_Phil._ For thee, Euphrasia, Dionysius calls. Some new suspicion goads him. At yon gate I stopp'd Calippus, as with eager haste He bent his way to seek thee.--Oh! my sovereign, My King, my injur'd master, will you pardon The wrongs I've done thee? [_Kneels to EVANDER._ _Eva._ Virtue such as thine, From the fierce trial of tyrannic pow'r, Shines forth with added lustre. _Phil._ Oh! forgive My ardent zeal? there is no time to waste. You must withdraw; trust to your faithful friends. Pass but another day, and Dionysius Falls from a throne usurp'd. _Eva._ But ere he pays The forfeit of his crimes, what streams of blood Shall flow in torrents round! Methinks I might Prevent this waste of nature--I'll go forth And to my people show their rightful king. _Eup._ Banish that thought; forbear; the rash attempt Were fatal to our hopes; oppress'd, dismay'd, The people look aghast, and, wan with fear, None dare espouse your cause. _Eva._ Yes, all will dare To act like men;--their king, I gave myself To a whole people. I made no reserve; My life was theirs; each drop about my heart Pledg'd to the public cause; devoted to it; That was my compact; is the subjects' less? If they are all debas'd, and willing slaves, The young but breathing to grow grey in bondage, And the old sinking to ignoble graves, Of such a race no matter who is king. And yet I will not think it; no! my people Are brave and gen'rous; I will trust their valour. _Eup._ Yet stay; yet be advis'd. _Phil._ As yet, my liege, No plan is fix'd, and no concerted measure. The fates are busy: wait the vast event. Trust to my truth and honour. Witness, gods, Here, in the temple of Olympian Jove, Philotas swears---- _Eva._ Forbear: the man like thee, Who feels the best emotions of the heart, Truth, reason, justice, honour's fine excitements, Acts by those laws, and wants no other sanction. _Eup._ Again th'alarm approaches; sure destruction To thee, to all, will follow:--hark! a sound Comes hollow murm'ring through the vaulted aisle. It gains upon the ear. Withdraw, my father; All's lost, if thou art seen. _Phil._ And lo! Calippus Darts with the lightning's speed across the aisle. _Eva._ Thou at the senate house convene my friends. Melanthon, Dion, and their brave associates, Will show, that liberty has leaders still. Anon I'll meet them there: my child, farewell; Thou shalt direct me now. [_Exit PHILOTAS.--EVANDER enters the Tomb. Eup. Coming forward._] How my distracted heart throbs wild with fear! What brings Calippus? wherefore? save me, Heaven! _Enter CALIPPUS._ _Cal._ This sullen musing in these drear abodes Alarms suspicion: the king knows thy plottings, Thy rooted hatred to the state and him. His sov'reign will commands thee to repair This moment to his presence.