ACT IV. SCENE I.

_Syracuse. A Room in_ ARCHIDAMUS'_s House_.

_Enter_ MARULLO _and_ TIMANDRA.

_Mar._ She has her health, then?

_Timand._ Yes, sir; and as often As I speak of you, lends attentive ear To all that I deliver; nor seems tired, Though I dwell long on the relation of Your sufferings for her, heaping praise on praise On the unequall'd temperance, and command You hold o'er your affections.

_Mar._ To my wish: Have you acquainted her with the defeature[120] Of the Carthaginians, and with what honours Leosthenes comes crown'd home with?

_Timand._ With all care.

_Mar._ And how does she receive it?

_Timand._ As I guess, With a seeming kind of joy; but yet appears not Transported, or proud of his happy fortune. But when I tell her of the certain ruin You must encounter with at their arrival In Syracusa, and that death, with torments, Must fall upon you, which you yet repent not, Esteeming it a glorious martyrdom, And a reward of pure unspotted love, Preserved in the white robe of innocence, Though she were in your power; and, still spurr'd on By powerful love, you rather chose to suffer The fury of your lord, than that she should Be grieved or tainted in her reputation----

_Mar._ Pities she my misfortune?

_Timand._ She express'd All signs of sorrow which, her vow observed, Could witness a grieved heart. At the first hearing, She fell upon her face, rent her fair hair, Her hands held up to heaven, and vented sighs, In which she silently seem'd to complain Of heaven's injustice.

_Mar._ 'Tis enough: wait carefully, And, on all watch'd occasions, continue Speech and discourse of me: 'tis time must work her.

_Timand._ I'll not be wanting, but still strive to serve you. [_Exit._

_Enter_ POLIPHRON.

_Mar._ Now, Poliphron, the news?

_Poliph._ The conquering army Is within ken.

_Mar._ How brook the slaves the object?

_Poliph._ Cheerfully yet; they do refuse no labour, And seem to scoff at danger; 'tis your presence That must confirm them: with a full consent You are chosen to relate the tyranny Of our proud masters; and what you subscribe to, They gladly will allow of, or hold out To the last man.

_Mar._ I'll instantly among them. If we prove constant to ourselves, good fortune Will not, I hope, forsake us.

_Poliph._ 'Tis our best refuge. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTE:

[120] _Defeature_,] i. e. _defeat_. The two words were used indiscriminately by our old writers.