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Still music of recorders. Enter Emilia in white, her hair about her shoulders, with a wheaten wreath; one in white holding up her train, her hair stuck with flowers; one before her carrying a silver hind in which is conveyed incense and sweet odors, which being set upon the altar, her maids standing apart, she sets fire to it. Then they curtsy and kneel.

EMILIA [Praying to Diana.] O sacred, shadowy, cold, and constant queen,

Abandoner of revels, mute contemplative,

Sweet, solitary, white as chaste, and pure

As wind-fanned snow, who to thy female knights

Allow'st no more blood than will make a blush,

Which is their order's robe: I here, thy priest,

Am humbled fore thine altar. O, vouchsafe

With that thy rare green eye, which never yet

Beheld thing maculate, look on thy virgin;

And, sacred silver mistress, lend thine ear -- ...

Which ne'er heard scurril term, into whose port

Ne'er entered wanton sound -- to my petition,

Seasoned with holy fear. This is my last

Of vestal office. I am bride-habited,

But maiden-hearted. A husband I have 'pointed,

But do not know him. Out of two, I should

Choose one and pray for his success, but I

Am guiltless of election. Of mine eyes

Were I to lose one, they are equal precious --

I could doom neither: that which perished should ...

Go to't unsentenced. Therefore, most modest queen,

He of the two pretenders that best loves me

And has the truest title in't, let him

Take off my wheaten garland, or else grant

The file and quality I hold I may

Continue in thy band.

[Here the hind vanishes under the altar and in the place ascends

a rose tree having one rose upon it.][to her women.]

See what our general of ebbs and flows

Out from the bowels of her holy altar,

With sacred act, advances -- but one rose!

If well inspired, this battle shall confound ...

Both these brave knights, and I a virgin flower

Must grow alone, unplucked.

[Here is heard a sudden twang of instruments and the

rose falls from the tree.]

The flower is fall'n, the tree descends. [to Diana] O mistress,

Thou here dischargest me -- I shall be gathered.

I think so, but I know not thine own will.

Unclasp thy mystery. [to her women.] I hope she's pleased;

Her signs were gracious. [They curtsy and exeunt.]

Act V, Scene 4

Enter the Doctor, the Jailer, and the Wooer in the habit of Palamon.

DOCTOR Has this advice I told you done any good upon her?

WOOER O, very much. The maids that kept her company

have persuaded her that I am Palamon. Within

this half-hour she came smiling to me, and asked me

what I would eat, and when I would kiss her.

I told her presently, and kissed her twice.

DOCTOR 'Twas well done -- twenty times had been far better,

For there the cure lies mainly.

WOOER Then she told me

She would watch with me tonight, for well she knew

What hour my fit would take me.

DOCTOR Let her do so, ...

And when your fit comes, fit her home,

And presently.

WOOER She would have me sing.

DOCTOR You did so?

WOOER No.

DOCTOR 'Twas very ill done, then.

You should observe her every way.

WOOER Alas,

I have no voice, sir, to confirm her that way.

DOCTOR That's all one, if ye make a noise.

If she entreat again, do anything --

Lie with her if she ask you.

JAILER Ho there, Doctor.

DOCTOR Yes, in the way of cure.

JAILER But first, by your leave, ...

I'th' way of honesty,

DOCTOR That's but a niceness --

Ne'er cast your child away for honesty.

Cure her first this way, then if she will be honest,

She has the path before her.

JAILER Thank ye, Doctor.

DOCTOR Pray bring her in and let's see how she is

WOOER I will, and tell her her Palamon stays for her.

But, Doctor, methinks you are i' th' wrong still. [Exit Jailer.]

DOCTOR Go, go. You fathers are fine fools -- her honesty?

An we should give her physic till we find that --

WOOER Why, do you think she is not honest, sir?

DOCTOR How old is she?

WOOER She's eighteen.

DOCTOR She may be --

But that's all one. 'Tis nothing to our purpose.

Whate'er her father says,