Mel. If the dull people can believe I am arm’d, (Be constant, Diphilus.) now we have time Either to bring our banisht honours home, Or create new ones in our ends. Diph. I fear not; My spirit lies not that way.—Courage, Calianax!5 Cal. Would I had any! you should quickly know it. Mel. Speak to the people; thou art eloquent. Cal. ’T is a fine eloquence to come to the gallows: You were born to be my end; the devil take you! Now must I hang for company. ’T is strange,10 I should be old, and neither wise nor valiant.

Enter Lysippus, Diagoras, Cleon, Strato, and Guard.

Lys. See where he stands, as boldly confident As if he had his full command about him. Stra. He looks as if he had the better cause, sir; Under your gracious pardon, let me speak it!15 Though he be mighty-spirited, and forward To all great things, to all things of that danger Worse men shake at the telling of, yet certainly I do believe him noble, and this action Rather pull’d on than sought: his mind was ever20 As worthy as his hand. Lys. ’T is my fear, too. Heaven forgive all!—Summon him, Lord Cleon. Cleon. Ho, from the walls there! Mel. Worthy Cleon, welcome: We could have wisht you here, lord; you are honest. Cal. (Aside.) Well, thou art as flattering a knave, though25 I dare not tell thee so—— Lys. Melantius! Mel. Sir? Lys. I am sorry that we meet thus; our old love Never requir’d such distance. Pray to Heaven, You have not left yourself, and sought this safety More out of fear than honour! You have lost30 A noble master, which your faith, Melantius, Some think might have preserv’d: yet you know best. Cal. [Aside.] When time was, I was mad: some that dares fight, I hope will pay this rascal. Mel. Royal young man, those tears look lovely on thee:35 Had they been shed for a deserving one, They had been lasting monuments. Thy brother, Whilst he was good, I call’d him King, and serv’d him With that strong faith, that most unwearied valour, Pull’d people from the farthest sun to seek him,40 And buy his friendship. I was then his soldier. But since his hot pride drew him to disgrace me, And brand my noble actions with his lust, (That never-cur’d dishonour of my sister, Base stain of whore, and, which is worse, the joy45 To make it still so,) like myself, thus I Have flung him off with my allegiance; And stand here, mine own justice, to revenge What I have suffered in him, and this old man Wrong’d almost to lunacy. Cal. Who, I?50 You would draw me in. I have had no wrong; I do disclaim ye all. Mel. The short is this. ’T is no ambition to lift up myself Urgeth me thus; I do desire again To be a subject, so I may be free:55 If not, I know my strength, and will unbuild This goodly town. Be speedy, and be wise, In a reply. Stra. Be sudden, sir, to tie All up again. What ’s done is past recall, And past you to revenge; and there are thousands60 That wait for such a troubled hour as this. Throw him the blank. Lys. Melantius, write in that Thy choice: my seal is at it. [Throws a paper to Melantius.] Mel. It was our honours drew us to this act, Not gain; and we will only work our pardons.65 Cal. Put my name in too. Diph. You disclaim’d us all But now, Calianax. Cal. That ’s all one; I ’ll not be hang’d hereafter by a trick: I ’ll have it in. Mel. You shall, you shall.— Come to the back gate, and we ’ll call you King,70 And give you up the fort. Lys. Away, away. Exeunt.

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Before the Fort.