But faith, 't is well, 't is very well as 't is; Enter CLEOPHILA leading EROCLEA, and followed by Cleo The sovereign greatness, Who, by commission from the powers of heaven, My eldest blessing. Know thee! why, Eroclea, Ero. The best of my well-being Mel. Stand up; the gods, who hitherto I thank thee, too, Eroclea, that thou wouldst, 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: Yet let us gaze on one another freely, [Aside. And all of thee; of thee, my child, of thee! 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, Cleo. Much discontented, Shunning all means that might procure him comfort. Ero. Heaven has at last been gracious. But wherefore drop thy words in such a sloth, With thy misfortunes? Understand me thoroughly; From point to point, a journal of thy absence, That thou mightst every day be telling somewhat, Cleo. From his own fair hands I did receive my sister. Mel. To requite him, We will not dig his father's grave anew, Rhe. Now they fall to 't; I look'd for this. Ero. I, by my uncle's care, Sophronos, my good uncle, suddenly Was like a sailor's boy convey'd a-shipboard, Mel. A policy quick and strange. Ero. The ship was bound for Corinth, whither first, Attended only with your servant Rhetias, And all fit necessaries, we arrived; From thence, in habit of a youth, we journey'd Mel. Oh, what a thing is man, To bandy factions of distemper'd passions, Ero. So I obey'd My uncle's wise command. Mel. "T was safely carried; I humbly thank thy fate. Ero. If earthly treasures Are pour'd in plenty down from heaven on mortals, In schools of sacred knowledge, such is Athens; The thoughts of you, my sister, country, fortunes, Mel. Speak low, Eroclea, That "something of the prince" bears danger in it: As might create a prince a wife fit for him, Rhe. Sir, with your noble favour, Kissing your hand first, that point I can answer. Rhe. Your grave brother Perceiv'd with what a hopeless love his son, And, to remove the violence of affection, Sent him to Athens, where, for twelve months' space, My thankfulness to heaven, and those people Lend me a looking-glass.-How now! how came I Rhe. Here's the glass, sir. Mel. I'm in the trim too.-0 Cleophila, This was the goodness of thy care and cunning Whence comes this noise? [Loud music. Rhe. The prince, my lord, in person. [They kneel, Enter PALADOR, SOPHRONOS, ARETUS, AmetHUS, MenaPHON, CORAX, THAMASTA, and Kala.. Pal. You shall not kneel to us; rise all, I charge you. Father, you wrong your age; henceforth my arms Be young again, Meleander, live to number In comforts, as in years! The offices Mel. My tears must thank you, For my tongue cannot. Cor. I have kept my promise, And given you a sure cordial. Mel. Oh, a rare one. Pal. Good man! we both have shar'd enough of sadness, Though thine has tasted deeper of the extreme: [Takes ERO. by the hand, The real substance: with this other hand I give away, before her father's face, His younger joy, Cleophila, to thee, Cousin Amethus; take her, and be to her More than a father, a deserving husband. Thus, robb'd of both thy children in a minute, Thy cares are taken off. Mel. My brains are dull'd; I am entranced, and know not what you mean. Pal. Eroclea was, you know, contracted mine; Cleophila my cousin's, by consent Of both their hearts; we both now claim our own It only rests in you to give a blessing, For confirmation. Rhe. Sir, 't is truth and justice. Mel. The gods, that lent you to me, bless your Vows! Oh, children, children, pay your prayers to heaven, For they have show'd much mercy. But, Sophronos, Thou art my brother-I can say no more A good, good brother! Pal. Leave the rest to time Cousin Thamasta, I must give you too; |