No More Learning

Damon. I thanke you for your courtesie. —This chaunceth well that I
Met with this gentleman so happely,
Whiche, as it seemeth, misliketh some thynge,
Els he would not talke so boldly of the kynge,
And that to a stranger: but loe were he comes in haste.
Here entreth CAR isop H Us and SNAP. Carisophus. *This is he, felow: Snap snap him
up : away with him.
Snap. Good felow, thou must go with mee to the Courte.
Damon. To the court, sir? and why?
Carisophus. Well, we wyll dispute that before the
kynge. Away with hym quickly.
Damon. Is this the curtesie you promysed mee, and that very lately:
Carisophus. Away with hym, I say.
Damon. Use no violence, I wyll go with you
quietly. [Ereunt omnes. Here entreth ARISTIPPUs.
Aristippus. Ah, sira, byr lady, Aristippus lykes Dio nius' court very well,
Whiche in passyng joyes, and plasures, doth excell. Where he hath Dapsila caenas gemalis lectes et auro Fulgentii turgmani zonam. *
I have plied the harvest, and stroke when the yron was hotte;
When I spied my time, I was not squemish to crave, God wotte.
* This is he, &c. ] This is the, &c. 2d edit.
* Instead of this corrupted nonsense, I suppose we should read,
-
-
[Erit.
-
But now, where have felt the kynges lyberalytie,
As princely came, wyll spende regallie:
Money current, men say, and currant comes Cur rendo
Then wyll make money runne, his nature requir eth, trow.
And yet, not despise but have store,
Enoughe serve his owne tourne, and somewhat more.
With sondrie sportes and tauntes, yester night de lighted the kinge,
That with his lowde laughter the whole courte did ring,
And thought laught not merier then when got this money.
But, mumbouget” for Carisophus espie
auro
204 DAM ON AND PIT IIIAS.
But with some pleasant toye crept into the kinges
bosome,
-
For whiche Dionisius gave me Auri talentum magnum; large rewarde for simple services.
What then? the kinges prayse standeth chiefly bountifulnesse:
Which thynge, though santly,
Yet can proove quitle:
But that shall not neede aboundantly.
When lack hereafter, losophie
tolde the kyng very plea
good writers great anti this time, since -that have wyll use this poinct phy
For what becomes
But dispise mony above the rest?
dapsiles canas, genioles lectos, Fulgentem tyranne zonam.
philosopher best,
plentiful suppers, luxurious couches, and the king's purse full gold command.
Aristippus was not intended for blunderer.
toyes,) tyoe, 1st edit.
mumbuget] cant term for silent; mum and budget are
the words made use Slender and Ann Page The Merry Wives Windsor.
of by
he
it as : I
in
I,
". I
i. ** e.
A
of I to
of I
at toIIisI
A so:as . . .
a -
be
**, I
*
r I
to
I as
et
S. inas
it,
II
by at
so I
a
it
it
of ofI
of
in
DAM ON AND PITH IAS. 205
In haste to come hether: I must handle the knave finely.
Oh, Carisophus, my dearest frinde, my trusty com panyon
What newes with you ? where have you been solonge? Here entreth CA R iso PH Us.
Carisophus. My best beloved friend Aristippus, I am come at last,
I have not spent my time wast.
have got pray, and that good one, trow.
Aristippus. What pray that? faine would know. Carisophus. Such crafty spie have caught, dare
say,
As never was Cicilia before this day;
Suche one vewed every weake place the citie,
Survewed the haven, and each bulwarke, talke very wittie
And yet some wordes him selfe dyd bewray. Aristippus. thinke good faith, you did
handle him.
Carisophus. handled him clarkly, joyned talke
with himcourteously:
But when we were entred, and
let him speake his wyll, his words, that made him
citie;
Suckt out thus much - say playnely, He was come hether
know the state the
And not onely this, but that would understande The state Dionisius' courte, and the whole land. Which wordes when heard, desired him staye, Till had done little businesse the way. Promising him returne agayne quickly; and did
convaye
Myselfe the court for Snap the tipstaffe, which
came and upsnatched him,
Brought him the court, and the porter's lodge
dispatched him, After ran Dionisius,
And bewrayed this matter tolde;
fast could,
him, which have you -
as to
I he
Iso is in
a in
I
of to
I
as
II
I to
I
to of I by
I a
as in I
of
I
to
to a
I I : asin
I to of -
all a
so
in
of Ihe
I in in
a
206 DAMON AND PITHIAS,
Which thinge when hee heard, beinge very mery be fore,
He soddainly fell in dump, and fomynge like a bore,
At last, he swore in great rage, that he should die By the sworde, or the wheele, and that very shortly.
