The Athenian captive. A tragedy. In five acts / By Thomas Noon Talfourd. First acted at Covent Garden theatre, April 28, 1838.

  • Talfourd, Thomas Noon, 1795-1854
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Athenian captive. A tragedy. In five acts / By Thomas Noon Talfourd. First acted at Covent Garden theatre, April 28, 1838. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CREON. Corinthians, rise ! Before the gods, who have this day espoused The cause of Corinth, I this votive cup Pour with one glorious prayer—Ruin to Athens ! [Thoas dashes down the cup he is about to hand to the King. thoas. Ruin to Athens ! who dares echo that ? Who first repeats it dies. These limbs are arm'd With vigour from the gods that watch above Their own immortal offspring. Do ye dream, Because chance lends ye one insulting hour, That ye can quench the purest flame the gods Have lit from heaven’s own fire? HYLLUS. Some phrenzy shakes him. THOAS. No ! I call the gods, Who bend attentive from their azure thrones, To witness to the truth of that which throbs Within me now. ’Tis not a city crown’d With olive and enrich’d with peerless fanes Ye would dishonour, but an opening world Diviner than the soul of man hath yet [ Trying to appease the guests. ’Tis ecstasy—