Queen.  He is arrived where I would wish—­ [Aside. 
Call in the company, and you shall see what I will do.

Lys.  Who waits without there? [Exit LYS.

Queen.  Now hold, my heart, for this one act of honour,
And I will never ask more courage of thee: 
Once more I have the means to reinstate myself into my glory. 
I feel my love to Philocles within me
Shrink, and pull back my heart from this hard trial. 
But it must be, when glory says it must: 
As children, wading from some river’s bank,
First try the water with their tender feet;
Then, shuddering up with cold, step back again,
And straight a little further venture on,
Till, at the last, they plunge into the deep,
And pass, at once, what they were doubting long: 
I’ll make the experiment; it shall be done in haste,
Because I’ll put it past my power to undo.

Enter at one door LYSIMANTES, at the other PHILOCLES, CELADON, CANDIOPE, FLORIMEL, FLAVIA, OLINDA, SABINA, the three deputies, and soldiers.

Lys.  In arms! is all well, Philocles?

Phil.  No, but it shall be.

Queen.  He comes, and with him
The fever of my love returns to shake me. 
I see love is not banished from my soul;
He is still there, but is chained up by glory.

Ast.  You’ve made a noble conquest, madam.

Queen.  Come hither Philocles:  I am first to tell you,
I and my cousin are agreed; he has
Engaged to lay down arms.

Phil.  ’Tis well for him he has; for all his party,
By my command, already are surprised,
While I was talking with your majesty.

Cel.  Yes, ’faith, I have done him that courtesy; I brought his followers, under pretence of guarding it, to a strait place, where they are all coupt up without use of their arms, and may be pelted to death by the small infantry o’er the town.

Queen.  ’Twas more than I expected, or could hope; Yet still I thought your meaning honest.

Phil.  My fault was rashness, but ’twas full of zeal: 
Nor had I e’er been led to that attempt,
Had I not seen, it would be done without me: 
But by compliance I preserved the power,
Which I have since made use of for your service.

Queen.  And which I purpose so to recompence—­

Lys.  With her crown, she means:  I knew ’twould come to it. [Aside.

Phil.  O heavens, she’ll own her love! 
Then I must lose Candiope for ever,
And, floating in a vast abyss of glory,
Seek and not find myself!—­

Queen.  Take your Candiope; and be as happy
As love can make you both:—­How pleased I am,
That I can force my tongue
To speak words, so far distant from my heart! [Aside.

Cand.  My happiness is more than I can utter!