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MARDONIO.

Yes, thou may'st wonder! for some unknown friend

Had sawn across the main prop of the scaffold,
So that the headsman mounting first, the platform
Fell with a crash; and he, all maim'd and bruis'd,
Unfit to do his office, was perforce——

HARDIBRAND.

Ay, ay, 'tis plain, thou need'st not tell me more.—

But he the unknown friend———

Enter Ohio, running exultingly.

OHIO.

'Twas I that did it!

Beat me and scourge me as ye list: I did it!
He offer'd me his cloak: he pitied me;
And I have paid him back.

HARDIBRAND.

Ha! well done and well said, my brave black thing!

Art thou a prince? in faith I think thou art.
I'll take thee home, and make a man of thee.

No, no! (pointing to Rayner) here is my son, my heir, my child:

All that I have is his: he will reward thee.

Thou hast a gen'rous mind, altho' debas'd
With vile oppression and unmanly scorn.