_Leost._ O blest office! [_Unbinds her eyes._ Never did galley-slave shake off his chains, Or look'd on his redemption from the oar, With such true feeling of delight, as now I find myself possessed of.--Now I behold True light indeed; for, since these fairest stars, Cover'd with clouds of your determinate will, Denied their influence to my optic sense, The splendour of the sun appear'd to me But as some little glimpse of his bright beams Convey'd into a dungeon, to remember[126] The dark inhabitants there, how much they wanted. Open these long-shut lips, and strike mine ears With music more harmonious than the spheres Yield in their heavenly motions: and if ever A true submission for a crime acknowledged May find a gracious hearing, teach your tongue, In the first sweet articulate sounds it utters, To sign my wish'd-for pardon. _Cleo._ I forgive you. _Leost._ How greedily I receive this! Stay, best lady, And let me by degrees ascend the height Of human happiness! all at once deliver'd, The torrent of my joys will overwhelm me:-- So! now a little more; and pray excuse me, If, like a wanton epicure, I desire The pleasant taste these cates of comfort yield me, Should not too soon be swallow'd. Have you not, By your unspotted truth I do conjure you To answer truly, suffer'd in your honour, By force, I mean, for in your will I free you, Since I left Syracusa? _Cleo._ I restore This kiss, so help me goodness! which I borrow'd, When I last saw you. _Leost._ Miracle of virtue! One pause more, I beseech you: I am like A man whose vital spirits consumed and wasted With a long and tedious fever, unto whom Too much of a strong cordial, at once taken, Brings death, and not restores him. Yet I cannot Fix here; but must inquire the man to whom I stand indebted for a benefit, Which to requite at full, though in this hand I grasp all sceptres the world's empire bows to, Would leave me a poor bankrupt. Name him, lady; If of a mean estate, I'll gladly part with My utmost fortunes to him; but if noble, In thankful duty study how to serve him; Or if of higher rank, erect him altars, And as a god adore him. _Cleo._ If that goodness, And noble temperance, the queen of virtues, Bridling rebellious passions, to whose sway, Such as have conquer'd nations have lived slaves, Did ever wing great minds to fly to heaven, He, that preserved mine honour, may hope boldly To fill a seat among the gods, and shake off Our frail corruption. _Leost._ Forward. _Cleo._ Or if ever The Powers above did mask in human shapes, To teach mortality, not by cold precepts Forgot as soon as told, but by examples, To imitate their pureness, and draw near To their celestial natures, I believe He's more than man. _Leost._ You do describe a wonder. _Cleo._ Which will increase, when you shall understand He was a lover.