (within).

Descend into the vale.

OTHERS (within).

Pierce the thick wood.

OTHERS (within).

The rugged mountain scale.

ESCARPIN.