I am too shamfast, for my travell and toyle
I crave nothinge of Dionisus, but onely his spoyle:
Litle hath he about him, but a few motheaten crownes of golde,
Chapoucht them up ready, they are sure hold
And now goe into the citie, say sooth,
To see what hath his lodginge make up my mouth.
Aristippus. My Carisophus, you have don good ser
vice. But what the spie's name
Carisophus. He called Damon, borne Greece,
from whence latly came.
Aristippus. By my trouth, will goe see him, and
speak with him may.
Carisophus. Doo so, pray you; but yet by. the way,
As occasion serveth, commende my service the kinge.
Aristippus. Dictum sapienti sat est: friend Cariso phus, shal forget that thinge?
No, warrant you: though say litle your face, wyll lay with my mouth for you Dionisius",
Carisophus. Our fine Phylosopher, our trimme learned elfe,
gone see false spie himselfe.
place.
when am
speake one worde for such knave hang mee.
[Exit.
well he, craftie pilosophie, the panness very pretily:
&c.
the text. C.
which difficult give satisfactory explanation, though the meaning
sufficiently obvious. gentleman, who formerly wrote The -
Damonsmatters And can tourne cat
The first edition reads
“I wyll lay you one mouth for
Dionisius,” stands
which was altered the 2d edition as
tourne cut the panne] proverbial expression,
is** Is IfI II
to
to
in of it it is
to
in of
7 in
as
I
toto to
to
a
I on
I
:
a in
in as I he
A as in A;ina
is
as itto of
Ito isat
all
if
I I he
in
, DAMON AND PITHIAS, 207
But Carisophus hath given him such a mightie checke,
As I thinke in the ende will breake his necke
What care I for that? why would “he then prie, And learn the secret estate of our countrey and citie? He is but a stranger, by his fall others wise,
may ryse.
wyll keepe with hym,
deale withall, can swym; And yet my trouth, speake my conscience
playnely,
wyll use his friendship myne owne commodytie:
While Dionisius favoureth him, Aristippus shal mine
But the kyng once frowne him, then good night, Tomaline
care not who fall
for fine Aristippus,
that
He shrewde foole
never sawe hym more.
hande, syr.
Carisophus. At Damon's lodgyng that you see
Any sturre arise, styll hand mee:
Gentleman’s Magazine under feigned name, supposes the word cat
should changed cate; “an old word for cake, other au “malette, which being usually fried, and consequently turn'd the “pan, does therefore very aptly express the changing sides “in politics religion, or, we otherwise say, the turning one's
“coat. ” Gent. Mag. 1754, 66. Another writer, however, gives the following explanation “Catipan, turn catipan, from
people called Catipani, Calabria and Apulia, who got name “by reason their perfidy; very falsely called Cat pan. ”
Ibid. 172.
would] should, edit.
—to speake mum conscience playnely,
wyll use friendship mime owne commodytie Commodity
He shal straunge, thoughe before.
But tarie too longe, wyll prate
Jacke come away.
Jacke.
interest. So, the former part this Play, 198,
“They would honour friendship, and not for commoditie King John, A.
Commodity, the bias the world.
2. S. 2.
2d
to :
I * ** in his
“ p.
I
AsI
of
or Atbe
to as ; by
I
be a
of to inofp. a be I Iso it as to
: - as to*
of at I
by to p. us
if no
a by I
let in
:]
he
be
;"
-Jis a
be
an in ill
of
or in
if
is
on
to
208
DAMON AND PIT HIAS.
Rather than I wyll lose the spoyle, I wyll blade it out. [Ereunt,
Here entereth PITHIAs and STEPHANo.
Pithias. What straunge newes are these l ah, my Stephano,
Is my Damon in pryson, as the voyce doth go? Stephano. It is true, oh cruell happel he is taken
for a spie,
And as they say, by Dionisius owne mouth condempned to die.
Pithias. To die! alas ! for what cause ?
Stephano. A sicophant falsely accused thym: other cause there is none.
But oh Jupiter, of wronges the revenger,
Seest thou this unjustice, and wilt thou staie any longer
From heaven sende downe thy hot consumying fire
To destroy the workers wronge, whiche provoke just ire? -
Alas maister Pithias, what shall we do,
Being strange countrey, voyde friendes, and
acquaintance too?
