MAR. I am well pleas'd, and with a doubtful foe You have good reason thus to capitulate: Then hang your colours forth, extend your thought. Muster your strongest powers of strictest wit; And when your reason's best artillery's bent, Love not my love, if't be not excellent.
CYP. I have not seen a war breed better wit. Or passion draw on more delightfulness: Proceed in your contention, for we boast, That love is best which is approved most. But now to revels, since our tragic scene Is turn'd to comic mirthful constancy; Instead of mourning, we will dance and banquet, And fill our empty veins with all delights: For oft we find that storms and sorrows prove The best forerunners of a happy love.
EPIRE. He will, but he will not: loves, but cannot like. Will and affection in this prince are like Two buckets, which do never both ascend; Or those star-twins which shine out in one sphere. O Philocles, I see thy soul grows fat, And feeds upon the glories of thy[188] fame; But I'll forestall thine epileptic fits; And by my plots breed thy destruction. Revenge now rules as sovereign of my blood, And others' ruins shall advance my good, Which once attain'd to, I will prove ambitious, Great men, like gods, are ne'er thought vicious. Now, Philocles, stand fast; king, guard thy crown, For by this brain you both shall tumble down. [_Exit._
_Enter_ VELOURS _and_ DRAP, PRECEDENT _sitting at_ _his desk_.
VEL. This is his chamber; let's enter, here's his clerk.
PRE. _Fondling, said she, since I have hemm'd thee here,_ _Within the circuit of this ivory pale._[189]
DRAP. I pray you, sir, help us to the speech of your master.
PRE. _I'll be a park, and thou shalt be my deer:_ He is very busy in his study. _Feed where thou wilt, in mountain or on dale:_ Stay awhile, he will come out anon. _Graze on my lips, and when those mounts are dry,_ _Stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie._ Go thy way, thou best book in the world!
VEL. I pray you, sir, what book do you read?
PRE. A book that never an orator's clerk in this kingdom but is beholden unto; it is called "Maids' Philosophy, or Venus and Adonis." Look you, gentlemen, I have divers other pretty books.
DRAP. You are very well-stored, sir; but I hope your master will not stay long.