Org.                                 'T is not that, sir.
Crot. Not that, sir! As a father, I command

thee

15

To acquaint me with the truth.

Org.                                      Thus I obey ye.
After so many quarrels as dissension,
Fury, and rage had broacht in blood, and some-
         times
With death to such confederates as sided
With now-dead Thrasus and yourself, my lord;

Our present king, Amyclas, reconcil'd

21

Your eager swords and seal'd a gentle peace:
Friends you profest yourselves; which to con-
         firm,
A resolution for a lasting league

Betwixt your families was entertain'd,

25

By joining in a Hymenean bond
Me and the fair Penthea, only daughter
To Thrasus.

Crot.          What of this?

Org.                               Much, much, dear sir.
A freedom of converse, an interchange

Of holy and chaste love, so fixt our souls

30

In a firm growth of union, that no time
Can eat into the pledge: we had enjoy'd
The sweets our vows expected, had not cruelty
Prevented all those triumphs we prepar'd for,
By Thrasus his untimely death.

Crot.                                     Most certain.

35

Org. From this time sprouted up that poison-
         ous stalk
Of aconite, whose ripened fruit hath ravisht
All health, all comfort of a happy life;
For Ithocles, her brother, proud of youth,

And prouder in his power, nourisht closely

40

The memory of former discontents,
To glory in revenge. By cunning partly,
Partly by threats, 'a woos at once and forces
His virtuous sister to admit a marriage

With Bassanes, a nobleman, in honour

45

And riches, I confess, beyond my fortunes.

Crot. All this is no sound reason to impor-
         tune
My leave for thy departure.

Org.                                  Now it follows.
Beauteous Penthea, wedded to this torture

By an insulting brother, being secretly

50

Compell'd to yield her virgin freedom up
To him who never can usurp her heart,
Before contracted mine, is now so yok'd
To a most barbarous thraldrom, misery,

Affliction, that he savours not humanity,

55

Whose sorrow melts not into more than pity
In hearing but her name.

Crot.                           As how, pray?

Org.                                             Bassanes,
The man that calls her wife, considers truly
What heaven of perfections he is lord of

By thinking fair Penthea his: this thought

60

Begets a kind of monster-love, which love
Is nurse unto a fear so strong and servile
As brands all dotage with a jealousy:
All eyes who gaze upon that shrine of beauty

He doth resolve 1 do homage to the miracle;

65

Some one, he is assur'd, may now or then,
If opportunity but sort, ² prevail.
So much, out of a self-unworthiness,
His fears transport him; not that he finds
         cause

In her obedience, but his own distrust.

70

Crot. You spin out your discourse.

Org.                            My griefs are violent:
For knowing how the maid was heretofore
Courted by me, his jealousies grow wild
That I should steal again into her favours,

And undermine her virtues; which the gods

75

Know I nor dare nor dream of. Hence, from
         hence
I undertake a voluntary exile;
First, by my absence to take off the cares
Of jealous Bassanes; but chiefly, sir,

To free Penthea from a hell on earth;

80

Lastly, to lose the memory of something
Her presence makes to live in me afresh.

Crot. Enough, my Orgilus, enough. To Ath-
         ens,
I give a full consent. — Alas, good lady! —
We shall hear from thee often?

Org.                                       Often.

Crot.                                              See,

85

Thy sister comes to give a farewell.

             Enter EUPHRANEA.

Euph.                                              Brother!

Org. Euphranea, thus upon thy cheeks I
         print
A brother's kiss; more careful of thine honour,
Thy health, and thy well-doing, than my life.

Before we part, in presence of our father,

90

I must prefer a suit t' ye.

Euph.                             You may style it,
My brother, a command.

Org.                            That you will promise
To pass never to any man, however
Worthy, your faith, till, with our father's
         leave,
I give a free consent.

Crot.                       An easy motion!

95

I'll promise for her, Orgilus.

Org.                                   Your pardon;
Euphranea's oath must yield me satisfaction.

Euph. By Vesta's sacred fires I swear.

Crot.                                                 And I,
By Great Apollo's beams, join in the vow,

Not without thy allowance to bestow her

100

On any living.

Org.               Dear Euphranea,
Mistake me not: far, far 't is from my thought,
As far from any wish of mine, to hinder
Preferment to an honourable bed
Or fitting fortune; thou art young and hand-

some;

105

And 't were injustice, — more, a tyranny, —
Not to advance thy merit. Trust me, sister,
It shall be my first care to see thee match'd

As may become thy choice and our contents.

109

I have your oath.

Euph.       You have. But mean you, brother,
To leave us, as you say?

Crot.                              Ay, ay, Euphranea;

771

He has just grounds direct him. I will prove
A father and a brother to thee.

Euph.                                     Heaven
Does look into the secrets of all hearts:
Gods, you have mercy with ye, else —

Crot.                                     Doubt nothing;

115

Thy brother will return in safety to us.

Org. Souls sunk in sorrows never are without
         'em.
They change fresh airs, but bear their griefs
about 'em.                            Exeunt omnes.

Flourish.   Enter AMYCLAS the King, ARMOS-
   TES, PROPHILUS, [Courtiers,] and Attendants.

Amy. The Spartan gods are gracious; our
         humility
Shall bend before their altars, and perfume
Their temples with abundant sacrifice.
See, lords, Amyclas, your old king, is ent'ring

Into his youth again! I shall shake off

5

This silver badge of age, and change this snow
For hairs as gay as are Apollo's locks;
Our heart leaps in new vigour.

Arm.                                     May old time
Run back to double your long life, great sir!

Amy. It will, it must, Armostes: thy bold

nephew,

10

Death-braving Ithocles, brings to our gates
Triumphs and peace upon his conquering
         sword.
Laconia is a monarchy at length;
Hath in this latter war trod under foot

Messene's pride; Messene bows her neck

15

To Lacedaemon's royalty. O, 't was
A glorious victory, and doth deserve
More than a chronicle — a temple, lords,
A temple to the name of Ithocles. —
Where didst thou leave him, Prophilus?

Pro.                                             At Pephon,

20

Most gracious sovereign; twenty of the noblest
Of the Messenians there attend your pleasure,
For such conditions as you shall propose
In settling peace, and liberty of life.

Amy. When comes your friend, the general?

Pro.                                            He promis'd

25

To follow with all speed convenient.

Enter CALANTHA, EUPHRANEA; CHRISTALLA
   and PHILEMA [with a garland;] and CROTO-
   LON.

Amy. Our daughter! — Dear Calantha, the
         happy news,
The conquest of Messene, hath already
Enrich'd thy knowledge.

Cal.                                With the circumstance

And manner of the fight, related faithfully

30

By Prophilus himself: — But, pray, sir, tell me
How doth the youthful general demean
His actions in these fortunes?

