Volume Xiv Part 60 (1/2)

PLAN. Whence should this kindness come? and on a sudden too?

A strange alteration! She who a day ago Forgot the vows her soul was fetter'd in, And but this morning tempted me to a sin I can scarce think on without fear, should on An instant be careful for my safety, and That from a principle of virtue too!

SCENE V.

_Enter_ INOPHILUS.

INO. Who was that with you, sir, just now?

PLAN. An honest fellow certainly, but one I know not.

INO. An honest fellow call you him?

If he have not rogue writ in great letters in's face, I have no physnomy.[97] Pray, sir, what was His business to you?

PLAN. A message from Andromana Who, out of love, desires me not to go to My father, because something hath put him in A fume against me.

INO. Did the king send for you?

PLAN. He did so.

INO. But upon her entreaty you forbore to go?

PLAN. What then?

INO. Then you are mad, sir.

And tacitly conspire to your own ruin.

Do, take an enemy's advice, and die, the object Both of their joy and scorn. Where are Your senses, sir, or pray, whence springs This friends.h.i.+p of Andromana's? Alas! you should not Measure her malice by the smallness of your own.

She has injur'd you, she knows it, sir; and though At present she enjoys her treachery, she may Soon fall beside it; Ephorbas is not immortal, Nor can she promise to herself security, When you have power to call her ills in question.

Were't nothing else, her safety would make her To plot your death. I hinder you in talking; But pray begone, and when you see your father, Speak boldly to him, or you're gone for ever.

PLAN. I tell thee once again, Inophilus, Since I have said I would not go Both heaven and thee shall want a motive To make me stir one foot. Were danger just Before me, running with open jaws upon me; And had my word been giv'n to remain here, I would be forc'd from life before my place.

INO. Here is a bravery now would make a man Forswear all gallantry! to fool away Your life thus in a humour!-- I met the court just now, sir: as full of whispers, Every man's eyes spoke strong amazement.

My father's sent for, with two other lords, Eubulus and Anamedes; and the Court-gates are lock'd.

Resolve, sir, and command me something, Wherein I may have an occasion to serve you.

PLAN. Then I resolve to do as I am caution'd.

Walk in; I'll tell thee more.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE VI.

_Enter_ EPHORBAS _and_ LIBACER.

EPH. What was his answer, then?

LIB. ”Tell him, I am resolv'd I will not come,”

Those were the very words, sir.

EPH. 'Twas very pretty [And] resolute, methinks. If he be grown So stubborn already, the next we must expect Is action.

LIB. But yet he bids me, if you Ask'd why he came not, to find some excuse or other.

EPH. He could find none himself then? Call in The lords: we must be sudden in our execution.