THE CORONATION. A Comedy. (continued 2)

Enter Macarius.

Mac. Now 'tis too late, You may be deafe, until the Cannon make, You find your sense, we are shut up now by A troop of Horse, thank your self. Pol. They will Admit conditions. Sop. And allow us quarter. [A shout within. Pol. We are all lost. Dem. Be comforted.

Enter Antigonus.

Ant. News my Lord Cassander sent by the new King. To bear us company. Dem. Not as prisoner? Ant. It does appear no otherwise, the soldiers Declare how much they love him, by their noise Of scorn, and joy to see him so rewarded. Dem. It cannot be. Ant. You'll find it presently, He curses the new King, talks treason 'gainst him As nimble as he were in's shirt, he's here.

Enter Cassander.

Cas. Oh let me beg untill my knees take root I' th' earth, Sir, can you pardon me? Dem. For what? Cas. For Treason, desperate, most malicious Treason: I have undone you Sir. Dem. It does appear You had a Will. Cas. I'll make you all the recompence I can, But e'r you kill me, hear me, know the man, Whom I to serve my unjust ends, advanc'd To your throne, is an impostor, a mere counterfeit, Eubulus' Son. [E[xit] Anti. Dem. It is not then our brother? Cas. An insolent usurper, proud, and bloudy; Seleucus, is no leprosie upon me? There is not punishment enough in nature To quit my horrid act, I have not in My stock of blood, to satisfie with weeping, Nor could my soul, though melted to a flood Within me, gush out tears to wash my stain off. Dem. How? an Impostor, what will become on's now? We are at his mercy. Cas. Sir, the peoples hearts Will come to their own dwelling, when they see I dare accuse my self, and suffer for it, Have courage then young King, thy fate cannot Be long compell'd. Dem. Rise, our misfortune Carries this good, although it lose our hopes, It makes you friend with virtue, we'll expect What providence will do. Cas. You are too merciful. Lis. Our duties shall beg heaven still to preserve you.

Enter Antigonus.

Ant. Our enemy desires some parley, Sir. Lis. 'Tis not amiss to hear their proposition. Pol. I'll wait upon you. Dem. Thou art my Angel, and canst best instruct me, Boldly present our selves, you'll with Cassander. Cas. And in death be blest To find our charity. [Exit. Sop. Lisimachus. Lis. Madam. Sop. They will not miss your presence, the small time Is spent in asking of a question. Lis. I wait your pleasure. Sop. Sir, I have a suit to you. Lis. To me? it must be granted. Sop. If you have Cancell'd your kind opinion of me, Deny me not to know, who hath succeeded Sophia in your heart, I beg the name Of your new Mistriss. Lis. You shall know her, Madam, If but these tumults cease, and fate allow us To see the Court agen, I hope you'll bring No mutiny against her, but this is No time to talk of Love, let me attend you. Sop. I must expect, till you are pleas'd to satisfie My poor request, conduct me at your pleasure. [Exeunt.

Enter Leonatus, Eubulus, Bishop, Lisander, and Philocles.

Leo. They are too slow, dispatch new messengers, To intreat 'em fairly hither, I am extasi'd, Were you witness for me too? is it possible I am what this affirms, true Leonatus, And were you not my Father, was I given In trust to you an Infant? Eub. 'Tis a truth, Our soul's bound to acknowledge, you supply'd The absence and opinion of my Son. Who died, but to make you my greater care I know not of Demetrius, but suppos'd Him dead indeed, as Epire thought you were, Your Fathers character doth want no testimony, Which but compar'd with what concerns Demetrius Will prove it self King Theodosius act, Your Royal Father. Bish. I am subscrib'd to both his Legacies By oath oblig'd to secresie, until Thus fairly summon'd to reveal the trust. Eub. Cassander had no thought you would prove thus, To whose policie I gave this aim, although He wrought you up to serve but as his Engine To batter young Demetrius, for it was Your Fathers prudent jealousie, that made him Give out your early deaths, as if his soul Prophecy'd his own first, and fear'd to leave Either of you, to the unsafe protection, Of one, whose study would be to supplant Your right, and make himself the King of Epire. Bish. Your Sister, fair Sophia, in your Fathers Life, was design'd to marry with Lisimachus That guarded her; although she us'd some Art To quit her pupillage, and being absolute, Declar'd love to Demetrius, which enforc'd Macarius to discover first your brother. Leo. No more, lest you destroy agen Leonatus With wonder of his fate, are they not come yet? Something it was, I felt within my envy Of young Demetrius's fortune, there were seeds Scattered upon my heart, that made it swell With thought of Empire, Princes I see cannot Be totally eclips'd, but wherefore stays Demetrius and Sophia, at whose names A gentle spirit walk'd upon my blood.

Enter Demetrius, Polidora, Sophia, Macarius, Cassander, Lisima.

Eub. They are here. Leo. Then thus I flie into their bosoms, Nature has rectifi'd in me, Demetrius, The wandrings of ambition, our dear Sister You are amaz'd, I did expect it, read Assurance there, the day is big with wonder. Mac. What means all this? Leo. Lisimachus, be dear to us, Cassander, you are welcome too. Cas. Not I, I do not look for't, all this sha'not bribe My conscience to your faction, and make Me false agen, Seleucus is no son Of Theodosius, my dear Countrey-men Correct your erring duties, and to that, Your lawful King, prostrate your selves, Demetrius Doth challenge all your knees. Dem. All Love and Duty, Flow from me to my Royal King, and Brother I am confirm'd. Cas. You are t[o]o credulous, What can betray your faith so much? Leo. Sophia, you appear sad, as if your Will Gave no consent to this days happiness. Sop. No joy exceeds Sophia's for your self. Lis. With your pardon, Sir, I apprehend A cause that makes her troubled, she desires To know, what other Mistriss, since her late Unkindness I have chosen to direct My faith and service. Leo. Another Mistriss? Lis. Yes, Sir. Leo. And does our Sister love Lisimachus? Sop. Here's something would confess. Leo. He must not dare To affront Sophia. Cas. How my shame confounds me, I beg your justice, without pity on My age. Leo. Your pennance shall be, to be faithful To our state hereafter, Omnes. May you live long and happy, Leonatus, King of Epire. Leo. But where's your other Mistriss? Lis. Even here, Sir. Leo. Our Sister? is this another Mistriss, Sir? [L]is. It holds To prove my thoughts were so when she began Her sorrow for neglecting me, that sweetness Deserv'd, I should esteem her another Mistriss, Then when she cruelly forsook Lisimachus, Your pardon Madam, and receive a heart Proud with my first devotions to serve you. Sop. In this I am crown'd agen, now mine for ever. Leo. You have deceiv'd her happily, Joy to you both. Dem. We are ripe for the same wishes, Polidora's part of me. Pol. He all my blessing. Leo. Heaven pour full joys upon you. Mac. We are all blest, There wants but one to fill your arms. Leo. My Mistriss, And Wife shall be my Countrey, to which I Was in my birth contracted, your love since Hath plaid the Priest to perfect what was ceremony Though Kingdoms by just Titles prove our own, The subjects hearts do best secure a Crown. [Exeunt Omnes.

EPILOGUE.