Ah, poor Stephano, hast thou lived see this daye, To see thy true mayster unjustly made away?
Pithias. Stephano, seeyng the matter come this extremy tie,
Let make vertue our friend, meare necessy tie. Runne thou the court, and understand secretly As muche thou canst Damon's cause, and
Will make some means entreate Aristippus:
He can much heare with king Dionisius. Stephano. am gone, sir—Ah, would God
travayle and payne.
Myght restore my mayster his lybertie agayne!
Pithias. Ah wofull Pithias sithe now am alone, What way shall first beginne make my mone?
What wordes shall finde apt for my complaynte Damon, my friend, my joy, my life, peril,
must now faint.
force
I
I
us do
! in
is in
I is to
to
of
of:
I to
-
to
I
of
my
th
to of
as to
a
I to
I
to
as I
all of
DAM ON AND PITH IAS.
209
But, oh musicke, as in joyfull tunes" thy mery notes I did borow,
So now lend mee thy yernfull tunes, to utter my sor row.
Here PITHIAs singes, and the regalles” play. Awake ye woful wightes,
That longe have wept in wo:
Resigne to mee your plaintes and teares,
My haplesse hap to sho. My wo no tongue can tell,
Ne pen can well descrie:
O what a death is this to heare
Damon my friende must die l
The losse of worldly wealth, Mannes wisdome may restore, And physicke hath provided too
A salve for everie sore: But my true frende once lost,
No arte can well supplie :
Then, what a death is this to heare,
Damon my friend must die /
My mouth refuse the foode,
That should my limmes sustayne:
Let sorow sinke in to my brest, And ransacke every vayne:
* Perhaps we ought to read “as in joyfull times” which seems more consistent with the context, and tunes is an ordinary error of
* regalles] Regale sorta di strumento simile all' organo, ma minore. Altieri Dizion. Ital. ed Ing. Lord Bacon distinguishes
the press. C.
between regal and the organ
instruments the same class. “The sounds that produce tones
has given great trouble the lexicographer, whose sentiments with regard its signification are collected and brought into one point
view Sir John Hawkins, 448, from whence this Note Hon. Daines Barrington, Shakspeare 1778, omitted
WOL. I.
“are ever from such bodies have their parts and pores equal, “are nightingale pipes regals organs. ” Wat. Hist. Cent:2. Sect. 102. But, notwithstanding these authorities, the appellative regal
Hamlet, that 1778,
the the Edition
manner which shews them
his History Musick, Vol. extracted. See also Note,
P
of
in
or
in a
A. 3.
S. 2.
of in a
by II.
of p.
as to
of by
be to
of is
to in to
as
the of
210
DAMON AND PITHIAS.
You Furies all at once
On me your torments trie :
JWhy should I live, since that * I heare Damon my friend must so die!
Gripe me, you greedy greefs, And present pangues of death,
You systers three, with cruell handes, With speed come * stop my breath :
Shrine me in clay alive,
Some good man stop mine eye :
0 death com now, seing Damon my friend must die.
He speaketh this after the songe.
In vaine I call for death, which heareth not my complaint:
I heare
But what wisdome is this, in such extremytie to faint? Multum juvat in re mala animus bonus.
I wyll to the court my selfe, to make friendes, and that - presently.
I wyll never forsake my friende in time of miserie—
But do I see Stephano amazed hether to ronne? Here entreth St EP HANo.
Stephano. O Pithias, Pithias, we are all undone l
Mine owne eares have sucked in mine owne sorow;
I heard Dionisius sweare, that Damon should die to morrow. -
Pithias. How camest thou so neare the presence of the kynge,
That thou mightest heare Dionisius speake this thynge? Stephano. By friendship I gate into the courte, where,
I heard Dionisius with his owne mouth geve this cruell sentence,
By these expresse wordes: that Damon the Greeke, that craftie spie,
in great audience,
Without farther judgement, to morow should die: A
37 since that] seeing, 2d edit. * must] should, 1st edit. * come] now, 1st edit.
. DAMON AND PIT. H. I. A. S. 211
Pithias, with these eares I heard it my
se
Pithias. Then how neare is my death also. Ah, woe is meel
Ah, my Damon, another myselfe, shall I forgo thee?
Stephano. Syr, there is no tyme of lamentyng now: it behoveth us
Beleeve
morphosis, This
s
lfe.
To make meanes to Dionisius,
them which can doo much with
That he be not made awaye, ere his cause be fully heard ; for we see,
By evyll reporte, thynges be made to princes worse then they bee.
