66

Theoph. They are the gods', great lady, They were most happy in your service else:

On these, when they fell from their father's faith,

I used a judge's power, entreaties failing
(They being seduced) to win them to adore
The holy powers we worship; I put on
The scarlet robe of bold authority,

And, as they had been strangers to my blood,
Presented them, in the most horrid form,

All kind of tortures; part of which they suffer'd
With Roman constancy.

"Artem. And could you endure,

Being a father, to behold their limbs
Extended on the rack?

66 Theoph. I did; but must

Confess there was a strange contention in me,
Between the impartial office of a judge,

And pity of a father; to help justice

Religion stept in, under which odds

Compassion fell:

- yet still I was a father;

For e'en then, when the flinty hangman's whips

Were worn with stripes spent on their tender limbs,

I kneel'd and wept, and begg'd them, though they would

Be cruel to themselves, they would take pity

On my gray hairs: now note a sudden change,

Which I with joy remember; those, whom torture,
Nor fear of death could terrify, were o'ercome

By seeing of my sufferings; and so won,
Returning to the faith that they were born in,

I gave them to the gods: and be assured,

I that used justice with a rigorous hand,

Upon such beauteous virgins, and mine own,

Will use no favour, where the cause commands me,
To any other; but, as rocks, be deaf

He who did not spare his own offspring, was not likely to spare others; and by Dioclesian he is urged to He is seconded by Sapritius, persevere in his zeal.

the governor of Cæsarea, who is in high favour with
the emperor. Sapritius has a son, Antoninus, who has
so much so,
distinguished himself in the late wars,
indeed, that when Artemia offers to take him for her
hushand the proud emperor does not

object to the

"Anton. In what thou think'st thou art most wise, thou art

Grossly abused, Macrinus, and most foolish.

For any man to match above his rank,

Is but to sell his liberty. With Artemia
I still must live a servant; but enjoying
Divinest Dorothea, I shall rule,

Rule as becomes a husband: for the danger,
Or call it, if you will, assured destruction,

I slight it thus. If, then, thou art my friend,
As I dare swear thou art, and wilt not take

A governor's place upon thee, be my helper.
"Mac. You know I dare, and will do any thing;
Put me unto the test.

"Anton. Go then, Macrinus,

To Dorothea; tell her I have worn,

In all the battles I have fought, her figure,

Her figure in my heart, which, like a deity,
Hath still protected me.

Thou can'st speak well,

And of thy choicest language spare a little,
To make her understand how much I love her,
Bear these jewels,
And how I languish for her.

Sent in the way of sacrifice, not service,
As to my goddess: all lets thrown behind me,
Or fears that may deter me, say, this morning
I mean to visit her by the name of friendship:
No words to contradict this.

"Mac. I am yours:

And, if my travail this way be ill spent,
Judge not my readier will by the event.

[Exeunt."

Dorothea is described as one who scarcely belongs to this world. Her sole occupation is either in prayer, or in works of charity. And well may it be; for as Theophilus has a demon, so she has an angel page. What follows is exquisitely beautiful :

"Dor. My book and taper.

"Ang. Here, most holy mistress.

"Dor. Thy voice sends forth such musick, that I never

Was ravish'd with a more celestial sound.

Were every servant in the world like thee,

So full of goodness, angels would come down

To dwell with us: thy name is Angelo,
And like that name thou art; get thee to rest,
Thy youth with too much watching is opprest.

stars.

at walata neopriety Nor. until we can determine