Plac. To stoicks leave a happiness so mean: Your virtue does deserve a nobler scene. You are not for obscurity designed, But, like the sun, must cheer all human kind.
S. Cath. No happiness can be, where is no rest: Th' unknown, untalked of man is only blest. He, as in some safe cliff, his cell does keep, From whence he views the labours of the deep: The gold-fraught vessel, which mad tempests beat, He sees now vainly make to his retreat; And when, from far, the tenth wave does appear, Shrinks up in silent joy, that he's not there.
Plac. You have a pilot who your ship secures; The monarch both of earth and seas is yours; He, who so freely gives a crown away, Yet asks no tribute but what you may pay. One smile on him a greater wealth bestows, Than Egypt yields, when Nilus overflows.
S. Cath. I cannot wholly innocent appear, Since I have lived such words as these to hear. O heaven, which dost of chastity take care—
Plac. Why do you lose an unregarded prayer? If happiness, as you believe, be rest, That quiet sure is by the gods possest:— 'Tis greatness to neglect, or not to know, The little business of the world below.
S. Cath. This doctrine well befitted him, who thought A casual world was from wild atoms wrought: But such an order in each chance we see, (Chained to its cause, as that to its decree,) That none can think a workmanship so rare Was built, or kept, without a workman's care.
To them Maximin, Attendants, and Guards.
Max. Madam, you from Placidius may have heard Some news, which will your happiness regard; For what a greater happiness can be, Than to be courted and be loved by me? The Egyptian crown I to your hands remit; And, with it, take his heart, who offers it. [She turns aside.
Do you my person and my gift contemn?
S. Cath. My hopes pursue a brighter diadem.