_Chr. Pr_. If in this middle way you still pretend
To stay, your journey never will have end.
_Mont_. Howe'er, 'tis better in the midst to stay,
Than wander farther in uncertain way.
_Chr. Pr_. But we by martyrdom our faith avow.
_Mont_. You do no more than I for ours do now.
To prove religion true--
If either wit or sufferings would suffice,
All faiths afford the constant and the wise:
And yet even they, by education swayed,
In age defend what infancy obeyed.
_Chr. Pr_. Since age by erring childhood is misled,
Refer yourself to our unerring head.
_Mont_. Man, and not err! what reason can you give?
_Chr. Pr_. Renounce that carnal reason, and believe.
_Mont_. The light of nature should I thus betray,
'Twere to wink hard, that I might see the day.
_Chr. Pr_. Condemn not yet the way you do not know;
I'll make your reason judge what way to go.
_Mont_. 'Tis much too late for me new ways to take,
Who have but one short step of life to make.
_Piz_. Increase their pains, the cords are yet too slack.
_Chr. Pr_. I must by force convert him on the rack.
_Ind. High Pr_. I faint away, and find I can no more:
Give leave, O king, I may reveal thy store,
And free myself from pains, I cannot bear.
_Mont_. Think'st thou I lie on beds of roses here,
Or in a wanton bath stretched at my ease?
Die, slave, and with thee die such thoughts as these.
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