ARISTIPPUS. My friend, in this case I can do you no pleasure.
PITHIAS. Sir, you serve in the court, as fame doth tell.
ARISTIPPUS. I am of the court indeed, but none of the council.
PITHIAS. As I hear, none is in greater favour with the king, than you at this day.
ARISTIPPUS. The more in favour, the less I dare say.
PITHIAS. It is a courtier’s praise to help strangers in misery.
ARISTIPPUS. To help another, and hurt myself, it is an evil point of courtesy.
PITHIAS. You shall not hurt yourself to speak for the innocent.
ARISTIPPUS. He is not innocent, whom the king judgeth nocent.
PITHIAS. Why, sir, do you think this matter past all remedy?
ARISTIPPUS. So far past, that Dionysius hath sworn, Damon to-morrow shall die.
PITHIAS. This word my trembling heart cutteth in two. Ah, sir, in this woful case that[67] wist I best to do?
ARISTIPPUS. Best to content yourself, when there is no remedy, He is well relieved that foreknoweth his misery: Yet, if any comfort be, it resteth in Eubulus, The chiefest councillor about King Dionysius: Which pitieth Damon’s case in this great extremity, Persuading the king from all kind of cruelty.
PITHIAS. The mighty gods preserve you for this word of comfort. Taking my leave of your goodness, I will now resort To Eubulus, that good councillor: But hark! methink I hear a trumpet blow.
ARISTIPPUS. The king is at hand, stand close in the prease.[68] Beware, if he know You are friend to Damon, he will take you for a spy also. Farewell, I dare not be seen with you.
_Here entereth_ KING DIONYSIUS, EUBULUS _the Councillor, and_ GRONNO _the Hangman._
DIONYSIUS. Gronno, do my commandment: strike off Damon’s irons by and by. Then bring him forth, I myself will see him executed presently.
GRONNO. O mighty king, your commandment will I do speedily.
DIONYSIUS. Eubulus, thou hast talked in vain, for sure he shall die. Shall I suffer my life to stand in peril of every spy?
EUBULUS. That he conspired against your person, his accuser cannot say: He only viewed your city, and will you for that make him away?
DIONYSIUS. What he would have done, the guess is great: he minded me to hurt, That came so slyly to search out the secret estate of my court. Shall I still lie in fear? no, no: I will cut off such imps betime, Lest that to my farther danger too high they climb.