Cleora. The immortal gods Leost. You seem moved. [Aside. Cleora. Zealous, I grant, in the defence of Why, good Leosthenes, though I endured How would you tyrannize, if you stood possessed That, which is only yours in expectation, They are all under guard; their fangs pared off: Asot. And shall I be The thing I was born, my lord? 'Slight, what a beast they have made thee! Produced the like. Asot. I think so.-Nor the land Where apes and monkeys grow, like crabs and On the same tree. Not all the catalogue Timag. An ass thou wert ever. Asot. And would have given one leg, with all my heart, That now prescribe such hard conditions to me? For good security to have been a man Leost. One kiss, and I am silenced. Cleora. I vouchsafe it; Yet, I must tell you 'tis a favour that Durst not presume to ask: No; when the city wretch After three lives, or one and twenty years, Cleon. Never varlets So triumphed o'er an old fat man- On cullises and jelly, though his cooks Lard all he eats with marrow, or his doctors Timag. How now, friend? And kissed my hand, which I could not deny him, Enter LEOSTHENES, and DIPHILUS, with a Defending me from others, never since Solicited my favours. Leost. Pray you end; The story does not please me. Cleora. Well, take heed Of doubts and fears;-for know, Leosthenes, A greater injury cannot be offered To innocent chastity than unjust suspicion. Let that secure you. And I here command you, Between him and all punishment, and oppose No more; I will not threaten. Leost. What a bridge failyou [Exit. Of glass I walk upon, over a river helps, Which confidence yields to others, are from me SCENE IV. guard. Leost. In my thoughts, sir. Timag. But why this guard? Diph. It is Timoleon's pleasure; The slaves have been examined, and confess, Leost. Ha! I more than fear- Enter TIMANDRA. Timan. You are unmannered grooms Enter DIPHILUS with PISANDER. Diph. Close hid in your sister's chamber. Enter TIMAGORAS, CLEON, ASOTUS, CORISCA, All she delivered, false. and OLYMPIA. Cleon. But are you sure we're safe? Timag. You need not fear: Timag. But that I scorn To rust my sword in thy slavish blood, I am not guilty. Arch. Tis believed, Cleora ; And much the rather (our great gods be praised for it), In that I find, beyond my hopes, no sign Cleora. May that move you To pity poor Marullo. Arch. Tis my purpose To do him all the good I can, Cleora : [Exit Arch. His love is unrewarded. I confess, Both have deserved me; yet of force I must be Unjust to one-such is my destiny. Enter TIMANDRA. How now? whence flow these tears? Timan. I have met, madam, An object of such cruelty, as would force Cleora. Speak! What is it? Timan. Men pity beasts of rapine, if over matched, Though baited for their pleasure: but these mon sters, Upon a man that can make no resistance, A capital offender; yet in justice Not to be tortured, till the judge pronounce Cleora. Where is he? Timan. Dragged to prison With more than barbarous violence; spurned and Timan. That will bring fuel To the jealous fires, which burn too hot already In lord Leosthenes. Cleora. Let them consume him! I am mistress of myself. Where cruelty reigns, There dwells no love nor honour. [Exit Cleora. Timan. So, it works. Though hitherto I have run a desperate course To serve my brother's purposes, now 'tis fit Enter LEOSTHENES and TIMAGOras. I study mine own ends. They come. Assist me Leost. 'Tis my fault. Distrust of others springs, Timagoras, From diffidence in ourselves. But I will strive, Timag. Tis a guest, In wisdom, never to be entertained He does appear in pregnant proofs, not fashioned [Aside. Timag. Why she should be so passionate for a bondman, Falls not in compass of my understanding, Leost. I pray you, no more; already I have answered that objection, in my strong Timag. 'Tis unfit, then, That I should press it farther. Timan. Now I must Leost. Who, Cleora? Timag. Deliver, how. 'Sdeath, be a man, sir! speak. Timan. Take it, then, in as many sighs as words: My lady Timag. What of her? Timan. No sooner heard Marullo was imprisoned, but she fell Timug. But she recovered? Say so, or he will sink too: hold, sir! fie, Timan. Brought again to life, But with much labour, she awhile stood silent, Leost. This confirms What but before I feared. Timan. There you may find her; And, if you love her as a sisterTimag. Damn her! Timan. Or you respect her safety, as a lover, Procure Marullo's liberty. Timag. Impudence Beyond expression! Leost. Shall I be a bawd To her lust and my dishonour? Or do some violent act upon herself. My lord, her father, sensible of her sufferings, Leost. O, the devil! Timag. I will hear no more: Come, sir, we will follow her; and if no persua Pis. Could I expire now, These white and innocent hands closing my eyes thus, Twere not to die, but in a heavenly dream To be transported, without the help of Charon, Chora. No, for believe it, Marullo, Timag. The base villain Shall never live to hear it. [Offers to stab Pisander, Cleora interposes. Cleora. Murder! help! Through me you shall pass to him. Enter ARCHIDAMUS, DIPHILUS, and officers. On whom is your sword drawn? Are you a judge? Leost. She's my valour's prize. Arch. With her consent, not otherwise. You Arch. Tis most true; And, though at first it did appear a fable, Cleora. Sir, you graced me With the title of your mistress: but my fortune For the preserver of my fame and honour; That, since I had ability of speech, My tongue hath been so much inured to truth, I know not how to lie. Timol. I'll rather doubt The oracles of the gods, than question what Enter CLEON, ASOTUS, DIPHILUS, OLYMPIA, and CORISCA. To let in mercy. Sit, and take your places: Cleon. With all rigour We do expect— Cor. Tempered, I say, with mercy. ness Supply defects in such a thing, that never Cleora. Neglect and scorn Leost. You nourish, lady, Your own dishonour in this harsh reply, |