_Ber._ Look to yourself, my lord the emperor! Treason, help, help, my lord! [MAXIMIN _turns and defends himself, the Guards set on_ PORPHYRIUS _and_ ALBINUS. _Max._ Disarm them, but their lives I charge you spare. [_After they are disarmed._ Unmask them, and discover who they are.-- Good Gods, is it Porphyrius whom I see! _Plac._ I wonder how he gained his liberty. _Max._ Traitor! _Por._ Know, tyrant, I can hear that name, Rather than son, and bear it with less shame. Traitor's a name, which, were my arm yet free, The Roman senate would bestow on thee. Ah, madam, you have ruined my design, [_To_ BER. And lost your life; for I regard not mine. Too ill a mistress, and too good a wife. _Ber._ It was my duty to preserve his life. _Max._ Now I perceive [_To_ POR. In what close walk your mind so long did move: You scorned my throne, aspiring to her love. _Ber._ In death I'll own a love to him so pure, As will the test of heaven itself endure; A love so chaste, as conscience could not chide; But cherish it, and keep it by its side. A love, which never knew a hot desire, But flamed as harmless as a lambent fire; A love, which pure from soul to soul might pass, As light transmitted through a crystal glass; Which gave Porphyrius all without a sin, Yet kept entire the right of Maximin. _Max._ The best return that I to both can make, Shall be to suffer for each other's sake. _Por._ Barbarian, do not dare, her blood to shed, Who from my vengeance saved thy cursed head; A flight, no honour ever reached before, And which succeeding ages will adore. _Ber._ Porphyrius, I must die! That common debt to nature paid must be; But I have left a debt unpaid to thee. To Maximin I have performed the duty of a wife; But, saving his, I cast away thy life. Ah, what ill stars upon our loves did shine, That I am more thy murd'rer, than he mine! _Max._ Make haste. _Por._ So hasty none in execution are, But they allow the dying time for prayer. Farewell, sweet saint! my prayer shall be to you: My love has been unhappy, but 'twas true. Remember me!--Alas, what have I said? You must die too! But yet remember me when you are dead. _Ber._ If I die first, I will Stop short of heaven, and wait you in a cloud; For fear we lose each other in the crowd. _Por._ Love is the only coin in heaven will go: Then take all with you, and leave none below. _Ber._ 'Tis want of knowledge, not of love, I fear; Lest we mistake when bodies are not there. O, as a mark, that I could wear a scroll, With this inscription,--Berenice's soul. _Por._ That needs not, sure, for none will be so bright, So pure, or with so small allays of light.