Collected Works (Vol. II)

ACTUS SECUNDUS 97 JASON. Nay, brother. is sorrow The voice was: ‘‘ The end '» THESEUS. Ye heard not, O dull-witted! Unto me (Alone of all ye wise) the great voice came, ‘““The Gates of Hell prevail.” shall not in = all CASTOR. I heard, ‘‘ Regret not thy mortality ! Love conquers death !” POLLUX. But I, ‘‘ Regret not thou Thine immortality! Love conquers life !””! ORPHEUS. A partial wisdom to a partial ear. JASON. But what speech came to thee ? ORPHEUS., I heard no voice. ARGUS. What means this? Here’s my labour thrown away, My skill made jest of, all my wage de- stroyed At one fell stroke. JASON. What? Is the Argo burnt? 1 Pollux being immortal, and Castor mortal, at the former’s request Zeus allowed them to pool their fates, and live alternate days in Hades and Olympus. VOL, II. ARGUS. Burnt! Should I then complain? The ship is finished. JASON. The Goddess, furious at Argus, Hath frenzied thee with some delusion. thine absence, HERACLES, Calm ! Control thy madness! I am sorry now My pungent wit so shamed his arrogance As made him seem to scorn Athena. ARGUS. Thou! The good ship Where’s my daily wage? But see me, I am ruined. Is finished ! JASON. Be sure I pay thee treble if thy tale be true. ARGUS, Ay! treble nothing! I shall buy a palace. JASON. ‘Treble thine utmost wish. ARGUS, Two evils then Thou pilest on one good! But come and see ! [Zhe Argo ts discovered. CHORUS OF HEROES. By Wisdom framed from ancient days The stately Argo stands above ; Too firm to fear, too great to praise, The might of bright Athena’s love! Oh! ship of glory! tread the foam, And bring our guerdon from its home! G