_Cari._ [_aside_]. O friendly Fortune, now thou show'st thy power In raising up my son from banish'd state Unto the top of thy most mighty wheel! But, what be these which at his sacred feet Do seem to plead for mercy at his hands? I'll go and sift this matter to the full. [_Goes toward_ ALPHONSUS, _and speaks to one of his soldiers._ Sir knight, an may a pilgrim be so bold To put your person to such mickle pain For to inform me what great king is this, And what these be, which, in such woful sort, Do seem to seek for mercy at his hands?
_Sol._ Pilgrim, the king that sits on stately throne Is call'd Alphonsus; and this matron hight Fausta, the wife to Amurack the Turk; That is their daughter, fair Iphigena; Both which, together with the Turk himself, He did take prisoners in a battle fought.
_Alphon._ [_spying out_ CARINUS]. And can the gods be found so kind to me As that Carinus now I do espy? 'Tis he indeed.--Come on, Albinius: The mighty conquest which I have achiev'd, And victories the which I oft have won, Bring not such pleasure to Alphonsus' heart As now my father's presence doth impart. [ALPHONSUS _and_ ALBINIUS _go toward_ CARINUS: ALPHONSUS _stands looking on him._
_Cari._ What, ne'er a word, Alphonsus? art thou dumb? Or doth my presence so perturb thy mind That, for because I come in pilgrim's weed, You think each word which you do spend to me A great disgrace unto your name to be? Why speak'st thou not? if that my place you crave, I will be gone, and you my place shall have.
_Alphon._ Nay, father, stay; the gods of heaven forbid That e'er Alphonsus should desire or wish To have his absence whom he doth account To be the loadstar[52] of his life! What, though the Fates and Fortune, both in one, Have been content to call your loving son From beggar's state unto this princely seat, Should I therefore disdain my agèd sire? No, first both crown and life I will detest, Before such venom breed within my breast. What erst I did, the sudden joy I took To see Carinus in such happy state, Did make me do, and nothing else at all, High Jove himself do I to witness call.
_Cari._ These words are vain; I knew as much before. But yet, Alphonsus, I must wonder needs That you, whose years are prone to Cupid's snares, Can suffer such a goddess as this dame Thus for to shed such store of crystal tears. Believe me, son, although my years be spent, Her sighs and sobs in twain my heart do rent.