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Fie, let her stay, and send some messenger

To certifie our pleasure.

DONO.

What meanes your Grace?

AUREL.

To give her time of rest to her long Journey;

We would not willingly be thought uncivil.

ARTES.

Great King of Brittain, let it not seem strange,

To embrace the Princely Offers of a friend,

Whose vertues with thine own, in fairest merit,

Both States in Pace and Love may now inherit.

AUREL.

She speakes of Love agen:

Sure, 'tis my fear, she knows I do not hate her.

ARTES.

Be, then, thy self, most great Aurelius,

And let not envy nor a deeper sin

In these thy Councellors deprive thy goodness

Of that fair honor we in seeking peace

Give first to thee, who never use to sue

But force our wishes. Yet, if this seems light,

Oh, let my sex, though worthless your respect,

Take the report of thy humanity,

Whose mild and vertuous life loud fame displayes,

As being o'recome by one so worthy praise.

AUREL.

She has an Angels tongue. - Speak still.

DONO.

This flattery is gross, sir; hear no more on't. -

Lady, these childish complements are needless;

You have your answer, and believe it, madam,

His Grace, though yong, doth wear within his breast

Too grave a Councellor to be seduc't

By smoothing flattery or oyly words.

ARTES.

I come not, sir, to wooe him.

DONO.

'Twere folly, if you should; you must not wed him.

AUR.

Shame take thy tongue! Being old and weak thy self,

Thou doat'st and looking on thine own defects,

Speak'st what thou'dst wish in me. Do I command

The deeds of others, mine own act not free?

Be pleas'd to smile or frown, we respect neither:

My will and rule shall stand and fall together.

Most fair Artesia, see the king descends

To give thee welcome with these warlike Saxons,

And now on equal terms both sues and grants:

Instead of Truce, let a perpetual League

Seal our united bloods in holy marriage;

Send the East Angles King this happy news,

That thou with me hast made a League for ever,

And added to his state a friend and brother.

Speak, dearest Love, dare you confirm this Title?

ARTES.

I were no woman to deny a good

So high and noble to my fame and Country.

AUREL.

Live, then, a Queen in Brittain.

GLOST.

He meanes to marry her.

DONO.

Death! he shall marry the devil first! Marry a Pagan, an Idolater?

CADOR.

He has won her quickly.

EDWIN.

She was woo'd afore she came, sure,

Or came of purpose to conclude the Match.

AUREL.

Who dares oppose our will? My Lord of Gloucester,

Be you Embassador unto our Brother,

The Brother of our Queen Artesia;

Tell him for such our entertainment looks him,

Our marriage adding to the happiness

Of our intended joys; mans good or ill

In this like waves agree, come double still.

Enter HERMIT

Who's this? the Hermit? Welcome, my happiness!

Our Countries hope, most reverent holy man,

I wanted but thy blessing to make perfect

The infinite sum of my felicity.

HERMIT.

Alack, sweet Prince, that happiness is yonder,

Felicity and thou art far asunder;

This world can never give it.

AUREL.

Thou art deceiv'd: see here what I have found,

Beauty, Alliance, Peace, and strength of Friends,

All in this all exceeding excellence:

The League's confirm'd.

HERMIT.

With whom, dear Lord?

AUREL.

With the great Brother of this Beauteous woman,

The Royal Saxon King.

HERMIT.

Oh, then I see,

And fear thou art too near thy misery.

What magick could so linck thee to this mischief?

By all the good that thou hast reapt by me,

Stand further from destruction.

AUREL.

Speak as a man, and I shall hope to obey thee.

HERMIT.

Idolaters, get hence! fond King, let go:

Thou hug'st thy ruine and thy Countries woe.

DONO.

Well spoke, old Father; too him, bait him soundly.

Now, by heavens blest Lady, I can scarce keep patience.

1. SAXON LORD.

What devil is this?

2. SAXON LORD.

That cursed Christian, by whose hellish charmes

Our army was o'rethrown.

HERMIT.

Why do you dally, sir? Oh, tempt not heaven;

Warm not a serpent in your naked bosom: