Enter ALEXANDRO, with a NOBLE-MAN and
HALBERTS.
NOB. In such extremes will nought but patience serve.
ALEX. But in extremes what patience shall I use?
Nor discontents it me to leave the world,
With whom there nothing can prevail but wrong.
NOB. Yet hope the best.
ALEX. 'Tis heav'n is my hope:
As for the earth, it is too much infect
To yield me hope of any of her mould.
VICE. Why linger ye? bring forth that daring fiend,
And let him die for his accursed deed.
ALEX. Not that I fear the extremity of death—
For nobles cannot stoop to servile fear—
Do I, O king, thus discontented live;
But this, O this, torments my labouring soul,
That thus I die suspected of a sin
Whereof, as Heav'ns have known my secret thoughts,
So am I free from this suggestion!
VICE. No more, I say; to the tortures! when?
Bind him, and burn his body in those flames,
They bind him to the stake.
That shall prefigure those unquenched fires
Of Phlegethon prepared for his soul.