_Mar._ Thinkest thou my fancy’s horror Is gentler than thy bluntest tale? Speak quickly. _Liv._ ’Twas on his own confession of connivance In John Palicio’s shelter and escape, 1950 My father put him from his place, and sent him To answer to this charge before the king. He sailed two nights ago. The ship ... _Mar._ Go on, sir! _Liv._ Our ships fell in with the enemy, and all But two were captured, one on which he sailed, And one which brought the news. _Mar._ And Manuel’s ship? _Liv._ ’Tis said the ship on which he sailed was sunk. _Mar._ (_falling on a chair_). Sunk, say you, and he?... _Liv._ My sister at the tidings straight fell ill, And her mind wanders. Bear a braver heart. 1960 _Mar._ O, fatal day. ’Tis I, ’tis I have done it.— And did none see him? _Liv._ Margaret, dearest Margaret, Take courage. I have shared thy sorrow, Margaret: Cannot I comfort thee? O, sweetest Margaret, Thou dost not know my love. _Mar._ (_standing, and showing the dagger_). Away! away! _Liv._ Nay, wherefore treat me thus? _Mar._ Is this an hour To force thy love upon me? _Liv._ Margaret, Hast thou no pity? _Mar._ Think if I have pity To spend on thee. _Liv._ If thou wouldst slay me, Margaret, Thou need’st no dagger. _Mar._ Sir, stand back, I say: 1970 And first tell plainly what thou knowest. One ship Of three escaped? _Liv._ The hindmost ’twas, that fled ... _Mar._ And brought the tidings? _Liv._ Ay. _Mar._ And was none saved Out of the ship which sunk? _Liv._ I know not. _Mar._ Know’st not? There’s hope, thank God. And thou!—Why, if in thy heart Lurked the least feeling, ’twould have shewn this side, Not leapt to the worst ... Come, sir, I’ll keep this sorrow: ’Tis not with thee I’d share my fear for Manuel ... Nor any other; tho’ my need compels me, If thou’rt the man sits in his place. _Liv._ I am. 1980 _Mar._ He would have aided me. _Liv._ But I will aid thee More than a brother. Thou canst ask no favour I will not grant. _Mar._ Sir, I shall ask no favour: Nor aught but what it is thy part to grant, Unless it be promise of secrecy. _Liv._ O, but one secret with thee! there’s no jewel In all the world I would esteem as that. _Mar._ Where’s Giovanni Palicio, sir? _Liv._ Palicio! _Mar._ Ay, he’s my kinsman.