_Eup._ The righteous gods Have mark'd thy ways, and will in time repay Just retribution.
_Dio._ If to see your father, If here to meet him in a fond embrace, Will calm thy breast, and dry those beauteous tears, A moment more shall bring him to your presence.
_Eup._ Ha! lead him hither! Sir, to move him now, Aged, infirm, worn out with toil and years-- No, let me seek him rather--If soft pity Has touch'd your heart, oh! send me, send me to him.
_Dio._ Control this wild alarm; with prudent care Philotas shall conduct him; here I grant The tender interview.
_Eup._ Disastrous fate! Ruin impends!--This will discover all! I'll perish first. [_Aside._ Though much I languish to behold my father, Yet now it were not fit--the sun goes down; Night falls apace; soon as returning day--
_Dio._ This night, this very hour, you both must meet. Together you may serve the state and me. Thou seest the havoc of wide wasting war; And more, full well you know, are still to bleed. Thou may'st prevent their fate.
_Eup._ Oh! give the means, And I will bless thee for it.
_Dio._ From a Greek Torments have wrung the truth. Thy husband, Phocion--
_Dio._ He; 'tis he Hath kindled up this war; with treacherous arts Inflam'd the states of Greece; and now the traitor Comes with a foreign aid to wrest my crown.
_Eup._ And does my Phocion share Timoleon's glory?
_Dio._ With him invests our walls, and bids rebellion Erect her standard here.
_Eup._ Oh! bless him gods! Where'er my hero treads the paths of war, List on his side; against the hostile javelin Uprear his mighty buckler; to his sword Lend the fierce whirlwind's rage, that he may come With wreaths of triumph, and with conquest crown'd, And a whole nation's voice Applaud my hero with a love like mine!
_Dio._ Ungrateful fair! Has not our sovereign will On thy descendants fix'd Sicilia's crown? Have I not vow'd protection to your boy?
_Eup._ From thee the crown! from thee! Euphrasia's children Shall on a nobler basis found their rights; On their own virtue, and a people's choice.
_Eup._ Ask of thee protection! The father's valour shall protect his boy.
_Dio._ Rush not on sure destruction; ere too late Accept our proffer'd grace. The terms are these; Instant send forth a message to your husband; Bid him draw off his Greeks! unmoor his fleet, And measure back his way. Full well he knows You and your father are my hostages; And for his treason both may answer.