_Cam._ The alteration Grows from his guilt. The goodness of my cause Begets such confidence in me, that I bring No hired tongue to plead for me, that with gay Rhetorical flourishes may palliate That which, stripp'd naked, will appear deform'd. I stand here mine own advocate; and my truth, Deliver'd in the plainest language, will Make good itself; nor will I, if the king Give suffrage to it, but admit of you, My greatest enemy, and this stranger prince, To sit assistants with him. _Aurel._ I ne'er wrong'd you. _Cam._ In your knowledge of the injury, I believe it; Nor will you, in your justice, when you are Acquainted with my interest in this man, Which I lay claim to. _Rob._ Let us take our seats. What is your title to him? _Cam._ By this contract, Seal'd solemnly before a reverend man, [_Presents a paper to the king._ I challenge him for my husband. _Syl._ Ha! was I Sent for the friar for this? _Rob._ This writing is Authentical. _Aurel._ But, done in heat of blood, Charm'd by her flatteries, as, no doubt, he was, To be dispensed with. _Fer._ Add this, if you please, The distance and disparity between Their births and fortunes. _Cam._ What can Innocence hope for, When such as sit her judges are corrupted! Disparity of birth or fortune, urge you? Or syren charms? or, at his best, in me Wants to deserve him? Call some few days back, And, as he was, consider him, and you Must grant him my inferior. Imagine You saw him now in fetters, with his honour, His liberty lost; with her black wings Despair Circling his miseries, and this Gonzaga Trampling on his afflictions; the great sum Proposed for his redemption; the king Forbidding payment of it; his near kinsmen, With his protesting followers and friends, Falling off from him; by the whole world forsaken; Dead to all hope, and buried in the grave Of his calamities; and then weigh duly What she deserved, whose merits now are doubted, That, as his better angel, in her bounties Appear'd unto him, his great ransom paid, His wants, and with a prodigal hand, supplied; Whether, then, being my manumised slave, He owed not himself to me? _Aurel._ Is this true? _Rob._ In his silence 'tis acknowledged. _Gonz._ If you want A witness to this purpose, I'll depose it.