Why, why, O heavens! [aside.
Do I pause, but from my breast here
Tear my bleeding heart? How act
In so dreadful a dilemma?
If I say who he is, I tarnish
With his guilt my name for ever,
And my loyalty if I 'm silent,
Since he being here transgresses
By that fact alone the edict:
Shall I punish him? The offender
Is my son. Shall I free him? He
Is my enemy and a rebel:—
If between these two extremes
Some mean lies, I cannot guess it.
As a father I must love him,
And as a judge I must condemn him. [Exeunt.
ACT THE SECOND.
Scene I.
A hall in the house of Polemius.
Enter Claudius and Escarpin.
Claudius.
Has he not returned? Can no one
Guess in the remotest manner[8]
Where he is?
Escarpin.