Act 1 — [Scene II.][3192]

Are. Comes he not? Lady. Madam? Are. Will Philaster come? Lady. Dear madam, you were wont to credit me At first. Are. But didst thou tell me so? I am forgetful, and my woman’s strength5 Is so o’ercharg’d with dangers like to grow About my marriage, that these under-things Dare not abide in such a troubled sea. How lookt he when he told thee he would come? Lady. Why, well.10 Are. And not a little fearful? Lady. Fear, madam! Sure, he knows not what it is. Are. You all are of his faction; the whole court Is bold in praise of him; whilst I May live neglected, and do noble things,15 As fools in strife throw gold into the sea, Drown’d in the doing. But, I know he fears. Lady. Fear, madam! Methought, his looks hid more Of love than fear. Are. Of love! To whom? To you? Did you deliver those plain words I sent,20 With such a winning gesture and quick look That you have caught him? Lady. Madam, I mean to you. Are. Of love to me! Alas, thy ignorance Lets thee not see the crosses of our births! Nature, that loves not to be questioned25 Why she did this or that, but has her ends, And knows she does well, never gave the world Two things be so opposite, so contrary As he and I am: if a bowl of blood Drawn from this arm of mine would poison thee,30 A draught of his would cure thee. Of love to me! Lady. Madam, I think I hear him. Are. Bring him in. [Exit Lady.] You gods, that would not have your dooms withstood, Whose holy wisdoms at this time it is To make the passion of a feeble maid35 The way unto your justice, I obey.

Lady. Here is my Lord Philaster. Are. Oh, ’t is well. Withdraw yourself. [Exit Lady.] Phi. Madam, your messenger Made me believe you wish’d to speak with me. Are. ’T is true, Philaster; but the words are such40 I have to say, and do so ill beseem The mouth of woman, that I wish them said, And yet am loth to speak them. Have you known That I have aught detracted from your worth? Have I in person wrong’d you, or have set45 My baser instruments to throw disgrace Upon your virtues? Phi. Never, madam, you. Are. Why, then, should you, in such a public place, Injure a princess, and a scandal lay Upon my fortunes, fam’d to be so great,50 Calling a great part of my dowry in question? Phi. Madam, this truth which I shall speak will be Foolish: but, for your fair and virtuous self, I could afford myself to have no right To any thing you wish’d. Are. Philaster, know,55 I must enjoy these kingdoms. Phi. Madam, both? Are. Both, or I die: by heaven, I die, Philaster, If I not calmly may enjoy them both. Phi. I would do much to save that noble life; Yet would be loth to have posterity60 Find in our stories, that Philaster gave His right unto a sceptre and a crown To save a lady’s longing. Are. Nay, then, hear: I must and will have them, and more—— Phi. What more? Are. Or lose that little life the gods prepared To trouble this poor piece of earth withal.66 Phi. Madam, what more? Are. Turn, then, away thy face. Phi. No. Are. Do. Phi. I can endure it. Turn away my face!70 I never yet saw enemy that lookt So dreadfully, but that I thought myself As great a basilisk[3193] as he; or spake So horrible, but that I thought my tongue Bore thunder underneath, as much as his;75 Nor beast that I could turn from. Shall I then Begin to fear sweet sounds? A lady’s voice, Whom I do love? Say you would have my life; Why, I will give it you; for ’t is of me A thing so loath’d, and unto you that ask80 Of so poor use, that I shall make no price: If you entreat, I will unmov’dly hear. Are. Yet, for my sake, a little bend thy looks. Phi. I do. Are. Then know, I must have them and thee. Phi. And me? Are. Thy love; without which, all the land Discovered yet will serve me for no use86 But to be buried in. Phi. Is ’t possible? Are. With it, it were too little to bestow On thee. Now, though thy breath do strike me dead, (Which, know, it may,) I have unript my breast.90 Phi. Madam, you are too full of noble thoughts, To lay a train for this contemned life, Which you may have for asking. To suspect Were base, where I deserve no ill. Love you! By all my hopes, I do, above my life!95 But how this passion should proceed from you So violently, would amaze a man That would be jealous.[3194] Are. Another soul into my body shot Could not have fill’d me with more strength and spirit100 Than this thy breath. But spend not hasty time In seeking how I came thus: ’t is the gods, The gods, that make me so; and, sure, our love Will be the nobler and the better blest, In that the secret justice of the gods105 Is mingled with it. Let us leave, and kiss; Lest some unwelcome guest should fall betwixt us, And we should part without it. Phi. ’T will be ill I should abide here long. Are. ’T is true; and worse You should come often. How shall we devise To hold intelligence, that our true loves,111 On any new occasion, may agree What path is best to tread? Phi. I have a boy, Sent by the gods, I hope, to this intent,114 Not yet seen in the court. Hunting the buck, I found him sitting by a fountain’s side, Of which he borrow’d some to quench his thirst, And paid the nymph again as much in tears. A garland lay him by, made by himself Of many several flowers bred in the vale,120 Stuck in that mystic order that the rareness Delighted me: but ever when he turn’d His tender eyes upon ’em, he would weep, As if he meant to make ’em grow again. Seeing such pretty helpless innocence125 Dwell in his face, I ask’d him all his story. He told me that his parents gentle died, Leaving him to the mercy of the fields, Which gave him roots; and of the crystal springs,129 Which did not stop their courses; and the sun, Which still, he thank’d him, yielded him his light. Then took he up his garland, and did show What every flower, as country-people hold, Did signify, and how all, ordered thus, Exprest his grief; and, to my thoughts, did read135 The prettiest lecture of his country-art That could be wisht: so that methought I could Have studied it. I gladly entertain’d Him, who was glad to follow; and have got The trustiest, loving’st, and the gentlest boy140 That ever master kept. Him will I send To wait on you, and bear our hidden love.