But lo, yonder commeth Aristippus, in great favour with kyng Dionisius,
Entreate hym to speake a good worde to the kynge for us;
And in the meane season I wyll to your lodgyng to see
strange meta cleane altered: who would have thought
That nothyng can please hym: downe,
walked and
Fretting and chafyng,
everie man doth frowne; pleasant wordes began
please them;
you claw where itch not, you shall disease them, And perhaps get clap; myne owne proofe taught
mee this,
That very good mery and wise.
much, that when lay,
So stero.
frowned
mee, and knit me up short, perceyve safe playing with lyons, but when
farre
thynges safe there.
Pithias. To that agree: but let talke to heare.
Here entreth ARIst IPPUs.
**sodayne chaunge indeede, Here
thi
Dionisius late pleasant and mery
quite changed now into suche melancholy,
[Exit. slip aside his
If it
I
so
Is
so is
is a
all
to be
ait no
it is
of f
so I
so it
up to
on
I on in
In
he he
a us
212 DAMON AND Pitri IAS.
The onely cause of this hurly-burly is Carisophus, that wicked man,
Which lately tooke Damon for a spie, a poore gentle man,
And hath incenced the kynge against him so despight fully, -
That Dionisius hath judged him to morow to die.
I have talkt with Damon, whom though in words I
found very wittie,
Yet was he more curious then wise in viewyng this citie:
But truly, for aught I can learne, there is no cause why
So sodenly and cruelly he should be condempned to die:
How soever it be, this is the short and longe,
I dare not gainsay the kynge, be it right or wrong:
I am sory, and that is may can doo this case: Nought avayleth perswasion where frowarde opinion
taketh place.
Pithias. Sir, humble sutes you would not dispise, Then bow mee your pitifull eyes.
My name Pithias, Greece well knowne, perfect friend that wofull Damon,
Whiche now poore captive this courte doth lie, By the kynges owne mouth, here, condemned die; For whom crave your masterships goodnesse,
To stand his friende this his great distresse.
Nought hath done worthy death, but very fondly, Being straunger,
vewed this citie
For evill practises, but feede his eyes.
But seing Dionisius informed otherwise,
My sute you, when you see time and place, To asswage the kinges anger, and purchase
grace:
which dooyng, you shall not doo good But you shall further too", and that fully.
1t,
on] unto, 2d edit. C.
one onely, “But you shall further two,” and the 2d. edition prints
In e.
A noa
t• *
so
is to
I
is on
is
he
in
in
I
to
of
as
I in
all or
he
to
to
to. in
his
to
a *if
DAM ON AND PITH i A. S. 213
Aristippus. My friend, in this case I can doo you no pleasure.
Pithias. Syr, you serve in the court, as fame doth tell. Aristippus. I am of the court, in deede, but none of
the counsell.
Pithias. As I heare, none is in greater favour with the king, then you at this day.
Aristippus. The more in favour, the lesse I dare say. Pithias. It is a courtiers prayse to helpe straingers
In miserie.
-
Aristippus. To help an other, and hurte myselfe, it
is an evyll point of courtesie.
Pithias. You shall not hurt yourselfe to speake for the innocent.
Aristippus. He is not innocent whom the kinge judgeth nocent.
Pithias. Why, sir, doo you thinke this matter paste all remedie?
Aristippus. So farr past, that Dionisius hath sworne, Damon to morow shall die.
Pithias. This word my trembling heart cutteth in tWO.
Ah, sir, in this wofull case what wist I best to doo?
Aristippus. Best to content yourselfe, when there is no remedie,
He is well relived that forknoweth his miserie:
Yet if any comfort be, it resteth in Eubulus,
The chiefest counsellour about kinge Dionisius: Which pitieth Damons case in this great extremitie,
Perswadyng the kynge from kinde crueltie. Pithias. The mightie gods preserve you, for this
worde comforte.
Takyng my leave your goodnesse, wyll now resorte
To Eubulus, that good counseller:
But harke methinke heare trompet blow.
Aristippus. The kyng prease”: beware,
hande, stande close the
know
You are Damon, wyll take you for
spie prease] crowd. See Note 29 Tancred and Gismunda, vol. II.
atlSoOo. d
*
to
he a
all
to
of
of
if is he at
I
a
in
1
I
of
214 I) AMON AND PITH IAS,
Farewel, I dare not be seene with you.
