Alb. The emperor expects your prisoner strait; And with impatience for his death does wait.
Plac. Nay, then it is too late my love to weigh; Your pardon, madam, if I must obey. [Exit Albinus.
Por. I am prepared; he shall not long attend.
Val. Then here my prayers and my submissions end. Placidius, know, that hour in which he dies, My death (so well I love) shall wait on his.
Plac. O, madam, do not fright me with your death!
Val. My life depends alone upon his breath. But, if I live in him, you do not know How far my gratitude to you may go. I do not promise—but it so may prove, That gratitude, in time, may turn to love. Try me—
Plac. Now I consider it, I will: [Musing a little.
'Tis in your power to save him, or to kill. I'll run the hazard to preserve his life, If, after that, you vow to be my wife.
Val. Nay, good Placidius, now you are too hard: Would you do nothing but for mere reward? Like usurers to men in want you prove, When you would take extortion for my love.
Plac. You have concluded then that he must die? [Going with Porphyrius.