Philaster | Page 6

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 gods 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.
Pha. You are gone, by heaven I'le fetch you back.
Phi. You shall not need.
Pha. What now?
Phi. Know Pharamond, I loath to brawl with such a blast as thou, Who art nought but a valiant voice: But if Thou shalt provoke me further, men shall say Thou wert, and not lament it. Pha. Do you slight My greatness so, and in the Chamber of the Princess!
Phi. It is a place to which I must confess I owe a reverence: but wer't the Church, I, at the Altar, there's no place so safe, Where thou dar'st injure me, but I dare kill thee: And for your greatness; know Sir, I can grasp You, and your greatness thus, thus into nothing: Give not a word, not a word back: Farewell.
[Exit Phi.
Pha. 'Tis an odd fellow Madam, we must stop His mouth with some Office, when we are married.
Are. You were best make him your Controuler.
Pha. I think he would discharge it well. But Madam, I hope our hearts are knit; and yet so slow The Ceremonies of State are, that 'twill be long Before our hands be so: If then you please, Being agreed in heart, let us not wait For dreaming for me, but take a little stoln Delights, and so prevent our joyes to come.
Are. If you dare speak such thoughts, I must withdraw in honour.
[Exit Are.
Pha. The constitution of my body will never hold out till the wedding; I must seek elsewhere.
[Exit Pha.

_Actus Secundus. Scena Prima_.
Enter Philaster and Bellario.
Phi. And thou shalt find her honourable boy, Full of regard unto thy tender youth, For thine own modesty; and for my sake, Apter to give, than thou wilt be to ask, I, or deserve.
Bell. Sir, you did take me up when I was nothing; And only yet am something, by being yours; You trusted me unknown; and that which you are apt To conster a simple innocence in me, Perhaps, might have been craft; the cunning of a boy Hardened in lies and theft; yet ventur'd you, To part my miseries and me: for which, I never can expect to serve a Lady That bears more honour in her breast than you.
Phi. But boy, it