English drama; Kings and rulers -- Succession -- Drama; Love -- Drama; Sicily (Italy) -- Drama; Tragicomedy
_Phi_. I am dead Sir, y'are my fate: it was not I
Said I was not wrong'd: I carry all about me,
My weak stars led me to all my weak fortunes.
Who dares in all this presence speak (that is
But man of flesh and may be mortal) tell me
I do not most intirely love this Prince,
And honour his full vertues!
_King_. Sure he's possest.
_Phi_. Yes, with my Fathers spirit; It's here O King!
A dangerous spirit; now he tells me King,
I was a Kings heir, bids me be a King,
And whispers to me, these be all my Subjects.
'Tis strange, he will not let me sleep, but dives
Into my fancy, and there gives me shapes
That kneel, and do me service, cry me King:
But I'le suppress him, he's a factious spirit,
And will undo me: noble Sir, [your] hand, I am your
servant.
_King_. Away, I do not like this:
I'le make you tamer, or I'le dispossess you
Both of life and spirit: For this time
I pardon your wild speech, without so much
As your imprisonment.
[_Ex_. King, Pha. _and_ Are.
_Di_. I thank you Sir, you dare not for the people.
_Gal_. Ladies, what think you now of this brave fellow?
_Meg_. A pretty talking fellow, hot at hand; but eye yon
stranger, is not he a fine compleat Gentleman? O these
strangers, I do affect them strangely: they do the rarest
home things, and please the fullest! as I live, could
love all the Nation over and over for his sake.
_Gal_. Pride comfort your poor head-piece Lady: 'tis a
weak one, and had need of a Night-cap.
_Di_. See how his fancy labours, has he not spoke
Home, and bravely? what a dangerous train
Did he give fire to! How he shook the King,
Made his soul melt within him, and his blood
Run into whay! it stood upon his brow,
Like a cold winter dew.
_Phi_. Gentlemen,
You have no suit to me? I am no minion:
You stand (methinks) like men that would be Courtiers,
If you could well be fiatter'd at a price,
Not to undo your Children: y'are all honest:
Go get you home again, and make your Country
A vertuous Court, to which your great ones may,
In their Diseased age, retire, and live recluse.
_Cle_. How do you worthy Sir?
_Phi_. Well, very well;
And so well, that if the King please, I find
I may live many years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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