PHILAS TER,

A C T

I.

SCENE, an antichamber in the palace.

H'

Enter Dion, Cleremont, and Thrafiline.

Cleremont.

ERE's nor lords nor ladies.

Dion. Credit me, gentlemen, I wonder at it. They receiv'd strict charge from the king to attend here: Befides, it was boldly publifh'd, that no officer fhould forbid any gentlemen that defired to attend and hear.

Clere. Can you guess the cause ?

Dion. Sir, it is plain, about the Spanish prince, that's come to marry our kingdom's heir, and be our fovereign.

Clere. Many, that will feem to know much, fay, fhe looks not on him like a maid in love.

Thra. They fay too, moreover, that the lady Megra

Megra (fent hither by the queen of Spain, Pharamond's mother, to grace the train of Arethusa, and attend her to her new home, when efpoused to the prince) carries herself somewhat too familiarly towards Pharamond; and it is whisper'd, that there is too close an intercourfe between him and that lady.

Dion. Troth, perhaps, there may; tho' the multitude (that feldom know any thing but their own opinions) fpeak what they would have. But the prince, before his own approach, receiv'd fo many confident meffages from the state, and bound himfelf by fuch indiffoluble engagements, that I think their nuptials must go forwards, and that the prin cefs is refolv'd to be ruled.

Clere. Sir, is it thought, with her he shall enjoy both these kingdoms. of Sicily and Calabria ?

Dion. Sir, it is, without controverfy, fo meant. But 'twill be a troublesome labour for him to enjoy. both thefe kingdoms with fafety, the right heir to one of them living, and living fo virtuously; especially, the people admiring the bravery of his mind, and lamenting his injuries.

Clere. Who? Philafter?

Dion. Yes; whofe father, we all know, was by our late king of Calabria unrighteously depos'd from

his fruitful Sicily. Myfelf drew fome blood in those wars, which I would give my hand to be wash'd from.

Clere. Sir, my ignorance in state-policy will not let me know, why, Philafter being heir to one of these kingdoms, the king fhould fuffer him to walk abroad with fuch free liberty.

Dion. Sir, it seems, your nature is more constant than to enquire after state-news. But the king, of late, made a hazard of both the kingdoms of Sicily and his own, with offering but to imprison Philafter. At which the city was in arms, not to be charm'd down by any ftate-order or procla mation, till they faw Philafter ride through the streets pleas'd, and without a guard; at which they threw their hats, and their arms, from them; fome to make bonfires, fome to drink, all for his delive rance: Which, wife men say, is the cause the king labours to bring in the power of a foreign nation to awe his own with. [Flourish.

Thra. Peace, the king.

Scene draws, and difcovers the King, Pharamond, Arethufa, and train.

King. To give a stronger teftimony of love Than fickly promises (which commonly

VOL. III.

C

In

In princes find both birth and burial

In one breath) we have drawn you, worthy Sir,
To make your fair endearments to our daughter,
And worthy fervices known to our subjects,
Now lov'd and wonder'd at: next, our intent
To plant you deeply, our immediate heir,
Both to our blood and kingdoms. For this lady,
(The beft part of your life, as you confirm me,
And I believe) though her few years and fex
Yet teach her nothing but her fears and blushes;
Think not, dear Sir, these undivided parts,
That muft mould up a virgin, are put on
To fhew her fo, as borrow'd ornaments;
To speak her perfect love to you, or add
An artificial fhadow to her nature.
Last, noble son, (for so I now must call you)
What I have done thus publick, is not only
To add a comfort in particular

To you or me, but all; and to confirm

The nobles, and the gentry of these kingdoms,
By oath to your fücceffion, which shall be
Within this month at moft.

Pha. Kiffing your white hand, miftrefs, I take

leave

To thank your royal father; and thus far,
To be my own free trumpet. Understand,

Great

Great king, and these your subjects! Gentlemen,
Believe me in a word, a prince's word,
There shall be nothing to make up a kingdom
Mighty, and flourishing, defenced, fear'd,
Equal to be commanded and obey'd,
But through the travels of my life I'll find it,
And tie it to this country. And I vow,
My reign shall be so easy to the subject,
That ev'ry man fhall be his prince himself,
And his own law (yet I his prince and law).
And, dearest lady, let me fay, you are

The bleffed'ft living; for, fweet princess, you
Shall make him your's, for whom great queens

muft die.

Thra. Miraculous!

Clere. This fpeech calls him Spaniard, being nothing but

A large inventory of his own commendations. But here comes one more worthy those large fpeeches,

Than the large fpeaker of them.

Enter Philafter:

Phi. Right noble Sir, as low as my obedience, And with a heart as loyal as my knee,

I beg your favour.

C 2

King.