First Ephor. [To Pyrrha] Daughter, take
Fair thanks from us for brave support of Sparta,
And having lost, more thanks for giving her
Another soldier. Has defeat made soft
Your heart for swift espousal?
Bia. Let me woo
In slower way, good father. Tho' my boast
Rose high 'gainst Stesilaus' scorn, I'm not
Of heart so rash that I would lose her love
By taking it. With Sparta's aid now mine,
I'll ask her choose a noble guard and sail
With me, that I, by time and fortune graced,
May win a double suit, herself and Persia.
First Ephor. We'll think of it. Our plans are still unthreshed.
Come with us, Biades.
[Ephors, with senators and Biades, lead the way over bridge. All follow except Stesilaus and Pyrrha]
Ste. How was 't he won?
And he was livid famine! Scurfed with weeks
Of beggary! While you—such arms had saved
Antiope from Theseus!
[Pyrrha droops silent]
Up, my daughter!
We'll make this fall our hope. You shall take sail
With Biades——
Pyrr. Gods hear me, no!
Ste. You will.
I know his aim. He will betray our force
To Athens,—pardon's price. Athenian ease
Is in his marrow like a siren sleep,
And all this hardy show is but to buy
His languors back. You'll watch within his ship,
With Hieron a second secret eye,
And when his treachery ripens, take command
And bring him bound to Sparta.
Pyrr. Be so near?
Sail in his ship?
Ste. Be near him as a wife.
Watch close. Lie in his thoughts, though not his bed.
And if he presses to the shrine of favor,
Here is my dagger. This will be your guard.
Let him meet death upon it,—and that death
Be honor's sanctuary. Come! My brow
Must smooth submissive to the senators.
Clear too your face with summer policy.
Thus openly we'll hide. The State's turned fool,
And naught between her and perdition save
An old man and a girl! [Exit]
Pyrr. [Gazing at dagger] If this cold blade
Were seeking traitors 't might look in my heart.