the sound
Of the harp be heard with the pipe,
When the flashing torches appear
In the marriage-train coming on,
With dancing maidens and boys--
While the matrons come to the doors,
And the old men rise from their bench,
When the youths bring home the bride.

Not condemn'd by my voice _ant._
He who restores thee shall be,
Not unfavour'd by Heaven.
Surely no sinner the man,
Dread though his acts, to whose hand
Such a boon to bring hath been given.
Let her come, fair Peace! let her come!
But the demons long nourish'd here,
Murder, Discord, and Hate,
In the stormy desolate waves
Of the Thracian Sea let her leave,
Or the howling outermost main!

[MEROPE _comes forth_.

_Merope_

A whisper through the palace flies of one
Arrived from Tegea with weighty news:
And I came, thinking to find Arcas here.
Ye have not left this gate, which he must pass;
Tell me--hath one not come? or, worse mischance,
Come, but been intercepted by the King?

_The Chorus_

A messenger, sent from Arcadia here,
Arrived, and of the King had speech but now.

_Merope_

Ah me! the wrong expectant got his news.

_The Chorus_

The message brought was for the King design'd.

_Merope_

How so? was Arcas not the messenger?

_The Chorus_

A younger man, and of a different name.

_Merope_

And what Arcadian news had he to tell?

_The Chorus_

Learn that from other lips, O Queen, than mine.

_Merope_

He kept his tale, then, for the King alone?

_The Chorus_

His tale was meeter for that ear than thine.

_Merope_

Why dost thou falter, and make half reply?

_The Chorus_

O thrice unhappy, how I groan thy fate!

_Merope_

Thou frightenest and confound'st me by thy words.
O were but Arcas come, all would be well?

_The Chorus_

If so, all's well: for look, the old man speeds
Up from the city tow'rd this gated hill.

[ARCAS _comes in_.

_Merope_

Not with the failing breath and foot of age
My faithful follower comes. Welcome, old friend!

_Arcas_

Faithful, not welcome, when my tale is told.
O that my over-speed and bursting grief
Had on the journey choked my labouring breath,
And lock'd my speech for ever in m