Cleora. The immortal gods Accept the meanest altars that are raised By pure devotions; and sometimes prefer An ounce of frankincense, honey or milk, Before whole hecatombs, or Sabæan gums, Offered in ostentation.-Are you sick Of your old disease? I'll fit you. Leost. You seem moved. [Aside. The thing I was born, my lord? Timag. The same wise thing. 'Slight, what a beast they have made thee! Africk never Produced the like. Asot. I think so: nor the land Where apes and monkeys grow, like crabs and walnuts Cleora. Zealous, I grant, in the defence of On the same tree. Not all the catalogue virtue. Why, good Leosthenes, though I endured A penance for your sake above example, To be at your devotion, but I may That, which is only yours in expectation, Yet, I must tell you 'tis a favour that 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. Let that secure you. And I here command you, Leost. What a bridge [Exit. Of glass I walk upon, over a river helps, Which confidence yields to others, are from me Ravished by doubts and wilful jealousy. [Exit. SCENE IV. Another Room in the same. Enter TIMAGORAS, CLEON, ASOTUS, CORISCA, and OLYMPIA. Cleon. But are you sure we're safe? They are all under guard, their fangs pared off: red With the balm of your revenge. Asot. And shall I be Of conjurers or wise women, bound together, Could have so soon transformed me, as my ras cal Did with his whip; For not in outside only, Timag. An ass thou wert ever. Asot. And would have given one leg, with all my heart, For good security to have been a man Cleon. Never varlets So triumphed o'er an old fat man-I was famished. Timag. Indeed you're fallen away. On cullises and jelly, though his cooks Timag. But your ladyship looks Sad on the matter, as if you had miss'd You are grown thrifty, smell like other women; Coris. Pray you, forbear ; Timag. So it seems; A part of your honour's ruff stands out of rank You are no more your own, nor mine, but must [Erit ARCH. To the jealous fires, which burn too hot already My lady In lord Leosthenes. Cleora. Let them consume him! I am mistress of myself. Where cruelty reigns, There dwells nor 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 In these my undertakings, Love's great patron, As my intents are honest! Leost. 'Tis my fault : Distrust of others springs, Timagoras, From diffidence in ourselves. But I will strive, With the assurance of my worth and merits, To kill this monster, jealousy. 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, [Aside. Timag. Why she should be so passionate for a bondman, Falls not in compass of my understanding, VOL. I. 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, 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. Are strongly fortified, cannot fall, though shaken With the shock of fierce temptations; but still triumphs In spite of opposition. For myself, I may endeavour to confirm your goodness, Pis. Do you weep for me? [Weeps. O! save that precious balm for nobler uses! You throw away on me. Ten of these pearls Called down by crying sins, though at that instant Of bold blasphemers. I am justly punished Cleora. Which is ended Enter LEOSTHENES and TIMAGORAS unseen. Leost. What an object Have I encountered! 'Twere not to die, but in a heavenly dream Cleora. Nó; for believe it, Marullo, But what my vows will second, though it were Your freedom first, and then in me full power To make a second tender of myself, And you receive the present. By this kiss (From me a virgin bounty) I will practise All arts for your deliverance; and, that purcha Which you presume will taint me in my honour, 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. Arch. What's the matter? On whom is your sword drawn? Are you a judge? Or else ambitious of the hangman's office Before it be designed you? You are bold too; Unhand my daughter. Leost. She's my valour's prize. 1 Timag. If you believe so, Follow the chace still; and in open court He shall have favour. Bring him in unbound: Enter CLEON, ASOTUS, DIPHILUS, OLYMPIA, and CORISCA. To let in mercy. Sit, and take your places: We do expect Cor. Tempered, I say, with mercy. Enter at one door LEOSTHENES and TIMAGORAS; at the other, Officers with PISANDER and TIMANDRA. Timol. Your hand, Leosthenes: I cannot doubt, You, that have been victorious in the war, Should, in a combat fought with words, come off But with assured triumph. Leost. My deserts, sir, Plead your own interest. We shall find the (If without arrogance I may style them such). The reach of my belief, a slave should be 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. My tongue hath been so much inured to truth, Timol. I'll rather doubt The oracles of the gods, than question what. Arm me from doubt and fear. Timol. 'Tis nobly spoken.— Nor be thou daunted (howsoe'er thy fortune Has marked thee out a slave) to speak thy me rits: For virtue, though in rags, may challenge more Arch. Note his language; Timol. I observe it. Place the fair lady in the midst, that both, Looking with covetous eyes upon the prize They are to plead for, may, from the fair object, Teach Hermes eloquence. Leost. Am I fallen so low? My birth, my honour, and, what's dearest to me, Or I have been modest, and esteemed myself |