Chapter 12Scene 3

Under the Syrian hills. Antiochus, his generals, soldiers; Eunice, Rodogune, Mentho.

ANTIOCHUS What god has moved them from their passes sheer Where they were safe from me?

THOAS

They have had word, No doubt, to take us living.

LEOSTHENES

On!

THOAS

They are Three thousand, we six hundred arm`ed men. Shall we go forward?

LEOSTHENES

Onward, still, I say!

ANTIOCHUS Yes, on! I turn not back lest my proud Fate Avert her eyes from me. A hundred guard The princesses.

He goes, followed by Thoas,

Leosthenes, Philoctetes.

EUNICE

He’ll break them like sea-spray;

They shall not stand before him.

You missioned angels, guard Antiochus.

As she speaks, the Eremite

enters and regards her.

EUNICE He is through them, he is through them! How they scatter Before his sword! My warrior!

Who is this man, Eunice? He is terrible to me.

EREMITE Who art thou rather, born to be a torch To kingdoms? Is not thy beauty, rightly seen, More terrible to men than monstrous forms Which only frighten?

EUNICE

What if kingdoms burn, So they burn grandly?

EREMITE

Spirits like thine think so. Princess of Antioch, hast thou left thy father To follow younger eyes? Alas, thou knowst not Where they shall lead thee! It is to gates accursed And by a dolorous journey.

EUNICE

Beyond all portals I’ld follow! I am a woman of the Greeks Who fear not death nor hell.

Antiochus returns.

ANTIOCHUS

Our swords have hewn A road for us. Who is this flamen?

EREMITE

Hail! “Rejoice” I cannot say, but greet Antiochus Who never shall be king.

ANTIOCHUS

Who art thou, speak, Who barst with such ill-omened words my way Discouraging new-born victory? What thou knowest, Declare! Curb not thy speech. I have a mind Stronger than omens.

EREMITE

I am the appointed voice Who come to tell thee thou shalt not be king, But at thy end shall yield to destiny For all thy greatness, genius, pride and force Even as the tree that falls. March then no farther, For in thy path Fate hostile stands.

ANTIOCHUS

If Fate Would have me yield, let her first break me. On!

EREMITE The guardians of the path then wait for thee Vigilant lest the world’s destiny be foiled By human greatness. March on to thy doom.

ANTIOCHUS I will. Straight on, whatever doom it be!

EREMITE Farewell, thou mighty Syrian, soul misled, Strength born untimely! We shall meet again When death shall lead thee into Antioch.

He goes.

ANTIOCHUS

March.