The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 08Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 08
Dryden, John
English drama -- 17th century
Three of them fell on Ptolemy,
the son of Chrysermas, as he was coming out of the palace, and killed
him: another Ptolemy, the lieutenant of the city, advancing against
them in a chariot, they set upon, dispersed his guards and attendants
and pulling him out of the chariot, killed him upon the place. Then
they made toward the castle, designing to break open the prison, and
take the prisoners to their assistance; but the keepers were too quick
for them, and secured the passages. Being baffled in this attempt,
Cleomenes, with his company, roamed about the city, none joining with
them, but all retreating from, and flying his approach; therefore,
despairing of success, and saying to his friends, "That it was no
wonder that women ruled over those men that fled liberty," he excited
them all to die as bravely as became his followers, and men of their
glorious performances. This said, Hippotas was first, as he desired,
run through by one of the young men, and then each of them readily and
resolutely fell upon his own sword, except Pantheus, that Pantheus that
first surprised Megalopolis. This man, being a very handsome person,
and a better companion than any of the youth, the king loved, and bade
him, when he had seen him and the rest fallen, die by their example.
Pantheus walked over them as they lay, and pricked every one with his
dagger, to try whether any was alive; when he pricked Cleomenes in
the leg, and saw him turn upon his back, he kissed him, sat down by
him, and when he was quite dead, covered his carcase, and then killed
himself upon his body.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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