_King_. Yet I wonder much Of the strange desperation of these men, That dare attempt such acts here in our State; He could not escape that did it. _Mel_. Were he known, unpossible. _King_. It would be known, _Melantius_. _Mel_. It ought to be, if he got then away He must wear all our lives upon his sword, He need not fly the Island, he must leave no one alive. _King_. No, I should think no man Could kill me and scape clear, but that old man. _Cal_. But I! heaven bless me: I, should I my Liege? _King_. I do not think thou wouldst, but yet thou might'st, For thou hast in thy hands the means to scape, By keeping of the Fort; he has, _Melantius_, and he has kept it well. _Mel_. From cobwebs Sir, 'Tis clean swept: I can find no other Art In keeping of it now, 'twas ne're besieg'd since he commanded. _Cal_. I shall be sure of your good word, But I have kept it safe from such as you. _Mel_. Keep your ill temper in, I speak no malice; had my brother kept it I should ha' said as much. _King_. You are not merry, brother; drink wine, Sit you all still! _Calianax_, [_Aside_. I cannot trust thus: I have thrown out words That would have fetcht warm blood upon the cheeks Of guilty men, and he is never mov'd, he knows no such thing. _Cal_. Impudence may scape, when feeble vertue is accus'd. _King_. He must, if he were guilty, feel an alteration At this our whisper, whilst we point at him, You see he does not. _Cal_. Let him hang himself, What care I what he does; this he did say. _King_. _Melantius_, you cannot easily conceive What I have meant; for men that are in fault Can subtly apprehend when others aime At what they do amiss; but I forgive Freely before this man; heaven do so too: I will not touch thee so much as with shame Of telling it, let it be so no more. _Cal_. Why this is very fine. _Mel_. I cannot tell What 'tis you mean, but I am apt enough Rudely to thrust into ignorant fault, But let me know it; happily 'tis nought But misconstruction, and where I am clear I will not take forgiveness of the gods, much less of you. _King_. Nay if you stand so stiff, I shall call back my mercy. _Mel_. I want smoothness To thank a man for pardoning of a crime I never knew.