_Val._ To bring Porphyrius only to my sight, Was not to show your pity, but your spite: Would you but half oblige her you adore? You should not have done this, or should do more. _Plac._ Alas! what hope can there be left for me, When I must sink into the mine I see? My heart will fall before you, if I stay; Each word you speak saps part of it away. ----Yet all my fortune on his death is set; And he may love her, though he loves not yet. He must--and yet she says he must not die.-- O, if I could but wink, I could deny! _To them_ ALBINUS. _Alb._ The emperor expects your prisoner strait; And with impatience for his death does wait. _Plac._ Nay, then it is too late my love to weigh; Your pardon, madam, if I must obey. [_Exit_ ALBINUS. _Por._ I am prepared; he shall not long attend. _Val._ Then here my prayers and my submissions end. Placidius, know, that hour in which he dies, My death (so well I love) shall wait on his. _Plac._ O, madam, do not fright me with your death! _Val._ My life depends alone upon his breath. But, if I live in him, you do not know How far my gratitude to you may go. I do not promise--but it so may prove, That gratitude, in time, may turn to love. Try me-- _Plac._ Now I consider it, I will: [_Musing a little._ 'Tis in your power to save him, or to kill. I'll run the hazard to preserve his life, If, after that, you vow to be my wife. _Val._ Nay, good Placidius, now you are too hard: Would you do nothing but for mere reward? Like usurers to men in want you prove, When you would take extortion for my love. _Plac._ You have concluded then that he must die? [_Going with_ PORPHYRIUS. _Val._ O stay! if no price else his life can buy, My love a ransom for his life I give: Let my Porphyrius for another live. [_Holding her handkerchief before her face._ _Por._ You too much value the small merchandise: My life's o'er-rated, when your love's the price. _Enter_ ALBINUS. _Alb._ I long have listened to your generous strife, As much concerned for brave Porphyrius' life. For mine I to his favour owed this day; Which with my future service I will pay. _Plac._ Lest any your intended flight prevent, I'll lead you first the back-way to my tent; Thence, in disguise, you may the city gain, While some excuse for your escape I feign.