Rho. That’s but reasonable.  Come away, Doralice; I have a great temptation to be sealing articles in private.

Pala. Hast thou so? [Claps him on the shoulder.

  “Fall on, Macduff,
  And cursed be he that first cries, Hold, enough.”

  Enter POLYDAMAS, PALMYRA, ARTEMIS, ARGALEON:  After them EUBULUS
  and HERMOGENES, guarded.

Palm. Sir, on my knees I beg you—­

Poly. Away, I’ll hear no more.

Palm. For my dead mother’s sake; you say you loved her,
And tell me I resemble her.  Thus she
Had begged.

Poly. And thus I had denied her.

Palm. You must be merciful.

Arga. You must be constant.

Poly. Go, bear them to the torture; you have boasted You have a king to head you; I would know To whom I must resign.

Eub. This is our recompence For serving thy dead queen.

Herm. And education Of thy daughter.

Arga. You are too modest, in not naming all His obligations to you:  Why did you Omit his son, the prince Leonidas?

Poly. That imposture I had forgot; their tortures shall be doubled.

Herm. You please me; I shall die the sooner.

Eub. No; could I live an age, and still be racked, I still would keep the secret. [As they are going off,

  Enter LEONIDAS, guarded.

Leon. Oh, whither do you hurry innocence! 
If you have any justice, spare their lives;
Or, if I cannot make you just, at least
I’ll teach you to more purpose to be cruel.

Palm. Alas, what does he seek!

Leon. Make me the object of your hate and vengeance: 
Are these decrepid bodies, worn to ruin,
Just ready of themselves to fall asunder. 
And to let drop the soul,—­
Are these fit subjects for a rack and tortures? 
Where would you fasten any hold upon them? 
Place pains on me,—­united fix them here,—­
I have both youth, and strength, and soul to bear them;
And, if they merit death, then I much more,
Since ’tis for me they suffer.

Herm. Heaven forbid We should redeem our pains, or worthless lives, By our exposing yours.

Eub. Away with us.  Farewell, sir:  I only suffer in my fears for you.

Arga. So much concerned for him!  Then my                   [Aside.
Suspicion’s true.                                [Whispers the King.

Palm. Hear yet my last request for poor Leonidas, Or take my life with his.

Arga. Rest satisfied, Leonidas is he. [To the King.

Poly. I am amazed:  What must be done?

Arga. Command his execution instantly: 
Give him not leisure to discover it;
He may corrupt the soldiers.