(Enter Polemius, Claudius, Aurelius, and Escarpin).

POLEMIUS.
My Chrysanthus, what afflicts thee?

CHRYSANTHUS.
Canst thou have been here, my father?

POLEMIUS.
No, my son, 't was but this instant
That I entered here, alarmed
By the strange and sudden shrillness
Of thy voice; and though I had
On my hands important business,
Grave and weighty, since to me
Hath the Emperor transmitted
This decree, which bids me search
Through the mountains for the Christians
Hidden there, and specially
For Carpophorus, their admitted
Chief and teacher, for which cause
I my voice too thus uplifted--
"Yes, Carpophorus must pay
For the trouble that this gives me"--
I left all at hearing thee.--
Why so absent? so bewildered?
What 's the reason?

CHRYSANTHUS.
Sir, 't is naught.