Poems on several occasions written by the Honoura ble Sir Robert Howard.

ACT 2. SCEN. 2.

Enter Princess, Phylena.

Prin.

THat I had wings, Phylena; this revenge Justice it self will follow.

Phyl.

Pray heaven, Madam, no designer Has been before us.

Prin.

It is my fear.

Phyl.

But yet, You may be confident of your father's temper, Which does dispence Justice with deliberation Besides your interest.

Prin.

Would we could learn what were become of him. They still pursue him, sure; and heaven preserve His noble life from an untimely fate. How the State-rascalls too were pleased VVith the suspition of a trecherous danger; And grew as busie as a new wak't Fly, At the first news of Summer.

Phyl.

There is a basenesse runs through all their veins, And ranckles in their bloods, which to their children Descends; a loath'd Inheritance.

Prin.

But who are these?

Enter Amione and Follower.

Phyl.

A very handsom person.

Prin.

Extreamly fair, I swear; she bends this way.

she kneels.

Amio.

Excellent Princesse— Pardon the rude griefs of a distressed Maid,

That throws her at your feet; for your clear eyes (VVhich sends a comfort upon pleased beholders) To see and pitty; you, that nature gave Perfections above all; 'tis you alone VVe must believe excells in goodnesse too. Nothing that's ill can have so fair a dwelling. You shall have still a Virgin's prayer, That yours may ne're successlesse fly To those above, that those fair blossoms Never have cares for to disturb their calmnesse, Or force a wrincle on those snowy plains; But may the beauty of a peace within, Preserve and equall those your outward lu••••res.

Prin.

Rise, pretty Maid, you should have ask'd and tri'd, VVhether at first I had been worth these prayers. She must be very good that does deserve 'em. See, Phylena, flowers, I swear,

she rises weeping

Receive not so much sweetnesse from fresh drops, As she from those. Her grief adds to her sweetnesse. VVhat is it, gentle Maid, you would desire? Promise your self, if I can help you in't.

Amio.

The gods reward you. Let me but blush, And I will say, the act may too; he is too near That I should tell you more. And yet, me-thinks, He does deserve as much as I can say; And his cause named to my poor heart, Seems eloquence enough to move a pitty. Pardon my disturbed passions.

Prin.

Nay, fairest Maid— You injure me and your own hopes together, To keep me in suspence: I would as willingly Yield you my aid, as you could haste to ask it, For the ble•••• subject of your fair opinion.

Amio.

I do not doubt your goodnesse; pardon the throng Of all my tedious griefs. Know then, You best of Princesses, for sure his name Has reach'd your ears, the unhappy Mironault, That much deserv'd to live, is like to fall By bloody and unworthy hands.

Prin.

O Phylena! I'me lost.

[aside.

In that beauty is all my comfort buried.

Phyl.

Madam, what do you mean? Madam, for heaven's sake; why, Madam?

Prin.

I prethee let me go, thou art too cru••ll. I shall enjoy peace undisturb'd hereafter.

Phyl.

But hear her out, and do but search the truth, Then I will let you die. I would not for the world Any should guesse the cause.

Prin.

Alas!

Phyl.

Why, if they do, they cann't condemn the grief.

Prin.

O Phylena, when Love has entred in the out∣ward Forts, Yet there is still a small reserve of Reason, Which Love laughs at, rather than thinks it worth His rage or storming; for he knows it must Perish and starve, when the r••lief Of all the nobler Faculties are kept out

By the insuiting Conqueror, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 All the attempts I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would make against him.

Amio.

I see I am decr••ed to all misfortunes,

she speaks as no minded.

That I should now disturb you too, who, heaven knows, I willingly would please. Why do you turn Away your head? How often have I heard His prayers sent to heaven for your joys, T••at now denies to look upon his woes? I'le kne••l again, for in such a cause It were impiety to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 successe lesse. Nothing but Seas and Winds are deaf to prayers, And Beasts to mercy; who would expect A hidden ••orm in undisturbed skies? Or in that clearer breast a cruelty? If you deny, I'le grow a fixed Monument, Still to upbraid your rigour.

Prin.

O Phylena, why do you let me languish? In her beauty dwells an undoing lustre.

Phyl.

What mean you, Madam? can you believe The world can shew a subject for your jealousie?

Amio.

I see I grow a trouble, I durst have sworn You had been more charitable. How often have I heard The now unpittied Mironault affirm, You were the treasure of this world's perfections; And wondred any thing but your fair self Should know what joys were▪ Perhaps you too Believe as much, or else you could not think

All his unpittied miseries are just. Had Nature Given you a Brother, and your early loves Blest undisturb'd from Nature's ••ruitfull Cradle, You would have begg'd—as now— His hopelesse sister does. But sure I should have pittied more. And yet perhaps our interests makes us partiall: Yes I could wish I had your power to try.

Phyl.

Now, Madam—

Prin.

Forgive me, gentle Maid; it was the power Of thy told griefs that seiz'd my faculties, And left me able to do nought but grieve. Forgive the time I lost to share with thee: You may forgive the injuries of kindnesse. And though my self were witnesse to the action Thy griefs made it a new afflicting story. Each storm renews in Merchants minds The story of the shipwrack. Nor do I blush To avow this, since I must not lose The justnesse of my breast, that does believe His innocence above suspition.

Amio.

May heaven inspire you to wish well, And grant your wishes too, you might have then, Perhaps, a joy as great as he would have, Did he but know you pitty him.

Prin.

In the performance then of what I say, He will have more; which I so much wish him That you shall witnesse all pursued with haste. Nor shall you be a stranger longer to me. Yet I shall blush, although I give you leave

To see the partiality: but more time Now spent in grass or leaves, would be his injury. And we may ruine, what we would relieve, Should we without attempting succour grieve.

Exeunt.