Mel. Physic, bear-leech?

Cor. Yes, physic; you are mad.
Mel. Trollio! Cleophila!

Rhe. Sir, I am here.

Mel. I know thee, Rhetias; prithee rid the

room

Of this tormenting noise. He tells me, sirrah,
I have took physic, Rhetias; physic, physic!

Rhe. Sir, true, you have; and this most learned scholar

Apply'd t'ye. Oh, you were in dangerous plight, Before he took you [in] hand.

Mel. These things are drunk,

Directly drunk. Where did you get your liquor?
Cor. I never saw a body in the wane
Of age, so overspread with several sorts
Of such diseases, as the strength of youth
Would groan under and sink.

Rhe. The more your glory

In the miraculous cure.

Cor. Bring me the cordial'

Prepared for him to take after his sleep,

Twill do him good at heart.

Rhe. I hope it will, sir.

[Exit.

Mel. What dost [thou] think I am, that thou should'st fiddle

3 Bring me the cordial.] He alludes to the successive appearance of the messengers from the prince, to whom the hint was now to be given, and more particularly to the entrance of Eroclea and her sister, who are brought in by Rhetias.

So much upon my patience? Fool, the weight
Of my disease sits on my heart so heavy,
That all the hands of art cannot remove.

One grain, to ease my grief. If thou could'st poison

My memory, or wrap my senses up

Into a dulness, hard and cold as flints;

If thou could'st make me walk, speak, eat and

laugh

Without a sense or knowledge of my faculties, Why then perhaps, at marts, thou might'st make. benefit

Of such an antic motion,+ and get credit
From credulous gazers; but not profit me.
Study to gull the wise; I am too simple
To be wrought on.

Cor. I'll burn my books, old man,

But I will do thee good, and quickly too.

Enter ARETUS, with a Patent.

Are. Most honour'd lord Meleander! our great master,

Prince Palador of Cyprus, hath by me
Sent you this patent, in which is contain'd
Not only confirmation of the honours
You formerly enjoy'd, but the addition

+ Of such an antic motion,] i. e. of such a strange automaton, or puppet. Exhibitions of this kind formed, in the poet's days, one of the principal attractions of the people on all public occasions.

Of the Marshalship of Cyprus; and ere long
He means to visit you. Excuse my haste;
I must attend the prince.

Cor. There's one pill works.

[Exit.

Mel. Dost know that spirit? 'tis a grave fami

liar,

And talk'd I know not what.

Cor. He's like, methinks,

The prince's tutor Aretus.

Mel. Yes, yes;

It may be I have seen such a formality;

No matter where, or when.

Enter AMETHUS, with a Staff.

Ame. The prince hath sent you, My lord, this staff of office, and withal Salutes you Grand Commander of the ports Throughout his principalities. He shortly Will visit you himself; I must attend him. [Exit. Cor. D'ye feel your physic stirring yet? Mel. A devil

Is a rare juggler, and can cheat the eye,

But not corrupt the reason, in the throne

Enter SOPHRONOS, with a Tablet.

Another! I will stand thee;

Be what thou canst, I care not.

With a tablet.] i. e. with the miniature of Eroclea, which Palador had worn so long in his bosom, and to which he alludes,

p. 97.

Soph. From the prince,

Dear brother, I present you this rich relic,
A jewel he hath long worn in his bosom :

Henceforth, he bad me say, he does beseech you
To call him son, for he will call you father;
It is an honour, brother, that a subject
Cannot but entertain with thankful prayers.
Be moderate in your joys; he will in person
Confirm my errand, but commands my service.

Cor. What hope now of your cure?
Mel. Stay, stay!-What earthquakes

[Exit.

Roll in my flesh! Here's prince, and prince, and

prince;

Prince upon prince! The dotage of my sor

rows

Revels in magic of ambitious scorn:

Be they enchantments deadly as the grave,
I'll look upon them. Patent, staff, and relic!
To the last first. (Taking up the Miniature) Round
me, ye guarding ministers,

And ever keep me waking, till the cliffs
That overhang my sight, fall off, and leave
These hollow spaces to be cramm'd with dust!
Cor. 'Tis time, I see, to fetch the cordial."

Prithee,

Sit down; I'll instantly be here again. [Exit.

'Tis time, I see, to fetch the cordial.] i. e. the Prince; with whom he subsequently returns, and whom he terms the sure, or crowning cordial

Mel. Good, give me leave; I will sit down:

indeed,

Here's company enough for me to prate to.
[Looks at the Picture.
Eroclea!-'tis the same; the cunning arts-man
Faulter'd not in a line. Could he have fashion'd
A little hollow space here, and blown breath
To have made it move and whisper, 't had been
excellent :-

But 'faith, 'tis well, 'tis very well as 'tis ;
Passing, most passing well.

Enter CLEOPHILA leading EROCLEA, and followed by RHETIAS.

Cleo. The sovereign greatness,

Who, by commission from the powers of heaven,
Sways both this land and us, our gracious prince,
By me presents you, sir, with this large bounty,
A gift more precious to him than his birthright.
Here let your cares take end; now set at liberty
Your long imprison'd heart, and welcome home
The solace of your soul, too long kept from you.
Ero. (kneeling) Dear sir, you know me?
Mel. Yes, thou art my daughter;

My eldest blessing. Know thee? why, Eroclea,
I never did forget thee in thy absence;

Poor soul, how dost?

Ero. The best of my well-being

Consists in yours.

Mel. Stand up; the gods, who hitherto Have kept us both alive, preserve thee ever!