where he yet lives. What had ensued, was doubtful; but your father shortly after died.

Pal. But what became of fair Eroclea?
Rhe. She never since was heard of.

Pal. No hope lives then

Of ever, ever seeing her again?

Rhe. Sir, I feared I should anger you. This was, as I said, an old tale :-I have now a new one, which may perhaps season the first with a more delightful relish.

Pal. I am prepared to hear; say what you please.

Rhe. My lord Meleander falling, (on whose favour my fortunes relied,) I furnished myself for travel, and bent my course to Athens; where a pretty accident, after a while, came to my knowledge.

Pal. My ear is open to thee.

Rhe. A young lady contracted to a noble gentleman, as the lady last mentioned and your highness were, being hindered by their jarring parents, stole from her home, and was conveyed like a ship-boy in a merchant,' from the country where she lived, into Corinth first, and afterwards to Athens; where in much solitariness she lived, like a youth, almost two years, courted by all her acquaintance, but friend to none by familiarity.Pal. In habit of a man?

9 In a merchant.] i. e. a merchantship, a trader. This is the expression which so greatly perplexed Steevens; who has made woeful work with it, in the Tempest.

Rhe. A handsome young man-'till within these three months or less, (her sweet-heart's father. dying some year before, or more,) she had notice of it, and with much joy returned home, and, as report voiced it at Athens, enjoyed her happiness she was long an exile for. Now, noble sir, if you did love the lady Eroclea, why may not such safety and fate direct her, as directed the other? 'tis not impossible.

Pal. If I did love her, Rhetias! Yes I did. Give me thy hand: As thou did'st serve Mele

ander,

And art still true to these, henceforth serve me. Rhe. My duty and my obedience are my surety; but I have been too bold.

Pal. Forget the sadder story of my father, And only, Rhetias, learn to read me well; For I must ever thank thee: thou hast unlock'd A tongue was vow'd to silence; for requital,Open my bosom, Rhetias.

Rhe. What's your meaning?

Pal. To tie thee to an oath of secrecyUnloose the buttons, man! thou dost it faintly: What find'st thou there?

Rhe. A picture in a tablet.

Pal. Look well upon't.

Rhe. I do-yes-let me observe it

"Tis her's, the lady's.

Pal. Whose?

Rhe. Eroclea's.

Pal. Her's that was once Eroclea. For her

sake

Have I advanced Sophronos to the helm
Of government; for her sake, will restore
Meleander's honours to him; will, for her sake,
Beg friendship from thee, Rhetias. O! be faithful,
And let no politic lord work from thy bosom
My griefs: I know thou wert put on to sift me;
But be not too secure.

Rhe. I am your creature.

Pal. Continue still thy discontented fashion, Humour the lords, as they would humour me; I'll not live in thy debt.-We are discovered.

Enter AMETHUS, MENAPHON, THAMASTA, Kala, and PARTHENOPHILL.

Amet. Honour and health still wait upon the prince!

Sir, I am bold with favour to present

Unto your highness Menaphon my friend,
Return'd from travel.

Men. Humbly on my knees

I kiss your gracious hand.

Pal. It is our duty

To love the virtuous.

Men. If my prayers or service

Hold any value, they are vow'd your's ever.

Rhe. I have a fist for thee too, stripling; thou art started up prettily since I saw thee. Hast learned any wit abroad? Canst tell news and

'swear lies with a grace, like a true traveller?• What new ouzle's' this?

Tha. Your highness shall do right to your own judgment,

In taking more than common notice of

This stranger, an Athenian, named Parthenophill;

One, who, if mine opinion do not soothe me
Too grossly, for the fashion of his mind

Deserves a dear respect.

Pal. Your commendations,

Sweet cousin, speak him nobly.

Par. All the powers

That sentinel just thrones, double their guards* About your sacred excellence!

Pal. What fortune

Led him to Cyprus?

Men. My persuasions won him.

Amet. And if your highness please to hear the

entrance

Into their first acquaintance, you will say

Tha. It was the newest, sweetest, prettiest accident,

That e'er delighted your attention :

I can discourse it, sir.

'What new ouzle's this?] Parthenophill, whom he pretends not to know. If any thing be necessary on so common a word, it may be briefly observed, that "ouzel is a generic term, in which the species blackbird (one among many) is contained."

2 Double their guards.] The old copy reads-double these guards; which seems hardly intelligible.

Pal. Some other time.

How is he call'd?

Tha. Parthenophill.

Pal. Parthenophill?

We shall sort time to take more notice of him.

[Exit.

Men. His wonted melancholy still pursues him. Amet. I told you so.

Tha. You must not wonder at it.

Par. I do not, lady.

Amet. Shall we to the castle?

Men. We will attend you both.

Rhe. All three-I'll go too. Hark in thine ear, gallant; I'll keep the old man in chat, whilst thou gabblest to the girl: my thumb's upon my lips;

not a word.

Amet. I need not fear thee, Rhetias.-Sister,

soon

Expect us; this day we will range the city. Tha. Well, soon I shall expect you.—Kala !3

Kal. Trust me.

[Aside.

Rhe. Troop on!-Love, love, what a wonder thou art!

[Exeunt all but PARTHENOPHILL and Kala. Kal. May I not be offensive, sir?

Par. Your pleasure?

Yet, pray, be brief.

3 Kala!] This is a hint to her attendant to take the present opportunity of conveying her message "honourably" to Parthenophill. See p. 30.