be made a prey to some less noble design. With your favour, I have forgot the rest.

Pal. Good, call it back again into thy memory; Else, losing the remainder, I am lost too.

Rhe. You charm 1 me. In brief, a rape by some bad agents was attempted; by the Lord Meleander her father rescued, she conveyed away ; Meleander accused of treason, his land seized, he himself distracted and confined to the castle, where he yet lives. What had ensued was doubtful ; but your father shortly after died.

Pal. But what became of fair Eroclea ?
Rhe. She never since was heard of.

Pal. No hope lives, then,
Of ever, ever seeing her again ?

Rhe. Sir, I feared I should anger thee. There was, as I said, an old tale :- I have now a new one, which may perhaps season the first with a more delightful relish.

Pal. I am prepared to hear; say what you please.

Rhe. My Lord Meleander failing,-on whose favour my fortunes relied, I furnished myself for travel, and bent my course to Athens; where a pretty accident, after a while, came to my knowledge,

Pal. My ear is open to thee.

Rhe. A young lady contracted to a noble gentleman, as the lady we last mentioned and your highness were, being hindered by their jarring parents, stole from her home, and was conveyed like a ship-boy in a merchant ? from the country where she lived, into Corinth first, afterwards to Athens; where in much solitariness she lived, like a youth, almost two years, courted by all for acquaintance, but friend to none by familiarity.

Pal. In habit of a man?

Rhe. A handsome young man-till, within these three months or less-her sweetheart's father dying some year before or more,--she had notice of it, and with much joy returned home, and, as report voiced it at Athens, enjoyed 1 Persuade.

? i.e. A merchant ship.

her happiness she was long an exile for. Now, noble sir, if you did love the Lady Eroclea, why may not such safety and fate direct her as directed the other ? 'tis not impossible.

Pal. If I did love her, Rhetias! Yes, I did. Give me thy hand : as thou didst serve Meleander, And art still true to these, henceforth serve me.

Rhe. My duty and my obedience are my surety ; But I have been too bold.

Pal. Forget the sadder story of my father,
And only, Rhetias, learn to read 1 me well ;
For I must ever thank thee: thou'st unlocked
A tongue was vowed to silence; for requital,
Open my bosom, Rhetias.

What's your meaning ?
Pal. To tie thee to an oath of secrecy.
Unloose the buttons, man : thou dost it faintly.
What find'st thou there?
Rhe.

A picture in a tablet.
Pal. Look well upon't.
Rhe.

I do--yes, let me observe it-
'Tis hers, the lady's.
Pal.

Whose ?
Rhe.

Eroclea's.
Pal. Hers 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.

1 Comprehend.

Pal.

Enter AMETHUS, MENAPHON, THAMASTA, KALA, and

PARTHENOPHIL. Amet. Honour and health still wait upon the prince ! Sir, I am bold with favour to present Unto your highness Menaphon my friend, . Returned from travel. Men.

Humbly on my knees
I kiss your gracious hand.

It is our duty
To love the virtuous.
Men.

If my prayers or service
Hold any value, they are vowed yours ever.

Rhe. I have a fist for thee too, stripling; thou’rt started up prettily since I saw thee. Hast learned any wit abroad? Canst tell news and swear 'lies with a grace, like a true traveller ?-What new ouzel's this? Tha. Your highness shall do right to your own judg

ment
In taking more than common notice of
This stranger, an Athenian, named Parthenophil;
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 !

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 say—

Tha. It was the newest, sweetest, prettiest accident That e'er delighted your attention: I can discourse it, sir.

Pal.

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.
Re-enter THAMASTA.
Tha.

Do I break off your parley,
That you are parting? Sure, my woman loves you :
Can she speak well, Parthenophil ?
Par.

Yes, madam,
Discreetly chaste she can ; she hath much won
On my belief, and in few words, but pithy,
Much moved 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.

[Exit. Tha.

Come hither :-
“If ever henceforth I desire to thrive
In woman's favour, Kala is the first
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'dst him for thyself?