Org.

If unwelcome,

Sure, your business

I might have found a grave there.

Crot.

Was soon dispatched, or your mind altered quickly. Org. 'Twas care, sir, of my health cut short my

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 confirmed;

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.

45

50

Org.

Crot.

Dear sir !

Here comes

55

Euphranea, with Prophilus and Ithocles.

Enter PROPHILUS, EUPHRANEA, ITHOCLES, GRONEAS,

and HEMOPHIL.

Org. Most honoured !-ever famous!

Ith.

Your true friend;

Cn earth not any truer.-With smooth eyes
Look on this worthy couple; your consent
Can only make them one.

Org.

They have it.-Sister, 60

Thou pawnedst to me an oath, of which engagement I never will release thee, if thou aim'st

At any other choice than this.

Euph.

At him, or none.

Crot.

Dear brother,

To which my blessing's added.

Org. Which, till a greater ceremony perfect,- 65
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:

[Sings] 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 theirs by custom bedded;
Fruitful issues; life so graced,

Not by age to be defaced,

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Budding, as the year ensu'th,

Every spring another youth:

All what thought can add beside

80

Pro.

Crown this bridegroom and this bride!

You have sealed joy close to my soul.

Euphranea,

Now I may call thee mine.

Ith.

One good friend for another.

Org.

I but exchange

If these gallants

85

Will please to grace a poor invention
By joining with me in some slight device,
I'll venture on a strain my younger days
Have studied for delight.

All join to wait on thy directions, Orgilus.

Org. O, my good lord, your favours flow towards A too unworthy worm ;—but as you please;

I am what you will shape me.

Ith.

A fast friend.

Crot. I thank thee, son, for this acknowledgment; It is a sight of gladness.

Org.

But my duty.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V. CALANTHA's Apartment in the Palace.

Enter CALANTHA, PENTHEA, CHRISTALLA, and

Cai. Except the king himself, give none admit

tance;

Not any.

Phil. Madam, it shall be our care.

[Exeunt CHRISTALLA and PHilema.

Cal. Being alone, Penthea, you have granted The opportunity you sought, and might

At all times have commanded.

Pen.

'Tis a benefit

Which I shall owe your goodness even in death for:
My glass of life, sweet princess, hath few minutes
Remaining to run down; the sands are spent ;
For by an inward messenger I feel

The summons of departure short and certain.
Cal. You feel too much your melancholy.
Pen.

Of human greatness are but pleasing dreams
And shadows soon decaying: on the stage
Of my mortality my youth hath acted
Some scenes of vanity, drawn out at length
By varied pleasures, sweetened in the mixture,
But tragical in issue: beauty, pomp,
With every sensuality our giddiness
Doth frame an idol, are unconstant friends,
When any troubled passion makes assault
On the unguarded castle of the mind.

5

ΙΟ

Glories

Cal. Contemn not your condition for the proof Of bare opinion only: to what end

Reach all these moral texts?

Pen.

To place before ye

A perfect mirror, wherein you may see

15

20

25

How weary I am of a lingering life,
Who count the best a misery.

Cal.

Indeed

You have no little cause; yet none so great
As to distrust a remedy.

Pen.

That remedy

Must be a winding-sheet, a fold of lead,
And some untrod-on corner in the earth.-
Not to detain your expectation, princess,
I have an humble suit.

Cal.

Speak; I enjoy it.

Pen. Vouchsafe, then, to be my executrix,
And take that trouble on ye to dispose
Such legacies as I beqeath impartially;

I have not much to give, the pains are easy ;
Heaven will reward your piety, and thank it
When I am dead; for sure I must not live;
I hope I cannot.

Cal.

Now, beshrew thy sadness, Thou turn'st me too much woman.

Pen. [aside]

30

35

40

[Weeps.

Her fair eyes

45

Melt into passion.—Then I have assurance

Encouraging my boldness. In this paper

My will was charactered; which you, with pardon, Shall now know from mine own mouth.

Cal.

It is a pretty earnest.

Pen.

Talk on, prithee;

I have left me

But three poor jewels to bequeath. The first is
My youth; for though I am much old in griefs,
In years I am a child.