_K. of Scots._ Amen, say I.--[_Aside_]. Would thou wert with him too! Then might I have a fitter time to woo.-- But, countess, you would be gone, therefore, farewell,-- Yet, Ida, if thou wilt, stay thou behind To accompany my queen: But if thou like the pleasures of the court,-- [_Aside_]. Or if she lik'd me, though she left the court,-- What should I say? I know not what to say.-- You may depart:--and you, my courteous queen, Leave me a space; I have a weighty cause To think upon:--[_Aside_]. Ida, it nips me near; It came from thence, I feel it burning here. [_Exeunt all except the_ KING OF SCOTS _and_ ATEUKIN. Now am I free from sight of common eye, Where to myself I may disclose the grief That hath too great a part in mine affects. _Ateu._ [_aside_]. And now is my time by wiles and words to rise, Greater than those that think themselves more wise. _K. of Scots._ And first, fond king, thy honour doth engrave Upon thy brows the drift of thy disgrace. Thy new-vow'd love, in sight of God and men, Links thee to Dorothea during life; For who more fair and virtuous than thy wife? Deceitful murderer of a quiet mind, Fond love, vile lust, that thus misleads us men To vow our faiths, and fall to sin again! But kings stoop not to every common thought: Ida is fair and wise, fit for a king; And for fair Ida will I hazard life, Venture my kingdom, country, and my crown: Such fire hath love to burn a kingdom down. Say Doll dislikes that I estrange my love: Am I obedient to a woman's look? Nay, say her father frown when he shall hear That I do hold fair Ida's love so dear: Let father frown and fret, and fret and die, Nor earth nor heaven shall part my love and I.-- Yea, they shall part us, but we first must meet, And woo and win, and yet the world not see't.-- Yea, there's the wound, and wounded with that thought, So let me die, for all my drift is naught! _Ateu._ [_coming forward_]. Most gracious and imperial majesty,-- [_Aside_]. A little flattery more were but too much. _K. of Scots._ Villain, what art thou That thus dar'st interrupt a prince's secrets? _Ateu._ Dread king, thy vassal is a man of art, Who knows, by constellation of the stars, By oppositions and by dire aspécts, The things are past and those that are to come. _K. of Scots._ But where's thy warrant to approach my presence? _Ateu._ My zeal, and ruth to see your grace's wrong, Make me lament I did detract[251] so long. _K. of Scots._ If thou know'st thoughts, tell me, what mean I now? _Ateu._ I'll calculate the cause Of those your highness' smiles, and tell your thoughts. _K. of Scots._ But lest thou spend thy time in idleness, And miss the matter that my mind aims at, Tell me: what star was opposite when that was thought? [_Strikes him on the ear._