Cal. From the watch-tower I saw them: all things spoke
A foe secure, and discipline relax'd.
Dio. Their folly gives them to my sword. Are all
My orders issued?
Cal. All.
Dio. The troops retir'd
To gain recruited vigour from repose?
Cal. The city round lies hush'd in sleep.
Dio. Anon
Let each brave officer, of chosen valour,
Forsake his couch, and with delib'rate spirit,
Meet at the citadel. An hour, at furthest,
Before the dawn; 'tis fix'd to storm their camp;
Haste, Calippus,
Fly to thy post, and bid Euphrasia enter.
[Exit Calippus.
Evander dies this night:—Euphrasia too
Shall be dispos'd of. Curse on Phocion's fraud,
That from my pow'r withdrew their infant boy.
In him the seed of future kings were crush'd,
And the whole hated line at once extinguish'd.
Once more approach and hear me; 'tis not now
A time to waste in the vain war of words.
A crisis big with horror is at hand.
I meant to spare the stream of blood, that soon
Shall deluge yonder plains. My fair proposals
Thy haughty spirit has with scorn rejected.
And now, by Heav'n, here, in thy very sight,
Evander breathes his last.
Eup. If yet there's wanting
A crime to fill the measure of thy guilt,
Add that black murder to the dreadful list;—
With that complete the horrors of thy reign.