PERSONS. EMPEDOCLES. PAUSANIAS, a Physician. CALLICLES, a young Harp-player. The Scene of the Poem is on Mount Etna; at first in the forest region, afterwards on the summit of the mountain. 1 EMPEDOCLES ON ETNA.' ACT I. SCENE I. A Pass in the forest region of Etna. Morning. CALLICLES. (Alone, resting on a rock by the path.) THE mules, I think, will not be here this hour. They feel the cool wet turf under their feet By the stream side, after the dusty lanes In which they have toiled all night from Catana, A thousand times have I been here alone Or with the revellers from the mountain towns, Is shining on the brilliant mountain crests, Is dark, and on the stream the mist still hangs; I have my harp too, that is well. - Apollo ! Their tinkling bells, mixed with the song of birds, Pausanias! and on foot? alone? Who's here? PAUSANIAS. And thou, then? I left thee supping with Peisianax, With thy head full of wine, and thy hair crowned, Touching thy harp as the whim came on thee, And praised and spoiled by master and by guests Why hast thou followed us? CALLICLES. The night was hot, And the feast past its prime; so we slipped out, Peisianax, thou know'st, drinks late; and then, As I was lifting my soiled garland off, I saw the mules and litter in the court, Thou, too, wert with him. Straightway I sped home; PAUSANIAS. And now, back to the town with speed! Crouch in the wood first, till the mules have passed; They do but halt, they will be here anon. Thou must be viewless to Empedocles; |