_Att._ How full of troubles is the state of Kings, Abroad with Foes, at home, with faithlesse Friends, Within with cares, without, a thousand feares? Yet all summ’d vp together, doth not make Such an impression in our troubled thoughts, As this one Act of disobedience In our owne Issue. _Iag._ Gracious Soueraigne, yet for that high respect, Be fauourable: she is your Daughter. _1. Iud._ And the onely hope Of all Sicilie, since _Lorenzo’s_ losse. _Att._ Bring to the Barre the Prisoners: this offence Hath lost in vs a Father and a Friend, And cals for Iustice from vs, as a King: Yet thinke not, Lords, but ’tis with griefe of mind, Nor can a Father easly forget a Daughter, Whom hee once so dearely lou’d: Yet we had rather become Issulesse, Then leaue it noted to Posteritie, An Act of such Iniustice. _2. Iud._ Yet, dread Liege, Oh, doe not too much aggrauate the crime. Rather impute it to their childish loue. _Att._ To loue, my Lords? if that were lowable, What Act so vile, but might be so excus’d? The Murderer, that sheddeth guiltlesse bloud, Might plead, it was for loue of his Reuenge, The Felon likewise might excuse his theft, With loue of money, and the Traytor too Might say, It was for loue of Soueraigntie. And indeed, all offenders so might plead. _A Barre._ Therefore, my Lords, you that sit here to Iudge, Let all respect of persons be forgot, And deale vprightly, that you may resemble The highest Iudge, whose seat on Earth you hold: And for you know, the Lawes of Sicilie Forbid to punish two, for one offence, Let your care be to find the principall, The _Primus Motor_ that begun the cause; For the effect (you see) is but the issue That one of them may worthily receiue Deserued death; the other, may be sent (As lesse offending) into banishment. _Exit_ King. _The Prisoners brought to the _Enter_ Lisandro, _and_ Leonida. Barre by a Gard._ _1. Iudg._ Th’offence wherewith you both stand tax’d withall, Appeares so manifest in grosse, that now We need not question all particulars In publique here: yet your triall shall Be honourable, as your Persons were Before this blacke Impression. Therefore say, Which of you two begun th’occasion, By any meanes, direct or indirect? And answer truely, as you looke for grace. _Lis._ ’Twas I, my honour’d Lords. _Leo._ My Lords, ’twas I.