_Sosib._ Never more gladly; though my son's a rebel, Yet nature works to save him. _Cas._ Then rather than he should untimely fall, [CŒNUS _draws off_ SOSIBIUS'S _Men_. I would forgive the rest, and offer life Even to that fugitive, if he please to treat. _Cleom._ Be short; and, if you can, for once, sincere. _Cas._ What can you hope from this unequal fight, Where numbers rise from every foe you kill, And grow from their defeat? _Cleom._ We come resolved; And to die killing, is a kind of conquest. _Cas._ But are not life and freedom worth accepting, When offered; and, with such conditions too, As make them both more pleasing? Your friend's safety, Your son, your mother, and that only she Who loves you best, for your companion home:-- You know what she I mean. [_Aside to him._ _Cleom._ No private parley; [_Stepping back._ Spartans do all in public. _Clean._ We know your reasons for these secret whispers; And to your infamy-- _Cleom._ [_Aside to him._] Peace, peace, my friend. No injuries from women can provoke A man of honour to expose their fame.-- Madam, we understand each other well: My son, my mother, and my wife restored, 'Tis peace; if not, 'tis war. _Sosib._ A fair proposal: Be it peace. _Cas._ No, fool! 'tis war.--Know, heavy hero, know, I gained this time for my secure revenge; To seize thy wife and mother: and, to stab thee On both sides of thy heart, they're gone to die, To make thy death more painful. Farewell, traitor! And thank thyself, not me. [_Ex._ CAS. _and_ SOSIB. _Cleom._ Revenge, revenge, And speedy death, or conquest!--Hold, Cleanthes! _Enter_ CLEONICAS. Poor boy! By heaven, I'm pleased to see thee safe this moment, Though I expect the next to lose thee.--Guard him, Cleanthes: Set him safe behind the front. _Clean._ Come, sir, you are now my charge. _Cleon._ The gods forbid That I should seek this danger, and not share it.-- [_To_ CLEON.] Forgive me, sir, that once I disobey you, To prove myself your son; living, or dying, I'll not be less than man. _Cleom._ Oh! I could chide thee; But there's no time for love and anger both. Fight by my side; and heaven protect thy courage. [CLEOMENES, CLEANTHES, CLEONIDAS, _and their Party go off the Stage, to fight the Egyptians. Trumpets, Drums, Shouts, and Clashings within._ _Re-enter both Parties; the Egyptians first, driven by_ CLEOMENES; PANTHEUS _ready to kill_ SOSIBIUS, _as having him down:_ CLEANTHES _runs to him and interposes_. _Clean._ Pantheus, hold; or turn thy sword on me. _Panth._ [_To_ SOSIB.] Rise, sir; and thank your son. _Clean._ [_To_ PANTH.] Pursue the foes: I have no joy of conquest, Till I have set my father safe.