Pro.                                     Excellent princess,
Your own fair eyes may soon report a truth

Unto your judgment, with what moderation,

35

Calmness of nature, measure, bounds, and limits
Of thankfulness and joy, 'a doth digest
Such amplitude of his success as would
In others, moulded of a spirit less clear,

Advance 'em to comparison with heaven:

40

But Ithocles —

Cal.               Your friend —

Pro.                                    He is so, madam,
In which the period of my fate consists:
He, in this firmament of honour, stands
Like a star fixt, not mov'd with any thunder

Of popular applause or sudden lightning

45

Of self-opinion; he hath serv'd his country,
And thinks 't was but his duty.

Crot.                                     You describe
A miracle of man.

Amy.                   Such, Crotolon,
On forfeit of a king's word, thou wilt find

him. —                                         Flourish.

49

Hark, warning of his coming! All attend him.

Enter ITHOCLES, HEMOPHIL, and GRONEAS;
   the rest of the Lords ushering him in.

Return into these arms, thy home, thy sanctuary,
Delight of Sparta, treasure of my bosom,
Mine own, own Ithocles!

Ith.                                Your humblest subject.

Arm. Proud of the blood I claim an interest
         in.

As brother to thy mother, I embrace thee,

55

Right noble nephew.

Ith.                           Sir, your love's too partial.

Crot. Our country speaks by me, who by thy
         valour,
Wisdom, and service, shares in this great ac-
         tion;
Returning thee, in part of thy due merits,
A general welcome.

Ith.                         You exceed in bounty.

60

Cal. Christalla, Philema, the chaplet. [Takes
the chaplet from them.] — Ithocles,
Upon the wings of Fame the singular
And chosen fortune of an high attempt
Is borne so past the view of common sight,
That I myself with mine own hands have

wrought,

65

To crown thy temples, this provincial garland: ²
Accept, wear, and enjoy it as our gift
Deserv'd, not purchas'd.

Ith.                                 Y' are a royal maid.

Amy. She is in all our daughter.

Ith.                                          Let me blush,

Acknowledging how poorly I have serv'd,

70

What nothings I have done, compar'd with th'
         honours
Heap'd on the issue of a willing mind;
In that lay mine ability, that only:
For who is he so sluggish from his birth,

So little worthy of a name or country,

75

That owes not out of gratitude for life
A debt of service, in what kind soever
Safety or counsel of the commonwealth
Requires, for payment?

772

Cal.                           'A speaks truth.

Ith.                                          Whom heaven

Is pleas'd to style victorious, there to such

80

Applause runs madding, like the drunken
         priests
In Bacchus' sacrifices, without reason,
Voicing the leader-on a demi-god;
Whenas, indeed, each common soldier's blood
Drops down as current coin in that hard pur-

chase

85

As his whose much more delicate condition
Hath suckt the milk of ease: judgment; com-
         mands,
But resolution executes. I use not,
Before this royal presence, these fit slights ¹

As in contempt of such as can direct;

90

My speech hath other end; not to attribute
All praise to one man's fortune, which is
         strengthen'd
By many hands. For instance, here is Prophilus,
A gentleman — I cannot flatter truth —

Of much desert; and, though in other rank,

95

Both Hemophil and Groneas were not missing
To wish their country's peace; for, in a word,
All there did strive their best, and 't was our
         duty.

Amy. Courtiers turn soldiers! — We vouch-
         safe our hand.

          [HEMOPHIL and GRONEAS kiss his
              hand.]

Observe your great example.

Hem.                                   With all diligence.

100

Gron. Obsequiously and hourly.

Amy.                                         Some repose
After these toils is ² needful. We must think
         on
Conditions for the conquered; they expect ³
         'em.
On! — Come, my Ithocles.

Euph.                            Sir, with your favour,
I need not a supporter.

Pro.                            Fate instructs me.

105

Exeunt.  HEMOPHIL stays CHRIS-
   TALLA; GRONEAS, PHILEMA.

Chris. With me?

Phil.                 Indeed, I dare not stay.

Hem.                                            Sweet lady.
Soldiers are blunt, — your lip.

Chris.                              Fie, this is rudeness:
You went not hence such creatures.

Gro.                                       Spirit of valour
Is of a mounting nature.

Phil.                            It appears so. —

Pray, in earnest, how many men apiece

110

Have you two been the death of?

Gro.                                    'Faith, not many;
We were compos'd of mercy.

Hem.                                     For our daring,
You heard the general's approbation
Before the king.

Chris. You "wish'd your country's peace;"
That show'd your charity: where are your

spoils,

115

Such as the soldier fights for?

Phil.                                  They are coming.

Chris. By the next carrier, are they not?

Gro.                                    Sweet Philema,
When I was in the thickest of mine enemies,
Slashing off one man's head, another's nose,
Another's arms and legs, —

Phil.                                 And all together.

120

Gro. Then would I with a sigh remember
         thee,
And cry "Dear Philema, 't is for thy sake
I do these deeds of wonder!" — Dost not love
         me
With all thy heart now?

Phil.                                 Now as heretofore.

I have not put my love to use; the principal

125

Will hardly yield an interest.

Gro.                                  By Mars,
I'll marry thee!

Phil.                 By Vulcan, you 're forsworn,
Except my mind do alter strangely.

Gro.                                            One word.

Chris. You lie beyond all modesty: — for-

bear me.

129

Hem. I'll make thee mistress of a city; 't is
Mine own by conquest.

Chris.                            By petition; sue for 't
In forma pauperis. — City! kennel. — Gallants,
Off with your feathers, put on aprons, gallants;

Learn to reel, thrum, 4 or trim a lady's dog,

134

And be good quiet souls of peace, hobgoblins!

Hem. Christalla!

Chris.                  Practise to drill hogs, in hope
To share in the acorns. — Soldiers! corncutters,
But not so valiant; they ofttimes draw blood,
Which you durst never do. When you have
         practis'd

More wit or more civility, we'll rank ye

140

I' th' list of men: till then, brave things-at-
         arms,
Dare not to speak to us, — most potent Gro-
         neas! —

Phil. And Hemophil the hardy! — at your
         services.

         Exeunt CHRISTALLA and PHILEMA.

Gro. They scorn us as they did before we
         went.

Hem. Hang 'em! let us scorn them, and be

reveng'd.

145

Gro.  Shall we?

Hem. We will: and when we slight them thus,
Instead of following them, they'll follow us;
It is a woman's nature,

Gro.                         'T is a scurvy one.  Exeunt.

Enter  TECNICUS, a philosopher, and ORGILUS
              disguised like a Scholar of his.

Tec. Tempt not the stars; young man, thou
         canst not play
With the severity of fate: this change
Of habit and disguise in outward view
Hides not the secrets of thy soul within thee
From their quick-piercing eyes, which dive at

all times

5

773

Down to thy thoughts: in thy aspect I note
A consequence of danger.

Org.                                 Give me leave,
Grave Tecnicus, without foredooming destiny,
Under thy roof to ease my silent griefs,

By applying to my hidden wounds the balm

10

Of thy oraculous lectures. If my fortune
Run such a crooked by-way as to wrest
My steps to ruin, yet thy learned precepts
Shall call me back and set my footings straight.
I will not court the world.

