Seb. Were I to chuse again, and knew my fate,
For such a night I would be what I am. 
The joys I have possessed are ever mine;
Out of thy reach; behind eternity;
Hid in the sacred treasure of the past: 
But blest remembrance brings them hourly back.

Emp. Hourly indeed, who hast but hours to live. 
O, mighty purchase of a boasted bliss! 
To dream of what thou hadst one fugitive night,
And never shalt have more!

Seb. Barbarian, thou canst part us but a moment! 
We shall be one again in thy despite. 
Life is but air,
That yields a passage to the whistling sword,
And closes when ’tis gone.

Alm. How can we better die than close embraced,
Sucking each other’s souls while we expire? 
Which, so transfused, and mounting both at once,
The saints, deceived, shall, by a sweet mistake,
Hand up thy soul for mine, and mine for thine.

Emp. No, I’ll untwist you: 
I have occasion for your stay on earth. 
Let him mount first, and beat upon the wing,
And wait an age for what I here detain;
Or sicken at immortal joys above,
And languish for the heaven he left below.

Alm. Thou wilt not dare to break what heaven has joined?

Emp. Not break the chain; but change a rotten link,
And rivet one to last. 
Think’st thou I come to argue right and wrong?—­
Why lingers Dorax thus?  Where are my guards,
                                           [BENDUCAR goes out for the
                                            Guards, and returns.
To drag that slave to death?—­ [Pointing to SEB. 
Now storm and rage;
Call vainly on thy prophet, then defy him
For wanting power to save thee.

Seb. That were to gratify thy pride.  I’ll shew thee
How a man should, and how a king dare die! 
So even, that my soul shall walk with ease
Out of its flesh, and shut out life as calmly
As it does words; without a sign to note
One struggle, in the smooth dissolving frame.

Alm. [To the Emp.]
Expect revenge from heaven, inhuman wretch! 
Nor hope to ascend Sebastian’s holy bed. 
Flames, daggers, poisons, guard the sacred steps: 
Those are the promised pleasures of my love.

Emp. And these might fright another, but not me; Or me, if I designed to give you pleasure.  I seek my own; and while that lasts, you live.—­

  Enter two of the Guards.

Go, bear the captive to a speedy death,
And set my soul at ease.

Alm. I charge you hold, ye ministers of death!—­
Speak my Sebastian;
Plead for thy life; Oh, ask it of the tyrant: 
’Tis no dishonour; trust me, love, ’tis none. 
I would die for thee, but I cannot plead;
My haughty heart disdains it, even for thee.—­
Still silent!  Will the king of Portugal
Go to his death like a dumb sacrifice? 
Beg him to save my life in saving thine.