A plot to keep off Ariaspes' greatness,
Which he must fear, because he knows he hates him.80
For these are statesmen, that, when time has made bold
With the king and subject, throwing down all fence
That stood betwixt their power and others' right,
Are on a change;
Like wanton salmons coming in with floods,85
That leap o'er wires and nets, and make their way
To be at the return to every one a prey.
Enter Ziriff and Pasithas; they throw down the dead body of Ariaspes
Orb. Ha! murther'd too! Treason, treason!
Zir. But such another word, and half so loud,
And th'rt
Orb. Why? thou wilt not murther me too,90
Wilt thou, villain?
Zir. I do not know my temper:
Look here, vain thing, and see thy sins full blown:
There's scarce a part in all this face thou hast
Not been forsworn by, and Heav'n forgive thee for't!
For thee I lost a father, country, friends,95
Myself almost; for I lay buried long:
And, when there was no use thy love could pay
Too great, thou mad'st the principal away.
Had I but staid, and not began revenge.
Till thou hadst made an end of changing, I100
Had had the kingdom to have kill'd.
As wantons, ent'ring a garden, take the first
Fair flower they meet, and treasure't in their laps;
Then, seeing more, do make fresh choice again,
Throwing in one and one, till at the length105
The first poor flower, o'ercharg'd with too much weight,
Withers and dies:
So hast thou dealt with me; and, having kill'd
Me first, I'll kill
Orb. Hold, hold!
Not for my sake, but Orbella's, sir! a bare110
And single death is such a wrong to justice,
I must needs except against it.
Find out a way to make me long a-dying;
For death's no punishment: it is the sense,
The pains and fears afore, that makes a death.115
