 | The Strange Discovery |  |
Scena secunda.
Enter Arsace and her old baud Cibile.Arsa.
So sweet a man as thy description makes him?
Cib.
Nothing inferiour Madame, but beyond it;
His body is a Temple stately built,
Where Uenus comes and offers turtle doves
To gaine his liking.
Arsa.
Such a majesty
Accompanying that sweetnesse too?
As if
They wedded were together, hand in hand
Walking in so delectable a mansion.
Arsa.
So active and broad shoulder'd as thou saist,
So tall and portly?
Cib.
Every way provided
To satisfie your pleasure.
Arsa.
Thou hast kindled
A fire within me; but what Countrey ownes
This wonder of a man? when landed he
At Memphis shore? who brought him, canst thou tell?
Cib.
He came with Calasiris from some parts
Of Greece, as I am given to understand,
And landed here last night.
Arsa.
Where doth he lodge?
Cib.
In Calasiris house without the Temple.
Arsa.
Thou must devise some way to bring him to me,
And lodge him in our palace, for I have
An itching humour to enjoy the man.
Cib.
Let me alone, I am your Ingineer
To worke your pleasure.
Arsa.
But who is the maid
Thou saist did beare him company, and was
So neere his bosome?
Cib.
I suppose she is
His sister or his wife.
Arsa.
Is she faire as he?
Cib.
I never saw one fairer, such a beauty
As would have made Iove stoope, and shaken off
His Eagles borrowed shape, to force a kisse
From her Nectorious hand.
Arsa.
Thou mak'st me jealous
With praises of my rivall.
Cib.
Let not that
Trouble your thoughts, he cannot be so foolish,
That when so great a happinesse shall be
Offer'd unto him as the love and liking
Of faire Arsace Oroondates wife,
Kneele downe, and worship such a change in love.
Arsa.
If thou canst bring, deare nurse, this thing to passe,
Thou shalt at once cure two diseases in me,
Fell love and jealousie.
Cib.
I doubt it not;
What mad man but will be content to change
His Brasse for Gold, his Copper for rich pearle?
Both which he shall enjoy, enjoying you.
Arsa.
O what a sugred time have I to use
My sweet disports now that the Deputy
My husband is imployed in the warre
Against Hydaspes King of Æthiopia
About the Smaragd mines, pray heaven they end not
Before my pleasures period.
Cib.
Never feare it.
You shall have time ynough to bathe in blisse.
Arsa.
See Cibile who knocks there.
one knocks.
Cib.
Calasiris
And the faire parties.
Arsa.
Heavens! conduct them in.
Enter Calasiris, Theagines and Cariclea.
Calas.
All haile unto the Palace of my Prince,
Madame it may seem strange unto your Highnesse,
That I presume to bring these strangers with me
To kisse your Princely hands; I make no doubt
But when you shall be well informed of
Their birth and breeding, it wil plead my pardon.
Arsa.
What need this complement? you'r welcome sir,
So are your friends, when did you ever know me
Unkind to strangers, or inhospitable
To such as these, whose outward lookes declare
Their inward minds, and speake their noble parts?
So elegant a grace and stately beauty,
As shineth in their countenances cannot
Proceed but from some Princely pedegree,
Pray sir speake whence you are?
Theag.
Most beautious Lady,
Descended of a Noble family,
Which ne're produced yet unworthy branches,
Let it suffice (I doe beseech your Grace)
We open it no further; we have beene
Rob'd on the sea by pyrates, but redeem'd
By Noble Calasiris, and brought here
To Memphis stately City.
Arsa.
Is this Lady
Your sister, or your wife?
Theag.
My sister Madame,
Tost equally with me by fortunes blasts.
Arsa.
but now those stormes are past, and you are in
A quiet harbour: pleasant calmes appeare.
Sir, I must rob you of your ghests.
Calas.
I durst not
Deny you Madame, though I must confesse
I should to any other.
Arsa.
Cibile,
Prepare their lodging neere our owne, and let
No costly furniture be wanting there,
Cib.
It shall be done with speed.
Arsa.
My noble ghests,
I know not if you would retire alone
Into your private chambers, travell doth
Require repose, please you to follow me,
Ile be your glad conductor.
Caric.
O I feare
This kindnesse is some love plot on my deare.
Exeunt.
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