SCENE III.

EPHORBAS _solus_.

The blessing of an honest servant! This Rinatus is truer unto me. He loves the king as well as I Ephorbas; And may I live but to reward him, For he's too honest for a court.

_Enter_ ARTESIO.

How now, Artesio? thy looks speak strong amazement; I am with child to hear the news: prythee, Be quick in the delivery.

ART. The prince, an't please your majesty----

EPH. What of him, Artesio?

ART. I have observ'd, is much retir'd of late.

EPH. So have I too; this is no news.

ART. And I can whisper in your ear the cause. 'Twas chance, no policy of mine, betray'd his privacies: Ill-offices are not the engines I desire To rise by, only love to the young prince Makes me reveal them.

EPH. Nay, nay, without apology; If it were treason, it should not go down The sooner for all the gilded preparation. Nor am I of so feminine a humour As to mistrust affection delivered bluntly: Plain meaning should be plainly told; Bad wares may have false lights, good can abide the day.

ART. But I know the nature of my office; Though kings still hug suspicion in their bosoms, They hate the causers; love to hear secrets too, Yet the revealers still fare the worse, Being either thought guilty of ends or weakness; And so esteem'd by those they tell them to Either unfit or dangerous to be trusted. Perhaps, sir, when the prince and you are friends again You'll tell me that, had my love been real, I should have whisper'd the prince's errors to himself.

EPH. Without a syllable of prologue more, Or I shall verify your fears.

ART. In this brave city (take it as brief as may be) There lives a beauty, fit to command Them that command the world, And might be Alexander's mistress, were he yet alive, And had added empires as large as his desires: She's but a private merchant's wife; Yet the prince is so far gravell'd in her affection, I fear----

EPH. Then there is hopes I may recall him: Love is a childish evil, though the effects Are dangerous. A prince's errors grown public Will be scandalous. Poor boy! perhaps The jealous husband may commit a murder; I would not have him cut off so young: Love should be princes' recreation, not their business. What physic must we give him for his cure?

ART. I dare not counsel you; But in my poor judgment some gentle Fatherly persuasions will work upon so good a nature.

EPH. Couldst thou but possibly effect, how I Might take him napping?

ART. That is beyond my skill: But I can show you the house and time he walks From hence in, which will be about an hour Hence; for then her husband comes home from The Rialto.

EPH. Time will not tarry for a king; let's go.

[_Exeunt._