The Laws of Candy | Page 7

it becomes him bravel[y]; Would I could walk and talk so! I'le endeavour it.
Erota:
Sir, do you know me? 255]
Gonzalo:
Yes, you were sister to the late Prince of Candy, Aunt to this young one: and I in Venice, Am born a Lord; equall to you in fortunes, In shape; I'le say no more, but view.
Mochingo:
There needs no more be said, were I a woman-- O he does rarely: in shape; I'le say no more, But view: who could say more, who better? Man is no man, nor woman woman is, Unless they have a pride like one of these. How poor the Prince of Cyprus shews to him! How poor another Lady unto her! Carriage and State makes us seem demi-gods, Humility, like beasts, worms of the Earth.
[Enter Antinous, and Decius.]
Antinous:
Royal Lady, I kiss your hand.
Erota:
Sir, I know you not.
Annophel:
O my noble Brother, welcom from the wars.
Antinous:
Dear Sister.
Annophel:
Where is my Father, that you come without him? We have news of your success: he has his health I hope?
Antinous:
Yes Sister, he has his health, but is not well.
Annophel:
How not well? what Riddles do yo[u] utter?
Antinous:
I'le tell you more in private.
Gonzalo:
Noble Sir, I cannot be unmindfull of your merit, Since I last heard it: you are a hopefull youth, And (indeed) the Soul of Candy. I must speak my thoughts.
Annophel:
The Prince of Cyprus Brother, good Decius.
Antinous:
I am his Servant.
Philander:
You are the Patron of your Countrie, Sir, So your unimitable deeds proclaim you, It is no language of my own, but all mens.
Gonzalo:
Your Enemies must needs acknowledge it: Then do not think it flatterie in your friends, For if they had a heart, they could not want a tongue.
Erota:
Is this your Brother Annophil?
Annophel:
Yes Madam.
Erota:
Your name's Antinous? 256]
Antinous:
I am (Lady) that most unfortunate man.
Erota:
How unfortunate? are you not the Souldier, The Captain of those Captains, that did bring Conquest and Victory home along with you?
Antinous:
I had some share in't; but was the least Of the least worthy.
Gonzalo:
O Sir, in your modesty you'ld make A double Conquest: I was an ear-witness When this young man spoke lesser than he acted, And had the Souldiers voice to help him out: But that the Law compell'd him for his honour, To inforce him make a claim for his reward, I well perceive he would have stood the man That he does now, buried his worth in silence.
Erota:
Sir, I hearken not to him, but look on you, And find more in you than he can relate: You shall attend on me.
Antinous:
Madam, your pardon.
Erota:
Deny it not Sir, for it is more honour Than you have gotten i'th' field: for know you shall, Upon Erota's asking, serve Erota.
Antinous:
I may want answers, Lady, But never want a will to do you service. I came here to my Sister, to take leave, Having enjoyn'd my self to banishment, For some cause that hereafter you may hear, And wish with me I had not the occasion.
Annophel:
There shall be no occasion to divide us: Dear Madam for my sake use your power, Even for the service that he ought to owe, Must, and does owe to you, his friends, and country.
Erota:
Upon your Loyalty to the state and me, I do command you Sir, not depart Candy: Am I not your Princess?
Antinous:
You are a great Lady.
Erota:
Then shew your self a Servant and a Subject.
Antinous:
I am your vassal.
Mochingo:
You are a Coward; I that dare not fight, Scorn to be vassail to any Prince in Europe: Great is my heart with pride, which I'le encrease 257] When they are gone, with practise on my Vassals.
Attendants:
The noble Cassilane is come to see you Madam.
Decius:
There's comfort in those words, Antinous: For here's the place, and persons that have power, To reconcile you to his love again.
Antinous:
That were a fortunate meeting.
[Enter Cassilane, and Arcanes.]
Cassilanes:
Greatness still wait you Lady.
Erota:
Good Cassilane, we do maintain our greatness, Through your valour.
Cassilanes:
My prayers pull daily blessings on thy head, My un-offending child, my Annophel. Good Prince, worthy Gonzalo! ha? art thou here Before me? in every action art thou ambitious? My duty (Lady) first offered here, And love to thee (my child) though he out-strip me; Thus in the wars he got the start on me, By being forward, but performing less; All the endeavours of my life are lost, And thrown upon that evil of mine own Cursed begetting, whom I shame to father. O that the heat thou rob'dst me of, had burnt Within my Entrails, and begot a feaver, Or some worse sickness, for thou art a disease Sharper than any Physick gives a name to.
Annophel:
Why do you say so?
Cassilanes:
O Annophil; there is good cause my girle: He has plaid the thief with me, and filch'd away The richest jewel of my life, my honour, Wearing it publickly with that applause, As if he justly did inherit it.
Antinous:
Would I had in my Infancy