I am Cyrus of Persia, And, I prithee, leave me not thus like a clod of clay Wherewith my body is covered. [All exeunt. [Enter the king in great pomp, who reads it, and issueth, crieth vermeum.* Вон. What meaneth this? OBER. Cyrus of Persia, Mighty in life, within a marble grave Was laid to rot, whom Alexander once Вон. What reck I then of life, Who makes the grave my tomb, the earth my 3. wife? Вон. I can no more, my patience will not warp To see these flatteries how they scorn and carp. OBER. Turn but thy head. [Enter [f] our kings carrying crowns, ladies presenting odours to potentate enthroned, who suddenly is slain by his servants, and thrust out; and so, they eat. [Exeunt. Вон. Sike is the world; but whilk is he I saw ? OBER. Sesoștris, who was conqueror of the world, Slain at the last, and stamp'd on by his slaves. BOн. How blest are peur men then that know their Now mark the sequel of my jig; [graves! § An he weele meet ends. The mirk and sable night Doth leave the peering morn to pry abroad; vermeum] Qy. if a misprint for "vermium" the first word of some Latin sentence on the vanity of earthly grandeur. + But mark me more] The 4to. gives this to Bohan. potentate] The 4to. " potentates." $ graves] The 4to. "grave." Thou nill me stay: hail then, thou pride of kings! ACT II. [Exeunt. Enter the COUNTESS OF ARRAN, with IDA her daughter, in their porch, sitting at work. A Song. COUNT. Fair Ida, might you choose the greatest Midst all the world.in blessings that abound, [good, Wherein, my daughter, should your liking be? IDA. Not in delights, or pomp, or majesty. COUNT. And why? IDA. Since these are means to draw the mind From perfect good, and make true judgment blind. COUNT. Might you have wealth, and fortune's richest store? IDA. Yet would I (might I choose) be honest poor: For she that sits at fortune's feet a-low, Is sure she shall not taste a further woe, But those that prank on top of fortune's ball, IDA. Good reason why, they know not good indeed. COUNT. Many, marry, then, on whom distress doth lour. IDA. Yes, they that virtue deem an honest dower. The heavenly workman plants with curious hand, Are fashion'd fresh; some in their stalks do close, Enter EUSTACE, with letters. COUNT. Peace, Ida, here are strangers near at hand. EUST. Madam, God speed. COUNT. I thank you, gentle squire. EUST. The country Countess of Northumberland Doth greet you well, and hath requested me To bring these letters to your ladyship. [He carries the letters. COUNT. I thank her honour, and yourself, my friend : [She receives and peruseth them. I see she means you good, brave gentleman. Daughter, the Lady Elinor salutes Yourself as well as me: then for her sake 'Twere good you entertain'd that courtier well. IDA. As much salute as may become my sex, And he in virtue can vouchsafe to think, VOL. II. *lour] The 4to. "lover." II I yield him for the courteous Countess' sake. EUST. Beyond report, the wit, the fair,* the shape! What means, fair mistress, had you in this work? IDA. My needle, sir. EUST. In needles then there lurks Some hidden grace, I deem, beyond my reach. IDA. Not grace in them, good sir, but those that teach. EUST. Say, that your needle now were Cupid's But ah! her eye must be no less, In which is heaven and heavenliness, Whose powers the purest minds do glut. EUST. Then see a wondrous thing; I fear me you would paint in Tereus'† heart [sting, IDA. Good lord, sir, no! for hearts but pricked soft Are wounded sore, for so I hear it oft. EUST. What recks the wound,§ where but your happy eye May make him live, whom Jove hath judg'd to die? IDA. Should life and death within this needle lurk, I'll prick no hearts, I'll prick upon my work. *fair] See note ‡ vol. i. p. 61. Enter ATEUKIN, with SLIPPER, the clown. COUNT. Peace, Ida, I perceive the fox at hand. EUST. The fox! why, fetch your hounds, and chase him hence. [fence. COUNT. O, sir, these great men bark at small ofCome,* will it please you to enter, gentle sir? [Offer to Exeunt. ATEU. Stay, courteous ladies, favour me so much, As to discourse a word or two apart. COUNT. Good sir, my daughter learns this rule of To shun resort, and strangers' company; [me, For some are shifting mates that carry letters, a pickerel ? ATEU. Why, knave? SLIP. By my troth, sir, because I never knew a proper situation fellow of your pitch fitter to swallow a gudgeon. ATEU. What meanest thou by this? SLIP. Shifting fellow, sir; these be thy words, shifting fellow this gentlewoman, I fear me, knew your bringing up. : ATEU. How so? SLIP. Why, sir, your father was a miller, that could shift for a peck of grist in a bushel, and you a fair-spoken gentleman that can get more land by a lie, than an honest man by his ready money. ATEU. Caitiff, what sayest thou? SLIP. I say, sir, that if she call you shifting knave, you shall not put her to the proof. ATEU. And why? SLIP. Because, sir, living by your wit as you do, * Come, &c.] The 4to. gives this line to Ateukin. |