SOPHENE AND SOPHOCLES. 359 



not angry with us ; they are just. If they are averse to a marriage 

 that was agreeable to you, let us condemn it ourselves. You may 

 light upon another they will approve of. Let us consult them again. 

 Ready to obey their will, my happiness would be perfect, if it could 

 determine and fix yours. Full of admiration at the wisdom of that 

 discourse, we agreed with her ; Panthia lent us a favourable ear, 

 and at last was prevailed upon. She suffered herself to be carried 

 into her chamber, thereto take a little rest; but Sosthenes remained 

 unshaken, and, let the consequences be what they would, he could 

 not be induced to comply with any remonstrances whatsoever. 



I shut myself up with Imlacca. The witness and confidant of all 

 that had passed between Sophene and me, I might have dispensed 

 with repeating to him an account of the transaction ; but I put him 

 in mind of the beginning and progress of my passion, of our first 

 fears and pleasures, our return to Eurycone, the officious forward- 

 ness of Themisteus, Dianthea's caresses, the soothing ideas that 

 had seduced us both awhile, our secret conversations, our promises, 

 our oaths, the ardour of my desires curbed by her opposition, 

 Sosthenes' unexpected discourse, and obstinacy, his daughter's 

 intended marriage, our troubles and despair, our projects of elope- 

 ment : in a word ?rf You see, continued I, two unfortunate lovers who fly 

 to you for help. Assist us with your advice, and every other means 

 in your power. We have more courage than experience. We 

 shun one precipice : without your help, we shall sink into another. 

 Dejected and terrified, I feel dismal forebodings rising in my soul ; 

 they dispirit me ; I shall be torn from Sophene : I shall lose her. 

 Alleviate the bitterness of the condition I am reduced to. 



Sensible of my pain, Imlacca comforted and encouraged me. It 

 is not you, but your rival that is threatened by the dire portent. He 

 shall not possess your Sophene. The gods snatch her from his 

 hands ; you shall one day espouse her under more auspicious omens. 

 Time and love will make my prediction good ; but do you recollect 

 that she is to depart from hence to-morrow. Let Themisteus manage 

 the business, said he ; speak yourself to Sosthenes. He has given 

 his word, replied I ; he thinks he cannot break it without bringing 

 shame upon himself. But, proceeded he, I cannot approve of your 

 running away ; it is imprudent and dangerous ; but, continued I, 

 let the consequences of it be ever so dreadful, can they bear any 

 proportion with our present situation ? Unfortunate Sophene ! more 

 unfortunate Sophocles! forlorn in the wide world, what will become 

 of us ? Moved with compassion, Imlacca was unable to answer me. 

 His discretion kept his soul in suspense ; his looks bespoke the per- 

 turbation of his mind. I embraced him, he relented ; I pressed him, 

 he sighed; I redoubled my entreaties, he could withstand them no 

 longer. You prevail, said he, at last. I will render you the 

 " imprudent service" you desire of me. May the indulgent gods 

 forgive me ! You shall depart to-morrow with Sophene. There is 

 in the harbour a vessel ready to set sail for Syria; I will engage 

 the master of it. I have a Syrian host in whose house we may 

 depend upon inviolable security. What, answered I, with all the 



