University of Virginia Library

The Third Scene.

Enter King, Geron and Pyrrhus.
King.
Is't possible? my Queen an Adultress?
It cannot be: Be sure Sir, if you accuse her
Falsly, ye shall not onely die, but
Linger out a wretched life in Torments.

Ger.
Sir! if I lye, let me have what death
The witty'st Cruelty can invent.

Pyrr.
I am amaz'd! the Queen and Priest
In Womans Cloathes? strange Circumstance
To meet in the Grotto, this Night? Sure 'tis
Impossible.

Ger.

Sir, I am content to dye fort, if you see not your
self all this to Night.

King.
In the mean time, you'l be content to be secur'd?

Ger.
Sir with all my heart.

King.
Guard! take Geron, and secure him till further order.

Enter Guard, and seizes him.
Pyrr.
Sir! this dreadful news amazes me!

King.
Ah Pyrrhus? in this very Grotto
I met Urania, and forgot the Queen,
Tho' then I thought her faithful,
And as free from any Carnal thoughts
As are departed Souls in th' other world.

Pyrr.
The Gods grant this meeting prove no worse
Than that did.

King.

O Heav'n! methinks I see 'em already in their Lust, yet
sure it cannot be; if I find this Accusation false, it had been better
for this fellow he never had been born.

Pyrr.
Sir, you may yet prevent it.

King.
I may for this time, but I will not harbour
That Devil Jealousie within my breast
For all this World can give me: I am resolv'd
To see the certainty my self; and if
It prove untrue, my Queen shall live with freedom,
As she has ever done, in all my Thoughts,
And her Accuser fall her Sacrifice:
But if she can forget her former Vertue,
I can take as much pleasure to see her blood
Drop from the fatal Sword, as e're I did
To see it blushing on her Cheek, when first
I thought her modest.
Look! where they come—
Enter Queen and Priest.
Let us withdraw; it may be we shall
Discover something.

Priest.
And nothing is more Common
Then this, which is not thought a sin, because
It seems an Impulse of Nature.

King.
Hear'st thou Pyrrhus? I am distracted!

Qu.
The King.

Priest.
All happiness attend your Majesty.

King.
I must contain! how do you Madam?

Qu.
Always happy whilst your Majesty is so.

King.
And what are you discoursing of?

Qu.
Nothing! but good with this good person sure.

King.
What's that you talk of which is not Sin
Because an impulse of Nature?—

Qu.
What do you mean Sir?

Priest.
I know not how we came by Chance to speak
How little wantonness is thought a sin
Because it seemeth an Impulse of Nature.
Whereas the Vertuous still fix their Eyes
On the Command, not the Temptation,
And think't enough, if what Heaven gives as Law
Be Possible, although not Natural.
Aside.)
I would I had had no cause to have said it to her.

King.
'Tis well put off—I shall never hold—
Aside.
To hear this Hypocrite—I must leave you.—

Qu.
I'le wait upon your Majesty! if it may not be a trouble.

King.
To you it may be.—

Ex. King.
Qu.
I see he's unwilling to disappoint Urania.—

Ex. Queen.
Priest.

No, she's rather unwilling to disappoint Neander—well,
for all her cunning, I'le prevent her, my Lord, Farewell.—

Ex. Priest.
Pyrr.
If I dar'd to disobey my Prince, I could prevent
This Tragedy, but what Kings
Please to Command requires obedience, not
Examination: when they once have judg'd,
'Tis want of Judgement if we dare judge too.—

Enter King.
King.
Pyrrhus! I had forgot one thing, thou
Know'st the Prince is expected here to morrow,
And I believe he'l be here early too: It will
Be necessary his coming be retarded,
Till the business be done, that I may know
With what face to receive him, after
All the glorious Actions he has done, I
Would not for a World he should arrive
Before the Examination be over.

Pyrr.
It will be an unhappy entertainment for his Highness:
Would your Majesty have me go my self?

King.

If thou canst handsomely do it, and be back early in the
Morning; it is but riding all Night; in the Morning I shall want
you.

Pyrr.

I shall do it with much Ease, if it be your Majesties pleasure.

King.

I leave you to frame an Excuse to the Prince.

Pyrr.

I'le go Imediately; I hope I shall meet better news to
morrow.—

Ex.
King.
I fear it:
Thus we with them in plotting do consent;
But they plot Crimes, and we plot Punishment:
And little think they in how small a time,
Poor Fools, my Justice shall o'retake their Crime.
Men were too happy if they understood
There is no safety but in being Good.—

Ex.