rship here.

_Polyphontes_

I ask thee not to approve thy husband's death,
No, nor expect thee to admit the grounds,
In reason good, which justified my deed.
With women the heart argues, not the mind.
But, for thy children's death, I stand assoil'd--
I saved them, meant them honour; but thy friends
Rose, and with fire and sword assailed my house
By night; in that blind tumult they were slain.
To chance impute their deaths, then, not to me.

_Merope_

Such chance as kill'd the father, kill'd the sons.

_Polyphontes_

One son at least I spared, for still he lives.

_Merope_

Tyrants think him they murder not they spare.

_Polyphontes_

Not much a tyrant thy free speech displays me.

_Merope_

Thy shame secures my freedom, not thy will.

_Polyphontes_

Shame rarely checks the genuine tyrant's will.

_Merope_

One merit, then, thou hast; exult in that.

_Polyphontes_

Thou standest out, I see, repellest peace.

_Merope_

Thy sword repell'd it long ago, not I.

_Polyphontes_

Doubtless thou reckonest on the help of friends.

_Merope_

Not help of men, although, perhaps, of Gods.

_Polyphontes_

What Gods? the Gods of concord, civil weal?

_Merope_

No! the avenging Gods, who punish crime.

_Polyphontes_

Beware! from thee upbraidings I receive
With pity, nay, with reverence; yet, beware!
I know, I know how hard it is to think
That right, that conscience pointed to a deed,
Where interest seems to have enjoin'd it too.
Most men are led by interest; and the few
Who are not, expiate the general sin,
Involved in one suspicion with the base.
Dizzy the path and perilous the way
Which in a deed like mine a just man treads,
But it is sometimes trodden, oh! believe it.
Yet how _canst_ thou believe it? therefore thou
Hast all impunity. Yet, lest thy friends,
Embolden'd by my lenience, think it fear,
And count on like impunity, and rise,
And have to thank thee for a fall, beware!
To rule this kingdom I intend; with sway
Clement, if may be, but to rule it--there