Agr. Can you ghefs the Caufe of this Ceremony? Cleon. That's plain, Sir, the foreign Prince that's come to marry Araminta, Heirefs to this Kingdom. Adel. Your diving Politicians, and those who would feem to have deep Intelligence, give out that fhe does not like him. Cleon. O, Sir, the Multitude speak what they would have. But her Father has fent this Prince fo many Affurances of the Match before his coming over, that I think she's refolved to be ruled. Agr. And will this foreign Prince enjoy both the Kingdom of Sicily and Calabria, Sir? Cleon. That it is fo intended is most certain; but it will fure be very troublesome and difficult for him to enjoy them both in Safety, the Right Heir to one of them being now living, and of fo noble and virtuous a Character, efpecilaly when the People are poffeffed with an Admiration of the Bravery of his Mind and Pity of his Injuries. Agr. You mean Philander. Cleon. I mean the fame. His Father, we all know, was unjustly driven by our late King of Calabria from his fruitful Sicily: I wifh the Blood I drew my felf in those accursed Wars were well wash'd off. Agr. My Ignorance of the Affairs of Sicily will not let me know how it comes to pafs that Philander (being Heir to one of these Kingdoms) the King Thould fuffer him to go abroad fo much at Liberty. Cleon. Your Temper is more fortunate, I find, than to bufy your felf in enquiring after State News; but I muft tell you that lately the King rifqu'd both his Kingdoms for offering to imprifon Philander. For the City rofe in Armes, nor could be quell'd by any Threats or Force till they faw the Prince ride thro' the Streets unguarded; and then throwing up their Caps with loud Huzza's and Bonfires, they laid afide their military Appointments. This Reafon Politici ans 4 ans give for the Marriage of his Daughter to a foreign Prince, that he may be able to keep his own People in Awe by his Forces. Agr. Who is this Prince's Father? Cleon. A Perfon of mean Extraction, but by Wiles and Arts obtaining Power, ufurp'd the Kingdom where he reigns, and keeps it under by a standing Army, which our King intends to copy. Enter Melefında, Alga, a Lady and a Spaniard. Cleon. A worthy Lady that attends the Princefs. Cleon. She is one that loves to try the feveral Conftitutions of Men's Bodies, and indeed has destroyed her own by making Experiments upon them, for the good of the Commonwealth. Agr. Of which he is certainly a very profitable Member. Adel. And pray what odd grave Fellow's that who follows alone? Cleon. One of Prince Thrafomond's Train, and his Governour. Agr. Why is that Prince a Boy? Cleon. Yes, he's a pretty forward Boy about four and twenty. Adel. That is a forward Boy indeed, when will he be a Man? Cleon. Never; he'll live a Boy till threefcore, and then turn Child again. May you have your Defires, Ladies!. Alga. Then you must fit down by us. Mel. Not near me, Sir, but there's a Lady loves a Strånger, and you appear to me a very ftrange Fellow. Agr. Madam, how strange foever he is, he will not be fo long, for I perceive he can quickly be acquainted. B 4 Adel. Peace, Adel. Peace, the King. Enter King, Thrafomond, Araminta, and Train. Laftly, my noble Son, (for fo I now must call you) To you or me, but all, and to confirm The Nobles and the Gentry of these Kingdoms By Oath to your Succeffion; this fhall be Adel. This will be hardly done. Agr. It must be ill done whenfoever it is done. Cleon. At least it will be but half done whilft fo brave a Man is thrown off and living. Enter Philander. Officer. Make room there for the Lord Philander. King. What brings him here? You're curious I find To fee this Interview. Phil. The Wonders, Sir, your Majefty has often fpoken in Praise Of Thrafomond, makes me defire to hear What he can fay himself. Gover. Come, now begin. Thraf. Kiffing your white Hand, Miftrefs, I take leave. To thank your Royal Father, and thus far What Expectation, what Faculties, Manners and Virtues you will wed your Kingdoms; Dear in the Choice of him, (whofe Name and Luftre And you shall make him yours, for whom great Queens Phil. Thou ugly filly Rogue. Cleon. I wonder what's his Price, for one may see In him to raise him but to a Conftable. Adel. Now do I fancy that this Speech was made by the Governour. Agr. O' Agr. O' my Conscience I think fo too, for by his Action you might fee the Fool did not understand what he faid. Cleon. Well, we fhall fee more of it anon. Phil. May I beg leave, Sir, of your Majesty To speak a Word or two with this strange Prince? King. I give it you, but still remember that you are A Subject. Phil. Yes, Sir, I am fo: And more a Slave to Ara minta, And in fpight of thee and Fate will be fo ever. [Afide. Thefe Arms, and fome few Friends befides the Gods, And fay I might have been! I tell thee, Thrafomond, Cleon. Here's a Fellow has fome Fire in his Veins. Too much a Dove, a thing born without Paffion; King. What |