_Hidas._ Many ages before this, When every man got to himself a Trade, And was laborious in that chosen course, Hating an idle life, far worse than death: Some one that gave himself to Wine and Sloth, Which breed lascivious thoughts; And found himself conjoyn'd For that by every painful man, To take his stain away, fram'd to himself A _god_, whom he pretended to obey, In being thus dishonest, for a name He call'd him _Cupid_. This created _god_, Mans nature being ever credulous Of any vice that takes part with his blood, Had ready followers enow: and since In every age they grew, especially Amongst your Subjects, who do yet remain Adorers of that drowsie Deitie: Which drink invented: and the winged Boy, (For so they call him) has his sacrifices. These loose naked statues through the Land, And in every Village, nay the palace Is not free from 'em. This is my request, That these erect[ed] obscene Images May be pluckt down and burnt: and every man That offers to 'em any sacrifice, may lose his life. _Leon._ But be advis'd my fairest daughter, if he be A god, he will express it upon thee my child: Which heaven avert. _Leucip._ There is no such power: But the opinion of him fills the Land With lustful sins: every young man and maid That feel the least desire to one another, Dare not suppress it, for they think it is Blind _Cupid's_ motion: and he is a god. _Leon._ This makes our youth unchaste. I am resolv'd: Nephew _Ismenus_, break the Statues down Here in the Palace, and command the City Do the like, let proclamations Be drawn, and hastily sent through the Land To the same purpose. _Ismen._ Sir, I will break down none my self, But I will deliver your command: Hand I will have none in't, for I like it not. _Leon._ Goe and command it. Pleasure of my life, Wouldst thou ought else? make many thousand suits, They must and shall be granted. _Hid._ Nothing else. [_Exit_ Ismenus. _Leon._ But go and meditate on other suits, Some six days hence I'll give thee Audience again, And by a new oath, bind my self to keep it: Ask largely for thy self, dearer than life In whom I may be bold to call my self, More fortunate than any in my age, I will deny thee nothing. _Leu._ 'Twas well done, Sister. [_Exeunt all but these three Lords._ _Nis._ How like you this request my Lord[s]? _Dor._ I know not yet, I am so full of wonder, We shall be gods our selves shortly, And we pull 'em out of Heaven o' this fashion. _Age._ We shall have wenches now when we can Catch 'em, and we transgress thus.