The Mother’s Tragedy

64 THE FATAL FORCE Give me that spear. [Aszde.] That royalty’s own hand Should send this thing to his long misery! [Taking a spear, he runs through the soldier. The KING OF SYRIA, attended, enters. KING OF SYRIA. Your armies beaten back before my face, Your weapons broken, I am come to take The crown from her pale brows that sitteth there. THE LEPER. The Queen is dead: I am the King of Egypt. To-day I saved the house from its own shame By strange ways: I will strike one blow to save The land from its invaders. In the name Of all our gods, I here invoke on thee The spirit of my leprosy. Have at you! [Springs at the King of Syria, only to be transfixed on his drawn sword; but he succeeds tn clasping the King, who staggers. His soldiers, with a shout, rush forward, drag down the Leper and attack the priests. Allare slain. Stlence: then a shield drops, clanging on the ground. KING OF SYRIA (assuming crown and sitting on throne). Salute the conqueror of the Egyptian land! [ Zhe soldiers salute and cheer.