The bolt for vengeance on ungrateful wretch'The bolt of innocent blood: Read those hot characters,

[lady, And spell the will of Heav'n. Nay, lovely You must take part too, as spur to Ambition. Are you humble? Now speak; my part is Does all your glory shake? [ended.

Mari. Hear us, great uncle, Good and great sir, be pitiful unto us! Below your feet we lay our lives; be merciful! Begin you, Heaven will follow.

dur. Oh, it shakes still!

[knowledge

Mari. And dreadfully it theatens. We acOur base and foul intentions: Stand between us! [given:

For faults confess'd, they say, are half forWe're sorry for our sins. Take from us, sir, That glorious weight that made us swell, that poison'd us;

That mass of majesty I labour'd under, (Too heavy and too mighty for my manage)

Your Grace must pardon us; our house is But such an ample welcome as a poor man And his true love can make you and your Madam, we have no dainties. [empressAur. 'Tis enough, sir;

clesiau!

We shall enjoy the riches of your goodness. Sold. Long live the good and gracious Dio[rashness. Dio. I thank you, soldiers; I forgive your And, royal sir, long may they love and honour you!

[Drums beat a march afar off. What drums are those?

Delph. Meet 'em, my honest son; They are thy friends, Charinus and the old soldiers,

That come to rescue thee from thy hot cousin. But all is well; and turn all into welcomes! Two emperors you must entertain now,

Dio. Oh, dear mother,

I've will enough, but I want room and glory. Delph. That shall be my care. Sound your pipes now merrily, [welcomes!

And all your handsome sports: Sing 'em full Dio. And let 'em know, our true love

breeds more stories,

And perfect joys, than kings do, and their glories. [Exeunt.

Enter Neanthes, Sosicles, and Eraton. Eraton. THE general is return'd then?

Nean. With much honour.

Sos. And peace concluded with the prince of Argos?

Nean. To the Queen's wishes: The con-
ditions sign d

So far beyond her hopes, to the advantage
Of Corinth, and the good of all ber subjects,
That tho' Leonidas, our brave general,
Ever came home a fair and great example,
He never yet return'd or with less loss
Or more deserved honour.

Era. Have you not heard

The motives to this general good?

Nean. The main one

Was admiration first in young Agenor (For by that name we know the prince of Argos)

Of our Leonidas' wisdom and his valour; Which, tho' an enemy, first in him bred wonder,

1

That liking, love succeeded that, which was Followed by a desire to be a friend, Upon what terms soever, to such goodness. They had an interview; and, that their friendship [cluded, Might with our peace be ratified, it was conAgenor, yielding up all such strong places As he held in our territories, should receive (With a sufficient dower paid by the Queen) The fair Merione for his wife.

The prince should sit down with this wrong? Near. I know not;

I am sure I should not.

Era. Trust me, nor I:

A mother is a name; but, put in balance With a young wench, 'tis nothing. Where did you leave him?

Nean. Near Vesta's temple (for there he dismiss'd me)

And full of troubled thoughts, calling for Crates: [purpose,

He went with him, but whither, or to what I am a stranger.

Enter Theanor and Crates.

Era. They're come back, Neanthes.
The. I like the place well.
Cra. Well, sir? it is built

As if the architect had been a prophet,
And fashion'd it alone for this night's action;
The vaults so hollow, and the walls so strong,
As Dian there might suffer violence,

And with loud shrieks in vain call Jove to help her;

Or should be hear, his thunder could not find An entrance to it.

The. I give up myself

Wholly to thy direction, worthiest Crates: And yet the desp'rate cure that we must prac Is in itself so foul, and full of danger, [tise That I stand doubtful whether 'twere more manly

To die not seeking help, or, that help being So deadly, to pursue it.

Cra. To those reasons

I have already urg'd, I will add these:
For, but consider, sir—————— [They talk apart.
Era. It is of weight

[tion

The. I'll move only

As you would have me. Good day, gentlemen!
Nay, spare this ceremonious form of duty
To him that brings love to you, equal love,
And is in nothing happier than in knowing
It is return'd by you; we are as one.
Sos. I am o'erjoyed! I know not
How to reply; but-

Era. Hang all buts !—My lord,
For this your bounteous favour-
Nean. Let me speak.

