Ped. Peace; nature works within them. [Alph. and Ped. go apart.
Tor. How comes it, good old man, that we two meet
On these harsh terms? thou very reverend rebel;
Thou venerable traitor, in whose face
And hoary hairs treason is sanctified,
And sin's black dye seems blanched by age to virtue.
Raym. What treason is it to redeem my king,
And to reform the state?
Tor. That's a stale cheat;
The primitive rebel, Lucifer, first used it,
And was the first reformer of the skies.
Raym. What, if I see my prince mistake a poison,
Call it a cordial,—am I then a traitor,
Because I hold his hand, or break the glass?
Tor. How darest thou serve thy king against his will?
Raym. Because 'tis then the only time to serve him.
Tor. I take the blame of all upon myself;
Discharge thy weight on me.
Raym. O never, never!
Why, 'tis to leave a ship, tossed in a tempest,
Without the pilot's care.
Tor. I'll punish thee;
By heaven, I will, as I would punish rebels,
Thou stubborn loyal man!