Page images
PDF
EPUB

But resolution executes. I use not,

Before this royal presence, these fit slights,"
As in contempt of such as can direct;

My speech hath other end; not to attribute

All praise to one man's fortune, which is strengthen'd

By many hands:-for instance, here is Prophilus,
A gentleman (I cannot flatter truth)

Of much desert; and, though in other rank,
Both Hemophil and Groneas were not missing
To wish their country's peace; for, in a word,
All there did strive their best, and 'twas our duty.
Amyc. Courtiers turn soldiers!-We vouchsafe

our hand; (HEM. and GRON. kiss his hand.)

Observe your great example.

Hem. With all diligence.

Gron. Obsequiously and hourly.

Amyc. Some répose

After these toils is needful. We must think on Conditions for the conquer'd; they expect them. On! Come, my Ithocles.

Euph. Sir, with your favour,

I need not a supporter.

Pro. Fate instructs me.

[Exit АмYC. attended; ITH. CAL. &c.-AS CHRIS. and PHIL. are following CAL. they are detained by HEM. and GRON.

These fit slights.] i. e. these trifling services, to which I have adapted the slight or humble language which becomes them. It is the modesty of Ithocles which speaks.

Chris. With me?

Phil. Indeed I dare not stay.

Hem. Sweet lady,

Soldiers are blunt,-your lip.

Chris. Fye, this is rudeness;

[Kisses her.

You went not hence such creatures.

Gron. Spirit of valour

Is of a mounting nature.

Phil. It appears so.

Pray [now], in earnest, how many men apiece

Have you two been the death of?

Gron. 'Faith, not many;

We were composed of mercy.

Hem. For our daring,

You heard the general's approbation

Before the king.

Chris. You" wish'd your country's peace;" That show'd your charity: where are your spoils, Such as the soldier fights for?

Phil. They are coming.

Chris. By the next carrier, are they not?

Gron. Sweet Philema,

When I was in the thickest of mine enemies,

Slashing off one man's head, another's nose,
Another's arms and legs,-

Phil. And all together.

Gron. Then I would with a sigh remember thee,

And cry," dear Philema, 'tis for thy sake

I do these deeds of wonder!"-dost not love me, With all thy heart now?

Phil. Now, as heretofore.

I have not put my love to use; the principal
Will hardly yield an interest.

Gron. By Mars,

I'll marry thee!

Phil. By Vulcan, you're foresworn,

Except my mind do alter strangely.

Gron. One word.

Chris. You lie beyond all modesty ;-forbear

me.

Hem. I'll make thee mistress of a city, 'tis Mine own by conquest.

Chris. By petition;-sue for❜t

In forma pauperis." City?" kennel.-Gallants!
Off with your feathers, put on aprons, gallants;
Learn to reel, thrum, or trim a lady's dog,

And be good quiet souls of peace, hobgoblins!
Hem. Christalla!

Chris. Practise to drill hogs, in hope

To share in the acorns.-Soldiers! corncutters, But not so valiant; they oft times draw blood, Which you durst never do. When

tis'd

you have

More wit, or more civility, we'll rank you

prac

I' th' list of men; till then, brave things at arms, Dare not to speak to us,-most potent Groneas! Phil. And Hemophil the hardy-at your services. [Exeunt CHRIS. and PHIL. Gron. They scorn us as they did before we went. Hem. Hang them, let us scorn them; and be revenged.

Gron. Shall we?

Hem. We will; and when we slight them thus, Instead of following them, they'll follow us;

It is a woman's nature.

Gron. "Tis a scurvy one.

SCENE III.

The Gardens of the Palace.

A Grove.

[Exeunt.

Enter TECNICUS, and ORGILUS, disguised, like one of his Scholars.

Tec. Tempt not the stars, young man, thou canst not play

With the severity of fate; this change

Of habit and disguise in outward view
Hides not the secrets of thy soul within thee

From their quick-piercing eyes, which dive at all times

Down to thy thoughts: in thy aspèct I note
A consequence of danger.

Org. Give me leave,

Grave Tecnicus, without foredooming destiny,
Under thy roof to ease my silent griefs,
By applying to my hidden wounds the balm
Of thy oraculous lectures: if my fortune
Run such a crooked by-way as to wrest
My steps to ruin, yet thy learned precepts
Shall call me back and set my footings straight.
I will not court the world.

Tec. Ah, Orgilus,

Neglects in young men of delights and life,
Run often to extremities; they care not
For harms to others, who contemn their own.
Org. But I, most learned artist, am not so
much

At odds with nature, that I grudge the thrift
Of
any true deserver; nor doth malice

Of present hopes, so check them with despair,
As that I yield to thought of more affliction
Than what is incident to frailty: wherefore
Impute not this retired course of living
Some little time, to any other cause
Than what I justly render; the information
Of an unsettled mind; as the effect
Must clearly witness.

Tec. Spirit of truth inspire thee!

On these conditions I conceal thy change,
And willingly admit thee for an auditor.-
I'll to my study.

Org. I to contemplations,

[Exit.

In these delightful walks.-Thus metamorphosed,

I may without suspicion hearken after
Penthea's usage, and Euphranea's faith.

Love, thou art full of mystery! the deities
Themselves are not secure,' in searching out
The secrets of those flames, which, hidden, waste
A breast, made tributary to the laws

[blocks in formation]

Themselves are not secure.] i. e. sure, certain: they cannot depend on the results of their own omniscience in these inquiries.

« PreviousContinue »