The bolt for vengeance on ungrateful wretch'The bolt of innocent blood: Read those hot characters, [lady, And spell the will of Heav'n. Nay, lovely You must take part too, as spur to Ambition. Are you humble? Now speak; my part is Does all your glory shake? [ended. Mari. Hear us, great uncle, Good and great sir, be pitiful unto us! Below your feet we lay our lives; be merciful! Begin you, Heaven will follow. dur. Oh, it shakes still! [knowledge Mari. And dreadfully it theatens. We acOur base and foul intentions: Stand between us! [given: For faults confess'd, they say, are half forWe're sorry for our sins. Take from us, sir, That glorious weight that made us swell, that poison'd us; That mass of majesty I labour'd under, (Too heavy and too mighty for my manage) Your Grace must pardon us; our house is But such an ample welcome as a poor man And his true love can make you and your Madam, we have no dainties. [empressAur. 'Tis enough, sir; clesiau! We shall enjoy the riches of your goodness. Sold. Long live the good and gracious Dio[rashness. Dio. I thank you, soldiers; I forgive your And, royal sir, long may they love and honour you! [Drums beat a march afar off. What drums are those? Delph. Meet 'em, my honest son; They are thy friends, Charinus and the old soldiers, That come to rescue thee from thy hot cousin. But all is well; and turn all into welcomes! Two emperors you must entertain now, Dio. Oh, dear mother, I've will enough, but I want room and glory. Delph. That shall be my care. Sound your pipes now merrily, [welcomes! And all your handsome sports: Sing 'em full Dio. And let 'em know, our true love breeds more stories, And perfect joys, than kings do, and their glories. [Exeunt. THE QUEEN OF CORINTH: A TRAGI-COMEDY. The Commendatory Verses by Hills assign this Play wholly to Fletcher. It was first printed in the folio of 1647. We do not know of any alteration that has been made to it, nor has it been acted these many years. Enter Neanthes, Sosicles, and Eraton. Eraton. THE general is return'd then? Nean. With much honour. Sos. And peace concluded with the prince of Argos? Nean. To the Queen's wishes: The con- So far beyond her hopes, to the advantage Era. Have you not heard The motives to this general good? Nean. The main one Was admiration first in young Agenor (For by that name we know the prince of Argos) Of our Leonidas' wisdom and his valour; Which, tho' an enemy, first in him bred wonder, 1 That liking, love succeeded that, which was Followed by a desire to be a friend, Upon what terms soever, to such goodness. They had an interview; and, that their friendship [cluded, Might with our peace be ratified, it was conAgenor, yielding up all such strong places As he held in our territories, should receive (With a sufficient dower paid by the Queen) The fair Merione for his wife. A marriage without her leave, or knowledge, Boutefcu.] An incendiary. The prince should sit down with this wrong? Near. I know not; I am sure I should not. Era. Trust me, nor I: A mother is a name; but, put in balance With a young wench, 'tis nothing. Where did you leave him? Nean. Near Vesta's temple (for there he dismiss'd me) And full of troubled thoughts, calling for Crates: [purpose, He went with him, but whither, or to what I am a stranger. Enter Theanor and Crates. Era. They're come back, Neanthes. As if the architect had been a prophet, And with loud shrieks in vain call Jove to help her; Or should be hear, his thunder could not find An entrance to it. The. I give up myself Wholly to thy direction, worthiest Crates: And yet the desp'rate cure that we must prac Is in itself so foul, and full of danger, [tise That I stand doubtful whether 'twere more manly To die not seeking help, or, that help being So deadly, to pursue it. Cra. To those reasons I have already urg'd, I will add these: [tion The. I'll move only As you would have me. Good day, gentlemen! Era. Hang all buts !—My lord, If to feed vultures here, after the halter Era. Try us any way. Nean. Put us to it. The. What jewels I have in you! Cra. Have these souls, [this That for a good look, and a few kind words, Part with their essence? The. Since you will compel me To put that to the trial which I doubt not, Crates, may be suddenly, will instruct you How, and in what, to shew your loves: Obey As you would bind me to you. Cra. 'Tis well grounded; Leave me to rear the building. [him Era. Any thing you'll put us to. [Ercunt. SCENE II. Enter Leonidas, Merione, and Beliza. Leo. Sister, I reap the harvest of my labours In your preferment; be you worthy of it, And with an open bosom entertain [for! A greater fortune than my love durst hope 2 To deserve you.] Sympson and Seward chuse to read, serve instead of deserve: We think the latter word genuine, if not preferable. To deserve you' signifiesto merit your favour.' Be wise, and welcome it: Play not the coy And foolish wanton, with the offer'd bounties Of him that is a prince. I was woo'd for you, And won, Merione; then, if you dare Believe the object that took me was worthy, Or trust my judgment, in me think you were Courted, sued to, and conquer'd. Mer. Noble brother, I have and still esteem you as a father, Leo. I know what 'tis you point at, The prince Theanor's love; let not that cheat [service you; His vows were but mere courtship; all his But practice how to entrap a credulous lady. Or, grant it serious, yet you must remember, He's not to love, but where the Queen his mother [up; Must give allowance, which to you is barr'd Mer. I would I could! your [person Leo. But brave Agenor, who is come in To celebrate this marriage, for love Forgives the forfeit of ten thousand lives, That must have fallen under the sword of war Had not this peace been made; which gene ral good Both countries owe to his affection to you. Oh, happy sister, ask this noble lady, Your bosom friend (since I fail in my credit) What palm Agenor's name, above all princes That Greece is proud of, carries, and with lustre. [cellent; Bel. Indeed, fame gives him out for exAnd, friend, I doubt not but when you shall see him, Enter a Servant, who whispers Beliza 3. He'll so appear to you.-Art sure 'tis he? Ser. As I live, madam Bel. Virtue enable me to contain my joy! Tis my Euphanes ? Ser. Yes. Bel. And he's in health? Ser. Most certainly, madam. So, 'prithee, tell him. [Exit Servant. Mer. I yield myself too weak In argument to oppose you; you may lead me Whither you please. Leo. 'Tis answer'd like my sister; And if in him you find not ample cause Euph. No one I have learn'd Yields words sufficient to express your goodNor can I ever chuse another theme, [ness; And not be thought unthankful. Bel. Pray you no more, As you respect me. Euph. That charm is too powerful For me to disobey it. Tis your pleasure, And not my boldness, madam. Bel. Good Euphanes, Believe I am not one of those weak ladies, Nor in this will I imitate the world, Euph. There are few So truly understanding or themselves, or what They do possess. Bel. Good Euphanes, where benefits 3 Enter a Servant.] Without the addition I have made to this direction, every re ader perhaps would not take the abrupt question, 'Art sure 'tis he?' in a proper light. Sympson. |