Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/379

Rh

Base traitor! Dar'st thou belie me to my very face?

That I belie thee not be this my token; My hire was given to me by Petronius, Told from a sable bag, on whose seal'd mouth Thy scymitar and crescent were impress'd.

Petronius!

Yes, that smooth, subtle Greek.

He hir'd thee not to take the life of Constantine?

True; I was hir'd for wasteful insurrection, Not for delib'rate murder. Tho' most wretched, A stranger, grip'd by hard necessity, The price he gave me ne'er had bought this arm To such an act.

And who did hire thee for this second deed, Which thou must needs delib'rate murder call?