DRAMATIC SCENES. 199 



Will steal on your bribed hearts, and, as you listen, 

 Plain truth, and I, plain Perseus, are forgot. 



DEM.* My FATHER! KING! and JUDGE ! thrice awful 



power ! 



Your Sox, your SUBJECT, and your PRISONER, hear. 

 Thrice humble state ! If I have grace of speech, 

 (Which gives, it seems, offence) be that no crime, 

 Which oft has serv'd my country, and my king : 

 Nor in my brother let it pass for virtue, 

 That, as he is, ungracious he would seem : 

 For, oh ! he wants not art, tho' grace may fail him. 

 The wonted aids of those that are accus'd, 

 Has my accuser seiz'd. He shed false tears, 

 That my true sorrows might suspected flow : 

 He seeks my life, and calls me MURDERER ; 

 And vows no refuge can he find on earth, 

 That I may want it in a father's arms ; 

 Those arms to which e'en strangers fly for safety. 



KiNG.f Speak to your charge. 



DEM He charges me with treason ; 



If I'm a TRAITOR, if I league with ROME, 

 Why did his zeal forbear me till this hour ? 

 Was treason then no crime, till (as he feigns) 

 I sought his life? Dares Perseus hold, so much, 

 His father's welfare cheaper than his own '? 

 Less cause have I, a brother, to complain. 

 He says, I wade for Empire thro' his blood: 

 He says, I place my confidence in ROME : 

 Why murder him, if ROME will crown my brow .' 

 Will then a sceptre, dipt in brother's blood, 

 Conciliate love, and make my reign secure ? 

 False are both charges, and he proves them false, 

 By placing them together. 



ANT. That's well urg'd. 



DEM. Mark, Sir, how Perseus, unawares, absolves me 

 From guilt in all, by loading all with guilt. 



* Demetrius is a very amiable prince, and has been much per- 

 secuted by his brother. His tone of voice is mild and plaintivCf 

 although earnest; and as he proceeds in his defence, he has frequently 

 much difficulty in suppressing his feelings, 



f Sternly. 



