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Whence comest thou, Fearon? Why wert thou prevented From joining in our last respectful homage To those, who have so nobly for the truth Laid down their lives?

I have been watching near the grated dungeon Where Ethocles, the Grecian, is immured.

Thou say'st not so! A heavier loss than this, If they have seiz'd on him, the righteous cause Could not have suffer'd. Art thou sure of it? We had not heard of his return from Syria.

It is too true: he landed ten days since On the Brundusian coast, and, as he enter'd The gates of Rome, was seized and dragg'd to prison.

And we in utter ignorance of this!

He travell'd late and unaccompanied, So this was done at night-fall and conceal'd. But see his writing given me by a guard, Who has for pity's sake betray'd his trust: It is address'd to thee. (Giving him a paper.)