Jo. I pray thee, husband, listen to his plea;
Chiefly respecting his appeal to Heaven,
But also me, and these who stand by thee.
Ch. 1. Incline to our request I 1
Thy mind and heart, O King!
Oed. What would you I should yield unto your prayer?
Ch. 2. Respect one ever wise,
Whose oath protects him now.
Oed. Know ye what thing ye ask?
Ch. 3. I know.
Oed. Then plainly tell.
Ch. 4. Thy friend, who is rendered sacred by his oath,
Rob not of honour through obscure surmise.
Oed. In asking that, you labour for my death
Or banishment. Of this be well assured.
Ch. 5. No, by the Sun I swear, II 1
Vaunt -courier of the host of heaven.
For may I die the last of deaths,
Unblcst of God or friend,
If e’er such thought were mine.
But oh! this pining land
Afflicts my sorrow-burdened soul,
To think that to her past and present woe
She must add this, which springs to her from you.
Oed. Then let him range, though I must die outright,
Or be thrust forth with violence from the land!
—Not for his voice, but thine, which wrings my heart:
He, wheresoe’er he live, shall have my hate.
Cr. You show yourself as sullen when you yield,
As unendurable in your fury’s height.
Such natures justly give themselves most pain.
Oed. Let me alone, then, and begone!
Cr. I go,
Untainted in their sight, though thou art blind. [Exit
Ch. 1. Lady, why tarriest thou I 2
To lead thy husband in?
