+Flo.+ Not yet. This injury provok'd my master To raise these mighty forces for her rescue, And named me general: whose aim is not A vain ambition, but t' advance her service. Ere we begin to punish, take this offer: Restore the queen to liberty, with each Due circumstance that such a majesty May challenge, freely to make choice of whom She shall advance to th' honour of her bed. If your deserts bear that high rate you mention, Why should you doubt your fortune? On these terms The king, King of Castile, may be induced To pardon the error of your ruin. +Dec.+ Thus, In short, my answer. How unlimited Soe'er my power hath been, my reason and My love have circumscrib'd it. True, the queen Stands now restrain'd: but 'tis by the decree Of the whole kingdom, lest her error should Persuade her to some man less worthy. +Flo.+ How! +Dec.+ Less worthy than myself; for so they judge The proudest subject to a foreign prince. But when you mention love, where are your blushes? What can you answer for the practising The queen's affection, when embassador You lay here from Castile, pretending only Affairs importing both the kingdoms? Nor Can you, my lord, be tax'd by your discretion, That by the humblest arts of love you labour To win so bright a beauty, and a queen So potent. Your affection looks not here Without an eye upon your profit. +Flo.+ Witness, Love! +Dec.+ No protestation. If you will withdraw Your forces from our kingdom, and permit Us to our laws and government, that peace, Which hath continued many ages sacred, Stands firm between us. But if not---- +Flo.+ To arms! +Dec.+ Pray stay, my lord. Doth not your lordship see Th' advantage I have in the place? With how Much ease I may secure my fortune from The greatest danger of your forces? +Flo.+ Ha! 'Twas inconsiderate in me: but I trusted To th' honour of your word, which you'll not violate. +Dec.+ Go safely off, my lord. And now be dumb All talk of peace: we'll parley in the drum. [_Exeunt several ways, the drum beating._ FOOTNOTES: [272] This play being by the author communicated to Philip Earl of Pembroke, Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Charles I., he caused it to be acted at court, and afterwards published against the author's consent. It was revived at the Restoration, when a Prologue and Epilogue, written by the author of "Hudibras," were spoken.--See Butler's "Remains," vol. i. p. 185. [273] See note to "Lingua," act ii. sc. 2. [274] [Programme of policy.] ACT II., SCENE I. _Enter +Sanmartino+, +Captain+, +Soldier+, and +Browfildora+._