Of the Marshalship of Cyprus; and ere long

He means to visit

you.

I must attend the prince.

Excuse haste;

my

[Exit.

Cor. There's one pill works.

Mel. Dost know that spirit? 'tis a grave fami

liar,

And talk'd I know not what.

Cor. He's like, methinks,

The prince's tutor Aretus.
Mel. Yes, yes;

It be I have seen such a formality;

may

No matter where, or when.

Enter AMETHUS, with a Staff.

Ame. The prince hath sent you, My lord, this staff of office, and withal Salutes you Grand Commander of the ports Throughout his principalities. He shortly Will visit you himself; I must attend him. [Exit. -Cor. D'ye feel your physic stirring yet? Mel. A devil

Is a rare juggler, and can cheat the eye, But not corrupt the reason, in the throne soul.

Of a pure

Enter SOPHRONOS, with a Tablet."

Another! I will stand thee;

Be what thou canst, I care not.

5 With a tablet.] i. e. with the miniature of Eroclea, which Palador had worn so long in his bosom, and to which he alludes, P. 97.

Soph. From the prince,

Dear brother, I present you this rich relic,
A jewel he hath long worn in his bosom :
Henceforth, he bad me say, he does beseech you
To call him son, for he will call you father;
It is an honour, brother, that a subject
Cannot but entertain with thankful prayers.
Be moderate in your joys; he will in person
Confirm my errand, but commands my service.

Cor. What hope now of your cure?

Mel. Stay, stay!-What earthquakes

[Exit.

Roll in my flesh! Here's prince, and prince, and

prince;

Prince upon prince! The dotage of my sor

rows

Revels in magic of ambitious scorn:

Be they enchantments deadly as the grave,
I'll look upon them. Patent, staff, and relic!
To the last first. (Taking up the Miniature) Round
me, ye guarding ministers,

And ever keep me waking, till the cliffs

That overhang my sight, fall off, and leave
These hollow spaces to be cramm'd with dust!
Cor. 'Tis time, I see, to fetch the cordial."

Prithee,

Sit down; I'll instantly be here again. [Exit.

'Tis time, I see, to fetch the cordial.] i. e. the Prince; with whom he subsequently returns, and whom he terms the sure, or crowning cordial

Mel. Good, give me leave; I will sit down:

indeed,

Here's company enough for me to prate to.—
[Looks at the Picture.
Eroclea!-'tis the same; the cunning arts-man
Faulter'd not in a line. Could he have fashion'd
A little hollow space here, and blown breath
To have made it move and whisper, 't had been
excellent :-

But 'faith, 'tis well, 'tis very well as 'tis ;
Passing, most passing well,

Enter CLEOPHILA leading EROCLEA, and followed by RHETIAS.

Cleo. The sovereign greatness,

Who, by commission from the powers of heaven,
Sways both this land and us, our gracious prince,
By me presents you, sir, with this large bounty,
A gift more precious to him than his birthright.
Here let your cares take end; now set at liberty
Your long imprison'd heart, and welcome home
The solace of your soul, too long kept from you.
Ero. (kneeling) Dear sir, you know me?
Mel. Yes, thou art my daughter;

My eldest blessing. Know thee? why, Eroclea,
I never did forget thee in thy absence;

Poor soul, how dost?

Ero. The best of my well-being

Mel. Stand up; the gods, who hitherto Have kept us both alive, preserve thee ever!

I

Cleophila, I thank thee and the prince;

I thank thee too, Eroclea, that thou would'st,
In pity of my age, take so much pains.

To live, till I might once more look upon thee,
Before I broke my heart: O, 'twas a piece
Of piety and duty unexampled.

Rhe. The good man relisheth his comforts strangely;

The sight doth turn me child.

Ero. I have not words.

That can express my joys.

Cleo. Nor I.

Mel. Nor I;

[Aside.

Yet let us gaze on one another freely,
And surfeit with our eyes; let me be plain :
If I should speak as much as I should speak,
I should talk of a thousand things at once,
And all of thee; of thee, my child, of thee!
My tears, like ruffling winds lock'd up in caves,
Do bustle for a vent; -on th' other side,
To fly out into mirth were not so comely.
Come hither, let me kiss thee!-[TO ERO.]—with
a pride,

Strength, courage, and fresh blood, which now thy presence

Hath stored me with, I kneel before their altars, Whose sovereignty kept guard about thy safety: Ask, ask thy sister, prithee, she will tell thee How I have been much mad.

Cleo. Much discontented,

Shunning all means that might procure him comfort.

Ero. Heaven has at last been gracious.
Mel. So say

I;

But wherefore drop thy words in such a sloth,
As if thou wert afraid to mingle truth
With thy misfortunes?

roughly;

Understand me tho

I would not have thee to report at large,

From point to point, a journal of thy absence, "Twill take up too much time; I would securely Engross the little remnant of my life,

That thou might'st every day be telling somewhat,

Which might convey me to my rest with comfort.

Let me bethink me; how we parted first,
Puzzles my faint remembrance-but soft-
Cleophila, thou told'st me that the prince
Sent me this
present.

Cleo. From his own fair hands

I did receive my sister.

Mel. To requite him,

We will not dig his father's grave anew,
Although the mention of him much concerns
The business we inquire of :-as I said,

We parted in a hurry at the court;
I to this castle, after made my jail;
But whither thou, dear heart?

Rhe. Now they fall to't;

I look'd for this.

Ero. I, by my uncle's care,