University of Virginia Library

Enter King, Sortanes, Eumenes, and Cleon.
King.
Are the Gallies come from Rhodes?

Em.
Yes Sir, they ariv'd this evening

King.
Then we're all in readinesse, and if the gods
Smile upon us, those proud sisters shall finde
They have puld downe fire by playing with my anger,
Pretend a vow to peace, and staine their bond by it,
Not to arme but in their owne defence,
Come, twas trecherous and since in our greatest danger
They could leave our friendship to that sudden ruine
That threatned us, they shall find now our vertues
Have wrought through, what enemies we can be
Whose friendship they have despised: and into their
Bosomes Ile throw all the miseries of warre,
Whose single name was such a terrour to em,
Wheres our sister?

Cle.
She went this evening in her galley
To take the ayre.

Ki.
When she returnes tell her I must speake with her
This night, and doe you heare Eumenes,
Let all things be in readinesse to put to sea,
With the morning tide, the winde stands faire still.

Eu.
Yes Sir, the windes faire.

Ki.
What said the Captaine of the Gally that you tooke,
Had they notice of our intent?

Eu.
Yes sir, he sayes they had intelligence,
But they are so unprepared for war, that the
Knowledge was no advantage, they received it
As men stabd in their sleepe, that wake onely
To finde their dangers certaine.

Ki.
Their falshoods have begot their feares, and now
Like cowards they fall upon their owne swords,
Eumenes, let the slaves be well fed to night.

Exit.