Camp. But your Majestie may move a question where you be 115 willing to have a match.
Alex. [aside]. Beleeve me, Hephestion, these parties are agreed; they would have mee both priest and witnesse.—Apelles, take Campaspe! Why move yee not? Campaspe, take Apelles! Will it not be? If you be ashamed one of the other, by my consent you 120 shall never come together. But dissemble not, Campaspe. Doe you love Apelles?
Camp. Pardon, my lord; I love Apelles.
Alex. Apelles, it were a shame for you, being loved so openly of so faire a virgin, to say the contrairie. Do you love Campaspe? 125
Apel. Onely Campaspe!
Alex. Two loving wormes, Hephestion! I perceive Alexander cannot subdue the affections of men, though he[976] conquer their countries. Love falleth, like a dew, as well upon the low grasse as upon the high cedar.[977] Sparkes have their heate, ants their gall, 130 flies their spleene. Well, enjoy one another. I give her thee frankly, Apelles. Thou shalt see that Alexander maketh but a toy of love and leadeth affection in fetters, using fancie as a foole to make him sport or a minstrell to make him merry. It is not the amorous glance of an eye can settle an idle thought in the heart. 135 No, no, it is childrens game, a life for seamsters and schollers; the one, pricking in clouts,[978] have nothing else to think on; the other, picking fancies out of books, have little else to marvaile at. Go, Apelles, take with you your Campaspe; Alexander is cloyed with looking on that which thou wondrest at.[979] 140
Apel. Thankes to your Majestie on bended knee: you have honoured Apelles.
Camp. Thankes with bowed heart: you have blessed Campaspe.
Exeunt [Apelles and Campaspe].
Alex. Page, goe warne Clytus and Parmenio and the other lords to be in a readinesse; let the trumpet sound; strike up the drumme; 145 and I will presently into Persia. How now, Hephestion, is Alexander able to resist love as he list?