 | The Queene of Corinth |  |
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Queene, Euphanes, Conon, Lords.Lord.
'Twere better treat with 'em.
Quee.
I will no Treaties
With a League-breaker and a Rebell; shall I
Article with a Traitor? be compell'd
To yeeld an innocent unto their fury
Whom I have prov'd so to you?
Euph.
Gracious Queene,
Though your owne god-like disposition
Would succour vertue, and protect the right,
Yet for the publike good, for the deare safety
Of your most Royall onely Son, consent
To give me up the sacrifice to their malice:
My life is aym'd at, and 'twere better farre
The blood of twenty thousand such as I
Purpled our Seas, then that your Princely Son
Should be endanger'd.
Quee.
Still well said honest Foole,
Were their demand but one haire from thy head,
By all the gods il'd scorne 'em: were they here,
The Majesty that dwels upon this brow
Should strike 'em on their knees: As for my Son,
Let 'em no more dare then they'l answer, I
An equall Mother to my Country, am,
And every vertuous Son of it is son
Unto my bosome, tender as mine owne.
Con.
Oh, you are heavenly Madam, and the gods
Can suffer nothing passe to injure you:
The life that Conon promis'd, he stands now
Ready to pay with joy.
Quee.
Farewell both,
Successe attend you: you have Souldiers been,
Tam Marte quam Mercurio: if you bring not peace
Bring me their heads.
Con.
I will put faire for one.
Exit Quee. Lords.
Euph.
Double the Guard upon her Highnesse Person;
Conon, you must performe a friendly part,
Which I shall counsell you.
Con.
I am your Servant
Exeunt.
| The Queene of Corinth | |