Queen.  But I my hate by my revenge will show:  Besides, his head’s a forfeit to the state.

Ast.  When you take that, I will believe you hate.  Let him possess, and then he’ll soon repent; And so his crime will prove his punishment.

Queen.  He may repent; but he will first possess.

Ast.  O, madam, now your hatred you confess:  If his possessing her your rage does move, ’Tis jealousy, the avarice of love.

Queen.  No more, Asteria. 
Seek Lysimantes out, bid him set his guards
Through all the court and city. 
Prevent their marriage first; then stop their flight. 
Some fitting punishments I will ordain,
But speak not you of Philocles again: 
’Tis bold to search, and dangerous to find,
Too much of heaven’s, or of a prince’s mind.
[Queen descends, and exit.

As the Queen has done speaking, FLAVIA is going hastily over the stage; ASTERIA sees her.

Ast.  Flavia, Flavia, whither so fast?

Fla.  Did you call, Asteria?

Ast.  The queen has business with Prince Lysimantes; Speak to any gentleman in the court, to fetch him. [Exit ASTERIA from above.

Fla.  I suspect somewhat, but I’ll watch you close;
Prince Lysimantes has not chose in me
The worst spy of the court—­
Celadon! what makes he here?

Enter CELADON, OLINDA, and SABINA; they walk over the stage together, he seeming to court them.

Olind.  Nay, sweet Celadon—­

Sab.  Nay, dear Celadon.

Fla.  O ho!  I see his business now; ’tis with Melissa’s two daughters:  Look, look, how he peeps about, to see if the coast be clear; like an hawk that will not plume, if she be looked on.

[Exeunt CEL.  OLIND. and SAB.

So—­at last he has trussed his quarry.

Enter FLORIMEL.

Flo.  Did you see Celadon this way?

Fla.  If you had not asked the question, I should have thought you had come from watching him; he’s just gone off with Melissa’s daughters.

Flo.  Melissa’s daughters! he did not court ’em, I hope?

Fla.  So busily, he lost no time:  While he was teaching the one a tune, he was kissing the other’s hand.

Flo.  O fine gentleman!

Fla.  And they so greedy of him! did you never see two fishes about a bait, tugging it this way and t’other way? for my part, I looked at least he should have lost a leg or arm i’the service.—­Nay, never vex yourself, but e’en resolve to break with him.

Flo.  No, no, ’tis not come to that yet; I’ll correct him first, and then hope the best from time.

Fla.  From time! believe me, there’s little good to be expected from him.  I never knew the old gentleman with the scythe and hour-glass bring any thing but grey hair, thin cheeks, and loss of teeth:  You see Celadon loves others.