VORASTUS AND FAWNIA, 27
thousande crownes of yearely revenues : his cupbearer, eyther being of a good conscience, or willing for fashion sake, to deny such a bloudy request, began with great reasons to perswade Pandosto from his determinate mischief: shewing him what an offence murther was to the Gods : how such un-naturall actions did more displease the heavens, than men, and that causelesse cruelty did seldome or never escape without revenge : he layd before his face, that Egistus was his friend, a King, and one that was come into his Kingdome, to confirme a league of perpetuall amitie betwixt them ; that he had, and did shew him a most friendly countenance : how Egistus was not onely honoured of his owne people by obedience, but also loved of the Bohemians for his curtesie. And that if he now should, without any just -or manifest cause, poyson him, it would not onely be a great dishonour to his Majestie^ and a meanes to sow perpetuall enmity between the Sycilians and the Bohemians, but also his owne subjects would repine at such treacherous cruelty. These and such like perswasions of Franion (for so was his Cup-bearer called) could no whit prevaile to disswade him from his divellish enterprize : but remaining resolute in his determination (his fury so fired with rage, as it could not be appeased with reason) he began with bitter taunts to take up his man, and to lay before him two baites \ preferment and death : saying that if he would poyson Egistus, he would advance him to high dignities : if he refused to doe it of an obstinate minde, no torture should be too great to requite his disobedience. Franion, seeing that to perswade Pandosto any more, was but to strive against the streame, consented, as soone as an opportunity would give him leave, to dispatch Egistus: wherewith Pandosto remained somewhat satisfied, hoping now he should be fully revenged of such mistrusted in-