_Leo._ I beg against him: He is innocent; The fact alone was mine: I was the first, The middle, and the end; And Iustice here must end. Or ’tis iniustice. _Enter_ King. _Attic._ Is the sentence giuen? _2. Iudg._ Not yet, my Lord: We are as far to seeke, In the true knowledge of the prime Offender, As at the first; for they plead guilty both; Both striue to aggrauate their owne offence, And Both excuse each other. On our liues, We cannot yet determine where’s the cause, _Attic._ It is impossible That sacred Iustice should be hudwink’t still, Though she be falsly painted so; Her eyes Are cleare, and so perspicuous, that no cryme Can maske it selfe in any borrowed shape, But shee’le discouer it. Let vm be returnd Backe to their seuerall Wards, till we deuise Some better course for the discouery. _Nic._ Dread Soueraigne, I know no better way, Then to assay by torture, to inforce A free confession, seuerall, one from other: For though they now, out of affection, Plead their owne guilt, as if they feard not death; Yet, when they feele him sting once, then the care Of life, and safetie, will discouer all. _Iag._ My Lord _Nicanor_, this is ill aduis’d, Sauoring too much of force and tyrannie. Is’t fit that Princes should subiect themselues To any tortures, such as are prepared For base Offendors? ’Tis ignobly done, So to incense the King. _Nic._ How, Sir! _Iag._ Eu’n so: You shew a proud aspiring mind, my Lord, After a Kingdome, that would ruinate Two royall Louers for so small a fact: But, Marke my words, _Nicanor_; Ere the Crowne Impale thy Temples by Her timelesse end, Mine and fiue thousand liues shall all expire. _Nic._ I wey thy words not this. _Iag._ Nor I thy frowne; I’le incense one, shall quickly pull you downe. _Exit._ _Attic._ How’s your opinion then, To search it out? _1. Iudg._ My Liege, we know no better way then this, Let there be publique Proclamation made Throughout the Kingdome, that there may be found Two Aduocates, to plead this difference In publique disputation, Man and Woman, The wisest, and the best experienc’d That can be found, or heard of in the Land; Or any such will proffer of themselues To vndertake the plea; For, questionlesse, None are so impudent to vndergoe So great a controuersie, except those That know themselues sufficient. _Attic._ Wee are pleas’d. See it effected with all the speed you can: The charge be yours, my Lord. Dissolue the Court. _Exeunt Om._ _Enter_ Iago _and_ Lorenzo, _disguised like an Amazon_. _Lor._ Has my poore Sister then withstood a triall?