_Phil._ Did I risk all to play the nurse Unto your tedious grief for a false lover? All Syracuse knows you his fool, and yet You'd play Penelope, and hope to sit With tears of twenty years upon your cheeks! O stare and wonder, gasp, and sir! and ho! Weep if you will, and pray your baby prayers. I've done with ah's and oh's and niceties! _The._ O now this monster shows its head! _Phil._ Go in!... Wilt have me call the slave? _The._ Beware, Phillistus! _Phil._ Of what, or whom? _The._ Of Heaven, sir! _Phil._ Ha! ha! What powers there owe not their reign to man? The mind at holiday makes gods for sport And gives them us for masters. When I'm crowned I'll banish all these idle, meddling wits, These boggy brains that spring with toadstool thrones Decked with a deity. _The._ And yet the gods Now hear thee! _Phil._ Say they do, love rules 'mong gods As men. Doubt not they'll wink at my warm suit. _The._ O, thy black soul will be the scorn of devils When hell has claimed thee! _Phil._ Know me blacker still! Since hate must be the bond between our hearts, I'll burn this into thine--thy father's death Was by my hand made sure, that I might woo Your foolish mother, who drank in turn my cup. Yet shall I wear the blossom of your love Fair on my bosom, and the fruit shall grow To propagate my house. So silent, madam? Is not this news? You would not coo for me; May I not hear you rave? _The._ Who, who could speak? Now swirling harpies pluck away my soul, And leave me here a shell that yet can breathe! _Phil._ Ah, you shall breathe and live for me--for me! _The._ O lust, whose sovereign heel treads life As destiny had given bond and stamp for 't! _Phil._ Ay, my desire would charter hell for breath And blow her fires to desolate the world Ere lose thee now! [_Enter a messenger from the bridge road_] _Mess._ Sir, Heraclides begs your instant aid! The castled enemy have darted forth---- _Phil._ How? Where? _Mess._ Behind the wall--across the bridge! Like adder's tongue they've struck the sleeping city. Now Heraclides calls for men to guard The channel crossing. _Phil._ Say I'll join him there. At once! Away! [_Exit messenger_] _Phil._ [_Calls_] Ragunda! Amazon! [_Ragunda comes out of Phillistus' house_] Take in your charge, and keep a closer watch. Your life, as hers, is short or long. [_To Theano_] In, madam! _The._ Here dies my faith. O chance-made world, upheaved By Demiurgus turning in his sleep!