MOOR. They will not hear us, madam, unless we Contribute to their aid our best endeavours. I have thought a way may for a time secure you: You must dissemble with the prince, and seem To love Ergasto. 'Tis not impossible, but he, seeing you Prefer one so far beneath him, may provoke A just neglect from him. Then for Ergasto, Besides the time you gain, there may succeed A thousand ways to hinder his pretence. HER. Can my heart e'er consent my tongue should say, I am for any other but Eugenio? No, my dear love, though cruel fate hath sever'd My vow'd embraces, yet hath death ice enough To fright all others from them. MOOR. I see love is a child still; what a trifle Doth now disturb him! You will not get your health At the price of saying you are sick. I know There is another remedy more proportion'd For your disease, but not for you that suffer, Which is this: Tell the prince that you're engag'd, but he That broke with vows and friendship for your love, Will not desist for such suppos'd slight lets; And then your father will force you t' his will. HER. If the prince leave me, it is most certain He'll use his power to make me take Ergasto. MOOR. Those that in dangers that do press them nearly, Will not resolve upon some hazard, and Give leave to chance to govern what Our knowledge cannot hinder, must sit still, And wait their preservation from a miracle. HER. I am determin'd; for knives, fire, and seas Shall lose their qualities, ere fate shall make Me his: and if death cannot be Shunn'd, I will meet it boldly. _Enter_ IRENE. IRE. Cousin, the prince is come to see you. MOOR. Good madam, use some means that I may speak With him before he goes: my heart doth promise I shall do something in your service; and Be sure, when he first speaks of love, seem not To understand him. [_Exit._ ACT II., SCENE 2. _Enter_ LYSICLES. LYS. Madam, I've begg'd leave of your noble father to Offer up myself a servant to your virtues. HER. It is a grace our family must boast of That you descend to visit those that style Themselves your creatures, made such by your goodness, Which we can only pay by frequent prayers, That your line may last as glorious to Posterity, as your now living fame is. LYS. Madam, you were not wont by a feign'd praise To scorn those that admire you; or would you Thus insinuate what I should be by telling Me I am, what I must ever aim at? HER. Were there proportion 'twixt our births, my lord, 'Twould ill become a virgin's mouth to utter, How much you do deserve; that will excuse, When I shall say our Greece ne'er saw your equal.