Cand. My happiness is more than I can utter!
Lys. Methinks I could do violence on myself, for taking arms
Against a queen, so good, so bountiful:
Give me leave, madam, in my ecstasy
Of joy, to give you thanks for Philocles:—
You have preserved my friend, and now he owes not
His fortunes only to your favour; but,
What's more, his life, and, more than that, his love.
I am convinced, she never loved him now;
Since by her free consent, all force removed,
She gives him to my sister.
Flavia was an impostor, and deceived me. [Aside.
Phil. As for me, madam, I can only say, That I beg respite for my thanks; for, on a sudden, The benefit's so great, it overwhelms me.
Ast. Mark but the faintness of the acknowledgement. [To the Queen, aside.
Queen to Ast.] I have observed it with you, and am pleased, He seems not satisfied; for I still wish That he may love me.
Phil. I see Asteria deluded me,
With flattering hopes of the queen's love.
Only to draw me off from Lysimantes:
But I will think no more on't.
I'm going to possess Candiope,
And I am ravished with the joy on't!—ha!
Not ravished neither.
For what can be more charming than that queen!
Behold how night sits lovely on her eye-brows,
While day breaks from her eyes! then a crown too:
Lost, lost, for ever lost; and now 'tis gone,
Tis beautiful.—[Aside.
Ant. How he eyes you still! [To the queen.
Phil. Sure I had one of the fallen angels' dreams; All heaven within this hour was mine! [Aside.
Cand. What is it, that disturbs you, dear?
Phil. Only the greatness of my joy: I've ta'en too strong a cordial, love, And cannot yet digest it.