Pal. Her's that was once Eroclea. For her

sake

Have I advanced Sophronos to the helm
Of government; for her sake, will restore
Meleander's honours to him; will, for her sake,
Beg friendship from thee, Rhetias. O! be faithful,
And let no politic lord work from thy bosom
My griefs: I know thou wert put on to sift me;
But be not too secure.

Rhe. I am your creature.

Pal. Continue still thy discontented fashion, Humour the lords, as they would humour me; I'll not live in thy debt.-We are discovered.

Enter AMETHUS, MENAPHON, THAMASTA, KALA, and PARTHENOPHILL.

Amet. Honour and health still wait upon the prince!

Sir, I am bold with favour to present

Unto your highness Menaphon my friend,
Return'd from travel.

Men. Humbly on my knees
I kiss your gracious hand.

Pal. It is our duty

To love the virtuous.

Men. If my prayers or service

Hold any value, they are vow'd your's ever.

Rhe. I have a fist for thee too, stripling; thou art started up prettily since I saw thee. Hast learned any wit abroad? wit abroad? Canst tell news and

swear lies with a grace, like a true traveller?What new ouzle's' this?

Tha. Your highness shall do right to your own judgment,

In taking more than common notice of

This stranger, an Athenian, named Parthenophill;

One, who, if mine opinion do not soothe me
Too grossly, for the fashion of his mind

Deserves a dear respect.

Pal. Your commendations,

Sweet cousin, speak him nobly.

Par. All the powers

That sentinel just thrones, double their guards* About your sacred excellence!

Pal. What fortune

Led him to Cyprus?

Men. My persuasions won him.

Amet. And if your highness please to hear the

entrance

Into their first acquaintance, you will sayTha. It was the newest, sweetest, prettiest accident,

That e'er delighted your attention:

I can discourse it, sir.

What new ouzle's this?] Parthenophill, whom he pretends not to know. If any thing be necessary on so common a word, it may be briefly observed, that "ouzel is a generic term, in which the species blackbird (one among many) is contained."

2 Double their guards.] The old copy reads-double these guards; which seems hardly intelligible.

Pal. Some other time.

How is he call'd?

Tha. Parthenophill.

Pal. Parthenophill?

We shall sort time to take more notice of him.

[Exit.

Men. His wonted melancholy still pursues him. Amet. I told you so.

Tha. You must not wonder at it.

Par. I do not, lady.

Amet. Shall we to the castle?

Men. We will attend you both.

Rhe. All three-I'll go too. Hark in thine ear, gallant; I'll keep the old man in chat, whilst thou gabblest to the girl: my thumb's upon my lips; not a word.

Amet. I need not fear thee, Rhetias.-Sister,

soon

Expect us; this day we will range the city. Tha. Well, soon I shall expect you.-Kala!'

Kal. Trust me.

[Aside.

Rhe. Troop on!-Love, love, what a wonder thou art!

[Exeunt all but PARTHENOPHILL and KALA. Kal. May I not be offensive, sir?

Par. Your pleasure?

Yet, pray, be brief.

3 Kala!] This is a hint to her attendant to take the present opportunity of conveying her message "honourably" to Parthenophill. See p. 30.

Kal. Then, briefly; good, resolve me;

Have you a mistress or a wife?

Par. I have neither.

Kal. Nor did you ever love in earnest any Fair lady, whom you wish'd to make your own? Par. Not any truly.

Kal. What your friends or means are
I will not be inquisitive to know,
Nor do I care to hope for. But admit

A dowry were thrown down before your choice,
Of beauty, noble birth, sincere affection,

How gladly would you entertain it? Young man, I do not tempt you idly.

Par. I shall thank you,

When my unsettled thoughts can make me sensible

Of what 'tis to be happy; for the present
I am your debtor; and, fair gentlewoman,
Pray give me leave as yet to study ignorance,
For my weak brains conceive not what concerns

me.

Another time-(Going.)

Enter THAMASTA.

Tha. Do I break off your parley,

That you are parting? Sure my woman loves you; Can she speak well, Parthenophill?

Par. Yes, madam,

Discreetly chaste she can; she hath much won On my belief, and in few words, but pithy,

Much mov'd my thankfulness. You are her lady,

Your goodness aims, I know, at her preferment; Therefore, I may be bold to make confession.

Of truth: if ever I desire to thrive

In woman's favour, Kala is the first
Whom my ambition shall bend to.
Tha. Indeed!

But say, a nobler love should interpose.

Par. Where real worth and constancy first settle
A hearty truth, there greatness cannot shake it;
Nor shall it mine: yet I am but an infant
In that construction, which must give clear light
To Kala's merit; riper hours hereafter

Must learn me how to grow rich in deserts.
Madam, my duty waits on you.

Tha. Come hither!

"If ever henceforth I desire to thrive

In woman's favour, Kala is the first

[Exit.

Whom my ambition shall bend to."-"Twas so! Kal. These very words he spake.

Tha. These very words

Curse thee, unfaithful creature, to thy grave.

Thou woo'd'st him for thyself?

Kal. You said I should.

Tha. My name was never mention'd?

Kal. Madam, no:

We were not come to that.

Tha. Not come to that!

Art thou a rival fit to cross my fate?

Now poverty and a dishonest fame,

The waiting-woman's wages, be thy payment,