Cleophila, I thank thee and the prince; I thank thee too, Eroclea, that thou would'st, To live, till I might once more look upon thee, Rhe. The good man relisheth his comforts strangely; The sight doth turn me child. Ero. I have not words That can express my joys. Cleo. Nor I. Mel. Nor I; [Aside. Yet let us gaze on one another freely, caves, Strength, courage, and fresh blood, which now thy presence Hath stored me with, I kneel before their altars, Whose sovereignty kept guard about thy safety: Ask, ask thy sister, prithee, she will tell thee How I have been much mad. Cleo. Much discontented, Shunning all means that might procure him comfort. Ero. Heaven has at last been gracious. But wherefore drop thy words in such a sloth, With thy misfortunes? Understand me thoroughly; I would not have thee to report at large, That thou might'st every day be telling somewhat, Which might convey me to my rest with com fort. Let me bethink me; how we parted first, Cleo. From his own fair hands I did receive my sister. Mel. To requite him, We will not dig his father's grave anew, Rhe. Now they fall to't; I look'd for this. Ero. I, by my uncle's care, Sophronos, my good uncle, suddenly Was like a sailor's boy convey'd a-shipboard, Mel. A policy quick and strange. Ero. The ship was bound for Corinth, whither first, Attended only with your servant Rhetias, And all fit necessaries, we arrived; From thence, in habit of a youth, we journey'd Mel. Oh, what a thing is man, To bandy factions of distemper'd passions, Ero. So I obey'd Mel. 'Twas safely carried; I humbly thank thy fate. Ero. If earthly treasures Are pour'd in plenty down from heaven on mortals, They reign amongst those oracles that flow In schools of sacred knowledge, such is Athens; Yet Athens was to me but a fair prison: The thoughts of you, my sister, country, fortunes, And something of the prince, barr'd all contents, Which else might ravish sense; for had not Rhe tias Been always comfortable to me, certainly Mel. Speak low, Eroclea, That "something of the prince" bears danger in it: Yet thou hast travell'd, wench, for such endowments, As might create a prince a wife fit for him, Had he the world to guide; but touch not there. How cam'st thou home? Rhe. Sir, with your noble favour, Kissing your hand first, that point I can answer. Mel. Honest, right honest Rhetias! Rhe. Your grave brother Perceiv'd with what a hopeless love his son, And, to remove the violence of affection, Sent him to Athens, where, for twelve months' space, Your daughter, my young lady, and her cousin, My thankfulness to heaven, and those people Lend me a looking-glass.-How now! how came I Rhe. Here's the glass, sir. Mel. I'm in the trim too.-O Cleophila, This was the goodness of thy care, and cunning[Loud Music. Whence comes this noise? Rhe. The prince, my lord, in person. [They kneel. Enter PALADOR, SOPHRONOS, ARETUS, AMETHUS, MENAPHON, CORAX, THAMASTA, and KALA. Pal. You shall not kneel to us; rise all, I chargé you. Father, you wrong your age; henceforth my arms [Embracing MEL. And heart shall be your guard: we have o'er heard All passages of your united loves. Be young again, Meleander, live to number In comforts, as in years! The offices And honours, which I late on thee conferr'd, Mel. My tears must thank you, For my tongue cannot. Cor. I have kept my promise, And given you a sure cordial. Mel. Oh, a rare one. Pal. Good man! we both have shar'd enough of sadness, Though thine has tasted deeper of the extreme; Let us forget it henceforth. Where's the picture I sent you? Keep it; 'tis a counterfeit ; |