be charmed down by any state order or proclamation, till they saw Philaster ride through the streets pleased, and without a guard; at which they threw their hats, and their arms from them; some to make bonfires, some to drink, all for his deliverance. Which, wise men say, is the cause, the king labours to bring in the power of a foreign nation, to awe his own with. Enter KING, PHARAMOND, ARETHUSA, and train. Make her feel moderate health; and when she sleeps, In making no ill day, knows no ill dreams. A sweeter mistress than the offered language Thra. This will be hardly done. So brave a gentleman's wronged, and flung Aside. Pha. Kissing your white hand, mistress, I take leave To thank your royal father; and thus far (For so deserving you have spoke me, sir, | And so deserving I dare speak myself) You in me have your wishes. Oh, this country! Thra. Miraculous! Cle. This speech calls him Spaniard, Aside. being nothing but a large inventory of his own commendations. Enter PHILASTER. Dion. I wonder what's his price? For certainly He'll sell himself, he has so praised his shape. But here comes one, more worthy those large speeches, Than the large speaker of them. Let me be swallowed quick, if I can find, By this sun, he'll never make a king King. Rise; you have it, sir. Dion. Mark but the king, how pale he looks with fear! Oh! this same whorson conscience, how it jades us! King. Speak your intents, sir. Phi. Shall I speak them freely? We give you freedom. Phi. Then thus I turn My language to you, prince; you, foreign man! Ne'er stare, nor put on wonder, for you must Endure me, and you shall. This earth you tread upon (A dowry, as you hope, with this fair princess) And say, I might have been.' I tell thee, Pha- When thou art king, look I be dead and rotten, Pha. He's mad; beyond cure, mad. To you, I am not mad. King. You displease us: You are too bold. Phi. No, sir, I am too tame, Too much a turtle, a thing, born without passion, over, And makes nothing. King. I do not fancy this. Dion. He has given him a general purge already, for all the right he has; and now he means to let him blood. Be constant, gentlemen: By these halts, I'll run his hazard, although I run my name out of the kingdom. Cle. Peace, we are all one soul. Pha. What you have seen in me, to stir offence, To mutiny within you; without disputing You deserve our frown. Go to; be better tem- Phi. It must be, sir, when I am nobler used. The injuries you aim at, in your riddles. Phi. If you had my eyes, sir, and sufferance, My wrongs would make ill riddles to be laughed at. Phi. Take them, Dion. I cannot blame him: there's danger in't. Every man in this age has not a soul of crystal, for all men to read their actions through: Men's hearts and faces are so far asunder, that they hold no intelligence. Do but view yon stranger well, and you shall see a fever through all his bravery, and feel him shake like a true recreant. If he give not back his crown again, upon the report of an elder gun, I have no augury. King. Go to! Be more yourself, as you respect our favour; Will put upon you. Smooth your brow, or by the Phi. I am dead, sir; you are my fate. It was Said, I was wronged: I carry all about me, King. Sure, he's possessed. Phi. Yes, with my father's spirit: It is here, A dangerous spirit. Now he tells me, king, Whose branch you are. The king will leave it Into my fancy, and there gives me shapes, me; And I dare make it mine. You have your answer. King. Sir, you wrong the prince: That kneel, and do me service, crv me "king:" King. Away, I do not like this: I pardon your wild speech, without so much I gave you not this freedom to brave our best Did he give fire to! How he shook the king, friends. Made his soul melt within him, and his blood Run into whey! It stood upon his brow, Like a cold winter dew. Phi. Gentlemen, You have no suit to me? I am no minion: You stand, methinks, like men, that would be courtiers, If you could well be flattered at a price Phi. Well, very well; And so well, that, if the king please, I find Dion. The king must please, Whilst we know what you are, and who you are, Phi. Friends, no more; Our ears may be corrupted: 'Tis an age Lest the king prove false. Enter ARETHUSA and a Lady. Are. Comes he not? Lady. Madam? Are. Will Philaster come? Lady. Dear madam, you were wont To credit me at first. Are. But didst thou tell me so? [Exeunt. I am forgetful, and my woman's strength How looked he, when he told thee he would come? Are. And not a little fearful? Lady. Fear, madam? sure, he knows not what it is. Are. Ye are all of his faction; the whole court Is bold in praise of him; whilst I May live neglected, and do noble things, more We dare not trust our wills to. Do you love me? Of love than fear. Thra. Do we love Heaven and honour? Phi. My