Cel.  So long as there be ladies there, you need Not doubt me. [Exit CELADON.

Phil.  Some of them will, I hope, make you a convert.

Lys.  My lord Philocles, I’m glad we are alone; There is a business, that concerns me nearly, In which I beg your love.

Phil.  Command my service.

Lys.  I know your interest with the queen is great;
(I speak not this as envying your fortune,
For, frankly, I confess you have deserved it;
Besides, my birth, my courage, and my honour,
Are all above so base a vice,)—­

Phil. I know, my lord, you are first prince o’the blood;
Your country’s second hope: 
And that the public vote, when the queen weds,
Designs you for her choice.

Lys.  I am not worthy,
Except love makes desert;
For doubtless she’s the glory of her time: 
Of faultless beauty, blooming as the spring
In our Sicilian groves; matchless in virtue,
And largely souled where’er her bounty gives,
As, with each breath, she could create new Indies.

Phil.  But jealous of her glory,—­

Lys.  You are a courtier; and, in other terms,
Would you say, she is averse from marriage,
Lest it might lessen her authority. 
But whensoe’er she does, I know the people
Will scarcely suffer her to match
With any neighbouring prince, whose power might bend
Our free Sicilians to a foreign yoke.

Phil.  I love too well my country to desire it.

Lys.  Then, to proceed, (as you well know, my lord,)
The provinces have sent their deputies,
Humbly to move her, she would chuse at home;
And, (for she seems averse from speaking with them,)
By my appointment, have designed these walks,
Where well she cannot shun them.—­Now, if you
Assist their suit, by joining yours to it,
And by your mediation I prove happy,
I freely promise you—­

Phil.  Without a bribe, command my utmost in it:—­ And yet, there is a thing, which time may give me The confidence to name,—­

Lys.  ’Tis yours whatever:—­ But, tell me true, does she not entertain Some deep and settled thoughts against my person?

Phil.  I hope, not so; but she, of late, is froward;
Reserved, and sad, and vexed at little things;
Which her great soul, ashamed of, strait shakes off,
And is composed again.

Lys.  You are still near the queen; and all our actions Come to princes’ eyes, as they are represented By them, that hold the mirror.

Phil.  Here she comes, and with her the deputies:  I fear all is not right.

Enter Queen, Deputies after her; ASTERIA, Guard, FLAVIA, OLINDA, and SABINA. Queen turns back to the Deputies, and speaks entering.

Queen.  And I must tell you, It is a saucy boldness, thus to press On my retirements.