ASPHALION.
Seen what?
ZOPYRION.
Ah! then, no matter:— (turns away agitated.)
I dare not sneak or stay[;]
If I remain I shall discover all.
ASPHALION.
I see the king has trusted to your care
Some great state secret which you fain would hide.
I am your friend, trust my fidelity,
If you’re in doubt I’ll be your counsellor.
ZOPYRION.
(with great importance.)
Secret, Asphalion! How came you to know?
If my great master (which I do not say)
Should think me a fit friend in whom to pour
The weighty secrets of his royal heart,
Shall I betray his trust? It is not so;—
I am a poor despised slave.—No more!
Join we the festal band which will conduct
Silenus to his woods again?
ASPHALION.
My friend,
Wherefore mistrust a faithful heart? Confide
The whole to me;—I will be still as death.
ZOPYRION.
As death! you know not what you say; farewell[!]
A little will I commune with my soul,
And then I’ll join you at the palace-gate.
ASPHALION.
Will you then tell me?—
ZOPYRION.
Cease to vex, my friend,
Your soul and mine with false suspicion, (aside) Oh!
I am choked! I’d give full ten years of my life
To tell, to laugh—& yet I dare not speak.
ASPHALION.
Zopyrion, remember that you hurt
The trusting bosom of a faithful friend
By your unjust concealment.
(Exit.)