Tec.                                Ah, Orgilus,

15

Neglects in young men of delights and life
Run often to extremities; they care not
For harms to others who contemn their own.

Org. But I, most learned artist, am not so
         much

At odds with nature that I grudge the thrift

20

Of any true deserver; nor doth malice
Of present hopes so check them with despair
As that I yield to thought of more affliction
Than what is incident to frailty: wherefore

Impute not this retired course of living

25

Some little time to any other cause
Than what I justly render, — the information
Of an unsettled mind; as the effect
Must clearly witness.

Tec.                      Spirit of truth inspire thee!

On these conditions I conceal thy change,

30

And willingly admit thee for an auditor. —
I'll to my study.

Org.                  I to contemplations
In these delightful walks.         Exit TECNICUS.
                                      Thus metamorphos'd
I may without suspicion hearken after

Penthea's usage and Euphranea's faith.

35

Love, thou art full of mystery! The deities
Themselves are not secure ¹ in searching out
The secrets of those flames, which, hidden,
         waste
A breast made tributary to the laws

Of beauty: physic yet hath never found

40

A remedy to cure a lover's wound. —
Ha! who are those that cross yon private walk
Into the shadowing grove in amorous foldings?

My sister! O, my sister! 't is Euphranea

With Prophilus: supported too! I Would

45

It were an apparition! Prophilus
Is Ithocles his friend: it strangely puzzles me.
Again! help me, my book; this scholar's habit
Must stand my privilege: my mind is busy,
Mine eyes and ears are open.

    Re-enter PROPHILUS and EUPHRANEA.

Pro.                                      Do not waste

50

The span of this stol'n time, lent by the gods
For precious use, in niceness. ³ Bright Eu-
         phranea,
Should I repeat old vows, or study new,
For purchase of belief to my desires, —

Org. [Aside.] Desires!

Pro.              My service, my integrity, —

55

Org. [Aside.] That's better.

Pro.                     I should but repeat a lesson
Oft conn'd without a prompter but thine eyes.
My love is honourable.

Ory. [Aside]                So was mine
To my Penthea, chastely honourable.

Pro. Nor wants there more addition to my

wish

60

Of happiness than having thee a wife;
Already sure of Ithocles, a friend
Firm and unalterable.

Org. [Aside.]            But a brother
More cruel than the grave.

Euph. What Can you look for,

In answer to your noble protestations,

65

From an unskilful maid, but language suited
To a divided mind?

Org. [Aside.]          Hold out, Euphranea!

Euph. Know, Prophilus, I never undervalu'd,
From the first time you mentioned worthy love,

Your merit, means, or person: it had been

70

A fault of judgment in me, and a dulness
In my affections, not to weigh and thank
My better stars that offered me the grace
Of so much blissfulness. For, to speak truth,

The law of my desires kept equal pace

75

With yours; nor have I left that resolution:
But only, in a word, whatever choice
Lives nearest in my heart must first procure
Consent both from my father and my brother,
Ere he can own me his.

Org. [Aside.]               She is forsworn else.

80

Pro. Leave me that task.

Euph.                   My brother, ere he parted
To Athens, had my oath.

Org. [Aside.]               Yes, yes, 'a had, sure.

Pro. I doubt not, with the means the court
         supplies,
But to prevail at pleasure.

Org. [Aside.]                   Very likely!

Pro. Meantime, best, dearest, I may build

my hopes

85

On the foundation of thy constant suff'rance
In any opposition.

Euph.                   Death shall sooner
Divorce life and the joys I have in living
Than my chaste vows from truth.

Pro.                                 On thy fair hand

I seal the like.

90

Org. [Aside.]   There is no faith in woman.
Passion, O, be contain'd! My very heart-strings
Are on the tenters.⁴

Euph.                      Sir, we are overheard.
Cupid protect us! 'T was a stirring, sir,
Of some one near.

Pro.                   Your fears are needless, lady;

95

None have access into these private pleasures
Except some near in court, or bosom-student
From Tecnicus his oratory, granted
By special favour lately from the king
Unto the grave philosopher.

Euph.                                 Methinks

100

I hear one talking to himself, — I see him.

774

Pro. 'T is a poor scholar, as I told you, lady.

Org. [Aside.] I am discovered. — [Half aloud
to himself, as if studying.] Say it; is it
         possible,
With a smooth tongue, a leering countenance,
Flattery, or force of reason — I come t' ye,

sir —

105

To turn or to appease the raging sea?
Answer to that. — Your art! what art to catch
And hold fast in a net the sun's small atoms?
No, no; they'll out, they'll out: ye may as
         easily

Outrun a cloud driven by a northern blast

110

As fiddle-faddle so! Peace, or speak sense,

Euph. Call you this thing a scholar? 'Las,
         he's lunatic.

Pro. Observe him, sweet; 't is but his recrea-
         tion.

Org. But will you hear a little? You're so
         tetchy,

You keep no rule in argument. Philosophy

115

Works not upon impossibilities,
But natural conclusions. — Mew! — absurd!
The metaphysics are but speculations
Of the celestial bodies, or such accidents

As not mixt perfectly, in the air engend'red

120

Appear to us unnatural; that's all.
Prove it; yet, with a reverence to your gravity,
I'll balk illiterate sauciness, submitting
My sole opinion to the touch of writers.

Pro. Now let us fall in with him.

                                  [They come forward.]

Org.                                          Ha, ha, ha!

125

These apish boys, when they but taste the
         grammates ¹
And principles of theory, imagine
They can oppose their teachers. Confidence
Leads many into errors.

Pro.                               By your leave, sir.

Euph. Are you a scholar, friend?

Org.                                I am, gay creature,

130

With pardon of your deities, a mushroom
On whom the dew of heaven drops now and
         then;
The sun shines on me too, I thank his beams!
Sometime I feel their warmth; and eat and
         sleep.

Pro.           Does Tecnicus read to thee?

Org.                                        Yes, forsooth.

135

He is my master surely; yonder door
Opens upon his study.

Pro.                            Happy creatures!
Such people toil not, sweet, in heats of state,
Nor sink in thaws of greatness; their affections

Keep order with the limits of their modesty;

140

Their love is love of virtue. — What's thy
         name?

Org.           Aplotes, sumptuous master, a poor
         wretch.

Euph.  Dost thou want anything?

Org.                             Books, Venus, books.

Pro. Lady, a new conceit; comes in my
         thought,

And most available for both our comforts.

145

Euph. My lord, —

Pro.                  Whiles I endeavour to deserve
Your father's blessing to our loves, this
         scholar
May daily at some certain hours attend ²

What notice I can write of my success,

149

Here in this grove, and give it to your hands
The like from you to me: so can we never
Barr'd of our mutual speech, want sure intelli-
         gence,
And thus our hearts may talk when our tongues
         cannot.

Euph.          Occasion is most favourable; use it.

