The heavens do witness; they can witness too Which might give deeper wounds to discontents. Org. Part! yet advise thee better: And ever shall be. Pen. Never shall, nor will. Pen. Hear me; in a word I'll tell thee why. Should I outlive my bondage, let me meet Another worse than this, and less desired, If, of all men alive, thou should'st but touch Org. Penthea, now I tell you, you grow wanton in my sufferance; Come, sweet, thou art mine. Pen. Uncivil sir, forbear, Or I can turn affection into vengeance; Lies bleeding at my feet. Unworthy man, Pen. He sigh'd my name sure, as he parted from me; I fear I was too rough. Alas, poor gentleman! Honour, How much we fight with weakness to preserve thee! [Walks aside. Enter BASSANES and GRAUSIS. Bass. Fie on thee! damn thee, rotten maggot, damn thee! Sleep? sleep at court? and now? Aches, convulsions, Imposthumes, rheums, gouts, palsies, clog thy bones A dozen years more yet! Grau. Now you are in humours. Bass. She's by herself, there's hope of that; she's sad too; She's in strong contemplation; yes, and fix'd: The signs are wholesome. Grau. Very wholesome, truly. Bass. Hold your chops, nightmare!——Lady, come; your brother Is carried to his closet; you must thither. Bass. A sudden fit, 'twill off; Some surfeit or disorder.-How dost, dearest ? Pen. Your news is none o'th' best. Enter PROPHILUS. Pro. The chief of men, The excellentest Ithocles, desires Your presence, madam. Bass. We are hasting to him. Pen. In vain we labour in this course of life To piece our journey out at length, or crave Respite of breath; our home is in the grave. Bass. Perfect philosophy! Pen. Then let us care' To live so, that our reckonings may fall even, Pro. He cannot fear Who builds on noble grounds: sickness or pain Your virtuous brother to the world is known. ACT III. SCENE I. The Study of TECNICUS. [Exeunt. Enter TECNICUS, and ORGILUs in his usual Dress. Tec. I am jealous;* For if the borrow'd shape so late put on, 1 Pen. Then let us care, &c.] The old copy gives this to Bassanes; but it is evidently the continuation of Penthea's ideas in the former speech; and to her, therefore, I have restored it. The answer of Prophilus, which is directed to Penthea, proves the necessity of the alteration. I am jealous.] i. e. I am fearful, suspicious, of it: a Scoticism; and probably once common to most of our remote provinces. Inferr'd a consequence, we must conclude Org. Learned Tecnicus, Such doubts are causeless; and, to clear the truth From misconceit, the present state commands me. The prince of Argos comes himself in person Not to be contradicted: yet, beware I have observ'd a growth in thy aspèct Of dangerous extent, sudden, and—look to't— I might add, certain Org. My aspect! could art Run through mine inmost thoughts, it should not sift An inclination there, more than what suited |