_Theoph._ They are the gods', great lady, They were most happy in your service else: On these, when they fell from their father's faith, I used a judge's power, entreaties failing (They being seduced) to win them to adore The holy Powers we worship; I put on The scarlet robe of bold authority, And, as they had been strangers to my blood, Presented them in the most horrid form, All kind of tortures; part of which they suffer'd With Roman constancy. _Artem._ And could you endure, Being a father, to behold their limbs Extended on the rack? _Theoph._ I did; but must Confess there was a strange contention in me, Between the impartial office of a judge, And pity of a father; to help justice Religion stept in, under which odds Compassion fell:--yet still I was a father. For e'en then, when the flinty hangman's whips Were worn with stripes spent on their tender limbs, I kneel'd, and wept, and begg'd them, though they would Be cruel to themselves, they would take pity On my gray hairs; now note a sudden change, Which I with joy remember; those, whom torture, Nor fear of death could terrify, were o'ercome By seeing of my sufferings; and so won, Returning to the faith that they were born in, I gave them to the gods. And be assured I that used justice with a rigorous hand, Upon such beauteous virgins, and mine own, Will use no favour, where the cause commands me, To any other; but, as rocks, be deaf To all entreaties. _Diocle._ Thou deserv'st thy place; Still hold it, and with honour. Things thus order'd Touching the gods, 'tis lawful to descend To human cares, and exercise that power Heaven has conferr'd upon me;--which that you, Rebels and traitors to the power of Rome, Should not with all extremities undergo, What can you urge to qualify your crimes, Or mitigate my anger? [24]_K. of Epire._ We are now Slaves to thy power, that yesterday were kings, And had command o'er others; we confess Our grandsires paid yours tribute, yet left us, As their forefathers had, desire of freedom. And, if you Romans hold it glorious honour, Not only to defend what is your own, But to enlarge your empire, (though our fortune Denies that happiness,) who can accuse The famish'd mouth, if it attempt to feed? Or such, whose fetters eat into their freedoms, If they desire to shake them off? _K. of Pontus._ We stand The last examples, to prove how uncertain All human happiness is; and are prepared To endure the worst.