Pro. Aplotes, wilt thou wait us twice a day,

At nine i' the morning and at four at night,

156

Here in this bower, to convey such letters
As each shall send to other? Do it willingly,
Safely, and secretly, and I will furnish

Thy study, or what else thou canst desire.

160

Org. Jove, make me thankful, thankful, I
         beseech thee
Propitious Jove! I will prove sure and trusty.
You will not fail me books?

Pro.                                 Nor aught besides
Thy heart can wish. This lady's name's Eu-
         phranea,
Mine Prophilus.

Org. I have a pretty memory;

165

It must prove my best friend. I will not miss
One minute of the hours appointed.

Pro.                                                Write
The books thou wouldst have bought thee in a
         note,
Or take thyself some money.

Org. No, no money;

Money to scholars is a spirit invisible,

170

We dare not finger it: or books, or nothing.

Pro. Books of what sort thou wilt: do not
         forget
Our names.

Org. I warrant ye, I warrant ye.

Pro. Smile, Hymen, on the growth of our
         desires;

We'll feed thy torches with eternal fires!

175

    Exeunt PROPHILUS and EUPHRANEA.

Org. Put out thy torches, Hymen, or their
         light
Shall meet a darkness of eternal night!
Inspire me, Mercury, with swift deceits.
Ingenious Fate has leapt into mine arms,

Beyond the compass of my brain. 3 Mortality

180

Creeps on the dung of earth, and cannot reach
The riddles which are purpos'd by the gods.
Great arts best write themselves in their own
         stories;
They die too basely who outlive their glories.
                                                              Exit.

         Enter BASSANES and PHULAS.

Bass. I'll have that window next the street
         damm'd up;

775

Grau. Now 't is well said, my lord. — What,
         lady! laugh,
Be merry; time is precious.

Bass. [Aside.]                   Furies whip thee!

90

Pen. Alas, my lord, this language to your
         hand-maid
Sounds as would music to the deaf; I need
No braveries nor cost of art to draw
The whiteness of my name into offence:

Let such, if any such there are, who covet

95

A curiosity of admiration,
By laying-out their plenty to full view,
Appear in gaudy outsides; my attires
Shall suit the inward fashion of my mind;

From which, if your opinion, nobly plac'd,

100

Change not the livery your words bestow,
My fortunes with my hopes are at the highest.

Bass. This house, methinks, stands some-
         what too much inward,

It is too melancholy; we'll remove

104

Nearer the court: or what thinks my Penthea
Of the delightful island we command?
Rule me as thou canst wish.

Pen.                                   I am no mistress.
Whither you please, I must attend; all ways
Are alike pleasant to me.

Grau.                             Island; prison!

A prison is as gaysome: we'll no islands;

110

Marry, out upon 'em! Whom shall we see
         there?
Sea-gulls, and porpoises, and water-rats,
And crabs, and mews, and dog-fish; goodly
         gear
For a young lady's dealing, — or an old one's!
On no terms islands; I'll be stew'd first.

Bass. [Aside to GRAUSIS.]        Grausis,

115

You are a juggling bawd. — This sadness,
         sweetest,
Becomes not youthful blood. — [Aside to GRAU-
         SIS.]  I'll have you pounded. —
For my sake put on a more cheerful mirth;
Thou 'lt mar thy cheeks, and make me old in
         griefs. —
[Aside to GRAUSIS.] Damnable bitch-fox!

Grau.                           I am thick of hearing,

120

Still, when the wind blows southerly. — What
         think ye,
If your fresh lady breed young bones, my
         lord?
Would not a chopping boy d'ye good at heart?
But, as you said —

Bass. [Aside to GRAUSIS.] I'll spit thee on a
         stake,
Or chop thee into collops!

Grau.                             Pray, speak louder.

125

Sure, sure the wind blows south still.

Pen.                                Thou prat'st madly.

Bass. 'T is very hot; I sweat extremely.

            Re-enter PHULAS.
                                                         Now?

Phu. A herd of lords, sir.

Bass.                             Ha!

Phu.                                 A flock of ladies.

Bass. Where?

Phu.              Shoals of horses.

Bass.                                   Peasant, how?

Phu.                                          Caroches ¹
In drifts; th' one enter, th' other stand with-

out, sir:

130

And now I vanish.                            Exit.

Pro.                    Noble Bassanes!

Bass. Most welcome, Prophilus; ladies, gen-
         tlemen,
To all my heart is open; you all honour me, —
[Aside.]  A tympany ² swells in my head al-
         ready, —
Honour me bountifully. — [Aside.] How they

flutter,

135

Wagtails and jays together!

Pro.                                  From your brother
By virtue of your love to him, I require
Your instant presence, fairest.

Pen.                                     He is well, sir?
Pro. The gods preserve him ever! Yet, dear
         beauty,

I find some alteration in him lately,

140

Since his return to Sparta. — My good lord,
I pray, use no delay.

Bass.                        We had not needed
An invitation, if his sister's health
Had not fallen into question. — Haste, Penthea,
Slack not a minute. — Lead the way, good

Prophilus;

145

I'll follow step by step.

Pro.                            Your arm, fair madam.

    Exeunt all but BASSANES and GRAUSIS.

Bass. One word with your old bawdship: th'
         hadst been better
Rail'd at the sins ³ thou worshipp'st than have
         thwarted
My will: I'll use thee cursedly.

Grau.                                    You dote,

You are beside yourself. A politician

150

In jealousy? No, y' are too gross, too vulgar.
Pish, teach not me my trade; I know my cue.
My crossing you sinks me into her trust,
By which I shall know all; my trade's a sure
         one.

Bass. Forgive me, Grausis, 't was considera-

tion

155

I relish'd not; ⁴ but have a care now.

Grau.                                           Fear not.
I am no new-come-to 't.

Bass.                                Thy life's upon it,
And so is mine. My agonies are infinite.
                                                     Exeunt.

Ith. Ambition! 't is of vipers' breed: it
         gnaws
A passage through the womb that gave it mo-
         tion.
Ambition, like a seeled ⁶ dove, mounts upward,
Higher and higher still, to perch on clouds,
But tumbles headlong down with heavier ruin.

777

So squibs and crackers fly into the air,
Then, only breaking with a noise, they vanish
In stench and smoke. Morality, appli'd
To timely practice, keeps the soul in tune,

At whose sweet music all our actions dance:

10

But this is form of books and school-tradition;
It physics not the sickness of a mind
Broken with griefs: strong fevers are not eas'd
With counsel, but with best receipts and means;
Means, speedy means and certain; that's the

cure.

15

    Enter ARMOSTES and CROTOLON.

Arm. You stick, Lord Crotolon, upon a point
Too nice and too unnecessary; Prophilus
Is every way desertful. I am confident
Your wisdom is too ripe to need instruction
From your son's tutelage.

Crot.                              Yet not so ripe,

20

My Lord Armostes, that it dares to dote
Upon the painted meat ¹ of smooth persuasion,
Which tempts me to a breach of faith.

