SCENE IV.
CALI, DEMETRIUS, LEONTIUS.
CALI.
Could omens fright the resolute and wise,
Well might we fear impending disappointments.
LEONTIUS.
Your artful suit, your monarch's fierce denial,
The cruel doom of hapless Menodorus—
DEMETRIUS.
And your new charge, that dear, that heav'nly maid—
LEONTIUS.
All this we know already from Abdalla.
DEMETRIUS.
Such slight defeats but animate the brave
To stronger efforts and maturer counsels.
CALI.
My doom confirm'd establishes my purpose.
Calmly he heard, till Amurath's resumption
Rose to his thought, and set his soul on fire:
When from his lips the fatal name burst out,
A sudden pause th' imperfect sense suspended,
Like the dread stillness of condensing storms.
DEMETRIUS.
The loudest cries of nature urge us forward;
Despotick rage pursues the life of Cali;
His groaning country claims Leontius' aid;
And yet another voice, forgive me, Greece,
The pow'rful voice of love, inflames Demetrius;
Each ling'ring hour alarms me for Aspasia.
CALI.
What passions reign among thy crew, Leontius?
Does cheerless diffidence oppress their hearts?
Or sprightly hope exalt their kindling spirits?
Do they, with pain, repress the struggling shout,
And listen eager to the rising wind?