PROPHILUS

At Pephon Most gracious Sovereign; twenty of the noblest Of the Messenians, there attend your pleasure For such conditions as you shall propose. In settling peace, and liberty of life. Excellent Princess, Your own fair eyes may soon report a truth Unto your judgement, with what moderation, Calmness of nature, measure, bounds and limits f thankefulne and joy, he does digest Such amplitude of his success, as would In others, moulded of a spirit less clear, Advance they to comparison with heaven. But Ithocles. — He is so Madam, In which the perjod of my Fate consists: He in this Firmament of honour, stands Like a Star fixed, not moved with any thunder Of popular applause, or sudden lightning Of self-opinion: He hath served his Country, And thinks 'twas but his duty. Fate instructs me. Do not wast The span of this stolen time (sent by the gods For precious use) in niceness! Bright Euphrania, Should I repeat old vows, or study new, For purchase of belief to my desires — My service, my integrity — I should but repeat a lesson Oft conned without a prompter; but thine eyes, My Love is honourable — Nor wants there more addition to my wish Of happiness, then having thee a wife, Already sure of Ithoclas a friend, Firm, and unalterable. Leave me that task. I doubt not with the means the Court supplies, But to prevail at pleasure. Mean time best, dearest, I may built my Hope's On the foundation of thy constant sufferance In any opposition. On thy fair hand I seal the Like. Your fears are needless, Lady; None have access into these private pleasures, Except some near in Court, or bosom Student From Tecnicus his Oratory; granted By special favour lately from the King Unto the graven Philosopher. It's a poor Scholar, as I told you Lady. Observe him (sweet) it's but his recreation. Now let us fallen in with him. By your leave Sir. Does Tecnicus read to thee? Happy creatures; Such people toil not (sweet) in heats of State, Nor sink in thaws of greatness: Their affections Keep order with the limits of their modesty: Their love is love of virtue. — What's thy name? Lady, a new conceit comes in my thought, And most available for both our comforts. While I endeavour to deserve Your father's blessing to our loves, this Scholar May daily at some certain hours attend, What notice I can write of my success, Here in this grove, and give it to your hands: The Like from you to me; so can we never, Barred of our mutual speech, want sure intelligence; And thus our hearts may talk when our tongues cannot. Aplotes, wilt thou wait us twice a day; At nine i'th morning, and at four at night, Here in this Bower, to convey such letters As each shall send to other? Do it willingly, Safely, and secretly, and I will furnish Thy Study, or what else thou canst desire. Nor ought beside Thy heart can wish. This Ladies name's Euphra eam, Mine Prophilus. Write The books thou wouldst have bought thee in a note, Or take thy self some money. Books of what sort thou wilt: do not forget Our names. Smile Hymen on the grouth of our desires, Wee'll feed thy torches with eternal fires. Exeunt. manet Org. Noble Bassanes. From your brother, By virtue of your love to him, I require Your instant presence fair h The gods preserve him ever: yet (deer beauty) I find some alteration in him lately, Since his return to Sparta. My good Lord, I pray use no delay. Your arm fair Madam. Most sweetly gracious. I shall. In this walk (Lady) will your brother find you: And with your favour, give me le e a little To work a preparation, in his fashion I have observed of late, some kind of slackness To such alacrity as Nature And custom took delight in: Sadness grows Upon his recreations, which he he h rds In such a willing silence, that to question The grounds will argue skill in friendship, And less good manners. Do thy best To make this Lady me ry for and hour . Exit. The chief of men, The excellentest Ithocles, desires Your presence Madam. He cannot fear Who builds on noble grounds: sickness or pain Is the deservers exercise, and such Your virtuous brother to the world is known. Speak comfort to him Lady, be all gentle; Stars fallen but in the grossness of our sighed, A good man dying, the Earth does loose a ligh . Exeunt omnes. Lord Bassanes, your brother would be private, We must forbear; his sleep hath newly left him. Please thou withdraw? Pray Gentlewoman walk too. He's distracted. Sir by our friendship. What sudden change is next? You have sealed joy close to my soul: Euphranea, Now I may call thee mine. New walked into the Grove (my Lord.) Health unto your Majesty I am unworthy To live in your remembrance. With pardon, Lady, not a sillable Of mine implies so rude a sense; the drift.— He promised To follow with all speed convenient. A wakes.