Merione, _A virtuous Lady, honourably solicited by Prince_ Agenor. Beliza, _A noble Lady, Mistriss to_ Euphanes. Queen _of_ Corinth, _A wise and virtuous Widow, Mother of_ Theanor, The Scene Corinth. The Principal Actors were _Richard Burbadge,_ _Henry Condel,_ _John Underwood,_ _Thomas Polard,_ _Nathan Feild,_ _John Lowin,_ _Nich. Toolie,_ _Tho. Holcomb._ Actus Primus. Scæna Prima. _Enter_ Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton. _Era._ The General is returned then? _Nean._ With much honour. _Sos._ And peace concluded with the Prince of _Argos_? _Nean._ To the Queens wishes: the conditions sign'd So far beyond her hopes, to the advantage Of _Corinth_, and the good of all her Subjects; That though _Leonidas_ our brave General Ever came home a fair and great example, He never yet return'd, or with less loss Or more deserved honour. _Era._ Have you not heard The motives to this general good? _Nean._ The main one Was admiration first in young _Agenor_, (For by that name we know the Prince of _Argos_) Of our _Leonidas_ wisdom and his valour, Which though an enemy, first in him bred wonder; That liking, Love succeeded that, which was Followed by a desire to be a friend Upon what terms soever to such goodness; They had an enterview; and that their friendship Might with our peace be ratified, 'twas concluded, _Agenor_ yielding up all such strong places As he held in our territories, should receive (With a sufficient Dower, paid by the Queen) The fair _Merion[e]_ for his wife. _Era._ But how Approves the Queen of this? since we well know Nor was her Highness ignorant, that her Son The Prince _Theanor_ made love to this Lady, And in the noblest way. _Nean._ Which she allowed of, And I have heard from some familiar with Her nearest secrets, she so deeply priz'd her Being from an Infant train'd up in her service, (Or to speak better, rather her own Creature) She once did say, That if the Prince should steal A Marriage without her leave, or knowledge, With this _Merione_, with a little suit She should grant both their pardons: whereas now To shew her self for sooth a _Spartan_ Lady, And that 'tis in her power, now it concerns The common good, not alone to subdue Her own affections, but command her Sons; She has not only forc'd him with rough threats To leave his Mistriss, but compell'd him when _Agen[or]_ made his entrance into _Corinth_ To wait upon his Rival. _Sos._ Can it be The Prince should sit down with this wrong? _Nean._ I know not, I am sure I should not. _Era._ Trust me nor I, A Mother is a name, but put in ballance With a young Wench 'tis nothing; where did you leave him?