Here entreth Kyng Dion Is IUS, EUBULUs the Coun seller, and GRoN No the Hangman.
Dionisius. Gronno, doo my commaundement: strike of Damons irons by and by.
Then bryng hym foorth, I my selfe will see him exe cuted presently.
Gronno. O mightie king, your commaundement wyll I doo speedely.
Dionisius, Eubulus, thou hast talked in vain, for
sure he shall die.
-
Shall I suffer my lyfe to stand in peryll of every spie? Eubulus. That he conspired against your person,
accuser cannot say.
He only viewed your citie, and wyll you for that make
him away
Dionisius. What would have done the great: minded mee hurt,
That came slyly, serch out the secret estate COurte.
Shall styll lye feare no, wyll cut off such impes betime,
Least that my farther daunger too hie they clime. Eubulus. Yet have the mightie goddes immortall
fame assigned
To worldly princes, whiche mercie inclined.
Dionisius. Let fame talke what she lyst, may
lyve
Eubulus. The onely meane - that, use mercie.
Dionisius.
Eubulus.
Dionisius.
milde prince the people despiseth. cruell kinge the people hateth.
Let them hate me, they feare mee.
safetie.
Eubulus. That not the way lyve safetie.
Dionisius. My sword and power shall purchase my
quietnesse.
Eubulus. That sooner procured mercy and gentlenesse.
Dionisius. Dionisius ought feared. Eubulus. Better for him be wel beloved.
gesse
to to
in
to I
to
be
to so by in
no :
is
to
he
AA is
in
to
in
so
is, to
so I
of
my is
all
I
be
2
he
?
his
ing
his enemie.
citie,
Where battrie might
poroche’ Suffer such one ite
die,
No, he not bite. then
Eubulus. But yet, eth mee
To geve such counsell, agree:
The strongest pillers
DAMON AND PIT. H. I. A. S. 215
Dionisius. Fortune maketh OWer.
thinges subject my
Eubulus. Beleeve her not, she she can laugh and lowre.
Dionisus. kinges prayse standeth
light goddesse; the reveng
Eubulus. greater prayse winne him cie,
Dionisius. To suffer the wicked mercie.
Eubulus. To kill the innocent tie.
Dionisius. Damon innocent which
layde, what way best ap live that worketh mee such dis
can
great cruel craftely
underminded
To understand what could kinge Dionisius Which survewed the haven, and eche bulwarcke the
shall
Carisophus,
clemen live no
am safe: dead
dogge
mightie king", my dutie bind
with your honour may best
princely dignitie,
finde “justice with mercy and prudent liberalitie: The one judgeth thinges upright equitie,
Theotherrewardeththeworthy,flyingecheextrem-itie. As spare those which offend maliciously,
may called justice, but extreame injurie upon suspicion eache thinge not well proved,
To put death presently whom envious flattery ac cused,
king” omitted the first edition, and supplied the second. C.
this, 1st edit.
4.
as by
* in is]
ofno
all
to
of OI Ibe he
SoIt “
I
*
is
2a
A ofA Is
by
:
to in2
is
to
to
be
to
is
a
is itto a
of
to
all
is
in
so
it
by
216 DAM on AND PITIIIAs.
It seemeth of tiranny; and upon what fickle ground
altirants doo stand,
-
Athenes and Lacedemon can teacheyou, yf it be rightly scande.
And not only these citezens, but who curiously seekes The whole histories of the world, not only Ro
maines and Greekes,
Shall well perceyve tirauntes the ruinous fall, Their state uncertaine, beloved none, but hated
all.
Of mercifull princes, set out the passyng felycitie,
neede not: ynough that even these dayes do tes tifie.
They live devoid feare, their sleapes are sound, they dreed no enemie, -
They are feared and loved: and why? they rule with justice and mercie,
Extendyng justice such wickedly from- justice have swarved,
Mercie unto those where opinion simplenesse - have mercie deserved.
Of lybertie nought say, but only this thynge, Lybertie upholdeth the state kynge:
Whose large bountifulnesse ought fall this issue,
To rewarde none but such
Whiche mercifull justice vident liberalytie;
Neither the caterpillers mere nati,
deserve for vertue.
you would folow, and pro
courtes fruges consu
Panio with wealth puft up, should not looke 16
Nor yet, for this simple fact, poore Damon should die. Dionisius. With payne mine eares have heard this
vayne talke mercie.
tell thee, feare and terrour defendeth kynges only: Tyll gone whome suspect, how shall lyve
quietly,
Whose memorie with chilling horror fils my beast day and night violently
2
I
he be
:
I
I
of
I
of to
of all
I
so
of of
of if
all as
of to
all of
Et
to
to it
as a
of
i. Better hei.
then I to be tormented with feare al
WaW. He shall
though
Eubulus consent not thereto:
DAMON AND PITHIAs.
