Bel. Would I had died indeed! I wish it too: King. What, have you done? Dion. All is discovered. Phi. Why then hold you me? All is discovered! King. Stay him. 140 [Offers to stab himself. Pray you, let me go. Are. What is discovered? Dion. Why, my shame. It is a woman: let her speak the rest. Phi. How? that again! Dion. It is a woman. Phi. Blessed be you powers that favour innocence ! King. Lay hold upon that lady. 150 [MEGRA is seized. Phi. It is a woman, sir!— Hark, gentlemen, My soul into thy breast, that would be gone With joy. It is a woman! Thou art fair, Of malice. King. Speak you, where lies his shame? Phi. The gods are just. Dion. I dare accuse none; but, before you two, The virtue of our age, I bend my knee For mercy. Phi. (raising him). Take it freely; for I know, Though what thou didst were undiscreetly done, 'Twas meant well. 160 [Kneels. (For I must call thee still so,) tell me why A fault, Bellario, though thy other deeds Bel. My father oft would speak Your worth and virtue; and, as I did grow 170 180 190 200 For this I did delude my noble father My birth no match for you, I was past hope Whilst there was hope to hide me from men's eyes, Abide with you. Then sat I by the fount, Where first you took me up. King. Search out a match Within our kingdom, where and when thou wilt, And I will pay thy dowry; and thyself Wilt well deserve him. Bel. Never, sir, will I Marry; it is a thing within my vow : But, if I may have leave to serve the princess, To see the virtues of her lord and her, I shall have hope to live. Are. I, Philaster, Cannot be jealous, though you had a lady Suspect her living here. - Come, live with me; Phi. I grieve such virtue should be laid in earth 210 220 230 Her malice cannot hurt us. Set her free As she was born, saving from shame and sin. King. Set her at liberty. This is no place for such. But leave the court; You, Pharamond, Shall have free passage, and a conduct home Worthy so great a prince. When you come there, And not my purposed will. Pha. I do confess, Renowned sir. King. Last, join your hands in one. Enjoy, Philaster, This kingdom, which is yours, and, after me, Whatever I call mine. My blessing on you! All happy hours be at your marriage-joys, That you may grow yourselves over all lands, And live to see your plenteous branches spring Wherever there is sun! Let princes learn By this to rule the passions of their blood; For what Heaven wills can never be withstood. 240 250 [Curtain falls.1 1 Of Euphrasia, disguised as Bellario, Dyce says: "She is one of our authors' most perfect creations, — unequalled in the romantic tenderness and the deep devotedness of her affection by any character which at all resembles her in the wide range of fiction, from her supposed prototype, the Viola of Shakespeare, down to the Constance of Scott and the Kaled of Byron." |