Scene changes to another apartment in the palace. Enter Megra and Pharamond. Meg. What then am I? a poor neglected ftale? Have I then been an idle toying fhe, To fool away an hour or two withal, Megra. Patience! I fhall go mad! why, I fhall be A mark for all the pages of the court To fpend their wit upon! Pha. It fhall not be. She, whofe difhonour is not known abroad, Megra, Not difhonour'd! Have we then been so chary of our fame, Pha. Ceafe your complaints, reproachful and unkind! What could I do? Obedience to my father, Megra. Megra. Talk not of Arethufa! She, I know, Would fain get rid of her moft precious bargain. She is for fofter dalliance; fhe has got A cherub, a young Hylas, an Adonis ! Megra. She, good faith, has her Bellario! Sing, play upon the lute, with hand and voice Binding your thoughts in fleep: She does provide him For you and for herself. Pha. Injurious Megra! Oh, add not shame to shame! to rob a lady Amongst the people, fruitful to increase Megra. It fhall be known. Nay, more, by heav'n 'tis true! a thousand things Speak it, beyond all contradiction, true: Obferve how brave fhe keeps him; how he ftands For ever at her beck! There's not an hour, Sacred howe'er to female privacy, But But he's admitted; and in open court Their tell-tale eyes hold foft discourse together. Why, why is all this? Think you fhe's content To look upon him? Pha. Make it but appear That fhe has play'd the wanton with this ftripling, Her foul dishonour. I'll difgrace her first, Megra. You are resolv'd ? Pha. Moft conftantly. Megra. The reft remains with me : I will produce fuch proofs, that the fhall know To ftand a mean attendant in her chamber, And fly as far. I will about it ftraight. Expect news from me, Pharamond. Farewell. Pharamond alone. True or not true, one way I like this well, [Exit. For I fufpect the princess loves me not. Muft Muft follow, and I'm quit of her for ever: If the prove faithful, or repulfe her fham'd. [Exit. Scene, the Prefence Chamber. Enter Dion, Cleremont, Thrafiline, Megra, and Galated.. Dion. Come, ladies, fhall we talk a round? Gal. "Tis laté. Megra. 'Tis all My eyes will do to lead me to my bed. Enter Pharamond. Thra. The prince! Pha. Not a-bed, ladies? You're good fitters-up. What think you of a pleasant dream, to last 'Till morning? Enter Arethufa and Bellario. Are. "Tis well, my lord, you're courting of ladies. Is't not late, gentlemen? Clere. Clere. Yes, madam. Are. Wait you there. [Exit Arethufa. Megra. She's jealous, as I live. Look you, my lord, The princess has a boy! Pha. His form is angel-like! Dion. Serves he the princess? Dion. "Tis a fweet boy! Pha. Ladies all, good reft: I mean to kill a buck To-morrow morning, ere you've done your dreams. [Exit Pharamond. Megra. All happiness attend your grace! gentlemen, good rest. Gal. All, good night. [Exeunt Gal. and Megra. Dion. May your dreams be true to you! What fhall we do, gallants? 'Tis late. The king Is up ftill. See, he comes, and Arethusa With him. Enter King, Arethufa and guard. King. Look your intelligence be true. |