done, but an infinite
multitude of men, and burning countries and razing cities, enlarged
their realms and consequently their fame; wherefore, an thou wouldst,
to make thyself more famous, have slain me only, thou diddest no new
nor extraordinary thing, but one much used.'

Mithridanes, without holding himself excused of his perverse design,
commended the honourable excuse found by Nathan and came, in course of
converse with him, to say that he marvelled beyond measure how he
could have brought himself to meet his death and have gone so far as
even to give him means and counsel to that end; whereto quoth Nathan,
'Mithridanes, I would not have thee marvel at my resolution nor at the
counsel I gave thee, for that, since I have been mine own master and
have addressed myself to do that same thing which thou hast undertaken
to do, there came never any to my house but I contented him, so far as
in me lay, of that which was required of me by him. Thou camest
hither, desirous of my life; wherefore, learning that thou soughtest
it, I straightway determined to give it thee, so thou mightest not be
the only one to depart hence without his wish; and in order that thou
mightest have thy desire, I gave thee such counsel as I thought apt to
enable thee to have my life and not lose thine own; and therefore I
tell thee once more and pray thee, an it please thee, take it and
satisfy thyself thereof. I know not how I may better bestow it. These
fourscore years have I occupied it and used it about my pleasures and
my diversions, and I know that in the course of nature, according as
it fareth with other men and with things in general, it can now be
left me but a little while longer; wherefore I hold it far better to
bestow it by way of gift, like as I have still given and expended my
[other] treasures, than to seek to keep it until such times as it
shall be taken from me by nature against my will. To give an hundred
years is no great boon; how much less, then, is it to give the six or
eight I have yet to abide here? Take it, then, an it like thee.
Prithee, then, take it, an thou have a mind thereto; for that never
yet, what while I have lived here, have I found any who hath desired
it, nor know I when I may find any such, an thou, who demandest it,
take it not. And even should I chance to find any one, I know that,
the longer I keep it, the less worth will it be; therefore, ere it wax
sorrier, take it, I beseech thee.'

Mithridanes was so