Lacon Monologue from Proserpine and Midas

From Proserpine and Midas by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

male · dramatic · 1:10 min

Although he’d fain have run (,) his golden dress And heavy sandals made the poor king limp As leaning upon mine and the high priest’s arm, He hastened to Pactolus. When he saw The stream—“Thanks to the Gods!” he cried aloud In joy; then having cast aside his robes He leaped into the waves, and with his palm Throwing the waters high—“This is not gold,” He cried, “I’m free, I have got rid of gold.” And then he drank, and seizing with delight A little leaf that floated down the stream, “Thou art not gold,” he said— (ZOPYRION: But all this time— Did you behold?—Did he take off his crown?—) No:—It was strange to see him as he plunged Hold tight his crown with his left hand the while. (ZOPYRION: Alas, my fate! I thought they had been seen.) He ordered garments to the river side Of coarsest texture;—those that erst he wore He would not touch, for they were trimmed with gold.

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