SCENE II.

_A Prison._ MARULLO _discovered in chains_.

_Enter_ CLEORA _and Gaoler_.

_Cleo._ There's for your privacy. Stay, unbind his hands.

_Gaol._ I dare not, madam.

_Cleo._ I will buy thy danger: Take more gold;--do not trouble me with thanks; I do suppose it done. [_Exit Gaoler._

_Mar._ My better angel Assumes this shape to comfort me, and wisely; Since, from the choice of all celestial figures, He could not take a visible form so full Of glorious sweetness. [_Kneels._

_Cleo._ Rise. I am flesh and blood, And do partake thy tortures.

_Mar._ Can it be, That charity should persuade you to descend So far from your own height, as to vouchsafe To look upon my sufferings? How I bless My fetters now, and stand engaged to fortune For my captivity--no, my freedom, rather! For who dare think that place a prison which You sanctify with your presence? or believe Sorrow has power to use her sting on him That is in your compassion arm'd, and made Impregnable, though tyranny raise at once All engines to assault him?

_Cleo._ Indeed virtue, With which you have made evident proofs that you 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, (A sure retreat, which never will deceive you,) And with unfeigned tears express my sorrow For what I cannot help.

_Mar._ Do you weep for me? O, save that precious balm for nobler uses! I am unworthy of the smallest drop Which, in your prodigality of pity, You throw away on me. Ten of these pearls Were a large ransom to redeem a kingdom From a consuming plague, or stop heaven's vengeance, Call'd down by crying sins, though, at that instant, In dreadful flashes falling on the roofs Of bold blasphemers. I am justly punish'd For my intent of violence to such pureness; And all the torments flesh is sensible of, A soft and gentle penance.

_Cleo._ Which is ended In this your free confession.

_Enter_ LEOSTHENES, _and_ TIMAGORAS _behind_.

_Leost._ What an object Have I encounter'd!

_Timag._ I am blasted too: Yet hear a little further.

_Mar._ Could I expire now, These white and innocent hands closing my eyes thus, 'Twere not to die, but in a heavenly dream To be transported, without the help of Charon, To the Elysian shades. You make me bold; And, but to wish such happiness, I fear, May give offence.

_Cleo._ No; for believe 't, Marullo, You've won so much upon me, that I know not That happiness in my gift, but you may challenge.

_Leost._ Are you yet satisfied?

_Cleo._ Nor can you wish 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 purchased, In what concerns your further aims, I speak it, Do not despair, but hope---- [TIMAGORAS _and_ LEOSTHENES _come forward_.

_Timag._ To have the hangman, When he is married to the cross, in scorn To say, _Gods give you joy_!

_Leost._ But look on me, And be not too indulgent to your folly; And then, but that grief stops my speech, imagine What language I should use.

_Cleo._ Against thyself: Thy malice cannot reach me.

_Timag._ How?

_Cleo._ No, brother, Though you join in the dialogue to accuse me: What I have done, I'll justify; and these favours, Which, you presume, will taint me in my honour, Though jealousy use all her eyes to spy out One stain in my behaviour, or envy As many tongues to wound it, shall appear My best perfections. For, to the world, I can in my defence allege such reasons, As my accusers shall stand dumb to hear them; When in his fetters this man's worth and virtues, But truly told, shall shame your boasted glories, Which fortune claims a share in.

_Timag._ The base villain Shall never live to hear it. [_Draws his sword._

_Cleo._ Murder! help! Through me, you shall pass to him.

_Enter_ ARCHIDAMUS, DIPHILUS, _and Officers_.

_Archid._ 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 design'd you?--You are bold, too; Unhand my daughter.

_Leost._ She's my valour's prize.

_Archid._ With her consent, not otherwise. You may urge Your title in the court; if it prove good, Possess her freely.--Guard him safely off too.

_Timag._ You'll hear me, sir?

_Archid._ If you have aught to say, Deliver it in public; all shall find A just judge of Timoleon.

_Diph._ You must Of force now use your patience. [_Exeunt all but_ TIMAGORAS _and_ LEOSTHENES.

_Timag._ Vengeance rather! Whirlwinds of rage possess me: you are wrong'd Beyond a stoic sufferance; yet you stand As you were rooted.

_Leost._ I feel something here, That boldly tells me, all the love and service I pay Cleora is another's due, And therefore cannot prosper.

_Timag._ Melancholy; Which now you must not yield to.

_Leost._ 'Tis apparent: In fact your sister's innocent, however Changed by her violent will.

_Timag._ If you believe so, Follow the chase still; and in open court Plead your own interest: we shall find the judge Our friend, I fear not.

_Leost._ Something I shall say, But what----

_Timag._ Collect yourself as we walk thither. [_Exeunt._