_Dor._ By whom fashion'd? By sinful men. I'll tell you a short tale[44], Nor can you but confess it is a true one: A king of Egypt, being to erect The image of Osiris, whom they honour, Took from the matrons' necks the richest jewels, And purest gold, as the materials To finish up his work; which perfected, With all solemnity he set it up, To be adored, and served himself his idol; Desiring it to give him victory Against his enemies: but, being overthrown, Enraged against his god, (these are fine gods, Subject to human fury!) he took down The senseless thing, and melting it again, He made a bason, in which eunuchs wash'd His concubine's feet; and for this sordid use, Some months it served: his mistress proving false, As most indeed do so, and grace concluded Between him and the priests, of the same bason He made his god again!--Think, think, of this, And then consider, if all worldly honours, Or pleasures that do leave sharp stings behind them, Have power to win such as have reasonable souls, To put their trust in dross. _Cal._ Oh, that I had been born Without a father! _Christ._ Piety to him Hath ruin'd us for ever. _Dor._ Think not so; You may repair all yet: the attribute That speaks his Godhead most, is merciful: Revenge is proper to the fiends you worship, Yet cannot strike without his leave.--You weep,-- Oh, 'tis a heavenly shower! celestial balm To cure your wounded conscience! let it fall, Fall thick upon it; and, when that is spent, I'll help it with another of my tears: And may your true repentance prove the child Of my true sorrow, never mother had A birth so happy! _Cal._ We are caught ourselves, That came to take you; and, assured of conquest, We are your captives. _Dor._ And in that you triumph: Your victory had been eternal loss, And this your loss immortal gain. Fix here, And you shall feel yourselves inwardly arm'd 'Gainst tortures, death, and hell:--but, take heed, sisters, That, or through weakness, threats, or mild persuasions, Though of a father, you fall not into A second and a worse apostasy. _Cal._ Never, oh never! steel'd by your example, We dare the worst of tyranny. _Christ._ Here's our warrant, You shall along and witness it. _Dor._ Be confirm'd then; And rest assured, the more you suffer here, The more your glory, you to heaven more dear. [_Exeunt._ FOOTNOTE: