PITHIAS. O Damon, O my sweet friend! SNAP. Away from the prisoner: what a prease have we here? GRONNO. As you commanded, O mighty king, we have brought Damon. DIONYSIUS. Then go to: make ready. I will not stir out of this place, Till I see his head stroken off before my face. GRONNO. It shall be done, sir. [_To Damon_] Because your eyes have made such a-do. I will knock down this your lantern, and shut up your shop-window too. DAMON. O mighty king, where as no truth my innocent life can save, But that so greedily you thirst[72] my guiltless blood to have, Albeit (even in thought) I had not ought against your person: Yet now I plead not for life, ne will I crave your pardon. But seeing in Greece my country, where well I am known, I have worldly things fit for mine alliance, when I am gone, To dispose them, ere I die, if I might obtain leisure, I would account it (O king) for a passing great pleasure: Not to prolong my life thereby, for which I reckon not this, But to set my things in a stay: and surely I will not miss, Upon the faith which all gentlemen ought to embrace, To return again, at your time to appoint, to yield my body here in this place. Grant me (O king) such time to despatch this inquiry,[73] And I will not fail when you appoint, even here my life to pay.[74] DIONYSIUS. A pleasant request! as though I could trust him absent, Whom in no wise I cannot trust being present. And yet though I sware the contrary, do that I require, Give me a pledge for thy return, and have thine own desire. He is as near now as he was before. [_Aside._ DAMON. There is no surer nor greater pledge than the faith of a gentleman. DIONYSIUS. It was wont to be, but otherwise now the world doth stand; Therefore do as I say, else presently yield thy neck to the sword. If I might with my honour, I would recall my word. PITHIAS. Stand to your word, O king, for kings ought nothing say, But that they would perform in perfect deeds alway. A pledge you did require, when Damon his suit did meve, For which with heart and stretched hands most humble thanks I give: And that you may not say but Damon hath a friend, That loves him better than his own life, and will do to his end, Take me, O mighty king: my life I pawn[75] for his: Strike off my head, if Damon hap at his day to miss. DIONYSIUS. What art thou, that chargest me with my word so boldly here? PITHIAS. I am Pithias, a Greek born, which hold Damon my friend full dear. DIONYSIUS. Too dear perhaps, to hazard thy life for him: what fondness[76] moveth thee? PITHIAS. No fondness at all, but perfect amity. DIONYSIUS. A mad kind of amity! advise thyself well: if Damon fail at his day, Which shall be justly appointed, wilt thou die for him, to me his life to pay? PITHIAS. Most willingly, O mighty king: if Damon fail, let Pithias die.