Cleora. The immortal gods [Aside. Cleora. Zealous, I grant, in the defence of Why, good Leosthenes, though I endured 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 Lcost. One kiss, and I am silenced. Cleora. I vouchsafe it; Yet, I must tell you 'tis a favour that wretch After three lives, or one and twenty years, Cleon. Never varlets So triumphed o'er an old fat man--I was famished. 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 • 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, To innocent chastity than unjust suspicion. Leost. What a bridge Of glass I walk upon, over a river [Exit. Of certain ruin! Mine own weighty fears helps, Which confidence yields to others, are from me SCENE IV. guard. Leost. In my thoughts, sir. 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 There's no Marullos there. Enter DIPHILUS with PISANDER. Where found you him? 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. 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 Of riot in my house, but all things ordered 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, 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, 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 They make their own horns that are too secure, you Timan. This argues for me. [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. 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 Timag. 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, They laboured from the prison of her flesh, To give her grieved soul freedom. On the sudden, Transported on the wings of rage and sorrow, She flew out of the house, and, unattended, Entered the common prison. 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, Labours to gain his freedom. Leost. O, the devil! Has she bewitched him too? Timag. I will hear no more: Come, sir, we will follow her; and if no persua sion Can make her take again her natural form, Leost. O my heart-strings! [Exeunt Leosthenes and Timagoras. Timan. I knew it would take. Pardon me, fair Cleora, Though I appear a traitoress; which thou wilt do, In pity of my woes, when I make known My lawful claim, and only seek mine own. [Erit. SCENE II-A Prison. Enter CLEORA, Jailor, and PISAN Der. Cleora. There's for your privacy.-Stay, unbind his hands. Jailor. I dare not, madam. Cleora. I will buy thy danger, Take more gold.-Do not trouble me with thanks: I do suppose it done. Pis. My better angel [Exit Jailor. Assumes this shape to comfort me, and wisely; And be not too indulgent to your folly; And then (but that grief stops my speech) imagine What language I should use. Cleora. Against thyself.Thy malice cannot reach me. Timag. How? Cleora. No, brother! Though you join in the dialogue to accuse me, As many tongues to wound it, shall appear 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 Cleora. Sir, you graced me For the preserver of my fame and honour; My tongue hath been so much inured to truth, Timol. I'll rather doubt ness hum-Supply defects in such a thing, that never The oracles of the gods, than question what Enter CLEON, ASOTUS, DIPHILUS, OLYMPIA, To let in mercy. Sit, and take your places : Cleon. With all rigour We do expect Cor. Tempered, I say, with mercy. And what I have deserved. Cleora. Neglect and scorn Your own dishonour in this harsh reply, |