If to feed vultures here, after the halter
Has done his part, or if there be a hell
To take a swinge or two there, may deserve
Sos. We're ready.

Era. Try us any way.

Nean. Put us to it.

The. What jewels I have in you! Cra. Have these souls,

[this

That for a good look, and a few kind words, Part with their essence?

The. Since you will compel me To put that to the trial which I doubt not, Crates, may be suddenly, will instruct you How, and in what, to shew your loves: Obey As you would bind me to you.

Cra. 'Tis well grounded; Leave me to rear the building.

[him

Era. Any thing you'll put us to. [Ercunt.

SCENE II.

Enter Leonidas, Merione, and Beliza. Leo. Sister, I reap the harvest of my labours

In your preferment; be you worthy of it, And with an open bosom entertain [for! A greater fortune than my love durst hope

favour.'

Be wise, and welcome it: Play not the coy And foolish wanton, with the offer'd bounties Of him that is a prince. I was woo'd for you, And won, Merione; then, if you dare Believe the object that took me was worthy, Or trust my judgment, in me think you were Courted, sued to, and conquer'd.

Mer. Noble brother,

I have and still esteem you as a father,
And will as far obey you; my heart speaks it:
And yet, without your anger, give me leave
To say, that in the choice of that on which
All my life's joys or sorrows have dependance,
It had been fit, ere you had made a full
And absolute grant of me to any other,
I should have us'd mine own eyes, or at least
Made you to understand, whether it were
Within my power to make a second gift
Of my poor self.

Leo. I know what 'tis you point at, The prince Theanor's love; let not that cheat [service you;

His vows were but mere courtship; all his But practice how to entrap a credulous lady. Or, grant it serious, yet you must remember, He's not to love, but where the Queen his mother

[up;

Must give allowance, which to you is barr'd
And therefore study to forget that ever
You cherish'd such a hope.

Mer. I would I could!

your

[person

Leo. But brave Agenor, who is come in To celebrate this marriage, for love Forgives the forfeit of ten thousand lives, That must have fallen under the sword of war Had not this peace been made; which gene

ral good

Both countries owe to his affection to you. Oh, happy sister, ask this noble lady, Your bosom friend (since I fail in my credit) What palm Agenor's name, above all princes That Greece is proud of, carries, and with lustre. [cellent; Bel. Indeed, fame gives him out for exAnd, friend, I doubt not but when you shall see him,

Enter a Servant, who whispers Beliza 3. He'll so appear to you.-Art sure 'tis he? Ser. As I live, madam

Bel. Virtue enable me to contain my joy! Tis my Euphanes ?

Ser. Yes.

Bel. And he's in health?

Ser. Most certainly, madam.
Bel. I'll see him instantly.

So, 'prithee, tell him.

[Exit Servant.

Mer. I yield myself too weak

In argument to oppose you; you may lead me Whither you please.

Leo. 'Tis answer'd like my sister;

And if in him you find not ample cause

Euph. No one I have learn'd Yields words sufficient to express your goodNor can I ever chuse another theme, [ness; And not be thought unthankful.

Bel. Pray you no more,

As you respect me.

Euph. That charm is too powerful For me to disobey it. Tis your pleasure, And not my boldness, madam.

Bel. Good Euphanes,

Believe I am not one of those weak ladies,
That (barren of all inward worth) are prod
Of what they cannot truly call their own,
Their birth or fortune, which are things with
out them:

Nor in this will I imitate the world,
Whose greater part of men think wher, they
give
[iends:
They purchase bondmen, not make worthy
By all that's good I swear, I never thought
My great estate was an addition to ne,
Or that your wants took from you.

Euph. There are few

So truly understanding or themselves, or what They do possess.

Bel. Good Euphanes, where benefits