Queen. Tis done!
[Clapping her hand on ASTERIA,
But this pang more, and then a glorious birth.—
The tumults of this day, my loyal subjects,
Have settled in my heart a resolution,
Happy for you, and glorious too for me.
First, for my cousin; tho', attempting on my person,
He has incurred the danger of the laws,
I will not punish him.
Lys. You bind me ever to my loyalty.
Queen. Then that I may oblige you more to it,
I here declare you rightful successor,
And heir immediate to my crown:
This, gentlemen—[To the deputies.
I hope will still my subjects' discontents,
When they behold succession firmly settled.
Dep. Heaven preserve your majesty!
Queen. As for myself, I have resolved
Still to continue as I am, unmarried:
The cares, observances, and all the duties
Which I should pay an husband, I will place
Upon my people; and our mutual love
Shall make a blessing more than conjugal,
And this the states shall ratify.
Lys. Heaven bear me witness, that I take no joy In the succession of a crown, Which must descend to me so sad a way.
Queen. Cousin, no more; my resolution's past Which fate shall never alter.
Phil. Then I am once more happy;
For, since none must possess her, I am pleased
With my own choice, and will desire no more:
For multiplying wishes is a curse.
That keeps the mind still painfully awake.
Queen. Celadon.
Your care and loyalty have this day obliged me;
But how to be acknowledging, I know not,
Unless you give the means.
Cel. I was in hope your majesty had forgot me; therefore, if you please, madam, I'll only beg a pardon for having taken up arms once to-day against you; for I have a foolish kind of conscience, which I wish many of your subjects had, that will not let me ask a recompence for my loyalty, when I know I have been a rebel.