PHILOCTETES.
He is too happy;
But he is worthy: he who saved a kingdom
Alone can merit her, and heaven is just.
DIMAS.
He comes, and with him his assembled people;
Lo! the high-priest attends: this way they bend,
To deprecate the wrath of angry heaven.
PHILOCTETES.
It melts my soul; I weep for their misfortunes.
O Hercules, from thy eternal seat
Look down on thy afflicted country! hear
Thy fellow citizens! O hear thy friend,
Who joins his prayers, and be their guardian god!
SCENE II.
HIGH PRIEST, CHORUS.
FIRST PERSON OF THE CHORUS.
Ye blasting powers, who waste this wretched empire,
And breathe contagion, death, and horrors round us,
O quicken your slow wrath, be kind at last,
And urge our lingering fate.
SECOND PERSON OF THE CHORUS.
Strike, strike, ye gods,
Your victims are prepared; ye mountains, fall!
Crush us, ye heavens! O death, deliver us,
And we shall thank you for the boon.
HIGH PRIEST.
No more:
Cease your loud plaints, the wretch's poor resource;
