YOUNG QUEEN

Is this he? I never knew the force of a desire Until this minute struck within my blood; I fear one look was destined to undo me. He makes towards us: you're Prince Tymethes? so I un derstand. Sir, you're forgetful, this is no place for Courtship, Nor we a subject for't, return to your friend. Too cruelly in faith I put him by, Wine for our son Zenarchus, it done kindly You son, and our best Visitant. Begin to me Zenarchus, I'll have't so. I'll prevent all lose thoughts, drink to my self, My mind walks yonder, but suspect walks here. Make you yond stranger drink. Rox. offers it him. I speak strange words against my fantasy. Thanks noble sir; I must be wary, my mind's dangerous. I'll pledge you anon sir. Gives Roxano the Cup. To you no less. Thanks to our son, the other took leave in silence, but left me To speak enough both for my self and thee. Tymethes ? that's his name, poor heart take heed, Look well into the event ere thou proceed: Love, yet be wise; impossible, none can; If ere the wise man claim one foolish hour 'Tis when he loves; he's then in follies power. I need not fear the servants that overwatch me ̄ Their faiths lie in my Coffers, in effect, More true to me then to my Lords suspect. The fears and dangers that most threaten me, Live in the party that I must enjoy, And that's Tymethes ; men are apt to boast; He may in full cups blaze and vaunt himself Unto some meaner Mistress; make my shame The politic Engine to beat down her name, And from thence force a way to the Kings ears, Strange fate; where my love keeps, there keep my fear ̄ S. It cannot be kept down with any Argument, 'Tis of aspiring force; sparks fly not downward, No more this received fancy of Tymethes, I threaten it with my Lords Jealousy, Yet still it rises against all objections; I see my dangers, in what fears I dwell There's but a Plank ̄ on which I run to hell, Yet were't thrice narrower I should venture on, None dares do more for sin than woman can. Misery of love — Roxano ? I am observed, What news Roxano ? No? which is the bade! Indeed I am not merry. Troth I have that hope of thee, I think thou wouldst It sin to injure thee, I know thou didst not. But my trusty servant, This plot requires art, secrecy and wit, Yet out of all can hardly work one safety. Thou couldst not my Roxano — why admit I love, now I come to thee. I, but a stranger. I said I should affright thee. Hast thou the will? or darest thou do me good? I, I, our safeties; which are mere impossibles, Love forgets all things but its proper objects. Tymethes, in a most unlucky minute Led hither by our Son in Law Zenarchus. Yet if he know me. I am undone. He must not know me; than I love no further; Although for not enjoying him I die; My Lords pale jealousy does so orelooke ̄ me, That if Tymethes know what he enjoys It may make way unto my Lords mistrust; Then since in my desire such horrors move I'll die no other then the death of love. What says the man? And all this safely? How? shall he not know me? Thou art not only necessary but pleasing, There, catch our bounty, manage all but right, As now with gold, with honours weel requite. Exit. O my fear-fighting blood! are ̄ you all here. That's my wish, and my opinion Hath ever been persuaded of your truths, And I have found you willing t'all employments We put into your charge. Will you to what I shall prescribe swear secrecy? To all things that you hear or see I swear you all to secrecy; I pour my life into your breasts, There my doom or safety rests. If you prove untrue to all Now I rather choose to fallen With lose of my desire, than light Into the Tyrants wrathful spite: But in vain I doubt your trust, I never found your hearts but just. On this book your vows arrive, And as in truth in favour thrive. Like Jewels all your vows I'll wear. Here, take this Paper, there those secrets dwell, Go read your charge, which I should blush to tell. All's sure, I nothing doubt of safety now, To which each servant hath combined his vow. Roxano, that begins it trustily, I cannot choose but praise him, he's so needful, There's nothing can be done about a Lady But he is for it; honest Roxano ; Even from our head to feet he's so officious, The time draws on, I feel the minutes here, No clock so true as love that strikes in fear. Exeunt. So, leave us here a while, bear back the light, I would not be discovered if he come, You know his entertainment, so be gone, I am not cheerful troth, what point so ere My powers arrive at: I desire a league With desolate darkedesse, and disconsolate fancies, There is no music in my soul to night. What should I fear when all my servants faiths