Part 25 (1/2)

(Enter Chrysanthus.)

CHRYSANTHUS.

Belov'ed bride, 't is one to whom thy charms Are even less dear than is thy soul, ah! me, One who would live and who will die with thee.

DARIA.

Belov'ed spouse, my heart could not demand Than thus to see thee near, to clasp thy hand, A sweeter solace for my long dismay, And all the awful wonders of this day.

Hear the surprising tale, And thou wilt know . . .

VOICES (within).

Search hill.

OTHERS.

And plain.

OTHERS.

And vale.

CHRYSANTHUS.

Hus.h.!.+ the troops our fight pursuing Have the forest precincts entered.[17]

DARIA.

What then shall I do, Chrysanthus?

CHRYSANTHUS.

Keep thy faith, thy life surrender:--

DARIA.

I a thousand lives would offer: Since to G.o.d I 'm so indebted That I 'll think myself too happy If 't is given for Him.

POLEMIUS (within).

This centre Of the mountain, whence the sun Scarcely ever is reflected-- This dark cavern sure must hold them.

Let us penetrate its entrails, So that here the twain may die.

DARIA.

One thing only is regretted By me, in my life thus losing, I am not baptized.

CHRYSANTHUS.

Reject then That mistrust; in blood and fire[18]

Martyrdom the rite effecteth:--

(Enter Polemius and Soldiers.)

POLEMIUS.

Here, my soldiers, here they are, And the hand that death presents them Must be mine, that none may think I a greater love could cherish For my son than for my G.o.ds.

And as I desire, when wendeth Hither great Numeria.n.u.s, That he find them dead, arrest them On the spot, and fling them headlong Into yonder cave whose centre Is a fathomless abyss:-- And since one sole love cemented Their two hearts in life, in death In one sepulchre preserve them.

CHRYSANTHUS.