Procles low?

FIRST CITIZEN.

Who hath laid the gallant

PERIANDER.

'T was by my hand he fell. 'Tis just — he paid the forfeit of his crimes, Who used the angry spirits of my people To his own purposes, and broke his faith.

PERDICEAS.

He merited his fate!

PERIANDER (deeply moved).

My loved Melissa!

Now will I follow thy dear shade! in blest abodes

We shall unite - Elysian flowers shall form

Our couch - Our nuptial song shall be the fountain's Murmuring melody! no vice shall enter

To disturb our peace. This for my country- (stabs himself

This for my Melissa Farewell, my

Friends! farewell- the penitent proclaims with

Dying breath, "Corinth is free." Melissa!

[Dies

Soldiers cross their Lances over the Bodies, Citizens lower

their Banners.

"Corinth is free".

PERDICEAS.

and is content. No songs

Of revelry-no feast insulting to your

Memory, unhappy pair, shall celebrate

Our triumph. All honest hearts will mourn

Your wretched fate.. Ambition fed upon

His heart, crush'd all his hopes, and brought him to the Dust. The myrtle, emblem of thy love, thou,

Fair Melissa, shall with cypress intertwine

And deck thy funeral bier. — Here, see the hand

Of retributive justice! how long soe'er

It stays its arm, it falls at length to punish!
Fellow citizens! whose freedom is restored,
Oh! guard it well, and use it nobly; learn
From this hero's fate, that fortune's basis
Must be honour that virtue seeks her ends
In justice; and that nought can well conclude
That is begun in aught but piety

And honest truth. (Curtain falls to slow music.

POEMS.

75

ΤΟ

HER MAJESTY QUEEN ADELAIDE.

"Those around her, from her shall read
"The perfect ways of honour."

ILLUSTRIOUS Lady! years have sped their flight
Since first our country hail'd thee with delight;
I witness'd thy approach to this fair land,
Saw thy foot plant its first step on our strand,
While gallant Owen and M'Culloch stood
In proud attendance, sons of the stormy flood,
Guarding thy gentle form from too rude gaze
Of those who loudly shouted forth thy praise!
As in thy gracious mien and air they caught
(To look on which with eager eyes they sought)
The promise of those virtues that have shone
In never-fading lustre on the throne!
Which deep on every English heart imprest,
Will to posterity proclaim thee blest.
We see thee now, alas! a widow'd Queen!

A fair one sits enthroned where thou hast been:
Youthful and innocent, the royal Maid

Will emulate the worth of Adelaide ;

And whilst her merit shall secure her fame

Perpetuate thy virtues with her name.