Whereto you tend. Fall rocks upon his head To bring that noble frame of yours to nought. Hast thou discovered? is she fallen to lust, As I would wish her? Speak some comfort to me. Bel. My lord, you did mistake the boy you sent : Phi. Bel. Oh, my heart! 220 This is a salve worse than the main disease. That dwells within thee, or will rip thy heart Why, so you do. 230 Phi. The points of swords, tortures, nor bulls of brass, Then it is no time To dally with thee; I will take thy life, For I do hate thee: I could curse thee now. Phi. Bel. By Heaven I never did; and when I lie To save my life, may I live long and loathed! Better than those that grow, and kiss those limbs 240 Fear'st thou not death? Phi. Can boys contemn that? Bel. Oh, what boy is he Can be content to live to be a man, That sees the best of men thus passionate, Thus without reason? Phi. What 'tis to die. Bel. Oh, but thou dost not know 251 Yes, I do know, my lord : 'Tis less than to be born; a lasting sleep; Phi. A quiet resting from all jealousy, A thing we all pursue; I know, besides, That must be lost. But there are pains, false boy, For perjured souls: think but on these, and then Thy heart will melt, and thou wilt utter all. Bel. May they fall all upon me whilst I live, If I be perjured, or have ever thought Of that you charge me with! If I be false, Send me to suffer in those punishments You speak of; kill me! Phi. Oh, what should I do? 260 The gods would not endure him. [Sheathes his sword. [Bellario rises. Thy protestations are so deep, and thou Dost look so truly when thou utter'st them, 270 That will distract me, that will make me mad, Shed at my hopeless parting, I can see A world of treason practised upon you, And her, and me. Farewell for evermore! If you shall hear that sorrow struck me dead, r Phi. Whatever thou deserv'st! where shall I Go bathe this body? Nature too unkind, Blessing be with thee, 290 [Exit. SCENE II Arethusa's Apartment in the Palace. Enter Arethusa. Are. I marvel my boy comes not back again : Over and over,—how I slept, waked, talked, King. What, at your meditations! Who attends you? Are. None but my single self: I need no guard; I do no wrong, nor fear none. King. What kind of boy? King. A handsome boy? Are. Yes, sir. ΤΟ A page, a waiting-boy. I think he be not ugly : Well qualified and dutiful I know him ; King. He speaks and sings and plays? Are. By your pardon, why do you ask? |