DRAMATIS PERSONE.

KING.

PHILASTER, Heir to the Crown of Sicily.
PHARAMOND, Prince of Spain.

DION, a Lord.

CLEREMONT.

THRASILINE.

An old Captain.
Citizens.

A Country Fellow.

Two Woodmen.

Guard, Attendants.

ARETHUSA, Daughter of the King.

EUPHRASIA, Daughter of DION, disguised as a Page under the name of BELLARIO.

MEGRA, a Court Lady.

GALATEA, a Lady attending the Princess.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.-The Presence Chamber in the Palace.
Enter DION, CLEREMONT, and THRASILINE.
LE. Here's nor lords nor ladies.

Dion. Credit me, gentlemen, I wonder at it. They received strict charge from the King to attend here: besides, it was boldly published, that no officer should forbid any gentleman that desired to attend and hear.

Cle. Can you guess the cause?

Dion. Sir, it is plain, about the Spanish Prince, that's come to marry our kingdom's heir and be our sovereign.

Thra. Many, that will seem to know much, say she looks not on him like a maid in love.

Dion. Oh, sir, the multitude, that seldom know any thing but their own opinions, speak that they would have; but the prince, before his own approach, received so many confident messages from the state, that I think she's resolved to be ruled.

Cle. Sir, it is thought, with her he shall enjoy both these kingdoms of Sicily and Calabria.

Dion. Sir, it is without controversy so meant. But 'twill

be a troublesome labour for him to enjoy both these kingdoms with safety, the right heir to one of them living, and living so virtuously; especially, the people admiring the bravery of his mind and lamenting his injuries.

Cle. Who, Philaster?

Dion. Yes; whose father, we all know, was by our late King of Calabria unrighteously deposed from his fruitful Sicily. Myself drew some blood in those wars, which I would give my hand to be washed from.

Cle. Sir, my ignorance in state-policy will not let me know why, Philaster being heir to one of these kingdoms, the King should suffer him to walk abroad with such free liberty.

Dion. Sir, it seems your nature is more constant than to inquire after state-news. But the King, of late, made a hazard of both the kingdoms, of Sicily and his own, with offering but to imprison Philaster; at which the city was in arms, not to be charmed down by any stateorder or proclamation, till they saw Philaster ride through the streets pleased and without a guard; at which they threw their hats and their arms from them; some to make bonfires, some to drink, all for his deliverance which wise men say is the cause the King labours to bring in the power of a foreign nation to awe his own with.

Enter GALATEA, a Lady, and Megra.

Thra. See, the ladies! What's the first?

Dion. A wise and modest gentlewoman that attends the princess.

Cle. The second?

Dion. She is one that may stand still discreetly enough, and ill-favouredly dance her measure; simper when she is courted by her friend, and slight her husband.

Cle. The last ?

Dion. Marry, I think she is one whom the state keeps

for the agents of our confederate princes; she'll cog1 and lie with a whole army, before the league shall break. Her name is common through the kingdom, and the trophies of her dishonour advanced beyond Hercules' Pillars. She loves to try the several constitutions of men's bodies; and, indeed, has destroyed the worth of her own body by making experiment upon it for the good of the commonwealth.

Cle. She's a profitable member.

Meg. Peace, if you love me: you shall see these gentlemen stand their ground and not court us.

Gal. What if they should?

La. What if they should!

Meg. Nay, let her alone.-What if they should! Why, if they should, I say they were never abroad: what foreigner would do so? it writes them directly untravelled. Gal. Why, what if they be?

La. What if they be !

Meg. Good madam, let her go on.-What if they be ! why, if they be, I will justify, they cannot maintain discourse with a judicious lady, nor make a leg2 nor say 66 excuse me."

Gal. Ha, ha, ha !

Meg. Do you laugh, madam?

Dion. Your desires upon you, ladies!
Meg. Then you must sit beside us.

Dion. I shall sit near you then, lady.

Meg. Near me, perhaps : but there's a lady endures. no stranger; and to me you appear a very strange fellow. La. Methinks he's not so strange; he would quickly be acquainted.

Thra. Peace, the King!

Enter KING, PHARAMOND, ARETHUSA, and Attendants.

King. To give a stronger testimony of love Than sickly promises (which commonly

1 Cheat, cajole.

2 Bow.

In princes find both birth and burial

In one breath) we have drawn you, worthy sir,
To make your fair endearments to our daughter,
And worthy services known to our subjects,
Now loved and wondered at ; next, our intent
To plant you deeply our immediate heir
Both to our blood and kingdoms. For this lady,
(The best part of your life, as you confirm me,
And I believe,) though her few years and sex
Yet teach her nothing but her fears and blushes,
Desires without desire, discourse and knowledge
Only of what herself is to herself,

Make her feel moderate health; and when she sleeps,
In making no ill day, knows no ill dreams :
Think not, dear sir, these undivided parts,
That must mould up a virgin, are put on
To show her so, as borrowed ornaments,
To speak her perfect love to you, or add
An artificial shadow to her nature-
No, sir;

I boldly dare proclaim her yet no woman.
But woo her still, and think her modesty
A sweeter mistress than the offered language
Of any dame, were she a queen, whose eye
Speaks common loves and comforts to her servants.1
Last, noble son (for so I now must call you),
What I have done thus public, is not only
To add a comfort in particular

To you or me, but all; and to confirm
The nobles and the gentry of these kingdoms
By oath to your succession, which shall be
Within this month at most.

Thra. This will be hardly done.

Cle. It must be ill done, if it be done.

Dion. When 'tis at best, 'twill be but half done, whilst

So brave a gentleman is wronged and flung off.

1 Lovers.