SCENE I.--_Near Naples.

_Enter_ CARINUS _and_ ALPHONSUS.

_Cari._ My noble son, since first I did recount The noble acts your predecessors did In Arragon against their warlike foes, I never yet could see thee joy at all, But hanging down thy head as malcontent, Thy youthful days in mourning have been spent. Tell me, Alphonsus, what might be the cause That makes thee thus to pine away with care? Hath old Carinus done thee any offence In reckoning up these stories unto thee? What ne'er a word but mum? Alphonsus, speak, Unless your father's fatal day you seek.

_Alphon._ Although, dear father, I have often vow'd Ne'er to unfold the secrets of my heart To any man or woman, whosome'er Dwells underneath the circle of the sky; Yet do your words so cónjure me, dear sire, That needs I must fulfil that you require. Then so it is. Amongst the famous tales Which you rehears'd done by our sires in war, Whenas you came unto your father's days, With sobbing notes, with sighs and blubbering tears, And much ado, at length you thus began: "Next to Alphonsus should my father come For to possess the diadem by right Of Arragon, but that the wicked wretch His younger brother, with aspiring mind, By secret treason robb'd him of his life, And me his son of that which was my due." These words, my sire, did so torment my mind, As had I been with Ixion[32] in hell, The ravening bird could never plague me worse; For ever since my mind hath troubled been Which way I might revenge this traitorous fact, And that recover which is ours by right.

_Cari._ Ah, my Alphonsus, never think on that! In vain it is to strive against the stream: The crown is lost, and now in hucksters' hands, And all our hope is cast into the dust. Bridle these thoughts, and learn the same of me,-- A quiet life doth pass an empery.

_Alphon._ Yet, noble father, ere Carinus' brood Shall brook his foe for to usurp his seat, He'll die the death with honour in the field, And so his life and sorrows briefly end. But did I know my froward fate were such As I should fail in this my just attempt, This sword, dear father, should the author be To make an end of this my tragedy. Therefore, sweet sire, remain you here a while, And let me walk my Fortune for to try. I do not doubt but, ere the time be long, I'll quite his cost, or else myself will die.

_Cari._ My noble son, since that thy mind is such For to revenge thy father's foul abuse, As that my words may not a whit prevail To stay thy journey, go with happy fate, And soon return unto thy father's cell, With such a train as Julius Cæsar came To noble Rome, whenas he had achiev'd[33] The mighty monarch of the triple world. Meantime Carinus in this silly[34] grove Will spend his days with prayers and orisons, To mighty Jove to further thine intent. Farewell, dear son, Alphonsus, fare you well. [_Exit._

_Alphon._ And is he gone? then hie, Alphonsus, hie, To try thy fortune where thy fates do call. A noble mind disdains to hide his head, And let his foes triumph in his overthrow. [_Makes as though to go out._

_Enter_ ALBINIUS.

_Albi._ What loitering fellow have we spièd here? Presume not, villain, further for to go, Unless[35] you do at length the same repent.

_Alphon._ [_coming towards_ ALBINIUS]. "Villain," say'st thou? nay, "villain" in thy throat! What, know'st thou, skipjack, whom thou villain call'st?

_Albi._ A common vassal I do villain call.

_Alphon._ That shalt thou soon approve, persuade thyself, Or else I'll die, or thou shalt die for me.

_Albi._ What, do I dream, or do my dazzling eyes Deceive me? Is't Alphonsus that I see? Doth now Medea use her wonted charms For to delude Albinius' fantasy? Or doth black Pluto, king of dark Avern, Seek to flout me with his counterfeit? His body like to Alphonsus' framèd is; His face resembles much Alphonsus' hue; His noble mind declares him for no less; 'Tis he indeed. Woe worth Albinius, Whose babbling tongue hath caus'd his own annoy! Why doth not Jove send from the glittering skies His thunderbolts to chástise this offence? Why doth Dame Terra cease[36] with greedy jaws To swallow up Albinius presently? What, shall I fly and hide my traitorous head, From stout Alphonsus whom I so misus'd? Or shall I yield? Tush, yielding is in vain: Nor can I fly, but he will follow me. Then cast thyself down at his grace's feet, Confess thy fault, and ready make thy breast To entertain thy well-deservèd death. [_Kneels._

_Alphon._ What news, my friend? why are you so blank, That erst before did vaunt it to the skies?

_Albi._ Pardon, dear lord! Albinius pardon craves For this offence, which, by the heavens I vow, Unwittingly I did unto your grace; For had I known Alphonsus had been here, Ere that my tongue had spoke so traitorously, This hand should make my very soul to die.

_Alphon._ Rise up, my friend, thy pardon soon is got: [ALBINIUS _rises up._ But, prithee, tell me what the cause might be, That in such sort thou erst upbraided'st me?

_Albi._ Most mighty prince, since first your father's sire Did yield his ghost unto the Sisters Three, And old Carinus forcèd was to fly His native soil and royal diadem, I, for because I seemèd to complain Against their treason, shortly was forewarn'd Ne'er more to haunt the bounds of Arragon, On pain of death. Then like a man forlorn, I sought about to find some resting-place, And at the length did hap upon this shore, Where showing forth my cruel banishment, By King Belinus I am succourèd. But now, my lord, to answer your demand: It happens so, that the usurping king Of Arragon makes war upon this land For certain tribute which he claimeth here; Wherefore Belinus sent me round about His country for to gather up [his] men For to withstand this most injurious foe; Which being done, returning with the king, Despitefully I did so taunt your grace, Imagining you had some soldier been, The which, for fear, had sneakèd from the camp.

_Alphon._ Enough, Albinius, I do know thy mind: But may it be that these thy happy news Should be of truth, or have you forgèd them?

_Albi._ The gods forbid that e'er Albinius' tongue Should once be found to forge a feignèd tale, Especially unto his sovereign lord: But if Alphonsus think that I do feign, Stay here a while, and you shall plainly see My words be true, whenas you do perceive Our royal army march before your face; The which, if't please my noble lord to stay, I'll hasten on with all the speed I may.

_Alphon._ Make haste, Albinius, if you love my life; But yet beware, whenas your army comes, You do not make as though you do me know, For I a while a soldier base will be, Until I find time more convenient To show, Albinius, what is mine intent.

_Albi._ Whate'er Alphonsus fittest doth esteem, Albinius for his profit best will deem. [_Exit._

_Alphon._ Now do I see both gods and fortune too Do join their powers to raise Alphonsus' fame; For in this broil I do not greatly doubt But that I shall my cousin's courage tame. But see whereas Belinus' army comes, And he himself, unless I guess awry: Whoe'er it be, I do not pass[37] a pin; Alphonsus means his soldier for to be. [_He stands aside._[38]