DIONYSIUS. Stay, Gronno, my flesh trembleth. Eubulus, what shall I do? Were there ever such friends on earth as were these two? What heart is so cruel that would divide them asunder? O noble friendship, I must yield; at thy force I wonder. My heart this rare friendship hath pierc’d to the root, And quenched all my fury: this sight hath brought this about, Which thy grave counsel, Eubulus, and learned persuasion could never do. [_To_ DAMON _and_ PITHIAS] O noble gentlemen, the immortal gods above Hath made you play this tragedy, I think, for my behoof: Before this day I never knew what perfect friendship meant. My cruel mind to bloody deeds was full and wholly bent: My fearful life I thought with terror to defend, But now I see there is no guard unto a faithful friend, Which will not spare his life at time of present need: O happy kings, who in[144] your courts have two such friends indeed! I honour friendship now, which that you may plainly see, Damon, have thou thy life, from death I pardon thee; For which good turn, I crave, this honour do me lend, O friendly heart, let me link with you, to you[145] make me the third friend. My court is yours; dwell here with me, by my commission large, Myself, my realm, my wealth, my health, I commit to your charge: Make me a third friend, more shall I joy in that thing, Than to be called, as I am, Dionysius the mighty king. DAMON. O mighty king, first for my life most humble thanks I give, And next, I praise the immortal gods that did your heart so meve, That you would have respect to friendship’s heavenly lore, Foreseeing well he need not fear which hath true friends in store. For my part, most noble king, as a third friend, welcome to our friendly society; But you must forget you are a king, for friendship stands in true equality. DIONYSIUS. Unequal though I be in great possessions, Yet full equal shall you find me in my changed conditions. Tyranny, flattery, oppression, lo, here I cast away; Justice, truth, love, friendship, shall be my joy: True friendship will I honour unto my life’s end; My greatest glory shall be to be counted a perfect friend. PITHIAS. For this your deed, most noble king, the gods advance your name, And since to friendship’s lore you list your princely heart to frame, With joyful heart, O king, most welcome now to me, With you will I knit the perfect knot of amity: Wherein I shall instruct you so, and Damon here your friend, That you may know of amity the mighty force, and eke the joyful end: And how that kings do stand upon a fickle ground, Within whose realm at time of need no faithful friends are found. DIONYSIUS. Your instruction will I follow; to you myself I do commit. Eubulus, make haste to fet new apparel, fit For my new friends.