'Faith, two great knights of the post swore upon The Alcoran, that he would have fir'd the Turks' fleet. PERSEDA. Was Brusor by? PISTON. Ay. PERSEDA. And Soliman? PISTON. No; but I saw where he stood, To hear, and see the matter well convey'd. PERSEDA. Accursed Soliman! profane Alcoran! Lucina, came thy husband to this end, To lead a lamb unto the slaughter-house? Hast thou for this, in Soliman's behalf, With cunning words tempted my chastity? Thou shalt aby for both your treacheries. It must be so. Basilisco, dost thou love me? speak. BASILISCO. Ay, more than I love either life or soul: What, shall I stab the emperor for thy sake? PERSEDA. No, but Lucina; if thou lov'st me, kill her. [_Then_ BASILISCO _takes a dagger, and feels_ _upon the point of it_. BASILISCO. The point will mar her skin. PERSEDA. What, dar'st thou not? Give me the dagger then-- There's a reward for all thy treasons past. [_Then_ PERSEDA _kills_ LUCINA. BASILISCO. Yet dare I bear her hence to do thee good. PERSEDA. No; let her lie, a prey to rav'ning birds; Nor shall her death alone suffice for his, Rhodes now shall be no longer Soliman's: We'll fortify our walls, and keep the town, In spite of proud, insulting Soliman. I know the lecher hopes to have my love; And first Perseda shall with this hand die, Than yield to him, and live in infamy. [_Exeunt. Manet_ BASILISCO. BASILISCO.