Thy dark half-hinted purpose—lead me to him;

If thou hast murder'd him——

Phil. By Heav'n, he lives.

Mel. Then bless me with one tender interview.

Thrice has the sun gone down, since last, these eyes

Have seen the good old king; say, why is this?

Wherefore debarr'd his presence? Thee, Philotas,

The troops obey, that guard the royal pris'ner;

Each avenue to thee is open; thou

Canst grant admittance; let me, let me see him.

Phil. Entreat no more; the soul of Dionysius

Is ever wakeful; rent with all the pangs

That wait on conscious guilt.

Mel. But when dun night——

Phil. Alas! it cannot be: but mark my words.

Let Greece urge on her general assault.

Despatch some friend, who may o'erleap the walls,

And tell Timoleon, the good old Evander

Has liv'd three days, by Dionysius' order,

Lock'd up from ev'ry sustenance of nature,

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