200 DRAMATIC SCENES. 



Did I design him poison at my feast, 

 Why then did I provoke him in the fold, 

 That, as he did, he might refuse to come ? 

 When angry he refus'd, I should have sooth'd 

 His rous'd resentment, and deferr'd the blow ; 

 Not destin'd him that moment to my sword, 

 Which I before instructed him to shun. 

 Thro' fear of death, did he decline my banquet, 

 Could I expect admittance then at his ? 

 These numerous pleas at variance, overthrow 

 Each other, and are advocates for ME. 



PERSEUS. No, Sir, Posthumius is his advocate. 



KING.* Art thou afraid that I should hear him out? 



DEM. Quit, then, this picture, this well painted fear, 

 And come to that, which touches him indeed : 

 Why is Demetrius not despis'd of all, 

 His second in endowments, as in birth? 

 How dare / draw the thoughts of MACEDON ? 

 How dare I gain esteem with FOREIGN POWERS ? 

 Esteem, when gain'd, how dare I to PRESERVE? 

 These are his secret thoughts ; these burn within ; 

 These sting up accusations in his soul, 

 Turn friendly visits to foul fraud, and murder j 

 And pour in poison to the bowl of love. 

 MERIT is TREASON in a younger brother. 



KING. But clear your conduct with regard to Rome. 



PEM. Alas ! dread Sir, I grieve to find set down 

 Among my crimes, what ought to be my PRAISE. 

 That I went hostage, or ambassador, 

 Was PHILIP'S high command, not MY request: 

 Indeed, when there, in both those characters, 

 I bore in mind to whom I owe my birth : 

 Rome's favour follow'd. If it is a crime 

 To be regarded, spare a crime you caus'd ; 

 Caus'd by your orders, and example too. 

 True, I'm Rome's friend, while Rome is your ally: 

 When not, tins hostage, this ambassador, 

 So dear, stands forth the FIERCEST of her FOES ; 

 At your command, flies swift on wings of fire, 

 The native thunder of a father's arm. 

 * The King here becomes apparently biassed towards Demetriut. 



