_Charl._ D'Amville, to show thee with what light respect I value death and thy insulting pride, Thus, like a warlike navy on the sea, Bound for the conquest of some wealthy land, Passed through the stormy troubles of this life, And now arrived upon the armèd coast In expectation of the victory Whose honour lies beyond this exigent,[177] Through mortal danger, with an active spirit Thus I aspire to undergo my death. [_Leaps up the scaffold._ CASTABELLA _leaps after him._ _Cast._ And thus I second thy brave enterprise. Be cheerful, Charlemont. Our lives cut off In our young prime of years are like green herbs Wherewith we strew the hearses of our friends. For, as their virtue, gathered when they are green, Before they wither or corrupt, is best; So we in virtue are the best for death While yet we have not lived to such an age That the increasing canker of our sins Hath spread too far upon us.-- _D'Am._ A boon, my lords, I beg a boon. _1st Judge._ What's that, my lord? _D'Am._ His body when 'tis dead For an anatomy.[178] _2nd Judge._ For what, my lord? _D'Am._ Your understanding still comes short o' mine. I would find out by his anatomy What thing there is in Nature more exact Than in the constitution of myself. Methinks my parts and my dimensions are As many, as large, as well composed as his; And yet in me the resolution wants To die with that assurance as he does. The cause of that in his anatomy I would find out. _1st Judge._ Be patient and you shall. _D'Am._ I have bethought me of a better way. --Nephew, we must confer.--Sir, I am grown A wondrous student now o' late. My wit Has reached beyond the scope of Nature, yet For all my learning I am still to seek From whence the peace of conscience should proceed. _Charl._ The peace of conscience rises in itself. _D'Am._ Whether it be thy art or nature, I Admire thee, Charlemont. Why, thou hast taught A woman to be valiant. I will beg Thy life.--My lords, I beg my nephew's life. I'll make thee my physician. Thou shalt read Philosophy to me. I will find out The efficient cause of a contented mind. But if I cannot profit in't, then 'tis No more good being my physician, But infuse A little poison in a potion when Thou giv'st me physic, unawares to me. So I shall steal into my grave without The understanding or the fear of death. And that's the end I aim at. For the thought Of death is a most fearful torment; is it not? _2nd Judge._ Your lordship interrupts the course of law. _1st Judge._ Prepare to die. _Charl._ My resolution's made. But ere I die, before this honoured bench, With the free voice of a departing soul, I here protest this gentlewoman clear Of all offence the law condemns her for. _Cast._ I have accused myself. The law wants power To clear me. My dear Charlemont, with thee I will partake of all thy punishments.