Dionysius.Amazing！What do I see？It is Pythias just arrived.It is indeed Pythias.I did not think it possible.He is come to die，and to redeem his friend.
Pythias.Yes，it is Pythias.I left the place of my confinement with no other views than to pay to heaven the vows I had made；to settle my family concerns according to the rules of justice；and to bid adieu to my children，that I might die tranquil and satisfied.
Dionysius.But why dost thou return？Hast thou no fear of death？Is it not the character of a madman，to seek it thus voluntarily？
Pythias.I return to suffer，though I have not deserved death.Every principle of honor and goodness forbids me to allow my friend to die for me.
Dionysius.Dost thou then love him better than thyself？
Pythias.No；I love him as myself.But I am persuaded that I ought to suffer death，rather than my friend；since it was Pythias whom thou hadst decreed to die.It were not just that Damon should suffer，to deliver me from death which was designed not for him，but for me only.
Dionysius.But thou supposest that it is as unjust to inflict deathupon thee，as upon thy friend.
Pythias.Very true；we are both perfectly innocent；and it is equally unjust to make either of us suffer.
Dionysius.Why dost thou then assert，that it were injustice to put him to death，instead of thee？
Pythias.It is unjust in the same degree to inflict death either on Damon or on myself；but Pythias were highly culpable to let Damon suffer that death which the tyrant had prepared for Pythias only.
Dionysius.Dost thou then return hither，on the day appointed，withno other view than to save the life of a friend by losing thy own？
Pythias.I return in regard to thee，to suffer an act of injustice which it is common for tyrants to inflict；and，with respect to Damon，to perform my duty，by rescuing him from the danger he incurred by his generosity to me.
Dionysius.And now，Damon，let me address myself to thee.Didstthou not really fear that Pythias would never return；and that thouwouldst be put to death on his account？
Damon .I was too well assured that Pythias would punctually return；and that he would be more solicitous to keep his promise than to preserve his life.Would to heaven that his relations and friends had forcibly detained him！He would then have lived for the comfort and benefit of good men；and I should have the satisfaction of dying for him.
Dionysius.What，does life displease thee？
Damon.Yes；it displeases me when I see and feel the power of a tyrant.
Dyonisius.It is well！Thou shalt see him no more.I will order thee to be put to death immediately.
Pythias.Pardon the feelings of a man who sympathizes with his dying friend.But remember it was Pythias who was devoted by thee to destruction.I come to submit to it，that I may redeem my friend.Do not refuse me this consolation in my last hour.
Dionysius.I can not endure men who despise death，and set mypower at defiance.
Damon.Thou canst not，then，endure virtue.
Dionysius.No；I can not endure that proud，disdainful virtue whichcontemns life，which dreads no punishment，and which is insensible to the charms of riches and pleasure.
Damon .Thou seest，however，that it is a virtue which is notinsensible to the dictates of honor，justice，and friendship.
Dionysius.Guards，take Pythias to execution.We shall see whether Damon will continue to despise my authority.