How sweet her innocence appears! more like

To heaven itself, than any sacrifice

That can be offer'd to it. By my hopes

the sight makes me doubtful

It was the first good deed I ever did.

They are removed out of thy reach; howe'er

I was determined for my sins to die,

I first took order for their liberty,

And still I dare thy worst.

"Re-enter Guard with the instruments of torture.

"Diocle. Blind him, I say;

Make every artery and sinew crack:

The slave that makes him give the loudest shriek,

Shall have ten thousand drachmas: wretch! I'll force thee

To curse the power thou worship'st.

Theoph. Never, never:

No breath of mine shall e'er be spent on him,

But what shall speak his majesty or mercy.
I'm honour'd in my sufferings.

[They torment him.

Weak tormentors,

alas! you are unskilful.
More tortures, more:-
For heaven's sake more; my breast is yet untorn:
Here purchase the reward that was propounded.
The irons cool,-here are arms yet, and thighs;
Spare no part of me.

"Max. He endures beyond The sufferance of a man.

"Sap. No sigh nor groan,

To witness he hath feeling.

"Diocle. Harder, villains!

"Enter HARPAX.

"Harp. Unless that he blaspheme, he 's lost for ever.

If torments ever could bring forth despair,

Let these compel him to it: oh me,

My ancient enemies again!

[Falls down.

"Enter DOROTHEA in a white robe, a crown upon her head, led in by ANGELO; ANTONINUS, CALISTA, and CHRISTETA following, all in white, but less glorious; ANGELO holds out a crown to THEOPHILUS.

"Theoph. Most glorious vision!

Did e'er so hard a bed yield man a dream

So heavenly as this?

I am confirm'd,

Confirm'd, you blessed spirits, and make haste

To take that crown of immortality

You offer to me.

Death, till this blest minute,

I never thought thee slow-paced; nor would I
Hasten thee now, for any pain I suffer,

But that thou keep'st me from a glorious wreath,