Sisamnes, this the whole effect, The which for you I sent: Our mind it is to elevate, You to great preferment. My grace, and gracious Council eke, Hath chose you for this cause: In judgment you do office bear, Which have the skill in laws; We think that you accordingly By justice rule will deal, That for offence none shall have cause Of wrong you to appeal. SISAMNES. Abundant thanks unto your grace For this benignity: To you his Council in like case, With lords of clemency. What so your grace to me permits, If I therein offend, Such execution then commence, And use it to this end. That all other (by that my deed) Example so may take; To admonish them to flee the same, By fear it may them make. KING. Then according to your word, If you therein offend, I assure you even from my breast Correction shall extend. I mean to go[232] Into the Egypt land, Them to convince by force of arms, And win the upper hand. While I therefore absent shall be, I do you full permit, As governor in this my right, In that estate to sit, For to detect, and eke correct, Those that abuse my grace: This is the total of my will; Give answer in this case. SISAMNES. Unworthy much (O prince) am I, And for this gift unfit; But sith that it hath pleased your grace, That I in it must sit, I do avouch unto my death, According to my skill, With equity for to observe Your grace’s mind and will; And nought from it to swerve indeed, But sincerely to stay: Else let me taste the penalty, As I before did say. KING. Well then of this authority I give you full possession. SISAMNES. And I will it fulfil also, As I have made profession. KING. My Council, then, let us depart, A small stay to make: To Egypt land now forth with speed My voyage I will take. Strike up your drums us to rejoice, To hear the warlike sound: Stay you here, Sisamnes, judge, And look well to your bound. [_Exeunt_ KING, LORD, _and_ COUNCIL. SISAMNES.