_Cleor._ I know not how, or why, my surly gaoler, Hard as his irons, and insolent as power When put in vulgar hands, Cleanthes gone, Put off the brute; and with a gloomy smile, That showed a sullen lothness to be kind, Screened me within this veil, then led me forth; And, using to the guards Cassandra's name, Made that my passport: every door flew ope, To admit my entrance; and then clapt behind me, To bar my going back. _Cleom._ Some new resolve. Cassandra plots, and then refines on malice; Plays with revenge. With rage she snatched you hence, And renders you with scorn: I thought to show you, How easy 'twas to die, by my example, And hansel fate before you; but thy presence Has changed my mind, to drag this lingering life, To share thy sorrows, and assist thy weakness.-- Come in, my friends, and let us practise death; Stroke the grim lion, till he grow familiar.-- Cleora, thou and I, as lovers should, Will hand in hand to the dark mansions go, Where life no more can cheat us into woe; That, sucking in each other's latest breath, We may transfuse our souls, and put the change on death. [_Exeunt._ ACT V.--SCENE I. _Enter_ CASSANDRA _and_ SOSIBIUS. _Sosib._ And what have you determined? _Cas._ He shall die. _Sosib._ A wholesome resolution. Have you fixed The time? _Cas._ He daily dies, by hours and moments; All vital nourishment but air is wanting. Three rising days and two descending nights Have changed the face of heaven by turns, But brought no kind vicissitude to him; His state is still the same, with hunger pinched, Waiting the slow approaches of his death; Which, halting onwards, as his life goes back, Still gains upon his ground. _Sosib._ But ere fate reach him, The mercy of the king may interpose. You have the signet? _Cas._ Yes, in your despite. _Sosib._ Be not displeased,--suppose he should escape? _Cas._ Suppose he should have wings: impossible! _Sosib._ Yet, keepers have been bribed. To whom can Ptolemy Impute that crime, but you? _Cas._ He may; but let him if he dares.-- Come, statesman, do not shuffle in your pace; You would expose me to the people's hatred, By hurrying on this act of violence: You know a little thing provokes the crowd Against a mistress; she's the public mark: Therefore content yourself; I will be safe, Nor shall the prisoner die a speedier death, Than what my doom decreed; unless the king Reverse his orders, by my messenger. _Sosib._ May I presume to ask you, whom you sent?