As his whose much more delicate condition Hath suckt the milk of ease: judgment commands,

90

But resolution executes. I use not,
Before this royal presence, these fit slights1
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, 95 Both Hemophil and Groneas were not missing To wish their country's peace; for, in a word, All there did strive their best, and 't was our duty.

Amy. Courtiers turn soldiers! We vouchsafe our hand.

[HEMOPHIL and GRONEAS kiss his hand.]

Observe your great example.

Hem.

With all diligence. 100 Gron. Obsequiously and hourly. Amy.

Some repose After these toils is 2 needful. We must think

on

Conditions for the conquered; they expect 3

em.

On!-Come, my Ithocles.

I'll marry thee!
Phil.
By Vulcan, you 're forsworn,
Except my mind do alter strangely.
Gro.
One word.
Chris. You lie beyond all modesty :-for-
bear me.

129

Hem. I'll make thee mistress of a city; 't is 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, 134 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 ofttimes draw blood, Which you durst never do. When you have practis'd

140

More wit or more civility, we 'll rank ye
I' th' list of men: till then, brave things-at-

arms,

Euph.

I need not a supporter.

Pro.

Fate instructs me. Exeunt. HEMOPHIL stays CHRISTALLA; GRONEAS, PHILEMA.

105

Chris. With me?

Phil.

Indeed, I dare not stay.

Hem.

Sweet lady.

Soldiers are blunt,- your lip.

Fie, this is rudeness: You went not hence such creatures.

Is of a mounting nature.
Phil.

Pray, in earnest, how many men apiece
Have you two been the death of ?

Gro.

We were compos'd of mercy.

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

Such as the soldier fights for?

1 Appropriately belittling terms.

Hem.

spoils,

115

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

Org.
Give me leave,
Grave Tecnicus, without foredooming destiny,
Under thy roof to ease my silent griefs,

10

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.

15

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 20
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.

25

30

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

In these delightful walks. - Exit TECNICUS. Thus metamorphos'd

35

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

1

More cruel than the grave. Euph.

What can you look for,

In answer to your noble protestations,
From an unskilful maid, but language suited
To a divided mind?
Org. [Aside.]

Hold out, Euphranea !
Euph. Know, Prophilus, I never undervalu'd,
From the first time you mentioned worthy love,
Your merit, means, or person: it had been
A fault of judgment in me, and a dulness
In my affections, not to weigh and thank
My better stars that offered me the grace
Of so much blissfulness. For, to speak truth,
The law of my desires kept equal pace
With yours; nor have I left that resolution:
But only, in a word, whatever choice

Lives nearest in my heart must first procure
Consent both from my father and my brother,
Ere he can own me his.
Org. [Aside.]

She is forsworn else. *

Pro. Leave me that task. Euph.

My brother, ere he parted

To Athens, had my oath. Org. [Aside.]

Yes, yes, 'a had, sure.

Pro. I doubt not, with the means the court supplies,

But to prevail at pleasure.

Org. [Aside.]

Very likely!

Pro. Meantime, best, dearest, I may build

my hopes

On the foundation of thy constant suff'rance In any opposition.

Euph.

Death shall sooner

Divorce life and the joys I have in living Than my chaste vows from truth.

Pro.

I seal the like.

85

On thy fair band