A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 143

POL. Lord Euphues and Philocles, forgive me.

To make amends I know 's impossible, For what my malice wrought; but I would fain Do somewhat that might testify my grief And true repentance.

EUG. That is that I look'd for. [_Aside._]

EUPH. Y' are kind too late, my lord: had you been thus When need requir'd, y' had say'd yourself and me Our hapless sons; but if your grief be true, I can forgive you heartily.

PHIL. And I.

EUG. Now comes my cue. [_Aside._] My Lord Polymetes, Under correction, let me ask one question.

POL. What question? speak.

EUG. If this young lord Should live, would you bestow your daughter willingly Upon him? would you, my lord?

POL. As willingly as I would breathe myself.

EUG. Then dry [up] all your eyes, There's no man here shall have a cause to weep.

Your life is sav'd; Leucothoe is no heir; [_To_ PHILOCLES.

Her brother lives, and that clears you, Count Virro, Of your supposed murder.

ALL. How! lives?

EUG. Yes, lives to call thee brother, Philocles.

[_He discovers himself._

LEU. O my dear brother!

POL. My son, welcome from death.

EUG. Pardon me, good my lord, that I thus long Have from your knowledge kept myself concealed; My end was honest.

POL. I see it was.

And now, son Philocles, give me thy hand.

Here take thy wife: she loves thee, I dare swear; And for the wrong that I intended thee, Her portion shall be double what I meant it.

PHIL. I thank your lordship.

POL. Brother Euphues, I hope all enmity is now forgot Betwixt our houses.

EUPH. Let it be ever so. I do embrace your love.

VIR. Well, my life is say'd yet, [al]though my wench Be lost. G.o.d give you joy.

PHIL. Thanks, good my lord.

1ST JUDGE. How suddenly this tragic scene is chang'd, And turn'd to comedy!

2D JUDGE. 'Tis very strange!

POL. Let us conclude within.

KING. Stay, and take my joy with you.

[_The_ KING _speaks from above_.

EUPH. His majesty is coming down: let us attend.

_Enter_ KING.

KING. These jars are well clos'd up; now, Philocles, What my rash oath denied me, this bless'd hour And happy accident has brought to pa.s.s-- The saving of thy life.

PHIL. A life, my liege, That shall be ever ready to be spent Upon your service.

KING. Thanks, good Philocles.

But where's the man whose happy presence brought All this unlook'd-for sport? where is Eugenio?

EUG. Here, my dread liege.

KING. Welcome to Syracuse, Welcome, Eugenio; prythee, ask some boon That may requite the good that thou hast done.

EUG. I thank your majesty; what I have done Needs no requital; but I have a suit Unto Lord Euphues, please it your majesty To be to him an intercessor for me, I make no question but I shall obtain.

KING. What is it? speak; it shall be granted thee.

EUG. That it would please him to bestow on me His niece, the fair and virtuous Lady Leda.

EUPH. With all my heart: I know 'twill please her well: I have often heard her praise Eugenio.

It shall be done within.

KING. Then here all strife ends.

I'll be your guest myself to-day, and help To solemnise this double marriage.

POL. Your royal presence shall much honour us.

KING. Then lead away: the happy knot you tie, Concludes in love two houses' enmity.

FOOTNOTES:

[437] [An uncommon form of expression, equivalent to the French phrase _a bientot_.]

[438] I think we should read _go--Pegge_. The syllable _to_ is more than is required either for the sense or the measure.--_Collier_. [The original has _to_, as stated; but we should read _too, i.e., if_ my life be too mean a sacrifice, &c.]

THE EPILOGUE.

Our heir is fall'n from her inheritance, But has obtain'd her love: you may advance Her higher yet; and from your pleas'd hands give A dowry, that will make her truly live.