A King, and No King Part 13

That will not take something unreasonably to hazard saving of it: I shall seem a strange Pet.i.tioner, that wish all ill to them I beg of, e're they give me ought; yet so I must: I would you were not fair, nor wise, for in your ill consists my good: if you were foolish, you would hear my prayer, if foul, you had not power to hinder me: he would not love you.

_Pan_.

What's the meaning of it.

_Spa_.

Nay, my request is more without the bounds Of reason yet: for 'tis not in the power Of you to do, what I would have you grant.

_Pan_.

Why then 'tis idle, pray thee speak it out.

_Spa_.

Your brother brings a Prince into this land, Of such a n.o.ble shape, so sweet a grace, So full of worth withal, that every maid That looks upon him, gives away her self To him for ever; and for you to have He brings him: and so mad is my demand That I desire you not to have this man, This excellent man, for whom you needs must die, If you should miss him. I do now expect You should laugh at me.

_Pan_.

Trust me I could weep rather, for I have found him In all thy words a strange disjoynted sorrow.

_Spa_.

'Tis by me his own desire so, that you would not love him.

_Pan_.

His own desire! why credit me _Thalestris,_ I am no common wooer: if he shall wooe me, his worth may be such, that I dare not swear I will not love him; but if he will stay to have me wooe him, I will promise thee, he may keep all his graces to himself, and fear no ravishing from me.

_Spa_.

'Tis yet his own desire, but when he sees your face, I fear it will not be; therefore I charge you as you have pity, stop these tender ears from his enchanting voice, close up those eyes, that you may neither catch a dart from him, nor he from you; I charge you as you hope to live in quiet; for when I am dead, for certain I will walk to visit him if he break promise with me: for as fast as Oaths without a formal Ceremony can make me, I am to him.

_Pan_.

Then be fearless; For if he were a thing 'twixt G.o.d and man, I could gaze on him; if I knew it sin To love him without pa.s.sion: Dry your eyes, I swear you shall enjoy him still for me, I will not hinder you; but I perceive You are not what you seem, rise, rise _Thalestris_, If your right name be so.

_Spa_.

Indeed it is not, _s.p.a.conia_ is my name; but I desire not to be known to other.

_Pan_.

Why, by me you shall not, I will never do you wrong, what good I can, I will, think not my birth or education such, that I should injure a stranger Virgin; you are welcome hither, in company you wish to be commanded, but when we are alone, I shall be ready to be your servant.

[_Exeunt_.

_Enter three Men and a Woman_.

_1_.

Come, come, run, run, run.

_2_.

We shall out-go her.

_3_.

One were better be hang'd than carry out women fidling to these shews.

_ Wom_.

Is the King hard by?

_1_.

You heard he with the Bottles said, he thought we should come too late: What abundance of people here is!

_ Wom_.

But what had he in those Bottles?

_3_.

I know not.

_2_.

Why, Ink goodman fool.

_3_.

Ink, what to do?

_1_.

Why the King look you, will many times call for these Bottles, and break his mind to his friends.

_ Wom_.

Let's take our places, we shall have no room else.

_2_.

The man told us he would walk o' foot through the people.

_3_.