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Which gave him roots; and of the crystal springs,
Which did not stop their courses; and the sun,
Which still, he thanked him, yielded him his light.
Then took he up his garland, and did show
What every flower, as country-people hold,
Did signify, and how all, ordered thus,
Expressed his grief; and, to my thoughts, did read
The prettiest lecture of his country-art

130

That could be wished: so that methought I could
Have studied it. I gladly entertained
Him, who was glad to follow; and have got
The trustiest, loving'st, and the gentlest boy
That ever master kept. Him will I send
To wait on you, and bear our hidden love.

Re-enter Lady.

Are. 'Tis well; no more.

Lady. Madam, the prince is come to do his service.
Are. What will you do, Philaster, with yourself?

141

Phi. Why, that which all the gods have appointed out

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When thunder speaks, which is the voice of Jove,
Though I do reverence, yet I hide me not;
And shall a stranger-prince have leave to brag

Are.

Unto a foreign nation, that he made
Philaster hide himself?

He cannot know it.

Phi. Though it should sleep for ever to the world, 150 It is a simple sin to hide myself,

Which will for ever on my conscience lie.

Are. Then, good Philaster, give him scope and way
In what he says; for he is apt to speak

What you are loath to hear: for my sake, do.

Phi. I will.

Re-enter Lady with Pharamond.

Pha. My princely mistress, as true lovers ought,
I come to kiss these fair hands, and to show,

In outward ceremonies, the dear love
Writ in my heart.

Phi. If I shall have an answer no directlier,

I am gone.

[Exit Lady.

160

Pha.
Are. To his claim unto the kingdom.

To what would he have answer?

Pha. Sirrah, I forbare you before the King

Phi. Good sir, do so still: I would not talk with you.
Pha. But now the time is fitter: do but offer

To make mention of right to any kingdom,
Though it be scarce habitable-

Phi. Good sir, let me go.

Pha.

And by the gods

Phi. Peace, Pharamond! if thou-
Are.

Phi. I have done.

Pha.

Leave us, Philaster. 170

You are gone! by Heaven I'll fetch you back.

[Going.

Phi. You shall not need.

[Returning.

Pha.
Phi.

What now?

Know, Pharamond,

Pha.

I loathe to brawl with such a blast as thou,
Who art nought but a valiant voice; but if
Thou shalt provoke me further, men shall say,
'Thou wert,' and not lament it.

Do you slight
My greatness so, and in the chamber of
The princess?

Phi. It is a place to which I must confess

180

I owe a reverence; but were 't the church,
Ay, at the altar, there's no place so safe,
Where thou dar'st injure me, but I dare kill thee:
And for your greatness, know, sir, I can grasp
You and your greatness thus, thus into nothing.
Give not a word, not a word back! Farewell.

Pha. 'Tis an odd fellow, madam; we must stop

[Exit.

His mouth with some office when we are married. Are. You were best make him your controller. Pha. I think he would discharge it well. But, madam, I hope our hearts are knit; and yet so slow

190

The ceremonies of state are, that 'twill be long
Before our hands be so. If then you please,
Being agreed in heart, let us not wait
For dreaming form, but take a little stolen
Delights, and so prevent our joys to come.

Are. If you dare speak such thoughts, I must withdraw

in honour.

[Exit.

Pha. The constitution of my body will never hold out till the wedding; I must seek elsewhere.

[Exit.

ACT THE SECOND

SCENE I

An Apartment in the Palace.

Enter Philaster and Bellario.

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,

Bel.

Ay, or deserve.

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 conster

A simple innocence in me, perhaps

Might have been craft, the cunning of a boy
Hardened in lies and theft: yet ventured you
To part my miseries and me; for which,

I never can expect to serve a lady

That bears more honour in her breast than you.

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