217
My do dreames of him bereves my rest; on bed I lie
Shakyng and trembling, as one ready to yelde his throate to Damon's sword.
This quakyng dread nothyng but Damon's bloud can Staw :
It is lawfull for kinges, as they list, doo.
thynges and TH
Here GRoN No bringeth meeteth him
Pithias. Oh, my Damon
Damon. Oh, my Pithias us, farewel for ever.
DAM on, the way.
seying death must parte
Pithias. Oh, Damon, oh, my sweete friende
Snap. Away from the prysoner! what prease have
we here?
Gronno. As you commaunded, mighty kinge, we
have brought Damon.
Dionisius. Then to: make ready. will not
stirre out this place,
Til see his head stroken off before my face.
Gronno. shall done, sir. Because your eyes
doo,
wyl knock down this your lantern, and shut your
have made such
shop-window
*mon. mightie king, where Da
But nocent lyfe can save, “my greedily you thirst
too.
trueth my in giltlesse bloud
ave,
Albeit (even thought) had not “ought against
your person:
Yet now plead not for lyfe, wyll crave your
pardon.
thirst] thrust, 1st edit.
(even thought) had not] (even for thought) for had not;
Both Editions. The alterations Mr. Dodsley.
by
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218
DAMon AND PITHIAs.
But seyng in Greece, my countrey, where well I am knowne,
I have worldly thinges for mine aliance, when am gone,
To dispose them die might obtaine lea Sure,
would account (0 kyng) for passyng great plea Sure
Not profonge my lyfe therby, for which this,
But set my thynges misse,
Upon the faith which To returne agayne
stay: and surely
reken not wyll not
gentylmen ought
your time appoynte,
yeeld my body here this place.
Graunt me (O. kinge) such time dispatch -this urie, -
And wyll not fayle when you appoint, even here my lyfe pay”.
Dionisius. pleasant request! though could trust him absent,
Whom wise can not trust beinge present. And yet though sware the contrarie, doo that
quire,
Geve mee pledge for thy returne, and have thine owne desire.
He as nere now as he was before.
Damon. There surer nor greater pledge then
embrace,
gentleman.
Dionisius. was wont be, but otherwise now the
world doth stande;
Therefore doo say, els presently yeeld thy necke to the sword.
might with my honour would recall my worde. Pithias. Stand your worde, kinge, for kinges
ought nothing say,
But that they would performe perfect deeds alway.
pay] yeelde speedily,
the faith
edit.
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o DAMON AND PITH IAS, 219
A pledge you did require when Damon his sute did meeve, -
For which with heart and stretched handes most hum ble thankes I geve :
And that you may not say but Damon hath a frinde,
That loves him better then his owne life, and will doo to his ende,
Take mee O mightie king my lyse I pawne” for his :
Strike off my bead, if Damon hap at his day to misse. Dionisius. What art thou, that chargest me with my
worde so boldly here 2
Pithias. I am Pithias, a Greeke borne, which holde
Damon my friend full deare.
Dionisius. To dere perhaps to hazard thy life for him : what” fondnes moveth thee?
Pithias. No fondnesse at all, but perfect amitie. Dionisius. A mad kind of amities advise thyself well:
if Damon fayle at his day,
Which shal be justly appointed, wilt thou die for him,
to mee his lyfe to pay ?
Pithias. Most wyllyngly, O mightie king: if Damo
-
Pithias. What Damon saith, Pithias beleveth as suredly.
Dionisius. Take heede: for life worldly men breake promise in many thinges.
Pithias. Though worldly men doo so, it never happes amongst frindes.
Dionisius. What callest thou friendes, are they not men 2 is not this true 2
Pithias. Men they be, but such men as love one another onely for vertue.
Dionisius. For what vertue doste thou love this spie,
* I pawne] to pawne, 2d edit.
*fondnes] folly. Thus Spenser, in his Sonnets,
“Fondness it were for any, being free,
“To covet fetters, though they golden be. ”
this Damon 2
-
Pithias. For that vertue which yet to you is unknowne.
w
-
fayle let Pithias die.
Dionisius. Thou seemest to trust his wordes, that
pawnest thy lyfe so franckly.