MEROPE.
From the altar, the unavenged tomb,
Fetch me the sacrifice-axe! ——
[The Chorus goes towards the tomb of Cresphontes, and their leader brings back the axe.
O Husband, O clothed
With the grave's everlasting,
All-covering darkness! O King,
Well-mourn'd, but ill-avenged!
Approv'st thou thy wife now? ——
The axe!—who brings it?
THE CHORUS.
'Tis here!
But thy gesture, thy look,
Appall me, shake me with awe.
MEROPE.
Thrust back now the bolt of that door!
THE CHORUS.
Alas! alas!—
Behold the fastenings withdrawn
Of the guest-chamber door!—
Ah! I beseech thee—with tears ——
MEROPE.
Throw the door open!
THE CHORUS.
'Tis done!...
[The door of the house is thrown open: the interior of the guest-chamber is discovered, with Æpytus asleep on a couch.
