It were an apparition! Prophilus Is Ithocles his friend: it strangely puzzles me. Re-enter PROPHILUS and EUPHRANEA. Again! help me, my book; this scholar's habit Mine eyes and ears are open. Pro. [Walks aside, pretending to read. Do not waste The span of this stol'n time, lent by the gods For precious use, in niceness. Bright Euphranea, For purchase of belief to my desires,— Pro. 50 My service, my integrity,— I should but repeat a lesson Org. [aside] That's better. Pro. Oft conned without a promptor but thine eyes: My love is honourable. Org. [aside] So was mine To my Penthea, chastely honourable. Pro. Nor wants there more addition to my wish Of happiness than having thee a wife; Already sure of Ithocles, a friend. 61 65 In answer to your noble protestations, From an unskilful maid, but language suited Org. [aside] Hold out, Euphranea! Euph. Know, Prophilus, I never undervalued, Lives nearest in my heart must first procure Org. [aside] Pro. Leave me that task. To Athens, had my oath. Org. [aside] 70 75 My brother, ere he parted Yes, yes, he had, sure. Pro. I doubt not, with the means the court supplies, But to prevail at pleasure. Org. [aside] hopes Very likely! Pro. Meantime, best, dearest, I may build my On the foundation of thy constant sufferance In any opposition. Euph. Death shall sooner Divorce life and the joys I have in living 85 Pro. I seal the like. On thy fair hand Org. [aside] There is no faith in woman. Passion, O, be contained! my very heart-strings Are on the tenters. Euph. We are overheard. Cupid protect us! 'twas a stirring, sir, Of some one near. Pro. Your fears are needless, lady; None have access into these private pleasures By special favour lately from the king Euph. Methinks I hear one talking to himself,—I see him. 90 < mount 95 100 Pro. 'Tis a poor scholar, as I told you, lady. 105 IIO Euph. Call you this thing a scholar? 'las, he's lunatic. Pro. Observe him, sweet; 'tis but his recreation. Org. But will you hear a little? You're so tetchy, But natural conclusions.-Mew!-absurd! Of the celestial bodies, or such accidents As not mixed perfectly, in the air engendered, Prove it; yet, with a reverence to your gravity, My sole opinion to the touch of writers. Pro. Now let us fall in with him. 115 I 20 Org. [They come forward. Ha, ha, ha! These apish boys, when they but taste the gram With pardon of your deities, a mushroom On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then ; The sun shines on me too, I thank his beams! Sometime I feel their warmth; and eat and sleep. Pro. Does Tecnicus read to thee? Org. He is my master surely; yonder door 130 Yes, forsooth, 135 Pro. Happy creatures! Such people toil not, sweet, in heats of state, Nor sink in thaws of greatness; their affections Keep order with the limits of their modesty ; Their love is love of virtue.-What's thy name? 140 Org. Aplotes, sumptuous master, a poor wretch. Euph. Dost thou want anything? Org. Books, Venus, books. Pro. Lady, a new conceit comes in my thought, And most available for both our comforts. Euph. My lord,— Pro. Whiles I endeavour to deserve 145 Your father's blessing to our loves, this scholar What notice I can write of my success, Here in this grove, and give it to your hands; 150 cannot. Euph. Occasion is most favourable; use it. Pro. Aplotes, wilt thou wait us twice a day, Thy study, or what else thou canst desire. 155 Org. Jove, make me thankful, thankful, I beseech thee, 160 |