POLEMIUS. Claudius, my paternal instinct Makes me fear Chrysanthus' sadness, Makes we tremble that its issue May result in total madness. Since thou art his friend and kinsman Both combined, make out, I pray thee, What occasions this bewitchment, To the end that I may break it: And my promise now I give thee, That although I should discover Love's delirious dream delicious May be at the root,--most likely At his age the true suspicion,-- It shall not disturb or grieve me. Nay, since I am doomed to witness His dejection, it will glad me To find out that so it springeth. ESCARPIN. Once a high priest of Apollo Had two nephews soft and silly, More than silly, wretched creatures, More than wretched, doltish drivels; And perceiving from experience How love smartens up its victims, He but said to them this only, "Fall in love at least, ye ninnies".-- Thus, though not in love, sir, now, I 'll be bound he 'll be so quickly, Merely to oblige you. POLEMIUS. This Is not quite as I would wish it, For when anything has happened, The desire to know it, differs From the wish it so should happen. CLAUDIUS. I, my lord, my best assistance Offer thee to strive and fathom From what cause can have arisen Such dejection and such sadness; This henceforth shall be my business To divert him and distract him. POLEMIUS. Such precisely are my wishes: And since now I am forced to go In obedience to the mission Sent me by Numerianus, 'Mid the wastes to search for Christians, In my absence, Claudius, Most consoling thoughts 't will give me, To remember that thou watchest O'er Chrysanthus. CLAUDIUS. From this instant Until thy return, I promise Not to leave his side. POLEMIUS. Aurelius . . . AURELIUS. My good lord. POLEMIUS. Art sure thou knowest In this mountain the well-hidden Cave wherein Carpophorus dwelleth? AURELIUS. Him I promise to deliver To thy hands. POLEMIUS. Then lead the soldiers Stealthily and with all quickness To the spot, for all must perish Who are there found hiding with him:-- For the care with which, ye Heavens! I uphold the true religion Of the gods, their faith and worship, For the zeal that I exhibit In thus crushing Christ's new law, Which I hate with every instinct Of my soul, oh! grant my guerdon In the cure of my son's illness! [Exeunt Polemius and Aurelius. CLAUDIUS (to Escarpin). Go and tell my lord Chrysanthus That I wish he would come with me Forth to-day for relaxation. ESCARPIN. Relaxation! just say whither Are we to go forth to get it; Of that comfort I get little--