SCENE VI.

_Enter_ EPHORBAS.

EPH. How fares Andromana? I'm glad this greatness sits so well about thee; My court was bless'd that hour I knew thee first. We'll live and still grow happy; we shall flourish Like some spreading tree that shall never cease Till its proud height o'erlook the skies. I hope I bad fair for a boy to-night. How happy Should I count myself could I but leave My kingdom something that had thy image in't.

AND. Sir, never think Iberia can be happy in another son, When such a prince as Plangus lives the heir, Who is the subject of all men's pray'rs--nay, The deserver too. There's not a man or woman In the kingdom hath one good wish within their breast But they straight bestow it upon Plangus: A prince whom mothers show their little children As something they should learn betime To worship and admire.

EPH. I know, Andromana; but----

AND. Sir, virtue's perfection Is at the height in him. Whatever after Ages bear, or give the name of worth to, Must, if compar'd to him, be but as foils To set his glory off the brighter. Nor are the men only thus taken with him; There's not a lady in the land but sighs With passion for him, and dreams on him a-nights. Husbands grow jealous of him, yet with joy That they are Plangus' rivals.

EPH. All this is nothing. Men talk'd as loud of me when I was young.

AND. Yea, but they say, sir, you were Not half so mincing in your carriage, nor so majestic. Besides----

EPH. I hope they do not make comparisons.

[_Starts._

AND. Sir, I thought we could not have discours'd on a More welcome theme than what is full of Plangus.

EPH. No more you cannot. Let him as a less star Enjoy his splendour, but it must not be so great To darken me; but, prythee, do they compare us then?

AND. You're discompos'd, sir!--I have done.

EPH. Nay, nothing But the remembrance of a foolish dream--what say they?

AND. Why, sir, some went so far to say, they wonder'd A lady of my years could marry the father, Though a king, when I might have had Plangus himself.

EPH. They did not?

AND. Then I confess I blush'd, and had been out Of temper, but that I thought it might be The court fashion to talk boldly.

EPH. This story jump'd Just with my dream to-night;[96] but methought I saw Him threat'ning to kill me 'cause thou hadst married me---- But the young saucy boy shall know I hold My sceptre strong enough to crush him into atoms. Did they not name Inophilus?

AND. I think they did. He had some share Of praises too; but it was so as gleanings To a loading cart, they sometimes fell beside.

EPH. Then I am satisfied. 'Tis an aspiring youth: 'tis something That unites Plangus and him so. I must Be speedy in resolves.

[_Exit_ EPHORBAS.