Ith.                                                   Not yet
Resolv'd, my lord? Why, if your son's consent

Be so available, we'll write to Athens

25

For his repair to Sparta. The king's hand
Will join with our desires; he has been mov'd
         to 't.

Arm. Yes, and the king himself impórtun'd
         Crotolon
For a dispatch.

Crot. Kings may command; their wills
Are laws not to be questioned.

Ith.                                      By this marriage

30

You knit an union so devout, so hearty,
Between your loves to me and mine to yours,
As if mine own blood had an interest in it;
For Prophilus is mine, and I am his.

Crot. My lord, my lord! —

Ith. What, good sir? Speak your thought.

35

Crot. Had this sincerity been real once,
My Orgilus had not been now unwiv'd,
Nor your lost sister buried in a bride-bed.
Your uncle here, Armostes knows this truth;
For had your father Thrasus liv'd, — but peace
Dwell in his grave! I have done.

Arm.                         Y' are bold and bitter.

41

Ith. [Aside.] 'A presses home the injury; it
         smarts. —
No reprehensions, uncle; I deserve 'em.
Yet, gentle sir, consider what the heat

Of an unsteady youth, a giddy brain,

45

Green indiscretion, flattery of greatness,
Rawness of judgment, wilfulness in folly,
Thoughts vagrant as the wind and as uncertain,
Might lead a boy in years to: — 't was a fault,

A capital fault; for then I could not dive

50

Into the secrets of commanding love;
Since when, experience, by the extremes ² (in
         others),
Hath forc'd me collect. ³ And, trust me, Croto-
         lon,
I will redeem those wrongs with any service

Your satisfaction can require for current.

55

Arm. The ⁴ acknowledgment is satisfaction:
What would you more?

Crot.                 I'm conquer'd: if Euphranea
Herself admit the motion, let it be so;
I doubt not my son's liking.

Ith.                                     Use my fortunes,
Life, power, sword, and heart, — all are your

own.

60

Arm. The princess, with your sister.

Enter     CALANTHA,    PENTHEA,    EUPHRANEA,
   CHRISTALLA, PHILEMA, GRAUSIS, BASSANES,
   and PROPHILUS.

Cal.                                               I present ye
A stranger here in court, my lord; for did not
Desire of seeing you draw her abroad,
We had not been made happy in her company.

Ith. You are a gracious princess. — Sister,

wedlock

65

Holds too severe a passion in your nature,
Which can engross all duty to your husband,
Without attendance on so dear a mistress. —
[To BASSANES.] 'T is not my brother's pleasure,
         I presume,
T' immure her in a chamber.

Bass.                                    'T is her will;

70

She governs her own hours. Noble Ithocles,
We thank the gods for your success and wel-
         fare:
Our lady has of late been indispos'd,
Else we had waited on you with the first.

Ith. How does Penthea now?

Pen.                     You best know, brother,

75

From whom my health and comforts are de-
         riv'd.

Bass. [Aside.] I like the answer well; 't is
         sad and modest.
There may be tricks yet, tricks. — Have an eye,
         Grausis!

Cal. Now, Crotolon, the suit we join'd in
         must not
Fall by too long demur.

Crot.                         'T is granted, princess,

80

For my part.

Arm.           With condition, that his son
Favour the contract.

Cal. Such delay is easy. —
The joys of marriage make thee, Prophilus,
A proud deserver of Euphranea's love,
And her of thy desert!

Pro.                           Most sweetly gracious!

85

Bass. The joys of marriage are the heaven on
         earth,
Life's paradise, great princess, the soul's quiet,
Sinews of concord, earthly immortality,
Eternity of pleasures; — no restoratives
Like to a constant woman! — [Aside.] But

where is she?

90

'T would puzzle all the gods but to create
Such a new monster. — I can speak by proof,
For I rest in Elysium; 't is my happiness.

Crot. Euphranea, how are you resolv'd, speak
         freely,

In your affections to this gentleman?

95

Euph. Nor more nor less than as his love as-
         sures me;

778

Which — if your liking with my brother's war-
         rants —
I cannot but approve in all points worthy.

Crot. So, so! — [To PROPHILUS.] I know your
         answer.

Ith.                'T had been pity

To sunder hearts so equally consented.

100

                  Enter HEMOPHIL.

Hem. The king, Lord Ithocles, commands
         your presence; —
And, fairest princess, yours.

Cal.                                 We will attend him.

                Enter GRONEAS.

Gro. Where are the lords? All must unto the
         king
Without delay: the Prince of Argos —

Cal.                                               Well, sir?

Gro. Is coming to the court, sweet lady.

Cal.                                                    How!

105

The Prince of Argos?

Gro.                   'T was my fortune, madam,
T' enjoy the honour of these happy tidings.

Ith. Penthea! —

Pen.                  Brother?

Ith.                             Let me an hour hence

Meet you alone within the palace-grove;

109

I have some secret with you. — Prithee, friend,
Conduct her thither, and have special care
The walks be clear'd of any to disturb us.

Pro. I shall.

Bass. [Aside.] How's that?

Ith.                           Alone, pray be alone. —
I am your creature, princess. — On, my lords!

                         Exeunt all but BASSANES.

Bass. Alone! alone! What means that word

"alone"?

115

Why might not I be there? — hum! — he's
         her brother.
Brothers and sisters are but flesh and blood,
And this same whoreson court-ease is tempta-
         tion

To a rebellion in the veins; — besides,

119

His fine friend Prophilus must be her guar-
         dian:
Why may not he dispatch a business nimbly
Before the other come? — or — pand'ring, pan-
         d'ring
For one another, — be 't to sister, mother
Wife, cousin, anything, — 'mongst youths of
         mettle

Is in request; it is so — stubborn fate!

125

But if I be a cuckold, and can know it,
I will be fell, and fell.

              Re-enter GRONEAS.

Gro.                      My lord, y 'are call'd for.

Bass. Most heartily I thank ye. Where's my
         wife, pray ?

Gro. Retir'd amongst the ladies.

Bass.                                   Still I thank ye.
There 's an old waiter with her; saw you her

too?

130

Gro. She sits i 'th' presence-lobby fast asleep,
         sir.

Bass. Asleep !  asleep, sir!

Gro.                    Is your lordship troubled ?
You will not to the king?

Bass.                           Your humblest vassal.

Gro. Your servant, my good lord.

Bass.                            I wait your footsteps.
                                                        Exeunt.

   Enter PROPHILUS and PENTHEA.

Pro. In this walk, lady, will your brother find
         you:
And, with your favour, give me leave a little
To work a preparation. In his fashion
I have observ'd of late some kind of slackness

To such alacrity as nature [once]

5

And custom took delight in; sadness grows
Upon his recreations, which he hoards
In such a willing silence, that to question
The grounds will argue little skill in friendship,
And less good manners.

Pen.                           Sir, I'm not inquisitive

10

Of secrecies without an invitation.

Pro. With pardon, lady, not a syllable
Of mine implies so rude a sense; the drift —

    Enter ORGILUS, [disguised as before.]

