SCENE II.--_Near Naples.

_Alarum awhile. Enter_ CARINUS.

_Cari._ No sooner had God Phœbus' brightsome beams Begun to dive within the western seas, And darksome Nox had spread about the earth Her blackish mantle, but a drowsy sleep Did take possession of Carinus' sense, And Morpheus show'd me strange disguisèd shapes. Methought I saw Alphonsus, my dear son, Plac'd in a throne all glittering clear with gold, Bedeck'd with diamonds, pearls, and precious stones, Which shin'd so clear, and glitter'd all so bright, Hyperion's coach that well be term'd it might. Above his head a canopy was set, Not deck'd with plumes, as other princes use, But all beset with heads of conquer'd kings, Enstall'd with crowns, which made a gallant show, And struck a terror to the viewers' hearts. Under his feet lay grovelling on the ground Thousands of princes, which he in his wars By martial might did conquer and bring low: Some lay as dead as either stock or stone, Some other tumbled, wounded to the death; But most of them, as to their sovereign king, Did offer duly homage unto him. As thus I stood beholding of this pomp, Methought Alphonsus did espy me out, And, at a trice, he leaving throne alone, Came to embrace me in his blessèd arms. Then noise of drums and sound of trumpets shrill Did wake Carinus from this pleasant dream. Something, I know, is now foreshown by this: The gods forfend that aught should hap amiss! [CARINUS _walks up and down._

_Enter the_ DUKE OF MILAN _in pilgrim's apparel._

_Duke of M._ This is the chance of fickle Fortune's wheel; A prince at morn, a pilgrim ere't be night; I, which erewhile did dain for to possess The proudest palace of the western world, Would now be glad a cottage for to find, To hide my head; so Fortune hath assign'd. Thrice Hesperus with pomp and peerless pride Hath heav'd his head forth of the eastern seas, Thrice Cynthia, with Phœbus' borrow'd beams, Hath shown her beauty through the darkish clouds, Since that I, wretched duke, have tasted aught, Or drunk a drop of any kind of drink. Instead of beds set forth with ebony, The greenish grass hath been my resting-place, And for my pillow stuff'd with down, The hardish hillocks have suffic'd my turn. Thus I, which erst had all things at my will, A life more hard then death do follow still.

_Cari._ [_aside_]. Methinks I hear, not very far from hence, Some woful wight lamenting his mischance: I'll go and see if that I can espy Him where he sits, or overhear his talk.

_Duke of M._ O Milan, Milan, little dost thou think, How that thy duke is now in such distress! For if thou didst, I soon should be releas'd Forth of this greedy gulf of misery.

_Cari._ [_aside_]. The Milan Duke! I thought as much before, When first I glanc'd mine eyes upon his face. This is the man which was the only cause That I was forc'd to fly from Arragon. High Jove be prais'd which hath allotted me So fit a time to quite that injury.-- Pilgrim, God speed.

_Duke of M._ Welcome, grave sir, to me.

_Cari._ Methought as now I heard you for to speak Of Milan-land: pray, do you know the same?

_Duke of M._ Ay, aged father, I have cause to know Both Milan-land and all the parts thereof.

_Cari._ Why, then, I doubt not but you can resolve Me of a question that I shall demand.

_Duke of M._ Ay, that I can, whatever that it be.

_Cari._ Then, to be brief: not twenty winters past, When these my limbs, which wither'd are with age, Were in the prime and spring of all their youth, I, still desirous, as young gallants be, To see the fashions of Arabia, My native soil, and in this pilgrim's weed, Began to travel through unkennèd lands. Much ground I pass'd, and many soils I saw; But when my feet in Milan-land I set, Such sumptuous triumphs daily there I saw As never in my life I found the like. I pray, good sir, what might the occasion be, That made the Milans make such mirth and glee?

_Duke of M._ This solemn joy whereof you now do speak, Was not solémnisèd, my friend, in vain; For at that time there came into the land The happiest tidings that they e'er did hear; For news was brought upon that solemn day Unto our court, that Ferdinandus proud Was slain himself, Carinus and his son Was banish'd both for e'er from Arragon; And for these happy news that joy was made.

_Cari._ But what, I pray, did afterward become Of old Carinus with his banish'd son? What, hear you nothing of them all this while?

_Duke of M._ Yes, too-too much, the Milan Duke may say. Alphonsus first by secret means did get To be a soldier in Belinus' wars, Wherein he did behave himself so well As that he got the crown of Arragon; Which being got, he dispossess'd also The King Belinus which had foster'd him. As for Carinus he is dead and gone: I would his son were his companion.

_Cari._ A blister build upon that traitor's tongue! But, for thy friendship which thou showed'st me, Take that of me, I frankly give it thee. [_Stabs the_ DUKE OF MILAN, _who dies._ Now will I haste to Naples with all speed, To see if Fortune will so favour me To view Alphonsus in his happy state.