Lady. Madam, the prince is come to do his service. Are. What will you do, Philaster, with yourself?145 Phi. Why, that which all the gods have pointed out for me. Are. Dear, hide thyself.— Bring in the prince. [Exit Lady.] Phi. Hide me from Pharamond! When thunder speaks, which is the voice of God, Though I do reverence, yet I hide me not;150 And shall a stranger-prince have leave to brag Unto a foreign nation, that he made Philaster hide himself? Are. He cannot know it. Phi. Though it should sleep for ever to the world, It is a simple sin to hide myself,155 Which will for ever on my conscience lie. Are. Then, good Philaster, give him scope and way In what he says; for he is apt to speak What you are loth to hear. For my sake, do.

Pha. My princely mistress, as true lovers ought, [Exit Lady.] I come to kiss these fair hands, and to show, In outward ceremonies, the dear love Writ in my heart.164 Phi. If I shall have an answer no directlier, I am gone. Pha. To what would he have answer? Are. To his claim unto the kingdom. Pha. Sirrah. I forbare you before the King— Phi. Good sir, do be still; I would not talk with you.170 Pha. But now the time is fitter. Do but offer To make mention of right to any kingdom, Though it be scarce habitable—— Phi. Good sir, let me go. Pha. And by the gods— Phi. Peace, Pharamond! if thou—— Are. Leave us, Philaster. Phi. I have done.175 [Going.] Pha. You are gone! by Heaven I’ll fetch you back. Phi. You shall not need. [Returning.] Pha. What now? Phi. Know, Pharamond, I loathe to brawl with such a blast as thou, Who art nought but a valiant voice; but if Thou shalt provoke me further, men shall say, Thou wert, and not lament it. Pha. Do you slight181 My greatness so, and in the chamber of The princess? Phi. It is a place to which I must confess I owe a reverence; but were ’t the church,185 Ay, at the altar, there’s no place so safe, Where thou dar’st injure me, but I dare kill thee. And for your greatness, know, sir, I can grasp You and your greatness thus, thus into nothing. Give not a word, not a word back! Farewell. Exit. Pha. ’T is an odd fellow, madam; we must stop191 His mouth with some office when we are married. Are. You were best make him your controller. Pha. I think he would discharge it well. But, madam, I hope our hearts are knit; but yet so slow195 The ceremonies of state are, that ’t will be long Before our hands be so. If then you please, Being agreed in heart, let us not wait For dreaming form, but take a little stolen Delights, and so prevent[3195] our joys to come.200 Are. If you dare speak such thoughts, I must withdraw in honour. Exit. Pha. The constitution of my body will never hold out till the wedding; I must seek elsewhere. Exit.205