University of Virginia Library

Scena quarta.

Enter Theagines and Cariclea, to them presentlie Cibile.
Cibile.
My children great Arsace recommends
Her love unto you, who hath sent me here
To serve you in all things that you command,
I'm proud to be imployed in your service
Who am a Grecian too, and borne in Lesbos:
Most beautifull yong man cheere up thy selfe,
I bring thee joyfull newes, Arsace loves thee,
Arsace she whose favour kings have kneel'd for,
Doth kneele to thee petitioning thy love
With rich oblations both of pearle and gold.

Caric.
O heavens, my prophesie is too too true,
My iealousie foresaw this.

Theag.
Tell Arsace
My sister and my selfe both kisse her hands
And doe returne her humble thanks for all
Her noble fauours, but that she doth love me
I thinke it strange, whose husband is a man
So farre beyond my ranke as put in ballance
With worthles me, it would not brooke the triall.
We know you are her hands, her eyes, her eares,
Her minde, her all, for countries sake perswade her
(I doe beseech you) to remove her thoughts
Upon some worthier person; all that we
Desire is onely this, that she would please
To send us backe againe to Calasiris,
And never bring strange banish'd, restlesse lives
Unto so high and excellent a fortune.

Cib.
My sonne be rul'd by me, be not so foolish
To shun this happinesse that courts thee now,
Imbrace it, least hereafter thou repent
Thy over-sight; thou shalt have rule and riches,
Dalliance, and all the fruits of flourishing youth,
If thou but condescend unto her will;
But if thou dost deny, know that she hath
A high and Princely stomack, which nere brooks,
Affronts of such a nature.

Theag.
Tempt me not,
But tell your mistris I despise her lust
As much as prize her love, you shall oblige us
Unto you in a bond of love and kindnesse
To get us leave from her hence to depart
To seeke our fortunes.

Cib.
Obstinate young man,
That wilt not see thy good, Lady perswade
Your brother to some reason, you may hap
To worke upon his nature, and prevaile;
I leave you to your selves.
Exit Cibile.

Caric.
Theagines,
This is no honest dealing, I perceive;
Was it for this she sent us from her table
Such curious viands, and such costly cates?
Was it for this she did adorne our chambers
With stately hangings wrought with sundry colours,
Which came from Sidon and faire Lidia?
Was this her wicked end? would that we were
A hundred leagues from this accursed place,
Or that we never had beheld her face.

Exeunt.