M. Mol. Thou'rt brave too late;
Thou shouldst have died in battle, like a soldier.
Sebast. I fought and fell like one, but death deceived me;
I wanted weight of feeble Moors upon me,
To crush my soul out.
M. Mol. Still untameable!
In what a ruin has thy head-strong pride,
And boundless thirst of empire, plunged thy people!
Sebast. What sayst thou? ha! no more of that.
M. Mol. Behold,
What carcases of thine thy crimes have strewed,
And left our Afric vultures to devour.
Bend. Those souls were those thy God intrusted with thee,
To cherish, not destroy.
Sebast. Witness, O heaven, how much
This sight concerns me! would I had a soul
For each of these; how gladly would I pay
The ransom down! But since I have but one,
'Tis a king's life, and freely 'tis bestowed.
Not your false prophet, but eternal justice
Has destined me the lot, to die for these:
'Tis fit a sovereign so should pay such subjects;
For subjects such as they are seldom seen,
Who not forsook me at my greatest need;
Nor for base lucre sold their loyalty,
But shared my dangers to the last event,
And fenced them with their own. These thanks I pay you; [Wipes his eyes.
And know, that, when Sebastian weeps, his tears
Come harder than his blood.
M. Mol. They plead too strongly
To be withstood. My clouds are gathering too,
In kindly mixture with his royal shower.
Be safe; and owe thy life, not to my gift,
321 But to the greatness of thy mind, Sebastian.
Thy subjects too shall live; a due reward
For their untainted faith, in thy concealment.
Muf. Remember, sir, your vow.[A general shout.
M. Mol. Do thou remember
Thy function, mercy, and provoke not blood.