Emp. No, I'll untwist you:
I have occasion for your stay on earth.
Let him mount first, and beat upon the wing,
And wait an age for what I here detain;
360 Or sicken at immortal joys above,
And languish for the heaven he left below.
Alm. Thou wilt not dare to break what heaven has joined?
Emp. Not break the chain; but change a rotten link,
And rivet one to last.
Think'st thou I come to argue right and wrong?—
Why lingers Dorax thus? Where are my guards, [Benducar goes out for the Guards,
and returns.
To drag that slave to death?—
Now storm and rage;[Pointing to Seb.
Call vainly on thy prophet, then defy him
For wanting power to save thee.
Seb. That were to gratify thy pride. I'll shew thee
How a man should, and how a king dare die!
So even, that my soul shall walk with ease
Out of its flesh, and shut out life as calmly
As it does words; without a sign to note
One struggle, in the smooth dissolving frame.
Alm. [To the Emp.]
Expect revenge from heaven, inhuman wretch!
Nor hope to ascend Sebastian's holy bed.
Flames, daggers, poisons, guard the sacred steps:
Those are the promised pleasures of my love.
Emp. And these might fright another, but not me;
Or me, if I designed to give you pleasure.
I seek my own; and while that lasts, you live.—
Enter two of the Guards.
Go, bear the captive to a speedy death,
And set my soul at ease.
Alm. I charge you hold, ye ministers of death!—
Speak my Sebastian;
Plead for thy life; Oh, ask it of the tyrant:
361 'Tis no dishonour; trust me, love, 'tis none.
I would die for thee, but I cannot plead;
My haughty heart disdains it, even for thee.—
Still silent! Will the king of Portugal
Go to his death like a dumb sacrifice?
Beg him to save my life in saving thine.
Seb. Farewell; my life's not worth another word.