Of your respected friend; for, without compliment, Believe it, Orgilus, 'tis my ambition.

Org. Your lordship may command me, your poor servant.

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 wish'd for.

Org. May my duty

Still rise in your opinion, sacred princess!

8

if thou hast there engross'd

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

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!
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.

[Exeunt omnes.

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

The

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

That licence 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 comfort, Whose creature he is bound, made, and must live

So.

Crot. Son, son, I find in thee a harsh condition, No courtesy can win it; 'tis too rancorous. Org. Good sir, be not severe in your construction;

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,

9 I find in thee a harsh condition.] i. e. temper, disposition. The word occurs in the same sense in all our old writers, and in none more frequently than Ford. The line above,

I envy not his merit, but applaud it;"

is a close translation of Virgil's-Non equidem invideo, miror magis. The deep dissimulation, the deadly resentment of Orgilus, are powerfully marked in this scene.

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 dispatch'd, or your mind alter'd quickly. Org. 'Twas 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, GRO

NEAS, 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 pawnd'st to me an oath, of which engage

ment

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 their's by custom bedded;