Pol. Upon 'em, I say; knock 'em down, officers, if they resist.
[Fight. They are taken.
Leu. O, they are lost! ah, wicked, wicked Psectas!
Pol. So, keep 'em fast; we'll have 'em faster shortly; and for you, minion, I'll tie a clog about your neck for running away any more.
Leu. Yet do but hear me, father.
Pol. Call me not father, thou disobedient wretch,
Thou runaway; thou art no child of mine;
My daughter ne'er wore breeches.
Leu. O sir, my mother would have done as much
For love of you, if need had so requir'd:
Think not my mind transformed as my habit.
Pol. Officers, away with him! peace, strumpet!
You may discharge him:[433] he's but an assistant.
Leu. O, stay and hear me yet; hear but a word,
And that my last, it may be: do not spill
The life of him in whom my life subsists;
Kill not two lives in one! Remember, sir,
I was your daughter once, once you did love me:
And tell me, then, what fault can be so great
To make a father murderer of his child?
For so you are in taking of his life.
O, think not, sir, that I will stay behind him,
Whilst there be asps and knives, and burning coals.
No Roman dame shall in her great example
Outgo my love.
Phil. O, where will sorrow stay!
Is there no end in grief, or in my death
Not punishment enough for my offence,
But must her grief be added to afflict me?
Dry up those pearls, dearest Leucothoë,
Or thou wilt make me doubly miserable:
Preserve that life, that I may after death
Live in my better part. Take comfort, dear:
People would curse me if such beauty should
For me miscarry: no, live happy thou,
And let me suffer what the law inflicts.
Leu. My offence was as great
As thine, and why should not my punishment?