SCENE I.[34

[_Enter_] CYNTHIA, TELLUS, [SEMELE, EUMENIDES, CORSITES, PANELION, _and_ ZONTES.]

_Cynthia._ Is the report true, that Endymion is stricken into such a dead sleep that nothing can either wake him or move him?

_Eum._ Too true, madam, and as much to be pitied as wondered at. 5

_Tellus._ As good sleep and do no harm as wake and do no good.

_Cynth._ What maketh you, Tellus, to be so short? The time was Endymion only was.

_Eum._ It is an old saying, madam, that a (10) waking dog doth afar off bark at a sleeping lion.

_Sem._ It were good, Eumenides, that you took a nap with your friend, for your speech beginneth to be heavy. (15)

_Eum._ Contrary to your nature, Semele, which hath been always accounted light.

_Cynth._ What, have we here before my face these unseemly and malapert overthwarts![35] I will tame your tongues and your thoughts, (20) and make your speeches answerable to your duties, and your conceits fit for my dignity, else will I banish you both my person and the world.

_Eum._ Pardon, I humbly ask; but such is my unspotted faith to Endymion that whatsoever (25) seemeth a needle to prick his finger is a dagger to wound my heart.

_Cynth._ If you be so dear to him, how happeneth it you neither go to see him, nor search for remedy for him? 30

_Eum._ I have seen him to my grief, and sought recure with despair, for that I cannot imagine who should restore him that is the wonder to all men. Your Highness, on whose hands the compass of the earth is at command, though (35) not in possession, may show yourself both worthy your sex, your nature, and your favour, if you redeem that honourable Endymion, whose ripe years foretell rare virtues, and whose unmellowed conceits promise ripe counsel. 40

_Cynth._ I have had trial of Endymion, and conceive greater assurance of his age than I could hope of his youth.

_Tellus._ But timely, madam, crooks that tree that will be a cammock,[36] and young it pricks (45) that will be a thorn; and therefore he that began without care to settle his life, it is a sign without amendment he will end it.

_Cynth._ Presumptuous girl, I will make thy tongue an example of unrecoverable displeasure. (50) Corsites, carry her to the castle in the desert, there to remain and weave.

_Cors._ Shall she work stories or poetries?

_Cynth._ It skilleth[37] not which. Go to, in both; for she shall find examples infinite in either (55) what punishment long tongues have. Eumenides, if either the soothsayers in Egypt, or the enchanters in Thessaly, or the philosophers in Greece, or all the sages of the world can find remedy, I will procure it; therefore, dispatch (60) with all speed: you, Eumenides, into Thessaly; you, Zontes, into Greece, because you are acquainted in Athens; you, Panelion, to Egypt; saying that Cynthia sendeth, and if you will, commandeth. (65)

_Eum._ On bowed knee I give thanks, and with wings on my legs, I fly for remedy.

_Zon._ We are ready at your highness’ command, and hope to return to your full content.

_Cynth._ It shall never be said that Cynthia, (70) whose mercy and goodness filleth the heavens with joys and the world with marvels, will suffer either Endymion or any to perish, if he may be protected.

_Eum._ Your Majesty’s words have been always (75) deeds, and your deeds virtues. _Exeunt._