IRE. She would not hear him; and as it is, how much does he oblige her? He's now her servant, and would entreat her to let him be her master; a request strangely modest! CLE. If I were he, I'd take an honourable composition, let her choose whom she pleas'd for husband, and continue her secret servant still. HER. You are uncivil. _Enter_ PINDARUS. CLE. Pardon me, madam, this mirth's a liberty; your cousin doth allow me. Here comes your father. [PINDARUS _whispers with_ ERGASTO: _he speaks to_ HERMIONE. PIN. How long is't you have undertaken to be your own disposer? HER. Sir! PIN. After my cares had sought you out a man that brings all blessings that the world calls happy, you must refuse him! HER. Sir, I have taken an oath. PIN. I know the priest that gave it. Do you not blush, being so young, to know how to distinguish the difference of desires! And this so wildly, that you will put off your obedience rather than lose one that you dare not say hath interest in you; but by my hopes of rest, I'll use the power custom and nature give me to force you to your happiness. _Enter_ LYSICLES. LYS. How now, my lord? What miracle can raise a tempest here, where so much beauty reigns? PIN. My lord, you are not practised in the cares of fathers: I thought to have seen this gentleman my son to-morrow; and she does refuse him. But---- LYS. It must not be; pardon me, virtue, that I begin an act will set a stain upon my blushing brow. Yet I must thorough. Lord Pindarus, my fortunes carry a pardon with them, when they make me err in acts of ceremonial decencies, they have been so heavy and so mighty, they have bent me so low to th' earth, I could not cast my face upwards to hope a blessing; the cause you are perfect in. PIN. 'Tis a noble sorrow; but your deep melancholy gives it too large a growth. LYS. Thus all do press it; yet had my grief relation only to myself, I would not part them from; my heart and memory they justly do possess. But my father hath no more issue save myself, for to confer his name and fortunes on. PIN. Our Greece would mourn if such a glorious stock should end in the most flourishing branch. LYS. If you do wish it a continuance, 'tis in your power to make it last to ages. Since my Milesia's death, I have not loved a lady equal with your Hermione; in her I hope to lose my swollen misfortunes, and find out a joy that may extinguish them. 'Tis now no time to tell her how much I am her servant; for this lord here, that does pretend to her fair graces, before I had declared myself his rival--perchance you would believe me if I had said, he no way doth deserve her.