[Then he crowns Perseda.
Perseda, for my sake, wear this crown.—
Now is she fairer than she was before;
This title so augments her beauty, as the fire
That lay, with honour's hand rak'd up in ashes,
Revives again to flames: the force is such.
Remove the cause, then the effect will die;
They must depart, or I shall not be quiet. [Aside.
Erastus and Perseda, marvel not,
That all in haste I wish you to depart;
There is an urgent cause, but privy to myself:
Command my shipping for to waft you over.
My gracious lord, when Erastus doth forget
This favour, then let him live abandoned and forlorn.
Perseda.
Nor will Perseda slack ev'n in her prayers;
But still solicit God for Soliman,
Whose mind hath prov'd so good and gracious.
[Exeunt.
Soliman.
Farewell, Erastus: Perseda, farewell too!
Methinks, I should not part with two such friends,
The one so renowned for arms and courtesy,
The other so adorned with grace and modesty:
Yet of the two Perseda moves me most,
Ay, and so moves me, that I now repent,
That e'er I gave away my heart's desire;
What was it but abuse of fortune's gift?
And therefore fortune now will be reveng'd;
What was it but abuse of love's command?
And therefore mighty love will be reveng'd.
Heav'ns, love, and fortune, all three have decreed,
That I shall love her still, and lack her still:
Like ever-thirsting, wretched Tantalus.
Foolish Soliman, why did I strive
To do him kindness, and undo myself?
Well-govern'd friends do first regard themselves.
Brusor.