[In this strain Mariana came to Philocles.
Phil. Madam, methinks this chance is better than the first.
Mar. Ay, if the music would not alter it.
Queen. Methinks 'tis worse; come, we will have
Another strain. [They dance again.
Phil. I'm pleas'd;[210] let us proceed.
Cyp. Rivals in crowns and beds of kings must bleed.
Can that fair house contain so foul a guest
As lust, or cloak inordinate base desires,[211]
Under so fair a coverture? O yes,
Women can blind our sense when we see best,
And set fair landskips on inconstancy,
Making us blind with seeing. The dance ends:
Your sins are blackest, breach of love and friends.
Epire. Now to the king; blow, rage, till it flame hate;
A politician thrives the best in state.
[Exit Epire, and enters to the King again.
Queen. Come, sweet Prince Philocles,
Devise some new delights to shorten time;
This dulness hath no relish in my sense,
It hath no pith; and sloth in my conceit
Is but a type of pride in best constructions.[212]
Mar. Madam, I'll stand, that a fair woman
Must be proud, or else a fool.