Philaster Part 2

_Di_. See how his fancy labours, has he not spoke Home, and bravely? what a dangerous train Did he give fire to! How he shook the King, Made his soul melt within him, and his blood Run into whay! it stood upon his brow, Like a cold winter dew.

_Phi_. Gentlemen, You have no suit to me? I am no minion: You stand (methinks) like men that would be Courtiers, If you could well be fiatter'd at a price, Not to undo your Children: y'are all honest: Go get you home again, and make your Country A vertuous Court, to which your great ones may, In their Diseased age, retire, and live recluse.

_Cle_. How do you worthy Sir?

_Phi_. Well, very well; And so well, that if the King please, I find I may live many years.

_Di_. The King must please, Whilst we know what you are, and who you are, Your wrongs and [injuries]: shrink not, worthy Sir, But add your Father to you: in whose name, We'll waken all the G.o.ds, and conjure up The rods of vengeance, the abused people, Who like to raging torrents shall swell high, And so begirt the dens of these Male-dragons, That through the strongest safety, they shall beg For mercy at your swords point.

_Phi_. Friends, no more, Our years may he corrupted: 'Tis an age We dare not trust our wills to: do you love me?

_Thra_. Do we love Heaven and honour?

_Phi_. My Lord _Dion_, you had A vertuous Gentlewoman call'd you Father; Is she yet alive?

_Di_. Most honour'd Sir, she is: And for the penance but of an idle dream, Has undertook a tedious Pilgrimage.

[ _Enter a_ Lady.

_Phi_. Is it to me, or any of these Gentlemen you come?

_La_. To you, brave Lord; the Princess would intreat Your present company.

_Phi_. The Princess send for me! y'are mistaken.

_La_. If you be call'd _Philaster_, 'tis to you.

_Phi_. Kiss her hand, and say I will attend her.

_Di_. Do you know what you do?

_Phi_. Yes, go to see a woman.

_Cle_. But do you weigh the danger you are in?

_Phi_. Danger in a sweet face?

By _Jupiter_ I must not fear a woman.

_Thra_. But are you sure it was the Princess sent?

It may be some foul train to catch your life.

_Phi_. I do not think it Gentlemen: she's n.o.ble, Her eye may shoot me dead, or those true red And white friends in her face may steal my soul out: There's all the danger in't: but be what may, Her single name hath arm'd me.

[_Ex_. Phil.

_Di_. Go on: And be as truly happy as thou art fearless: Come Gentlemen, let's make our friends acquainted, Lest the King prove false.

[_Ex. Gentlemen_.

_Enter_ Arethusa _and a_ Lady.

_Are_. Comes he not?

_La_. Madam?

_Are_. Will _Philaster_ come?

_La_. Dear Madam, you were wont To credit me at first.

_Are_. But didst thou tell me so?

I am forgetful, and my womans strength Is so o'recharg'd with danger like to grow About my Marriage that these under-things Dare not abide in such a troubled sea: How look't he, when he told thee he would come?

_La_. Why, well.

_Are_. And not a little fearful?

_La_. Fear Madam? sure he knows not what it is.

_Are_. You are all of his Faction; the whole Court Is bold in praise of him, whilst I May live neglected: and do n.o.ble things, As fools in strife throw gold into the Sea, Drown'd in the doing: but I know he fears.

_La_. Fear? Madam (me thought) his looks hid more Of love than fear.

_Are_. Of love? To whom? to you?

Did you deliver those plain words I sent, With such a winning gesture, and quick look That you have caught him?

_La_. Madam, I mean to you.

_Are_. Of love to me? Alas! thy ignorance Lets thee not see the crosses of our births: Nature, that loves not to be questioned Why she did this, or that, but has her ends, And knows she does well; never gave the world Two things so opposite, so contrary, As he and I am: If a bowl of blood Drawn from this arm of mine, would poyson thee, A draught of his would cure thee. Of love to me?

_La_. Madam, I think I hear him.

_Are_. Bring him in: You G.o.ds that would not have your dooms withstood, Whose holy wisdoms at this time it is, To make the pa.s.sion of a feeble maid The way unto your justice, I obey.

[ _Enter_ Phil.

_La_. Here is my Lord _Philaster_.

_Are_. Oh! 'tis well: Withdraw your self.

_Phi_. Madam, your messenger Made me believe, you wisht to speak with me.

_Are_. 'Tis true _Philaster,_ but the words are such, I have to say, and do so ill beseem The mouth of woman, that I wish them said, And yet am loth to speak them. Have you known That I have ought detracted from your worth?

Have I in person wrong'd you? or have set My baser instruments to throw disgrace Upon your vertues?

_Phi_. Never Madam you.

_Are_. Why then should you in such a publick place, Injure a Princess and a scandal lay Upon my fortunes, fam'd to be so great: Calling a great part of my dowry in question.