-56_Rodogune-Act Four-Scene-5.htm

The same.
Philoctetes, Thoas, Leosthenes, Eunice.

LEOSTHENES

Surely this is the change that comes on men
Who are to die.

PHILOCTETES

O me, it is, it is.

THOAS

Princess Eunice, what think you of it ?

EUNICE

Thoas, what matters what we think ? We follow
Our king; it is his to choose our paths for us.
Lead they to death ? Then we can die with him.

THOAS

That’s nobly spoken.

PHILOCTETES

But too like a woman.

Antiochus enters with Rodogune.

ANTIOCHUS

To Antioch! Is all ready for our march ?

PHILOCTETES

Antiochus, my king, I think in Egypt
We loved each other.

ANTIOCHUS

Less here, my Philoctetes ?

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PHILOCTETES

Then by that love, dear friend, go not to Antioch.

Let us await the Parthian in his march.

What do you seek at Antioch? A mother angry?

A jealous brother at whose ear a fatal knave

Sits always whispering ? lords inimical ?

What can you hope from these? Go not to Antioch.

I see Death smiling, waving you to go,

But do not.

ANTIOCHUS

Dearest comrade Philoctetes,
Fate calls to me and shall I shrink from her ?
I know my little brother Timocles,
I feel his clasp already, see his smile.
But there’s Phayllus! Shall I fall so low
As to fear him ? Forgive me, friend; I go to Antioch.

PHILOCTETES

It was decreed!

ANTIOCHUS

But you, my friends, who have no love
To shield you and perhaps great enemies,
Will you fall back until I make your peace
To Egypt or Phraates ?

THOAS

Not a man
Will leave your side who followed your victorious sword.
We follow always.

ANTIOCHUS

Beat then the drums and march.
But let an envoy ride in front to Timocles
And tell him that Antiochus comes to lay
His victor sword between a brother’s knees

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And fight for him with Parthia. Let us march.

All go except Philoctetes.

PHILOCTETES (looking after him)

O sun, thou goest rushing to the night
Which shall engulf thee.

Curtain

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