Per. You are right courteous knights. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she not thought upon. Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat! Sim. He's but A country gentleman; He has done no more than other knights have done; Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass. Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Per. Yon king's to me, like to my father's picture, Which tells me, in that glory once he was; Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, And he the sun, for them to reverence. None, that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, Did vail their crowns to his supremacy; Where now his son's a glow-worm in the night, The which hath fire in darkness, none in light; Whereby I see that Time's the king of men, For he's their parent, and he is their grave, And gives them what he will, not what they crave. Sim. What, are you merry, knights? (As 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal pre sence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor❜d unto the brim, you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,) We drink this health to you. Knights. We thank your grace. Sim. Yet pause a while; You knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. What is it To me, my father? Sim. O, attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, should live like gods above, Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say, Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please mebetter. [Aside. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Thai. And further he desires to know of you, Who, looking for adventures in the world, Thai. He thanks your grace; names himself Peri- A gentleman of Tyre, who only by Misfortune of the seas has been bereft Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore. Sim. Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune, And will awake him from his melancholy. Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles, And waste the time, which looks for other revels. Even in your armours, as you are address'd, Will very well become a soldier's dance. I will not have excuse, with saying, this Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads; Since they love men in arms, as well as beds. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd. Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too : And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre And that their measures are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord. Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be denied [The Knights and Ladies dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, conduct These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir, Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, To-morrow, all for speeding do their best. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Tyre. A room in the Governor's house. Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,Antiochus from incest liv'd not free; For which, the most high gods not minding longer Even in the height and pride of all his glory, A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up Hel. And yet but just; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard Enter Three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second it. 1 Lord. Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords. 1 Lord. Know, that our griefs are risen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love. 1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane; But if the prince do live, let us salute him, If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there; 2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in Our censure: And knowing this kingdom, if without a head, That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign, All. Live, noble Helicane! Hel. Try honour's cause; forbear your suffrages: Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects, You shall like diamonds sit about his crown. 1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, We with our travels will endeavour it. Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands; When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. [Exeunt. |