[Exit Piston.
Erastus.
I must confess that Soliman is kind
Past all compare, and more than my desert:
But what helps gay garments, when the mind's oppress'd?
What pleaseth the eye, when the sense is alter'd?
My heart is overwhelm'd with thousand woes,
And melancholy leads my soul in triumph;
No marvel, then, if I have little mind
Of rich embroidery or costly ornaments:
Of honour's titles, or of wealth, or gain:
Of music, viands, or of dainty dames.
No, no; my hope full long ago was lost,
And Rhodes itself is lost, or else destroy'd:
If not destroy'd, yet bound and captivate;
If captivate, then forc'd from holy faith;
If forc'd from faith, for ever miserable:
For what is misery but want of God?
And God is lost, if faith be overthrown.
Enter Soliman.
Soliman.
Why, how now, Erastus, always in thy dumps?
Still in black habit, fitting funeral?
Cannot my love persuade thee from this mood,
Nor all my fair entreats and blandishments?
Wert thou my friend, thy mind would jump with mine;
For what are friends, but one mind in two bodies?
Perhaps thou doubt'st my friendship's constancy;
Then dost thou wrong the measure of my love,
Which hath no measure, and shall never end.
Come, Erastus, sit thee down by me,
And I'll impart to thee our Brusor's news;
News to our honour and to thy content:
The governor is slain, that sought thy death.
Erastus.
A worthy man, though not Erastus' friend.
Soliman.
The Prince of Cyprus, too, is likewise slain.