Pyrr. We've lost an hour.
You'll send to Phernes?
Bia. First we'll signal him.
He may be setting off. We must despatch,
For if he saw no sign he meant to draw
His fleet from doubtful waters and give aid
To neither side. [Taking up a light]
Three cressets—that was true.
When once these lights have spoken, he'll receive
Your envoy as myself. Then Hieron
May bear confirming word to him, and bring
Assurance back.
Hie. [To Pyrrha] You do not doubt?
Pyrr. Doubt now?
Nay, Hieron. I'll trust him with his life.
Hie. But——
Bia. [Trembling] O, ye gazing gods, must it be done?
In Athens' living heart set up the torch
That leaves her a charred blotch where she lay white
'Neath heaven and smiled up to sister stars!
Pyrr. Come, Biades!
Bia. Shall not the earth be lost
To God's own eye when Athens, quenched, no more
Marks where we wander? I can not do it!
Pyrr. [Taking the cresset] Too late,
My lord!
[Fixes light in the open embrasure, then places two others. Biades falls back, mantling his face]