Org. That you will promise Never to pass to any man, however Worthy, your faith, till, with our father's leave, Euphranea's oath must yield me satisfaction. Euph. By Vesta's sacred fires I swear. By great Apollo's beams, join in the vow, And I, Mistake me not: far, far 'tis from my thought, Or fitting fortune; thou art young and handsome; It shall be my first care to see thee matched Euph. 100 106 You have. But mean you, brother, To leave us, as you say? Crot. Ay, ay, Euphranea : III He has just grounds direct him. I will prove A father and a brother to thee. Euph. Heaven Does look into the secrets of all hearts: Gods, you have mercy with ye, else— Crot. Doubt nothing; 115 Thy brother will return in safety to us. Org. Souls sunk in sorrows never are without 'em; They change fresh airs, but bear their griefs about 'em. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Room in the Palace. Flourish. Enter AMYCLAS, ARMOSTES, PROPHILUS, Courtiers, and Attendants. Amy. The Spartan gods are gracious; our humility Shall bend before their altars, and perfume Their temples with abundant sacrifice. See, lords, Amyclas, your old king, is entering Into his youth again! I shall shake off This silver badge of age, and change this snow For hairs as gay as are Apollo's locks; Our heart leaps in new vigour. Arm. May old time Run back to double your long life, great sir! 5 I I Amy. It will, it must, Armostes: thy bold nephew, Hath in this latter war trod under foot Pro. 15 At Pephon, 20 Most gracious sovereign; twenty of the noblest In settling peace, and liberty of life. Amy. When comes your friend the general? To follow with all speed convenient. He promised 26 Enter CALANTHA, EUPHRANEA; CHRISTALLA and PHILEMA with a garland; and CROTOLON. Amy. Our daughter!-Dear Calantha, the happy news, The conquest of Messene, hath already Enriched thy knowledge. Cal. With the circumstance 30 And manner of the fight, related faithfully Pro. Excellent princess, 35 Your own fair eyes may soon report a truth Unto your judgment, with what moderation, 40 Cal. Pro. Your friend He is so, madam, In which the period of my fate consists: He, in this firmament of honour, stands Crot. A miracle of man. Amy. You describe Such, Crotolon, On forfeit of a king's word, thou wilt find him.— 45 [Flourish. Hark, warning of his coming! all attend him. 50 Enter ITHOCLES, ushered in by the Lords, and followed by HEMOPHIL and GRONEAS. Return into these arms, thy home, thy sanctuary, Delight of Sparta, treasure of my bosom, Mine own, own Ithocles! 1th. Your humblest subject. Arm. Proud of the blood I claim an interest in, As brother to thy mother, I embrace thee, Right noble nephew. Ith. Sir, your love's too partial. 55 Crot. Our country speaks by me, who by thy valour, Wisdom, and service, shares in this great action; Returning thee, in part of thy due merits, A general welcome. Ith. You exceed in bounty. 60 Cal. Christalla, Philema, the chaplet. [Takes the chaplet from them.]-Ithocles, Upon the wings of fame the singular And chosen fortune of an high attempt Is borne so past the view of common sight, That I myself with mine own hands have wrought, 65 To crown thy temples, this provincial garland: Accept, wear, and enjoy it as our gift Deserved, not purchased. Ith. Amy. She is in all our daughter. Ith. You're a royal maid. Let me blush, 70 Acknowledging how poorly I have served, What nothings I have done, compared with the honours Heaped on the issue of a willing mind; Cal. Ith. He speaks truth. 75 Whom heaven 80 Is pleased to style victorious, there to such Applause runs madding, like the drunken priests In Bacchus' sacrifices, without reason Voicing the leader-on a demi-god; Whenas, indeed, each common soldier's blood Drops down as current coin in that hard purchase 85 As his whose much more delicate condition Hath sucked the milk of ease; judgment commands, But resolution executes. I use not, |