All refused with horror; till at nightfall a trusty Greek freedman named Strato held the sword, and his master threw himself upon it.

2. The Elders, Susanna, [4890]as that Orthomenian Strato saw fair Aristoclea daughter of Theophanes, bathing herself at that Hercyne well in Lebadea, and were captivated in an instant.

Cleon} Strato} Gentlemen.

Enter Cleon, Strato, Lysippus, Diphilus. Cleon.

Strato, thou hast some skill in Poetry, What thinkst thou of a Mask?

Enter Cleon, Strato, Diphilus.

Melantius, I can tell thee a good jest of Strato and a Lady the last day.

Enough; where's Strato? Stra.

Sir! Enter Strato. King.

Evadne, where's my Brother, and Melantius? Bid him come too, and Diphilus; call all [Exit Strato.

why Strato, where art thou?

Reach to Amintor, Strato.

[Enter Strato.

Cleon, Diph. Strato.

A adds] Exeunt Lysippus, Cleon, Strato, Diphilus.

Finally, he took with him an old and long-tried friend named Strato, and went away a little, apart from the rest.

Here he solicited once more the favor which had been refused him before,begging that Strato would hold out his sword.

Strato still refused.

Upon this Strato declared that he would do any thing rather than that Brutus should die by the hand of a slave.

No amount of Greek epigrams by Strato and Meleager, nor all the Hermaphrodites and Priapi of Rome, had power to annul the law of conduct established by the founders of Christianity, and ratified by the higher instincts of the Middle Ages.