_Enter_ LOVE, FORTUNE, DEATH. LOVE. What, Death and Fortune cross the way of Love? FORTUNE. Why, what is Love but Fortune's tennis-ball? DEATH. Nay, what are you both, but subjects unto Death? And I command you to forbear this place; For here the mouth of sad Melpomene Is wholly bent to tragedy's discourse: And what are tragedies but acts of death? Here means the wrathful muse, in seas of tears And loud laments, to tell a dismal tale-- A tale, wherein she lately hath bestow'd The husky humour of her bloody quill, And now for tables takes her to her tongue. LOVE. Why, thinks Death Love knows not the history Of brave Erastus and his Rhodian dame? 'Twas I that made their hearts consent to love; And therefore come I now as fittest person To serve for chorus to this tragedy: Had I not been, they had not died so soon. DEATH. Had I not been, they had not died so soon. FORTUNE. Nay then, it seems, you both do miss the mark: Did not I change long love to sudden hate; And then rechange their hatred into love; And then from love deliver them to death? Fortune is Chorus; Love and Death, begone! DEATH. I tell thee, Fortune, and thee, wanton Love, I will not down to everlasting night, Till I have moralis'd this tragedy, Whose chiefest actor was my sable dart. LOVE. Nor will I up unto the brightsome sphere From whence I sprang, till in the chorus' place I make it known to you and to the world, What interest Love hath in tragedies. FORTUNE. Nay then, though Fortune have delight in change, I'll stay my flight, and cease to turn my wheel, Till I have shown by demonstration, What int'rest I have in a tragedy: Tush! Fortune can do more than Love or Death. LOVE. Why stay we, then? let's give the actors leave; And, as occasion serves, make our return. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ ERASTUS _and_ PERSEDA. ERASTUS.