So much upon my patience? Fool, the weight
Of my disease sits on my heart so heavy,
That all the hands of art cannot remove

One grain, to ease my grief. If thou could'st poison

My memory, or wrap my senses up

Into a dulness, hard and cold as flints;

If thou could'st make me walk, speak, eat and

laugh

Without a sense or knowledge of my

faculties, Why then perhaps, at marts, thou might'st make

benefit

Of such an antic motion,+ and get credit.
From credulous gazers; but not profit me.
Study to gull the wise; I am too simple
To be wrought on.

Cor. I'll burn my books, old man,

But I will do thee good, and quickly too.

Enter ARETUS, with a Patent.

Are. Most honour'd lord Meleander! our great master,

Prince Palador of Cyprus, hath by me
Sent you this patent, in which is contain'd
Not only confirmation of the honours
You formerly enjoy'd, but the addition

Of such an antic motion,] i. e. of such a strange automaton, or puppet. Exhibitions of this kind formed, in the poet's days, one of the principal attractions of the people on all public occasions.

Of the Marshalship of Cyprus; and ere long
He means to visit you. Excuse

I must attend the prince.

Cor. There's one pill works.

my haste;

[Exit.

Mel. Dost know that spirit? 'tis a grave fami

liar,

And talk'd I know not what.

Cor. He's like, methinks,

The prince's tutor Aretus.
Mel. Yes, yes;

It be I have seen such a formality;

may

No matter where, or when.

Enter AMETHUS, with a Staff.

Ame. The prince hath sent you, My lord, this staff of office, and withal Salutes you Grand Commander of the ports Throughout his principalities. He shortly Will visit you himself; I must attend him. [Exit. Cor. D'ye feel your physic stirring yet?

Enter SOPHRONOS, with a Tablet.

Another! I will stand thee;

Be what thou canst, I care not.

With a tablet.] i. e. with the miniature of Eroclea, which Palador had worn so long in his bosom, and to which he alludes,

P. 97.

Soph. From the prince,

Dear brother, I present you this rich relic,
A jewel he hath long worn in his bosom :
Henceforth, he bad me say, he does beseech you
To call him son, for he will call you father;
It is an honour, brother, that a subject
Cannot but entertain with thankful prayers.
Be moderate in your joys; he will in person
Confirm my errand, but commands my service.

Cor. What hope now of your cure?
Mel. Stay, stay!-What earthquakes

[Exit.

Roll in my flesh! Here's prince, and prince, and prince;

Prince upon prince! The dotage of my sor

rows

Revels in magic of ambitious scorn:

Be they enchantments deadly as the grave,
I'll look upon them. Patent, staff, and relic!
To the last first. (Taking up the Miniature) Round
me, ye guarding ministers,

And ever keep me waking, till the cliffs
That overhang my sight, fall off, and leave
These hollow spaces to be cramm'd with dust!
Cor. 'Tis time, I see, to fetch the cordial.
Prithee,

Sit down; I'll instantly be here again.

6

[Exit.

'Tis time, I see, to fetch the cordial.] i. e. the Prince; with whom he subsequently returns, and whom he terms the sure, or crowning cordial,

Mel. Good, give me leave; I will sit down:

indeed,

Here's company enough for me to prate to.-
[Looks at the Picture.
Eroclea!-'tis the same; the cunning arts-man
Faulter'd not in a line. Could he have fashion'd
A little hollow space here, and blown breath
To have made it move and whisper, 't had been
excellent :-

But 'faith, 'tis well, 'tis very well as 'tis ;
Passing, most passing well.

Enter CLEOPHILA leading EROCLEA, and followed by RHETIAS.

Cleo. The sovereign greatness,

Who, by commission from the powers of heaven,
Sways both this land and us, our gracious prince,
By me presents you, sir, with this large bounty,
A gift more precious to him than his birthright.
Here let your cares take end; now set at liberty
Your long imprison'd heart, and welcome home
The solace of your soul, too long kept from you.
Ero. (kneeling) Dear sir, you know me?
Mel. Yes, thou art my daughter;

My eldest blessing. Know thee? why, Eroclea,
I never did forget thee in thy absence;

Poor soul, how dost?

Ero. The best of my well-being

Consists in yours.

Mel. Stand up; the gods, who hitherto Have kept us both alive, preserve thee ever!

1

Cleophila, I thank thee and the prince ;

I thank thee too, Eroclea, that thou would'st,
In pity of my age, take so much pains

To live, till I might once more look upon thee,
Before I broke my heart: O, 'twas a piece
Of piety and duty unexampled.

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;

[Aside.

Yet let us gaze on one another freely,
And surfeit with our eyes; let me be plain :
If I should speak as much as I should speak,
I should talk of a thousand things at once,
And all of thee; of thee, my child, of thee!
My tears, like ruffling winds lock'd up in caves,

Do bustle for a vent; -on th' other side,
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, Whose sovereignty kept guard about thy safety: Ask, ask thy sister, prithee, she will tell thee How I have been much mad.

Cleo. Much discontented,

Shunning all means that might procure him com

fort.