AMBASSADOR

Quite contrary To what you last delivered or they say He is prepared to fight, and with his army Means speedily to seek you, all the theevee That in your passage through the de S did So damnify your army, have submitted Unto their King, and serve him in this war; His force is much augmented, and you're Like To to have a speedy trial of your fortune. Sir you know the chance Of war is doubtful, and plumed victory Does oftentimes deceive great expectations, Beside dame fortune is a fickle Lady We know not how to trust her, but if things Be justly carried with and equal hand, If juggling be not used amongst the fates, 'Tis evident your army must overcome, But judge we cannot till we see th'event. I heareso too, and worthily entreated According to her bith and high degree Then I should be A traitor to my King; dare I presume To think the Princess should destain her honour? Far be it from my thoughts, Sir I must tell you You are too rash in passing such a censure, And your too unadvised tongue exceeded The decent bounds prescribed him not to touch A Princess reputation. Sir, I'm commanded not to be in place Where I shall hear my King, or any branch Sprung from that royal stock traduced in fame, But to make answer roughly, not to stand A silent auditor, or a dumb statue, Without or sense or motion. Stay, in the mighty Souldan's Name my King I do defy thee unto mortal war For this base wrong, and foul contagious spot Thy leprous mouth hath vomited against The Princess reputation, look to be Called to a strict account for this abuse. I wonder not at all Prince Perseus, Nor scarce expect her yet, for but consider The distance of that see kingdoms, and the tract Of ground betwixt Egypt and the Persian Realm, And you must then conclude that this is not A work of three days journey. It cannot be Your princely mind should harbour such conceit, To think our land so dull, as not to see The greatness of this empire, and the honour Egypt receives to match with Persia; But I interpret oh herwise your speech Applying it unto the power of love, Whose force is such as it will draw a man Into Poetic raptures, But what befell the Princess all this while, Her Ladies and attendance? Know you not In what partly of that fatal soil befell This sad disaster, or by whom 'twas done? Was't in Arabia faelix, or desert, Or Petrea else? But you can tell me The nature of the place and Country, then I'll satisfy my self: was't sweet and lovely, Perfumed with spices and rich Frankincense, Or was't a rocky soil, and mountainous, Wild, unfrequented, full of caves and dens, Of wood and desert, you can tell me this? Madame, I crave the honour for to kiss Your Highness Princely hands. What tragic Scenes This fatal land presents? come Madame, let us Return to Egypt, to the King your father, And make relation of these sad disasters That have befallen in this our pilgrimage. I would divert you from this cruelty Great Prince if you would hear me, and allege Some reasons too to fortibie my speech, First, 'tis a beauteous country, and the world I think not parralels it, next you do Intend it for a conquest, will you spoil So sweet a habitation, and lay waste A seat will make you proud to be enthorn'd in? If this be not sufficient to induce you To spare the rod of vengeance, let respect Unto your Princely same withhold your hand; What sordid blot, what foul aspersion can More taint the candid honour of a Prince Then tyranny upon poor Silly wretches: You know as much my Lord, and histories Show many soul examples of such tyrants Whose names live in reproach to these our times: But Sir have you received the news? my mind W as big to bring it forth, before your speech Hindered the birth. It's true 'twas so reported, yet it might Be a false rumour, grant the contrary That truth and it concurred, yet many things Happen you know between the cup and the lip. The Princess then might have been indisposed To health and sick and so unapt to travel, Or else he royal Father and my king (Which heavens defend) might be affected with His old disease, and she loath to depart Before he had recovered better state; Innumerable other things might happen Which now I cannot think of, but suppose She had at home no let or interruption, Yet must they pass the read sea, or be forced To come about by Istmus overland, Then travel through the deserts of Arabia, Which is a tedious way and not so soon To be overcame as you suppose it is. Now Sir I see love hath divinely wrought Upon your inward faculties, that could Beget so high a strain as you have used In admiration of the loud obeict; Put love they say is urse of poetry. Noble Prince I do believe she wants no strong convoy To guard her over the mountains, and more strength Added, I think would be superfluous, For ure the King knowing the passage well How danger us, how long and troublesome Would never consent she should go weakly guarded, But you may do your pleasure.