Part 54 (1/2)

[_Soldiers shout, and exeunt._

INO. I'll stay at home, and grieve, that so many Daring souls should die on such advantage.

[_Exit_ INOPHILUS.

SCENE IV.

_Enter the_ KING _solus_.

KING. Her husband dead too! Fates, let me die, I am too happy to remain long thus Without a ruin, great as the height I fell from.

Plangus was my only obstacle; but him I have Removed. But love commanded: His presence would have countermanded all attempts; I need not fear his magic at this distance.

His looks and actions were one entire enchantment, All[84]-powerful over a lady's heart.

I sent for her; but she's not come yet.

Who waits without?

_Enter_ ARTESIO.

ART. There's a mourning lady, sir, Would speak with the king.

KING. Admit her, and begone.

SCENE V.

_Enter_ ANDROMANA _in mourning, with a hood over her face, which she throws up when she sees the_ KING.

KING. So riseth Phoebus from the gloomy night, While pale-fac'd Dian maketh haste to hide Her borrow'd glory in some neighb'ring cloud, Envying the beauty of the new-born day, When darkness crowds into the other world.

Madam, why kneel you? You, at whose name monarchs

[_She kneels._

Themselves might tremble, and mortals bow With reverence great as they pay to altars: Sceptres should break in pieces and adore you; At whose sight the sun and moon should blush Themselves to blood and darkness, and falling From their sphere, crush the audacious world to atoms, For daring to behold a l.u.s.tre so much greater Than their own.

AND. Sir, give me leave to wonder What sin I have committed, which calling Down the vengeance of the G.o.ds, Hath made me author of all this blasphemy.

Sir, I beseech your majesty, if you are angry With your creature, speak some cruel word and blast me.

Scorn me not into the other world, where I have Sins enough of my own to blush for, and shall not need To dye his cheeks for other men's offences.

KING. Lady, though Parthian darts are not so sharp As are those killing words; yet that breath, which Utters them is sweeter than the morning dew.

I'll be dumb, for praises cannot add, but rather Diminish Andromana's worth.

AND. I wonder now no longer at this language, 'Tis such as kings are bred in.

But I beseech you, sir, if there be aught You will command your servant--if Andromana Must do or suffer anything for great Ephorbas, Lay by yourself a minute, and remember A merchant's wife must hear you.

KING. Your husband Leon's dead, I hear, lady--

[_She weeps._

Nay, spare those pearls, madam; cast not away Such treasure upon the memory of one Who, if the best of men, deserves them not.

Come, come, forget these sorrows, lady, And wear not mourning weeds before the world's Destruction; hide not those fair eyes, whose splendour Would enrich our court. Madam, though none There be in court can merit such a beauty, Yet I myself have taken pains to search A husband for you: what think you of myself?