Amet. Not like a lady of the trim, new crept That shape a woman monstrous; to transform Into contempt and laughter. Sister, sister, Tha. Then you conclude me proud? Amet. Young Menaphon, My worthy friend, has loved you long and truly: Twelve months, wronged gentleman, he undertook In this time of his absence have you not Tha. You're bitter; And, brother, by your leave, not kindly 1 wise. Tha. I have given Your Menaphon a welcome home, as fits me ; The handsome stranger, more familiarly Than, I may fear, becomes me; yet, for his part, Amet. No more, no more! be affable to both ; The youth; and, trust me, brother, love his sadness: His tales so gracefully, that I could sit Amet. Now I commend thee; Thou'lt change at last, I hope. Tha. I fear I shall. [Aside. Enter MENAPHON and PARTHENOPHIL. Amet. Have ye surveyed the garden? Men. It were impossible, since your fair presence Makes every place, where it vouchsafes to shine, More lovely than all other helps of art Can equal. Tha. What you mean by "helps of art," You know yourself best: be they as they are; You need none, I am sure, to set me forth. Men. 'Twould argue want of manners, more than skill, Not to praise praise itself. Tha. For your reward, Excellent sister! Henceforth I'll call you servant.1 Amet. Men. 'Tis my first step to honour. May I fall Lower than shame, when I neglect all service That may confirm this favour! Tha. Are you well, sir? Par. Great princess, I am well. To see a league Between an humble love, such as my friend's is, And a commanding virtue, such as yours is, Are sure restoratives. Tha. You speak ingeniously.-2 Brother, be pleased to show the gallery To this young stranger. Use the time a while, I will present ye, sir, unto the prince. Par. You're all composed of fairness and true bounty. Amet. Come, come. We'll wait thee, sister. beginning Doth relish happy process. Men. You have blessed me. This Tha. I am grown base.-Parthenophil- You are in love. He's handsome, 1i.e. Acknowledge you as a lover. 2 i.e. Wittily. Richly endowed; he hath a lovely face, A winning tongue. Tha. If ever I must fall, In him my greatness sinks: Love is a tyrant, I would steal time to talk with him one hour: But do it honourably; prithee, Kala, Do not betray me. Kal. Madam, I will make it Mine own case; he shall think I am in love with him. Tha. I hope thou art not, Kala. 'Tis for your sake: I'll tell him so; but, 'faith, I am not, lady. Tha. Pray, use me kindly; let me not too soon Be lost in my new follies. 'Tis a fate That overrules our wisdoms; whilst we strive To live most free, we're caught in our own toils. To thrive in cunning must cure love with love. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-An Apartment in the Palace. Enter SOPHRONOS and ARETUS. OPH. Our commonwealth is sick: 'tis That we should wake the head thereof, In the dull lethargy of lost security. The commons murmur, and the nobles Their just-conceivèd fury on such injuries As the late prince, our living master's father, Intelligence comes flying in on all sides; Out of particular action, The affairs of government; which I, for my part, Are. Sophronos, I am as zealous too of shaking off My gay state-fetters, that I have bethought As I have told ye, have concluded with Soph. You should have done this sooner, Aretus; |