my fate. I believe I have told you, heaven seeks me alone; me alone
has it condemned. Methinks, I hear already the deadly hissing of its
minister, who even now draws nigh. My dread pictures him to me, ever
offers him to my view. Fear has mastered all my feelings; under its
influence I see him on the summit of this rock; I sink for very
weakness, and my fainting heart scarce keeps up a remnant of courage.
Farewell, Princes; flee, lest he poison you.

AGE. We have seen nothing as yet to astonish us. And since you deem
your death so nigh, if strength fail you, we have both arms and hearts
which hope never forsakes. It may be a rival has dictated this oracle;
and gold has made its interpreter speak. It would be no miracle if a
man has answered in the stead of a dumb deity; and everywhere we have
but too many examples that temples, no less than other places, are the
abode of the wicked.

CLE. Suffer us to oppose to the cowardly ravisher to whom sacrilege
abandons you a love that heaven has chosen for the defender of the
only fair one for whom we wish to live. If we dare not aspire to her
possession, at least, in the midst of her danger, allow us to follow
the ardour and dictates of our passion.

PSY. These dictates, this extreme ardour, with which your hearts are
filled in my behalf, obey them in behalf of others, in behalf of my
sisters. Live for them, since I die. Lament the cruel rigour of my
fate; and by your death do not give my sisters new ground for sorrow.
These are my last wishes, and in all ages the orders of the dying have
been received as law.

CLE. Princess....