And gods do punish most when men do break, With perjury.-By all the gods, 'twas I! Pha. Thy own tongue be thy judge! Cle. Dion. Is't not a brave boy? 100 It was Philaster. Well, sirs, I fear me we were all deceived. Phi. Have I no friend here? Dion. Yes. Then show it: some Good body lend a hand to draw us nearer. die? [Embraces Bellario. King. Enter King, Arethusa, and Guard. Is the villain ta'en? Pha. Sir, here be two confess the deed; but say King. Thou ambitious fool, King. Did not you know him? Are. Thou that hast laid a train for thy own life!- 130 Bear them to prison. Are. Sir, they did plot together to take hence Their custodies, and that I may appoint Dion. Death! Soft; our law will not reach that for this fault. King. 'Tis granted; take 'em to you with a guard.—140 Come, princely Pharamond, this business past, We may with more security go on To your intended match. [Exeunt all except Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline. Cle. I pray that this action lose not Philaster the hearts of the people. Dion. Fear it not; their over-wise heads will think it but a trick. [Exeunt. ACT THE FIFTH SCENE I Before the Palace. Enter Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline. Thra. Has the King sent for him to death? Dion. Yes; but the King must know 'tis not in his power to war with Heaven. Cle. We linger time; the King sent for Philaster and the headsman an hour ago. Thra. Are all his wounds well? Dion. All; they were but scratches; but the loss of Enter Philaster, Arethusa, and Bellario. Are. Nay, faith, Philaster, grieve not; we are well. Phi. Oh, Arethusa, oh, Bellario, Leave to be kind! I shall be shot from Heaven, as now from earth, If you continue so. I am a man False to a pair of the most trusty ones That ever earth bore: can it bear us all? Forgive, and leave me. But the King hath sent To call me to my death: oh, show it me, The hearts of beasts to spare thy innocence. Worthy your noble thoughts! 'tis not a life, Are. And I (the woful'st maid that ever was, Phi. Forced with my hands to bring my lord to death) To tell no hours beyond it! Make me not hated so. Are. Come from this prison all joyful to our deaths! |