PHILASTER: OR, Love lies a Bleeding. Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher * * * * * _The Scene being in_ Cicilie. * * * * * Persons Represented in the Play. _The_ King. Philaster, _Heir to the Crown_. Pharamond, _Prince of_ Spain. Dion, _a Lord_. Cleremont } _Noble Gentlemen his_ Thrasiline } _Associates_. Arethusa, _the King's Daughter_. Galatea, _a wise modest Lady attending the Princess_. Megra, _a lascivious Lady_. _An old wanton Lady, or Croan_. _Another Lady attending the Princess_. Eufrasia, _Daughter of Dion, but disguised like a Page, and called Bellario_. _An old Captain_. _Five Citizens_. _A Countrey fellow_. _Two Woodmen_. _The Kings Guard and Train_. * * * * * Actus primus. Scena prima. _Enter Dion, Cleremont, _and_ Thrasiline. _Cler_. Here's not Lords nor Ladies. _Dion_. Credit me Gentlemen, I wonder at it. They receiv'd strict charge from the King to attend here: Besides it was boldly published, that no Officer should forbid any Gentlemen that desire to attend and hear. _Cle_. Can you guess the cause? _Di_. Sir, it is plain about the _Spanish_ Prince, that's come to marry our Kingdoms Heir, and be our Soveraign. _Thra_. Many (that will seem to know much) say, she looks not on him like a Maid in Love. _Di_. O Sir, the multitude (that seldom know any thing but their own opinions) speak that they would have; but the Prince, before his own approach, receiv'd so many confident messages from the State, that I think she's resolv'd to be rul'd. _Cle_. Sir, it is thought, with her he shall enjoy both these Kingdoms of _Cicilie_ and _Calabria_. _Di_. Sir, it is (without controversie) so meant. But 'twill be a troublesome labour for him to enjoy both these Kingdoms, with safetie, the right Heir to one of them living, and living so vertuously, especially the people admiring the bravery of his mind, and lamenting his injuries. _Cle_. Who, Philaster? _Di_. Yes, whose Father we all know, was by our late King of _Calabria_, unrighteously deposed from his fruitful _Cicilie_. My self drew some blood in those Wars, which I would give my hand to be washed from. _Cle_. Sir, my ignorance in State-policy, will not let me know why _Philaster_ being Heir to one of these Kingdoms, the King should suffer him to walk abroad with such free liberty.