drink,
But not to the Republic.

_Gycia._ Ah! my lord,
There is a gulf still yawns 'twixt thee and me
Which not the rapture of recovered love
Can ever wholly bridge. To my dead father
I drink, and the Republic!

_Lys._ Which is dead.

_Bard._ Nay, sir, but living, and shall live when thou
Liest rotting with thy schemes.

_Enter_ MEGACLES.

_Meg._ My Lord Asander,
A messenger from Bosphorus, just landed,
Has bid me give thee this.

[_Gives_ ASANDER _letter._

_Asan._ (_reading_) "My Lord, the King
Is dead, asking for thee." Oh, wretched day!
Had I but gone to him, and left this place
Of sorrow ere he died!

_Gycia._ My love, my dear!
Thou wilt go hence too late. I would indeed
The law had let thee go. Sorrow like this
Draws parted lives in one, and knits anew
The rents which time has made.

_Lys._ The King is dead!
Ay, then long live the King of Bosphorus!
And more ere long!

_Bard._ Think you that he will live
To wear his crown?

_Zetho._ Brethren, the hour is late,
And draws to midnight, and 'tis time that all
Should rest for whom rest is. (_To_ BARDANES _aside_) We must consider
What change of policy this weighty change
Which makes Asander King may work in us.

_Bard._ (_aside_). Nay, nay, no change! He is a murderer still,
And shall be punished were he thrice a king.

_Asan._ Good night to all. And thou, good Megacles,
Thou wert my father's servant, take thy rest.
Go hence with these.

_Meg._ I have no heart to marshal
These dignitaries forth. My King is dead;
I am growing old and spent.

_Zetho._ Daughter, remember
Thy duty to the State.

_Gycia._ I will, good Zetho.
I am my father's daughter. Gentle Sirs
And Ladies all, good night.

[_Exeunt omnes except_ ASANDER _and_ GYCIA; LYSIMACHUS _and_
Courtiers _by one door, then the_ Chersonites _by another
opposite._

_Asan._ Dearest of women,
How well this fair head will become a crown!
I know not how it is, but now this blow
Has fallen, it does not move me as I thought.
I am as those who come in tottering age
Even to life's verge, whom loss of friend or child
Touches not deeply, since the dead they love
Precede them but