Conan. The cause why subjects hate.

Mordred. A kingdom’s kept by fear.

Conan. And lost by hate.

He fears as man[y] himself whom many fear.

Mordred. The timorous subject dares attempt no change.

Conan. What dares not desperate dread?

Mordred.[263] What? torture, threats.

Conan. O spare! ’twere safer to be lov’d.

Mordred. As safe to be obey’d.

Conan. Whiles you command but well.