Their fleet is weak; Their horse, I deem them fifty thousand strong; Their footmen more, well exercised in war; And, as it seems, they want no needful victual. SOLIMAN. However Rhodes be fenc'd by sea or land, It either shall be mine, or bury me. _Enter_ ERASTUS. What is he that thus boldly enters in? His habit argues him a Christian. ERASTUS. Ay, worthy lord, a forlorn Christian. SOLIMAN. Tell me, man, what madness brought thee hither? ERASTUS. Thy virtuous fame and mine own misery. SOLIMAN. What misery? speak; for though you Christians Account our Turkish race but barbarous, Yet have we ears to hear a just complaint, And justice to defend the innocent, And pity to such as are in poverty, And liberal hands to such as merit bounty. BRUSOR. My gracious sov'reign, as this knight Seems by grief tied to silence, So his deserts bind me to speak for him: This is Erastus, the Rhodian worthy, The flow'r of chivalry and courtesy. SOLIMAN. Is this the man that thou hast so described? Stand up, fair knight, that what my heart desires, Mine eyes may view with pleasure and delight. This face of thine should harbour no deceit. Erastus, I'll not yet urge to know the cause That brought thee hither, lest With the discourse thou shouldst afflict thyself, And cross the fulness of my joyful passion. But that we are assured, Heav'n's brought thee hither for our benefit, Know thou that Rhodes, nor all that Rhodes contains, Shall win thee from the side of Soliman, If we but find thee well-inclin'd to us. ERASTUS. If any ignoble or dishonourable thoughts Should dare attempt or but creep near my heart, Honour should force disdain to root it out! As air-bred eagles,[409] if they once perceive That any of their brood but close their sight When they should gaze against the glorious sun, They straightway seize upon him with their talents,[410] That on the earth it may untimely die, For looking but askew at heav'n's bright eye. SOLIMAN. Erastus, to make thee well-assured How well thy speech and presence liketh us, Ask what thou wilt, it shall be granted thee. ERASTUS. Then this, my gracious lord, is all I crave That, being banish'd from my native soil, I may have liberty to live a Christian. SOLIMAN. Ay, that, or anything thou shalt desire; Thou shalt be captain of our Janissaries, And in our council shalt thou sit with us, And be great Soliman's adopted friend.