_Cari._ The gods forbid that e'er Carinus' tongue Should go about to make a maid consent Unto the thing which modesty denies: That which I ask is neither hurt to thee, Danger to parents, nor disgrace to friends, But good and honest, and will profit bring To thee and those which lean unto that thing. And that is this:--since first Alphonsus' eyes Did hap to glance upon your heavenly hue, And saw the rare perfection of the same, He hath desirèd to become your spouse: Now, if you will unto the same agree, I dare assure you that you shall be free. _Iphi._ Pardon, dear lord; the world goes very hard When womenkind are forcèd for to woo. If that your son had lovèd me so well, Why did he not inform me of the same? _Cari._ Why did he not! what, have you clean forgot What ample proffers he did make to you, When, hand to hand, he did encounter you? _Iphi._ No, worthy sir, I have not it forgot; But Cupid cannot enter in the breast Where Mars before had took possession: That was no time to talk of Venus' games When all our fellows were press'd in the wars. _Cari._ Well, let that pass: now canst thou be content To love Alphonsus and become his spouse? _Iphi._ Ay, if the high Alphonsus could vouchsafe To entertain me as his wedded spouse. _Alphon._ If that he could! what, dost thou doubt of that? Jason did jet[54] whenas he had obtain'd The golden fleece by wise Medea's art; The Greeks rejoicèd when they had subdu'd The famous bulwarks of most stately Troy; But all their mirth was nothing in respect Of this my joy, since that I now have got That which I long desirèd in my heart. _Cari._ But what says Fausta to her daughter's choice? _Fausta._ Fausta doth say, the gods have been her friends, To let her live to see Iphigena Bestowèd so unto her heart's content. _Alphon._ Thanks, mighty empress, for your gentleness, And, if Alphonsus can at any time With all his power requite this courtesy, You shall perceive how kindly he doth take Your forwardness in this his happy chance. _Cari._ Albinius, go call forth Amurack: We'll see what he doth say unto this match. [ALBINIUS _brings forth_ AMURACK. Most mighty Turk, I, with my warlike son Alphonsus, loathing that so great a prince As you should live in such unseemly sort, Have sent for you to proffer life or death; Life, if you do consent to our demand, And death, if that you dare gainsay the same. Your wife, high Fausta, with Iphigena, Have given consent that this my warlike son Should have your daughter for his bedfellow: Now resteth naught but that you do agree, And so to purchase sure tranquillity.