THE YOUNG PERSIAN". 57J 



Cyrus ^] Was that well done ? And .wherefore ? I 

 myfelf gave the prize : doft thou difdain my gift ? j 1 



Soldier.'] How could I do fo ? It was infinitely more 

 than I deferved. But I kept poffeffion of this [holding 

 up the laurel-wreath], which I deemed of fo much con- 

 fequence, that I could not think of accepting in one 

 day two fuch prefents from fickle fortune. Beiides, — 

 [he Jlops fJjort.] 



Cyrus.] Why doft thou flop ? Speak freely what 

 thou haft to fay. 



Soldier,] I contended for fame ; and that I gained. 

 Ought I not to beftow upon my brethren what I gained 

 over and above the prize I fought ? 



Cyrus.] Bravely faid ! I am the fovereign of the 

 nobleft nation beneath the fun, if there be many Per- 

 Hans who fpeak and think as thou doft. But, if this 

 wreath be of fo much value to thee, wouldft thou part 

 with the horfe that helped thee to win it, for a fum of 

 money ? 



Soldier.] Not for any. 



Cyrus, half fmiling.] But for a command ? 



Soldier.] Not for a kingdom. But I would with 

 pleafure refign it to a friend, if I could find one worthy 

 of that connection. 



Artaxes, rujhing forward to him with open arms.] Noble 

 youth! let me be that friend! — Embrace me, thou 

 firft of men, embrace me ! 



Soldier.] How willingly, if thou wert not Artaxes ! 

 But, as it is, I dare not; thou art — 



Jrtaxes.] And what ? — a prince, perhaps ? too high 

 for thee? -—Take the half of my province! I fhall 



difpofe 



