PITHIAS. I am not loth to do whatsoever I said, Ne at this present pinch of death am I dismay’d: The gods now I know have heard my fervent prayer, That they have reserved me to this passing great honour, To die for my friend, whose faith even now I do not mistrust; My friend Damon is no false traitor, he is true and just: But sith he is no god, but a man, he must do as he may, The wind may be contrary, sickness may let him,[140] or some misadventure by the way, Which the eternal gods turn all to my glory, That fame may resound how Pithias for Damon did die: He breaketh no oath which doth as much as he can, His mind is here, he hath some let, he is but a man. That he might not return of all the gods I did require, Which now to my joy do[141] grant my desire. But why do I stay any longer, seeing that one man’s death May suffice, O king, to pacify thy wrath? O thou minister of justice, do thine office by and by, Let not thy hand tremble, for I tremble not to die. Stephano, the right pattern of true fidelity, Commend me to thy master, my sweet Damon, and of him crave liberty When I am dead, in my name; for thy trusty services Hath well deserved a gift far better than this. O my Damon, farewell now for ever, a true friend, to me most dear; Whiles life doth last, my mouth shall still talk of thee, And when I am dead, my simple ghost, true witness of amity, Shall hover about the place, wheresoever thou be. DIONYSIUS. Eubulus, this gear is strange; and yet because Damon hath fals’d his faith, Pithias shall have the law. Gronno, despoil him, and eke dispatch him quickly. GRONNO. It shall be done; since you came into this place, I might have stroken off seven heads in this space. By’r Lady, here are good garments, these are mine, by the rood! It is an evil wind that bloweth no man good. Now, Pithias, kneel down, ask me blessing like a pretty boy, And with a trice thy head from thy shoulders I will convey. _Here entereth_ DAMON _running, and stays the sword_. DAMON. Stay, stay, stay! for the king’s advantage, stay! O mighty king, mine appointed time is not yet fully pass’d; Within the compass of mine hour, lo, here I come at last. A life I owe, and a life I will you pay: O my Pithias, my noble pledge, my constant friend! Ah! woe is me! for Damon’s sake, how near were thou to thy end! Give place to me, this room is mine, on this stage must I play. Damon is the man, none ought but he to Dionysius his blood to pay. GRONNO. Are you come, sir? you might have tarried, if you had been wise: For your hasty coming you are like to know the price.