PHY. This story will resolve you. To this Court He comes: is brought to th' king; then with a modest freedom Relates his sufferings; hopes that fame hath taught His story ere his coming, else he should Continue miserable, as believ'd Both by his friends and enemies a traitor. Delivers that he sought protection From him, because none else could vindicate His innocence, which many mothers here, Say'th he, have wept that day when fortune Consulted fate who should be conqueror. You brave lords (say'th he) that were present, did my sword Parley? Did you receive wounds on condition? Were these by compact? All my blood is lost, Since 'tis discredited; what before was spent, Ran in my name, and made that live: but now, Great King, you only repeal my honour's fall By giving death unto your enemy. Our prince resents his fate, confirms him his By a large pension, and too soon entrusts [him] With all his secrets; gives him means to view His forts, which he designs, and learns the strength Of each particular province; and (inform'd Of all) makes his escape, and is received Of the Spartan king with all remonstrances Of love and confess'd service; but before He parted, did that horrid act which Lysicles Must die for. AGEN. Indeed this story Doth not much concern him, if I mistake not. PHY. At his arrival here, he left his niece With this design, that, when his plots were ripe, Without suspect he might come to the borders. Hither he comes, and at his entrance is By a base traitorous servant certified Of the great love 'twixt her and Lysicles, The compact of their vows, with divers letters The lovers had exchang'd. He storms and cries, If thou dost love young Lysicles, my hate Shall strike thee dead; thy hand pluck'd back my honour When it was mounting; be constant, and this hand Shall by her death give thee a ling'ring one, And my revenge in thy own house begin. Then with a barbarous unheard-of cruelty Murders his niece, and the same instant flies. Fame had the next sun blown this through the city; His house was searched, the trunk of the dead lady Found in the hall; the head he carried with him, In honour of his cruelty. AGEN. Sure, he was mad! PHY. I would say so too, but that I would not Make him less guilty of this inhumanity. AGEN. What furies govern man! We hazard all Our lives and fortunes to gain hated memories; And in the search of virtue tremble at shadows. But how are you ascertain'd that he did This horrid act?