Asca. 'Tis too true Virolet.
Vir. And yet my end in vent'ring for your safety,
Pointed at more than Ferrant's Will, a base one;
Some service for mine own, some for my Nation,
Some for my friend; but I am rightly paid,
That durst adventure such a noble office,
From the most treacherous command of mischief;
You know him now?
Asca. And when I nearer knew him,
Then when I waited, Heaven be witness with me,
(And if I lie my miseries still load me)
With what tears I have wooed him, with what prayers.
What weight of reasons I have laid, what dangers;
Then, when the peoples curses flew like storms;
And every tongue was whetted to defame him,
To leave his doubts, his tyrannies, his slaughters,
His fell oppressions: I know I was hated too.
Vir. And all mankind that knew him: these confessions
Do no good to the world, to heaven they may.
Let's study to die well, we have liv'd like coxcombs.
Asca. That my misfortune, should lose you too.
Vir. Yes;
And not only me, but many more, and better:
For my life, 'tis not this; or might I save yours,
And some brave friends I have engag'd, let me go;
It were the meritorious death I wish for,
But we must hang or drown like whelps.
Asca. No remedy.
Vir. On my part I expect none. I know the man,
And know he has been netled to the quick too,
I know his nature.
Asca. A most cruel nature.
Vir. His wrongs have bred him up. I cannot blame him.