ACT THE SECOND.
SCENE I.
A wild romantic Scene amidst overhanging Rocks; a Cavern on one side.
Arcas, with a Spear in his Hand.
Arcas. The gloom of night sits heavy on the world;
And o'er the solemn scene such stillness reigns,
As 'twere a pause of nature; on the beach
No murmuring billow breaks; the Grecian tents
Lie sunk in sleep; no gleaming fires are seen;
All Syracuse is hush'd; no stir abroad,
Save ever and anon the dashing oar,
That beats the sullen wave. And hark!—Was that
The groan of anguish from Evander's cell,
Piercing the midnight gloom?—It is the sound
Of bustling prows, that cleave the briny deep.
Perhaps at this dead hour Hamilcar's fleet
Rides in the bay.
Enter Philotas, from the Cavern.
Phil. What, ho! brave Arcas! ho!
Arcas. Why thus desert thy couch?
Phil. Methought the sound
Of distant uproar chas'd affrighted sleep.
Arcas. At intervals the oar's resounding stroke
Comes echoing from the main. Save that report,
A death-like silence through the wide expanse
Broods o'er the dreary coast.