_Sosib._ Thou hitst my meaning; but he must be secret, Must seem to take the favour as from her, And lay the hardship of the terms on me. _Clean._ He shall. _Sosib._ And thou wilt gild this bitter pill; For there's no other way to go from hence, But leaving these behind. _Clean._ A beam of thought comes glancing on my soul.-- [_Aside._ I'll undertake it, The pledges shall be left. _Sosib._ My best Cleanthes! [_Embraces him._ But haste, and lose no time. _Clean._ I'm all on fire to serve my friend and father. [_Exit_ CLEANTHES. _Sosib._ [_Alone._] This Cleomenes ought to be dispatched; Dispatched the safest way: he ought to die. Not that I hate his virtue; but I fear it. The mistress drives my counsels to the leeward. Now I must edge upon a point, of wind; And make slow way, recovering more and more, Till I can bring my vessel safe ashore. [_Exit_ SOSIB. SCENE II.--_Of a Temple with Illuminations. An Altar_, APIS _painted above; Priests and Choristers_. PTOLEMY, CASSANDRA, _Courtiers, men and women, all decently placed. Musick, Instrumental and Vocal. Then_ PTOLEMY, _taking_ CASSANDRA _by the hand, advances to the Altar of_ APIS, _bowing thrice, and gives the High Priest a purse. Soft Musick all the while_ PTOLEMY _and_ CASSANDRA _are adoring and speaking_. _Ptol._ Soul of the universe, and source of life, Immortal Apis, thou thrice holy fire, Hear Egypt's vows and mine! If, as we dream, Egyptian earth, impregnated with flame, Sprung the first man, Preserve thy primitive plantation here! Then, for myself, thy type, and thy vicegerent, Roll from my loins a long descent of kings, Mixed of Cassandra's kindly blood and mine. Mine be she only, and I only hers! And when I shall resolve again to thee, May she survive me, and be queen of Egypt: Hear this, and firm it with some happy omen! [_An Augury portending good success arises from the Altar._ _Omnes._ Apis be praised for this auspicious omen! [PTOLEMY _bowing retires, and seems pleased_. _Cas._ [_Kneels._] Great power of Love! who spread'st thy gentle fire Through human hearts, art every where adored; Accept these vows, in show to Apis paid, And make his altar thine! hear not that wretch, Because his prayers were not addressed to thee; Or only hear his last, that I may reign! Make Cleomenes mine, and mine alone. Give us a flight secure, a safe arrival, And crown our wishes in each others arms. Hear this, and firm it with some happy omen! [_A bad omen arises from the flames of the Altar._ _Omnes._ Avert this omen, Apis!