But I'll suppress him; he's a factious spirit,

And will undo me.

Noble sir, your hand;

I am your servant.

King.

Away! I do not like this: 290
I'll make you tamer, or I'll dispossess you
Both of your life and spirit. For this time
I pardon your wild speech, without so much
As your imprisonment.

[Exeunt King, Pharamond, Arethusa,
and Attendants.

Dion. I thank you, sir! you dare not for the people. Gal. Ladies, what think you now of this brave fellow? Meg. A pretty talking fellow, hot at hand. But eye yon stranger: is he not a fine complete gentleman? Oh, these strangers, I do affect them strangely! they do the rarest home-things, and please the fullest! As I live, I could love all the nation over and over for his sake.

302 Gal. Gods comfort your poor head-piece, lady! 'tis a weak one, and had need of a night-cap.

[Exeunt Galatea, Megra, and Lady. Dion. See, how his fancy labours! Has he not

Spoke home and bravely?

train

what a dangerous

Did he give fire to! how he shook the King,
Made his soul melt within him, and his blood
Run into whey! it stood upon his brow

Like a cold winter-dew.

Phi.

Gentlemen,

310

You have no suit to me? I am no minion:

You stand, methinks, like men that would be courtiers,

If I could well be flattered at a price,

Not to undo your children. You're all honest :
Go, get you home again, and make your country
A virtuous court, to which your great ones may,
In their diseasèd age, retire and live recluse.
Cle. How do you, worthy sir?

Phi.

Well, very well;
And so well that, if the King please, I find
I may live many years.

Dion.

Phi.

The King must please, 320
Whilst we know what you are and who you are,
Your wrongs and injuries. Shrink not, worthy sir,
But add your father to you; in whose name
We'll waken all the gods, and conjure up
The rods of vengeance, the abused people,
Who, like to raging torrents, shall swell high,
And so begirt the dens of these male-dragons,
That, through the strongest safety, they shall beg
For mercy at your sword's point.

330

Friends, no more;
Our ears may be corrupted; 'tis an age
We dare not trust our wills to. Do you love me?

Thra. Do we love heaven and honour?

Phi.

My Lord Dion, you had

14

A virtuous gentlewoman called you father;
Is she yet alive?

Most honoured sir, she is ;

And, for the penance but of an idle dream,

Has undertook a tedious pilgrimage.

Dion.

Enter a Lady.

Phi, Is it to me,

Or any of these gentlemen, you come?

Lady. To you, brave lord; the princess would entreat

Your present company.

Phi. The princess send for me! you are mistaken.
Lady. If you be called Philaster, 'tis to you.

Phi. Kiss her fair hand, and say I will attend her.

340

[Exit Lady.

Dion. Do you know what you do?
Phi.
Cle. But do you weigh the danger you are in?
Phi. Danger in a sweet face!

Yes; go to see a woman.

By Jupiter, I must not fear a woman!
Thra. But are you sure it was the princess sent? 1.
It may be some foul train to catch your life.
Phi. I do not think it, gentlemen; she's noble.

350

Her eye may shoot me dead, or those true red
And white friends in her cheeks may steal my soul

out;

There's all the danger in 't: but, be what may,

Her single name hath armèd me.

[Exit.

Dion.

Go on,

And be as truly happy as thou 'rt fearless!

355

Come, gentlemen, let's make our friends acquainted,
Lest the King prove false.

[Exeunt.

Lady. Dear madam, you were wont to credit me
At first.

Are.

But didst thou tell me so?

I am forgetful, and my woman's strength
Is so o'ercharged with dangers like to grow
About my marriage, that these under-things
Dare not abide in such a troubled sea.

How looked he when he told thee he would come?
Lady. Why, well.

Are.

And not a little fearful?

Lady. Fear, madam! sure, he knows not what it is. ΙΟ
Are. You are all of his faction; the whole court

Is bold in praise of him; whilst I

May live neglected, and do noble things,

H

As fools in strife throw gold into the sea, Drowned in the doing. But, I know he fears. Lady. Fear, madam! methought, his looks hid more Of love than fear.

Are.
Of love! to whom? to you?
Did you deliver those plain words I sent,
With such a winning gesture and quick look

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,

21

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. [Exit Lady. You gods, that would not have your dooms with

stood,

Whose holy wisdoms at this time it is,
To make the passions of a feeble maid
The way unto your justice, I obey.

31