Philaster Part 3

_Phi_. Madam, this truth which I shall speak, will be Foolish: but for your fair and vertuous self, I could afford my self to have no right To any thing you wish'd.

_Are. Philaster,_ know I must enjoy these Kingdoms.

_Phi_. Madam, both?

_Are_. Both or I die: by Fate I die _Philaster,_ If I not calmly may enjoy them both.

_Phi_. I would do much to save that n.o.ble life: Yet would be loth to have posterity Find in our stories, that _Philaster_ gave His right unto a Scepter, and a Crown, To save a Ladies longing.

_Are_. Nay then hear: I must, and will have them, and more.

_Phi_. What more?

_Are_. Or lose that little life the G.o.ds prepared, To trouble this poor piece of earth withall.

_Phi_. Madam, what more?

_Are_. Turn then away thy face.

_Phi_. No.

_Are_. Do.

_Phi_. I cannot endure it: turn away my face?

I never yet saw enemy that lookt So dreadful, but that I thought my self As great a Basilisk as he; or spake So horribly, but that I thought my tongue Bore Thunder underneath, as much as his: Nor beast that I could turn from: shall I then Begin to fear sweet sounds? a Ladies voice, Whom I do love? Say you would have my life, Why, I will give it you; for it is of me A thing so loath'd, and unto you that ask Of so poor use, that I shall make no price If you intreat, I will unmov'dly hear.

_Are_. Yet for my sake a little bend thy looks.

_Phi_. I do.

_Are_. Then know I must have them and thee.

_Phi_. And me?

_Are_. Thy love: without which, all the Land Discovered yet, will serve me for no use, But to be buried in.

_Phi_. Is't possible?

_Are_. With it, it were too little to bestow On thee: Now, though thy breath doth strike me dead (Which know it may) I have unript my breast.

_Phi_. Madam, you are too full of n.o.ble thoughts, To lay a train for this contemned life, Which you may have for asking: to suspect Were base, where I deserve no ill: love you!

By all my hopes I do, above my life: But how this pa.s.sion should proceed from you So violently, would amaze a man, that would be jealous.

_Are_. Another soul into my body shot, Could not have fill'd me with more strength and spirit, Than this thy breath: but spend not hasty time, In seeking how I came thus: 'tis the G.o.ds, The G.o.ds, that make me so; and sure our love Will be the n.o.bler, and the better blest, In that the secret justice of the G.o.ds Is mingled with it. Let us leave and kiss, Lest some unwelcome guest should fall betwixt us, And we should part without it.

_Phi_. 'Twill be ill I should abide here long.

_Are_. 'Tis true, and worse You should come often: How shall we devise To hold intelligence? That our true lovers, On any new occasion may agree, what path is best to tread?

_Phi_. I have a boy sent by the G.o.ds, I hope to this intent, Not yet seen in the Court; hunting the Buck, I found him sitting by a Fountain side, Of which he borrow'd some to quench his thirst, And paid the Nymph again as much in tears; A Garland lay him by, made by himself, Of many several flowers, bred in the bay, Stuck in that mystick order, that the rareness Delighted me: but ever when he turned His tender eyes upon 'um, he would weep, As if he meant to make 'um grow again.

Seeing such pretty helpless innocence Dwell in his face, I ask'd him all his story; He told me that his Parents gentle dyed, Leaving him to the mercy of the fields, Which gave him roots; and of the Crystal springs, Which did not stop their courses: and the Sun, Which still, he thank'd him, yielded him his light, Then took he up his Garland and did shew, What every flower as Country people hold, Did signifie: and how all ordered thus, Exprest his grief: and to my thoughts did read The prettiest lecture of his Country Art That could be wisht: so that, me thought, I could Have studied it. I gladly entertain'd him, Who was glad to follow; and have got The trustiest, loving'st, and the gentlest boy, That ever Master kept: Him will I send To wait on you, and bear our hidden love.

[ _Enter_ Lady.

_Are_. 'Tis well, no more.

_La_. Madam, the Prince is come to do his service.

_Are_. What will you do _Philaster_ with your self?

_Phi_. Why, that which all the G.o.ds have appointed out for me.

_Are_. Dear, hide thy self. Bring in the Prince.

_Phi_. Hide me from _Pharamond!_ When Thunder speaks, which is the voice of _Jove,_ Though I do reverence, yet I hide me not; And shall a stranger Prince have leave to brag Unto a forreign Nation, that he made _Philaster_ hide himself?

_Are_. He cannot know it.

_Phi_. Though it should sleep for ever to the world, It is a simple sin to hide my self, Which will for ever on my conscience lie.

_Are_. Then good _Philaster,_ give him scope and way In what he saies: for he is apt to speak What you are loth to hear: for my sake do.

_Phi_. I will.

[ _Enter_ Pharamond.

_Pha_. My Princely Mistress, as true lovers ought, I come to kiss these fair hands; and to shew In outward Ceremonies, the dear love Writ in my heart.

_Phi_. If I shall have an answer no directlier, I am gone.

_Pha_. To what would he have an answer?

_Are_. To his claim unto the Kingdom.

_Pha_. Sirrah, I forbear you before the King.

_Phi_. Good Sir, do so still, I would not talk with you.

_Pha_. But now the time is fitter, do but offer To make mention of right to any Kingdom, Though it be scarce habitable.

_Phi_. Good Sir, let me go.

_Pha_. And by my sword.

_Phi_. Peace _Pharamond:_ if thou--

_Are_. Leave us Philaster.

_Phi_. I have done.