ZENARCHUS

Rather, my Lord, let me move pity here, Unto that reverend fate-afflicted King; For whom, with his disconsolate son (my friend And plighted Brother) I here kneel as Suitor. O my most Noble Father, still retain The seal of honour and religion, A Kingdom rightly possessed by course, Contains more joy than is usurped by force. None but Mazeres, that Court fly, could on The virtues of the King blow such corruption, Man falls to vice in minutes, runs, and leaps, But unto goodness he takes wary steps. How soon a Tyrant? why Tymethes, Friend, Brother? Would it so happy? Chance alters not affection, see in me That hold thee deer still spite of Tyranny: Fate does but dim the glass of a right man, He still retains his worth, do what fate can. Change faith for dross? I will not call her sister, That shall hate virtue for affliction. And here she comes to clear those doubts her self. What say you now sir? Put by your wonder sir, she proves the same, I spoke her virtues for her ere she came, And when my father die I here do vow, This kingdom now detained wrongfully Shall then return unforcedly to you, In partly thy dowry, but in all thy endue. Come ̄ , let your lips meet though your fortune ̄ S won der. Thus in firm state let your affections rest, Time, that makes wretched, makes the same men blessed. Exeunt. Come, come, drive away these fits, faith I'll have thee merry. Thou seest my sister constantly affects thee. Sir in this Castle the old King my father Overworn with jealousy keeps his beauteous wife, I think thou never sawest her. Why then thy judgements fresh, I'll visit her On purpose for thy censure. Nay on my knowledge she's worth Jealousy Though Jealousy be far unworthy a King. How cheers the Queen? they whisper. Use those words to her. Who Roxano ? a fellow in great trust, Elected by my father's jealousy. But he, and all the rest attend upon her I think would turn he ̄ r Panders for re ̄ ward; For 'tis not watch nor ward keeps woman chased, If honours watch in her mind be not placed. What mad Lords are your jealous people then, That locks their wives from all men but their men? Make them their keepers, to prevent some greater, So oft it happens to the poors relief, Keepers eat Venison when their Lords eat Beef. See, see, she comes. 'Tis Tymethes, Lady, Son ̄ to the banished King. It is sweet Lady. Why Tymethes? friend. A Courtier, and forget your first weapon? go and salute our Lady Mother. Duty binds me. I think so too; dry, and so young, 'twere strange, Come prithee drink to the Queen, my mother. I go, music of mind to the Queen. And all that you can wish, or I express. Exit. By whom? He eyes us still. But sirrah! I, he changed upon't. Nay he's a Villain. He's dealing his devotion, hinder him not. What, have you done with the Beggar? Hold conference so long with such a fellow? Slight, led to a Lady budwinck'd! Placed in state, and banqueted in Vizards. Who should this be? Canst not guess at her, nor at the Place ̄ ? Before heaven I do admire the cunning of't. Well, blow this over, see, our sister comes. O my Tymethes! truest joy on earth! Hath thy fate proved so flinty? so perverse? To the sweet spring both of thy youth and Hope's? This was Mazeres spite, that cursed Rival, And if I fail not, his own plot shall shower Upon his bosom Like a falling Tower. My worthy Lord. Why my Lord! villain to my father's pleasure, No friend of mine the sighed had pleased me Had I not Like Mazeres, run my hate Into the sin before it grew to act; And killed it ere't had knotted 'twas rare service ̄ , If your vexed Majesty conceive it right. In politic Mazeres, serving more In this discovery, his own vicious malice Than any true peace that should make you perfect: Suffering the hateful treason to be done He might have stopped in his confusion. Good your Majesty bethink you In manly temper and considerate blood; Went he the way of loyalty, or your quiet, After he saw the courtesies exceed T'abuse your peace, and trust them with the deed? For my Lord, weight indifferently. What makes it heinous, burdensome, and monstrous, Fills you with such distractions, breeds such furies In your incensed breast, but the deed doing? Intent had been ̄ sufficient for his death, And that full satisfaction; but the act — It may prove, Behold my friend, how I express my love. No words are able to express my gladness, 'Tis such a high born ̄ rapture that the soul Partakes it only. Here's my Sister, I could not bring that news will please her better, My news brings that command over your passion, you must be merry. Yes, strong enough i'faith; here me, Mazeres By this time is at his everlasting home; Where ere his body lies, I struck the stroke I wrought a bitter pill that quickly choked him. Wine for our Sister, for the news is worth it. Revenge never brought forth a more happy issue Than I think mine to be. Thou art not Like this hour, jovial. That does't if any, Wine does both help defects, and causeth many. Here's to the deed faith of our last revenge. What's this? Nay if you grow so strumpet Like in your behaviour to me, I'll quickly cool that insolence. Indeed no Harlot But has her Champion, beside Baud and Varlet; o! I'm sick of thy society, poison to mine eyes. How? O you virtuous powers, What a right strumpet? poison under love? Nor she be honest can so soon impart, O beware that woman that can shift her heart. Dies. Prithee Tymethes drink.