[409] Naturalists tell us the eagle holds up its brood, as soon as 'tis hatched, to the sun, to prove whether they are genuine or not. To this Shakespeare alludes, "Henry VI.," Third Part, act ii. sc. 1-- "RICHARD. "Nay, if thou be that princely eagle's bird, Show thy descent _by gazing 'gainst the sun_." [410] [Talons.] [411] [Old copy, _strane_.] [412] [Old copy, _herodian_.] [413] [Old copy, _chance_.] ACT IV. _Enter_ ERASTUS _and_ PISTON. PISTON. Faith, master, methinks you are unwise That you wear not the high sugarloaf hat And the gilded gown the emperor gave you. ERASTUS. Peace, fool! a sable weed fits discontent: Away, be gone. PISTON. I'll go provide your supper: A shoulder of mutton and never a salad. [_Exit_ PISTON. ERASTUS. I must confess that Soliman is kind Past all compare, and more than my desert: But what helps gay garments, when the mind's oppress'd? What pleaseth the eye, when the sense is alter'd? My heart is overwhelm'd with thousand woes, And melancholy leads my soul in triumph; No marvel, then, if I have little mind Of rich embroidery or costly ornaments: Of honour's titles, or of wealth, or gain: Of music, viands, or of dainty dames. No, no; my hope full long ago was lost, And Rhodes itself is lost, or else destroy'd: If not destroy'd, yet bound and captivate; If captivate, then forc'd from holy faith; If forc'd from faith, for ever miserable: For what is misery but want of God? And God is lost, if faith be overthrown. _Enter_ SOLIMAN. SOLIMAN. Why, how now, Erastus, always in thy dumps? Still in black habit, fitting funeral? Cannot my love persuade thee from this mood, Nor all my fair entreats and blandishments? Wert thou my friend, thy mind would jump with mine; For what are friends, but one mind in two bodies? Perhaps thou doubt'st my friendship's constancy; Then dost thou wrong the measure of my love, Which hath no measure, and shall never end. Come, Erastus, sit thee down by me, And I'll impart to thee our Brusor's news; News to our honour and to thy content: The governor is slain, that sought thy death. ERASTUS. A worthy man, though not Erastus' friend. SOLIMAN. The Prince of Cyprus, too, is likewise slain. ERASTUS. Fair blossom, likely to have prov'd good fruit. SOLIMAN. Rhodes is taken, and all the men are slain, Except some few that turn to Mahomet. ERASTUS.