Act 4 — [ACT IV., SCENE 3.]
Reading edition
Enter Lysicles and Servant.
Ser. The physician you sent for waits without. Lys. Bring him in, and stay in the next room.
Enter Physician.
You are welcome: I must employ your trust and secrecy in something that concerns me. You must procure me instantly a powerful poison.
Phy. My lord!
Lys. Nay, no ceremonies of denial. I give you my intents, not to be disputed, but obeyed. I know you walk not frequently in these rough ways; but 'tis not want of knowledge, but your will, makes you decline them.
Phy. My lord, I have observ'd you long, and see you Wear your life like something you would fain Put off. I will not undertake to counsel you, in That your nearest friends have oft attempted Without success: yet, if my life should issue With the words I now will utter, I'll boldly tell Your grace, I will not be a means to cut your Days off, to make mine happy ever. Lys. I did expect this from you; and to inform you Briefly know, though I do loathe my life, I will Not part with't willingly, till it does serve Me to revenge my wrongs: and to assure you more, I will not use your art against myself. Let Your composition procure the greatest torture Poison can force, for I must use it upon one Our laws cannot condemn; because the circumstance That makes him guilty, cannot be produc'd, but with Expense of time; and my revenge will not Admit it. By my honour, this is the cause. Phy. If I Were sure your enemies should only try Th' effects of what I can do in your service, The horrid'st tortures treason ever justified, Should not exceed the sufferings of those Should take the poison I can bring you. Lys. Bring it me instantly; and if the pains of hell Can be felt here, let your ingredients Call them up. If his life were only My aim and end, whilst I do wear this, I'd not implore your aid; But I must set him on the rack, that there He may confess my inquisition justice. Phy. An hour returns me with your commands Perform'd. Yet I'll observe you farther. [Aside. Lys. So, this is the first degree to my revenge, Which I will prosecute, till I have made All that were guilty of my loss of peace, Wash their impiety in their guilty blood. All places where I meet them shall be altars, On which I'll sacrifice the murderers, To appease the spirit of my injur'd mistress: And (the last victim) I will fall myself Upon her sacred tomb, to expiate The crimes I have committed in deferring Justice thus long. This curs'd magician Shall be the first—she did reveal our loves; Milesia said she did; and if it were Her blessed spirit, nothing but truth dwells in't. If it were a phantom rais'd by her foul spells; She pays the fault of her abusing me, Insidiating with my Milesia's form, To search, and then betray my resolution Of serving my best friend. How now!
Enter Servant.
Ser. Sir, Lord Pindarus would speak with you. Lys. Where is he? [Exeunt.