University of Virginia Library

SCÆNA III.

Lyncestes, Polydamas:
Lync:
This must needes be conspiracy; There is
A Riddle in't my Lord, which you and I
Cannot unfold. It must be Time, the Mother
Of Truth, which must expound this Mystery,
How should they draw their Fleet up else? By what
Instinct, or marke, should they know so exactly
The Shippe the Ladies were in, As if they
Had hung their Petticoats for sailes up, or
Had turn'd their Gownes to streamers? Single it out
From all the rest, and take 'em? As if one
Oth' Princesses had beene a signe oth' Vessell,
And stood forth the Roxane, or Barsene,
Instead oth' Centaure, Andromeda, or Castor?

Polyd:
They did not bring a Thracian Prophet with them,
Or call Tyresias from the Elysian Groves,
To be their Oracle, to tell them justly
The Criticall Point, and Minute of our passage.
'Tis now just stealth for stealth; our King transported
One paire of blacke eyes, And they've seized a Carricke,
And Ship full of them.

Lync:
I will straight put to Sea,
In their pursuite. If they be not transform'd
Into Sea-Nimphs; Or hide their watry Deities
'Mongst Eeles, and Dolphins. I will rescue them.

Polyd:
'Twill concerne me to stay here, and compose
Those Frights oth' City; which this newes hath put
Into a posture of Confusion.
At your returne we will to th'King; And let
Him know the Accident. Meane time, In hope
You'l bring them home true Ladies, as they went.
That's humane Ladies, purely made of Flesh;
Or else true Mermaides, that is, Ladies made
Halfe Fish, halfe Flesh, I'le stop all Messengers.
The newes will but disturbe his Victories.

Exeunt