KING. These things may be expected, lady, I confess, From blood that boils in flames hot as the sun In scorching Libra, or sturdy Hercules, When he unmaiden'd fifty in one night; But from a man whose years have tam'd those vices, Whose love is dotage and not lust, Who doth adore a handsome virtue, and pays His vows to't, you should have other hopes. Plangus is young, a soldier, and by consequence Something which youth excuses. But Ephorbas Hath left these toys behind him, when he shook off His youth. AND. Sir, now my fears are out. O virtue! Are there just pow'rs which men adore, and throw Away their pray'rs upon, that lend their eyes To human actions? or was the name of heaven Invented to still petty sinners? Sir, sure, I am mistaken, You are not great Ephorbas, sir, whose virtue Is a theme of wonder to all neighbour nations; Pray help me to him, I would see that angel; The kingdom's honour and [all] good men's sanctuary. But if you are the man, whom I have pray'd for Oft'ner than I have slept; pray, sir, belie not A virtue which I've hitherto admired. KING. I see You are a stranger, lady--give me leave To say so--to Ephorbas; But if a lady of thy melting years Can love this greyness, I vow my sceptre, Throne, kingdom, and myself are thine; Thou'rt fit to be a queen. [_She starts back._ AND. A queen! sir, have your subjects anger'd you? Have they rebell'd, or done some sin that wants A name? I'll cleave to the pavement, till I have begg'd A vengeance great as their crime; but this You mention is a punishment, which your subjects Must study years to curse you for; no sin Deserves it. You would blind my eyes with throwing gold Before 'em, Or set me up so high on the steep pinnacle Of honour's temple, that you would have me not be Able to look down on my own simplicity. You can create me great, I know, sir, But good you cannot. You might compel, Entice me too, perhaps, to sin. But Can you allay a gnawing conscience, Or bind up bleeding reputation? I did never hear that physic could afford A remedy for a wounded honour. EPH. Thou'rt a fool, Andromana. You must be mine. Consider on't. AND. You may command your vassal. KING. That's kindly said. AND. But--I humbly take my leave; Goodness protect you! [_Exit._ SCENE VI. _Enter_ RINATUS, EUBULUS, _and_ ARAMNES. EPH. Wait on that lady forth. RIN. Would there were not a woman in the world, So we had our prince again! Sir, are you mad? Or have forgot you are a father? You Have undone us all. EPH. Why, what's the matter? RIN. O sir, the prince---- EPH. He is not dead, Rinatus, is he? RIN. Sir, if he be, 'tis you have murder'd him: Was it for this you were so jealous t'other day? May my Inophilus never pretend to virtue, I'll teach him a more thriving art. Come to the window a little, sir, and hear How the good people curse you. As cold weather As it is, some are so hard at it, they sweat again.