A prison is as gaysome: we'll no islands; Grausis, You are a juggling bawd.—This sadness, sweetest, Becomes not youthful blood.-[Aside to GRAUSIS] I'll have you pounded.— For my sake put on a more cheerful mirth ; Thou'lt mar thy cheeks, and make me old in griefs.- Grau. I am thick of hearing, Still, when the wind blows southerly.-What think ye, Bass. [Aside to GRAUSIS] I'll spit thee on a stake, Grau. Sure, sure the wind blows south still. Pen. Pray, speak louder. Thou prat'st madly. Bass. 'Tis very hot; I sweat extremely. In drifts; the one enter, the other stand without, sir: And now I vanish. 1 Coaches. [Exit, Enter PROPHILUS, HEMOPHIL, GRONEAS, CHRISTALLA, Pro. and PHILEMA. Noble Bassanes! Bass. Most welcome, Prophilus; ladies, gentlemen, To all my heart is open; you all honour me,[Aside] A tympany swells in my head already,Honour me bountifully.-[Aside] How they flutter, Wagtails and jays together! Pro. From your brother By virtue of your love to him, I require Your instant presence, fairest. Pen. He is well, sir? Pro. The gods preserve him ever! Yet, dear beauty, I find some alteration in him lately, Since his return to Sparta.-My good lord, I pray, use no delay. Bass. We had not needed An invitation, if his sister's health Had not fall'n into question.-Haste, Penthea, Slack not a minute.--Lead the way, good Prophilus ; I'll follow step by step. Pro. Your arm, fair madam. [Exeunt all but BASSANES and GRAUSIS. Bass. One word with your old bawdship: th' hadst been better Railed at the sins 1 thou worshipp'st than have thwarted My will: I'll use thee cursedly Grau. You are beside yourself. A politician You dote, In jealousy? no, you're too gross, too vulgar. By which I shall know all; my trade's a sure one. 1 Altered by Gifford to "saints." Grau. I am no new-come-to't. Bass. Fear not, Thy life's upon it, And so is mine. My agonies are infinite. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Palace. ITHOCLES' Apartment. Enter ITHOCLES. Ith. Ambition! 'tis of vipers' breed: it gnaws Broken with griefs: strong fevers are not eased Enter ARMOSTES and CROTOLON. Arm. You stick, Lord Crotolon, upon a point Crot. Yet not so ripe, My Lord Armostes, that it dare to dote Upon the painted meat of smooth persuasion, 1 Blinded by sewing up the eye-lids, 2? Bait. Not yet son's consent Ith. Resolved, my lord? Why, if your Be so available, we'll write to Athens For his repair to Sparta: the king's hand Will join with our desires; he has been moved to't. Crot. Kings may command; their wills Are laws not to be questioned. Ith. By this marriage You knit an union so devout, so hearty, Crot. My lord, my lord! Ith. What, good sir? speak your thought. Crot. Had this sincerity been real once, My Orgilus had not been now unwived, Nor your lost sister buried in a bride-bed: Your uncle here, Armostes, knows this truth; For had your father Thrasus lived,--but peace Dwell in his grave! I've done. Arm. You're bold and bitter. Ith. [Aside]. He presses home the injury; it smarts. No reprehensions, uncle; I deserve 'em, Yet, gentle sir, consider what the heat Of an unsteady youth, a giddy brain, Arm. The acknowledgment is satisfaction: What would you more? Crot. I'm conquered if Euphranea Herself admit the motion, let it be so ; I doubt not my son's liking. Ith. Use my fortunes, Life, power, sword, and heart,—all are your own. Arm. The princess, with your sister. Enter CALANTHA, PENTHEA, EUPHRANEA, Christalla, PHILEMA, GRAUSIS, BASSANES, and PROPHILUS. Cal. I present ye A stranger here in court, my lord; for did not Desire of seeing you draw her abroad, We had not been made happy in her company. Ith. You are a gracious princess.-Sister, wedlock Holds too severe a passion in your nature, Which can engross all duty to your husband, Without attendance on so dear a mistress.— [To BASSANES] 'Tis not my brother's pleasure, I presume, T'immure her in a chamber. Bass. 'Tis her will; She governs her own hours. Noble Ithocles, We thank the gods for your success and welfare: Else we had waited on you with the first. Ith. How does Penthea now? Pen. You best know, brother, From whom my health and comforts are derived. Bass. [Aside.] I like the answer well; 'tis sad and modest. There may be tricks yet, tricks.-Have an eye, Grausis! Cal. Now, Crotolon, the suit we joined in must not Fall by too long demur. |