lord Dion, Are. Of love? to whom? to you! Did you deliver those plain words, I sent, You had a virtuous gentlewoman called you fa- With such a winning gesture, and quick look, ther; taken. Lady. If you be called Philaster, 'tis to you. Phi. Kiss her fair hand, and say I will attend her. Dion. Do you know what you do? Phi. Yes; go to see a woman. Cle. But do you weigh the danger you are in? Phi. Danger in a sweet face! By Jupiter, I must not fear a woman. Thra. But are you sure it was the princess sent? It may be some foul train to catch your life. Phi. I do not think it, gentlemen; she's noble; Her eye may shoot me dead, or those true red And white friends in her face may steal my soul out: There's all the danger in it. But, be what may, Her single name hath armed me. [Exit Phi. Dion. Go on : And be as truly happy as thou art fearless. That you have caught him? Lady. Madam, I mean to you. Are. Of love to me? alas! thy ignorance Lets thee not see the crosses of our births. Nature, that loves not to be questioned Why she did this, or that, but has her ends, And knows she does well, never gave the world Two things so opposite, so contrary, As he and I am: If a bowl of blood, Drawn from this arm of mine, would poison thee. A draught of his would cure thee. Of love to me? Lady. Madam, I think I hear him. Are. Bring him in. Ye gods, that would not have your dooms with My baser instruments, to throw disgrace Phi. Never, madam, you. Are. Why, then, should you, in such a public place, Injure a princess, and a scandal lay Foolish: Bat, for your fair and virtuous self, Are. Philaster, know, I must enjoy these kingdoms. Are. Both, or I die: By fate, I die, Philaster, If I not calmly may enjoy them both. Phi. I would do much to save that noble life: Yet would be loth to have posterity Find in our stories, that Philaster gave His right unto a sceptre, and a crown, To save a lady's longing. Phi. I can't endure it. Turn away my face? I never yet saw enemy, that looked So dreadfully, but that I thought myself As great a basilisk as he; or spake So horribly, but that I thought my tongue Bore thunder underneath, as much as his; Nor beast, that I could turn from: Shall I then Begin to fear sweet sounds? a lady's voice, Whom I do love? Say, you would have my life; Why, I will give it you; for it is to me A thing so loathed, and unto you, that ask, Of so poor use, that I will make no price: If you entreat, I will unmovedly hear. Are. Yet, for my sake, a little bend thy looks. Phi. I do. Are. Then know, I must have them, and thee. Phi. And me? Are. Thy love; without which, all the land, Discovered yet, will serve me for no use, But to be buried in. Phi. Is't possible? Are. With it, it were too little to bestow On thee. Now, though thy breath do strike me dead, (Which, know, it may) I have unript my breast. But how this passion should proceed from you Are. Another soul, into my body shot, Could not have filled me with more strength and spirit, Than this thy breath. But spend not hasty time Is mingled with it. Let us leave, Lest some unwelcome guest should fall betwixt us. Phi. 'Twill be ill I should abide here long. Are. 'Tis true; and worse You should come often. How shall we devise Phi. I have a boy, Sent by the gods, I hope, to this intent, Of which he borrowed some to quench his thirst, read The prettiest lecture of his country art, Are. 'Tis well; no more. Are. What will you do, Philaster, with yourself? Phi. Why, that, which all the gods have appointed out for me. Are. Dear, hide thyself. Bring in the prince. When thunder speaks, which is the voice of Jove C Though I do reverence, yet I hide me not; Are. He cannot know it. Pha. You are gone: By Heaven, I'll fetch you back. Phi. You shall not need. Phi. Know, Pharamond, Phi. Though it should sleep for ever to the I loath to brawl with such a blast as thou, world, Who art nought but a valiant voice: But, if Thou shalt provoke me further, men shall say "Thou wert," and not lament it. Pha. Do you slight My greatness so, and in the chamber of the prin cess? ACT II. Phi. AND thou shalt find her honourable, boy, Full of regard unto thy tender youth, For thine own modesty; and, for my sake, Apter to give than thou wilt be to ask, Ay, or deserve. Bel. Sir, you did take me up, when I was nothing; And only yet am something, by being yours. You trusted me unknown; and that, which you were apt To construe a simple innocence in me, Hardened in lies and theft: Yet ventured you That bears more honour in her breast than you. [Exeunt at different sides. Thou wilt remember best those careful friends, Bel. In that small time that I have seen the world, I never knew a man hasty to part Bel. Sir, if I have made A fault of ignorance, instruct my youth: Phi. Thy love doth plead so prettily to stay, |