University of Virginia Library

Scæna I.

Enter Nicetes. Aramnes.
Nic.
I have observed it too, but the cause is
As unknown to me as actions done in Countries
Not found out yet.

Ara.
Some Wench, my life to a brasse-Farthing.

Nic.
As like as may be:
We Souldiers are all given that way; especially
When our blood boils high, and pulses beat
Alarums to Cupid's Battels; We'r apter
To sally on a young flaming Girl,
Then on an Enemy that braves it before our Trenches.

Ara.
I ask it not to know his privacies;
For if his freedom doth not acquaint me with them,
Let them be secret still—yet I could wish
An opportunity to tell him, a little circumspection
Would be handsom, and set a gloss upon all.
Times might be chosen of less publick notice:
It looks so poorly in a Prince to be thus careless
Of his own affairs: men do so talk on't—
Here comes Inophilus; if any body knows,
It must be he.

Enter Inophilus.
Ino.
Your servant, Captains; saw you the Prince to day?

Nic.
Not we: we hop't to hear of him from you.

Ino.
'Tis strange a man adorn'd with so much
Wisdom, should on the sudden fall off from the
Care of his own fame! I am his Friend, and so
I know are you; but to speak plainly to you,
He's grown my wonder now, as much as other mens.
I that have found a sweetness in his company
Beyond what ever Lovers dream of in a Mistris,

That as he spoke, methought have smelt the air prefum'd; nor
could have wish't a joy greater then living with him, next those
of Heav'n, and those prefer'd the more, because I knew Plangus
would be there.

I say, even I of late am grown out of love with any
thing that's Mortal; since I have found Plangus so far beneath,
(I will not say my expectations) but the assurances all good
men had of future gallantry. Hee's melancholly now, and hath
thrown off the spirit which so well became him, and all that
sweetness which bewitcht men's hearts is grown so rugged, so
incompos'd to all commerce, men fear hee'l shortly quarrel
with himself. Nay more, he doth not answer the fondness of his
Father's love with half that Joy he us'd to do.

Ara.

'Tis now about a Week I have observ'd this alteration;
it shakes him like an Ague once in two dayes; but holds him longer
then a fit oth' Gout: They whisper about the Court as if
the King had chid him for it, and now at length found his
thaunts.

Ino.

A poor discovery! Who might not find 'em out that
would be so uncivil: I was about to follow him, but thought
it an ignoble way, beneath the Name of Friendship, and so desisted.
About four dayes ago, meeting him ith' long Gallery, I

ask't him how he did, taking me by the hand, he wrung it, and
after a sigh or two, told me, Not very well—But he had business,
and so we parted. I saw him not agen in twenty hours after;
and then I askt him where he had been so long: He told
me (as if he was ashamed to deny me such a poor request) I must
not know; and when I told him, his often absence was observ'd.
Is it, saith he? I cannot help it, but it shall no more be so; and
at the last he stole away: Since when I saw him not.

Nic.
O this wicked Peace: Inophilus!
Is there no hopes of Warre?
To lye at home to see our Armours rust;
We could keep the Prince sober and merry too,
If he would but exchange his Court for a Camp.

Ino.
The King is old, and dotes upon his Son.
Is loth to venter him to danger:
Yet at this time there is occasion.

The Argives have refus'd to pay their tribute, and are for certain
preparing for Invasion: Some say they have got into Iberia
already.

Ara.
Nay then there's hopes:

If we could but find the Prince with a buff Coat again, I should
be once more merry.

Exeunt.