[To ORG.]                                   Do thy best

To make this lady merry for an hour.     Exit.

15

Org. Your will shall be a law, sir.

Pen.                                   Prithee, leave me;
I have some private thoughts I would account
         with;
Use thou thine own.

Org.             Speak on, fair nymph; our souls
Can dance as well to music of the spheres

As any's who have feasted with the gods.

20

Pen. Your school-terms are too troublesome.

Org.                                        What Heaven
Refines mortality from dross of earth
But such as uncompounded beauty hallows
With glorified perfection ?

Pen.                                 Set thy wits
In a less wild proportion.

Org.                               Time can never

25

On the white table of unguilty faith
Write counterfeit dishonour; turn those eyes,
The arrows of pure love, upon that fire,
Which once rose to a flame, perfum'd with
         vows

As sweetly scented as the incense smoking

30

On Vesta's altars, . . . . . . . ²
. . . the holiest odours, virgin's tears,
. . . . sprinkled, like dews, to feed 'em
And to increase their fervour.

Pen.                                     Be not frantic.

Org. All pleasures are but mere imagination,

Feeding the hungry appetite with steam

36

And sight of banquet, whilst the body pines,
Not relishing the real taste of food:
Such is the leanness of a heart divided

From intercourse of troth-contracted loves;

40

779

No horror should deface that precious figure
Seal'd with the lively stamp of equal souls.

Pen. Away! some Fury hath bewitch'd thy
         tongue.
The breath of ignorance, that flies from thence,

Ripens a knowledge in me of afflictions

45

Above all suff'rance. — Thing of talk, begone!
Begone, without reply!

Org.                            Be just, Penthea,
In thy commands; when thou send'st forth a
         doom
Of banishment, know first on whom it lights.

Thus I take off the shroud, in which my cares

50

Are folded up from view of common eyes.
                  [Throws of his Scholar's dress.]
What is thy sentence next ?

Pen.                            Rash man! thou layest
A blemish on mine honour, with the hazard
Of thy too-desperate life: yet I profess,

By all the laws of ceremonious wedlock,

55

I have not given admittance to one thought
Of female change since cruelty enforc'd
Divorce betwixt my body and my heart.
Why would you fall from goodness thus ?

Org.                                                 O, rather

Examine me, how I could live to say

60

I have been much, much wrong'd. 'T is for thy
         sake
I put on this imposture: dear Penthea,
If thy soft bosom be not turn'd to marble,
Thou 'lt pity our calamities; my interest
Confirms me thou art mine still.

Pen.                                   Lend your hand;

65

With both of mine I clasp it thus, thus kiss it,
Thus kneel before ye.

Org.                          You instruct my duty.

Pen. We may stand up. — Have you aught
         else to urge
Of new demand? As for the old, forget it;

'T is buried in an everlasting silence,

70

And shall be, shall be ever. What more would
         ye ?

Org. I would possess my wife; the equity
Of very reason bids me.

Pen.                               Is that all ?

Org. Why, 't is the all of me, myself.

Pen.                                               Remove
Your steps some distance from me: — at this

space

75

A few words I dare change; but first put on
Your borrowed shape.

Org.                     You are obey'd; 't is done.
                           [He resumes his disguise.]

Pen.  How, Orgilus, by promise I was thine
The heavens do witness: they can witness too

A rape done on my truth: how I do love thee

80

Yet, Orgilus, and yet, must best appear
In tendering thy freedom; for I find
The constant preservation of thy merit,
By thy not daring to attempt my fame

With injury of any loose conceit,

85

Which might give deeper wounds to discon-
         tents.
Continue this fair race: ¹ then, though I cannot
Add to thy comfort, yet I shall more often

Remember from what fortune I am fallen,

89

And pity mine own ruin. — Live, live happy, —
Happy in thy next choice, that thou mayst peo-
         ple
This barren age with virtues in thy issue!
And O, when thou art married, think on me
With mercy, not contempt! I hope thy wife,

Hearing my story, will not scorn my fall. —

95

Now let us part.

Org.                   Part! yet advise thee better:
Penthea is the wife to Orgilus,
And ever shall be.

Pen.                      Never shall nor will.

Org.  How!

Pen. Hear me; in a word I'll tell thee why.

The virgin-dowry which my birth bestow'd

100

Is ravish'd by another; my true love
Abhors to think that Orgilus deserv'd
No better favours than a second bed.

Org. I must not take this reason.

Pen.                                      To confirm it

Should I outlive my bondage, let me meet

105

Another worse than this and less desir'd,
If, of all men alive, thou shouldst but touch
My lip or hand again!

Org.                            Penthea, now
I tell ye, you grow wanton in my sufferance:
Come, sweet, th' art mine.

Pen.                           Uncivil sir, forbear!

110

Or I can turn affection into vengeance;
Your reputation, if you value any,
Lies bleeding at my feet. Unworthy man,
If ever henceforth thou appear in language,

Message, or letter, to betray my frailty,

115

I'll call thy former protestations lust,
And curse my stars for forfeit of my judgment.
Go thou, fit only for disguise, and walks, ²
To hide thy shame: this once I spare thy life.
I laugh at mine own confidence; my sorrows

By thee are made inferior to my fortunes.

121

If ever thou didst harbour worthy love,
Dare not to answer. My good genius guide me,
That I may never see thee more! — Go from
         me!

Org.  I'll tear my veil of politic French off,

And stand up like a man resolv'd to do:

126

Action, not words, shall show me. — O Penthea!
                                                                  Exit.

Pen. 'A sighed my name, sure, as he parted
         from me:
I fear I was too rough. Alas, poor gentleman

'A look'd not like the ruins of his youth,

130

But like the ruins of those ruins. Honour,
How much we fight with weakness to preserve
         thee!                                [Walks aside.]

        Enter BASSANES and GRAUSIS.

Bass. Fie on thee ! damn thee, rotten mag-
         got, damn thee!
Sleep? sleep at court? and now? Aches, ³ con-
         vulsions,
Imposthumes, rheums, gouts, palsies, clog thy

bones

135

A dozen years more yet!

780

Grau.                            Now y' are in humours.

Bass. She's by herself, there's hope of that;
         she's sad too;
She's in strong contemplation; yes, and fixt:
The signs are wholesome.

Grau.                            Very wholesome, truly.

Bass. Hold your chops, ¹ nightmare! — Lady,

come; your brother

140

Is carried to his closet; you must thither.

Pen. Not well, my lord ?

Bass.                    A sudden fit; 't will off!
Some surfeit or disorder. — How dost, dearest ?

Pen. Your news is none o' the best.

               Re-enter PROPHILUS.

Pro.                                    The chief of men,

The excellentest Ithocles, desires

145

Your presence, madam.

Bass.                            We are hasting to him.

Pen. In vain we labour in this course of life
To piece our journey out at length, or crave
Respite of breath: our home is in the grave.

Bass. Perfect philosophy!

[Pen.]                            Then let us care

150

To live so, that our reckonings may fall even
When we 're to make account.

