1 Dep.  Our business being of no less concern, Than is the peace and quiet of your subjects;—­ And that delayed,—­

2 Dep.  We humbly took this time To represent your people’s fears to you.

Queen.  My people’s fears! who made them statesmen? 
They much mistake their business, if they think,
It is to govern. 
The rights of subjects, and of sovereigns,
Are things distinct in nature:—­Theirs is to
Enjoy propriety, not empire.

Lys.  If they have erred, ’twas but an over-care; An ill-timed duty.

Queen.  Cousin, I expect From your near blood, not to excuse, but check them.  They would impose a ruler upon their lawful queen:  For what’s an husband else?

Lys.  Far, madam, be it from the thoughts
Of any, who pretends to that high honour,
To wish for more than to be reckoned
As the most graced, and first of all your servants.

Queen.  These are the insinuating promises
Of those, who aim at power.  But tell me, cousin,
(For you are unconcerned, and may be judge,)
Should that aspiring man compass his ends,
What pawn of his obedience could he give me,
When kingly power were once invested in him?

Lys.  What greater pledge than love!  When those fair eyes Cast their commanding beams, he, that could be A rebel to your birth, must pay them homage.

Queen.  All eyes are fair,
That sparkle with the jewels of a crown: 
But now I see my government is odious;
My people find I am not fit to reign,
Else they would never—­

Lys.  So far from that, we all acknowledge you
The bounty of the gods to Sicily: 
More than they are you cannot make our joys;
Make them but lasting in a successor.

Phil.  Your people seek not to impose a prince;
But humbly offer one to your free choice: 
And such a one he is—­may I have leave
To speak some little of his great deserts?—­

Queen.  I’ll hear no more.—­ For you, attend to-morrow at the council:  [To the Deputies.  There you shall have my firm resolves:—­meantime, My cousin, I am sure, will welcome you.

Lys.  Still more and more mysterious:  But I have
Gained one of her women that shall unriddle it.—­ [Aside. 
Come, gentlemen.

All Dep.  Heaven preserve your majesty! [Exeunt LYS. and Dep.

Queen.  Philocles, you may stay.

Phil.  I humbly wait your majesty’s commands.

Queen.  Yet, now I better think on’t, you may go.

Phil.  Madam!

Queen.  I have no commands;—­or, what’s all one, You, no obedience.

Phil.  How! no obedience, madam? 
I plead no other merit; ’tis the charter
By which I hold your favour, and my fortunes.

Queen.  My favours are cheap blessings, like rain and sunshine, For which we scarcely thank the gods, because We daily have them.