A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 137

KING. I'll further hear the manner of this fact.

Avoid the presence--all but the lady; And come not, till I send.

POL. I like not this. [_Aside._]

VIR. Nor I; here is mad dancing.

EUPH. Heaven bless thy suit, thou mirror of thy s.e.x, And best example of true constant love, That in the sea of thy transcendent virtues Drown'st all thy father's malice, and redeem'st More in my thoughts than all thy kin can lose! [_Exeunt._

KING. Now, lady, What would you do to save the life of him You love so dearly?

LEU. I cannot think that thought I would not do.

Lay it in my power, and beyond my power I would attempt.

KING. You would be thankful then to me, If I should grant his pardon?

LEU. If ever I were thankful to the G.o.ds For all that I call mine: my health and being, Could I to you be unthankful for a gift I value more than those, and without which These blessings were but wearisome?

KING. Those that are thankful study to requite A courtesy; would you do so? Would you Requite this favour?

LEU. I cannot, sir; For all the service I can do your grace Is but my duty; you are my sovereign, And all my deeds to you are debts, not merits.

But to those powers above that can requite, That from their wasteless treasures heap rewards More out of grace than merits on us mortals, To those I'll ever pray, that they would give you More blessings than I have skill to ask.

KING. Nay, but, Leucothoe, this lies In thy power to requite: thy love will make requital; Wilt thou love me?

LEU. I ever did, my lord: I was instructed from my infancy To love and honour you my sovereign.

KING. But in a nearer bond of love?

LEU. There is no nearer nor no truer love, Than that a loyal subject bears a prince.

KING. Still thou wilt not conceive me: I must deal Plain with you: wilt thou lie with me?

And I will seal his pardon presently; Nay more, I'll heap upon you both all favours, All honours that a prince can give.

LEU. O me unhappy!

In what a sad dilemma stands my choice, Either to lose the man my soul most loves, Or save him by a deed of such dishonour, As he will ever loathe me for, and hate To draw that breath that was so basely kept! [_Aside._]

Name anything but that to save his life; I know you do but tempt my frailty, sir.

I know your royal thoughts could never stoop To such a foul, dishonourable act.

KING. Bethink thyself, there is no way but that.

I swear by heaven never to pardon him But upon those conditions.

LEU. O, I am miserable!

KING. Thou art not, if not wilful; yield, Leucothoe, It shall be secret: Philocles for his life Shall thank thy love, but never know the price Thou paid'st for it. Be wise; thou heardst me swear: I cannot now show mercy, thou may'st save him, And if he die, 'tis thou that art the tyrant.

LEU. I should be so, if I should save him thus.

Nay, I should be a traitor to your grace, Betray your soul to such a foe as l.u.s.t.

But since your oath is pa.s.s'd, dear Philocles, I'll show to thee an honest cruelty, And rather follow thee in spotless death, Than buy with sinning a dishonour'd life.

KING. Yet pity me, Leucothoe; cure the wound Thine eyes have made: pity a begging king!

Uncharm the charms of thy bewitching face, Or thou wilt leave me dead. Will nothing move thee?

Thou art a witch, a traitor: thou hast sought By unresisted spells thy sovereign's life.

Who are about us? Call in the lords again.

_Enter_ POLYMETES, VIRRO, EUPHUES, &c.

Lord Polymetes, take your daughter to you, Keep her at home.

POL. I will, my liege; Roscio, see her there.

I wonder what is done. [_Aside._]

KING. Euphues, I have ta'en a solemn oath Never to grant a pardon to thy son.

EUPH. O, say not so, my liege; your grace, I know, Has mercy for a greater fault than this.

KING. My oath is pa.s.s'd, and cannot be recall'd.

POL. This is beyond our wishes. [_Aside._]

VIR. What made him swear this, I wonder?

EUPH. A heavy oath to me, and most unlook'd for.

Your justice, sir, has set a period Unto a loyal house, a family That have been props of the Sicilian crown, That with their bloods in many an honour'd field, 'Gainst the hot French and Neapolitan, Have serv'd for you and your great ancestors: Their children now can never more do so.

Farewell, my sovereign! whilst I in tears Spend the sad remnant of my childless age, I'll pray for your long life and happy reign, And may your grace and your posterity At need find hands as good and hearts as true, As ours have ever been!

KING. Farewell, good old man.

EUPH. For you, my lord, your cruelty has deserv'd A curse from me, but I can utter none: Your daughter's goodness has weigh'd down your malice, Heaven prosper her! [_Exit_ EUPHUES.

POL. Amen.

KING. He is an honest man, and truly n.o.ble.

O my rash oath! my l.u.s.t that was the cause: Would any price would buy it in again!

VIR. Your majesty is just.

POL. 'Tis a happy land, Where the king squares his actions by the law.

KING. Away! you are base and b.l.o.o.d.y, That feed your malice with pretence of justice.

'Tis such as you make princes tyrannous, And hated of their subjects: but look to't, Look your own heads stand fast; for if the law Do find a hole in your coats, beg no mercy.

VIR. Pardon us, my lord, we were wrong'd.

POL. And sought redress but by a lawful course.

KING. Well, leave me alone.

VIR. Farewell, my liege. Now let him chafe alone.