Sleep in my bounty, and no bribes not threats, Can wake them from my safety? for the King, He's forty leagues road forth, I herd it lately: Yet heaviness Like a Tyrant, proud in night Usurps my power, rules where it hath no right. She sleeps. Hast thou betrayed me? what hast thou attempted? O my most certain ruin? O miserable youth none saves thee now. O misery of affection built on breath? Were I as far passed my belief in heaven As in men oaths, I were the foulest devil. Come, this is more than needs. You that profess such truth, shall I enjoin ̄ you To one poor penance then to try your faith? Spend but this hour, wherein you have offended In true repentance of your sin, and all Your hasty youth stands guilty of, and being clear, You shall enjoy that which you hold most deer. Why then I'll leave you to your task a while: Most wretched, doubtful, strange distracted woman, Ene drawn in pieces betwixt love and fear, I weep in thought of both: bold venturous youth, Twice I writ death, yet would he seek to know me, He'll make no Conscience where his oaths bestow me Exit. Fly to thy wish, I pray it may be given, Man in a twinkling is in earth and heaven: I dealt not Like a coward with thy soul, Nor took it unprepared. I gave him time to put his armour on And sent him forth Like a Celestial champion, I loved thee with more care and truer moan, Since thou must die to taste more death's than one Too much by this pity and love confesses, Had any warning fastened on thy senses: Rash, unadvised youth, whom my soul weep ̄ S for, How oft I told thee this attempt was death? Yet wouldst thou venture on, found man and kne ̄ w? But what destruction will not youth pursue? Here long mightest thou have lived, been loved, enjoyed, Had not thy will thy happiness destroyed; Thoughtest thou by oaths to have thy deed ̄ S well born? Thou shouldst have come when man was never forsworn They are dangerous now; witness this breach of thine; Who's false to his own faith, will never keep mine. We must be safe, young man, the deed's unknown, There are more loves, honours no more than one. Yet spite of death I'll kiss thee; o strange ill, That for our fears we should our comforts kill? Whom shall I trust with this poor bleeding body? Yonder's a secret Vault runs through the Castle There for a while convey him; hapless Boy that never knew how deer 'twas to enjoy. O 'me confounded everlastingly, Damned to a thousand Tortures in that sighed What shall I frame? my Lord She runs to him. O my sweet dearest Lord. Thy poor affrighted and endangered Queen. Did not your Majesty hear the piteous shreikes Of and enforced Lady? Mine my most worthy Lord; behold this Villain Sealed with his just desert: light here my King, This violent youth, whom till this night, I saw not, Being, as it seems, acquainted with the footsteps Of that dark passage, broke through the Vault upon me And with a secret Lanthorn searched me out; And seized me at my Orisons alone And bringing me by violence to this room Far from my guard, or any hope of rescue, Intending here the ruin of my honour; But in the strife, as the good Gods ordained it Reaching for succour, I lighted on a Pistol, Which I presumed was not without his charge, Then I redeemed mine honour from his lust, So he that sought my fallen lies in the dust. Would! what says my Lord? I am sorry for my Lord, I understand him not. My Lord. That's a wrong finger for a Ring my Lord. I do not Like that word. a side O heaven, how came this hither? Your Highness gave me this, this is mine own. O I'm betrayed. O 'tis Roxano. O no, here lies a witness gainst my self Sooner believed than all their hired faiths; Doom me unto my death, only except The lingering execution of your look; Let me not live tormented in that brow, I do confess. Torment me not with life, it asks but death. Dear sir? I feared this misery long before it came, My ominous dreams, and fearful dreadfulness Promised this issue long before it born. Under the earth were safer and far happier. The treachery of my servants, good my Lord; I'm sure one Villain, whom I dearly loved, Of whom my trust had made Election chief, Perfidiously betrayed me to the fury Of my tempestuous unappeased Lord. O me, too soon behold him. This is some poor revenge, thanks good my Lord, Into that cave with him from whence he rose Not long since and betrayed me to the King. Here's a perplexed breast, let that warm steel Perform but the Like service upon me, And live the rarest friend to a Queens wish. We are pleased. Betrayed where I reposed most trust? o heaven, There is no misery, fit match for mine. Your nights are music, and your words are charms.