Ith. So amorously close!-so soon!-my heart!

Pro. What sudden change is next?
Ith. Life to the king!

[Aside.

To whom I here present this noble gentleman,
New come from Athens; royal sir, vouchsafe
Your gracious hand in favour of his merit.

[The King gives ORG. his hand to kiss.

Crot. My son preferr'd by Ithocles!
Amyc. Our bounties

Shall open to thee, Orgilus; for instance,

[Aside.

(Hark, in thine ear)-if, out of those inventions Which flow in Athens, thou hast there engross'd' Some rarity of wit, to grace the nuptials

Of thy fair sister, and renown our court

In th' eyes of this young prince, we shall be debtor

To thy conceit: think on 't.

Org. Your highness honours me.

Near. My tongue and heart are twins.
Cal. A noble birth,

Becoming such a father.-Worthy Orgilus,
You are a guest most wished for.

Org. May my duty

Still rise in your opinion, sacred princess!
Ith. Euphranea's brother, sir; a gentleman
Well worthy of your knowledge.

Near. We embrace him,

Proud of so dear acquaintance.

Amyc. All prepare

For revels and disport; the joys of Hymen,

Like Phoebus in his lustre, put to flight

All mists of dulness; crown the hours with glad

ness:

No sounds but music, no discourse but mirth!

I

-if thou hast there engross'd

Some rarity of wit, &c.] i. e. if thou hast possessed thyself of, mastered, so as to bring away: the king seems inclined rather to tax the memory of Orgilus than his imagination.-GIFFORD.

Cal. Thine arm, I prithee, Ithocles.-Nay, good My lord, keep on your way, I am provided.

Near. I dare not disobey.

Ith. Most heavenly lady!

SCENE IV.

A Room in the House of CROTOLON.

Enter CROTOLON and ORGILUS.

Crot. The king hath spoke his mind.
Org. His will he hath;

But were it lawful to hold plea against

[Exeunt.

The power of greatness, not the reason, haply
Such undershrubs as subjects, sometimes might
Borrow of nature, justice, to inform

That license sovereignty holds, without check,
Over a meek obedience.

Crot. How resolve you

Touching your sister's marriage? Prophilus
Is a deserving and a hopeful youth.

Org. I envy not his merit, but applaud it;
Could wish him thrift in all his best desires,
And, with a willingness, inleague our blood
With his, for purchase of full growth in friendship.
He never touch'd on any wrong that maliced
The honour of our house, nor stirr'd our peace;
Yet, with your favour, let me not forget

Under whose wing he gathers warmth and com

fort,

Whose creature he is bound, made, and must live so.

Crot. Son, son, I find in thee a harsh condition.1

No courtesy can win it; 't is too rancorous.

Org. Good sir, be not severe in your construction;

1 i. e. temper, disposition. The deep dissimulation, the deadly resentment of Orgilus, are powerfully marked in this scene.-GIFFORD.

I am no stranger to such easy calms

As sit in tender bosoms: lordly Ithocles
Hath graced my entertainment in abundance;
Too humbly hath descended from that height
Of arrogance and spleen which wrought the rape
On griev'd Penthea's purity; his scorn
Of my untoward fortunes is reclaim'd
Unto a courtship, almost to a fawning:-
I'll kiss his foot, since you will have it so.

Crot. Since I will have it so! friend, I will have

it so,

Without our ruin by your politic plots,

Or wolf of hatred snarling in your breast.
You have a spirit, sir, have you? a familiar
That posts i' th' air for your intelligence?
Some such hobgoblin hurried you from Athens,
For yet you come unsent for.

Org. If unwelcome,

I might have found a grave there.
Crot. Sure your business

Was soon despatch'd, or your mind alter'd quickly. Org. 'T was care, sir, of my health cut short my journey;

For there, a general infection

Threatens a desolation.

Crot. And I fear

Thou hast brought back a worse infection with

thee,

Infection of thy mind: which, as thou say'st,
Threatens the desolation of our family.

Org. Forbid it, our dear Genius! I will rather
Be made a sacrifice on Thrasus' monument,
Or kneel to Ithocles his son in dust,

Than woo a father's curse: my sister's marriage
With Prophilus is from my heart confirm'd;
May I live hated, may I die despised,

If I omit to further it in all

That can concern me!

Crot. I have been too rough,

My duty to my king made me so earnest ;

Excuse it, Orgilus.

Org. Dear sir!

Enter PROPHILUS, EUPHRANEA, ITHOCLES, GRONEAS, and HEMOPHIL.

Crot. Here comes

Euphranea, with Prophilus and Ithocles.
Org. Most honour'd!-ever famous!
Ith. Your true friend;

On earth not any truer.-With smooth eyes
Look on this worthy couple; your consent
Can only make them one.

Org. They have it.—Sister,

Thou pawn'dst to me an oath, of which engagement I never will release thee, if thou aim'st

At any other choice than this.

Euph. Dear brother,

At him, or none.

Crot. To which my blessing's added.

Org. Which, till a greater ceremony perfect,Euphranea, lend thy hand;-here, take her, Prophilus,

Live long a happy man and wife; and further,
That these in presence may conclude an omen,
Thus for a bridal song I close my wishes:

Comforts lasting, loves increasing,
Like soft hours never ceasing;
Plenty's pleasure, peace complying,
Without jars, or tongues envying;
Hearts by holy union wedded,
More than theirs by custom bedded;
Fruitful issues; life so graced,
Not by age to be defaced;
Budding, as the year ensu'th,
Every spring another youth:
All what thought can add beside,
Crown this bridegroom and this bride!

Pro. You have seal'd joy close to my soul.

Euphranea,

Now I may call thee mine.

Ith. I but exchange

One good friend for another.
Org. If these gallants

Will please to grace a poor invention
By joining with me in some slight device,
I'll venture on a strain my younger days
Have studied for delight.

Hem. With thankful willingness
I offer my attendance.

Gron. No endeavour

Of mine shall fail to show itself.

Ith. We will

All join to wait on thy directions, Orgilus.

Org. Oh, my good lord, your favours flow

towards

A too unworthy worm;-but, as you please,

I am what you will shape me.

1th. A fast friend.

Crot. I thank thee, son, for this acknowledgment,

It is a sight of gladness.

Org. But my duty.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

CALANTHA'S Apartment in the Palace.

Enter CALANTHA, Penthea, Christalla, and
PHILEMA.

Cal. Whoe'er would speak with us, deny his entrance;

Be careful of our charge.

Chris. We shall, madam.

Cal. Except the king himself, give none admit

tance;

Not any.