_Alphon._ Go pack thou hence unto the Stygian lake, And make report unto thy traitorous sire How well thou hast enjoy'd the diadem Which he by treason set upon thy head; And if he ask thee who did send thee down, Alphonsus say, who now must wear thy crown.
_Læli._ Traitor, how dar'st thou look me in the face, Whose mighty king thou traitorously hast slain? What, dost thou think Flaminius hath no friends For to revenge his death on thee again? Yes, be you sure that, ere you 'scape from hence, Thy gasping ghost shall bear him company, Or else myself, fighting for his defence, Will be content by those thy hands to die.
_Alphon._ Lælius, few words would better thee become, Especially as now the case doth stand; And didst thou know whom thou dost threaten thus, We should you have more calmer out of hand: For, Lælius, know that I Alphonsus am, The son and heir to old Carinus, whom The traitorous father of Flaminius Did secretly bereave his diadem. But see the just revenge of mighty Jove! The father dead, the son is likewise slain By that man's hand who they did count as dead, Yet doth survive to wear the diadem, When they themselves accompany the ghosts Which wander round about the Stygian fields. [LÆLIUS _gazes upon_ ALPHONSUS. Muse not hereat, for it is true I say; I am Alphonsus, whom thou hast misus'd.
_Læli._ The man whose death I did so oft lament? [_Kneels._ Then pardon me for these uncourteous words, The which I in my rage did utter forth, Prick'd by the duty of a loyal mind; Pardon, Alphonsus, this my first offence, And let me die if e'er I flight[40] again.
_Alphon._ Lælius, I fain would pardon this offence, And eke accept thee to my grace again, But that I fear that, when I stand in need And want your help, you will your lord betray: How say you, Lælius, may I trust to thee?
_Læli._ Ay, noble lord, by all the gods I vow; For first shall heavens want stars, and foaming seas Want watery drops, before I'll traitor be Unto Alphonsus, whom I honour so.
_Alphon._ Well then, arise; and for because I'll try [LÆLIUS _arises._ If that thy words and deeds be both alike, Go haste and fetch the youths of Arragon, Which now I hear have turn'd their heels and fled: Tell them your chance, and bring them back again Into this wood; where in ambushment lie, Until I send or come for you myself.