Queen. What honour can come equal to my state,
As by so high a match? And 'gainst your person
The envious cannot find a quarrel.
Asc. Madam,
All this is circumstance the politic
Busy their fancy with. I bring a love,
An humble love, which is of value to
Ennoble the parch'd labourer, and force
An empress listen to his vows. Consider
In me nothing of fortune; only look
On that to which love new-created me.
If once receiv'd your servant, what's Castile
In the comparison? For princes are
Too bold, if they bring wealth and victory
To enter competition with those treasures
A lover aims at in his mistress' favour.
May I not hope your smile?
Queen. You must command it.
Asc. Then give me leave to whisper to my hopes
What strange felicities I shall enjoy.
Queen. But, sir, consider how you gave away
To your Florentio all that claim you might
Have to me, as so great a neighbouring prince.
Asc. It was a gift my ignorance made, which I
Was cosen'd in; for had my eye been honour'd
With sight of such a beauty, safer he
Might have petition'd for my sceptre, and
The grant had not so soon begot repentance.
Queen. But promises of princes must not be
By after-arts evaded. Who dares punish
The breach of oath in subjects, and yet slight
The faith he hath made them keep?
Asc. But my Florentio
Hath given me back his interest.
Queen. That gift
Was like a vow extorted, which religion
Cancels, as forc'd from conscience.
Asc. But yourself
Are free, and never by an oath made his.