Full three times Has scorching summer fled from cold winter's Ruthless blasts, as oft again has spring In sprightly youth drest nature in her beauties, Since bathing in Niphates'[5] silver stream, Attended only by one fav'rite maid; As we were sporting on the wanton waves, Swift from the wood a troop of horsemen rush'd, Rudely they seiz'd, and bore me trembling off, In vain Edessa with her shrieks assail'd The heav'ns, for heav'n was deaf to both our pray'rs. The wretch whose insolent embrace confin'd me (Like thunder bursting on the guilty soul), With curs'd Vonones' voice pour'd in my ears A hateful tale of love; for he it seems Had seen me at Arabia's royal court, And took those means to force me to his arms. CLEONE. Perhaps you may gain something from the Captives Of your lost Parents. EVANTHE. This I meant to try, Soon as the night hides Nature in her darkness, Veil'd in the gloom we'll steal into their prison. But, oh! perhaps e'en now my aged Sire May 'mongst the slain lie welt'ring on the field, Pierc'd like a riddle through with num'rous wounds, While parting life is quiv'ring on his lips, He may perhaps be calling on his Evanthe. Yes, ye great Pow'rs who boast the name of mercy, Ye have deny'd me to his latest moments, To all the offices of filial duty, To bind his wounds, and wash them with my tears, Is this, is this your mercy? CLEONE. Blame not heav'n, For heav'n is just and kind; dear Lady, drive These black ideas from your gentle breast; Fancy delights to torture the distress'd, And fill the gloomy scene with shadowy ills, Summon your reason, and you'll soon have comfort. EVANTHE. Dost thou name comfort to me, my Cleone, Thou who know'st all my sorrows? plead no more, 'Tis reason tells me I am doubly wretched. CLEONE. But hark, the music strikes, the rites begin, And, see, the doors are op'ning. EVANTHE. Let's retire; My heart is now too full to meet him here, Fly swift ye hours, till in his arms I'm prest, And each intruding care is hush'd to rest. SCENE V. _The Scene draws and discovers, in the inner part of the Temple, a large image of the Sun, with an altar before it. Around Priests and Attendants._ _KING, ARSACES, VARDANES, GOTARZES, PHRAATES, LYSIAS, with BETHAS in chains._ HYMN. Parent of Light, to thee belong Our grateful tributary songs; Each thankful voice to thee shall rise, And chearful pierce the azure skies; While in thy praise all earth combines, And Echo in the Chorus joins. All the gay pride of blooming May, The Lily fair and blushing Rose, To thee their early honours pay, And all their heav'nly sweets disclose. The feather'd Choir on ev'ry tree To hail thy glorious dawn repair, While the sweet sons of harmony With Hallelujahs fill the air.