_Fausta._ What folly, quoth you? Such as never yet Was heard or seen, since Phœbus first 'gan shine. You know how he was gathering in all haste His men-at-arms, to set upon the troop Of proud Alphonsus; yea, you well do know How you and I did do the best we could To make him show us in his drowsy dream What afterward should happen in his wars. Much talk he had, which now I have forgot; But at the length this surely was decreed, How that Alphonsus and Iphigena Should be conjoin'd in Juno's sacred rites. Which when I heard, as one that did despise That such a traitor should be son to me, I did rebuke my husband Amurack: And since my words could take no better place, My sword with help of all Amazones Shall make him soon repent his foolishness. _Medea._ This is the cause, then, of your banishment? And now you go unto Amazone To gather all your maidens in array, To set upon the mighty Amurack? O foolish queen, what meant you by this talk? Those prattling speeches have undone you all. Do you disdain to have that mighty prince, I mean Alphonsus, counted for your son? I tell you, Fausta, he is born to be The ruler of a mighty monarchy. I must confess the powers of Amurack Be great; his confines stretch both far and near; Yet are they not the third part of the lands Which shall be rulèd by Alphonsus' hands: And yet you dain to call him son-in-law. But when you see his sharp and cutting sword Piercing the heart of this your gallant girl, You'll curse the hour wherein you did denay To join Alphonsus with Iphigena. _Fausta._ The gods forbid that e'er it happen so! _Medea._ Nay, never pray, for it must happen so. _Fausta._ And is there, then, no remedy for it? _Medea,_ No, none but one, and that you have forsworn. _Fausta._ As though an oath can bridle so my mind As that I dare not break a thousand oaths For to eschew the danger imminent! Speak, good Medea, tell that way to me, And I will do it, whatsoe'er it be. _Medea._ Then, as already you have well decreed, Pack to your country, and in readiness Select the army of Amazones: When you have done, march with your female troop To Naples' town, to succour Amurack: And so, by marriage of Iphigena, You soon shall drive the danger clean away. _Iphi._ So shall we soon eschew Charybdis' lake, And headlong fall to Scylla's greedy gulf. I vow'd before, and now do vow again, Before I wed Alphonsus, I'll be slain.