Pro.                                         He cannot fear
Who builds on noble grounds: sickness or pain
Is the deserver's exercise; ² and such
Your virtuous brother to the world is known.

Speak comfort to him, lady; be all gentle:

156

Stars fall but in the grossness of our sight;
A good man dying, th' earth doth lose a light.
                                                             Exeunt omnes.

Tec. Be well advis'd; let not a resolution
Of giddy rashness choke the breath of reason.

Org. It shall not, most sage master.

Tec.                                        I am jealous; ⁴
For if the borrowed, shape so late put on

Inferr'd a consequence, we must conclude

5

Some violent design of sudden nature
Hath shook that shadow off, to fly upon
A new-hatch'd execution. Orgilus,
Take heed thou hast not, under our integrity,

Shrouded unlawful plots; our mortal eyes

10

Pierce not the secrets of your heart, the gods
Are only privy to them.

Org.                               Learned Tecnicus
Such doubts are causeless; and, to clear the
         truth
From misconceit, the present state commands
         me.

The Prince of Argos comes himself in person

15

In quest of great Calantha for his bride,
Our kingdom's heir; besides, mine only sister,
Euphranea, is dispos'd to Prophilus;
Lastly, the king is sending letters for me

To Athens, for my quick repair to court:

20

Please to accept these reasons.

Tec.                                             Just ones, Orgilus,
Not to be contradicted: yet beware
Of an unsure foundation; no fair colours
Can fortify a building faintly jointed.

I have observ'd a growth in thy aspéct

25

Of dangerous extent, sudden, and — look to 't —
I might add, certain —

Org.                            My aspéct! Could art
Run through mine inmost thoughts, it should
         not sift
An inclination there more than what suited
With justice of mine honour.

Tec.                                     I believe it.

30

But know then, Orgilus, what honour is.
Honour consists not in a bare opinion
By doing any act that feeds content,
Brave in appearance, 'cause we think it brave;

Such honour comes by accident, not nature,

35

Proceeding from the vices of our passion,
Which makes our reason drunk: but real hon-
         our
Is the reward of virtue, and acquir'd
By justice, or by valour which for basis

Hath justice to uphold it. He then fails

40

In honour, who for lucre [or] revenge
Commits thefts, murders, treasons, and adul-
         teries,
With suchlike, by intrenching on just laws,
Whose sovereignty is best preserv'd by justice.
Thus, as you see how honour must be grounded

On knowledge, not opinion, — for opinion

46

Relies on probability and accident,
But knowledge on necessity and truth, —
I leave thee to the fit consideration

Of what becomes the grace of real honour,

50

Wishing success to all thy virtuous meanings.

Org. The gods increase thy wisdom, reverend
         oracle,
And in thy precepts make me ever thrifty! ⁵

Tec. I thank thy wish.                              Exit.
                                             Much mystery of fate

Lies hid in that man's fortunes; curiosity

55

May lead his actions into rare attempts: —
But let the gods be moderators still;
No human power can prevent their will.

    Enter ARMOSTES [with a casket].

From whence come ye ?

Arm.                    From King Amyclas, — pardon

My interruption of your studies. — Here,

60

In this seal'd box, he sends a treasure [to you,]
Dear to him as his crown. 'A prays your grav-
         ity
You would examine, ponder, sift, and bolt
The pith and circumstance of every tittle
The scroll within contains.

Tec.                             What is 't, Armostes?

65

Arm. It is the health of Sparta, the king's
         life,
Sinews and safety of the commonwealth;
The sum of what the oracle deliver'd
When last he visited the prophetic temple

At Delphos: what his reasons are, for which,

70

781

For she that's wife to Orgilus, and lives
In known adultery with Bassanes,

Is at the best a whore. Wilt kill me now?

75

The ashes of our parents will assume
Some dreadful figure, and appear to charge
Thy bloody guilt, that hast betray'd their name
To infamy in this reproachful match.

Ith. After my victories abroad, at home

80

I meet despair; ingratitude of nature
Hath made my actions monstrous. Thou shalt
         stand
A deity, my sister, and be worshipp'd
For thy resolved martyrdom; wrong'd maids
And married wives shall to thy hallowed

shrine

85

Offer their orisons, and sacrifice
Pure turtles, crown'd with myrtle; if thy pity
Unto a yielding brother's pressure lend
One finger but to ease it.

Pen.                              O, no more!
Ith. Death waits to waft me to the Stygian

banks,

90

And free me from this chaos of my bondage;
And till thou wilt forgive, I must endure.

Pen. Who is the saint you serve?

Ith.                      Friendship, or [nearness] ¹
Of birth to any but my sister, durst not
Have mov'd that question; ['t is] ² a secret,

sister,

95

I dare not murmur to myself.

Pen.                                     Let me,
By your new protestations I conjure ye,
Partake her name.

Ith. Her name? — 't is — 't is — I dare not.

Pen. All your respects are forg'd.³
Ith.                            They are not. — Peace!
Calantha is — the princess — the king's daugh-

ter —

100

Sole heir of Sparta. — Me, most miserable
Do I now love thee? For my injuries
Revenge thyself with bravery, and gossip
My treasons to the king's ears, do: — Calantha

Knows it not yet, nor Prophilus, ray nearest.

105

Pen. Suppose you were contracted to her,
         would it not
Split even your very soul to see her father
Snatch her out of your arms against her will,
And force her on the Prince of Argos ?

Ith.                                             Trouble not
The fountains of mine eyes with thine own

story;

110

I sweat in blood for't.

Pen.                          We are reconcil'd.
Alas, sir, being children, but two branches
Of one stock, 't is not fit we should divide:
Have comfort, you may find it.

Ith.                                       Yes, in thee;
Only in thee, Penthea mine.

Pen.                                    If sorrows

115

Have not too much dull'd my infected brain,
I'll cheer invention for an active strain.⁴

Ith. Mad man! why have I wrong'd a maid
         so excellent!

Enter BASSANES with a poniard; PROPHILUS,
        GRONEAS, HEMOPHIL, and GRAUSIS.

Bass. I can forbear no longer; more, I will
         not.
Keep off your hands, or fall upon my point. —

Patience is tir'd; for, like a slow-pac'd ass,

121

Ye ride my easy nature, and proclaim
My sloth to vengeance a reproach and property.⁵

Ith. The meaning of this rudeness?

Pro.                                            He 's distracted.

Pen. O, my griev'd lord! —

Grau.       Sweet lady, come not near him;

125

He holds his perilous weapon in his hand
To prick 'a cares not whom nor where, — see,
         see, see!

Bass. My birth is noble: though the popu-
         lar blast
Of vanity, as giddy as thy youth,

Hath rear'd thy name up to bestride a cloud,

130

Or progress in the chariot of the sun,
I am no clod of trade, to lackey pride,
Nor, like your slave of expectation,⁶ wait
The bawdy hinges of your doors, or whistle

For mystical conveyance to your bed-sports.

135

Gro. Fine humours! they become him.

