PALMIRA.
The great ambassador of heaven, sent down
To interpret its high will?
ZOPIR.
How blind ye are, to follow this proud madman,
This happy robber, whom my justice spared,
And raise him from the scaffold to a throne!
PALMIRA.
Though I am bound by honor and the ties
Of gratitude to love thee for thy bounties,
This blasphemy against my kind protector
Cancels the bond, and fills my soul with horror.
O superstition, how thy savage power
Deprives at once the best and tenderest hearts
Of their humanity!
ZOPIR.
Spite of myself, I feel for thy misfortunes,
Pity thy weakness, and lament thy fate.
PALMIRA.
ZOPIR.
To him who has deceived thy easy heart,
To a base tyrant; No: thou art a treasure
Too precious to be parted with, and makest
This hypocrite but more detested.
