"If, mighty Torismond, I offend in pleading for my friend, let the law
of amity crave pardon for my boldness; for where there is depth of
affection, there friendship alloweth a privilege. Rosalynde and I have
been fostered up from our infancies, and nursed under the harbor of
our conversing together with such private familiarities, that custom
had wrought a union of our nature, and the sympathy of our affections
such a secret love, that we have two bodies and one soul. Then marvel
not, great Torismond, if, seeing my friend distressed, I find myself
perplexed with a thousand sorrows; for her virtuous and honorable
thoughts, which are the glories that maketh women excellent, they be
such as may challenge love, and rase out suspicion. Her obedience to
your majesty I refer to the censure of your own eye, that since her
father's exile hath smothered all griefs with patience, and in the
absence of nature, hath honored you with all duty, as her own father
by nouriture, not in word uttering any discontent, nor in thought, as
far as conjecture may reach, hammering on revenge; only in all her
actions seeking to please you, and to win my favor. Her wisdom,
silence, chastity, and other such rich qualities, I need not decipher;
only it rests for me to conclude in one word, that she is innocent. If
then, fortune, who triumphs in a variety of miseries, hath presented
some envious person (as minister of her intended stratagem) to taint
Rosalynde with any surmise of treason, let him be brought to her face,
and confirm his accusation by witnesses; which proved, let her die,
and Alinda will execute the massacre. If none can avouch any confirmed
relation of her intent, use justice, my lord, it is the glory of a
king, and let her live in your wonted favor; for if you banish her,
myself, as copartner of her hard fortunes, will participate in exile
some part of her extremities."

Torismond, at this speech of Alinda, covered his face with such a
frown, as tyranny seemed to sit triumphant in his forehead, and
checked her up[1] with such taunts, as made the lords, that only were
hearers, to tremble.

[Footnote 1: stopped.]

"Proud girl," quoth he, "hath my looks made thee so light of tongue,
or my favors encouraged thee to be so forward, that thou darest
presume to preach after thy father? Hath not my years more experience
than thy youth, and the winter of mine age deeper insight into civil
policy, than the prime[1] of thy flourishing days?