They shall proceed, what's he?
Phil. A Gentleman belonging to Seleucus that gives notice
He is prepar'd, and waits your royal pleasure.
Qu. He was compos'd for action, give notice
To Arcadius, and admit the challenger:
Let other Princes boast their gaudy tilting,
And mockery of battles, but our triumph
Is celebrated with true noble valour.
Enter Seleucus, Arcadius, at several doors, their Pages before them, bearing their Targets.
Two young men spirited enough to have
Two kingdoms staked upon their swords, Lisimachus
Do not they excellently become their arms?
'Twere pity but they should do something more
Then wave their plumes. [A shout within.
What noise is that?
Enter Macarius, and Eubulus.
Mac. The peoples joy to know us reconcil'd,
Is added to the jubile of the day,
We have no more a faction but one heart,
Peace flow in every bosom.
Eub. Throw away
These instruments of death, and like two friends
Embrace by our example.
Qu. This unfein'd?
Mac. By our duties to your self, dear Madam
Command them not advance, our houses from
This minute are incorporated; happy day
Our eyes at which before revenge look'd forth,
May clear suspition, oh my Arcadius!
Eub. We have found a nearer way to friendship, Madam,
Than by exposing them to fight for us.
Qu. If this be faithful, our desires are blest.
We had no thought to waste, but reconcile
Your bloud this way, and we did prophesie
This happy chance, spring into eithers bosom,
Arcadius and Seleucus, what can now
Be added to this days felicity?
Yes, there is something, is there not my Lord?
While we are Virgin Queen.
Cas. Ha, that string
Doth promise Musick.
Qu. I am yet my Lords
Your single joy, and when I look upon,
What I have took, to manage the great care
Of this most flourishing kingdom, I incline
To think I shall do justice to my self,
If I choose one, whose strength and virtue may
Assist my undertaking, think you Lords,
A Husband would not help?
Lis. No question, Madam,
And he [that [you purpose to make] so] blest
Must needs be worthy of our humblest duty,
It is the general vote.
Qu. We will not then
Trouble Ambassadors to treat with any
Princes abroad, within our own dominion,
Fruitful in honor, we shall make our choice;
And that we may not keep you over long
In [th[e] imagination, from this circle, we
Have purpose to elect; one, whom I shall
Salute a King and Husband.
Lisa. Now my Lord Lisimachus.
Que. Nor shall we in this action be accus'd
Of rashness, since the man we shall declare
Deserving our affection, hath been early
In our opinion, which had reason first
To guide it, and his known nobility
Long marry'd to our thoughts, will justifie
Our fair election.
Phi. Lisimachus blushes.
Cas. Direct our duties, Madam, to pray for him.
Que. Arcadius, you see from whence we come,
Pray lead us back, you may ascend. [She comes from the State.
Cas. How's this? o're-reach'd?
Arc. Madam, be charitable to your humblest creature,
Doe not reward the heart, that falls in duty
Beneath your feet, with making me the burden
Of the Court-mirth, a mockery for Pages,
'Twere Treason in me but to think you meane thus.
Que. Arcadius, you must refuse my love,
Or shame this Kingdom.
Phi. Is the wind in that corner?
Cas. I shall run mad Lisimachus.
Lisi. Sir, contain your self.
Sel. Is this to be believ'd?
Mac. What dream is this?
Phi. He kisses her, now by this day I am glad on't.
Lisa. Mark the Protector.
Ant. Let him fret his heart-strings.
Que. Is the day cloudy on the sudden?
Arc. Gentlemen,
It was not my ambition, I durst never
Aspire so high in thought, but since her Majesty
Hath pleas'd to call me to this honor, I
Will study to be worthy of her grace,
By whom I live.
Que. The Church to morrow shall
Confirme our marriage, noble Lisimachus;
We'll find out other wayes to recompence
Your love to us, set forward, come Arcadius.
Mac. It must be so, and yet let me consider.
Cas. He insults already, policy assist [me,]
To break his neck.
Lisi. Who would trust Woman?
Lost in a pair of minutes, lost, how bright
A morning rose, but now, [and now] 'tis night? [Exeunt.
Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima.
Enter Polidora, and a Servant.
Pol. Oh where shall Virgins look for faith hereafter?
If he prove false, after so many vowes?
And yet if I consider, he was tempted
Above the strength of a young Lover, two
Such glorious courting his acceptance, were
Able to make disloyalty no sin,
At least not seem a fault, a Lady first,
Whose very looks would thaw a man more frozen
Than the Alps, quicken a soul more dead than Winter,
Add to her beauty and perfection,
That she's a Queen, and brings with her a Kingdom
Able to make a great mind forfeit Heaven.
What could the frailty of Arcadius
Suggest, to unspirit him so much, as not
To fly to her embraces, you were present
When she declar'd her self.
Ser. Yes Madam.
Pol. Tell me,
Did not he make a pause, when the fair Queen
A full temptation stood him?
Ser. Very little
My judgment could distinguish, she did no sooner
Propound, but he accepted.
Pol. That was ill,
He might with honor stand one or two minutes,
Me thinks it should have startled him a little,
To have rememberd me, I have deserv'd
At least a cold thought, well, pray give it him.
Ser. I shall.
Pol. When?
Ser. Instantly.
Pol. Not so,
But take a time when his joy swels him most,
When his delights are high and ravishing,
When you perceive his Soul dance in his eyes,
When she that must be his hath drest her beauty,
With all her pride, and sends a thousand Cupids
To call him to the tasting of her lip;
Then give him this, and tell him, while I live,
I'll pray for him.
Ser. I shall. [Exeunt.
Enter Cassander, and Lisimachus.