Part 55 (1/2)

EPH. Wait on that lady forth.

RIN. Would there were not a woman in the world, So we had our prince again! Sir, are you mad?

Or have forgot you are a father? You Have undone us all.

EPH. Why, what's the matter?

RIN. O sir, the prince----

EPH. He is not dead, Rinatus, is he?

RIN. Sir, if he be, 'tis you have murder'd him: Was it for this you were so jealous t'other day?

May my Inophilus never pretend to virtue, I'll teach him a more thriving art.

Come to the window a little, sir, and hear How the good people curse you. As cold weather As it is, some are so hard at it, they sweat again.

EPH. Prythee, unriddle; hast thou drunk hemlock, Since I saw thee last?

RIN. I would not be in my wits for anything I' th' world; my grief would kill me if I were.

He's mad that will speak sense or reason, Now you have thrown away our prince thus: Whose innocence was clearer than his own eyes: Can you think how you have murder'd so much virtue, And not blush yourself to death?

EPH. I think indeed I sent him general Against the Argives; but--'twas his own desire.

RIN. 'Twas not his own desire, sir, to have But thirteen thousand men, sir, was it?

Was that army fit to oppose great Argo?

There came a messenger just now, that saw The prince not sixteen miles from hence (For thither is the foe marched) draw up his men T' engage the enemy.

EPH. For heav'n's sake, Rinatus, post him back again, bid him retreat; Command my son from me Not to go on till greater forces follow him.

If it be possible, redeem the error; I'd give my kingdom, life, or anything, It were to do again.

RIN. I am glad to see this now; Heav'n send it be n't too late!

EPH. Nay, stand not prating.

[_A horn within._

RIN. 'Tis from the army, sir. O heaven, I fear!

EPH. If from the army, prythee, put on better looks.

_Enter_ MESSENGER.

MES. Your son--nay more, your dying son-- Commanded me to bring you word, He died true to his honour, king, and countrymen; Nor let me stay to see the brightest lamp Go out, that ever grac'd this...o...b..

[_The_ KING _faints_.

RIN. O heaven, the king! why this is worse, sir, Than the other; let us not lose you both.

EPH. Let me but hear how 'twas he made his exit, And then my gla.s.s is run: I will not live One minute longer.

MES. Sir, thus it was---- 'Tis scarce three hours ago, since the brave Plangus Marched from Lixa with an army, Whose souls were richer than their clothes by far, Though their valour had put on all the bravery That soldiers ever wore. The prince, whose presence Breathed new fire into these flaming spirits, Resolv'd to meet the enemy with his handful, And with a winged speed fell down to th' Elean Straits, Determining to try it with him there.[85] His soldiers also, True sons of war, contemning so great odds, When victory and their country was to crown The conquerors, whetted their eager valours With impatient expectation of the enemy Who, trusting to his mult.i.tude, came on Wing'd both with scorn and anger to see, that paucity Should dare dispute victory against their odds.

Plangus who, though he saw, yet could not fear Destruction, and scorn'd to avoid it, When the king commanded him to meet it, Marshall'd his army to the best advantage, And having given Zopiro the left wing, The body to Evarnes, himself chose out the right; Because he would be opposite to Argo.