MYRON. Since then you prefs it, I must be your guest.- As under check of fome controuling pow'r. [Afide. [Exeunt. What can this mean? Wine may relieve my thoughts, The back feene draws, and fhews a banquet. It was this day that gave me life; this day Should give much more, should give me Memnon too: But I am rival'd by his chains; they clasp The hero round (a cold, unkind, embrace!); And but an earnest of far worse to come : Breathes damp unwholesome steams, and lives on poison, To wear the rainbow, and to blaze in gems ; To put on all the shining guilt of dress, When 'tis almost a crime that I ftill live: These eyes, which can't diffemble, pouring forth The dreadful truth, are honest to my heart; 'These robes, O Memnon! are Mandane's chains, And load, and gall, and wring, her bleeding heart. [Exit Mandane. Enter MYRON, NICANOR, AULETES, &c. They take their places. NICANOR. Sound louder, found, and waft my wish to heav'n. 3 Protect Protect her, profper her; and when I'm dead, [The bowl goes round. Mufic. Hafte, call my daughter; none can taste of joy Till fhe, the mistress of the feast, is with us. A fervant brings NICANOR a letter: He reads it. The king's commands at any hour are welcome. Not leave us, general? MYRON. NICANOR. Ha! the king here writes me, The discontented populace, that held, Mix'd with feditious citizens. Enter MANDANE. MYRON ftarts from his feat in diforder. MANDANE. [Afide.] O Memnon! how fhall I become a banquet, NICANOR. Be comforted, my child: I'll foon return. Why dost thou make me blush? I feel my tears MYRON. [Afide to Auletes.] I must away: Her fmiles were dreadful, but her tears are death. NICANOR. Your cheek is pale: I dare not let you part: You are not well MYRON. A fmall indifpofition: I foon fhall throw it from me-Farewel, general; Conqueft attend your arms. NICANOR. You fhall not leave Your fervant's roof; 'tis an unwholesome air, And my apartment wants a guest. MYRON. Nicanor, If health returns, I fhall not prefs my couch, NICANOR. Mean time, you are a guardian to my child: She's all my foul holds dear. BOTH. [Embracing.] Farewel. Farewel. NICANOR waits on MYRON off the ftage, and returns. NICANOR. My child, I feel a tenderness at heart I never felt before: Come near, Mandane; Prefs'd Prefs'd mine; then, turning on thee her faint eye, I cannot love thee well enough; her grace MANDANE. If the gods Regard your daughter's fervent vows, you will. NICANOR. Farewel, my only care; my foul is with thee; Enter MYRON and AULETES. MYRON. No place can give me ease; my restless thought, Like working billows in a troubled fea, Toffes me to and fro; nor know whither. What am I, who, or where ?-Ha! where indeed! But let me pause, and afk myself again, If I am well awake-Impetuous bliss! My heart leaps up; my mounting spirits blaze; My foul is in a tempeft of delight! AULETES. My lord, you tremble, and your eyes betray Strange tumults in your breast. MYRON. [Exit. And all the houfhold is compos'd to reft. AULETES. All: And the great Nicanor's own apartment, Perdition on thy foul for naming him! Defend me! Whither wander'd my bold thoughts! I beg the gods to disappoint my crime; There chain me down, and guard me from myself: Enter MANDANE and RAMESES. RAMESES. I hope your fears have giv'n a falfe alarm. MANDANE. You've heard my frequent vifions of the night; Sending his foul out to me, in a look So fiercely kind, I trembled, and retir'd. RAMESES. [Exeunt. No more; my friends (which, as I have inform'd you, Are |