_Pen._ Ay, true: to where your late amendment lies. Let us o’erlook these offerings, ere my maids Bear them away.
_Eur._ But first, O queen, Take at my hands the gift I bring, 1570 This yellow-glistening chain,—whereof The amber beads may tell my love, The mesh of golden work between, The homage of my wealth may show,— Worthy of any neck but thine: No lover, mortal nor divine, Who made so fair an offering, But might with pride his gift bestow; Tho’ not to thee Eurymachus. Yet ’tis the best and richest thing 1580 Of countless jewels rich and fine, Stored in his house; and wouldst thou make The rest thine own, he for love’s sake Were not ashamed in giving thus.
_Pen._ My thanks: ’tis brave and sweet attire. Long hath thy wealth been known to me, And grateful would thy marriage be Both to my brethren and my sire. What have we here?
_Ant._ Lady, my gift. This ample robe my servants bear, 1590 White as the snow’s fresh-wandered drift, Light as the air and beautiful, Is woven of the softest wool Our curly highland chilvers wear; Fresh from the loom: and on the robe Twelve golden brooches, globe to globe, With fretted clasps of Syrian art, Which, brought by war to Egypt’s mart, From thence—with many gawds beside, Now mine—my grandsire took, when he, 1600 Crossing in ship the Libyan sea, Sailed up the mighty river wide; But these for beauty stood alone.
_Pen._ I thank thee. This I’ll not deny For some misdeeds may well atone. Who cometh next?
_Amph._ Lady, ’tis I: And give my homage one kind word, I shall not scorn to come but third. My offering is this veil.
_Pen._ O wondrous work and rare! 1610 ’Tis like the golden mail Of Hera’s braided hair, Which every step sets hovering, Her brow discovering.
_Amph._ So ’tis most fit for thee, Rarest Penelope.
_Pen._ Or such methinks love’s queen Across her forehead tieth, Whene’er along the green Of river-banks she hieth, 1620 To cheer with sweet embraces Her sister graces.
_Amph._ Therefore most fit for thee, Queenly Penelope.
_Pen._ Oh, ’tis most fine: I thank thee. Is’t thy meaning That I should wear the veil?
_Ul._ (_aside_). Here is some favour shewn.
_A suitor._ See now my gift, O queen. 1630
_Ul._ (_aside to Amph._). Sir, I would speak with thee.