198 DRAMATIC SCENES. 



PERSEUS. This morning's insult. 

 This morning they proclaimed HIM Philip's KING. 

 This morning they forgave YOU for HIS sake. 



O pardon, pardon ! 1 could strike him dead. 



KING. More temper. 



PERSEUS. Not more truth, that cannot be ! 

 And that it cannot, one proof can't escape you ; 

 For what but truth could make me, Sir, so bold? 

 Rome puts forth all her strength to crown her minion , 

 Demetrius' vices, thriving of themselves, 

 Her fulsome flatt'ries dung to ranker growth. 

 Demetrius is the burden of her song j 

 Each river, hill, and dale, has learnt HIS name ; 

 While elder Perseus in a whisper dies. 

 DEMETRIUS treats, DEMETRIUS gives us peace ; 



Demetrius is our GOD, and would be so 



My sight is short : Look on him you that can : 

 What* sage experience sits upon his brow, 

 What awful marks of wisdom, who vouchsafes 

 To patronize a Father, and a King ? 

 Such patronage is TREASON. 



KING. TREASON !f DEATH ! 



PERSEUS. Nor let the ties of blood bind up the hands 

 Of justice ; Nature's ties are broke already : 

 For who contend before you ? Your two sons ? 

 No; read aright; 'tis MACEDON and ROME. 

 A well-mask 'd foreigner , and your ONLY SON, 

 Guard of your LIFE, and exile of your LOVE. 

 Now, bear me to my dungeon : What so fit 

 As darkness, chains, and death, for such a traitor < 



KING. Speak, Demetrius. 



ANT. My lord, he cannot speak ; accept his tears 

 Instead of words. 



PERSEUS. His tears as false as they. 



Now, with fine phrase, and foppery of tongue, 

 More graceful action, and a smoother tone, 

 That orator of fable, and fair face, 



* This sentence should be given in a sneering, sarcastic manner, 

 f With much vehemence. 



