[Gentlemen, this play of Hieronimo in sundry languages was thought good to be set down in English more largely, for the easier understanding to every publique reader.]
Enter BALTHAZAR, BEL-IMPERIA, and
HIERONIMO.
BALTHAZAR. [acting] Bashaw, that Rhodes is ours yield
Heav'ns the honour
And holy Mahomet, our sacred prophet!
And be thou grac'd with every excellence
That Suleiman can give or thou desire!
But thy desert in conquering Rhodes is less
Then in reserving this fair Christian nymph,
Perseda, blissful lamp of excellence,
Whose eyes compel, like powerful adamant,
The warlike heart of Suleiman to wait.
KING. See, viceroy, that is Balthazar your son,
That represents the Emperor Suleiman:
How well he acts his amorous passion!
VICE. Aye; Bel-imperia hath taught him that.
CASTILE: That's because his mind runs all on Bel-imperia.
HIERO. [acting] Whatever joy earth yields betide your Majesty!
BALT. [acting] Earth yields no joy without Perseda's love.
HIERO. [acting] Let then Perseda on your Grace attend.
BALT. [acting] She shall not wait on me, but I on her!
Drawn by the influence of her lights, I yield.
But let my friend, the Rhodian knight, come forth,—
Erasto, dearer than my life to me,—
That he may see Perseda, my belov'd.