The Scottish Ida's beauty stale thy heart: Now, lovely countess, what reward or grace COUNT. It was of duty, prince, that I have done; [same? K. OF SCOTS. But, lovely Ida, is your mind the IDA. I count of court, my lord, as wise men do, 'Tis fit for those that know§ what 'longs thereto : Each person to his place; the wise to art, The cobler to his clout, the swain to cart. [shines, K. OF SCOTS. But, Ida, you are fair, and beauty And seemeth best, where pomp her pride refines. IDA. If beauty, as I know there's none in me, Were sworn my love, and I his life should be, The farther from the court I were remov'd, The more I think of heaven I were belov'd. K. OF SCOTS. And why? IDA. Because the court is counted Venus' net, Where gifts and vows for stales are often set: None, be she chaste as Vesta, but shall meet A curious tongue to charm her ears with sweet. K. OF SCOTS. Why, Ida, then I see you set at The force of love. IDA. In sooth this is my thought, have] The 4to. "hath." [naught + 'Less] The 4to. Lest." S know] The 4to. "knowes." Most gracious king: that they that little provę, K. OF SCOTS. Rare wit, fair face, what heart could more desire? But Doll is fair and doth concern thee near: IDA. And why, dread king? K. OF SCOTS. In that you will dispraise so sweet a As love. Had I my wish IDA. What then? K. OF SCOTS. Then would I place His arrow here, his beauty in that face. [thing IDA. And were Apollo mov'd and rul'd by me, His wisdom should be yours, and mine his tree. K. OF SCOTS. But here returns our train. Enters the Train back [i. e. the Queen and Lords.] Welcome, fair Doll: How fares our father, is he shipp'd and gone? DOR. My royal father is both shipp'd and gone: God and fair winds direct him to his home! K. of Scots. Amen, say I—would thou wert with him too! Then might I have a fitter time to woo. But, countess, you would be gone, therefore, farewell: Yet, Ida, if thou wilt, stay thou behind VOL. II. G To accompany my queen: But if thou like the pleasures of the court, [rise, [Exeunt all saving the King and Ateukin. Upon thy brows the drift of thy disgrace. For who more fair and virtuous than thy wife? Fond love, vile lust, that thus misleads us men, But kings stoop not to every common thought: And for fair Ida will I hazard life, Venture my kingdom, country, and my crown: Nay say, her father frown, when he shall hear Let father frown and fret, and fret and die, Nor earth nor heaven shall part my love and I. So let me die, for all my drift is naught. ATEU. Most gracious and imperial majesty- The things are past, and those that are to come. ATEU. My zeal and ruth to see your Grace's wrong, Makes me lament I did detract so long. K. OF SCOTS. If thou know'st thoughts, tell me, what mean I now? ATEU. I'll calculate the cause Of those your Highness' smiles, and tell your thoughts. K. OF SCOTS. But lest thou spend thy time in idleAnd miss the matter that my mind aims at, Tell me, [ness, What star was opposite when that was thought? yours The whole discourse of love. Saturn combust, Beheld fair Venus in her silver orb. I know by certain axioms I have read, * A little, &c.] This line the 4to. gives to the king. Your Grace's griefs, and further can express K. OF SCOTS. What god art thou, compos'd in Or bold Trophonius, to decide our doubts? ATEU. Even as I know the means To work your Grace's freedom and your love. love : But Ateukin is no parasite, O prince! I know your Grace knows scholars are but poor, You cannot choose but cast some gift apart, K. OF SCOTS. Ateukin, if so thy name, for so thou Shall be the agent to dissolve my grief. Sooth is, I love, and Ida is my love; |