Hem.                                     How 'a stares,
Struts, puffs, and sweats! Most admirable ⁷
         lunacy!

Ith. But that I may conceive the spirit of
         wine
Has took possession of your soberer custom,
I'd say you were unmannerly.

Pen.                                   Dear brother! —

140

Bass. Unmannerly! — mew, kitling! —
         smooth Formality
Is usher to the rankness of the blood,
But Impudence bears up the train. Indeed, sir,
Your fiery mettle, or your springal ⁸ blaze

Of huge renown, is no sufficient royalty

145

To print upon my forehead the scorn, "cuck-
         old."

Ith. His jealousy has robb'd him of his wits;
'A talks 'a knows not what.

Bass.                                   Yes, and 'a knows
To whom 'a talks;  to one that franks ⁹  his lust

In swine-security of bestial incest.

150

Ith.  Ha, devil !

Bass.  I will haloo 't; ¹⁰  though I blush more
To name the filthiness than thou to act it.

Ith. Monster !                   [Draws his sword.]

Pro.              Sir, by our friendship —

Pen.                                    By our bloods —
Will you quite both undo us, brother?

Grau.                                          Out on him!
These are his megrims, firks,¹¹ and melancho-

lies.

155

Hem. Well said, old touch-hole.

Gro.                          Kick him out of doors.

Pen. With favour, let me speak. — My lord,
         what slackness
In my obedience hath deserv'd this rage ?
Except humility and silent duty

783

Bass.                                     Light of beauty,
Deal not ungently with a desperate wound!
No breach of reason dares make war with
         her
Whose looks are sovereignty, whose breath is
         balm.

O, that I could preserve thee in fruition

165

As in devotion!

Pen.                      Sir, may every evil
Lock'd in Pandora's box shower, in your pre-
         sence,
On my unhappy head, if, since you made me
A partner in your bed, I have been faulty
In one unseemly thought against your honour!

Ith. Purge not his griefs, Penthea.

Bass.                                                       Yes, say on,

171

Excellent creature! — [To ITHOCLES.] Good,
         be not a hindrance
To peace and praise of virtue. — O, my senses
Are charm'd with sounds celestial! — On, dear,
         on:

I never gave you one ill word; say, did I?

175

Indeed I did not.

Pen.                            Nor, by Juno's forehead,
Was I o'er guilty of a wanton error.

Bass. A goddess! let me kneel.

Grau.                                         Alas, kind animal!

Ith. No; but for penance.

Bass.                                     Noble sir, what is it ?
With gladness I embrace it; yet, pray let not

My rashness teach you to be too unmerciful.

181

Ith. When you shall show good proof that
         manly wisdom,
Not oversway'd by passion or opinion,
Knows how to lead [your] judgment, then
         this lady,

Your wife, my sister, shall return in safety

185

Home, to be guided by you; but, till first
I can out of clear evidence approve it,
She shall be my care.

Bass.                                 Rip my bosom up,
I'll stand the execution with a constancy;
This torture is unsufferable.

Ith.                                                Well, sir,

190

I dare not trust her to your fury.

Bass.                                                      But
Penthea says not so.

Pen.                                        She needs no tongue
To plead excuse who never purpos'd wrong.

Hem. Virgin of reverence and antiquity,
Stay you behind.

Gro. [to GRAUSIS.]        The court wants not

your diligence.

195

                 Exeunt all but BASS. and GRAU.

Grau.  What will you do, my lord?   My lady's
         gone;
I am deni'd to follow.

Bass.                                   I may see her,
Or speak to her once more ?

Grau.                                    And feel her too, man;
Be of good cheer, she 's your own flesh and
         bone.

Bass. Diseases desperate must find cures

alike.

200

She swore she has been true.

Grau.                                     True, on my modesty.

Bass. Let him want truth who credits not
         her vows!
Much wrong I did her, but her brother infinite;
Rumour will voice me the contempt of man-

hood

204

Should I run on thus. Some way I must try
To outdo art, and [jealousy decry.] ¹     Exeunt.

Flourish. Enter AMYCLAS. NEARCHUS, leading
   CALANTHA,  ARMOSTES,  CROTOLON,  EU-
   PHRANEA, CHRISTALLA, PHILEMA, and AM-
   ELUS.

Amy. Cousin of Argos, what the heavens
         have pleas'd,
In their unchanging counsels to conclude
For both our kingdoms' weal, we must submit
         to:
Nor can we be unthankful to their bounties,
Who, when we were even creeping to our

grave,

5

Sent us a daughter, in whose birth our hope
Continues of succession. As you are
In title next, being grandchild to our aunt,
So we in heart desire you may sit nearest

Calantha's love; since we have ever vow'd

10

Not to enforce affection by our will,
But by her own choice to confirm it gladly.

Near. You speak the nature of a right just
         father.
I come not hither roughly to demand

My cousin's thraldom, but to free mine own.

15

Report of great Calantha's beauty, virtue,
Sweetness, and singular perfections, courted
All ears to credit what I find was publish'd
By constant truth; from which, if any service

Of my desert can purchase fair construction,

20

This lady must command it.

Cal.                                                Princely sir,
So well you know how to profess observance, ³
That you instruct your hearers to become
Practitioners in duty; of which number
I'll study to be chief.

Near.                             Chief, glorious virgin,

25

In my devotions, as in all men's wonder.

Amy. Excellent cousin, we deny no liberty;
Use thine own opportunities. — Armostes,
We must consult with the philosophers;
The business is of weight.

Arm.                            Sir, at your pleasure.

30

Amy. You, told me, Crotolon, your son's re-
         turn'd
From Athens: wherefore comes he not to court
As we commanded?

Crot.                                 He shall soon attend
Your royal will, great sir.

Amy.                                         The marriage

Between young Prophilus and Euphranea

35

Tastes of too much delay.

Crot.                                       My lord, —

Amy.                                                 Some pleasures
At celebration of it would give life

784

To th' entertainment of the prince our kins-
         man;
Our court wears gravity more than we relish.

Arm. Yet the heavens smile on all your high

attempts,

40

Without a cloud.

Crot.                       So may the gods protect us.

Cal. A prince a subject ?

Near.                              Yes, to beauty's sceptre;
As all hearts kneel, so mine.

Cal.                                             You are too courtly.

Enter ITHOCLES, ORGILUS, and PROPHILUS.

Ith. Your safe return to Sparta is most; wel-
         come :

I joy to meet you here, and, as occasion

45

Shall grant us privacy, will yield you reasons
Why I should covet to deserve the title
Of your respected friend; for, without compli-
         ment,
Believe it, Orgilus, 't is my ambition.

Org. Your lordship may command me, your

poor servant.

50

Ith. [Aside.] So amourously close! — so soon!
         — my heart!

Pro. What sudden change is next ?

Ith.                                                     Life to the king!
To whom I here present this noble: gentleman,
New come from Athens: royal sir, vouchsafe

Your gracious hand in favour of his merit.

55

                  [The King gives ORGILUS his hand
                     to kiss.]