When did you see your prisoner, great Sebastian?
_Dor._ You might as well have asked me, when I saw
A crested dragon, or a basilisk;
Both are less poison to my eyes and nature,
He knows not I am I; nor shall he see me,
Till time has perfected a labouring thought,
That rolls within my breast.
_Bend._ 'Twas my mistake.
I guessed indeed that time, and his misfortunes,
And your returning duty, had effaced
The memory of past wrongs; they would in me,
And I judged you as tame, and as forgiving.
_Dor._ Forgive him! no: I left my foolish faith,
Because it would oblige me to forgiveness.
_Bend._ I can't but grieve to find you obstinate,
For you must see him; 'tis our emperor's will,
And strict command.
_Dor._ I laugh at that command.
_Bend._ You must do more than see; serve, and respect him.
_Dor._ See, serve him, and respect! and after all
My yet uncancelled wrongs, I must do this!--
But I forget myself.
_Bend._ Indeed you do.
_Dor._ The emperor is a stranger to my wrongs;
I need but tell my story, to revoke
This hard commission.
_Bend._ Can you call me friend,
And think I could neglect to speak, at full,
The affronts you had from your ungrateful master?
_Dor._ And yet enjoined my service and attendance!
_Bend._ And yet enjoined them both: would that were all!
He screwed his face into a hardened smile,
And said, Sebastian knew to govern slaves.
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