ZOBEIDE. ACT I. SCENE I. The Scene represents rocks and trees, with a distant view of the river Oxus. HERMODON, INDATER, Scythians. HERMODON. WHENCE this daring insult? What strangers these, who with intrusive march, INDATER. Our troops, whose minds no dangers can appal, Advance with eager speed.-The Persians meet us; HERMODON. What master know we here, where all are free? No kings, no subjects; but all friends and brothers. INDATER. He said, that visiting the Persian frontier, The guilty spoils of desolating war: But we reject these specious toys of grandeur; In short, we swear an amity sincere, And lo! they come to crown this prosp'rous day, Which gives me happiness and Zobeide. HERMODON. But Zobeide, thou know'st, whose blooming charms Have won thy soul-was born among the Persians! INDATER. The sun, which rises o'er yon eastern hill, Then may not Persia boast its ray HERMODON. divine? Thou little know'st the secrets of my heart; Since, after four long years in friendship past, I still am stranger to her father's story What fate mysterious lur'd them to these climes; INDATER. To this fair country's maxims and her laws HERMODON. Is worthy of thee. And yet I cannnot guess the cause, her father Blushes to speak of whom he is descended; His rank, his fortunes, and his fame unknown. INDATER. Whoe'er he be, I'm sure he's just and valiant: He loves me-He is father to my Zobeide. HERMODON. As no vile aims debase a Scythian's mind, Enter SEYFel. INDATER. O generous old man! Thou dear companion of our happy shepherds! This day some gallant youths will soon arrive, And view with joy the festive rites that wait us; A gift more precious than the throne of Cyrus : SEYFEL. They flow from tenderness and former cares : heart, The scar would still remain-For blessings oft INDATER. O! speak the fatal source of each misfortune; The sacred balm of sympathizing pity. HERMODON. For all the friendship we have firmly sworn, SEYFEL. My gentle youth, Zobeide, thou know'st, submits, her will to mine; I would some private conf'rence here-Meanwhile, |